MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN

INVOCATION..... d365.org  (John Ryan)
It’s all about determination—the decision to accomplish something in spite of all the resistance that wells up inside.   When you want to make a change, when anyone wants to shake things up, there is always “push back.” Moving from old to new, even when everyone agrees it’s a good idea, is hard.

That’s true even for God’s good ideas about transformation, which often encounter resistance. Still, God has a pretty good record when it comes to things—and people. Now might be a good 
time for you to decide it’s time to give in.

SATURDAY, August 24, 2013  "Delight"
Psalm 37:4
Seek your happiness in the Lord,
    and he will give you your heart's desire.  (GNT)
Keep company with God,  get in on the best.  (MSG)
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart. (NRSV)
    What a 'delightful' verse for a Saturday morning.  The NRSV and NIV translations caught my eye because we focused on the word delight at the lectionary Bible Study last Thursday.  What does it mean to delight in the Lord?

     The MSG and GNT translations perhaps give a hint of two concepts:  to delight is to keep company, to be present with and for, and to seek happiness and pleasure.  Webster lists synonyms such as rejoice, glory, exalt, please.  I most appreciate Webster's definition of delight as a transitive verb: to pleasure (someone) greatly.  This makes delight an active word; delight is something we DO, it is not just done to us!!  
     The second half of the verse alludes to receiving whatever we want (our grandest desire!), but I think The Message comes closer: get in on the best.  God knows what is best for us, our heart's desire (which isn't always the same as our desire for a new phone or other gadget of some kind!).
     How can I demonstrate my delight in God today?  If nothing else, just the word delight puts a smile on my face and that's a good start!  

BENEDICTION.....  d365.org (John Ryan)

Every single encounter with God 

Holds the promise of 

A new direction;

A new perspective;

A change of heart and mind.

Go now resolved that your life will be

Different;

Transformed;

Made over again
By the overwhelming grace of God.

(Blog postings will discontinue on a daily basis with this week's offerings.  The daily drawing has become somewhat a chore rather than a joy.  Internet access on our next trip will be intermittent, and I am ready for a different emphasis in my morning devotions.  But....stay tuned for weekly posts and occasional scribbles along the way!)

FRIDAY, August 23, 2013 "Housemates"

John 15:4 (MSG)

“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me."

"Abide in me as I abide in you."  That's a common translation for this scripture.  When you live WITH someone you really get to know them.  And that's how God wants to be in our lives and how we need to seep ourselves in God.  Then, and only then, can we proclaim the good news effectively, serve with boundless love, and witness to the resurrection in all we do.  In other words, only then can we produce good fruit.  Take up residence with God as your housemate!!  

THURSDAY, August 22, 2013 "Run of the House"

Colossians 3:16 (MSG)

Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!

Toddlers sometimes have the run of a house. 
And chaos ensues!  
Toys and clothing everywhere!
Spilled food and handprints,
Constant activity and energy. 
What if we gave God the same permission
To run amok in our lives,
To turn our attempt at order into chaos 
With persistent love and transformation?
What if we tripped over God as we move
From room to room,
Day to day?
Would chaos reign, or
Would we find hearts so full of love
That a song would fill our soul
And burst forth in praise?!
Take over the house of my life, God!
Fill me with laughter and love! 

WEDNESDAY, August 21, 2013  "God's the Boss!"

Proverbs 16:1-3 (MSG)

Mortals make elaborate plans,
    but God has the last word.

 Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good;
    God probes for what is good.

 Put God in charge of your work,
    then what you’ve planned will take place.

     Put God in charge? What a crazy idea!  We like to think we can control our own destiny, make our own decisions.  After all, don't we know what is best for our own lives?  Not really.  Whatever our plans, if we seek God's guidance and blessing, we will probably succeed through God.  Alone?  Often not.  To make change happen, we must first ask God to take the helm.  And then, do and go as God directs!  

TUESDAY, August 20, 2013  "Seek God"

Deuteronomy 4:29 (MSG)

"But even there, if you seek God, your God, you'll be able to find him if you're serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul."

Where's God?

Bad things are happening

People are dying.

War rends communities,

Conflict chars hearts. 

Where's God?

Souls are lonely, empty with sorrow.

Disappointment their only mate.

Is this a game, God?

Ollie ollie oxen free??!

   Stop!  Look within.

   I'm not hiding.

   I'm right here, with you. 

   Seek and you will find!

Whole heart and soul....

God is here...waiting and ready

To help me handle the world. 

MONDAY, August 19, 2013  "God First"

Matthew 6:33 

Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.  (GNT)

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.  (MSG)

     "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God" - the words of a familiar song ring in my ears.  Put God at the top of the list for making change happen...and then watch and be amazed!  I love The Message version, "Steep your life" - saturate everything you do, say, and be with God.  Make God a reality in all parts of your life.  You are changed, others are changed, life is changed.  Is it really that simple?  Yes.  Easy?  No.  But if God-first is our goal, at least we will be heading in the right direction!  

SUNDAY, August 18, 2013  "Restitution"

Luke 19:8 (CEB)

Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I repay them four times as much.”

     Again, I feel God's response to current life events in today's devotion.   Yesterday was a day to pay tribute to a Baker City heroine for change, Peggi Timm.  We heard over and over stories of persistence and tenacity for the sake of change that would benefit a community, fill a need, make the world better.  Peggi was a transformer, one who unashamedly 'shook things up' and never took 'NO!' for a final answer. She MADE THINGS HAPPEN!  Peggi worked her magic because she had an abidingly faith in God and God's power to transform, and in people to work God's purpose.  

     As a new school year begins within our church family, as Rick and I prepare to once again venture forth in travel, as Baker City moves ahead to a post-Peggi era, may we seek to feel God's nudge and, like Zacchaeus, make decisions to enact the change God wants to see. Zacchaeus's first move was to make restitution to those he had wronged.  Change within ourselves first can cause a chain reaction of changed attitudes in the world around us.  Change not for the sake of change itself, but transformation to something new and stronger and closer to God - that should be our resolution.