Tag Archives: Jesus

Transformers

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Megatron, Optimus Prime, and Bumblebee weren’t the first Transformers.

Before a yellow Volkswagon Beetle morphed into a mighty robot warrior,
transformation was quietly happening all around us.
I have proof.
It happened on my kitchen counter.

Monarch caterpillars hatch and feed on milkweed plants. I don’t know all the science around it, but while milkweed is considered toxic to most insects, these guys gorge themselves on the sticky, gooey stuff this plant oozes.

PB brought home six of the striped crawlers.
We outfitted each one in its own cozy glass house
and fed them milkweed daily.

Free from predators and lawn mowers and thunderstorms, these guys thrived. Life was good. Fresh food magically showed up, piles of worm poop were disposed of, and giants on the other side of the glass seemed to be enthralled.

Then one day, this happened.

Then this happened.

I know.
This is a Kindergarten science project.
You’ve seen it all before.

I’d like to invite you to pause and think about it.
Ponder the beauty.
Meditate on the wonder of metamorphosis.

When Paul wrote to the church in Rome, he said,
“Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed.”
Romans 12:2

The Greek word Paul chose was “metamorphoo.”

Jesus-followers are supposed to be Transformers.

Our life apart from Christ was like being a wormy thing—
stuck crawling on the ground,
eating toxic goo.

The Spirit of the Lord takes such lowly beings as us
and completely changes our form,
making us new creatures who can rise to new heights.

“If anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation.
The old has gone,
the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17

The Old Apple Tree*

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When I was a young girl, I used to love the apple tree that was in the pasture by our house. It had a low hanging branch that made it easy to climb. I would take my Nancy Drew book, jump over the fence, and then hoist myself up to sit on a limb, resting my back against the trunk. Reading a book while sitting in a tree was magical.

These days, I might sit under a tree with a book, but my climbing days are over. Still, trees hold an allure for me. I’d take a walk in the woods over a stroll on the beach any day. (Unless it’s February — then a stroll on the beach can’t be beat.)

The opening song in the Hebrew book of prayers, Psalm 1, tells me to learn from the trees.

“…be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither…” Ps. 1:3

There are some instructions on how to be this kind of tree:

  • Get planted in a good place
  • Be still to let living water saturate the roots
  • Pay attention to the seasons
  • Graciously share what develops
  • Stay refreshed and vibrant

So I’m asking myself some questions:

  • Where do I plant myself most days? In ungodly counsel and in the seat of mockers (Ps. 1:1), or in God’s Word, meditating day and night (Ps. 1:2)?
  • What am I soaking up? Fresh springs of living water from the Lord, or the lifeless stagnation of worldly advice?
  • Am I willing to accept seasons of dormancy and stillness, or do I constantly push for peak productivity?
  • During times of prosperity and growth, will I be generous and eager to share, or will I hoard the bounty for myself?
  • As I grow older, how will I keep myself from withering up and being blown away like chaff (Ps. 1:4)? Will I abide in the Vine, remaining in Him, bearing much fruit (John 15:5)?

What kind of tree would I like to be?
With over 60,000 species in the world,
there is plenty of room for variety.

I have no visions of becoming
a tall pine
or a stately oak
or a majestic redwood.
I would like to be an apple tree,
with a low hanging branch,
in a green pasture,
inviting small ones to crawl up
and sit a while with a book,
munching on the sweet fruit
of a life lived in Jesus.

*Re-post from January 10, 2022—Be Like a Tree

Other posts about trees:
Tree of Life
My Tree
10 Things I Learned in January

First Responders

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We should be very thankful for First Responders. They are true servants, willing to be called on at anytime—night or day—to help people in trouble. These highly trained professionals often arrive first at the scene of an emergency, not knowing what they will be facing. No matter what, they are expected to take action in crisis situations. Because of their hours of intense training, they are equipped to handle just about anything.

I couldn’t do it.
In high-pressure situations, I tend to freeze.
And then cry.
And then pass out, if blood is involved.

First responders don’t ask who is in trouble, or what caused the incident, or how the situation escalated. They just go as fast as they can to whoever needs rescue. They’re not motivated by public recognition, medals of honor, or accolades on Facebook. Caring for people and the community is what drives them.

Could I be a first responder of a different kind?

I’ve been training in the ways of Christ for over 50 years now.
I’m aware of the dangers that living in this fallen world can create.
Am I willing to enter into perilous places for the sake of rescuing others?
Can I be someone who responds first by
noticing a need,
offering a hand,
running into the fire,
if necessary?

The world needs true servants, willing to be called on anytime—night or day.

“Be merciful to those who doubt;
save others by snatching them from the fire.”
Jude 22-23

Join the Conversation

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“God spoke today in flowers,
and I, who was waiting on words,
almost missed the conversation.”
~ Ingrid Goff-Maidoff ~

I spend a lot of time waiting on words.
Hours have been spent staring at a blank screen—
hoping letters will drift down and come together in words,
praying the words will join up into concise sentences,
trusting the sentences will band together into sensible paragraphs.

If I stay close enough to the Author of Life,
I figure I stand a chance at catching a few meaningful words.

On my “About Dinah” page I wrote: “Writing has always been my pathway to finding the truth in both my heart and God’s heart. Words swirl in and out of my life in many ways. I like to read them, write them, sing them and put them into crossword puzzles.”

That’s as true now as it was in 2010. (16 years ago?!) 

But lately, I’ve been awakened to another way of capturing truth, beauty and goodness. It seems the Author is also a Gardener.

Charles Spurgeon said that the created world is God’s “outward temple” and that nature is “the second Bible.”

David wrote psalms about stars and skies, the sun and moon, oceans and trees.

Jesus taught that there is much to learn when we are attentive to nature. He suggested that a meditative look at a wild flower could help us become less anxious. (Matthew 6:28-29)

“All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres.” *

Here I’ve been, waiting on words,
and in the meantime,
I’ve been missing out on the language of
lilies, oak trees and the Milky Way.

May this be the summer of listening for the music
and joining the conversation.

* “This Is My Father’s World,” Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901

Going, Going, Gone

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Happy Ascension Day!

I never paid much attention to Ascension Day, and for many believers, this day will go by unnoticed. In some countries, it’s a public holiday with government offices, schools and businesses closed. In their experience, when a king or queen ascends to the throne, it’s cause for great celebration.

“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11

What a dramatic exit! Jesus was going away for good this time. He had been coming and going for 40 days, but this was it. His feet left the ground and He levitated higher and higher. The disciples witnessed the whole thing, until a cloud got in their line of sight.

They stood there, staring into the sky. Whoever saw anything like it? A man floating up into the clouds! Who could have looked away at such a sight? Eleven men strained to see, with necks stretched back, heads cocked to the side. Oh, surely Jesus was smiling. Just think of His own excitement in returning to heaven, to His Father, to a victory party and coronation. Perhaps He had a tinge of sadness leaving His Men of Galilee, but He had confidence in the Holy Spirit to carry on the mission in them.

Then a voice said, “Why are you standing here looking skyward?” Surely more smiles, right? The angelic messengers had bombshell information: the very same Jesus would return in the same way He left.

He left physically.
He will come back in the same way.
He left visibly.
He will come back in the same way.
He left from the Mount of Olives.
He will come back in the same way.
He left in the presence of the disciples.
He will come back in the same way.
He left blessing His church.
He will come back in the same way.*

What will you do today to celebrate your crowned King
who sits on His throne with authority and power?
Look intently up into the sky for a few minutes?
Kneel before the glorious and majestic King Jesus?
Or, like the disciples, go out worshiping Him with great joy?

“God exalted Jesus to the highest place
and gave Him the name that is above every name.”
Phil. 2:9

*David Guzik commentary

Out of the Box

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One of the most dramatic events in the history of the world happened when God came out of the box.

Long before Indiana Jones, God gave instructions for the Ark of the Covenant, a wooden chest plated with gold. It measured 3 feet 9 inches long by 2 feet 3 inches wide and 2 feet 3 inches high. The cover was made of pure gold and was called “The Mercy Seat.”

It represented God’s presence and the Israelites carried that box wherever they went.

About 500 years later, King Solomon built a temple in Jerusalem, providing a new dwelling place for God’s presence. It was called “The Holy of Holies” and measured about 30 feet high by 30 feet wide by 30 feet deep—a perfect cube-shaped box. And a lot roomier.

In front of the entrance to “The Holy of Holies” a curtain hung, measuring 60 feet high, 30 feet wide and 4 inches thick. The massive tapestry was a visual reminder to the people that God was holy and separate. Nobody could approach that square space except one priest on one day of the year. There were not many volunteers.

When the Son roared from the cross “It is finished,”
the Father whispered from the throne, “It is beginning,”
and He ripped that curtain from top to bottom.
God came out of the box.

A few weeks ago I wrote about Jesus being “on the loose.”

Like Father, like Son.

“I tell you the truth:
the Son can do nothing on his own;
he does only what he sees his Father doing.
What the Father does, the Son also does.”
John 5:19

Unfolding

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I just finished reading Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. I enjoyed it very much, but through the whole book, I felt like I wasn’t getting the whole picture. The story unfolded gradually and kept me guessing until the end, when it all came together and made sense.

The two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus didn’t see the big picture quite yet. They had heard reports that very morning that Jesus’ body was missing. They didn’t know the stranger walking with them on the road was that body—alive and well. They had heard rumors about angels and empty tombs. It seemed like amazing things were happening.

So why were these two walking away from all the action?
Did they disregard as gossip the reports that Jesus was alive?
Why didn’t they stay and at least check it out?

All their information was second-hand. Somebody else saw the empty tomb. Somebody else witnessed the heavenly hosts. Other peoples’ amazing stories are easy to walk away from.

What these two didn’t know was that their own amazing story was unfolding as they walked on that road.

Sometimes we can’t see what God is doing,
but everyone who walks with Jesus
has a story that is unfolding.

When I am troubled, disappointed, or even feel like walking away,
I need to remember this:
I’m in the middle of my story
and someday it will all come together and make sense.

What is unfolding today for you?
Don’t stop, keep walking.

On the Loose

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Did you know that the 40 day period between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension is called “Eastertide”? In other words, Easter isn’t over—it’s just getting started!

Many people spend the 40 days leading up to Easter (Lent) preparing for Resurrection Sunday. All that preparation for a one-hour party? Nope. We’re supposed to spend the 40 days after Easter celebrating the risen Savior!

“He appeared to them over a period of forty days.” Acts 1:3

The resurrected Jesus kept showing up—unexpectedly, miraculously, joyfully.
That means from now until May 14th (Ascension Day) the Easter party keeps rolling.

Here’s why Jesus rising from the dead is worthy of a 40-day celebration:

An un-resurrected Jesus reduces Him to a historical figure, a wise teacher, a one-hit-wonder.
An un-resurrected Jesus can be dismissed as another dead philosopher.
An un-resurrected Jesus means we don’t have to believe His claims or obey His commands.

A resurrected Jesus changes EVERYTHING.

“In many respects, I find an un-resurrected Jesus easier to accept.
Easter makes Him dangerous.
Easter means He must be loose out there somewhere.”*

Jesus is on the loose!
He keeps showing up!
Come, join the dangerous celebration!

*The Jesus I Never Knew, Philip Yancey

The Glorious Middle

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“They were on their way up to Jerusalem,
with Jesus leading the way,
and the disciples were astonished,
while those who followed were afraid.” 
Mark 10:32

 This is the picture that grips me during Holy Week:

Jesus, striding up to Jerusalem, determined to carry out his mission—
which would involve betrayal, mocking, flogging, crucifixion and death.

He led the way.

Four times, Jesus told His disciples what was coming.
He always included the final part—resurrection—
but they didn’t seem to hear it.

“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.  
They will kill him,
and on the third day he will be raised to life.”  
And the disciples were filled with grief. 
Matthew 17:23

Jesus lost them at “they will kill him.”

The Twelve were full of fear,
perhaps wondering if death was also waiting for them in Jerusalem.

BUT THEY STILL FOLLOWED.

They did it scared.

I must remember,
when I am astonished at being led down the road marked with suffering,
that it’s a place He’s been before—
and He knows the way.

I can still follow.
I can do it scared.

The disciples thought the cross was the end of the story.
But it was the middle of the story.

Those things you’ve prayed about for weeks, months, and years?
Your story isn’t over.
You’re in the gory, glorious middle.
Because the cross is never the end.
The cross is always followed by the resurrection.
Always.

Sunday’s coming.

Big Ben

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I have put off reading 1 and 2 Chronicles for years. It’s notorious for long lists and boring genealogies. Half of it is a remix of the previous books, Samuel and Kings. Some of it is repeated word for word, so I’ve skipped over Chronicles many times.

But no more.
Reading through it now is unearthing some delightful surprises.

Long before the Marvel Universe or the Avengers, there were some real-life super heroes. They were called David’s Mighty Men and their names are listed in 1 Chronicles 11. Among this group of warriors, was the “The Thirty”—known for great exploits and valiant fighting. Among “The Thirty” was “The Three”— they were the most famous of all. This trio once broke through enemy lines, drew fresh water from a well and brought it back to King David because they overheard him say he was thirsty. They risked their lives to get their beloved leader a cold drink.

One of David’s Mighty Men was particularly impressive.
A single 14-word sentence was written of Benaiah,
“He went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.”

This begs some questions.
Did he chase that lion into the pit?
Why did he jump into the pit with the lion?
Why was he out chasing lions on a snowy day?
How did he manage to kill the king of beasts all by himself?

This short sentence isn’t all we get of Ben’s life. When King David saw the man crawl out of that snowy pit with a lion skin rug, he said, “Make that man my chief body guard.” Good move.

Sometimes I wonder what will be remembered about me someday.
What 14-word sentence could sum up my life and times?

“She made really good chocolate chip cookies
and watched a lot of baseball games.”
Lord, have mercy.

Good thing snow is in the forecast.
I’ve got some lions to chase.