August 2011

“They are like trees planted by streams of water … .” (Psalm 1:3)

Sunday, August 28, 2011
Creator God, what is my life like? Is it like tumbleweed tossed from one place to the next? Is it like a tree stuck in a barren place with nothing but bare branches reaching up into the gray sky? Or am I a fruitful tree planted by streams of water? This week I turned 55 years old. As one of my colleagues at church reminded me, this means that I am now actually past middle aged. …

“He intended to pass them by.” (Mark 6:48)

Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Your disciples were “straining at the oars against an adverse wind” when they caught a glimpse of you walking on the water. This time you were planning to pass by them. Apparently, you were hoping that just a glimpse of you on the stormy waters would be enough to encourage the disciples. But this hint of your presence only made them all the more “terrified.” …

“Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)

Tuesday, August 16, 2011
I wonder if your first disciples were all that eager to receive this invitation. Mark tells us that they had just gathered around you to report on “all that they had done and taught.” My guess is that they were hoping for a little affirmation – maybe a certificate for employees of the month. They thought you would be so pleased with them. And of course you were, but not because of all they had done and taught. …

“They grumbled in their tents.” (Psalm 106:25)

Tuesday, August 9, 2011
As you know, Lord, I prefer to do my complaining in a tent, and never out in the open. Within the illusion created by little walls, it is easy to distort reality into whatever I want it to be. Usually that means I’m the victim: somebody did me wrong, I’m working so hard and no one appreciates it, people just want to use me, nobody understands – you’ve heard it all. How do you keep from giggling? …

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