Do Not Judge

This passage is from the first major teaching of Jesus in the Bible…

The beginning is really familiar. The first sentence is often quoted – probably not in the best of circumstances:

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

The second part is straightforward - I need to clean up my own act before I try to help someone clean up theirs, or I’m a hypocrite:

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

And the third part seems to not fit, and I have often wondered about it:

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

I’m 100% sure the “Do not judge”, statement has no place in me telling someone not to judge me. Just a couple of of minutes before Jesus said, “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”

The third part – the strange statements – ended up being the key for me to understand this. It says don’t take something really valuable and throw it away. You will lose it, and maybe you will get destroyed in the process.

So what is this valuable thing he’s referring to? Think it’s this:

I get to decide how God is going to judge me at the end of my life.

He says, “I give you this gift – you get to set the standard that determines your destiny. It’s the standard you hold in your heart, the one you really believe in, the one you use with others.”

• If I forgive, God forgives me
• If I hold a grudge, God holds a grudge against me
• If I look beyond people failings, sin, problems – he looks beyond mine
• If I turn my cheek when treated poorly – he will turn his when I treat him poorly
• If I play a game and say I forgive, but really I don’t – he will play the game with me

This scares me. It’s really hard for me to look at myself objectively regarding how I judge others. Hence the middle part – I need to clean up my act so I can see clearly.

But I’m not honest with myself! I know I will screw it up.

I believe Jesus knew that if we really thought about this, we would come to this conclusion and the associated fear. So he said this next:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

God, I’m asking you to help me have real forgiveness for everyone - to hold no overt, subtle or subconscious grudges. Not easy.
 

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Saturdays | God desires obedience – I want to be obedient

- And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God

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Self-righteous Idiot

I had a couple of conversations in the past week that really bothered me. Thinking about them still makes me upset.

They both went the same way…

I met with a friends of mine who are not religious, Christian, whatever. I had intended to focus on them: How I could build them up and encourage them? How could I “bless” them?

They didn't respond as I had hoped. Instead, they insisted on listening and encouraging me - and I found myself wanting to be encouraged. I really appreciated their goodness towards me.

As I thought about it later on I got irritated with myself, and I realized that I’m a self-righteous Christian idiot at times. I think I have more to offer them than they have to offer me. If I’m brutally honest, I think I’m morally superior because I’m a believer – that in some subtle way I’m a better person.

I am not.

This huge hindrance to being the kind of person I want to be: someone who truly values what everyone has to offer.

The truth: God puts all sorts of people – all made in his image – in my life for all kinds of reasons. Being a Christian is not about being better than others - it’s about knowing that I am not, and seeing I need God.

This being “intentional” about my faith, while a great practice if my heart is right, can easily become a disaster if it’s not.

I can’t escape it – I’m the Pharisee in this teaching by Jesus:

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’  

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

God, help me.

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Saturdays | God desires obedience – I want to be obedient

- And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God

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Psalm 23 - Saturday

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life

I don’t think I've really considered this verse before.

“Your goodness will follow" me”, not “Your goodness with be with me”.

Here is the image I've come up with: God’s goodness follows in my wake – it’s what spreads out after me for the benefit of others.  My journey is not just for me.

I can start to see (just barely) why he has allowed me to be in the dark valley…

When we all stand before Jesus at the end of time (Matthew 25):

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

I can’t think of a better legacy: to somehow leave others with blessing from God in their lives.

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Saturdays | God desires obedience – I want to be obedient

- And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God

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Caleb's Birthday

What do I write on a day like this, on the birthday of my son, Caleb, I lost almost 10 months ago?

I'm not sure. There are too many things to consider. I guess I don't have to write everything today, but I do want to capture my memories of Caleb - I worry I will loose some of them if I don't. I think I'm coming to the point sometime soon where I can start.

For today, for me, I want to remember my weekly prayer to God for my family...

God,

Bless my kids - Josh, Sam and Nathan. Bless Becky. They belong to you. Reach out to them, show them you love them. 

Forgive them where they have made mistakes. Take the burden of sin off of them - free them from it. Forgive because of your love and mercy, not because of anything they have done. Forgive them by grace, even when they can't ask for it.

My greatest desire is that they will connect with you in this life and for eternity. Connect with them, show them life - the life will be far beyond anything they can imagine.

I would give my own eternal life for theirs, if it were possible. Help me to give my life today for them, to do whatever I can to love them, encourage them and build them up. Help me to be kind and forgiving. I fail often - give me the strength to not give up - to keep going.

Thank you for Caleb being in our family, even though the time was too short. I will miss him every day of my life here. If possible, tell him I love him, care about him and miss him. He sees you clearly as you are.

We have been damaged as a family - I hope somehow good comes of it. It's the only thing that makes sense to me.

Happy birthday Caleb. I miss you.

You always loved your birthday and getting presents, but I can't give you any that are wrapped up today. I can only tell you I love you.

Love, Dad

The Fall - Saturday

God's third question and their answer:

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

I think Eve's response is slightly better than Adam's. She isn't blaming someone she has a relationship with - Adam or God - I think she is talking about being defeated.

Jesus said in the sixth Beatitude: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God

One of the interesting things about this story is that it doesn't give a whole lot of detail. I see it as very sophisticated in the message, but it leaves a lot of room for speculation. I end up writing "I think" a lot...

I think she is saying she did not have the capacity to resist the temptation - that she couldn't overpower Satan. A point of note: the temptation of Jesus was a "rerun" of this one (same pattern), but he did not fail.

It's an interesting idea to substitute Jesus responses to his temptation for Eve's in this story:

Satan said to Eve: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” You should be able to eat anything you want.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” What God says is more important than food.

Satan said to Eve: “You will not certainly die." God wouldn't follow through on his threat if you disobey.

Jesus answered Satan, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Believe what God says, don't test Him.

Satan said to Eve: “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” You will be God's equal. 

Jesus said to Satan, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” I am not His equal. I worship and obey Him.

Why weren't Adam and Eve able to stand up to this test like Jesus did? I don't know. I don't think its just about saying the right (magic) words. It's about being fully dedicated to God's agenda, not my own.

God, help me to withstand temptation. Help me to be driven by your agenda, not my own.

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Saturdays | My influence is good, and God will expand it
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
- And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

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Revelation - Letter Six

This letter is about honesty.

The sixth Beatitude: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God

The sixth letter in Revelation:

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars - I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Points of honesty:
    - These are the words of Jesus, who is holy and true.
    - You have kept my word and not denied me.
    - Those that lie will be made to tell the truth.

I really like the imagery of the door no one can shut and being a pillar in temple of God. I think he's saying, you have access to the presence of God - you will get to see him forever.

God, I want to see you forever. I don't want distance or barriers between us.

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Saturdays | My influence is good, and God will expand it
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
- And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

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Romans 12 - Saturday

Paul wrote:

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This is a really hard concept: overcome evil with good. It goes against every instinct I have.

Why does God allow bad things to happen? On top of that, why does He ask us not to seek justice when others do wrong to us? Jesus said: You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

So we can be like Him.

Paul also wrote: Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

The idea of returning good for evil is a hard one. I don't like it, but since I have made a commitment to be a Christian, I will agree that it's right and will pursue it.

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Saturdays | My influence is good, and God will expand it
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
- And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

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Strength

My last post was on my weakness, and God telling me how that was going to fit into my life. To keep things in perspective, I'm considering where I can gain strength.

One of my favorite authors over the years has been A.W. Tozer: The Holy Scriptures tell us what we could never learn any other way: they tell us what we are, who we are, how we got here, why we are here, and what we are required to do while we remain here.

There are all kinds of opinions on the bible - it's origins, authenticity, applicability - none of those matter to me. 

In that book, I find strength

In that book, I find life

In that book, I find God himself

The more I read it, the more I'm compelled to read it. It's like that knothole in the fence between me and eternity - Right now, I can't go over there, but I can peek through and see just a bit of it.

It's the only thing I read that really makes sense to me as I struggle with my own grief and questions about life.

King David wrote something that really resonates with me at present:

When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

God, you are my strength forever. Keep me from loosing heart.

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Saturdays | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

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Noah - Pure Heart

 More interesting - but difficult to understand - things in the story of Noah:

Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.

When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, he said, “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.”

So there is one son, Ham, that really did something wrong. It was so bad that Noah cursed Ham's son, Canaan, and all his descendants for all time. I did a bit of research on it, and almost all of the options for interpretation are fairly disgusting. This link goes to a short summary, if you're inclined.

I'm interested in what the other two brothers did. I think they could have gone straight in with their eyes closed, but instead they walked in backwards. I think they did this to show without a doubt that they respected their father. It wasn't only about what they needed to do, it was also about how they looked.

It's very easy to be self-righteous and say to myself, "I don't really care how things look, I'm doing what God wants." To really be pure in heart, I have to consider how I might be perceived.

Paul wrote about this regarding food: All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

God, help me to see as others see. Help me to have motives that are truly pure.

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Saturdays | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

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Miracles - Pure Heart

The sixth miracle John wrote about was Jesus healing a man who was born blind, which corresponds to the sixth beatitude recorded by Matthew:

Jesus spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam”. So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was.

Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”

But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

“How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.

He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

Once the guy is healed, the religious leaders start in on him. They don't like Jesus, and now they don't like this guy either.

The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

The guy is being honest with them about what happened, and they can't stand it. They kick him out of their church, probably to send a message to everyone else. Jesus finds him a bit later...

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

I like this miracle. It's very straightforward. The man was honest and didn't waver under pressure - pure in heart - and he saw God. That I would do the same when I need to.

God, thanks for a good day of visiting Samantha at OSU. I love my daughter and appreciate her very much.

Thanks for the day on the mountain I had with Nathan yesterday. I really enjoyed the talks we had while driving there and back. He's becoming a man, and I love him.

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Saturdays | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

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Jonah - Pure in Heart

So far in the story, it's obvious that God doesn't need Jonah to change the Ninevites. This story is about God trying to change Jonah's heart.

After God forgives the people, he talks with Jonah...

But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant, and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

He doesn't answer God's question. He is unwilling to take that first step toward changing his heart - it's easier to die. So God simplifies things to get the conversation moving forward, by focusing on a plant.

But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

Jonah is not going to give in, and the story abruptly ends here. In the past I have thought that maybe a final chapter was lost over the years. I can see know that this is a fitting ending - since Jonah won't engage with God, so there is nothing more to say.

My conclusion so far: God will manipulate my circumstances to get me to change, but he won't force a change in my heart. That's up to me. I think this is where my "free will" comes in to play.

• Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. - Viktor Frankl 

Rather than my own prayer to God, I'll quote one from King David: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

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Saturdays | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

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Jesus - Pure in Heart

Saturday: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

I’m so glad I can’t see the future – I wouldn't be able to live in the present. If I knew in detail what tragedy was coming for the rest of my life, I would continually fixate on it.

That’s was Jesus had to face. He had a crystal clear understanding of his own betrayal and death.

He knew about his death: “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

He knew about his betrayal: So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

He knew about being abandoned: Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

Knowing all of this, Jesus continues on with his mission. He’s not “letting his heart be troubled”. He tells his followers to do the same: Don’t let fear pollute your heart – keep it pure.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Don’t let your hearts be troubled, you have seen God.

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God, my heart is often polluted with all kinds of things, including fear and doubt. The more I keep those things out, the more I focus on you. When live is difficult, having You as the focal point has brought me the most comfort and peace.

To See God

C.S. Lewis: “Not that I am in much danger of ceasing to believe in God. The real danger is of coming to believe such dreadful things about Him. The conclusion I dread is not 'So there's no God after all,' but 'So this is what God's really like. Deceive yourself no longer.” ― A Grief Observed

I have come to the conclusion, I no longer fear dying – I fear the God who holds life and death in his hands. By fear, I don’t mean respect. I mean I’m afraid of Him. He will give and take what He wants, when He wants, and how He wants, regardless of my hopes and plans.

He is the God who chose to put the curse on us.

He is the God who stood by and watched Cain kill Abel.

He allows neglect, murder, war, earthquakes, slavery, genocide.

He destroys his enemies and condemns them to hell.

He is the God that demands blood and death to accept me. He won’t forgive without it.

The most terrifying thing of all: He allows me to damage and scar others, and live with the results of my failures. A self-inflicted wound is one thing, but wounding others is horrifying. 

If at this point you are looking for me to close the loop with a focus on God’s grace, look elsewhere. I have plenty of that in my other posts.

It’s hard to love a God that scares me to death, so I have blocked out the parts I don’t like. I have made God in my own image. I have reduced Him to down to what I want, so I’m forced to cast him as a victim who watches on with no power to act when trouble comes – then shows up to comfort everyone. He has all the power in the universe to act, and He chooses when to do so, and when not to.

Moses wrote: And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

King David wrote: Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.

Jesus said: I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 

Obviously fear is not the only way to approach God, but it's a significant part of the equation.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

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God, help me to see you truly as you are.

Saturday - Mustard Seed

Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”

Saturdays: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

To be "pure in heart" is to have the character do what's right when your supposed to. What is right for a mustard plant to do? Produce fruit - mustard seeds. Once the plant produces fruit, the whole cycle starts again, and you continue to see God work.

God looks at me and says "You need to be pure in heart - it's what you were made for. You need to take and maintain responsibility in the areas you influence my creation. Use your energy and make things wonderful. When you do, you get to see me at work."  

King David said: Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.

Paul said: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

I think God looked at the earth on the sixth day of creation and said, "I will put people made in my image here, and I'll give them responsibility to take care of this place. They will work and create and be happy, and live with me." 

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God, beyond my own life - the good and the bad - there is a whole world out there. You made every person in hopes they would be like you and to see you. Reach out to all the people on earth and bless them.

I've Seen God

On Saturdays, I consider the 6th Beatitude: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

I'm in no way implying that I'm pure in heart. But my wife, Becky and I discussed all the occurred this past week - and we feel like we have done what God has asked of us. So for one week out of 2,600, I think I did all that I was supposed to do (I could easily be wrong).

But we did get to see God...

Paul said: Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

He also said: If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Over the past week and a half we have had so many people reach out to help us. They have comforted us, brought us food, prayed with us, called to see how we are doing, offered to run errands, flew to meet our daughter, and just about anything else you can imagine. God didn't show up like lightning out of the clouds, He showed up in His people. We have experienced so much goodness - I don't know how I'm ever going to express appreciation to everyone. 

Also on Saturdays, I consider the part of the creation story where God created us: So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

From this, I believe that when we see people doing good, we see an image of God.

Saturday - Evil and Good

On Saturdays, three ideas come together in my spiritual practice: The six statement in the Lord's Prayer; The sixth Beatitude; The sixth day of creation:

- God, keep me away from tempation and evil
- I want to be pure in heart and see God
- God creates the land animals and mankind. He tells Adam and Eve to fill the earth and take care of it.

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My influence is good, and God will expand it

On the third day (three days ago), my thoughts were about how my influence fails - and today I consider how my influence succeeds and brings about good. For my influence and power to bring about good, I have to be pure in heart and not tempted into doing evil. I ask God to keep me away from the things that can derail me and then cause corruption.

In the creation story, God creates man and grants him power over the earth. The control man receives is to do good and provide care.

Today, I pray for the world.