Still, Small Voice
“Children! Not so loud! You’re in public!” “Would someone turn the volume down?” “Just calm down and tell me what happened.”
We have, no doubt, heard these words thousands of times in our lives. I’ve seen some people who have even taught their dogs to “bark softly.” That’s really cute, but I have no idea how they do it.
In case you have not noticed, we live in a noisy, impatient world that demands instant gratification. We have come off the noisiest election in recent memory and the noise has not settled yet. We are STILL fighting.
One of my favorite people preached at our church recently on quiet surprises. Joe Noonan, MVNU Chaplain, gave an illustration centered on Elijah when he reported that the answer to Israel’s spiritual and political problems was not stronger armies, or arms development, or filling up prisons, or destruction of those against us. The answer to their problems was found in Isaiah 7:14, “Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and shall call his name Immanuel.”
The answer was…a baby.
That seems like a totally preposterous idea, yet, that’s exactly what God did.
Another place, Elijah had just come off a major victory over the prophets of Baal. After the prophets engaged in self flagellation for several hours, Elijah was told by God to build a trench and fill it with water. Then Elijah prayed this simple prayer, "Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.“ (1 Kings 18:36). Then God sent fire that licked up all the water in the trench, and consumed the sacrifice on the altar and everything in the area. Ultimately the prophets of Baal were all slain. Yeah, that was quite a major victory.
However, soon after, Elijah was seen hiding from Jezebel in a cave; fearing for his life. He asked God to show him a sign, and expected an earthquake, wind storm, and fire. However…God waited for him to calm down and spoke to him quietly…in a still, small voice.
We are sometimes guilty of expecting God to act in a specific way; to destroy our enemies, and show his power in an obvious way. Revenge his name! Stand up for his people! To act right now! If we then experience something holding us back or telling us to “calm down; I’ve got this,” we find ourselves watching God work, most of the time in small, quiet ways. If he acted with all his power every time we wanted him to…we would be overwhelmed. We could not tolerate his display of might. He knows that.
It has been said that during times of trial is when we grow, because we discover a lot about ourselves, but most of all what we are willing for God to do for us. At the same time, it is during times of silence that we hear the voice of God; quiet, still, but definitely there.
I remember at times being frustrated over something, wanting action right away. Or, someone said something on Facebook, and I really wanted to tear into them and tell them what they need to know; set them straight. I would then be stopped by this small, quiet voice saying, “No, not like that,” or maybe not at all. There have also been times when I went ahead and responded to something inappropriately and later went back and deleted it because of that quiet probing.
I have found great strength and direction in Psalm 46 lately. The first verse states that God is our “refuge and strength.” There are other verses following that state that no matter what happens God is still who he says he is. Then verse 10 tells us, quietly, to “Be still…” Just listen for his quiet voice. We are told to do nothing but "...know that I am God."
Let’s learn to be quiet; to not respond the way our emotions tell us; to hold off giving that person a piece our mind; to pause before making a response.
Let’s listen for that still, small voice…just listen.
Thanks be to God.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Friday, October 14, 2016
“Be Still…”
I posted a blog about a year ago with a similar title, “Be still and know…” These words are taken from Psalm 46:10, which has become a life verse for me. The blog was inspired by an incident that happened to my daughter, Brit, where she dropped her iPhone and broke it. This was no doubt distressing, in that she depends on the internet and her phone for a lot of her business. It turned out to be a strangely rewarding thing, however, as she discovered a time of peace and quiet that she very much needed.
Not long after that, Carol and I went to our local mall, and she had to stop by Macy’s to pick up a couple of items. Since I don’t like shopping that much, I decided to wait in the car. It was not going to take long. While waiting for her, I could have stuck my nose in my phone to read, checked Facebook or other internet sites. What I did instead was put my phone down, roll down my windows...and listen. I saw some trees in the distance and could hear them rustling in the wind. I wondered how long they had been there. I saw a young couple laughing and enjoying each other’s company. I also saw a grandma and her young granddaughter communing in a way only grandmas and granddaughters can. It was calming and rewarding to just sit and listen.
In case you haven’t noticed, we are in a terrible, noisy, divisive time in our country, and concern is higher than ever over who will take the White House in November, and what will happen after that. Now…don’t panic…I’m not writing about politics, or the candidate I intend to vote for. I have made up my mind, but will not talk about that, or take sides here.
What I would like to talk about is how we can maintain our sanity in the midst of all of this noisiness, and how we can maintain peace of mind in spite of it all. That sounds like a daunting task, but God tells us it is possible.
We hear cable news 24/7 trying to bring new perspectives to stories we have heard over and over.
We hear comments from people in all of the campaigns that do nothing but make an attempt to destroy the opposition.
We hear anger.
We hear accusations...and denials.
We hear threats.
We see violence on the increase.
We see tragedy all over the world.
But…if we can turn all of that off for a little bit…we will hear, “Be still, and know that I am God.” This may not quiet the political rhetoric, but it can quiet our hearts and minds, knowing that God really does know what is going on. We can also be assured He will set things right in His own time.
So…let’s take several minutes each day - or more - to turn off the tv; put the cell phone away; power down the computer and iPad, and listen to the quiet...that still, small voice that says - “be still son; be still daughter; be still child. Know that I am God. Know that I am your God. Know that I will give you a peace that the world knows nothing about.”
Psalm 46 contains a lot of gold for the troubled heart and the terrible times we live in. Read it and be still. Read it slowly. Read it with your heart tuned to the still, small voice that is calling you to just be quiet for a while...just...“Be still…” and let God speak to you. You'll know when He does.
Thanks be to God.
I posted a blog about a year ago with a similar title, “Be still and know…” These words are taken from Psalm 46:10, which has become a life verse for me. The blog was inspired by an incident that happened to my daughter, Brit, where she dropped her iPhone and broke it. This was no doubt distressing, in that she depends on the internet and her phone for a lot of her business. It turned out to be a strangely rewarding thing, however, as she discovered a time of peace and quiet that she very much needed.
Not long after that, Carol and I went to our local mall, and she had to stop by Macy’s to pick up a couple of items. Since I don’t like shopping that much, I decided to wait in the car. It was not going to take long. While waiting for her, I could have stuck my nose in my phone to read, checked Facebook or other internet sites. What I did instead was put my phone down, roll down my windows...and listen. I saw some trees in the distance and could hear them rustling in the wind. I wondered how long they had been there. I saw a young couple laughing and enjoying each other’s company. I also saw a grandma and her young granddaughter communing in a way only grandmas and granddaughters can. It was calming and rewarding to just sit and listen.
In case you haven’t noticed, we are in a terrible, noisy, divisive time in our country, and concern is higher than ever over who will take the White House in November, and what will happen after that. Now…don’t panic…I’m not writing about politics, or the candidate I intend to vote for. I have made up my mind, but will not talk about that, or take sides here.
What I would like to talk about is how we can maintain our sanity in the midst of all of this noisiness, and how we can maintain peace of mind in spite of it all. That sounds like a daunting task, but God tells us it is possible.
We hear cable news 24/7 trying to bring new perspectives to stories we have heard over and over.
We hear comments from people in all of the campaigns that do nothing but make an attempt to destroy the opposition.
We hear anger.
We hear accusations...and denials.
We hear threats.
We see violence on the increase.
We see tragedy all over the world.
But…if we can turn all of that off for a little bit…we will hear, “Be still, and know that I am God.” This may not quiet the political rhetoric, but it can quiet our hearts and minds, knowing that God really does know what is going on. We can also be assured He will set things right in His own time.
So…let’s take several minutes each day - or more - to turn off the tv; put the cell phone away; power down the computer and iPad, and listen to the quiet...that still, small voice that says - “be still son; be still daughter; be still child. Know that I am God. Know that I am your God. Know that I will give you a peace that the world knows nothing about.”
Psalm 46 contains a lot of gold for the troubled heart and the terrible times we live in. Read it and be still. Read it slowly. Read it with your heart tuned to the still, small voice that is calling you to just be quiet for a while...just...“Be still…” and let God speak to you. You'll know when He does.
Thanks be to God.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Lights and Lamps: Learning to Love the Bible
It’s kind of hard to explain. Having grown up in a Christian home, I have always had great reverence for the Bible; what it is, what it means, and have always been encouraged to read it regularly. I received my first Bible for my eleventh birthday, a beautiful, black, zippered King James Version with lots of great pictures in it. It remains a beloved treasure from my childhood.
As the years have passed, I have found many passages or individual verses that have become favorites, places I have gone to for encouragement, bolstering of faith, curiosity, researching a detail of some kind, or just reading. Some of these passages have hit me right between the eyes, by pointing out weaknesses and sins that I needed to take directly to God. Some have taken a while to understand, but at the right time, the meaning and application was shown to me. (see my blog, Taking Time to Get It Right)
As far as reading the Bible regularly, I have not always been faithful with that. There were times when I would skim passages, and times when I would start, then stop, being too tired or not particularly interested in what I was reading. Now, however, I want to search out God’s word for the treasures in it.
I received a very special gift this past Father’s Day from my daughter, Brit Eaton, a parallel Bible with the NIV translation and The Message. I had only heard of The Message until I got this Bible and began to read it. When I got it I went through and marked many of my favorite places in both versions, particularly Psalm 119, and other Old Testament and New Testament passages.
I checked out The Message in various places, and liked it right away. However, I did not care for the treatment of the book of Psalms. While the passion was captured, I missed the poetry, the musical flow, the singing nature of a lot of it. C. S. Lewis described the Psalms as poetry, and should not be considered theology, as in the writings of Paul. However, the Message makes Paul’s letters clearer than ever.
As I have read more of the Bible lately, I have discovered something remarkable. I am currently reading Isaiah and Hebrews. Isaiah contains prophecies about the destruction of ancient civilizations because of their treatment of Israel, and their refusal to obey God’s command. It ultimately has many wonderful prophecies about the Messiah. Even when I am reading something about one of these civilizations, I still get the feeling that it is God’s word I am reading…because, I am! Something about hearing another word from God is encouraging and strengthening, no matter what the passage is, and whether I understand it or not.
I said in an earlier blog that I have spent more time in the Psalms than any other book in the Bible. I guess being a musician makes that pretty much expected. I also love the Gospels, Luke and John in particular, Romans for its clear spelling out of what the faith is all about, and Philippians, which contains my life verse. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (NIV). I first learned this verse in the King James Version. It directs my mind to that which is higher than all things, the completeness of God. We are to put those things at the front of our minds.
I am anticipating my interest in the Bible to continue, and grow. I have not adopted a specific program where you read so many passages a day, or read it through in a year, or anything like that. There are some great resources for those needing structure in reading the Bible, but I am taking the Word as the Holy Spirit directs me. I will occasionally just jump around, or focus on a specific place in a couple of other translations. My heart has been warmed to God’s Word, and I look forward to learning more about my Lord by reading the book he prepared for us.
From my favorite Psalm: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NIV)
Thanks be to God.
It’s kind of hard to explain. Having grown up in a Christian home, I have always had great reverence for the Bible; what it is, what it means, and have always been encouraged to read it regularly. I received my first Bible for my eleventh birthday, a beautiful, black, zippered King James Version with lots of great pictures in it. It remains a beloved treasure from my childhood.
As the years have passed, I have found many passages or individual verses that have become favorites, places I have gone to for encouragement, bolstering of faith, curiosity, researching a detail of some kind, or just reading. Some of these passages have hit me right between the eyes, by pointing out weaknesses and sins that I needed to take directly to God. Some have taken a while to understand, but at the right time, the meaning and application was shown to me. (see my blog, Taking Time to Get It Right)
As far as reading the Bible regularly, I have not always been faithful with that. There were times when I would skim passages, and times when I would start, then stop, being too tired or not particularly interested in what I was reading. Now, however, I want to search out God’s word for the treasures in it.
I received a very special gift this past Father’s Day from my daughter, Brit Eaton, a parallel Bible with the NIV translation and The Message. I had only heard of The Message until I got this Bible and began to read it. When I got it I went through and marked many of my favorite places in both versions, particularly Psalm 119, and other Old Testament and New Testament passages.
I checked out The Message in various places, and liked it right away. However, I did not care for the treatment of the book of Psalms. While the passion was captured, I missed the poetry, the musical flow, the singing nature of a lot of it. C. S. Lewis described the Psalms as poetry, and should not be considered theology, as in the writings of Paul. However, the Message makes Paul’s letters clearer than ever.
As I have read more of the Bible lately, I have discovered something remarkable. I am currently reading Isaiah and Hebrews. Isaiah contains prophecies about the destruction of ancient civilizations because of their treatment of Israel, and their refusal to obey God’s command. It ultimately has many wonderful prophecies about the Messiah. Even when I am reading something about one of these civilizations, I still get the feeling that it is God’s word I am reading…because, I am! Something about hearing another word from God is encouraging and strengthening, no matter what the passage is, and whether I understand it or not.
I said in an earlier blog that I have spent more time in the Psalms than any other book in the Bible. I guess being a musician makes that pretty much expected. I also love the Gospels, Luke and John in particular, Romans for its clear spelling out of what the faith is all about, and Philippians, which contains my life verse. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (NIV). I first learned this verse in the King James Version. It directs my mind to that which is higher than all things, the completeness of God. We are to put those things at the front of our minds.
I am anticipating my interest in the Bible to continue, and grow. I have not adopted a specific program where you read so many passages a day, or read it through in a year, or anything like that. There are some great resources for those needing structure in reading the Bible, but I am taking the Word as the Holy Spirit directs me. I will occasionally just jump around, or focus on a specific place in a couple of other translations. My heart has been warmed to God’s Word, and I look forward to learning more about my Lord by reading the book he prepared for us.
From my favorite Psalm: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NIV)
Thanks be to God.
Monday, July 4, 2016
Taking Time to Get It Right
Taking Time to Get It Right
Many times I have read a portion of scripture, or even a specific verse, and finally after time, I get what it is really saying. This also happens in our walk with Christ. The Holy Spirit makes the meaning known in His time, and when we are ready.
This happened recently while reading my favorite Psalm, 119. Verses 5-8 goes something like this. This is the NIV translation:
5. Oh that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees.
6. Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
7. I will praise you with an upright heart when I learn your righteous laws.
8. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
What the Holy Spirit showed me were the words, “then, when, and will.”
Verse 5 is a lament over the Psalmist's inability to obey God’s decrees consistently as he should. The Psalmist says in verse 5 that he would love to be able to obey God’s law better and more consistently than he does. In verse 6 he says, “Then” he would not be shamed when confronted with God’s commands. The implication in verse 7 is that when he is more “steadfast” in obeying God’s decrees, he will be able to praise Him with an upright heart. Verse 8 says that he will obey His decrees. He then offers a prayer that God will help him and not punish him for failing. All of this centers on obeying God’s decrees in verse 5.
The reason this has hit me like it did was that I have read this section maybe dozens of times, and just recently got the connection. If we could obey God better than we do, we would not be put to shame when confronted with his commands or his word; we could praise him with a pure heart, a clear conscience, and obedient determination.
As it turns out, a lot of my walk with Christ has been the same way, and for a purpose.
The Holy Spirit gives us what we are ready for; what we need at a given moment. My 11 month old grandson is developing nicely, but there is a lot he is not ready for. In time, it will come. He will walk, run, talk, read, possibly play sports, and lots of other stuff growing kids do. Not yet, however. He is not ready.
We tend to fret a lot when something comes up that we do not understand right away. I have had many other passages that have finally “hit home” after having read them many times. I have also had a theological issue that I finally “got,” sometimes after several years of pondering it. Many times it has turned out to not be an essential. Sometimes it is vitally important. In either case, I can put it into proper perspective.
I have a friend who has said they have “millions of questions” about the Bible, the faith, etc. What I have learned is that it may take a while to get those answers, and some may not come at all. But the most important part is to not worry about them, but to treasure them as they are revealed by the Holy Spirit.
God will show us what we need to know, in His time, when we are ready. So, slow down, be patient and be prepared to wait on God, as stated in Isaiah 40:31. In the meantime He will keep you by His grace. So, keep reading and praying. He will bring things to your understanding when He feels you are ready. He might even surprise you with it.
He does that a lot.
Thanks be to God.
Many times I have read a portion of scripture, or even a specific verse, and finally after time, I get what it is really saying. This also happens in our walk with Christ. The Holy Spirit makes the meaning known in His time, and when we are ready.
This happened recently while reading my favorite Psalm, 119. Verses 5-8 goes something like this. This is the NIV translation:
5. Oh that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees.
6. Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
7. I will praise you with an upright heart when I learn your righteous laws.
8. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
What the Holy Spirit showed me were the words, “then, when, and will.”
Verse 5 is a lament over the Psalmist's inability to obey God’s decrees consistently as he should. The Psalmist says in verse 5 that he would love to be able to obey God’s law better and more consistently than he does. In verse 6 he says, “Then” he would not be shamed when confronted with God’s commands. The implication in verse 7 is that when he is more “steadfast” in obeying God’s decrees, he will be able to praise Him with an upright heart. Verse 8 says that he will obey His decrees. He then offers a prayer that God will help him and not punish him for failing. All of this centers on obeying God’s decrees in verse 5.
The reason this has hit me like it did was that I have read this section maybe dozens of times, and just recently got the connection. If we could obey God better than we do, we would not be put to shame when confronted with his commands or his word; we could praise him with a pure heart, a clear conscience, and obedient determination.
As it turns out, a lot of my walk with Christ has been the same way, and for a purpose.
The Holy Spirit gives us what we are ready for; what we need at a given moment. My 11 month old grandson is developing nicely, but there is a lot he is not ready for. In time, it will come. He will walk, run, talk, read, possibly play sports, and lots of other stuff growing kids do. Not yet, however. He is not ready.
We tend to fret a lot when something comes up that we do not understand right away. I have had many other passages that have finally “hit home” after having read them many times. I have also had a theological issue that I finally “got,” sometimes after several years of pondering it. Many times it has turned out to not be an essential. Sometimes it is vitally important. In either case, I can put it into proper perspective.
I have a friend who has said they have “millions of questions” about the Bible, the faith, etc. What I have learned is that it may take a while to get those answers, and some may not come at all. But the most important part is to not worry about them, but to treasure them as they are revealed by the Holy Spirit.
God will show us what we need to know, in His time, when we are ready. So, slow down, be patient and be prepared to wait on God, as stated in Isaiah 40:31. In the meantime He will keep you by His grace. So, keep reading and praying. He will bring things to your understanding when He feels you are ready. He might even surprise you with it.
He does that a lot.
Thanks be to God.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
"God is the life for us."
Sometimes kids will really surprise you. Parents know what I'm talking about.
Recently my granddaughter, Bella, was in church with Brit and wrote something on her own, with no help. To see this whole story, see Brit's blog, " The Big God Story", at taminglions.org. This gives us a blow by blow description of that morning.
Carol got hold of what she wrote and put it on a blue background, with a “translation," and Bella's picture. The "translation" was necessary because while Bella's handwriting is coming along nicely, she is in kindergarten, and it is a work in progress. Here is the translation of what we thought she was saying:
"God is there for us.
He loves us.
He keeps promises.
God [was] sad on the cross.
We love him.”
Profound thoughts from anyone, let alone a six year old. However, Bella told us a word needed changing. This is what she really said:
"God is the life for us.
He loves us.
He keeps promises.
God [was] sad on the cross.
We love him.”
This changes everything. It does not negate the first translation, however. That is one of Christ’s greatest promises, “Lo, I am with you, even to the end of the age,” Matthew 28:20 (NASB). We can rest in this promise. While it does not rescue us from problems, we have the Lord of the universe with us all the time, loving, directing, continuing to point us forward.
What Bella actually said has to do with the life we now live in Christ. Right before Christ left the earth he assured his disciples that it was necessary for him to go back to Heaven so the Holy Spirit could come and dwell in all of us at the same time, empowering us for service in his kingdom and for living lives of righteousness.
John captured the thought in his gospel, chapter 1, verse 4, “…in him was life and the life was the light of all people.”
I John 5:12 also spells it out in clear words. “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
It seems that Bella captured some important things here. First, the idea that God is there for us. Next, he is the life that lives in us, and loves us. He also keeps his promises. His love was shown in an inexpressible manner on the cross, and we cannot help but love him.
One final thought. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Luke 16:16
Good words, sweetheart.
Thanks be to God.
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