the.slow.down

interesting verses from luke:

1.13, 1.30, 2.10 - Do not be afraid

1.37,38 - “For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

1.45 - “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

2.34 - “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

2.49- “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
-deut 6.1-8

after reading out of luke 10, a good and necessary reminder for me of priority, a footnote directed me to this section of deuteronomy which is just so good, even as new covenant people.

i was reminded for myself, for my kids.

the LORD is one. love the LORD w/ all heart, soul strength.

they are to be:
- upon our hearts
- impressed upon our children
- talked about as we sit, as we walk, when we lie down, when we awake
- placed as very present physical reminders in our everyday space.

i don’t know. for me this is just good stuff to read, be reminded of, be challenged with. not just for an eval of how am i doing as a parent with my kids, but primarily for me, am i loving, committed to, sacrificing for, loving with my heart and soul and strength the Lord above all esle?

i need that…

real faith, it turns out, is hard to have.

it’s so amazing the difference between saying that “I believe God is able to do X” or “I believe God can do X” compared to “I believe God will do X.”o

i was talking to a friend yesterday about faith, the nature of it, the simplicity/complexity and the naivety/foolishness of real faith.

we get so advanced in our theology and understanding of the world. what would it mean for us to actually believe God for something significant.

jesus said, “unless you have faith like one of these little children…”

childlike faith? such foolishness for us modern, learned, insulated and safe american christians. at least for this one.

when i think of faith these days, what i most think of is the section where Jesus is interacting with the father of a young boy who is demon posessed:

(the father) “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

i can connect with that. I believe, kind of, but i ned help to really believe. i can often feel like that wave that is tossed here and there.

more to come on faith…