Mission Faithwalk

                 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.   She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.   Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:   “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”   Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised . (Proverbs 31:25-30) More qualities of the noble person. Strength and dignity are his/her clothing. Since dignity is an internal thing that manifests itself outwardly, I propose that the strength with which it is paired is also. It’s strength of character which may even produce the dignity mentioned. He/She speaks with wisdom, which may also mean that she is wise about speaking, but when he/she speaks her instructions are ...

                 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.   She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple . Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land . (Proverbs 31:20-23) After skipping several more verses about the industriousness of the noble person, we come to these verses and find several points of interest. The noble person cares about the poor and needy. Just who the poor and needy are and how the noble person helps may differ from one noble person to the next, but they care and they extend their hands. This caring extends to her home and family and to the community. The noble person is a prepared person. He/she is prepared for winter, prepared to help the poor, prepared to train employees (yesterday’s post), and prepa...

                 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. (Proverbs 31:13-15)           There was once a commercial for Enjoli perfume that paraphrased part of a song: “I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never let you forget you’re a man, ‘cause I’m a woman.” ( Bing Videos ) In a way, this is the same lesson Lemuel’s mother tried to teach her son about the sort of woman he should marry. A noble wife was (is) a wife who takes care of the business of running a home-based business, even if that is just a tent. She sees to the need for food, clothing and goods, and the household.           As noted yesterday, this works just as well for the noble husban...

            A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.   She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12)           According to the description at the beginning of this chapter, this may be part of what Lemuel’s mother taught him. It makes sense, because a mother generally wants her son to marry a good woman. If Lemuel had a sister, I’m willing to bet that his mother told her, “A husband of noble character who can find? His worth is far more than rubies. His wife has full confidence in him and lacks nothing of value. He brings her good, not harm, all the days of his life.” Given our culture, I’d use “diamonds” instead of rubies, but you get the point.           So, as we approach the new year and conside...

                 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:28-32) Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is one who keeps the Law. (Proverbs 29:18) And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (II Kings  6:17) Technically, today’s post should have been done before yesterday’s because we must see before we press on. Sometimes, though, it’s necessary to press on even when we don’t see. So, no matter what they order, both should be considered. God had promised Simeo...

                 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3:14) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the  renew ing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans12:2) We want God to make a very clear calling on our lives, and we loathe the idea of that level of responsibility, accountability, and demands being placed on us. We want to feel special but not the work that being special requires. We want to be praised for being good enough but know we don’t measure up and believe the struggle is beyond us. “Pressing on” isn’t about going from “can barely walk around the block” to breaking world marathon records in three days, weeks, or months. If we are to press on, however, we do need to equal or surpass what has gone before, if only by one step. We mu...

                 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”   So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27) I have yet to find where in Scripture it commands us to be creative. I’ve found the part in Exodus where God gave some workers the Spirit of God so that they could create according to His direction. What I do find is that we were created in the image and likeness of the One who was creative, because He created all that is, including us. And I find that ...

  and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3)                 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.    Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight . (I Peter 3:3-4) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  (Philippians 4:4) But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. (Psalm 5:11) The next two pr...

                 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them . (Luke 2:7) He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10) “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:38) We’ve discussed two of these verses recently, but I want to come back to them as I continue to look at the article on wintering well. The first recommendation in today’s reading suggests that we create a restful space. We need to create room for the guests known as Our Rest and rest. This was the role played by the Christmas tree for a long time. It brought an evergreen (living) tree into the home, and filled it ...

                 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)           The second thought in the article I’m reading about wintering well is that we need to rest, and trust God that even if we’re not working, He is. We need to pull this out of the fog known as “the general” and make it specific to us today.           One of the things about resting in winter is the idea of using what we have done already. I’m not talking about wasting things. This is about permitting ourselves to enjoy the fruits of the labors from the earlier part of the year. I think this is one of the neat things about Thanksgiving and Sukkot (the Jewish harvest celebration.) The whole idea is to enjoy and give thanks for what we’ve worked hard for, and God has provide...

                 It was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters. (Ezekiel 31:7) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Last night, I happened to find an article about winter resting. I’ve only just begun to read it because I want to move very slowly through it and contemplate it rather than just read it. I’ve considered the idea of living seasonally before but something the first bit of the article said is striking a major chord: During the winter, plants store their energy in their roots. I’m not sure that’s scientifically correct, but my heart is saying, “Oo, that’s good.” So, Root : the part of a plant which attaches it to the ground or to a support, typically underground, conveying water and nourishment to the rest of the plant via numerous branches and fibers: the basic cause, source, or origin ...

                 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while [ a ]  Quirinius was governor of Syria.)   And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.   While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,   and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:1-7) Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their re...

                 “ I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Jesus, Luke 7:28) And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Zechariah, Luke 1:76-79) Today’s first passage boggles my mind. John the Baptist/Baptizer was equal to or greater than David? Solomon? Elijah? Elisha? Daniel? Moses? Joshua? If Jesus said so, it must be true, but by what standard? How do our minds have to change to get to that conclusion? Zechariah, after affirmi...

                 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. (Matthew 1:16) Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, (Luke 3:23) “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them. (Numbers 27:7) Have you ever thought about Mary’s parents? Over the past couple of days, I have. Let’s start with what I didn’t think about much, the part that gives us information. Scripture provides two genealogies, and they do not match. There are three generally given explanations for this: it’s an example of the errors in Scripture that justify throwing the whole Bible in the trash, the father of Joseph was known by two or m...

                 And Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.” (Luke1:46-49) Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (Genesis 22:2)   So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.    So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh t...

                 Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help . (Psalm 31:21-22) But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them . (II Samuel 24:24)   Strange question time. When do you most notice others showing or giving you love? Is it on the days when everything goes well, there are no fires to put out, no one screaming at you, and no one cutting you off in traffic? Or is it when you’ve had a day you wouldn’t wish on an enemy, and people have lined up to get on your last nerve? Why are we fond of stories in which – at significant ris...

                      In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26-28)   When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:12)   When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” (Exodus 3:4)   Then the Lord called Samuel.  Samuel answered, “Here I am.” (I Samuel 3:4)   The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur....

                      Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” (Luke 1:18-20) “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:34-37) ...

                 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. (Exodus 3:7) You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry to You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, (Psalm 10:17) The other day I overheard a security guard or a cop (I didn’t look closely enough to see more than that he was in a uniform)  talking to a young woman. All I overheard is that she was upset. He told her repeatedly that she was OK now, and that there was no reason to cry. I resisted the temptation to correct his “masculine” response to tears because I don’t think it’s necessarily masculine. A lot of women would try to convince her to stop crying, too. What we tend to forget is that while someone...

  The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. (Deuteronomy 18:15) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)   “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.   After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing.  Daniel 9:25-26a) “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2) In Genesis, we learned that our Savior had to be a descendant of Ev...

                 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (II Corinthians 5:17) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people (Ephesians 6:18) I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (I Timothy 2:1-2) But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44) bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you . (Luke 6:28)   I’ve been thinking about prayer recently. One of the thoughts is that I get distracted. I know someone whose sol...

                 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 14:5-8) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  (Matthew 19:26) This is one of those passages that rankles the flesh. “What do you mean, I can do nothing! Just look at all I’m doing! Take a look at my Ta Da Tuesday posts!” Change my list to yours. We’re busy people and (“Hello!”) it’s the holiday season and we’ve just faced two hurricanes and a majo...