Pondering God with My Girls

The other night as Mackenzie and Kaitlann and I were reading the bible, as is our regular routine, there was a reference to Moses on the mountain with God in Exodus 33:20. This reference gave me a chance to remind them of the story of Moses being hidden in the cleft of the rock and God passing by because Moses asked to see His glory.  And, of course, as with most nights, then came the questions from a 7 & 9 year old.  They pondered who big the hand of God might be as he covered Moses.  They wondered what exactly was the "back of God" (hinder parts for you who memorized KJV), and what it looked like.  We didn't really talk about the glory of God and proclaiming his Name before Moses. They didn't ask, and I needed to get them to go to sleep sometime, so I didn't drop it in.  But then they asked about how no man can see the face of God and live.  They thought that was fine, then Mackenzie asked about Jesus. Could Jesus see the face of God (I think the passage we were reading mentioned this too, 2 Peter or 1 John maybe)?  My answer was that Jesus WAS God. She paused for a minute; it was dark (reading by the light of Kindle and iPhone), so I couldn't see her face, but she was thinking.  She asked about the passage we were reading, about God sending His Son or Jesus returning at God's command (again, can't remember, its been several days), and was implying that there was a necessary separation because of the text. "But I thought..."  "But this says..."

We have talked about the trinity before.  And I have done my best to explain it before.  Kaitlann had been lost in the discussion, but Mackenzie was again pondering it. And I didn't, and don't have the answers. Doctrines and thoughts about God like these, remind us that we cannot "explain" God. There are thoughts about God that as the Psalmist said, are too high for us, Psalm 139:6. Paul says it in Romans 11:33. It is good to plum the depths of the person of God. We don't do it enough.  Our thoughts are consumed with earthly things. Our patterns of thinking affect our desires as well. If our "awe" of God was higher, our desire for Him would be higher, and our satisfaction in Him would be fuller, and He would be glorified!

So I guess this is my exhortation to you today, think deep thoughts about Him. Get past the basics. No training required--no seminary degree, no church office, no denominational training, no years of teaching a bible study, just a brain. Fill that thing with scripture, and use it. If fact, the best way to do it is probably in groups of two or three. Search out the One True God in all His beauties and excellences and complexities, and you will be blessed.

Just a Few Feet from Possible Death

Had an experience this morning that made me think. I was walking to work this morning about 6:00, and it was still dark, but light was coming. Someone had left a little tiny kitten on my porch (that's another blog), and so after I turned on the water sprinkler on the garden, and headed for the office. Two of my cats (Cremesicle and Lola) began to follow me over there. When I looked up, and noticed a medium size animal on the other side of the church building under the streetlight.

I had seen a fox a week or so back, but couldn't really tell what this was in the dark from that distance, so I began my approach. Closer I got, I realized it was that fox (I guess it was the same one). And it was just aimlessly walking around under the light. Fascinated, I watched some, then began to creep up the edge of the building where he couldn't see me. And my cats faithfully, or blindly, followed me.

I got right up to the corner of the building (about 35 yards from the fox), and watched. Then my fearless (or stupid) cat, Cremesicle, finally saw the fox, and he thought he better go investigate. Now I am wondering if curiosity was going to kill the cat! But my curiosity got the better of me, because I wanted to see what would happen (I was going to rescue him if he needed it).

The fox didn't see the cat until Cremey was about half way between us. He looked a little puzzled, and Cremey got down ready for the pounce. By this time I was a little worried, so I drew my trusty 9mm, just in case. From 30 yards, that fox would have a sporting chance with only a three inch barrel on my Taurus 709, but he better watch out!

The fox came closer to the cat, and kinda circled him. I could take a few more steps that way toward the very edge of the building (the AC unit had been in front of me). So I am ready, Cremey is ready, and the fox is looking stumped. He is cautiously approaching the cat (there was about 10 feet between them). But then he caught a glimpse of me; probably my face in the glow of the light. Then you could tell he went from puzzled to alert.

Since I was busted, I figured it was time to put an end to the curiosity (from all parties). So I stood up, and began walking toward the fox. That was it, he was outta there! And I watched him run over into the adjoining field, looking back every now and then to see if I was still there. So maybe I will see him again. It was a really exhilarating experience.

But as I reflected on it all, this was my thought: he didn't know how close he might have been to getting shot and killed. And I wondered how many times God protected me, had mercy on me, rescued me from myself... How many times had death been so close, and I just did not realize it? How close was eternal punishment to me before grace intervened?

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses...for by grace you have been saved..." - Ephesians 2

Even today, with the sin in my life from last week, God's mercy has given me breath. Just thankful for His sovereignty and His loving-kindness (mercy)! Has he been merciful to you? Have you thanked Him for it today?

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." Ps 136:1-26

They Shall Know that I am the LORD

I was reading this morning in Exodus and I was reminded of a recurring theme that I encountered in Ezekiel over and over:

Then I will harden Pharaoh's heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD." -Exodus 14:4

That phrase, or variations of it occurred 60 times in Ezekiel referring to Israel and many other nations. It was pounded into my brain as I read Ezekiel some time back. This morning I realized that God was concerned, not only about Israel knowing that He was the One True God, but also the Egyptians who He was in the process of humbling and destroying. A couple of thoughts occurred to me:

1. We are constantly in need of reminding that God is really God, the sovereign Lord over all the earth, all circumstances, all situations, all people, all things at all times
2. God will go to great lengths, even the deaths of hundreds or thousands, to ensure that His Name is made great in the sight of many. And this is for the good of the many.
3. God has a great concern for your/my enemies and their eternal destiny, thus so should we. And therefore, we must remember how we handle opposition is extremely important.
4. I think it is valid to evaluate each situation in our lives with the question: how is God using this to make me (and others) know that He is the Lord?

Open our eyes to Your greatness, and make us realize Your sufficiency and centrality, as You work all things after the counsel of Your will!