THE BOOK OF JONAH NEVER USES THE WORD SIN
BUT IT’S ALL OVER THE BOOK:
A BETTER PICTURE FOR MODERN MAN
A PENETRATING DEFINITION FOR YOU AND ME
INSTEAD OF SEEING SIN AS “BREAKING THE RULES”
IT IS A “SELF-SALVATION STRATEGY”
IT IS FINDING YOUR IDENTITY
YOUR MEANING
IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN GOD
Many of you are not viewers of American Idol, and you are certainly free in Christ not to watch. :>) (If anyone should feel the need to explain herself — it’s me! The talent God gives the young amazes me — and I feel free in Christ to tape it and watch the parts I like and discuss the talent and drama with my daughter Sally! After all, it may be my fault she too watches.) Lately I have watched how God seemingly dealt with Colton Dixon, sending a storm (at least Colton was convinced God sent the storm) and at Colton’s humble response. Colton was rising high, expected to make it to the top, when his mentor suggested he sing a Lady Gaga song and he did. The next night he was voted off. (I realize being voted off American Idol isn’t a big deal, but I’m sure it felt like that to Colton.) Colton sensed it coming. He anticipated the storm… Though no one else expected him to be voted off, he nodded — I could almost hear his thoughts: It is because of me that this tempest has come. Immediately he took the mike and said, “I need to apologize. Last night was not who I really am.”
They asked him to sing a final song before leaving American Idol and he fell to his knees and sang Everything by Lifehouse — a prayer to his God in the midst of his storm, a Jonah-like prayer of repentance from the belly of the fish.
Find me here, and speak to me
I want to feel you, I need to hear you
You are the light that’s leading me to the place
Where I find peace again…
I am certainly not saying that every storm is sent by God to discipline us — though I do know we can learn from every storm. But sometimes, as in the case of Jonah — and it seems Colton felt sure too — we do know the storm is from God because we were running from Him. Colton himself said, of singing this song after he got the news he’d been voted off: “I wasn’t singing for the judges at that point, or for the crowd — I needed to hear from God, and I did.” He felt it was God who had the people vote him off — a mercy, indeed. And now that he has repented, his life is back — when asked how he is doing after being voted off, his smile is genuine, and he says enthusiastically, “I’m good!” He found his peace, his identity, his salvation in the belly of the fish. “Salvation,” he knows, “belongs to the Lord.” He says he is going to sing Christian rock — because that is who he is. Back to his calling. Back to God’s identity for him.
I suspected Colton Dixon was a genuine Christian from fruit that I saw. He wasn’t obvious about it — no pointing to God to garner the evangelical vote. He wasn’t even planning to audition, but came as a support to his younger sister, and the judges asked her to go get him from backstage. (He had auditioned the year before.) The love between these teenage siblings was evident — love that is rare, except when Christ is present. And then, when Colton was voted off — he told everybody why. He used a definition of sin that penetrates the modern man and our own hearts. He said, “That was not who I am.” He was sorry — and quite willing to be thrown into the sea.
Watch this interview, and hear Colton’s repentance when she asks him what he learned from his American Idol journey.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsCpkmFyY8E&feature=related
In the Keller sermon you will hear this week, Keller uses Bridget Jones as an illustration of Soren Kierkegaard’s definition of sin — which is “trying to build an identity apart from God.” Bridget tries to build an identity from a word from herself — but ends up very confused!
We have to get our identity from Christ. When we try to get it anywhere else, we are in trouble. I wrestle with this all the time. When I speak or write or interact with people, I have to tell myself, “This is about bringing glory to God, Dee — not about bringing glory to yourself.” It is so tempting to forget my identity, my purpose, and veer… but then, I can almost count on a storm. The perfect storm — designed just for me! These messages I long for you to order will help you (and me) to stay on course, to stay on the narrow path, to build on the rock, to bear fruit — so that God won’t have to send that storm.
I’ve listened to the first one at least five times, and the penny is still dropping. Believe me, this is a good investment.
(MY BIG NEWS WHICH I GOT ONE HOUR AGO IS THAT SALLY HAS HAD HER BABY THREE WEEKS EARLY. HER NAME IS CLAIRE AND SHE’S FINE AND I’M SO THANKFUL. I’VE JUST ARRIVE IN WISCONSIN, NOT EVEN UNPACKED, BUT AM HEADED TO WASHINGTON D.C. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MAY CLAIRE (MEANS LIGHT) BE A LIGHT IN THIS DARK AND HURTING WORLD!)
ORDERING YOUR SERMONS:
We’re going to be in Jonah for May and most of June. Some of you might like to purchase the sermons all at once, and Redeemer does have a deal that makes it worth it to buy the package instead of individually.These are the sermons we are going to be needing for May and June.
This is the package — Keller’s most recent trip through Jonah — and I’d like everybody to get this: Link
This is an individual sermon on Jonah that is amazing — and I’d like you to get this too: Love Beneath the Waves
Finally, many of you already have this, but if you don’t, when we get to talking about election, you will find this helpful: Love Before the World 1
I will also post them individually each week — but it is cheaper if you get the package at once. This week we’ll be listening to the first in the package: Running from God. If you prefer to order it on an individual basis, here is that link.
Sunday/Monday: Icebreaker
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
2. What “perfect” storm have you experienced recently that you think may have been sent as a mercy from God?
A perfect storm are when the conditions are just right to create a monster. But I’m using the word theologically — when God designs a perfect storm for the child he loves, to bring him to his senses, to bring him back to his real identity and purpose.
Tuesday-Wednesday: Bible Study
Optional: This is an interpretative dance for Lifehouse’s Song “Everything” Watch it if you like and comment.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA
Comments?
We don’t know a lot about Jonah, but what we do know is very important. If your daddy was an important man, it is so easy to find your identity in him, instead of in God. If your nation is a successful nation, it is so easy to find your identity in national pride instead of in God. These are self-salvation strategies. God had defined Jonah, had given him a “word,” had called him to be a prophet — but he was running… Let’s look at what we do know about Jonah.
3. Read 2 Kings 14:25
He [Amaziah, the king at the time of Jonah] was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Dead Sea, in accordance with the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher.
A. Israel was recovering from its enemies. King Amaziah, the king during Jonah’s time, had restored a huge area. Look on your Bible map and find Lebo Hamath and the Dead Sea. How big an area had been recovered?
B. When your country is victorious, it is easy to begin to find your identity in your country. Patriotism is not bad, but it can become sin. Give an illustration.
C. What did Jonah’s father do? What kind of prestige went with this?
D. Being proud of your parents is not bad, but it can lead you into sin. (Remember our new working definition of sin.) Give an illustration of this.
In “Man Overboard” Sinclair Ferguson culls a great deal out of this single verse. He explains that it shows what a great calling God had on Jonah’s life — for Jonah is described as a servant and a prophet. “A servant” Ferguson explains, has a rich meaning — it means God had set him apart for a unique purpose. Jonah, as a prophet, had a destiny — to speak the very words of God to whomever God sent him. That was his identity, his purpose, his meaning. A “word from the Lord” had defined him — but he veered from it — he had a “self-salvation strategy” — so God had to send a perfect storm.
4. Read Jonah 1:1-3
A. What purpose did God have for Jonah as described in verses 1-2?
B. What calling has God given to your life? (It may be specific, but it is also found in 1 Peter 2:9-10)
C. How did Jonah respond? How is this an illustration of sin?
5. Keller says that Jonah could not flee geographically from God, for God is everywhere. (See Psalm 139) But he was trying to flee relationally from God — from intimacy, for His face. What lie did Jonah have to believe in order to do this?
6. Think about the last time you fled God’s calling for you. Ask Him! Describe it.
7. Read Jonah 1:4 and describe how God responded. Why, do you think?
Thursday-Friday (or sooner) Listen to Keller’s sermon: Running from God
8. What do you learn from:
A. How does Earnest Becker define sin?
B. How does Soren Kierkegaard define sin? (Important!)
C. What point was Keller making with Bridget Jones?
9. Jonah had an “identity implosion,” Keller says, for he no longer knew who he really was. Look at his answers to the sailors’ questions in Jonah 1:8-9 and find the one question he does not answer. What was it — and why didn’t he, do you think?
10. When we find our identity apart from God it is as though we are under an anesthetic! A sleep unto death! Have you experienced this? Explain.
11. What else stood out to you from this sermon and why?
Saturday
12. What is your take-a-way and why?
307 comments
Much congratulations on the blessing of another grandaughter! Claire is such a lovely name.
I wanted to let you know right away that the audio on the interview link didn’t work for me.
Nevermind, I just needed to adjust the little volume thingy on the link…duh!
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
I am not an American Idol watcher, so the story of this young man was new to me. I wondered how having humbled himself, God may now lift him up and use him for His purposes. How cool that he had this experience in front of so many viewers. Such a lesson there for those who have ears to hear it.
I loved the story and photo of him and his sister. I wish my sibling relationships were wonderful in that way, but alas they are strained.
I really loved the self talk example reminding yourself about bring glory to God & not to yourself.
I am glad we are not finished with Jonah & I am excited about the sermons to come.
2. What “perfect” storm have you experienced recently that you think may have been sent as a mercy from God?
I thought of Saint Patrick’s Day, when my drawer was short at work. I have come to care very much about my job, employers & co-workers, and I try very hard to do a good job. There has been some suspicion about the possibility of theft recently. No one really suspected me of wrongdoing on that day, but I contemplated how it would feel to be suspected and dismissed. I realized that while working hard is a good and proper thing, relying on the approval of my employers and co-workers was shifting sand and it may have been becoming a bit TOO important to me. My identity is hidden with Christ in God, no matter what misunderstanding or failure might befall me, no power of hell or scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. What relief there is in that!
Thanks for sharing what you learned from your “perfect storm” on Saint Patrick’s Day, Chris S. “My identity is hidden with Christ in God, no matter what misunderstanding or failure might befall me, no power of hell or scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. What relief there is in that!” SOO GOOD! You are such a blessing to me. You are a true beacon of Christ’s light through your storm!
Chris,
What a great example this is of building the house on shifting sand, when we rely on the approval of others. It can so easily collapse.
oh my goodness Dee–been praying for Sally’s delivery but never anticipated so early–Claire is a personal favorite, love that name, never knew the meaning–but so fitting! Praying for all the details!! WOw!
Thank you, Elizabeth! The baby was breach and they were going to try to turn her Tuesday, but Sal’s water broke last night so they did a C-section on this Sabbath day. Haven’t decided on a middle name yet.
I love the song Claire de lune by Debussy — but am not hoping for de lune as a middle name. As Steve would say, “too New Age.” But love Claire. But it is interesting about the huge moon while she was born. I’m rambling –euphoric —
Oh,Dee. So glad all is well. Imagine “de lune” being a middle name! You are too funny! I enjoyed the big moon this weekend though. What a great way to remember the birth of a special baby!
CHRIS — YOU BLESS BLESS BLESS ME.
I love how you read carefully, respond, and share such good illustrations — that one of the drawer being short is powerful. And yes, I thought the repentance in front of a national (and big teenage) audience was so of the Lord. And thank you for your congratulations on Claire. I’m euphoric.
I’m so glad you are back, Chris.
Oh Dee.. Congratulations! Claire is a beautiful name-God has blessed you all so! 🙂
I had to stop after watching the interpretive dance, so I could comment on this-lots of good stuff here.
To put it in a nutshell, I loved how Colton approached ‘sin’ as identity-he says that song wasn’t who he was, Jesus Christ is his identity.
Also, I haven’t seen interpretive dance done this well before. Wonderful! I about cried toward the end. I loved how it portrayed her relationship with God-dancing with him, him being her identity when he was moving her arms in the beginning, Him showing her things about Him-lavishing her with his love-walking with her-the intimacy, but then she was tempted by the world-Idolatry got in-between her and God-he was in the back saying, no! remember me?! Then we see the destruction her idols brought, then when she hit rock bottom, she turned and went to God-I like the part where she is on her knees repenting and as she does that he holds back her idols. I love how their intimacy was renewed and they danced again in the end, so good!
I also just loved this opening:
INSTEAD OF SEEING SIN AS “BREAKING THE RULES”
IT IS A “SELF-SALVATION STRATEGY”
IT IS FINDING YOUR IDENTITY
YOUR MEANING
IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN GOD
-This needs to be memorized. So true. Colton had this right. He didn’t focus on the ‘sin’, rather he owned up to what was underneath it-he was tempted to find his identity elsewhere and made that bad choice, but then repented and stood firm that that really isn’t who he is-Christ is his identity-I do like the fact that he didn’t beat up on himself after that-he rested in God’s forgiveness and love.
So good, Rebecca, Loved your interpretation of the interpretative dance! And of Colton.
And thanks for congratulations. I’m so thankful. Sal called me yesterday with concerns — they told her they were concerned baby so small (11% on growth chart) but she is a robust 6 pounds — at 3 weeks early. Lots of casting cares on Jesus yesterday.
So I’m euphoric. Thankful. Undeserving.
1. What stood out to you from the above and why? YEAH A new grandbaby!! So happy. I did not keep up with American Idol. I am very impressed by this story and how God has worked here.
2. What “perfect” storm have you experienced recently that you think may have been sent as a mercy from God? It seems this year I have been in a constant storm. A raging thing that keeps picking up steam. I often wonder what it is I need to get from this to be in His constant discipline. I do believe it is discipline but I don’t know why. I feel called to write and speak. However, I am grounded here lately due to all our special needs. I am trying to be faithful in it and wait. I cannot help but think all of this is answering my prayers to not let me get caught up in the “celebrity” of Christian pop culture. I don’t want to be one of those promoting myself, etc. I want Jesus to speak for me. This continued and prolonged discipline I think He is using to really grow me and really have something to say. I thought I had something but now maybe I will have something better. I do see it all as a mercy though. I would not chose this profession unless I knew by faith it was from Him. So I trust in time it will lead somewhere that will greatly encourage and bring glory to those hurting to look to Christ and give all glory to HIM!
Oh, my, so much good stuff here. First, Congratulations on the new granddaughter, Dee. Claire is a beautiful name. I love names that mean something. Glad things went well for Sally in spite of this surprise.
I am glad to hear about Colton Dixon. I had been watching American Idol and then missed a few weeks and when I came back he was gone. I hadn’t heard the story. His testimony is so cool. I hope it touches a lot of hearts for the Lord. Love it!
I watch Amican Idol! But I didn’t get to see the one where Colton was eliminated. I didn’t catch that he was a christian.
Congratulations on your new, precious, baby grandaughter, Claire, Dee!
Did they move from Chicago to Washington D.C.? I bet you can’t wait to get your hands on baby Claire! Prayer’s for your travels.
I was in tears from almost the beginning of the interpretative dance. I loved the depiction of God’s love for us. Then when the things of the world started to pull her away from the Lord, blocking intimacy. Oh,my the result is heart breaking – despair, thoughts of death and self-destruction. Then, she tries to get back to God, struggling and struggling. Finally, she is on her knees (repentance) and God jumped right in taking the pummelling of the Enemy while she is protected. God defeating the idols and intimacy with God is restored. Extremely moving and powerful! So wonderful that this is on the Internet. Perhaps it will turn some to the Lord!
I have seen firsthand the despair that the Enemy brings. We had a young woman live in our home for three years who struggled with cutting and suicidal tendencies. It was so heart breaking. That was 5 years ago and she is still struggling but is growing a bit better now I think, though we live too far away to know for sure. She is a Christian, but her life is a struggle. So much deep pain in this world apart from Jesus!
So good you took her in to your home — may the Lord continue to heal her.
Sunday/Monday: Icebreaker
1. What stood out to you from the above and why? – for me the whole thing stood out but what jumped out for me the most was how quickly we can get caught up in the “good life” but yet that life is not what God wanted us to have and in the end, it back fires against us or takes us down the wrong path from what God had carved out for us so clearly marked. It is so important to remember to stand up for who we are in Christ and don’t listen to that tug from the other voice that you know is not of God.
2. What “perfect” storm have you experienced recently that you think may have been sent as a mercy from God? – For me right now I think all the little bumps in the road are signs fromGod telling me to wake up and do what he has called me to do. I haven’t had any big “perfect” storms lately that jump out at me.
A perfect storm are when the conditions are just right to create a monster. But I’m using the word theologically — when God designs a perfect storm for the child he loves, to bring him to his senses, to bring him back to his real identity and purpose.
Dee congratulations on your new grand baby, another girl what a blessing. I pray for good travels and for good health to Sally and Claire and for the family to adjust to their early arrival, their precious little girl!
Thank you, Julie!
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
I’m completely Am. Idol ignorant (No judgment, have many friends who love it—I just rarely watch TV and if we do—we’re still hooked on Waltons), but I was incredibly impressed with the Colton story. It would have made a great sermon illustration for ours today—on 1 cor. 10:23-33…all about the glory of God being has to come before our horizontal relationships and exercising our freedoms in Christ. Colton listened to his manager, to what the audience supposedly wanted, at the expense of what he believed and of glorifying God. I love his humble response and how what Satan tried to twist and ruin—God will use for good. Oh, just realized I haven’t watched the dance yet, and that sounds incredible.
2. What “perfect” storm have you experienced recently that you think may have been sent as a mercy from God?
As I type my body feels like fire ants are crawling and biting almost every inch of me but I refuse to use that storm as my example—I feel too mad at it (though God is graciously using it)! So I will try to be creative and use this—though I’m not sure I can make sense. I am incredibly blessed by my children—but one relationship has a tendency to trigger a host of feelings in me from my own relationships with my parents, not positive ones—more feelings in me of inadequacy, rejection, and that “you’ll do but you’re not the greatest”. It’s weird to admit that here, the background is too long and personal to explain. But I have often sensed God bringing me this exact relationship, filled with both very sweet moments but also very hard ones—to somehow heal some of the pain in my past–to allow me to respond out of an ever changing, grace-filled, heart. As the parent, filled with the Spirit, I can love when I don’t feel loved in return, I can forgive when remorse seems absent. I can encourage when I feel beat up. I can choose to stay in it, be the Prodigal’s father, and never leave no matter what.
Lord, I do pray this “perfect storm” in Elizabeth’s life will do what You plan it to do — indeed, bring
healing from her past, and break any chain of generational disorders. I thank You so for her heart. I do also ask for mercy with her pain, dear Lord.
thank you dear Dee. been praying for sweet baby claire. i was thinking you could drop the “lune”, add an e, and call her “claire dee” 😉
🙂
Ohhh — there’s an idea. My given name, Meredith — is much prettier — but Annie already claimed that with her little girl, Miabelle Meredith.
It’s interesting to be a grandmother and see the names your children choose. So far — no terrible surprises! 🙂
I like that too,Elizabeth!
In her prayer, Dee brings up something that I have wondered about, Elizabeth. There are prayers that break generational curses and bring healing. I had to do a study of this when someone in my family was having horrible nightmares a couple of years ago. I discovered that we as believers open doors to the satanic through many venues without meaning to. God revealed some books in the family members’ home and when these were removed and power prayers were prayed breaking bondages, total relief came after years of pain and suffering. I have since learned to pray these prayers over myself and have experienced great results.
Wow Kim, this post is really wild to me! How in the world did you figure out about the books?
Laura, this family member had suffered with night mares for years but when the night screams and night terrors began we prayed God would reveal why no relief was forthcoming from prayers alone, and He did. She (the family member) had a passing thought and went right to her personal library where she found the books a person had given her years before. Once removed we saw dramatic change and prayers were no longer hampered.
Your post is on my heart this morning Elizabeth. I am praying that God will do a work in this relationship above all you might ask or think. God is a relational being and is about the work of restoration. It is sweet to know you are already yielding to Him.
My son Josh, will be turning 30 on June 1st. I had him when I was 17 (he was not Bill’s) was an extremely strong willed child who grew angrier as he got older. It is hard to look back and remember just what a tough time we had. He was at times physically violent against me, one time kneeing me in the stomach when I was very pregnant, one time punching me in the head. I actively avoided him at times, I treasured the peace when he spent every other Friday night at my Moms house. There was a point when I went for counseling and I remember realizing that he was just a wounded little boy and not my nemesis whose sole purpose was making me miserable.
Hr didn’t really stop being difficult but my heart changed toward him. When he was 14 or 15, we were pretty sure he would end up in prison. He was so definite against any authority figure. To make an extremely long story short when he returned from living in California about 7 years ago, anxiety welled up in me. We still had 5 teens in the house, and I cringed at the thought of him coming home and planting seeds of anarchy.
That didn’t happen, he is changed. He was extremely apologetic to us, he says now he doesn’t know why he was so angry. He is married now and father to our sweet 5 year old granddaughter Bryar, to whom he is a wonderful father. I am still waiting with expectation to see him yielding his life to Christ, he was saved as a child, then when through an angry atheist period, but softened during the time that Daniel was in the hospital.
I was surprised and encouraged when he shared this Facebook status update of mine recently;
• Josh Swan shared your status update.
James 4:14
yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
I have been struck this morning by how much this verse cuts two ways in my heart. It removes my self-importance by reminding me I am but a blip on the screen, yet at the same time lends incredible weight to how I spend the time I have been given
Like Unlike • • Share • January 11 at 4:48pm
He calls me often for advice, and I try to pray quickly in my head for God to guide me before answering him. I look forward to seeing God complete the good work He has begun in Josh. Our relationship is not perfect, but it is so much better than I imagined it ever could be. I long for heaven when all the things that make relationship so hard here will be done with.
I trust that this will be an encouragement to you, I am sorry it is so long.
Romans 15:13 May the God of trust fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Chris, I am just leaving work and couldn’t resist reading when i saw this in my email. I’m not big on exaggeration, and try to always say what I mean…and in my overwhelmed with emotion state, all I can say to this is that you are honestly one of the most amazing women I have ever “met”. Your story–I am in awe with every piece, I thought I “knew” your story–and yet there is SO much more that unfolds with every post–you have this deep wealth of wisdom, and you have endured more pain than I even thought–oh I can’t express it yet–it’s just the more you show us, the more layers revealed, like you’re this incredible peony with tons of layers…you just show me Him. You reflect Him, you point me to Him and in all of this, I find hope from watching you. That’s it– “by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” I see that in you and–He has used to bring me hope today. and to imagine a day when i’m called & asked for advice–wow!thank you
I am glad beyond words that it ministered to you!
Chris, I loved that you could share this with us, so we could pray for you and Josh’s relationship. I’m sure he never wandered towards the wrong side, like you suspected he would, because you were always a light through the darkest tunnel, for him. I’ll be praying for him!
Chris,
How thankful I am to God for changing the heart of your son, Josh, for freeing him of the anger and abusiveness, and what joy it must give you to see him being a loving husband and father.
Thank you Joyce & Susan!
It was good for me to think back on this and see just how far God has brought us, another stone of rememberance for me.
Wow Chris what a testimony! Thanks for sharing and it wasn’t long!
Thank you Julie!
So Chris, I have been struggling this morning, knowing what to study. I have mostly finished the Bible study and wrestling with buying the sermons. I decided to pray for my daughter. It’s her 20 birthday today. It may be special for her, but I’m sad. As I have explained before, she is mean to me lately. I have to remember that God created her for some reason…..I just have NO idea why that is at this point.
Your post hit me hard. I also have a son who sounds a lot like yours. He is now 21 and has been very angry over the course of the last few years. He seems to finally be turning around, but the old ways are still there. You give me hope!!!! Thank you so much 🙂
My study this morning was on faith:
Deuteronomy 11
13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul — 14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. 15 I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.
God is good.
Laura, praying for your daughter today on her birthday sounds like a perfect plan.
I will pray for a divine imagination in you to see how she is created in the image of God and what it would look like to see her walking that out in her life.
You are right, God is good!
🙂
Optional: This is an interpretative dance for Lifehouse’s Song “Everything” Watch it if you like and comment. – WOW, what a great job they all did to show just how easy it is to slip away, lose the grip from the only One who cares about us. It was so powerful to see the hold the enemy had on her in so many different forms and how hard it was for her to break away on her own, but once Jesus stepped in and fought the fight for her the chains were broken and she was set free
joyce–i am praying for your doctors appt tomorrow with this new dr–for him to have wisdom, for answers, for peace.
“The Lord bless you and keep you;the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” number 6:24-26
Thank you so much, Elizabeth, you are too sweet, to even remember that:) Actually he is the Dr. that fused my lower back about 3 yrs. ago. I wanted to stay in our town for my next surgery, because Kendra had 3 bad siezure’s when she saw mommy in the hospital bed, but no one will do the operation here.(fuse more of my back) It just would of been easier for Maurice to be home with her, with people who could help him with her, instead of being 3 hrs away. I’m praying God will show us what to do, when the time comes for more surgery. Thank you!
I am praying too Joyce, let us know what the doctor says.
Praying for you too Joyce. May God give the doctor much wisdom.
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
– Your granddaughter 🙂 CONGRATULATIONS!!!
– that once in a great while I miss not having cable/satellite TV. What a testimony — to sing a song of repentance in front of the country. (I only get public TV and the station with “The Voice!”). Will look for the song online.
2. What “perfect” storm have you experienced recently that you think may have been sent as a mercy from God?
A couple weeks ago (I think, kinda lose track of time), I posted that I was distraught because of an online, work-related discussion/disagreement. I was upset to the point of not sleeping. My reaction pointed to the need for God to shine His light on my heart, partly because I recognized the reaction from way way back. (In some situations, I really HATE to disagree, but I also don’t like to avoid taking a stand for what it right). After I got enough sleep, I no longer could “recreate” or accurately remember my my feelings. Because that reaction/situation is so uncommon for me (partly because I’ve become a hermit), self-reflection was difficult.
My perfect storm happened on Thursday or Friday, and I did email a friend that I thought God was allowing this “storm” to work in me. In one day, I experienced THREE (smaller) disagreements (two were work-related, online again — and I don’t even remember the third). One was a legal/ethical issue — and I pointed out the law/ethics. I couldn’t back down because the ethical situation seemed so clear (and I wasn’t about to break federal law, even though I do break plenty of “rules” 🙁 ) While I was writing one more email trying to explain how to approach the situation ethically, I received another email about the situation that had me so distraught the week before (indicating that I “lost”). Although my emotions were not as intense, I did contemplate resigning. A friend pointed out to me that these were situations in which it was appropriate to take a stand for what was right (I’d say two were standing for right; one was opinion). The problem wasn’t what I did, but the intense fear/discomfort I had when disagreeing.
THEN, late Friday afternoon, I wandered in to Goodwill — and bought a couple books. This weekend, I read “Prophetic Untimeliness: A Challenge to the Idol of Relevance” by Os Guinness (a bargain for $1 🙂 ). I didn’t even notice “idol” in the subtitle until I started reading the book. Guinness used examples of prophets and described that pain is associated with being resistant to the culture. (Amazon reviewers gave good descriptions of the book). The “perfect storm” is so recent that I’m still learning; I believe that God, in His mercy, is healing and preparing me.
Renee, I pray God “heals you and prepares you” as that sounds like a very difficult storm for you….praying!
Joyce,
Thank you! It’s not a bad storm in terms of amount of time, but when it hits… then it’s bad! I do believe that God allowed me to have several “mini-storms” in a short time in a day so that I can get through it (so that the bad times are no longer so bad and so deep-seated); and I know He will be with me as I face the storms —rather than flying a few hundred miles out of the way to escape them 🙂
I know he will be with you, too:)
B. When your country is victorious, it is easy to begin to find your identity in your country. Patriotism is not bad, but it can become sin. Give an illustration. – with my son being the in military currently and doing a year in Afghanistan from 2009-2010 it’s easy to see how things can get clouded for all of them serving over there. They are there to serve our country and protect us, but some have gone a little over board and just don’t care about the innocent people that are trying to escape from the evil being done there themselves. Some just don’t care about the life of others. I know they are risking their lives and I’m sure think it’s me or them I’m choosing me when it comes to seeing it first hand. I can certainly understand how my son felt over there and will most likely have life long after affects from it both emotionally and physically from being hurt, but there are innocent people that are bing killed due to a lack of compassion to others. Sorry I kind of ran on with this one.
I understand completely, I would feel the very same if my son were over there. Praying for Kyle.
I loved the You Tube on the Dance, Dee. I watched closely two times and each time when Jesus held back all the evil one’s and thing’s from the girl, my heart was thrilled! It brought tears of Joy!!
2. What “perfect” storm have you experienced recently that you think may have been sent as a mercy from God?
Elizabeth, you are so brave to not use your pain as a the “perfect Storm”, because I am going to. This storm of pain is training me to find him in each moment and to be open to his Loving Presence. Alot of times, his Blessing’s will come to me through pain and trouble. But trusting in God, keeps me close to him.
Elizabeth, I can’t imagine your pain…”like fire ants crawling and biting everywhere on you”. Mine is more like aching and throbbing pain all over in my back. Lord please take this from us, if it be your will. But if it’s not, please help us to push into you each moment for our comfort and assurence.
and Love, Thank you, Jesus!
Oh Julie — you so express my heart and concerns. This is truly a prayer matter, for the hearts of our young military men to have see people as Jesus does. For our country’s leaders. Thanks for expressing this.
2. What “perfect” storm have you experienced recently that you think may have been sent as a mercy from God?
I suppose “recently” could be in the last 5 years? The perfect storm was my prodigal son, John. I had been going to church, but really missing the point. I didn’t KNOW Jesus. John was causing us such trouble we didnt know what to do. I did the last thing I knew of; to begin to pray, and read the Bible and listen to a devotional. It brought me back to God, for real. My prodigal son brought me back to God. I have learned so much in the last 5 years.
Smaller storms occur as well; I think to make sure we are listening. I am going through one now. My daughter is not behaving well as a young adult. It is hard. She thinks she is so special because she has a job (thank goodness), and has money to spend. She is treating me horribly. I don’t know if that is the “way” for teens, but I certainly don’t deserve the meanness she is dishing out.
Another storm is this awful test I have to take next week. I have to work every day this week and really only have a few hours each day to study. I have been studying, but there is so much material to know it is ridiculous. I have asked God for help here. I asked a few months ago and have felt His blessing over me for awhile now. I believe He will help me through. I truly believe it; there have been “signs.” the page in a book that leads me to the correct answer as I study, the idea that certain questions will be the actual test questions, and the lack of shear panic when I think of the day of the test, walking in with nothing in my hands, only my brain 🙂 I can retake one time in the fall, but I would rather be done with my masters. Thank you for praying for me 🙂 I’m tired of being the “center of attention” at my home. Everything we do depends on my studies…..yuck.
“My prodigal son brought me back to God.” Wow, Laura-dancer.
I’m so glad you sense He is truly with you in these studies. I see so much growth in your trust in Him.
I just read this in my email and hadn’t read the others yet–I stopped to log on to respond exactly what I now see Dee said! “My prodigal son brought me back to God.” that’s just beautiful, Laura. WOW.
Laura you have been an inspiration to me, with so much on your plate and how you manage and let God lead you. I will be praying for you, Love you!
B. When your country is victorious, it is easy to begin to find your identity in your country. Patriotism is not bad, but it can become sin. Give an illustration.
I suppose I am “supposed” to say “America” here as an answer, but in all honesty, I am bothered by that answer because America is a country that has done so many good things for other countries (of which I am glad). However, I believe “you” can get “high on your horse”‘ (like my daughter has recently!) and forget who you really are (like Colton). I suppose the recent pictures in the news of soldiers holding a dead body. Not cool for me.
C. What did Jonah’s father do? What kind of prestige went with this?
He spread the boundaries of Israel. It was a high honor because it came from God.
D. Being proud of your parents is not bad, but it can lead you into sin. (Remember our new working definition of sin.) Give an illustration of this.
Well, my mom is a sweet woman; a Godly woman. She was a psychologist who no one would let retire because she was so good at her job. She is the only woman i know who would do her job for free because she loved people so. My father died when I was 13 so mom put her whole being into her work and church. I believe there was a balance though. She always taught Sunday school, did devotionals, etc. As an adult, I have always been proud of my mom. She was a single mom and sent me to college. However, by making my mom into an idol, I take away from God. It reminds me of the MASH episode where Radar has put Hawkeye on a pedestal and Hawkeye calls him on it. Hawkeye says, “I’m just a man, don’t have too high expectations of me,” or something of that nature. Hawkeye was referring to God there. Isn’t old TV the best?
You remind me of how proud I grew up. My father owned and operated an important business in our small town and I loved being his proud daughter. It is wisdom to consider this as a possible savior or allow it to become our identity.
I realized after reading some comments from last week that I glean so much from the sisters here that I can’t skip reading comments. I learn as much from all of you as I do from Dee and Keller.
Good Morning Sisters —
Reading your good answers.
I’m off to Alexandria, Va to meet Claire and try to be of some help to Sally!
Love to you
Dee
Have a safe trip and enjoy your visit!
Dee, Have a wonderful trip and enjoy your time with Claire, Sally and Phil! 🙂
Praying for your safe journey, give sweet baby Claire kisses from all of us! Oh how I love little babies 🙂
Congratulations to all and safe travels to you, Dee. Enjoy this new little blessing.
2. What “perfect” storm have you experienced recently that you think may have been sent as a mercy from God?
I am thinking, my perfect storm would be not ‘having to have’ or ‘be on’ worship team. Not ‘having’ to sing specials if God is indeed changing my road or calling. When I went to church last there was a new gal on Worship team-she was young and really good-she had an incredible mid-upper range which is what they have been needing in order to replace the gal that left last year. I was embarrassed at the thoughts that were rushing through my head! The first thing that flashed through my mind was, they won’t need me anymore, then it was tempting to go down that road to being jealous-oh it was there, but I knew because of Dee’s studies that I had a choice-to listen to my approval idol and worry or talk with God and listen to Him. I fought my flesh with speaking truth to my soul. My thoughts ranged from-Wow, she is good! Uh oh, much better than me, then rationalizing-I am too old to be singing this kind of music anyway-I don’t have time to work on specials anyway right now. To the extreme of, My time is done-God has another road.
Later that day, He came like a comforting mountain that arose and overshadowed this. I saw how big He was-how extremely little this was. There were no answers to my ‘calling’-He asked me to trust. Also, He wants me to listen to this new gals voice and worship Him-encourage her-He made her voice and I get the privilege of hearing what He has made. And really, truthfully, this worship is nothing compared to the future worship with Him! I can worship Him independently, and corporately any place- anywhere, and in the future when WE are face to face-OH MY!! so the platform isn’t what is important-HE is important. He is my identity, not what I do in ministry. It is all His.
Yet I often need to be reminded. I just don’t know my heart like He does and when it is trailing off-He is faithful to finish the work he has started in me, he brought this little storm and other storms in ministry to bring what was deep down to the surface. SO I give all the glory to Him, and I thankfully He isn’t finished-He will never give up on me!
Rebecca,
I went to an performance of some of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos week. The orchestra Apollo’s Fire and they were truly wonderful.
At intermission we moved to seats that were just to the left of the stage, we were actually sort of behind some of the musicians. Seated there we could see their faces. What struck me was the appreciation and delight they showed for one another. They watched with excitement and joy while another preformed their part, it is hard to effectively communicate with words their utter enjoyment & satisfaction in the talent & performance of one another. I was so glad we moved!
I came away wondering what it would be like to see such unity in the body of Christ, if we could truly delight in each other, supporting and complementing each other’s talents, gifts and accomplishments, how much glory we could bring to Christ if we would love each other that way.
Your example of speaking truth to your soul and seeking to worship through enjoying the talents of this sister in Christ spoke to me and reminded me of how I felt leaving the concert.
I was pleased to know of Isaac’s new found acceptance by his peers, and I empathize with your challenge regarding meeting the nutritional needs of differing physiologies, that is tough as a mom. May God grant you great wisdom as you deal with meeting those differing needs.
Chris S. First of all I would have LOVED To go to that! So glad you could go! I agree with truly delighting in one another-wish you could have snapped a picture but your description put a great picture in my mind and I will remember it.
You made me think, it is the same thing with the older son issue-We know God delights in worship. We know He delights in hearing the talent he has designed in someone–a way of showing him we love him is when what delights Him delights us. Jealously doesn’t bring delight to God’s heart, but genuinely loving and supporting a brother or sister in their gifting does bring delight to his heart.
I am excited at God’s mercy on Isaac. He told me he has other kids sitting with him at lunch now. I think they just needed to understand why he acts like he does. They had no clue he had Autism because he is high functioning-they just thought he was weird.
Thanks so much for praying! 🙂
Yay for Issac!
love love love this vulnerable story — I so identify — when I started reading One Thousand Gifts I thought, “She better be old to be this eloquent…” And then I flipped to the back to see this cute young thing…
Rebecca,
Thank you for honestly sharing your struggle here. I know for me, I’m not a singer, but I can begin to compare myself in regards to my being a mom, or in a group of women, or in my own family….jealousy, comparison, etc…..
I like how you moved to wanting to listen to and encourage this new girl – into the role of a mentor!
Yes, oh Yes, Rebecca! He will never give up on us! Isn’t it wonderful how we identify our idols so well, now?! Praise God!
Yes, it is wonderful to walk in this new light – identifying idols, speaking the truth to our souls and then watch for Him to come and speak into the situation- it is truly a beautiful way to live! Great example.
Love interpretive dance…My only issue with this one is Jesus looks wimpy but I realize we do have to say no to sin as well. He won’t force us to chose Him and I know He wants us too. I really like the warrior bridegroom when all sin falls! I do like the Jesus they used too. He seemed kind and loving
So excited for Sally and her hubby! And you! Can’t wait to see pictures of little Claire. I love that name. Praying you have safe travels this morning. Love to you.
Thank you sweet niece. What a big yesterday for all of us in our family in so many ways.
I’m so thankful for modern medicine. I was in tears as I realized that generations ago Sally probably wouldn’t have made it — baby transverse and her water broke. This was a genuine need for a C-section.
Claire beautiful. So thankful.
Pictures of her Dee!!
Syd was turned with an inversion, but never quite made it straight, he was kind of diagonal in the womb. After 12 hours of labor, they did a c-section because he started to show signs of stress. I am so thankful that both Sally and I did have modern medicine to intervene. What a gift from God!
And with Ben they predicted to be very big, so I scheduled a c-section. And he was big…10 pounds!
. What stood out to you from the above and why?
I loved your own example of having to cling to your identity in Christ and the temptation that comes with having a well-known ministry and one that God uses mightily. I have definitely had that struggle and know the peace that comes with laying it all down and clinging to Christ with all that I have.
I loved the Lifehouse video; I’ve seen it before but had forgotten how powerful it can be. Love love the part where Jesus takes on her attackers and sin…always brings me to tears.
2. What “perfect” storm have you experienced recently that you think may have been sent as a mercy from God?
Wow that’s a good question. What comes to mind is the harsh treatment I have received from my sister-in-law who makes it clear she wants nothing to do with me or my family. I thought of Chris S.’s statement about wanting better relationships with siblings…I’m with her there. My brother has done some pretty terrible things but has repented…yet it affects us all. I have never allowed myself to be angry with him, or her, until recently. God is teaching me a lot about anger; how it’s okay to feel it but not to sin in it. So today when I should be rejoicing for my brother and sister-in-law as they go through a joyous milestone, I just feel anger. And the enemy would want me to hate myself for feeling that way, but I know to ignore it won’t help.
Where is God in this all? I take comfort in knowing He knows and sees all, He knows what I’m going through and it grieves his heart, too. So I cling to Him in the midst of this, knowing I’m not alone and can “vent” to Him when it feels like there is no one else who can understand. He is truly my refuge in the center of the storm. I have to walk in my identity in Him or get run over, so to speak.
So with you in this Anne — praying for you in this — and for all. I love you dearly.
Thank you Aunt Dee. I’m grateful for you.
Anne Meredith, hated to hear this-it must be so rough! Will start praying for you all-for your brother’s wife’s heart too.
Thank you Rebecca! You are a blessing.
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
INSTEAD OF SEEING SIN AS “BREAKING THE RULES” IT IS A “SELF-SALVATION STRATEGY” IT IS FINDING YOUR IDENTITY YOUR MEANING IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN GOD. Dee, this is one of the most powerful statements I have ever read. I see that when we self save we inadvertently demand something in return. I served you, Jesus, now you make my life good. I am so glad God is bringing me out of this arrogant religion! What a pharisee I have been. Oh, it makes me fall at His feet and weep. Thank you God, for revealing grace and the gospel to me and how it sets me free.
Might I suggest, “Claire Dee Lune” 🙂
Love it 🙂
We sang Mercy Me’s God with Us on Sunday and I felt worhip well up in me in a way I have not felt in a very long time. It has been with me ever since.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8eOGhLzuVA
‘Like hinges straining from the weight my heart no longer can keep from singing &
my debt is paid these chains are gone’
Such powerful lyrics that echo what God is doing here among us!
Chris, What a beautiful song this is! Thank you for sharing it!
Yes — beautiful. Thanks, Chris.
Chris, I see where “Mercy Me” is going to be at NE State Fair August 30th, Yea!
Joyce,
Praying for you. Spending that long on the road must be painful. Keep us posted.
Thank you…it was a very long trip for all of us. Kendra and I slept alot as Maurice drove all the way to Omaha and back. I was praying the whole time for all of you and for Dee’s safe trip, too.
My Dr. ordered a MRI and where the screw’s end at the top of the fusing, the very next vertibrae up has slid way out of alignment and is bone on bone. He says this is happens alot and instead of fusing another 9-10″, up to the middle of my back, he will do the one bad vertibrae is all now and if the other top one gets bad, we’ll do it in another 3 yrs…and etc. So this won’t be near as bad as the last time and the recovery will be much easier. So I’m happy. It looks like sometime in July. Thank you so much for your prayer’s..I could feel the Lord covering me with them:)
Kim, you brought up something about half way up from here, about generational curses. After my brother’s wife, Mary Kay died, Dennis and his kids were cleaning out junk from the basement of Dennis’s house, that Mary Kay had kept for years and years. His daughter found their old ouija board from when they were kids.
She said if she had known it was down there, she would of burnt it years ago. Is there really something to this? I’m septical!
It’s so good to be back home, here on Dee’s blog, with you all, my sister’s in Christ:)
Thanks for sharing the good news! Praying you will be comfortable until July.
Joyce, I will continue to pray for you and Kendra.
As to the generational curses, I can only speak out of my personal experience. When the nightmares/nightscreaming started we went to our pastor, Mike, and he sent us to a man in our church who is trained for this kind of spiritual warfare. He also recommended the book by Neil T. Anderson, ” The Bondage Breaker”. It is highly recommended to get rid of anything occult- which is what the books were about. I wish I could tell you the whole amazing story.
Thanks Kim
I’ve been praying for you and Kendra and will continue.
Sounds as if you are relieved by what the surgeon had to say Joyce. It is usually wise to be conservative it seems. July must seem far off because of your pain.
I am so inspired by you and your commitment to praying for us all!
I hope you are recovered and ready to go see Mercy Me when it is fair time.
3. A. Israel was recovering from its enemies. King Amaziah, the king during Jonah’s time, had restored a huge area. Look on your Bible map and find Lebo Hamath and the Dead Sea. How big an area had been recovered?
I tried to find a map that had both Lebo Hamath and the Dead Sea but couldn’t find one. But it seems to be an area from north of Damascus [Now part of Syria] along east of the Jordan River to the Dead Sea, quite a big area.
B. When your country is victorious, it is easy to begin to find your identity in your country. Patriotism is not bad, but it can become sin. Give an illustration.
When your country is threatened, you can depend on your country instead of God. After 9/11 there was a huge rush of patriotism and a rush to go to war; so much so that those urging caution and restraint were seen as unpatriotic. This is just my opinion.
C. What did Jonah’s father do? What kind of prestige went with this?
I couldn’t find anything on what Jonah’s father did, such that his name was Amittai. He was not the prophet, Jonah was. Need help here.
D. Being proud of your parents is not bad, but it can lead you into sin. (Remember our new working definition of sin.) Give an illustration of this.
If we are using Soren Kierkegaard’s definition of sin — which is “trying to build an identity apart from God” – then becoming proud [thinking yourself better than others] because of your family name is sin.
4. Read Jonah 1:1-3
A. What purpose did God have for Jonah as described in verses 1-2?
To preach against the city of sin.
B. What calling has God given to your life? (It may be specific, but it is also found in 1 Peter 2:9-10)
I believe I am called to dance for the Lord; to help others understand the word of the Lord through my expression in dance. 1 Peter says we are a chosen people; His holy possession who were brought out of darkness and into the light. We are called to spread the word of this light! We have received mercy from the Lord.
C. How did Jonah respond? How is this an illustration of sin?
Jonah ran away. He ignored the Lord’s calling. He disobeyed what the Lord had planned for him. He listened to himself before he listened to God…..that is putting himself above God; our new definition of sin.
5. Keller says that Jonah could not flee geographically from God, for God is everywhere. (See Psalm 139) But he was trying to flee relationally from God — from intimacy, for His face. What lie did Jonah have to believe in order to do this?
Jonah believed that he could solve his problems on his own.
6. Think about the last time you fled God’s calling for you. Ask Him! Describe it.
Wow, probably daily! I’m not sure if I know of a specific example though. I will come back to this one.
7. Read Jonah 1:4 and describe how God responded. Why, do you think?
God sent a great storm to get Jonah’s attention! To help Jonah to know that he really wasn’t the one in charge, but God was. Jonahs job was to turn the hearts of the Ninevites away from their sinful ways and toward the goodness of God.
“Wow. Probably daily.”
You speak for each of us, I know.
I’m glad I could check in.
I give such thanks for what God has done for my daughter Sally. I know that had we lived in generations past it would have been disastrous. Baby transverse and her water broke — so emergency C-section. Claire is beautiful. Still praying about middle name — laughed at your suggestions of Claire Dee Lune…
I’m so thankful — we deserve no mercy but it keeps coming.
Read Keller’s Generous Justice on the plane. Convicted to the core!
You are dear to me.
Dee,
I’m just getting started this week, so I too want to congratulate you on your precious new baby granddaughter Claire!!
I know what you mean by being thankful for modern medicine today. When my first son was born, I labored for several hours but his head was too large to fit through the birth canal and I couldn’t deliver him, so I needed a C-section. Generations ago, we both would’ve died.
I’m so happy for you that you are with Sally now and getting to know your new grand-baby! Enjoy!!
Wow Dee, so glad to hear this-that God has poured out such mercy on you all. SO glad to hear Sally and Claire are safe and doing well. I love that name-they have picked great names, Sadie and Claire!
Dee, So glad for God’s provision of modern medicine and Sally and baby Claire’s safety. Enjoy your time with them.
I came to my daughter’s on Sunday night with the plan to stay until Wednesday but have decided to stay until Friday because two of the boys are sick. One has Roseola rash and the other is feverish and vomiting (perhaps the early stages of more acute roseola). No doubt the youngest will also get this as it is quite contagious. Not fun, but glad I could be here to help Krista.
I’m going to listen to Keller’s sermon now while kids are resting. Don’t know if I will have time to do any more of our study.
Diane, Praying for your time with your daughter and grand children 🙂
Oh Diane….Bless you for being there to take care of your sick grandkids!
Thanks for praying for me and my family, sisters. They are better now. The youngest has not been sick (yet). I am home for now.
You are dear to us Dee & we all rejoice with you, enjoy that new baby!
3. Read 2 Kings 14:25
A. Israel was recovering from its enemies. King Amaziah, the king during Jonah’s time, had restored a huge area. Look on your Bible map and find Lebo Hamath and the Dead Sea. How big an area had been recovered?
I looked on every Bible Map I had and couldn’t find Lebo Hamath. It would be interesting to know though. I will take Diane’s word for it that it was most likely a large area.
B. When your country is victorious, it is easy to begin to find your identity in your country. Patriotism is not bad, but it can become sin. Give an illustration.
I think Patriotism can become sin when it becomes our identity. One of the tell tale signs today is when we develop a hate or disgust for the people on the ‘other side’ politically, and we immerse ourselves so deeply into Politics, setting the other side straight becomes our mission- our passion-when we see them as trees walking rather than valuable souls who God gave his life for. When our passion for God/His Word, and the Souls of Men become less ultimate than our passion for country then Patriotism is a sin.
I just want to let everyone know I’ve read through all the comments, and I agree with Kim in that I don’t want to miss those comments because you all have so much to share, so much wisdom and experience and I learn from you so much.
Chris and Rebecca – great examples from your work (drawer was short) and singing at church and how both of you talked truth to your souls about your real identity!
Laura – I love how your prodigal son brought you back to God and now you are really close to the Lord!
Joyce – I feel so bad that you have to continue to suffer with your back and facing another surgery in July. And here you prayed for all of us while riding in the car to Omaha.
Elizabeth – can empathize with your struggles in relationship. Praying also that this pain will leave you.
Julie – I’m glad to see you here this week. Will pray for Kyle…the aftermath of being in Afghanistan and what he witnessed there and being injured. How you must hurt for your son.
Annemeredith – I cannot imagine your sister-in-law’s treatment of you and your family; but we can pray for her heart to change. She’s really missing out on having someone really beautiful and special in her life – that’s you!
Diane – wow – opening your home and heart to that young girl who was hurting herself.
Angela, Kim, Renee – I learn so much from each of you. Angela, you have certainly endured many storms and you will surely have much to speak and write about when the timing is right!
Anne – I MISS YOU!
Thank you Susan. Wanting to love her where she is at, and at the same time keeping boundaries in place because she is not the safest person for me to be around. Will see her at a family gathering on Mother’s Day.
Ditto to this post. Anne, please give us an update when you can.
Thanks Susan for the prayers we really do appreciate them.
and yopur lonilness an for a special girlfriend Thanks Susan..praying for your marriage, Love you
Let me start over! I tried to add something in the save after I wrote it and it didn’t work!
I meant to say, Susan, I am praying for your lonliness and for your marriage and for a very special girl friend that you can pray with and cry with. Love you!
C. What did Jonah’s father do? What kind of prestige went with this?
I searched and didn’t find anything on Amattai, Jonah’s father. Was he a prophet also? I was thinking it might be revealed in Keller’s sermon perhaps?
D. Being proud of your parents is not bad, but it can lead you into sin. (Remember our new working definition of sin.) Give an illustration of this.
I was thinking how easy this would be! I think it can lead into a works righteousness kind of faith whether you are proud of your parents because they are in ministry, or because they are Doctors or Lawyers.
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
I like this new “working definition” of sin – it is finding your identity, your meaning, in anything other than God.
I don’t watch American Idol, but wow, this young man has his heart in the right place. If I apply what happened to him with that definition of sin – we could argue about is it sin that he sang a Lady Gaga song (I don’t know which one he sang); some of her songs are pretty raunchy….but the point is, when Colton listened to the urging of his mentor, and wanted the approval of the judges and the crowd, temporarily, he was trying to find his identity and meaning in something other than God. So, he sang the song, and pushed the limits a little bit. And was voted off the show.
But, his heart was immediately responsive to God and in humility, he admitted it wasn’t who he was when he sang that song. Now he wants to sing for God. I love how he said in the interview that he sang only for God in that last song, that he needed to hear from God. He did that on national TV, not caring about anyone’s approval but God’s approval.
2. What “perfect” storm have you experienced recently that you think may have been sent as a mercy from God?
I can’t think of a “storm” but maybe a persistent “cloud”? It is loneliness. I wonder if maybe I’m just a melancholic-type personality….I can feel lonely even when I’m around other people! It is so hard to make deep connections with other women. I’ve met new women at church in my small group, and they’re friendly to chat with, but several have friendships already and I wonder how do I break into groups that are already formed. How do you ever get below the superficial into depth? I know it takes time, but many women work full-time and everyone is busy with their own lives.
Is loneliness a mercy from God? I don’t know. Maybe He wants me to make my relationship with Him my top priority and to work on cultivating intimacy with Him. I’m not consistent on a daily basis in spending time with Him.
I too struggle with loneliness. I will pray for you to have a close confidant, one who it will be easy to confide in and talk with. I read somewhere that if we have one friend like that, we are blessed. Two of them, extraordinarily blessed. Three of them, almost a miracle! I think this culture makes us think we must have a ton of friends with instant connections. Just not the way it is. At least I haven’t experienced it like that. My closest friend lives in Michigan, and our weekly phone calls are so used by God to build each other up. So I pray that for you, Susan.
I can’t stay long my little one is home sick, but I saw Susan’s #2 and had to jump in–oh I do understand. I think it is your great depth in you Susan that maybe makes it hard to enjoy the surface-y conversation. I tend to crave realness, vulnerability, honest sharing—but it is so hard to find, and also risky. I will keep praying for you to find a few friends to be real with, to really share the deep hard stuff and not feel judged. I often think about how we are made for another world…and that some amount of loneliness is inevitable…praying for you~
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” ― C.S. Lewis
Thank you both, Annemeredith and Elizabeth….. I do have one friend, the kind I can tell anything, and she is a Christian, and she can tell me anything, too. She suffers from depression and doesn’t live close, so it is often by phone that we connect, more than face-to-face.
I probably have unrealistic expectations, I guess. I would think that in church of all places, the masks would be off and that “family” fellowship would be experienced, b/c we are all in God’s family.
I listen alot to Midday Connection, and just yesterday they were talking about moms needing connection, and that so much of their email is from women telling them they are lonely and desire deeper friendships.
Susan, when I read the CS Lewis quote I posted above, I just thought of you, because I do relate to what you express here. I think it’s one way Satan has attacked relationships. We are made for an intimacy that is so rarely found here. But I am so thankful for you here–oh your wisdom, your depth-your heart, you really are a rare treasure.
I’ve been meaning to ask about your mom too & her health?
Thanks for asking, Elizabeth. I think she has recovered from the pneumonia, but her lungs took another “hit” – she’s had chronic bronchitis since she was a kid, and had about 1/3 of right lung removed back in the 80’s, so every time she gets a lung infection it hits her hard. She was having lots of shortness of breath, so her doctor ordered a stress test and EKG, both of which were ok, so he’s thinking it is her lungs. My dad went with her to her last appt. and brought up the subject of her memory loss – she got really defensive and upset, but dr. tried to reassure her family is concerned.
She still shows no spiritual interest; she is often angry and upset by many things. She reads the paper daily and gets so upset…I use a bit of humor and tell her the latest thing I just read in the Bible, saying maybe she should try to read that instead – she says well…I don’t know about that!
Susan, perhaps her anger towards the news is a good thing that can be turned into a discussion of sin.
I am glad Elizabeth asked about your mom so that we are all reminded to pray for her and your witness to her.
Dear Susan, I went through the same thing with my mom. When my brother gave her a beautiful Bible (with her name on it)for christmas a couple years before she died. When she unwrapped it, she said, “What do I need this for?” That hurt, but she gave her heart to the Lord on her death bed. But I just pray your mom doesn’t wait untill then, because so many things could happen between now and then. I am going to pray earnestly for her to give her heart to God.
Love that quote from C.S. Lewis Elizabeth, and also to be reminded we were not created for this world. Needed to hear that today.
This discussion on loneliness strikes a definite chord with me. I think we probably all struggle with this. I just finished reading Elisabeth Eliot’s book called “The Path of Loneliness”. I highly recommend it. She calls loneliness a “gift” that, if we sacrifice it to God, he will use mightily to draw us closer to him. I wish I had the book to give you some quotes but it is at home and I am at my daughter’s house. It is a very powerful book with a lot of deep ideas in it that really spoke to me.
Diane, thanks for the Elisabeth Eliot book recommendation I think this may be just what I need, too.
Susan, When Dee told my best friend to pray for a friend and then told her to go introduce herself to someone, she did (to me) and we have been best friends for 30 yrs. I’m praying for a bff (I think it means best friends forever?!) for you!
A. Israel was recovering from its enemies. King Amaziah, the king during Jonah’s time, had restored a huge area. Look on your Bible map and find Lebo Hamath and the Dead Sea. How big an area had been recovered?
A whopping big area!
B. When your country is victorious, it is easy to begin to find your identity in your country. Patriotism is not bad, but it can become sin. Give an illustration.
When people allow pride in country to grow too large they can begin to imagine that they and their fellow citizens are a breed apart from other humans.
I thought about the atrocities the Japanese (they were taught that their emperor was divine) committed against the Chinese during WWII, I saw an interview with a now elderly Japanese soldier who with obvious great remorse told how they had believed it when they were told that the Chinese were little more than animals.
A quote from C.S. Lewis;
A man may have to die for our country: but no man must, in any exclusive sense, live for his country. He who surrenders himself without reservation to the temporal claims of a nation, or a party, or a class is rendering to Caesar that which, of all things, most emphatically belongs to God: himself.
C. What did Jonah’s father do?
He was a prophet
D. What kind of prestige went with this?
At such a time of national success, I should think he would have been revered and treated with great respect.
E. Being proud of your parents is not bad, but it can lead you into sin. (Remember our new working definition of sin.) Give an illustration of this.
I am struggling with this one, I am going to give it some thought and come back later.
Whopping big area! 🙂 Great Lewis quote.
2. What “perfect” storm have you experienced recently that you think may have been sent as a mercy from God?
Yesterday my hubby gave away something that belonged to me assuming I would want to help someone. He tried to call me and ask permission but I forgot to return his call. I was upset and saw immediately how stingy I can be if something is not my idea. As the storm was moving in I thought of this question and realized God was showing me how selfish I am. As I examined the situation I felt thankful that God reveals my motives and dark areas of my heart. He wants to make me like Himself and I am so glad. I also love God’s big heart to wash me and make me clean when I cry out to Him.
Kim, Love your example of your little storm! I can see myself doing the same thing! Then I have to remind myself that things are just things..material stuff.
But when Dee had her sentimental jewelry stolen, I would of been very angry about something so precious to me. But Dee helped me to see how we should handle something like that and forgive them. Wow that would be hard to do, but what Dee done, made a lasting impression on me!
From Psalm 139 MSG: …And please, God, do away with wickedness for good!
And you murderers—out of here!—
all the men and women who belittle you, God,
infatuated with cheap god-imitations.
See how I hate those who hate you, God,
see how I loathe all this godless arrogance;
I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred.
Your enemies are my enemies!
I know that this wasn’t the focus of this Psalm at this time, but it stood out to me in regards to Jonah.
On the surface it seems as though we should hate the people who are rejecters of God and pray for their demise. Ephesians 6:12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” What Jonah didn’t get is that God was out to destroy the enemy which is Satan not the people who Satan was using. That’s why in His mercy He gave them a final chance to repent and choose who they would serve.
He’s done that for all of us and we should be thankful when it happens to what we consider the least deserving (deathbed salvation after a lifetime of evil).
I love your last sentence Dawn. I think if we understood how awful hell is we would not want anyone to end up there.
This is powerful for me…..we want to destroy Satan, not the people who are taken by him 🙁
A. Israel was recovering from its enemies. King Amaziah, the king during Jonah’s time, had restored a huge area. Look on your Bible map and find Lebo Hamath and the Dead Sea. How big an area had been recovered? Lots of ground!
B. When your country is victorious, it is easy to begin to find your identity in your country. Patriotism is not bad, but it can become sin. Give an illustration. Well just the American mindset like we are better than everyone else and when military or government people use that to overpower the weak, etc. Bad bad stuff. Just because we are the super power country…Entitlement.
C. What did Jonah’s father do? What kind of prestige went with this? Ok I totally missed this in my study. Cannot find anything on him by his name and when I studied it indepth. Did I miss something? I read the text as Jonah was the prophet who prophesied about getting that land back. He was a successful prophet. Did not think it meant his father.
D. Being proud of your parents is not bad, but it can lead you into sin. (Remember our new working definition of sin.) Give an illustration of this. Pride is a tricky little thing. It can turn into worship.
I thought this was a worthwhile read, and made me OH so thankful for Dee’s teaching!
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/05/07/why-bible-study-doesnt-transform-us/
This is a good article, elizabeth. Thanks for sharing it. The Bible should be transforming us and, if it isn’t, we should wonder why.
I thought you all might find this interesting. It is about Jonah.
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2012/05/07/the-double-reach-of-self-righteousness/
Diane, Good article…thanks for sharing the link. I can relate to the following WAY too well:
“What’s fascinating to me is that, not only in the story of Jonah, but throughout the Bible, it’s always the immoral person that gets the Gospel before the moral person. It’s the prostitute who understands grace; it’s the Pharisee who doesn’t. It’s the unrighteous younger brother who gets it before the self-righteous older brother.
There is, however, another side to self-righteousness that younger-brother types need to be careful of. There’s an equally dangerous form of self-righteousness that plagues the unconventional, the liberal, and the non-religious types. We “authentic”, anti-legalists can become just as guilty of legalism in the opposite direction. What do I mean?
It’s simple: we become self-righteous against those who are self-righteous.”
That’s me 🙁
Ladies, I would like to ask for prayer as Thursday, early evening we are heading out to Kansas for Kyle’s wedding on Friday. It is a 10 hour drive from Indiana and we are hoping to drive straight thru to Topeka as all of Junction City and surrounding areas are booked solid due to graduations and softball leagues, so please pray that we arrive safely and can make it to Topeka. Thank you all for being so open with your posts, you truly are a blessing to me.
Will be praying, Julie – I don’t think I remember you mentioning that Kyle was getting married – this is exciting news…I hope and pray it will be a wonderful day for all of you!
Susan it is all kind of sudden, they got engaged at Easter and thought I had them understanding they should wait a bit, before getting married but I guess the words sent to the wayside, lol
Wow, that is sudden! My sister, who was married before, met her current husband and I think they married in about 6 mos., but, this is her rock solid marriage – she was saved as they started going to church – this will be her last marriage, I’m sure! We will need to pray for your son and his new wife!
You have my prayers Julie.
I will join in the prayers. I met my husband and we were married 6 mos later. I was barely 18. I am a living testament for those who know its right and can’t wait. 🙂
Thanks Kim. I know it will take work as all relationships do, and I have been telling them that and will continue too.
We are another couple married 6 months and one day from our first date, it has been a rather rough road sometimes, but we just passed our 27th anniversary in April.
I will pray too & also that you and Kyles fiance get of to a great start!
Chris that is so good hear, and I believe God will help them thru the rough spots when they come up.
Julie, Is Kearney, NE out of the way for you? You sure could stay at our house! I’ll be praying for your lodging and safe travels. How exciting, that Kyla is getting married!
I’m sorry, but I wrote Kyla (my oldest
daughter’s name! Insead of Kyle)
I had to look at my map and feel pretty silly saying stop by NE!!
Are you going through Kansas City? If so and you’d like to stay at my house there, e-mail me and I’ll tell you how to get in.
Joyce I don’t think NE is on my route. We will be going thru IL and MO and we do go thru Kansas City I believe Dee and as we cross into Kansas we end up on route 70. You ladies are so sweet and Dee I will email you just in case. I know when I drove there in December there were no rest areas all thru the MO route and it was hard to find areas to get off to gas up and eat there were close to the highway.
Julie, I love your new picture..is this of you and Kyle or your husband?
This is of me and my husband. My kids pics are on Facebook!
I’ll look for you there!
4. Read Jonah 1:1-3
A. What purpose did God have for Jonah as described in verses 1-2? – God wanted Jonah to go and announce judgement on the people of Nineveh because of their wickedness.
B. What calling has God given to your life? (It may be specific, but it is also found in 1 Peter 2:9-10) – I think we as Christians all have the calling of doing Gods will to help others see the goodness that a relationship with God can have, but personally, I think my calling is one of helps. I don’t really like to be in the limelight or the center of anything so being in the background helping where the help is needed is just fine for me.
C. How did Jonah respond? How is this an illustration of sin? – Jonah headed to Tarshish to escape the commission of God. This shows disobedience against God by not doing what God instructed him to do. I think there is some defiance there too, that I will do what I want kind of attitude. Disrespect for God being in authority.
5. Keller says that Jonah could not flee geographically from God, for God is everywhere. (See Psalm 139) But he was trying to flee relationally from God — from intimacy, for His face. What lie did Jonah have to believe in order to do this?- The lie would be that he could escape from God and never would he have to deal with or see God again
6. Think about the last time you fled God’s calling for you. Ask Him! Describe it. – For me any time I don’t do what I know I’m supposed to be doing is fleeing from Gods calling. When I get mad at the people in my household or on the road or at work, and I get a bad attitude against them or the situation I’m not being very Christ like. I need to let things not bother me so much and give them over to God instead of not being in His will for my life.
7. Read Jonah 1:4 and describe how God responded. Why, do you think? – God was really really mad, so mad that he hurled a huge wind on the sea that was so powerful the ship seemed like it was going to break up. I’m thinking here that God was so made that Jonah ignored his calling and ignored the command given to him by God. It was like Jonah was putting his own feelings and thoughts in p,ace of God like he didn’t even exist and God does not like when we put other things before Him.
Comments on the interpretive dance
Awesome….the idols that she turned to when she turned away from Jesus, the Lover of her soul – they used her, abused her, lied to her, and ultimately tried to destroy her. The portrayal of Christ pulling and pulling her back, and Satan, who is behind all those false idols, trying to keep her away from Him, and finally Jesus portrayed as protecting her from the fury of Satan as he knew he was losing his grip on her; He took the blows intended for her.
3. Read 2 Kings 14:25
A. Israel was recovering from its enemies. King Amaziah, the king during Jonah’s time, had restored a huge area. Look on your Bible map and find Lebo Hamath and the Dead Sea. How big an area had been recovered?
I did a little online searching about this. Actually, it was King Jeroboam II, who was the king of Israel (while Amaziah was king of Judah) who restored the original borders of Israel to their largest since, I think, the time of Solomon. Jeroboam II ruled in Samaria, and the northern borders of his kingdom went from the north in what was Lebo Hamath (some say he even conquered Damascus) to the south to the Gulf of Aqaba which is on the Red Sea. The Gulf of Aqaba is today in Jordan, and Israel’s southernmost city, Eilat, is there, bordering Jordan and Egypt. I read also that the Israelites crossed part of the Gulf of Aqaba when they were fleeing the Egyptians. On a map, it shows it to be near Mt.Sinai.
I couldn’t find any exact measurements, as to the square area in miles, but it was a very large area.
B. When your country is victorious, it it easy to begin to find your identity in your country. Patriotism is not bad, but it can become sin. Give an illustration.
Some online sources I read on Jonah and King Jeroboam II said that perhaps Jonah was “pro King Jeroboam”, in contrast to prophets like Amos, who spoke out against him because he was a wicked king. Jonah may have been “riding high” on the conquests of the king as he overtook cities and restored the original borders of Israel. Perhaps this is also why Jonah wanted Ninevah destroyed. If Jonah found his identity in the nationalism and prosperity of his country to the point where he didn’t care about preaching repentance to sinners anymore so they could be saved, that is a good illustration of sin.
C. What did Jonah’s father do? What kind of prestige went with this?
Verse 25 says that Jonah, the prophet from Gath Hepher, was the son of Amittai. I searched “Amittai” and found that the name means “truth”. I couldn’t find anywhere anything about Amittai, so not sure how to answer this?
D. Being proud of your parents is not bad, but it can lead you into sin. (Remember our new working definition of sin) Give an illustration of this.
I am proud of my mom and dad, not for their jobs or social position, but I can relate to it from the angle of their character qualities, that I admire in them. I have discovered that I have a sin problem of finding my identity and meaning in things other than God, and it’s usually in people. My parents having always been there for me can lead me to idolatry in that I find my security, or affirmation and approval, in them. This is a simple example, but the other day I was visiting them, and my dad had just finished doing some yard work and it was pretty warm outside, and he opened the door and asked for some iced tea to drink, and I think I had it made in about 1 minute flat. I could see he was hot and sweaty. Later I thought, gee, why don’t I jump like that when it’s something God wants me to do? I love my parents and I enjoy doing things for them to show them that I love them. It is shameful to admit here that I don’t show love like that for the Lord in being so quick to obey Him and to be motivated by those feelings of love.
I don’t feel like much of a Christian right now after typing this.
His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses Susan. That you have seen this is of Him and He will supply the power to make this new in you.
You appear every bit a Christ follower to me!
You always do such a good job of researching.
Sinclair Ferguson made quite a point of Jonah’s father also being a prophet — but I really don’t know anything else about him either.
Susan, I’m sure we would all jump like that…even faster if we seen Jesus knocking on our door! Your sweet…don’t feel bad 🙂
4. Read Jonah 1:1-3
A. What purpose did God have for Jonah as described in verses 1-2?
To go down and preach to them because they were wicked and it concerned God.
B. What calling has God given to your life? (It may be specific, but it is also found in 1 Peter 2:9-10)
I love 1 Peter 2:9-10. This is my calling..This is why I gave my Testimony video for Dee’s book on His Mercy in my life-how He rescued me from the destruction of idolatry, and also the reason I have given my salvation testimony as well. My natural man is real hesitant to expose myself-I prefer being in the background, always have even before I knew Jesus and sang in bands-I preferred studio work. Yet often God calls me to go to places I am not comfortable with. Yet my life is not my own-I am His and I have been bought with a price-I want to declare His praises! I want to tell others of His Grace and Mercy in my life-Of Him! The platforms are important only because those are the current places God wants me to declare His praises. It is cool because He surprises me with those platforms-often they change and he says, “Go”. Sometimes they are in the background, sometimes they are in the foreground-although I still prefer the ones in the background. 😉