“Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” – Matthew 21:5

Each year at Easter time I have a flurry of creative thoughts flowing through my head as I prepare for my message.  Easter is one of two holidays each year where people who used to go to church manage to find their way back. My hope is to communicate God’s grace and love in such a way that they’ll stick around for more.  Hence, I spend quite a bit of time trying to come up with new ways to present the realities of the Gospel.

For the past few weeks I’ve had this one thought running through my head a lot: “Donkeys…not Thoroughbreds.”  In response to the time I spent preparing for “Palm Sunday” (where Jesus rides a donkey colt as he makes his grand entrance into Jerusalem), I have been encouraged that when Jesus looks for someone to piggyback for His glory, we only have record of him choosing an unbroken, jack-ass.

You can see why this would encourage ME, right?

Not to get all sentimental and whiny on you, but let me share a part of the experience of being a minister.  Many people imagine that the main pressure pastors in North America feel is about being a Christ-like example to our churches.  Perhaps we should feel that pressure or at least responsibility, but it isn’t the primary feeling many feel as they prepare to preach and or lead their congregations.  The greatest pressure that many feel is a sense of needing to impress people with our gifts, skills or work ethic.

I live one mile from Santa Anita racetrack (home of the legendary Sea Biscuit – they filmed the movie there, too).  I have gone to the races and even go over to see the practices and I can tell you that thoroughbred horses are marvelous animals.  A friend of mine is an equine veterinarian (horse doctor) and has given me a new level of appreciation for the amount of money and time that is put into breeding, training and racing thoroughbred horses.

The culture of horseracing is upscale, too.  Just watch the Triple Crown this spring and you’ll see wealth and opulence on display.  People are fascinated with horseracing at the elite level.  The horses are impressive, the venues are impressive and the personalities of the people who run the show (owners, trainers & jockeys) are impressive.   Whenever the Breeder’s Cup comes to Santa Anita, it is an event that ranks right up there with the Rose Bowl in terms of event status.

So, when an ancient king would ride into town in all of his glory, they would pick the most glorious chariots and the finest horses in the land.  The steeds upon which warriors and heroes ride are legendary, too.  All throughout both fictional and historical literature and film we can recall the names of great horses.  That fact that Sea Biscuit and Secretariat are household names (and movie titles) testifies to the fact great horses make for great movies.  And those two thoroughbreds are among the best in history.

Can you remember their jockey’s names?  Before the movies came out I couldn’t.  I know people who can name past Triple Crown winning horses but not their jockeys.  Rare is it that a jockey outshines his horse.  Rarer still is remembering who the jockey is in the first place.  It’s all about the horse.  When it’s not about the horse, it is usually because the figure on the horse is so grand and so glorious that even when riding on the finest animal in the world, people still are amazed at the person in the saddle.

Here’s the long and the short of it:  It’s all about Jesus.  It’s all about seeing Him clearly.  He’s the rider, we’re the mount.  If you feel like you’re unworthy to be ridden by the Lord, join the club. He only rides unimpressive beasts of burden.  Whenever someone starts talking about the glory of the animal carrying Jesus, we’ve got ourselves a problem because the Savior is no longer the focus.

The Apostle Paul said as much about his own ministry:

“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” – 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

I understand as well as anyone how easy it is to get a complex about your abilities in a society that is impressed only with the very best.  Christians of all vocations should simply be amazed that when Jesus needs to use people, he has determined only to use donkeys, not thoroughbreds.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

– 2 Corinthians 3:17

I’m doing my graduate research at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.  On my first visit to the library I was so excited to see a section of The Berlin Wall. It was a great day in history when this wall came down, and a crowning moment in the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Reagan will be remembered in history for his clarion call across the Iron Curtain: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

You’ll notice from the pictures above that the wall is colorfully and creatively painted on one side and bland in color with a little graffiti on the other. I’m betting you can you guess which side was facing democratic West Berlin and which side faced communist East Berlin?  This section of The Berlin Wall is fraught with all sorts of symbolism about the benefits and fullness of freedom.  Freedom produces creativity and life (the side facing West). Oppression and fear dampen the human spirit and stifle any sense of flare or color in life (the side facing East).

This isn’t just about governments, although the case is certainly made at the Reagan Library and I imagine that is one of the reasons for the display. However, I’m speaking metaphorically about life as a Christian, free from the fear of judgment. During my freshman year of college, I recall making a statement akin to “I hope I get to heaven.” A Christian friend of mine asked me, “How secure are you in your salvation?”  I couldn’t answer him. I was a Christian, but I was still under the impression that God could change His mind if I screwed up bad enough.

Of course, not many people can articulate their sense of insecurity before God. But that inability is precisely what causes the nebulous sense of fear that produces a miserable, lifeless and cold Christian experience – like living in East Berlin before the wall came down. Oppressed by fear of punishment and unable to really enjoy freedom, Christians become angry, depressed and begin to push back against God without always knowing why. I think I know why we do: because we don’t take the Gospel at face value.  We can’t believe that in God’s sight we are clean because of Christ and we need not fear judgment any longer.  We don’t realize that we’re free, so we live and feel like we’re not.

Freedom has the opposite effect from oppression.  Once free, we’re able to explore exactly who we’re supposed to be.  We’re able to let it all hang out.  We’re able to go where we need to go and do what we need to do.  Our creative juices are given maximum potential for expression.  When we KNOW that we’re secure in Christ, at that point we begin to live joyously in the presence of God.  Once we don’t fear judgment or death, we begin to trust and follow Jesus and stay inside His boundaries for living.

You can go on YouTube and see videos of people from communist countries risking their lives trying to get to the west.  Ever wonder why there is no video of people scrambling for their lives trying to get into East Berlin?  Because no one in their right mind signs up for bondage.   Anyone who has genuinely tasted freedom would never think of returning to the oppression of fear and punishment.  That was true before the Berlin Wall came down, and it is true spiritually for you and me today.

If you feel lifeless spiritually, lacking a fervor and hunger for knowing Jesus, perhaps it’s because you don’t realize just how free you really are?  Freedom in God’s grace produces life.  And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!

“God’s work begins when ours comes to its end.” – Jack Miller

You may not know this but I am a motorcyclist.  As well, I’ve been a huge fan of the American Chopper television show since its debut in 2003.  At CenterPoint Church in Tallahassee, Florida we actually had a Men’s Retreat based on an American Chopper theme (during a Bike Week in Panama City).

Sadly, over the past few years things have not been healthy in the Family Teutul.  Actually, most could see the unhealthy writing on the wall as early as season one.  At the heart of their issue is the volatility of the family patriarch, Paul Teutul, Sr.  “Senior” is a successful businessman, a self-made mulit-millionaire with the vision and focus of a Fortune 500 CEO.  This season he is a contestant on the Donald Trump TV show, “The Apprentice.”

Senior has skills.

However, Senior’s success in the Orange County Choppers venture was largely built on the creative genius of his son, Paul Jr.  “Junior” was the creative fire at OCC and his creation’s were not simply motorcycle hardware but chopper art.  The family dysfunction is rooted in control, anger, fear, greed and the inability to resolve conflict.  Senior has been estranged from just about everyone in his family at one time or another.  Yet episode after episode features his refusal to acknowledge that he is the primary source of the ongoing family discord.

Paul has pride.

On two separate occasions OCC has publicly taken on PJD (Paul Junior Designs – Jr.’s new company) in public build-offs.  In the first instance they both designed choppers for Cadillac and Junior won the fan vote 95% to 5%.  In the second on-air contest, bike-maker Jesse James (Sandra Bullock’s large-mouthed ex) joined in the three-way build off.  Junior beat both handily.  On both occasions Senior commented that the results didn’t indicate that his son was a better bike maker but was simply more popular with fans.  Which led me to ask the question, “Which way do you want it, Senior?  Do you want to be the jerk who is causing the family strife and is phenomenally unpopular because of it?  Or, do you want to be the inferior chopper maker who undervalued his son’s contribution to your company’s success?”

Bro can’t have it both ways.

What’s my point?  Pride kills.  It is what makes relationships deteriorate.  It is also that which keeps people from walking with Jesus.  Both the Old and New Testaments reaffirm the truth that “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5)  The mandate for humility is not one of those theological issues that constitutes a gray area.  “Proud Christian” is an oxymoron.  God is particular about making sure that we know that we need Him.

Jack Miller once wrote, “God has a way of wanting to be God and refusing to get too involved where we have our own wisdom and strength. Then, when we run out of wisdom and strength, He is suddenly present.”  As we’ve talked about the GOSPEL this past month at Prism, it dawns on me that this will be a life-long struggle for all Christ followers.  Applying the gospel to our lives requires a constant demonstration of our weakness and His strength.  This reality is what keeps many from every becoming Christians in the first place, because none of us naturally wants to be seen as needy, sinful, broken or weak.

But that struggle against our broken nature continues well beyond our introduction to faith in Christ.  The starting point for our continued humility is growing in our appreciation of how Jesus humbled Himself for our benefit – something we reflect on a lot during Easter season.  What should encourage us is that after humbling Himself, Jesus was exalted to the right hand of the Father.  The Son’s resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven was proof positive that God the Father exalts the humble.

When you and I are faced with challenges, when our relationships seem to be on the brink and have already “brunk,” the solution before us is seen in what Jesus Christ has done.

Humility brings healing.

1 Corinthians 10:12, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

One of the founders of Invisible Children (producers of the KONY 2012 documentary) has had a very public nervous breakdown.  A man on the front lines of combating injustice has been crushed underneath pressure and criticism following the explosive growth of his outreach to end coerced child military service by Ugandan war criminal, Joseph Kony. An ABC News feature details the situation and the circumstances that led to this type of breakdown; an emotional collapse that doesn’t surprise me at all. What does throw me is how many are surprised by it and, sadly, how many people think less of a person because they go through this type of suffering.

Anyone who has ever experienced a critical assault understands how an emotional breakdown can occur.  You are criticized and hated for something you do, irrational people manufacture dishonest and self-interested claims that sully your character or methods.  Then, perhaps you’re not taking very good care of yourself physically or spiritually and you start to lose sleep over the matter.  Once you start having trouble with insomnia, it’s just a matter of time before you begin to lose the ability to manage your emotions.

I’ve had this experience on a much smaller scale.  It was the perfect storm of my mistakes and shortcomings running into others’ unhealthy interest to be in control – all taking place in the context a broken world where when human beings don’t get rest they are prone to lose control.  Sure, we can always prepare better by taking care of ourselves physically or by readying ourselves spiritually for these onslaughts (something I took away from my experience).  But once they happen, you join a fraternity of people who have experienced something akin to Jesus’ suffering in the garden of Gethsemane – an emotional pain that makes you feel as if the world is coming apart.  Jesus could handle it.  Broken people can’t do so apart from His grace.

What I find interesting is the way people react when others collapse emotionally.  One critic of the Invisible Children leader actually said, “There goes his so-called credibility.”  Really?  Because he is compassionate and cares what people think (so much so that he’d have insomnia and lose his grip), that negates his credibility?  That’s just silly.  And self-righteous.

We’ve been talking about the GOSPEL at Prism Church this month (actually, we talk about it all the time – we’re just Uber-emphasizing it this month).  The gospel of Jesus must be received as a child receives help from a parent.  We are all broken, weak people who are closer to falling apart than we even care to imagine.  And anyone who thinks that others are incapable of serving God or humanity because they are weak and fragile is unaware of their own vulnerability and tragically ignorant of Scripture.

One of my favorite preachers is Pastor Ray Cortese (look up his sermons online – Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church).  He is fond of saying, “If God wants all hell to break loose, all He has to do is nothing.”  In other words, we are all being held together by the grace of God and the Holy Spirit’s power.  If we imagine for a moment that the struggles and sin that others deal with could never make their way into our lives, we’re in big trouble.

The KONY 2012 movement is doing a great thing seeking justice and being the hands and feet of God in our broken world.  Now, if broken human beings can only keep from expecting their leaders to have super-human strength, we might have the privilege of seeing Invisible Children’s work spread to other parts of the world.  For sure, pray for grace for others…but in humility be sure not to forget to pray the same for yourself.

“Some plants grow better in the shade than in the sun, as the bay and the cypress: the shade of adversity is better for some than the sunshine of prosperity.” – Puritan, Thomas Watson

Each morning I sit over my Bible, Subway breakfast sandwich and a Diet Coke and marvel that I can be so content.  That hasn’t always been the characteristic that has marked my life.  Truthfully, it still isn’t.  However, I’ve somehow managed to discover the simple joy of time alone with Jesus at my neighborhood restaurant.  It is a foretaste of the contentment that I know we’ll experience in eternity and hopefully experience increasingly in this life.

 “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13

I think what makes Paul’s declaration about contentment in Philippians 4 most amazing is that he penned his words from a prison in Philippi.   I can see writing about joy and contentment from a booth at Outback Steakhouse or a beach house in Malibu.  But prison?

I’ve commented before that sports ministries have done more than anyone to drain the context out of Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”  I’m on the Board of Directors for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the San Gabriel Valley, so I love and support sports ministries.  However, Paul’s declaration had nothing to do with Jesus making you a better ball player.  The apostle was telling us the means of knowing contentment via the manifest presence of God.

Knowing Christ’s presence in our lives produces a joy and contentment that functions independent of how much or how little we have in this life.  That makes sense, too, as we can’t purchase or lose that which is given to us by His grace.  Therefore, it won’t disappear based on how much or how little we have.  The challenge is that we aren’t very functionally aware of how to experience His presence.  However, we can gleen a clue from God’s declaration to Joshua as the Israelites were preparing to occupy Jericho.

 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.  Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

JOSHUA 1:6-9

Joshua is commanded to be strong and courageous.  He’s also told that he is only going to be able to be so because He’s in the presence of God.  He is told that the means of remembering that He is in the presence of God is meditating on the promises made by God.  Human beings haven’t changed much over the millenniums, as we have very short memories.  Therefore, the time you and I spend meditating on Scripture’s promises and its depictions of God’s love are what will keep us cognizant of God’s presence.  In His presence is real joy and contentment.

The “Secret” that Paul had to learn was that contentment is possible in all circumstances through Christ who gives us strength, by virtue of being aware of His presence.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve learned more about the presence of God in the damp, dark, dungeons of difficulty than I have in prosperity.  However, I think the promise to Joshua implies that God’s presence is the only thing that makes prosperity worth having in the first place.

“I‘ve lived a life that’s full.  I’ve traveled each and ev’ry highway;

But more, much more than this, I did it my way.”

FRANK SINATRA, “MY WAY”

The refrain of our culture can be heard in the lyrics of the old Frank Sinatra song, “My Way.”  Whether Frankie meant to make it the national anthem or not (he actually referred to it as his National Anthem), there is nothing that characterizes American culture more than the individual.  Me.  Myself.  I.

“So, what’s the problem?”  Some may ask.

Apart from the Biblical admonition to put others first and be great by being the servant of all (Jesus in Mark 10:43-45), I’ve found that as I’m preoccupied with getting my way, it makes it pretty difficult to roll with the punches. “Why roll with the punches at all?” Some may ask.  Simple.  Because the punches are coming whether we want them to or not.  Jesus guaranteed it.

John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.”

While we many admire from afar those who’ve risen to the “top of the heap” in business or the arts, have you ever been friends with someone who was adamant about always getting their way?  I’m guessing that if you have, apart from a change on their part you’re not close any longer.  No one who is genuinely loved by others is ever characterized as intensely selfish. Another reason to go with the flow is it is unrealistic to ever expect that everything is going to go our way.  Rarely do we get 100% of what we want.

More importantly – and more fundamentally as a Christian – my life is not mine and therefore I have forfeited “my way” in favor of God’s plan for my life.  If he wants to provide something I want, that is entirely His business.  My negative reaction to not getting my way tells me all I need to know about what is most important to me. As well, it is an indicator that I’m not truly finding my life’s joy and sustenance in Christ but rather in something I THINK I need.

Deuteronomy 4:9, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

These were Moses’ final words to the Israelites before he officially turned over the reigns of leadership to Joshua, son of Nun (the first orphan in the Bible…sorry – bad, old joke).  They hit me particularly hard this week as I’m stressing over some things that I want to “go my way.”  This is my problem: I’m obsessed with “my way.”  I hear in Moses last words an encouragement to remember the times when God didn’t give us what we asked for and we were grateful later.

Perhaps we should make the lyrics of a Garth Brooks song our anthem today:

“Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.
Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs.
That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care.
Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” 

GARTH BROOKS, “UNANSWERED PRAYERS”

The Daytona 500 was rained out this year for the first time.  That meant that all of the fans would have to come back the next day. Many wouldn’t be able to, having spent money on flights that weren’t refundable.  And the originally scheduled start time on Monday was noon, meaning many would be at work and not even able to watch on television.  As of Monday morning the clouds hadn’t lifted and the rain was going to delay the race until that evening.

I understand this kind of disappointment.  You get your hopes up for something great and all of a sudden, that which you can’t control ruins your plans.  We’ve all been there.

However, as the old saying goes, “Every cloud has a silver lining.”  For NASCAR, delaying until Monday night created a ratings bonanza they’ve not seen in a while.  A national prime time audience was exposed to FOX’s broadcast, drawing many television spectators who previously hadn’t made auto racing a priority.  The fact that the rain didn’t let up until mid-afternoon meant that local fans could go to work and then be there for the race that night.

In the end it was an epic race.  Sports commentator Jim Rome said it was a spectacle the likes of which NASCAR hadn’t seen in decades; complete with tight racing, plenty of wrecks, and an accident that blew up 200 gallons of jet fuel.  It was something to see.  The entire broadcast lasted six hours (including the 2 hour delay while they cleaned up the track from the explosion).  There is no way this was planned, at least not by NASCAR.  But it sure worked out well for them as they had control over the network for the whole night.

I’m going to try to remember this the next time something doesn’t go my way.  In the Sound of Music, Maria quotes the Reverend Mother, “When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.”  Actually, the Head Nun is taking her cues from the Apostle Paul, who penned this diddy under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

He would go on to ask in verse 32 of the same chapter, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”   The answer?  No one.  God is somehow orchestrating even the bad stuff that happens for our betterment.  Nowhere is this better illustrated than at the cross of Jesus.  The people conspired against Him, his friends deserted him, and the hounds of Hell seemed to be freely torturing the Son of the Living God.

But God was allowing it all to bring about our salvation.  Jesus managed to trust His Father, so much so that He could pray for those who were doing evil to him: “Forgive them, Father, they don’t know what they’re doing.”

Rest well, my friend.  They may not understand, you may not understand, but your gracious Heavenly Father sure does.

I’m trying to re-write a portion of my dissertation this week.  I’m having trouble focusing.  It’s amazing the list of things I can get done when I’m trying to avoid doing the one thing I’m supposed to be doing.  I’m way ahead in so many areas…except on this dissertation.

During my last year of both seminary and undergraduate school I had the same problem – I couldn’t stay focused on the task at hand because I was so busy thinking about post-graduation.  This is an ongoing struggle for me spiritually, too, as I have a difficult time living in the moment.

Psalm 118:22-24, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.  This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.  This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

God has done a lot in each of our lives.  But when we get overwhelmed with thoughts of tomorrow, we tend to not see His glory today.  When we don’t see His glory today, life’s struggles can overwhelm us.  When things are going well we usually don’t notice, but hit that bump in the road (and perhaps lose your “stuff”), it’s then that you realize your focus is elsewhere besides God.

I have to drive on the 210 to get to my office.  I’ve noticed that I can’t hear my engine very well when I’m traveling at 70+mph with my stereo on.  However, when I turn the radio off and pull into the parking lot, I hear pings and knocks that previously I wasn’t even aware were there.

My point is that if we don’t slow down and enjoy today we’ll not only miss out on the great things that God wants us to celebrate, but we’ll also not hear when things are out of whack in our hearts.  The Father has created today to be one where you and I will experience Him.    Today’s the day He’s made.  Join me in trying to stay focused on it.

Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”  But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”  They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”  “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” – Mark 6:36-38

This week I’ve been thinking a lot about the passage dealt with last Sunday at Prism Church (see “What is Gospel Giving” at HERE or download from iTunes store).

Jesus asks the disciples to feed 5000 people and they accurately assess that they only have five loaves and two fishes.  I get why the disciples were a bit troubled by Jesus’ ongoing challenges to do things they didn’t have the ability to do.  They were correct to assume that THEY couldn’t feed 5000 people.  They were incorrect to think that Jesus couldn’t feed 5000 people through them.

It is conceivable that many don’t attempt great things for God because all they ever do is accurately assess their limited capabilities.  Modern “Self-help” methodology encourages us that we already have all we need in ourselves to accomplish all of our dreams.  I hate to be “Johnny Raincloud,” but if you can’t sing, you’re not going to be the next American Idol.  Listen to all the Tony Robbins tapes you want, but it isn’t going to change the fact that you can’t carry a tune.

The Scriptures over and over declare that we are powerless to do anything apart from God.  Either He is the author of the natural capabilities that we already have, or more importantly He is the Alpha & Omega and He can do anything through us.  Ultimately He is the one to credit for anything “naturally” accomplished.  But Jesus is certainly capable of doing infinitely more than we can conceive of doing (even after “unleashing our Personal Power!”).

There are three things standing between us and an opportunity to do great things for Jesus:  (1) We want to delude ourselves into thinking we can do those works in our own strength; or  (2) We don’t want to do them for Jesus; or (3) We never try because we don’t believe that Jesus can do the impossible with the little that we have to offer.

You are correct to assess that you don’t have what it takes to accomplish that which God may be calling you to do.  Assuming you want to do something great for Jesus, you’re just once step from a miracle.  Bringing what you have to Jesus.

‎The miraculous only happens through really weak people depending on a really powerful God!

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”  He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”  Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it.  He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” – Genesis 28:16-22

Here at the start of 2012 I’ve started another trek through the Bible.  I’m reading through one of those “Through the Bible in a Year” plans where you start in the Old Testament and keep going until the end of the New Testament.   Just about the time you hit Christmas you’re near the end of your journey, trying to somehow emotionally reconcile the “Beast” and “Anti-Christ” from the book of Revelation with your celebration of Christ’s birth, presents and holiday cheer.

Anyway.

I just finished Genesis and am once again impressed with something that the Israelites did.  They built monuments.  All over the ancient world, God’s people would erect these stone symbols of God’s working and faithfulness. They and their descendents would acknowledge these markings when walking past and look upon them with reverence to remember all that God had done.

My wife and I were recently talking about the number of ways that we’re praying for God to move mightily in our lives and church this year.  We’ve determined that one of the real benefits of monuments to God’s greatness is that when you face new trials you can remember how faithful He has been in the past.  These reminders are what give us renewed confidence and optimism.

Unfortunately, many of us often forget what God has done.  We see or experience His faithfulness in one way or another and then move on to thinking about our next “need” or “emergency.” If you’re like me at all, you haven’t frequently stopped first to properly thank him, celebrate His grace, or mark the occasion with a memorial to remind us later how good He has been.

What does that look like for you?  I’m still trying to figure out what that looks like for me.  I don’t imagine I’ll be building a limestone obelisk in my front yard.  But the idea would be that these reminders would be semi-permanent and obvious enough that I’d see it regularly.  My hope would be that as new challenges come our way in 2012 that we’d be able to remember God’s past graces.  I am confident that this awareness will fuel our love for Jesus and service to Him.