God Hit Me - Pt. 2

In Pt. 1, Jocelyn's words highlighted how it felt to have been hit by God.  God hit me and it hurt.  A good friend sent me a scripture during this time that reminded me that some things we go through are joyful and others are painful (Ecclesiastes 3).


It is obvious what kind of season this has been.  It's hurt so bad at times we felt blinded like Saul, so bad we couldn't speak like Zacharias, so bad our bones hurt like Jacob.  It hurt so bad we didn't know what to say or do.  


Then something happened.  


We got a phone call.  Then another.  And another.  Then a text message.  Then a Facebook message.  Then a visit.  Then a card.  Then a meal caravan.  Then another text message.  Then a gift card.  Then a babysitter.  Then a check in the mail.  Then another.  Then a prayer.  Then another... 

In this season, we have truly witnessed the generosity of the Christian family. We have literally run out of ways to say thank you.  As I was on my way to compose this painful post, we received a letter by a friend who encouraged us to keep serving the Lord.  Even in my groaning, people were continuing to bless us.  

There are tremendous theological questions that surface during times of pain; "God, where are you?" or "Why would you hurt me?"  I will reserve these valid questions for some other time.  It has become clear to me that being "hit" by God wasn't an accident, but it was intentional.  In a way, we were allowed to be hurt so we could be allowed to be helped.  Our tears of gratitude have washed away our tears of pain.

I can't list everyone who has been a blessing to us, but I want to say thank you to everyone for everything you've done for us.  YOU have been our antidote and our serum.  You have been our friend, our sister, and our brother.  You have helped to heal us when we were hurting.  We trust that God is omniscient.   We believe the same God who "hit" us graciously gave us you.  In a time where our faith could have suffered, your signs of love have made it stronger.  Thank you...

Lord, we pray you get the glory out of our relationships and that we love others as we have been loved.  Please bless their families and their labors, their dreams and their struggles.  Your Word says You chastise those you love.  Thank you for loving us...  In Christ's name, Amen.

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It was good for me to be afflicted that I may learn your decrees.

- Psalm 119:71

For people living with impairment, and for their partners and families, dependence is a significant part of life. But living dependently is living in the image of God.

-"Those who are Blind See: Some New Testament Uses of Impairment, Inability, and Paradox", Simon Horne, from Human Disability and the Service of God: Reassessing Religious Practice, Nancy L. Eiesland and Don E. Saliers, eds.

God Hit Me - Pt. 1

The last two months have been a roller-coaster of emotions and experiences.  We lost three loved ones; Ashley's Granny, Ashley's high school friend, and my uncle.  We welcomed our daughter.  To complicate things, Ashley has recently been diagnosed with a condition that affects her nerves and muscles.  We've spent the last few weeks between doctors and hospital visits.  In between financial burdens,  physical trials, emotional stresses, and late nights with a newborn, it has been a wild season.

Jocelyn put it perfectly yesterday.  We were in the car and she was talking to herself (which she loves to do).  When we parked, she said "God hit me".  Wow, I thought to myself.  "God hit you?", I replied.  "Yes", she said.  "And how did it feel?", I asked.  She responded matter-of-factly, "It hurt." 

That is exactly right, I thought.  Lately, it has felt like God hit me too... and it definitely hurt.  

I probably can stop right there... in fact, I will.  Click here for pt 2...

On the Deacon's Hands

This week, Deacon James Butler passed away unexpectedly. Deacon Butler was such an inspirational and amazing person. What I remember most about him is that he was so wise and open-minded. I received my calling to ministry during a prayer time in the Bible Study he led. He was married to the beautiful and faithful Mrs. Sylvia Butler who we lost earlier this year. I thank God so much for them and their ministry and family. As my brother Diamond and my wife Ashley said, "they are examples of who you want to be".  Below is a sonnet I wrote dedicated to Deacon Butler's life and legacy.




The Deacon's Hands


When the deacon's hands first met yours you knew.
It felt like someone had bear-hugged your hand.
You tried to squeeze back but weren't able to
you just had enough strength to smile and stand.

His hands were good at pondering, walking
across his whiskers thinking heavy thoughts.
They were gifted at anointing, talking
to you about God with oily dots.

But his hands were better gripping the Word
as he searched the scriptures. Best at holding
Mrs. Butler's as they strolled. His hands served.
His life was there for our be-holding.

Thank you for forming us as God did, with his hands.
It's our turn now to hold you. We'll never let go.


-j.a.g.





Lord, thank you for the life and ministry of Deacon and Mrs. Butler. Thank you for their selflessness to minister to us and teach us about you. Thank you for their faithfulness and example. God, we rejoice that they are now with you, safely in your bosom, away from all sorrows, and in your care. We know Deacon Butler is now getting answers to all of his great questions. Please keep the Butler family and all those they touched in Your hands as we grieve. Please comfort us in this loss. Thank You for sharing them with us.  We wait with hope for the day we will worship together again.  In Christ's name, Amen. 

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Acts 6:1-71 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.



Psalm 119:73Your hands made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.

On Washing Your Hands

Psalm 26:6-7
6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: 7 that I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.


Most Christians would agree that reading the Bible is important. Yet, most Christians also find it extremely difficult to do this consistently. Even those who do read consistently often find times where the Bible is hard to understand. Personally, there have been times where I read something and it just does not register at all. I will stare at the passage and nothing will come from it. I am sure you can empathize if this has happened to you. What I have begun to do is say a short prayer over my mind every time I read. My prayer comes from Psalm 119:18: Lord, open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. This helps my spirit focus on receiving what God has for me at that appointed time of reading.

God revealed to me that praying before we read is a lot like washing our hands before we eat. In our physical bodies, washing our hands is an important act. In fact, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that hand washing is probably the single most important measure in preventing and stopping the transmission of some very serious illnesses (reference below). The University of Maine also suggests that people should wash their hands 1) before touching food, or 2) as often as needed.

While we can’t rub soap on our spirit (not even going to attempt to go there), we can prepare our minds to be free from “contamination” when we read. We can adopt the University of Maine’s physical standards to our spiritual condition and wash our minds –

1) Before we read God’s Word. This is the spiritual “food” for the believer (Jeremiah 15:16 below). Cleansing our mind with prayer can help to remove the distractions and allow us to receive the specific truth or lesson God wants for us during that time.
2) As often as needed. This prayer can also help in secular atmospheres. When reading for work, class, or leisure, I have often confessed, “Lord, open my eyes that I may see wonderful things from THIS (law, text, assignment, etc.)!”


All the Bible reading in the world does no good without proper understanding. In order to understand, we should cleanse our minds of anything that would prevent God’s word from penetrating our hearts. Let's wash our minds with prayer before reading in order to see good things from what we read and prevent negativity. We need to confess our desires to hear God’s voice “cleanly” through His Word. He will reveal Himself and we will be surprised at how much we can receive by simply “washing our hands”.



Lord, I pray that our eyes are opened to see the wonderful things in Your law. I pray that Your Word becomes milk and meat in our lives. That we can drink and eat of it and be strengthened to serve You. As we attempt to digest Your Word, Lord please prepare our hearts and minds. In addition, God please prevent any contamination from things that are not like You. When we are reading other materials, let us be able to sift out Your truths in order to remain pleasing to You. Give us the wisdom to retain and also the wisdom to release. I pray that as we make vows and resolutions to read Your Word more consistently, You bathe us in Your blessings and cleanse us with Your care. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rinsing,

Jeremy











http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/4067.htm


Jeremiah 15:16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.