Musings from My Sun Porch

                 If you had to pick a name to describe evil, the best choice would be “Jezebel”.   Jezebel served as Queen of Israel during the time of Elijah, the Prophet.   She is probably the most well-known woman villain of the Old Testament, if not the entire Bible.               She came from a land that worshipped baal, and she brought her beliefs with her to her marriage to King Ahab.   Ahab also became a baal worshiper, and with his wife’s influence, “he did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him” (I Kings 16: 30 NIV84).               As you read the account of her life, which is found in I Kings 16 – 21 and II Kings 9, you learn a great deal about the kind of woman that she was.   She was strong, bold, wise, driven, and devoted to her god.   On the surface, ...

                 One of my favorite books of the Old Testament is Esther.   It is a story of inspiration as a young Jewish woman rose to become the Queen of Persia.   It also has all the characters of a great mystery plot.   Mordecai, the Queen’s uncle, is the “good guy” who not only saves the life of the King but convinces Esther to also save her people, the Jews.   Haman is the ultimate “bad guy.”   His ego is so big that he can’t stand the fact that Mordecai refuses to bow to him.   With his friends’ encouragement, he plots to not only kill Mordecai but also the entire Jewish race.   Just when you think all is lost, Queen Esther saves the day with a “plot” of her own.               Perhaps the most intriguing thing about the Book of Esther is that it is without any specific reference to God, worship, prayer, or sacrifice.   Mordecai d...

                 Today, I want to continue our look at the women of the Bible.   The story of Tamar is one of lust, rape, incest, and murder.   The irony is that it involved the sons and daughter of King David—the man after God’s own heart. In short, it is a picture of a dysfunctional family.             Tamar, David’s daughter was raped by her half-brother, Amnon.   He first lusted after her, devising an elaborate plot to be alone with her.   When she refused his advances, he raped her.   Afterward, he banished her from his presence.   Her brother, Absalom, took her into his home, where she would live as a desolate woman.             King David was furious when he heard what had happened (II Samuel 13: 21), but there was no indication that he did anything to punish Amnon or to comfort Tamar. ...

                 In my last two posts, we’ve talked about how to begin to understand Scripture.   We know that it is a process that begins in prayer, followed by study and meditation on God’s Word.   Ultimately, it requires getting to know God intimately.   This is much more than memorizing all the “facts” about God.   It is developing a personal relationship with Him.             Don’t misunderstand.   On this side of heaven, you are not going to understand all Scripture, and you are not going to know everything there is to know about God.   Don’t let that discourage you.   Knowing God and understanding His Word is a growth process—one that will continue until our last breath.   Many refer to it as “sanctification”.   Though we are made righteous by the blood of Jesus, God desires us to be “holy as He is holy” (I Peter 1: 16).   Th...

                Last time, we began to consider the question, “How do I begin to understand Scripture?”   The first step is prayer for wisdom and enlightenment.   Then what?             Take a few minutes to quiet your mind and remove other thoughts.  I know that’s not an easy task in our “go, go, go” society.  However, we must get rid of the clutter if we are going to learn to hear and welcome God’s voice.  I’m not saying that you will ultimately hear an audible voice, but as you welcome Him into the quiet of the moment, you will begin to feel His presence deep in your soul.              Next, read a small passage of Scripture.  You might start with no more than ten verses or at most, an entire chapter.  Read the passage several times—at least once out loud.  Pause between the readings...

                 Someone recently asked me, “How do you begin to understand the Scripture?”   That’s a tough question—one even the most educated Bible scholars often wrestle with.   Don’t let that discourage you.   There are some special tools that God designed just for our enlightenment.             First and foremost, for the believer, you must begin with prayer.   I can already hear someone saying, “That’s all well and good for the believer, but what if you are seeking? Then, what?”   Good question.   I think a look at the life and ministry of Christ provides the answer.   Jesus’ disciples were constantly questioning His teachings, His actions, and His statements about the future.   They were often much like us—they didn’t have a clue.   Occasionally, Jesus chastised them for not having grown in their knowledge, but He NEVER refused t...

                 Those who know me well, know that the beach is my “happy place”.   It is the place where I find peace and quiet.   It is the place where I feel most connected to God.   In short, it is a place of calming amid the chaos this world has to offer.               As I watch the news day after day, seeing the anger, hatred, and discontent that spew from both sides of the political spectrum, I long for the quiet of the beach.   Walking at the edge of the water, with the sand in my toes, a gentle wind at my back, and the sun shining brightly gives me a sense of peace, like no other.             As I thought about that peace this morning, I was taken back to a time several years ago when my beach walk was not so peaceful.   As I walked along in quiet communion with God, I encountered three...

                 A new school year begins this week.   Many students, including one that I hold dear, will be starting their senior year in high school.   I challenge each of them to consider what kind of adult they want to be.   To be clear, graduating from high school won’t automatically make you an adult.   I’ve known some 40-year-olds (and beyond) who hadn’t quite achieved that status.   However, graduation is one step closer to beginning your life as an adult.             My question remains:   what kind of adult do you want to be?   Who you are in your senior year will have some impact on your answer to that question.             Come next May when you put on that cap and gown and receive that diploma, will you pat yourself on the back and think, “What a great job I did?” Or will you t...

                 Last night, I stayed up late to watch a very special homecoming.   Three Americans who had been unjustly imprisoned in Russia were finally back home on American soil.   As friends, family, and media waited patiently, the camera focused on the plane in the distance, growing ever closer to its destination.   As the plane prepared for landing the anticipation grew.   Finally, the plane touched down and slowly made its way to its destination on the tarmac.   Then, there were those final gut-wrenching moments waiting for the stairs to be put in place and the door to open.               I can’t even begin to imagine what it was like for the family and friends of those individuals.   Some of them had been waiting for almost six years, wondering if this day would ever come.   What joy they must have felt as their loved one walked dow...