"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-- and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." -- John 10:14-16

The good shepherd is the one that doesn't abandon his sheep when the wolves come.  The good shepherd is the one who the sheep can count on to be there to the end.  Jesus did just that.  He laid down his life for his sheep.  The sheep metaphor is a tough one for me.  I don't want to be a sheep... grazing and following... following and grazing... I'd rather be less dependent on my shepherd.  But I can't be.  I know him and I am known by him.  As much as I'd like to think that I'm independent and a lone wolf, I cannot escape the fact that I have the capacity to love.  I have exercised that capacity.  And in so doing, I have experienced Christ.  I know him.  He knows me.  If you have loved, then you too know his voice.  And so many others know him, but don't realize it.  It leads me to think that these are who he is referring to when he says he has "other sheep that are not of this sheep pen"... those who love as he did, but don't realize they do so by the power of God.  Who do you think the other "sheep" are?

Readings:  1 Samuel 22:1-23:29; John 10:1-21; Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 15:18-19

"Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred." -- Proverbs 15:15-17

In an age where there seems to be a pervasive sense of unhappiness and dissatisfaction, we are bombarded with images, sounds, and messages informing us of all the things we need in order to find that elusive thing called "happiness".  We look for it in relationships, sex, chemical substances, and money.  We get what we think will do the trick, and it feels good for a while until we find it doesn't last.  If you feel dissatisfied with your current state, ask yourself what you would like in your life to be different.  Then consider the energy you're pouring into the efforts to make it so.  What are you sacrificing?  Whenever we choose one path, we reject another.  Make sure that the end you are pursuing justifies the means.  Are you sacrificing time with loved ones?  Are you including God in your plans and your efforts?   Can you find contentment and joy in your present even in the midst of dissatisfaction?  Be clear and focused.  You get one shot at life.  Don't squander it.

Readings:  1 Samuel 20:1-21:15; John 9:1-41; Psalms 113:1-114:8; Proverbs 15:15-17 

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." -- John 8:32

The teaching of Jesus was very clean and elegant.  It spoke not against the teachings of his Jewish heritage, but in completion of them.  To Jesus, his faith community had missed the mark, and had lost their way in terms of what they were making as the object of their devotion.  He was sent to show the way, the truth, and life that God would have us know.  And that way, truth, and life was Jesus himself.  Jesus was God manifest in a human body.  He loved purely and deeply.  He modeled what it was to love God and to love each other, and that was the essence of his teaching.  This was (and is) truth.  Even today, we can find freedom in the simple message of Jesus.  And by following him and his teaching, we will be free.

Readings:  1 Samuel 18:5-19:24; John 8:31-59; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 15:12-14

 

"As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground." -- 1 Samuel 17:48-49

This is David's moment.  The Philistine is Goliath, who stands over 9 feet tall and is the enemy's most powerful weapon.  Instead of the two nations going to battle, it is Goliath himself who offers the one-on-one fight to determine the winning nation.  Saul and his troops are confused and scared.  But then David steps up and offers to fight.  At first, Saul resists, but having had killed both a bear and lion with his bare hands, David is not afraid and wins his case.  After trying to put armor and battle gear on, David decides to go with what's comfortable.  So he takes a sling and five smooth stones.  When he shows up, he's mocked and ridiculed by Goliath.  But David says when he wins today, all will know that there is a God in Israel.  The rest is history.

One of the things that stands out most in this story for me is how instead of taking on the role and dress of "warrior", David took what he knew and was comfortable with (the sling) and stepped in with confidence.  So often, many of us feel that we cannot act with courage and confidence in a situation unless our appearance confirms for others we are in our rightful place.  We forget that sometimes, people need to see something different, and that different is us.  Stay attuned to God's desires.  If God has called you to act or be or do something... do not worry whether you appear to have what you need or not.  Take what you know.  Use what you're comfortable with.  And then act.  You have what you need.

Readings:  1 Samuel 17:1-18:4; John 8:21-30; Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 15:11

"Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." -- 1 Samuel 15:22

Saul had become, in many ways, his own god.  He had become rebellious against God by making God's desires and commands secondary to his own.  He wanted things his way, and couldn't understand why as king, he couldn't always have it so.  We see now how Saul is beginning to slip mentally and emotionally. We sense his frustration, and we are about to see his desperation as David grows in stature as Saul declines.

The reality we all face is that we are not perfect, and as we age, at some point, we will be replaced by the next generation.  The promise that we show as youth is almost always far more excellent-- event perfect --than the reality we later experience.  Who can argue with potential?  Once we've lived, and had our shot, we have little potential... only our record.  And yet, it is our past that is most predictive of our future.  But the world celebrates potential over past.  Saul has seen his best days.  And now, he spends his days with one who shows enormous potential because he is called and anointed.  Sadly, Saul's record is tarnished, so not only does he have little potential, he has little to show.

Readings:  1 Samuel 15:1-16:23; John 8:1-20; Psalm 110:1-7; Proverbs 15:8-10

"A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence." -- Proverbs 15:5

It is the morning of Mother's Day 2012 when I write this.  So in the spirit of it, I'll reframe this proverb to say "a fool spurns his mother's discipline".  Thank you to all the moms out there who have given their lives to the raising of their kids-- their time, their money, their energy, their emotions, their love-- a good mother is one who understands that her children are her greatest concern and models sacrificial living.  A good mother is one who teaches us not only skills for living, but shows us what grace looks like, what forgiveness feels like, and how love can change everything.  The world is blessed by its good mothers, as I am blessed by mine. Happy Mother's Day, Mom... and to all the other mothers as well.  Now finish eating your vegetables.

Readings:  1 Samuel 13:23-14:52; John 7:30-53; Psalm 109:1-31; Proverbs 15:5-7

"Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart." -- 1 Samuel 12:20

Samuel was the premier prophet of Israel who gave to them a king in Saul.  He didn't want to, but the begged him for a king.  The people had drifted spiritually, and it was their pride and hubris that called for a king, so Samuel in his prophesying, tells them that their future wasn't looking so bright because of their sin.  When a prophet like Samuel spoke these things, it was terrifying to the people.  But instead of outright condemning them, he encouraged them, saying that though they sinned, they're calling as a people was to worship their God and to live lives aligned with his purposes.  This is a full dose of grace that they didn't expect.  Here they were undeserving, and Samuel points them not to the past of their sin, but to their future opportunity to be the people God made them to be.

When you feel stuck and frozen over what has happened in the past, fast-forward a bit in your mind and visualize the future you desire.  While you can't change your past, you can change your future dramatically.  It's not so much about what you've done... or even about what your going to do.  It's really about what you're doing now.  So what are you doing?

Readings:  1 Samuel 12:1-13:22; John 7:1-29; Psalm 108:1-13; Proverbs 15:4