Out In the Deep

Archive for December, 2011|Monthly archive page


Thanksgiving Initiated

In Devotional on December 31, 2011 at 1:24 pm

“I will give thanks to You, O LORD; for although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.” (Isaiah 11:1)

Thanksgiving is not a narcissistic demand from a being with an overinflated self-esteem.  Rather, it is a call to our inner being to acknowledge the reality of the situation.  Our sin is worse than we like to imagine.  We are powerless to change.  Our promises to God are empty.  He loves us anyway.  His grace intervenes.  We see spiritual awakening.  We are comforted.  At this moment of realization, our hearts gives thanks.


The Love of Christ

In Devotional on December 30, 2011 at 9:48 am

“Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 1:35)

It is difficult to accept that sin and grace can co-exist within me.  While God does not condone evil, He does not withhold His love when he finds it in His child’s heart – an idea vehemently opposed by the religious, perfectionist mind.  The conviction of sin never intends for us to go deeper into isolation, self-pity and shame.  Rather, it is the impetus to run head long into the arms of a loving Christ.


All Is Not Lost

In Devotional on December 29, 2011 at 12:00 pm

“So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’” (John 20:21)

Why wouldn’t the disciples be upset?  The Rabbi they followed led them to an unmitigated disaster.  There could not have been a worse ending to the years they invested.  Yet, at the right time, Jesus is in their midst settling upon their hearts the Shalom of God.  Further, there is a purpose, a reason and a plan.  All is not lost.  In fact, it was always exactly the way it was supposed to be.


Joyful Dancing

In Devotional on December 28, 2011 at 4:53 pm

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing.” (Psalm 30:11)

One time when I took my wife to a Contra dance, I saw pleasure on her face that made her look like a queen.  Another time when I saw a gospel choir, I longed to run up on the stage and swing joyfully with them.  Sometimes there are moments where the heart wants to break forth into joy.  Fear, restraint, introverted personality often prevents us and (in spite of the opt-quoted passage about David dancing before the Lord) self-exhibitionism isn’t always appropriate.  But shed the world’s pull towards cynicism and shame and let your heart be lifted up.


We Saw The Star

In Devotional on December 27, 2011 at 2:34 pm

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”  (Matthew 2:2)

In the last hundred years in America, many in the church have developed a sense of warfare against science.  This was not always so.  Historically the church saw the book of God and the book of nature as two means to view that which is true.  Ultimately, discovering the truth brought one to worship God.  Problems emerged in the 1800’s when science and reason was broken off to be a god unto itself.  Nevertheless, we Christians can bring all of our intellect and dive into the world about us knowing that as we unlock its secrets we will find them pointing to the glory of the Creator.


Small And Great Alike

In Devotional on December 26, 2011 at 5:17 pm

“You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike.”  (Deuteronomy 1:17)

People are different – whether by race, economic status, giftedness or culture.  It’s silly to pretend not to notice.  Problems begin when the sinful heart withholds rights based upon these differences.  Problems grow as the sinful mind makes distinctions that one’s worth is greater or lesser because of these differences.  The early church struggled with racism and culture when Gentiles began pouring into a previously exclusively-Jewish church.  Nevertheless, God’s truth cut through all that by reducing all to sinners and making us equal in God’s eyes through His redemption.


The Christmas Story

In Devotional on December 25, 2011 at 8:09 am

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child” (Luke 2:27)

At times, like Charlie Brown, I would develop a little cynicism about Christmas.  After all, how many ways can one tell this story of the Christ child?  But the point isn’t creative writing to discover new facts or to explore a new sentimental angle.  Linus had it right – he got up and read the gospel of Luke and said, “This is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown”.  It is a story that needs repeating and revisiting.  It is a story to be read in homes across the land.  It is a story that is to be cherished in our hearts.   It is a story that must never be forgotten.


Advent Unawares

In Devotional on December 24, 2011 at 7:57 am

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2)

The first footsteps of Jesus’ ministry were not to a place populated exclusively by the righteous, religious community.  Rather, it was to a community of Gentiles in Galilee beyond the Jordan.  It was an early indication that Christ’s first coming was not merely for the religious faithful but also for those who did not know they needed Him.  Those “sitting in darkness” were unaware of the darkness until they “saw a great light”.  Who knew they were “sitting in the land and shadow of death” until “upon them a light dawned?”    A few watched expectantly for Christ’s coming.  Others of us went about our day not realizing how much we needed Christ’s entrance into our lives.


A Step Into History

In Devotional on December 23, 2011 at 8:24 am

“For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people.”  (Luke 1:68)

In today’s religious climate where the primary goal of spirituality is self-help (a sentiment I have been guilty of falling into) it is good to reorient myself to a culture where one waited expectantly to see how and when God was going to make the next step in His plan for the ages.  There was no guarantee that it would happen in Zacharias’ lifetime but it did and that was a cause of great joy and outburst.  When, Oh Lord, are you going redeem your people and make things right in our confused and conflicted world?  We look with joy at God’s footprints in human history in the past and wait expectantly for what will unfold some day in the future.


God’s Grace To See

In Devotional on December 22, 2011 at 12:24 pm

“‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ.’”  (Mark 8:29)

One of the most shameful childhood memories I have is when I joined a friend to pick on a mentally disabled person.  Thankfully, a neighbor intervened and put us in our place.  It is the sinful heart that beats down those who don’t have the gifts that we do – the very gifts we did nothing to obtain.  Peter’s confession was a revelation from the Father.  Our belief in God’s Anointed is also a gift of grace.  Those who don’t believe are not lesser people.  They are reminders for us to live in thankful humility.

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