Weekly Blog

Tips, Tricks, Skills, Spirituality and Wisdom

Teresa McBean 12/19/17 Teresa McBean 12/19/17

Over and Over Again

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History tends to repeat itself. Back when Julius Caesar was in charge of Rome his son-in-law tried to wrest control from him. Caesar quelled Pompey’s attack but both he and his leadership were nervous. They saw the civil war as a sign of vulnerability. In 46 BC, the Senate voted to make Julius Caesar a dictator, turning Rome from a republic of the people into an empire. For whatever reason, these folks believed that an ambitious and powerful dictator would keep them safe.

It seems that when we feel vulnerable we tend to double down on a quest for power. But power is usually a corrosive agent. Caesar was no exception. He began large building programs and inflicted higher taxes to pay for his grand visions. His governors took the brunt of the people’s unrest and eventually the very people who said they wanted a powerful dictator took matters into their own hand, literally, and stabbed him to death. (Who can forget, “Et tu, Brute?”) Offed by his bff.

This didn’t result in a return to a republic. The ringleader Cassius took charge. Not one to learn from the past, Cassius demanded a steep payment to prove loyalty (evidently he did learn that loyalty is elusive – better to the reward for it up front). Herod was one of those guys who used his skills and instincts as a leader to survive the regime change. Herod was a paranoid guy and he mercilessly got rid of anyone that posed even an imagined threat to his kingdom.

This is where we are when we enter into the New Testament. Herod is ruling Galilee with cunning and ruthless intent. Herod, coming from the Edomites south of Judea was part Israelite – a heritage he took seriously. He was a man of two worlds – one religious and the other political, both were at odds with the other. When push came to shove, Herod learned toward Rome and eventually he was named King of Judea, which by degree made him “king of the Jews”. The Israelites are recovering from a period of exile and the community is wondering – is this all there is? Will we always be ruled by Rome? Are God’s promises true? Still, a remnant of faith remained.

Today, people talk about the dying church. Religious leaders take a “census” and the results are not to their liking. And yet a remnant remains. Recently someone scoffed and said to me, “Teresa, come on, no one goes to church anymore. Your faith community is unsustainable.” Ok. I hear you. But this I remember too: really powerful people with a massive amount of resources believed that God had abandoned his promises way back when and look what happened THEN – in walks Jesus. I believe I will take my chances with my particular band of remnant faithful.

You?

Teresa McBean 12/18/17 Teresa McBean 12/18/17

God Stays On Message

Malachi was another one of God’s prophets. His message? “I have loved you,” said the Lord.” Malachi 1:2

His people couldn’t understand it, and certainly clarity hasn’t gotten any easier over the decades. He also had another message for his people, maybe one we can spend some time reflecting on as we approach the birthday of Jesus.

“Behold,” he says, “I am making all things new.” Rev. 21:5

I join you in prayer that he will take our weary, worn ways and make all things new. Redeem us Lord, we pray. Let our eyes see the light of your love in our world.

Amen.

Teresa McBean 12/17/17 Teresa McBean 12/17/17

Tell them, Isaiah

Isaiah told his people what God said. Even as exile loomed God did not forget his promises to Abraham. Isaiah told them – God’s rescue is coming. And although God will take his sweet time in arriving, God is not to be denied.

And this is one man’s telling of that message: Behold the Lamb of God

Forgetful as we all are, God does not.

Behold.

The Lamb of God.

He comes….

Teresa McBean 12/16/17 Teresa McBean 12/16/17

Woe and Hope

People throughout time have encountered God. Abraham and Sarah had a nightly visitor who made them laugh in disbelief. Don’t forget the burning bush incident – that was weird. Jacob wrestled with God at night and ended up with both blessing and a chronic injury. Adam and Eve walked with him in the Garden and then were banished from the garden. Moses got handed a set of stone tablets but never saw the Promised Land. Elizabeth and Mary heard from the angels more than modern ultrasounds ever tell us and managed to each experience a miraculous birth. There were so many, many more times when God entered the lives of his people.

I hear the stories today too. A friend of mine was once diagnosed with cancer and a bunch of his friends prayed over him and his next visit the doctor couldn’t find the cancer - a modern day miracle. My own brother in 1986 heard the voice of God and he wasn’t even interested in God but that didn’t bother God. As my brother recounted later, “God said, ‘Gary, this is your chance. Your last chance. Call for help or tonight is your last.’ ” He called. A few days later he experienced a remarkable and miraculous healing and baptism. The thing that was also odd about this experience is prior to hearing God’s voice he had WANTED to die.

We love these stories, don’t we? It gives us hope that in our hour of need perhaps God will come for us and save us! But some of these God encounters are more disturbing than delightful.

Isaiah comes to my mind. Or Jeremiah. Both had “Woe is me!” moments in the midst of loving God and serving Him. I suspect many of us have had those moments too. Both men were sent by God to deliver truth, hard truth, to a people who had grown forgetful of God, his promises and his sovereignty.

What amazes me is how God continues to show up with the exact message folks need to hear. Some get healing; others rebuke; all his love. My prayer for us all is that we continue to listen, listen for the voice of God. Whether it shows up in the wind and rain or sunshine, may He continue to lead us, his beloved children. May we follow his lead today!

Teresa McBean 12/15/17 Teresa McBean 12/15/17

Ancient and Strong

Here you go, listen to this and we’ll chat tomorrow!

Here’s a song that Andrew Peterson sings that speaks to the time period mentioned in yesterday’s blog. Click here to listen to So Long, Moses.