A NOISY BIRD

After years of getting up early to make sure the kids got off to school and years of getting up early to get to jobs on time, I can sleep in.  I do not even feel guilty.  The trouble is, I rarely sleep in.  It seems like there is not enough day if I sleep past seven.

Sometimes, I have not slept well.   Then seven comes and goes and eight follows right behind.  I wake up rested and so enjoy slowly drinking my coffee.  I am in such a good mood after my coffee.  On those mornings, I can drink my coffee and not face the day until 9:00 or 10:00.  I still do not feel guilty.

Unless, a noise disturbs my coffee time.  One morning a pesky bird decided to let the world know it could chirp with the best of them.  And it was chirping right outside the window.  You would have thought a bird would sit in a tree.  Not this bird.  It was perched on the window ledge.  Perched and singing as loud as an Italian opera singer.  I pecked on the window.  I swear that bird smiled at me and then was quiet enough for me to have a couple sips of coffee and …

The bird decided a couple of sips of coffee was all I needed.  The silence disappeared as the bird broke into a rendition of Blue Skies Smiling at Me.  The sky might be smiling, but that was twice now that bird had interrupted my morning.  Then, as I was headed for the door, it flew away.  Bless its heart.  The bird was gone.  A cup of hot coffee was poured.  I picked up a book.  A book and coffee make for a perfect morning.  Until …

Until that bird was back for a third time.

But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.

A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight.  She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

But he denied it.  “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.  The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”  

And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

Luke 22:33-34, 55-62

My heart understands Peter.  He was ready to die for Jesus.  He would not back down.  How could Jesus think he would deny him?  NEVER!  It must have been like a knife being stuck into his chest when Jesus said those words.  It had to hurt him to his very core.  NEVER!  Peter was strong.  Peter was loved by Jesus and he loved Jesus.  He would never deny him.  I can hear Peter’s soul shouting, “How can Jesus even think that?”

BUT, Peter denied knowing Jesus and I had sat quietly as those around me used the Lord’s name in vain.

BUT, Peter denied being one of Jesus’ followers and I did not say a prayer for the friend who needed prayers.

BUT, Peter told them he didn’t know what they were talking about and I found an excuse to not read the Bible that day.

AND THE ROOSTER CROWED.

I am strong in my faith.  I believe my sins are forgiven because Jesus took them upon himself.  I would never deny Him!  How could Jesus even think that?

BUT the rooster crowed, the Lord turned and looked at me, and I realized why my heart understands Peter.  I also have denied my Lord.  I am not strong.

Do not be too hard on Peter.  Look at your life.  Have you been weak and denied your Lord?  Have you heard the rooster crow?

 

BUT MOM ….  BUT DAD ….

How often have you used that phrase?

“No, you cannot go to the park.  You have to study.”  But mom, all my friends are going.

“No, you cannot go skating.  They have a lot of trouble at the rink.”  But dad, it is not like that anymore.

“No, you cannot go to Susie’s house.  Last time her mom took off and there were no adults there.  No ‘but mom’.  The answer is no.”

Have you used that phrase?  Have your children used it on you?  If so, don’t worry.  You are not alone.  Even Jesus said, “But mom, …”

On the third day, a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee.  Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.  When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 

“Woman, why do you involve me?”  Jesus replied.  “My hour has not yet come.” 

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”  They did so,

John 2:1-8

 

When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”  Then Jesus said, “But mom.”

I never got away with ‘but mom’ or ‘but dad.’  Neither did Jesus.  His mom ignored him and told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them.  Jesus knew he could tell his mother no.  Instead of no, he told her that it was not his time. 

BUT Jesus respected and honored his mother.  Jesus did not argue and did as his mother requested.

And God spoke all these words: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Exodus 20:1, 12

I will be honest.  I DID NOT always honor my father and mother.  I argued with my dad, but that never turned out good.  I did honor them most of the time, because those times when I didn’t, I would have trouble sitting for a few days.  The paddle, used on 4 kids, split and was held together with electrical tape.  On the rare occasion, I got in trouble at school, I was disciplined at school.  My mom was not overly happy and I suffered for days knowing that when my truck driver dad got home, I would be the object of his punishment.  Usually, by the time he got home, he was tired and took it fairly easy on me.  He thought the dread and waiting for him to get home was punishment enough.  It was!!

The majority of the time, it was “yes mom”  or “yes dad”  when I was asked told to do something.  Clear the table.  “Yes, mom.”  Do the dusting.  “Yes, mom.”  Go help your mother in the garden.  “Yes, Dad.”

Rabbit trail: I hated working in the garden or flower beds.  I would much rather clean the house, but work in the garden I did… until I would accidentally cut down a flower or green bean plant.  I would cut off something that could be a weed, but mom would explain it was a tomato plant.  Then she would send me out of her garden.  It was an accident, honest.

Back to the blog.  Throughout the gospels, we hear about Jesus obeying His Father.  I am glad to know that he also obeyed his mother.  AND his mother knew he would do as she asked.

Jesus was a good son.

 

 BEWARE

 Surprise.  Surprise.  There is a crowd!  Well duh!  It was Jesus.  There is always a crowd. 

Did you ever think of Jesus as being sneaky? He was.  Jesus was speaking to his disciples, but sneaky Jesus knew all the people were listening.  He was going to say something important and he knew people listened more closely if they thought it might be something they were not supposed to hear.

Picture Jesus in one of the temple courts.  The disciples are close to Jesus.  All the people were crowded around hoping to hear Jesus.  Then there were the teachers of the law and the chief priests.

The teachers of the law and the chief priests were looking for a way to arrest Jesus.  Jesus was not cooperating.  They would ask a question and Jesus would answer it.  Drat.  He answered with a parable and they knew it was about them.

Next, they tried to trap him.  They asked him if they should pay taxes to Caesar.  Double drat.  His answer was not what they wanted.  Their attempt to trap Jesus backfired.  Plus, they wanted to arrest him, but were afraid of the people.

These men were supposed to be wise and at least wise enough to become silent.

Can you see the people watching this?  A question is asked and answered.  1 point for Jesus.  Another question is asked and answered.  Another point for Jesus.  I bet they smiled when the teachers of the law and the chief priests got taken down a peg or two.

And then … are you wondering what happened next? The teachers of the law and the chief priests are talking among themselves.  Their hate is burning them up.  The people are no longer paying them any attention.  All eyes are on Jesus.  The disciples are waiting.  There is silence.

And then Jesus spoke.

While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law.  They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.  They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.  These men will be punished most severely.”

Luke 20:45-47

(Beware of the teachers of the law.  They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces)  I can see the teachers of the law.  They stood tall, gave a cocky snap of their head, and said, “Of course I expect to be greeted.  I have a position.  I deserve respect.  Flowing robes? Do you expect me to look like a beggar or a low life?”

(for a show make lengthy prayers) 

(and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.)  A teacher of the law probably replied, “We must have important seats.  After all, we are important.  We would never sit at a table with the general public.”  The people were now looking in their direction. 

(They devour widows’ houses)  I bet you could hear person after person tell about a window they knew that had been kicked out on the streets.  Now they were glaring at the teachers of the law.  Were they going to defend taking homes away from widows like they defended wearing flowing robes?  I have a feeling the teachers of the law said nothing.

(for a show make lengthy prayers)  I can hear one of the teachers of the law shouting above the noise, (We do not make long prayers to show off!  We have much to say to help guide sinners back to God.  We have much to say about the law.  We are not showing off!!”

(These men will be punished most severely.)  All eyes were on the teachers of the law.  BUT, what do you think the teachers of the law did?

————————————

I teach a Sunday School class and, believe me when I say, I am no “teacher of the law.”  The closest thing I own that could be called a flowing robe is a house coat and, although I like good seats at a concert, you won’t find me at the head table at any banquet.  I can say a pretty good prayer when I am home alone or writing in a journal, but I get very nervous when saying prayers in public.  Public prayers will be short.  And my heart breaks for people who suffer from hard times and cannot pay their mortgage or taxes.

AND THE MAIN THING I DO, AS A TEACHER, IS TELLING THE CLASS TO MAKE SURE I AM TEACHING THE TRUTH.  I expect them to study and call me out if I get off track.

I love the church we are attending.  There is love and compassion.  There is fellowship.  There is endless chatter, laughter, and hugs.  Sermons make us think and guide us in our continual journey to gain understanding.  BUT mainly, there is the Holy Spirit and commitment of all to follow the path God has chosen for each of us.  AND we stand on the foundation of the Word of God.

I picked this passage because I want you to think about those you learn from.  Are they teaching from the Bible?  Are they called to preach, teach, visit, and guide?  Or are they in their position for the money and the opportunity to make others listen to them?

Think about those you learn from.

SISTERS 

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 

Martha in the kitchen:  Oh my.  What do I have in the fridge?  Is there enough bread?  Butter?  Pizza?  What can I give them to eat until I fix a meal?  I will get everything done.  I took on this obligation and will not bring shame on my family by not being the perfect hostess.

I love Jesus and am not sorry I invited him, but quickly putting together a meal is not easy.  And I never know how many will be here.  Besides, those twelve disciples eat so much.  They just walk around following Jesus and then sit while he teaches.  How can they be so hungry?  Surely, they kept some of the fish and bread after feeding the five thousand.  My goodness, that Jesus is something.  Five loaves of bread and two fish!  That is all he had to feed all those people.  Plus, there were leftovers!  Maybe I need to have him see what he can do with this piece of beef and some potatoes.

And where is that sister of mine?

She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. 

Martha headed to talk with Jesus:  Jesus will tell Mary to help me.  He would realize I am swamped.  I know how Mary should be acting and sitting at Jesus’ feet is not proper behavior.  That position is reserved for men who want to learn, men who will become teachers, and men who will become disciples.  Mary needs a talking-to!  I need Jesus to instruct Mary to help me.

She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!” 

Mary sitting quietly:  If my sister knew the blessing of being near our Lord, she would not be so determined to fix a meal over hearing Jesus speak.  I know we are charged with being hospitable, but a peanut butter and jelly sandwich would be enough.  It is better to be filled with God’s word than to be filled by a too large, very expensive meal.  

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

If there is one Bible story that has been discussed at every women’s Bible study, discussion group, or when Christian women get together, it is the Martha versus Mary story. 

Women pick sides, but why should they pick sides?  Jesus said Mary chose what is better.  He did not say she picked the only way to serve.  What Martha was doing was important BUT could she do both?  Maybe Martha was working too hard.  Making the meal too elaborate when something less time-consuming would be well received.

Are you working, serving, too hard?  Are you a doer?  Are you involved every time the doors are unlocked?  Are you so active you miss out on the quiet time?  On the learning time?  On time at Jesus’ feet?

Mary was a rebel.  A rule breaker.  Probably an embarrassment to Martha.  She crossed way too many lines in the sand.  The customs and the laws demanded that Mary’s place was in the kitchen.  She was a host and therefore should be taking care of every need of the guests.  Instead, she was sitting at Jesus' feet, listening.  She was NOT to be at his feet.  The law said so.

This brings us to the other thing I want you to see.  This might seem like it is for the women, BUT it is for the men too.  Mary did not listen to the customs or the laws.  Three times she sat or knelt at Jesus’ feet.  When Jesus was a guest, when Lazarus died, and when she put oil on Jesus’ feet.  Remember men: the laws said… the customs said….  society said ..  but what did Jesus do when Mary sat at his feet?

NEWS FLASH:

• Jesus did not tell her to move.

• He did not tell her to get back to the kitchen. 

• He did not tell her to stand up when she knelt at his feet, distraught at the death of her brother.  (Not only did he not tell her to stand up, he wept with her.)

• He did not tell her to stop putting oil on his feet and did not tell her to stop wiping his feet with her hair.

I guess Jesus was a rebel too.  He did not obey the customs or the law.  He did not take notice of the complaints.  He allowed Mary, a woman, to kneel at his feet and listen to his teachings.

Where do women belong?  At the feet of Jesus!

 

PROUD PARENTS

NOTE: I looked up articles on Bartimaeus.  He was not born blind, but became blind at a young age, between 5 and 10.   His blindness was either caused by a fall off a horse or an illness.  Some articles quote the scriptures as “restore my sight.”  I could not find that in any version of the Bible.  What I looked up all said, “I want to see.”

PROUD PARENTS

They were so excited.  A baby.  They were having a baby.  The father wanted a son.  The mother wanted a healthy baby.  They would have to wait nine months.  Nine months…such a long time when you want to meet the child that is wiggling and kicking.  The mother knew it would not be too long now.  She was beginning to feel different.

It was time, and a baby boy came into the world, into a family.  Ten toes and ten fingers.  Ears and eyes.  A mouth.  He was perfect.  They named him Bartimaeus, (which means “son of Timaeus”).

Their child, the son the father had such dreams for, became blind.  Their joy turned to sadness.  Although they would teach him all they could, they knew their blind son would become a beggar.

Bartimaeus realized a crowd was forming.  He wondered why.  He heard a large number of people coming.  He could hear them talking among themselves.  He had trouble making out what they were saying until he heard one name: JESUS.  He had heard about Jesus.  There were those that said he was a trouble maker.  There were those that said he was a healer.  A healer.  How could he be seen by Jesus?  He could not tell which direction to go.  The crowd got louder.  Bartimaeus decided the only option he had was to yell.

Then they came to Jericho.  As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.  When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up!  On your feet!  He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.  “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.  The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”  “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

               Mark 10:46-52

The crowd started getting quieter and he took advantage of the quiet ….  “SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME.”

Those around him told him to be quiet.  Bartimaeus did just the opposite.  At the top of his lungs, he yelled … “SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME.”

He could feel people staring at him.  He heard someone tell him to come forward.  Jesus was calling him forward.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.  The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”  “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”

Wow.  What a story.  Only one request: I want to see.  Ohhh, can you even imagine what that was like?  Bartimaeus saw colors again.  He saw the faces of those around him.  He would see the faces of his parents.  He would now be able to be something other than a beggar.

AND he immediately knew what Jesus looked like.  He saw Jesus’ eyes and his smile and his hands.  Can you imagine being blind and opening your eyes to see the Son of God?

Bartimaeus could see.  He walked away from being a beggar.  He followed Jesus!

 

 

 

 

 

 THANK YOU

Many of you know that I have a green, stuffed frog with an Instagram account.  Norman_frog gets mail all the time.  He gets mail from foreign countries.  He gets chocolate from The Netherlands.  He gets calendars from Germany.  When we got a new mail carrier, I had to explain about Norman.  Just today (writing this February 14) he got mail from Puerto Rico.

BUT --- I got mail too.  Good, old-fashioned mail.  The address was handwritten.  There were heart stickers on the back.  What fun it is to get my own mail.  How great to have something besides bills. 

I knew the person who sent it.  I opened it slowly.  I wanted to enjoy the sound of the paper as the envelope opened to reveal a card.  The front of the card said, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”  The inside greeting offered, “Hope it’s filled with everything that makes your heart smile!”  My heart was smiling.

It was the handwritten part that made my heart grateful.  I will not share what was written or who wrote it.  I do not want to embarrass the sender.  This card thanked me for writing my blog.  Yes, my heart was grateful for the thank you and the encouragement.

JESUS HEALS TEN MEN WITH LEPROSY

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.  As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy  met him.  They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

 

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”  And as they went, they were cleansed.

 

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

 

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed?  Where are the other nine?  Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”  Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

 

Luke 17:11-19

A couple of my blogs have been long, so this one is short.  Have you thanked anyone lately?  Have you sent an actual card?  Not an email.  A card. 

You have an assignment this week.  Send someone a thank you card.  And don’t just sign it.  Write a note in it.  Be specific about what you are thanking them for.

Second, write a thank you note to God. 

I do want to thank those who encourage me with mail and email.  Each kind word is greatly appreciated.

Have a super, fantastic, wonderful, beautiful day.  But only if you send a card and thank God.  If you don’t do that,  then have a  --- just kidding. 

 TWO MOTHERS — GRIEF TURNS TO JOY

I can close my eyes and see two mothers.  One is standing beside a bed and one is walking beside the bier (A stand on which a corpse or coffin is placed.)  I can see two women tense with grief.  I can see the tears and hear their sobs.  Grief is visible and thick in the air in that room and the air surrounding the funeral procession.   

 DON’T BE AFRAID; JUST BELIEVE

A father, full of fear, searched for Jesus, as a mother stood beside the bed of their daughter.  Her heart was breaking, as her daughter lay there, still and not moving.  So many unknowns as time seemed to stand still.  Would her husband get there in time?  Would he find Jesus?  Would Jesus agree to help? 

When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake.  Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet.  He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying.  Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. 

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader.  “Your daughter is dead,” they said.  “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

 

Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

 

Mark 5:22-24, 35-36

 

A father, full of fear, hears hope in Jesus’ voice.  A father leads Jesus to his home. 

 

When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.  He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing?  The child is not dead but asleep.”  But they laughed at him. 

A mother sees them coming and then hears Jesus say the child is not dead.  Only asleep.  Then why could they not rouse the child?  Why had the child not heard their voices calling her?  But Jesus sounds so sure.  Could it be?  Is there hope?

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.  He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).  Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old).  At this they were completely astonished.  He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Mark 5:38-43

 

In a gentle voice, Jesus spoke two words, “Talitha Koum!”  In less than a breath, a worried, grief-stricken heart leaps with joy.  SHE LIVES! 

DON’T CRY

Each step was hard.  First her husband and now her son.  Yes, she was surrounded by a large crowd and she appreciated the support, but they would all go home.  She would go home to an empty house.  Her life has changed and she fears the change.  It was hard enough to be a widow, but she had a son to provide for her.  Who would provide now?  How would she survive?  And grief and fear made each step hard as she kept up with bier.

Who was this man approaching her dead son? 

Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.  As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the town was with her.  When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

 

Luke 7:11-13 

Don’t cry?  Had this man ever had to say goodbye to a son?  And why is he touching the bier?

Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still.  He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”  The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

Luke 7:14-15

This man commanded my son to get up and he did.  My dead son sat up and began to talk.  The great compassion of Jesus gave me back my son.  And grief left her heart and was replaced with joy.  MY SON IS ALIVE!!

TWO MOTHERS – GRIEF TURNS TO JOY

I can close my eyes and see two mothers.  One is feeding a daughter and one is celebrating the return of her son from the dead.  Two women who are no longer tense with grief or sobbing.  The air now contains great joy. 

And I see Jesus walking away.  He was not believed and he was laughed at.  Those mourning were confused as to why this man stopped the processional.  I know why.  Because Jesus had great compassion for two mothers.

We will have grief.  Our loved ones are not always healed.  Life does not always go the way we want it to.  And we will not understand why and we will have tears and we will be tense with grief.  During those times, remember Jesus has great compassion and will walk through this grief with you as you hold your loved one in your very soul.  And your loved one waits to share eternity.