LUCADO: Creator God

Devotions based on The Lucado Inspirational Reader by Max Lucado, Nashville: Thomas Nelson

SUNDAY, February 23  Choice

"From the palette of the Ageless Artist came inimitable splendors. Before there was a person to see it, his creation was pregnant with wonder.  Flowers didn't just grow; they blossomed.  Chicks weren't just born, they hatched.  Salmon didn't just swim, they leaped.....He must have loved it.  Creators relish creating.  ....He was mighty.  He was creative.  And he was LOVE.  Even greater than his might and deeper than his creativity was one all-consuming characteristic: LOVE. " 'You will love me, nature,' God said.  'I made you that way.  You will obey me, universe.  For you were designed to do so.  You will reflect my glory, skies, for that is how you were created.  But this one will be like me.  This one will be able to choose.' " (Lucado, p. 75-79)

      This final part of Lucado's chapter on Creation was lengthy.  But the message was of love and choice.  All Creation is designed to receive and respond to God's love, with one exception: mankind.  We have the choice.  We can choose God's love or reject it.  

"To remove the choice, is to remove the love." (Lucado, p. 82)

      When we abuse Creation, when we mistreat one another, we reject God's love.  Everything is interconnected in that love, in and through God.  There is no middle ground.  Have I chosen acceptance or rejection?  Do my daily actions reflect my response?  

"The One who had chosen to love had created one who could love in return." (p.85)

SATURDAY, February 22  The Ultimate Gift
James 1:17 MSG
Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light.
     
      Think of the joy you feel when you give the perfect gift...the time spent researching, shopping, perhaps time spent creating it yourself.  And then the moment when the gift is given, and the receiver's eyes pop with joy and excitement!  Even now, nearly 10 years later, I can remember my anticipation and joy when I gave Rick his snowshoes.  It was the BEST gift ever!
       I think God was filled with the same joy as he created our world.  And God continues to smile as he tweaks this mountain peak or brings out a field of alpine wildflowers each season.  We don't NEED such beauty in order to exist, but God loves to make our eyes pop, our hearts swell in wonder.   Perhaps God realizes we crave such a display of God-glory to remind us of His presence.  Whatever the purpose, the gift is given, and re-given every day like 'a river of light cascading down'.  
      Have I written God a thank you note lately for the Creation Gift?  How might I express my gratitude?  

(I found a couple more previously drawn Scribbles so appropriate for yesterday's scripture that I just have to include them too!  I LOVE this chapter in Max Lucado's book!!!!)  

  


FRIDAY, February 21  Missionary Skies
Psalm 19:1-4 GNT
How clearly the sky reveals God's glory!
    How plainly it shows what he has done!
2 Each day announces it to the following day;
    each night repeats it to the next.
3 No speech or words are used,
    no sound is heard;
4 yet their message goes out to all the world
    and is heard to the ends of the earth.

     Max Lucado writes, "Creation is God's first missionary."  I have never thought of nature's glories as missionaries to the world!  I love the analogy! After all, except for the love of parent, the natural world is often the first introduction people have to the majesty of our God!  It makes sense!  I can't improve on Lucado's words here....

"Every star is an announcement.  Each leaf a reminder.  The glaciers are megaphones, the seasons are chapters, the clouds are banners.  Nature is a song of many parts but one theme and one verse: God is...."  (p. 68)

     For some, failing to find the community of God within the structure of church or spiritual practice, the natural world of creation remains their primary connection to God.   If they respond to such testimony, it can be enough.  For some, the word of the Good News has never come.  Can they not know God through creation?  The full Gospel provides so much more in terms of relationships, forgiveness, grace, and salvation, but if Creation is all one has, God can and does speak!  
     This concept puts Creation on a powerful platform:  Not just what God did first before he 'moved on to salvation stuff', but creation is what God continues to do each and every day! Unfortunately, we sometime fail to listen to the silent words God is sending out to all the world:  Look! I am here. Listen!  

   
THURSDAY, February 20    Creator God
Genesis 1:1  GNT
In the beginning God created the universe....

     I went through at least 12 translations of Genesis 1:1.  The words differ in several manners, but always the verb created.  God didn't make, construct, photocopy, or mass produce the world.  God created.
     The process of creating is very different from mass production.  Perhaps it is why we haven't yet found another 'earth' just like our world in the universe!  We are a one-of-a-kind-creation, not another product off God's universal assembly line! 
     There is a joyful, expectant adventure in creating!

•       God created as an artist to paint the world with colored beauty - sunsets, wildflowers, a myriad of verdant greens, blues, and golds..... 
•       God created as a sculptor to chisel red-rock canyons, mountain peaks, dark caverns, the convoluted bark of trees....
•       God created as a scientist to interweave all life into an co-dependent community, filled with organisms of intricate adaptability and genius.....  
•       God created with humor, wonder, and variety! 
•       God wrapped his very self into his world when he created man,  when he walked on earth as man.  

      We are no different as creators.  Whether it is a painting, a poem, a musical composition, a sculpture, or a beautiful building, when the process starts, we pour ourselves into it.  All else of life is put on hold while the creation comes forth.  And when we are done, we are usually well pleased.  I  think that God still enjoys creating, - often along with us, or perhaps sometimes, through us.  

Of all we don't know about the creation, there is one thing we do know - God did it with a SMILE!  (Lucado, p.64)

WEDNESDAY, February 19   Behind the Beauty
Genesis 1:1  GNT
In the beginning God created the universe....

What grabs my eye and makes me look?
What fills my gaze with wonder?
What holds me spellbound with pounding chest
     and reverent eye?
What stops me in my tracks, overwhelmed with the glory?
Behind the beauty, I see my God. 

When I see colors splashed across the skies in morning or evening,
     The clouds tinted in ever-changing golden light;
When I witness intricate patterns amid fields of wildflowers,
     Orange glowing trunks of towering Ponderosa forests;
When I behold ridges of mountain peaks, chiseled with snow and stone,
    Or rivers, foamy and fierce, pushing through red-rock canyons;
Behind all the beauty, I see my God. 

Standing on top of a mountain, the air clear and cold and thin,
     The moon within touch of my hand;
I'm wrapped in the glory of stars dancing across the sky,
     Nebulas and galaxies, light years before my time.
Our star, the sun, sets aglow the ocean of clouds below
     And I feel small, insignificant in the immensity of it all. 
But behind all the beauty, I see my God. 

Creator God, what makes me look?
Creator God, what makes me wonder?
Creator God, what makes me praise?
Behind the beauty,
Behind the wonder,
Behind the glory,
Your presence radiates -
Your love reaches out
And envelops me with holy.
Behind the beauty, I find my God.  
    
     
As an addendum, I wanted to include one of Max Lucado's poems.....

He splashed orange in the sunrise and cast the sky in blue. 
And if you love to see geese gather, chances are you'll see that too. 
Did he have to make a squirrel's tail furry?
Was he obliged to make birds sing?
Or the funny way that chickens scurry
Or the majesty of thunder when it rings?
Why give a flower fragrance?  What give food its taste?
Could it be he loves to see
That look upon your face?  
      From HE CHOSE THE NAILS

TO FOLLOW JESUS

SATURDAY, September 29
Psalm 19:7-10 (The Message)
"The revelation of God is whole
    and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear 
  and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right,
   showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
   and easy on the eyes.
God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, 
  with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate
   down to the nth degree.
God's Word is better than a diamond
   better than a diamond set between emeralds. 
You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, 
   better than red, ripe strawberries."

"God is my compass, my pilot".  There is an old hymn that sings these words.  Psalm 19 talks of signposts and maps, directions and laws - revelations that 'pull our lives together'.  But to me, relationship with God IS THE DESTINATION, not the compass tool.  But God has given us our route-finding tools for today: the Spirit, Christ, the Bible, devotions, spiritual guides, perhaps parents.  All have been our signposts, the maps, or in today's world, our GPS for life.  (That's a GOD PERCEIVING SYSTEM).  A good GPS is better than anything else money can buy. 
     Who or what is your GPS?  Your Bible? Only if you open it daily.  The Spirit? Only if you connect daily in prayer.  A spiritual guide or parent? Only if you search together with dedication.  A good GPS is valuable ONLY if it is used consistently.  God is sending us messages, maps, and directions.  We have to be listening, watching, and in connection with God to read our GPS. Wouldn't it be nice if our unit would simply turn on and say, 'do this today' or 'Yes, that's the right choice!' - much like a Ouji Board!  But God works through other people, events, and words.  The blessing? This functioning GPS can be counted relied upon without doubt - to lead us to a life of wholeness in relationship with our Lord.  

d365.org GO!  (Steven Cothran)
Go now with great confidence that the Spirit who has led you so far will continue to lead you into your future. Stay alert to any new direction the Spirit might take you, and then go willingly, with delight in new discovery!

FRIDAY, September 28
Mark 9:33-35  (The Message)

They came to Capernaum. When he was safe at home, he asked them, “What were you discussing on the road?  ”The silence was deafening—they had been   arguing with one another over who among them was greatest.   He sat down and summoned the Twelve. “So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.”

     Jesus goes on here to use an example of a child.  Welcome a child in my name.  This reminded me of lines at school and last Sunday's bulletin blurb:  'If you want to be at the front, go to the back of the line.'  The prayer for d365.org today includes a short poem (Steve Cothram):
Though everything around today
says “losing is the worst,”
remind me that to follow you,
I must be last, not first.
     We are in the midst of the political election campaigns.  We seek strength, power, wisdom, in our candidates.  We want them to rise to the top of the list.  Yet, all that goes against what Jesus is saying.  Jesus redefines winning: service, humility, the end of the line!   

Lord, 
While everyone is pushing
shoving and fighting
to be the first in line, 
I am stepping backwards. 
You said to go there.  
My pace is slow,
And the line is long. 
It feels lonely at
the back of the line. 
It isn't very crowded.
Not many want to be here. 
The path is all roughened up,
And the walking is a little harder. 
Wait! Look!
I have company back here!
You are by my side,
Walking with me. 
Losing looks better now.  

THURSDAY, September 27
Mark 9:30-32 (Good News Translation)

Jesus and his disciples left that place and went on through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where he was, because he was teaching his disciples: “The Son of Man will be handed over to those who will kill him. Three days later, however, he will rise to life.”  But they did not understand what this teaching meant, and they were afraid to ask him.

Let's not talk about it, Lord. 
You speak of sad events, 
Inconceivable happenings;
So let's just not discuss it. 
Death is painful. 
Death means separation from loved ones. 
You are going to die?
Let's talk about something else. 
My curiosity is piqued, however. 
You mention resurrection. 
I don't really understand how that relates to you 
Or to me. 
I'd ask a question, but...
You really rebuked Peter when he questioned. 
I'm afraid to get the same,
So let's just not talk about it.  

It's been two thousand years, Jesus. 
You are still teaching.
And we your disciples are still confused.
Is it time to ask our questions?
Is it time to talk about it? 

WEDNESDAY, September 26 "No Backseat Drivers!"
Mark 8:34-37 (The Message)
"Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?"
Who is driving, Lord?
Who is in control of this car I call life?
When I give you the wheel, 
and slide over to the passenger side,
Do I still want to give advice?
Am I a backseat driver?
Do I question the route we are taking?
Do I suggest we make stops along the way?
The mall?  The theater?   Friends?
Rarely at the soup kitchen. 
Or with those different from me.
Do I tell you we are driving too fast?
Too slow?  
You really are a good driver, Jesus. 
You know the route well.
You know the stops we need to make.
You know the speed limit.
Help me get into the car and ride with you.
On this road of life to LOVE.
On our road to GOD. 

TUESDAY, September 25  "Out of My Way!"
Mark 8:31-33  (The Message)
"He [Jesus] then began explaining things to them: 'It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.'  He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it.  But Peter grabbed him in protest.  Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. 'Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works."
Lord, I'm confused. 
I just felt so good because I recognized who you are.
You praised me.
I don't understand why I have to keep silent, but....
I really thought I had things figured out. 
But now?
Now you have put me on par with the Devil!
'Get out of my way!
You don't understand God.'
Those words hurt! 
You're right, Jesus. 
I don't understand. 
This God you proclaim is too big,
Too embracing,
Too far-reaching,
for understanding. 
So let me just live enveloped in your embracing love.
Love that will allow understanding to grow. 
May my ideas and confusion get 'out of the way',
So you, Lord, can enter my life
And live in me.  

Addendum: Just caught a new article from Relevant Magazine (one of those that Luke introduced me to) that was short, but good reading. Check it out:
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/when-happy-trumps-holy

MONDAY, September 24  "Who Am I?"
Mark 8:27-30 (The Message)  
"Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, “Who do the people say I am?”

 “Some say ‘John the Baptizer,’” they said. “Others say ‘Elijah.’ Still others say ‘one of the prophets.’”

 He then asked, “And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?”

Peter gave the answer: “You are the Christ, the Messiah.”

Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone."

Who are you, Lord?
Who do I say you are?
My mouth utters, "GOD! Creator!
My voice proclaims, "SAVIOR! Messiah!"
My blog reads "Counselor! Love!"
But do my arms reach out in service?
Do my hands touch others with love?
Are my feet walking in harmony with the poor,
Or running in fear from those different?
Does my lifestyle acknowledge humility and trust;
Or am I caught up in possessions and status?
Are you, Christ, asking me to stay silent,
until my actions support the words I proclaim?
Oh, Messiah Lord,
May my life be lived so that it 'breathes your Word'. 
May my life be filled overflowing with your love.
No warnings. No silence.  


SUNDAY, September 23
PAUSE! d365.org (Steve Cothran)
"To find our way somewhere, we first need to know where we want to go.  Any directions we get otherwise, are pretty much useless. 
In these quiet moments, think first about where you want to go as a believer. The Spirit awaits to take you there."

Psalm 19:1-4 (Good News Translation)
"How clearly the sky reveals God's glory!
    How plainly it shows what he has done!
² Each day announces it to the following day;
    each night repeats it to the next.
³ No speech or words are used,
    no sound is heard;
⁴ yet their message goes out to all the world
    and is heard to the ends of the earth."

Creator God,

How can I possibly complain that I don't hear your voice?

How can I say I haven't witnessed a miracle?

Your words, your actions, are splashed across the heavens!

Your handiwork is on display every day, everywhere!

The moon and stars, sunrise and sunset!

Towering mountains,  shadowed forests, ever-approaching seas!

Elephants and whales, butterflies and ladybugs,

Cactus and vine, asters and columbine.

Roaring waves, hummingbird wings - songs of God!

Am I deaf?

Am I blind?

At times, yes! 

The world puts blinders on my eyes and plugs in my ears. 

Your message of love is clouded, garbled, and changed. 

With your Spirit Love, I can be whole again,

To see.

To hear.

To witness your glory!

To witness your majesty!

To witness your presence HERE.

Everyday. 

(Scribble Explanation:  These are all images from the last few days around Albuquerque, reminders that God is present.  When I arise, the sun is just rising from behind the Sandia Mountains, the hills themselves layers of shadows in the blinding light.  One morning God had created an abstract of white jet contrails lacing the skies. Hummingbirds visit Mom's feeder on the deck.  We saw turtles and Canada geese at the Rio Grande Nature Center, Datura blossoms and asters all along the bike path, wildly blooming cactus in the State Fair gardens. The voice of God present everywhere!)