Daily Ponderings - Psalm 1

Psalm 1:1-3

1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

In this day and age, prosperity is often associated with having the abundance of the things we desire at all times.  It is often equated with money. We make money because of our abilities and efforts.  We are prosperous when we generate a lot of money and vice versa.  Fortunately, God does not define prosperity with such parameter.  

Psalm 1 illustrates the picture of a blessed man as a tree planted by a stream of water.   His roots are planted close to God.   He absorbs the life-giving resource by meditating on it day and night.  It is implied that the man who is closely dependent on God will stand the pressures of this world. 

Oh God, please give me wisdom and understanding.  Help me to choose well and to be motivated to dig deep into your words.  

New Look

I just spent hours learning some Photoshop techniques to resize pictures and customizing the overall look of this blog.  The old template looked outdated.  It gave the impression that only people who are in their "second half" (over fifty-five) should be reading this blog.  That's not true at all!  Most of things that I write about here are supposed to be timeless. :)

Anyway, there you have it in full (girly) color!  Maybe this will inspire me to write more often.   Come back and find out!

Jesus: the Fulfillment of the Law

Matthew 5:17-20

Them: Under the law.  Based on biblical stories, the Jewish people are law-abiding people; some are more anal than some but all of them lived their lives around rules to please God. These laws were written instructions which they read or were read to them on a regular basis. They lived with these laws since their forefathers were delivered out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses.  They broke these rules over and over gain; they offered sacrifices to appease God or to pay for their unrighteous acts.  The Pharisees, who thought that they got it, had to translate the laws into their own version so that they could fulfill them or be able to appoint a finger at anyone who would not be able to.

Jesus: The fulfillment of the law.  Throughout His life, Jesus campaigned for a new kingdom - the kingdom of heaven.  The expectation of everyone is that this new kingdom would involve a new militaristic administration with a new set of laws. A total change would be in place and expected.  In any type of political change, there would be those who are radical to favor the innovation. There are also those who are sentimental who would prefer to stick to the old and comfortable way of life.  As you can imagine, Jesus was creating a tension among the people regardless of heir social status.  Contrary to popular belief, Jesus said that he did not come to abolish them but to fulfill the law.
  
What does it mean to fulfill the law? 
The law that was impossible for any man to bear has been fulfilled by Jesus Christ when he walked the earth.  Jesus Christ, the man who lived a sinless life, was the only one approved by God.  Blameless, He was the only worthy sacrifice.  This was all God's plan... to give us a free pass to righteousness so that the world would know that He loves us (John 3:16).  This is love that is equivalent to the love that He gave to His son Jesus Christ (John 17:23).  That is very amazing!   Even better - "whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

You and I Now:  Free.    On our own it is still impossible to fulfill the righteousness that God desires of us.   However, we have been granted freedom through Jesus Christ.  We no longer live by the law but by God's grace.  Jesus paid for our freedom from unrighteousness and now He offers us the freedom to follow Him.  Will you believe Him and be free?  Then practice and teach the law also so that you will be called great in God's kingdom!

Ladies' Tea

Ladies' Tea

"Growing Together by Design"

Speaker: Helen Lewis

Saturday, May 1, 2010, 1pm to 3pm

Come and enjoy English tea with a friend…as garden coach Helen Lewis reveals the secrets of a green thumb. Learn some of the mysteries of plant life and intriguing relationships that promote fruitfulness and beauty in your garden.

We are in God’s garden. He placed us all here so that we could flourish to delight Him as we love one another. Even before there was time, He already planned a splendid setting where we can grow and enjoy His blessings together.

Bring a friend for a delightful time as we grow together by God’s design.

Get your tickets today! $10/each.

For more information call 916.933.5683

Cornerstone Christian Church, 931 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills

"Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani?"

This narrative is written for Miriam to read at the Good Friday Service at Cornerstone today.  Miram is my nine-year old daughter.  hThe seven last words of Jesus are going to be presented by different church members who represent the different age groups in the congregation.

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

For Jesus Friday was extremely agonizing.  He was tortured.  He was humiliated.  He was stripped of everything he owned - his cloak, dignity, friends etc. and he did not question, not one little bit.   At the height of his incomprehensible suffering as he hangs on the cross, he thinks of his biggest ever loss - his connection to the Father, and he says "Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani/?".  He knows how it is to be close to the Father just like the way I know how it is to be with my daddy.  Because he loves me, I feel safe and protected when I am close to him.  I remember one of my cave tubing experiences.  This is tubing in a big cave.  It is dark inside the cave.  The water is deep and the current is strong.  It's like being in a big river except you can't see anything.  I was having fun until I got caught on a rock while everyone else was moving away from me.  My daddy used to hold my inner tube with his feet but this time he was away from me.  It was very scary!  I yelled my lungs out to call daddy.

Good Friday... Jesus hangs on the cross.  He feels alone and scared.  He is about to die.  He knew of his coming death but he would like to have the Fathe say one more time "It's okay".  He looks for God but He seems to be very distant right now.  Like a lost child in the cave, Jesus cries out into the black space, "My God, my God why have you forsaken me". 

Jesus knew why he would come to die.  This was not a surprise for him.  What surprised him the most is the separation from God.  Sin puts a rock wall between mankind and God.  As Jesus hangs on the cross he hits Enter and our sins were downloaded onto him so that He could pay for all of them.  At that time sin separated Jesus from God.   Of all his sufferings separation from God was the most painful.  I cannot imagine how my daddy would have left me alone in the cave. 

"My God, my God why have you turned your back on me?"  Jesus longed to reach out to God but He didn't extend his hand because Jesus was covered with all of our sins.  He was forsaken by God because of our sins.   As the perfect sacrifice, Jesus died to pay for the sins of the world. 

Today Jesus extends his hands to you.  Will you reach out to receive his offer?

Salt and Light of the Earth

Jesus talked in parables.  His ideas were unconventional but He presented them in ways that were familiar to the people listening to Him.  This style of talking sets the mind in the right position as it allows something concrete to base the new idea upon.  Simple as it may have seem, the message required deeper thoughts to understand it.  Since time immemorial, salt and light are among the everyday stuff of living.  Everyone understood what they are and what they are for.  However, when Jesus likened their lives to these concrete ideas, some ponderings on the part of the people became necessary.  Enough with spoon-feeding, it was time to sort the crowd - those who who understood Him and those who were headless fanatics.

"You are the salt of the earth." ~ Matthew 5:13a
Salt is used for seasoning.  Added at the right amount, salt is used to make foods taste better.  It enhances or exposes the hidden flavors of food.  Even in candy making, a pinch of salt is added to improve the sweetness of the candies.  It makes eating more gratifying and enjoyable.  As Christians we are meant to live a life of substance like that of salt.   This body is only the casing a more valuable portion of this life.  God had a purpose for each of us - to be a "seasoning" to life in this world.  When we offer ourselves to season the lives of others, we live a life that pleases our Creator.  Live therefore the purpose that you were prepared for lest you lose your significance.

Salt is used as a preservative.  First of all, no microorganism can stand the strength of pure salt.   Before the advent of refrigeration, the only way to preserve food especially in places with hot climates was salting.    Furthermore, when added to vegetables and herbs like garlic, salt absorbs the water out and preserves the flavor inside.  This allows them to maintain their usefulness over time.  Salt brings out what lies inside to create a balance between the internal and external conditions. 

How then shall we live if God intended for us to be salt of the earth?  Life around us can be bland and marching towards decay.  Preserve the inherent good while suppressing the inessential and destructive aspects of living. 

"You are the light of the world." ~ Matthew 5:14a 
Light reveals while darkness conceals.  Light bears the inherent ability to expose things so that the eyes would see things that are. However, depending on its position it may not serve that function.  Jesus calls us to poise our lives in such a way that we bring to light that which is true.  Hold your torch so that light floods in all directions.  If you have been filled with the spirit of God, does it show? 

Jesus came to earth to redeem His people who would inherit His kingdom.  You and I are here not to desire to live a life of comfort but of victory by proclaiming about His kingdom.  Victorious people are not complacent.  Through His grace, we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit so that our lives would be the light that peels away darkness.  After two thousand years, many still do not know about that kingdom.  If we have been graced with the knowledge of the truth about God then by all means let your deeds shed light.  Make sure that your lifestyle does not jeopardize your calling as the light of the world.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." ~ Matthew 5:16

Boardwalk Living

Earlier this month my family spent a weekend in San Simeon.  Along the bluff that runs above the beaches are miles of boardwalks. You could ignore them and take off cross country, but they were placed there for a purpose. They provide safety for the visitors and protection for the animals and plants in the coastal ecosystem.  Boardwalks provide a sense of anticipation because there is a destination--a destination that promises the best. The best view, perhaps, or the most freedom, the most fun. We can't always see that destination, though. We get only glimpses of the majestic ocean between sand dunes, or shrubs or around a small bend in the path. Without the destination in full view, our attention shifts to the things along the path.

On the boardwalk, there are signs that give directions so that anyone can reach the destination.  There are signs that tell travellers what they should not do such as "Do not feed the animals" or "Do not step on the plants."  The signs are placed there, at strategic locations, because somebody knew what temptations we might face.  I noticed, as we were walking, that my daughter, Shannon, was way behind.  She was distracted by the squirrels playing and running all around the boardwalk.   She knew she was not supposed to feed them, but she teased them by pretending to give them some food.  In the mean time, other people were approaching and we were getting in their way.

Matthew 5:13-7:29 : An Overview

Starting with Chapter 5, and continuing all the way to the Chapter 7, Jesus gives a sermon as he sits on the side of the mountain.   Aware of the temptations of this life and the tendencies of mankind, Jesus gave us guidelines for us to adhere to while we are on the boardwalk.  His sermon addresses three major aspects of our "boardwalk living".  I would summarize them as follows:

 1. Relationship to God (our destination) - Jesus emphasized the importance of keeping our focus on our destination - God Himself.  There are pleasures for us to enjoy on our way to Him.  He allows us glimpses of His glory even before we get there, although every once in a while our view of Him is obscured by our circumstances.  He waits for our arrival, when we can experience Him fully.  Pricilla Shirer, in her book "One in a Million," describes that kind of experience as the promised-land living.  That is our destination.  God has prepared an abundant life for us but we need to get there and experience it.

2. Relationship with Others (other people on the boardwalk) - The boardwalk is a shared path and, at times, there are people who walk with us.  We have to be considerate so that they will also enjoy their walk.  God wants the flow towards Him to be steady.  We need to love one another so that our journey will be pleasurable and smooth. 

 3. Protection of our Faith (footing) - The boardwalk is provided but there are no attendants there.  We walk there knowing that we can move forward on that path that has been provided for us.  The boardwalk is narrow; anyone can be careless and distracted.  Falling into temptation along the way will only delay my arrival to my destination.  

On this narrow path that leads to his kingdom, we must remember the destination. Otherwise, the distractions that are so common along the path will take us on a painful detour. Many times, our biggest difficulties are with our fellow travellers, but Jesus guides us on how to live with others gracefully, to hurt no one and stretch out extravagantly to others in love.