The Reasons Why I Write

 

My name is Dan, and I am a writer.

This would be my honest confession because I LOVE to write. I carry a notebook with me everywhere I go and am often pulled into a conflict of being in the moment or stopping to write about something that stood out to me while I was in the moment.

 

I want to walk you through a through something I discovered this morning while reading and it was one of those times of conflict that a writer often deals with:

 



Continue meditating on the pattern of thought

 vs.

 Write down what came to your heart

 

Writing won the battle.

I was reading a passage of scripture while preparing for another post when I came across a passage that I had never noticed before. I should have moved on but the part of my brain which drives me down the highway of thought immediately pulled the car over and parked. How could I have missed this?

 

 I was reading Genesis 36 and was trying to sort out Abraham's family tree. What a mess!

 

"And these are the children of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah: this was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father."

                                                                                                             ~ Genesis 36:24

I know right? WHAT???

This passage is spoke about a descendant of Esau and the way it was worded caught my attention. It was right in the middle of a genealogy so I had to stop and study this thing out. Mules in the wilderness??? What does this have to do with a post about being a writer?

 

It was not just the mules this guy found that was important, it was where the mules were when he found them. With a little bit of research what you will find is that Enah found the mules in the middle of a hidden and natural hot spring. This guy discovered natural hot springs in the middle of the wilderness which prospered his family. He discovered something which would make a lasting impact. He found a source of refreshment and healing,shared it with his world before being swallowed up within a list of forgotten names in a barely read chapter of an often ignored book. Anah  makes this fantastic contribution and then slips back into a list of names of people who were once here and now gone. When was the last time you have ever heard an inspirational sermon about "good old Anah"?

This has been on my mind quite a bit this morning.

This thought of discovering a source of healing and passing it on even if you will never be associated with what you discovered.

 

 

We all want to be the main character in the story sometimes don't we? This Anah inspires me because this passage prompts me to ask the obvious question.

 

Q: What reason did he have to share such a valuable discovery?

 

The answer to this question is even more obvious than the question itself.

 

A: Others were in need of what he discovered and there would be people who would live better because of a shared discovery.

 

I then had to write down a simple list on the whiteboard of my mind of the benefits of a hot spring.

A hot spring can cleanse the skin.

A hot spring relaxes and calms the senses.

A hot spring soothes aches and pains by providing a body with 90% buoyancy so that joints can rest.

A hot spring provides heat which improves circulation allowing the full power of the blood to move throughout the body.

I find it safe to say  that others in his world of influence were in need of what he had discovered. He shared a source of healing which has left a lasting impact on the area this was shared in until this very day. The results of what he shared provided a more active and full life to those he shared it with. He knew what he discovered needed to be passed on regardless if he was the main character or not. As it turns out, he was NOT because before I read this passage and wrote this blog post, neither you or I had ever given him a second thought.

I read this passage this morning and asked myself a few questions.

Why do I write?

Why do I put the effort and expense into putting thoughts I discover into a blog post or into a book form?

Why put yourself out there to risk being misunderstood or making a mistake that would bring criticism?

Why open up your heart and your life in this way?

What are my reasons for writing the things  I write?

REASON

NOUN [ ˈrēzən ]

noun: reason · plural noun: reasons

1. a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event:  synonyms: cause · 

 1. I write because I need what I discover and if I need what I discover, than those around me need what I discover.

The Holy Spirit has many functions in the life of the believer and a few of those functions would be to comfort the believer and instruct the believer. I write to express what God gives me in this journey of discovering my identity IN Christ and everything that comes with the gift of God. I write for me and then I share that with whoever is searching on the same trail.

"Your God given message is the solution to someone else's problem."

 

2. What I discover can heal and improve the quality of a person's life.

The understanding of grace of God can cleanse the body of Christ, the church.

The understanding of the relentless love of Christ for the believer can calm and relax the senses.

The understanding of God's complete forgiveness alleviates aches and pains of the soul by providing a mind with buoyancy so that it can rest.

The understanding of a believers true identity IN Christ provides a heart with a warmth which improves circulation of the Spirit allowing an comprehension of the full power of the blood to move throughout the body of Christ, the church.

We have been made complete in Him! We have the source and He came to give life and life more abundant!
 

3. It is not about who discovered what, the only thing that matters is what was discovered.

If I asked you to tell me some people in the book of Genesis who made an impact, Anah would not have made your list. There are some "big" names but this guy would not have made the cut. In the end, the names matter little in comparison to what was discovered. Anah did not provide the effects of the hot springs to those around him, he simply allowed the discovery to do what the discovery was meant to do since God put it where He did. It soothed, refreshed, healed and strengthened.

If you discover a truth from the scriptures, you share it and let it do it's thing!

Post your scripture verses on face book, and share your favorite passages of scripture on Instagram and twitter. Hang your passages that mean the most on your walls at home , in your car, and in your office. Let the Word of God go out and I promise you, It will NEVER return void.

4. Discoveries were meant to be shared because you and I are only the vessel of the discovery, not the source.

It was John the Baptist who put it simplest in his statement, "I am a voice". He was stating that he was not the source but rather just the megaphone. The Apostle Paul said, "He must increase and I must decrease." The discovery is not about you. It never has been.

What is your gift to express the discoveries that God gives you?

Art?

Poetry?

Singing?

Musical ability?

Writing?

Hospitality?

Giving?

Acts of Service?

Teaching?

 Preaching?

There are countless avenues for discovery and for the expression of those discoveries.

There are people who are waiting to be healed, strengthened, encouraged and propelled into their own purpose through your discovery!

 Go discover and then go share what you discover. The apostles said, "We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.." and neither can we!

Climbing with you,

~Dan

"Soooooo Much!"

(Pencil Sketch of me and my youngest 2015)

I love being a father.

I feel as though I fail more than I succeed with patience and flexibility as a father more than I succeed, but I also see where I have learned along the way to this point I am at now as a parent.

My kids are like yours, if your blessed to be in the role of a parent, in the fact they each express their love to me in completely unique ways. It is in the uniqueness of this expression that I find complete and utter amazement each time their love is expressed.

Think just a moment about something that your children do for you as a way of expressing their love for you.

Got it in mind? Good! Now look at this passage with me for just a moment.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"
                                                                                                                   ~ Romans 8:16

I love the mental picture that this passage gives. We are the child and God is our Father. Now I fully realize this can be a painful picture to those who were raised with an absent, abusive, or even a father who caused harm. If that was your case, I want to encourage you to ask God to help you see Him for the Father that He truly is. He is greater than the best ideals we could list as requirements for "The best dad".

I grew up in a large family where my father's time for individual attention was limited. My dad is an amazing man but he is also human. There were many things that I looked at him and subconsciously attached to my view of God. Re-learning God has been the most exciting / difficult part of my spiritual journey.

I see the picture I posted above and I read the passage I posted above and I see a picture of what the relationship I have with God as my Father should look like.

Safe, comfortable, trusting and completely secure in the understanding that Daddy loves me for no other reason than I am His son.

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." ~ 1 John 3:1

As I mentioned earlier, my kids all express love in their own unique way and the one on the top is who inspired this post.

This one has a really cool way of expressing his love to me. When I get home, he runs out the door to wrap his arms around me and say, "I love you soooooooomuch!!!"
I know lots of kids say that to their parents, but when this kid says it to me, he does his best to imitate a voice that I use when we play with his stuffed animals. He is trying to give back something I have done that makes him feel loved and special. My son is expressing his love by imitating and expression of love that I give to Him.
An impersonated tone of voice accompanied by the tightest hug that he can give.

I cannot even begin to relate to you how loved I feel at that moment in my day.

I was reading a passage of scripture today and saw something similar to my son's statement of "...soooooo Much!" and wanted to share.

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." ~ John 21:15-17

Jesus was telling Peter that He wanted Peter to love those who He loved. Jesus did not tell Peter every detail of feeding his sheep (People). He just said, "If you love me, feed them."
Peter would do that in his own unique way and in so doing, it would be sending the message to his Heavenly Father, "I love you sooooo much".

Here is the whole point that I am trying to make.

If you are God's child the He is your Father. You have been given God's love. You have the opportunity to express your love to God by extending the love He has given you in your own ways to those He loves. 

Our expression is that unique thing that God gives us that makes us feel loved and special. It is in your gifts and talents.
For some it is is what you write. It is in that unique ability to express that you are best able to inspire, uplift and point others to an understanding of God as their Father.
Perhaps it is the way you sing, relate to others, communicate. You may be gifted with a way of sensing people's hurt or helping others reach places God has for them. The gift is not as important as what you do with it.

It is giving that "voice", that the Father gives you, to others the Father loves that is your way of saying "I love you soooo much" to Daddy.
He does not need that expression  to love you and you do not do that so He will love you. You do that because you genuinely love Him and you want Him to know it.

It is called living FROM Jesus rather than living FOR Jesus. The difference between the two is HUGE.

What is your gift?

What are you doing with it?

Who are you extending love to through that gift?

The sheep mentioned in this passage were the ones that had been scattered (Ezekiel 37) and they were the ones that He came to seek and to save. They were His people and He came to bring them into an understanding of who He is and what He had for them.

"...And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." ~John 21:17

Using your Gift to strengthen, encourage, or care for another is the ultimate expression of love. Use your gift!

Climbing with you,
~Dan



*If you enjoyed this post, may I  also recommend:

"Unfinished" : Click Here

"Where do you come up with this stuff" : Click Here

"Love notes from Father" : Click Here

Status: Unfinished

 

 

My name is Dan and if you know me personally, have read any of the posts up to this point, or follow my posts on Instagram then you have figured out that I LOVE to draw.

Before I get into why I have these two pictures posted above, let me just say, the ability to create and be artistic has been one of my favorite things about life.

I love creativity!                                                  

 

I love being able to see something that no one else can see, and bring it to life. I love to watch others work in their gifts because you literally have the privilege of seeing The Creator expressed through them at that moment. Be it music, poetry, or art, skills and talents utilized with a passion is a beautiful sight to see. I love making and building things that are unique and for as long as I can remember, I have always looked for ways to create things that I want to express to the world around me.                                                                  
 To the right was a project I made out of some old wood scraps. I also am a Superman fanatic and I wanted to make a box to hold my Superman DVDs in style so using the scraps of wood, I created a "Fortress of Solitude" themed display box.



If it can be dreamed up, it can be done! The drawback to this is that the routine tasks become difficult to perform because there is just to many ways to get things done beside the normal everyday methods. I was making breakfast and put some strawberries out on the plate to balance it out in nutrition and color when I spied a ceramic kitchen knife on the corner of the counter. It was all over at that point because the strawberries needed to be made into something more than just strawberries. See what I mean? It's a hopeless situation. Materials + tools = create.

My favorite method of expression would be through art. I LOVE to draw.

 

Drawing, for me, is one of the most relaxing activities that I can engage in because the possibilities of where you can take a picture is completely limitless.The flow of the pencil on the paper pushes away any thoughts but the ones that you choose to help you accomplish what you are trying to express. Whether its drawing a soft ripple in a wave or the eyeball of a child.                                                                            (The pieces to the right are scratch board chess pieces that were created as part of a set of three, and the smaller colored piece was a drawing I did of my oldest son and I standing on the beach in St.Augustine, Florida. We went there on a trip when he was about 14 months old.)                      

 If I had to pick a favorite way to draw it would be Portraits. They either turn out really REALLY Good or they turn out really REALLY bad and the thrill for me is the possibility for my work to go either way. It has gone both ways on my personal projects as well as pieces I have been commissioned to draw for others. No, I will not post those pictures!

                           



 (Me and my oldest son when he was two years of age. I call this piece "Daddy's Arms". It speaks to me of what my heavenly Father desires for my relationship with Him to look like. Safe, trusting and completely comfortable in His love for me.)

(# 2 Pencil sketch of me and my oldest son at 2 weeks old)

 

(Pencil sketch of my youngest son at 3 years old. He is wearing his Captain America Helmet and  Batman cape while clutching his Captain America shield and two trusty mag lights in each hand. He is also wearing a diaper because even the toughest of superheroes are capable of making stinky situations.)

 

 

I was going through the art studio the other day and laying out projects and pieces I need to get done that have been taken to various stages of completion when the thought hit me: "Dan, these pieces are NOT finished yet."

 

The pieces I have on the desk need various levels of work yet and it was in the pile on the desk that I got lost in thought.  

The unfinished pictures were of people who are also unfinished. The beauty of that thought needs to sink in for just a moment so may I please restate the obvious?

"YOU ARE NOT FINISHED YET!!!"

Every one of us currently stands at one level of completion or another and there is not one of us who has "arrived". We are all a work in progress. A sketch on the desk if you will and to expect completion in ourselves or another is wrong.

People do not always do what you think they should and people will let you down. This will happen continually because to never do so would mean that a person is finally done.

I do not need to dwell on specifics here because all of us are at different stages but no matter how badly you think you have messed up may I just remind you that ...

"YOU ARE NOT FINISHED YET!!!"

 The details of your portrait at this stage may look terrifying, ridiculous, or even shameful but the picture is nowhere near complete. The lines are not all darkened and the shading has been left out and at this stage in the process it would be easy to throw in the towel because of the way things appear. What you have right now is a work in progress. To close the book now would be like reading a child the story of King Kong and closing the book at the part where the ape grabs the girl and runs off into the jungle. The story was nowhere near the end and neither is yours. You are not finished yet and neither is God finished with your portrait. 
 

(This is a pencil sketch of King Kong that currently lies in my "Unfinished" pile)

Let me go back the side by side that I opened this post with. One picture is of me sitting at my art desk, pen in hand and ready to go, the other is of who I truly am...an unfinished work.

You are also unfinished and for someone reading this post, you have been beating yourself up over choices and circumstances that you may have experienced, chosen, or even created and may I just say that the creator, THE MASTER ARTIST is not done with your picture yet. You can exhaust yourself by trying to "Make it happen" or work yourself into completion in your own strength or you can realize that the pen is and will continue to stay in His hand. He is the only one that can create a masterpiece from your lines and smudges.

When I draw at the house, I constantly tell my kids, "Do NOT shake the table". When we try to control things in our story and make things happen out of our own strength I refer to this as "Shaking the table".

Stop struggling trying to "Self improve" and realize that the only way this thing is going to work together for God is through Christ! (Romans 8:28)

Self effort will only take you as far as you are able to take you. (I have tried this method) God is perfectly able to transform your scribbles into a truly beautiful work!

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." ~ Ephesians 2:10

This is you. Workmanship. God created you to be seen and displayed because in you, He is able to be seen. Let me illustrate this. As you looked at the art above, you thought to yourself, "This guy is good." (I'm not saying this to be vain) Your thoughts went to the artist didn't they?
So you and I as His workmanship cause others to think of the The Artist. We complain about the lousy lines and smudges of our picture and who does that reflect upon ultimately? We keep our trust IN Him and our eyes and ears turned toward Him as He works in us and who does that reflect upon ultimately?

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:" ~ Colossians 2:8-10

 The issue of your righteousness is fully COMPLETE in Him, but the picture of your life, legacy and influential impact is far from complete. Let Him work and stop shaking the table!!!

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" ~ Phillipians 1:6

 Relax.

Stop beating yourself up and stop being so tough on those around you. God's desk is FULL of unfinished pictures and yours is in it's place on that table. Here is your word for the day.

"He is not finished, so you are not finished. If He is still working, back up and stop shaking the table. Give Him room to work."

 Climbing with you,
~Dan

* If you enjoyed this post, may I recommend:

"You had it all the time" :Click Here

"God's Phone Booth" : Click Here

"Just a Scratch" : Click Here



Choosing to Live

I had an incredible opportunity this past week and was able to seize it in its moment when it went by.

I unpacked my distractions, troubles, and loaded the suitcase up with swimming trunks, flip flops, sunscreen, zero expectations, and  went on a vacation with my family.

We went to St. Augustine Florida, one of our favorite places in the world. My wife and I grabbed our kids and headed out to a weeks worth of recreation (Re- Creating) what our family unit was made to be. We swam in the pool, shopped the old city, took in the local sites, had some of the most fantastic ice cream on the planet and re-discovered dynamics of our family relationships that we had let slip in the busyness of life.

One of my favorite activities personally was a five a.m. run around the lake where we stayed. This is an activity that God uses to speak with me, and I would like to share with you a thought that He and I shared during one of those 5 am run/talk/pray/meditate sessions.

God used Moses to outline a very clear choice that His people were given as a nation. He outlined many different laws as a society which if followed, would allow them to exist as a nation set apart and as a testimony to the God that they served.
 

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." ~ Deuteronomy 30:19

There is a lot in this passage that we could discuss but for the sake of this post, I would just like to point out the obvious.

 

God provided man a CHOICE.

 

Life is about choices. Each choice brings about its own set of consequences and wherever you may find yourself in life as you read this post, you cannot deny the fact that you alone made the choices you have brought you to the places where you have been.

"OUR RESPONSE DETERMINES OUR FUTURE."

There are circumstances in our life that happen that are not our choice but how we respond to those circumstances is our choice.

I truly wish I could say that I make great choices all of the time, but the truth is, I do not always make great choices. I make the wrong choices with my time, relationships, finances, and with my responses more times than I am proud to admit. I have to accept that yyesterday is in the tomb, tomorrow is in the womb, all we really have is today.

I was meditating on this choice God gave man and He brought to mind another example of when He gave man a choice.
 
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." ~ John 10:10

What makes God's choices so beautiful is that He has given us the ability to make and keep them. We live out His life IN us.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." ~ Galatians 2:20

Because of Christ's death and Resurrection, I can now truly LIVE as He intended for me to live. Through my faith IN Him! I can choose to walk in the Spirit. I made a short list of choices that morning as I meditated and I wanted to share them with you.

CHOOSE TO: Be Impeccable with Your Word.

• I Choose today to speak with integrity.
• I Choose today to say only what you mean.
• I Choose today to Avoid negative self talk and gossip.
• I Choose today to use and choose my words to speak truth and love.
• I Choose today to be careful about what I allow myself to think about, because my thoughts determine my actions and responses and my response determines my future. 

CHOOSE TO: Not Take Anything Personally

 

This is a big one for me because I tend to over think things. Have you ever had someone say something hurtful about you behind your back or even to your face?

 

We all have had that happen and have even been the one doing it to others right? But nothing others say or do is because of you. What others say is a projection of their own reality. Your value and acceptance has already been determined by God and no one can reject you because no one can truly offer acceptance. Acceptance is no ones to offer but God and He has accepted you because of Christ!  What others say is simple a projection of their own reality.

  

Properly established identity in Christ brings with it and immunity to the opinions and actions of others. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you wont be the victim of needless suffering.

 

CHOOSE TO: Not Make Assumptions

 

The next time you make an assumption about somebody or something do more research -- or redirect your thoughts to something positive. Scripture tells us where to direct our thoughts and also explains that we, through Christ, have the ability to direct them to a better place.  (Philippians 4:8)

 

95% of the time, it’s probably not even close to being reality.

 

I can’t tell you how many times I have made an assumption only to find out later that I wasted all kinds of time and energy because my worry or concern was unfounded.

 

CHOOSE TO: Always Do Your Best

 

Even though your best is going to change from day to day,make sure you simply do your best under ANY circumstances and you’ll avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.

 

   "Yesterday is in the tomb, tomorrow is in the womb, all we really have is today."

 

So always do your best!

 

Do yourself a favor and jot these down, print them out,or better yet, grab a note pad and write 4 choices of your own and share them.

 

I have all four "Choices" printed out and posted on a white board in my office.

 

It’s a great reminder of how to truly live.

 

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." ~ Deuteronomy 30:19

We live by the choices that we make. George Strait sings, "There's a difference in living and living well." and it's true. God did not just give us physical life, He gave us the ability to truly be ALIVE in Him and to LIVE through Him the life that we were made to live.

Our days on this earth are numbered so don't just breathe today, Choose to LIVE.

Climbing with you,
~Dan

The Miracles We Miss

*Alex Prager "Face in the Crowd" Exhibit

 

I love this Art Exhibit by the Artist Alex Prager. It is called "Face in the Crowd", and what I find so compelling about this piece is that it forces the viewer to stop their life for a moment and take in the realization that they are not alone. You look at this piece and you notice every detail in the faces, body language, eyes and posture of everyone around you and one cannot help but wonder what each of the people may be dealing with at that moment in their life. There is an even greater sense of ones personal significance when they view this piece because it provides the viewer with the opportunity to see themselves as just a face in the crowd. The viewer will realize within a few moments of viewing this piece that they themselves have become just a face in the crowd as they sought to notice others. This truly is a compelling piece.

 

In the previous post, "God: The Invisible Man (Click Here), we began looking at the idea of God appearing to be absent in our lives and the seasons of life where His presence is questioned.

 

Several years back I became re-acquainted with a passage of scripture that  I had memorized as a boy but had completely missed out its depth and beauty.

 

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

 

Two key words are used here. 1) All thy ways & 2) Acknowledge Him.

"All thy ways" would be everything that I do, everywhere that I go, and everyone I meet.

"Acknowledge" means to search for or discover intently.

So you could read the passage this way.

"In everything you do, in everyone that you meet and everywhere that you go, intently search for God and He WILL direct your path."

When is the last time that you asked your Father, "Why?" when it came to the things that you have seen, or have done, or in whom you have met?

I always try to ask this at the end of each day. "Out of everything that I could have seen why was I allowed to see the things that I saw today?"

"Out of everything that I could have done today, why was I allowed to do what I have done?"

"Out of everyone that I have spoken to, why was I allowed to speak to the people that I have spoken to today at the times when I did?"

Think for a moment about your favorite radio station. You get in the car or at work and you "tune in" to that station right? Now let me ask you, did that station begin broadcasting when you tuned in, or was it broadcasting long before you tuned in? The answer is simple. It was broadcasting regardless if you chose to tune in or not.

God is speaking every single day and it is mind blowing how loud He does this! It is like that radio station. His voice is all around you regardless if you "tune in" or not. He never stops calling out to you.

Let me share with you what God brought to my attention this morning that re-affirmed this truth as well as challenged me with the faces that get lost in my crowd and I believe will challenge you as well. First lets look at a crowd of faces and you are going to be blown away by what you see.

 

Ready?

( I am apologizing in advance for the length but I wanted you to get a feel for where the Lord led me to read this morning and I want you to experience this as well)

 

"Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two. The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two. The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five. The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve. The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five. The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore. The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two. The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three. The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two. The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six. The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six. The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four. The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight. The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three. The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve. The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three. The children of Gibbar, ninety and five. The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three. The men of Netophah, fifty and six. The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight. The children of Azmaveth, forty and two. The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three. The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one. The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two. The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three. The children of Nebo, fifty and two. The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six. The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty. The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five. The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five. The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three. The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven. The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four. The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight. The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth, The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon, The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub, The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan, The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah, The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam, The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai, The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim, The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur, The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha, The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah, The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda, The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel, The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.

All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.

And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women. Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five; Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty." ~ Ezra 2:1-64

 

This was a lot and again I apologize for listing all 64 verses. I realize that many of you just scrolled and I counted on your doing so.

"Dan, why did you do that to me? I hate long sections of Bible names!!!" You may have remarked, and you are not alone. They are pretty boring but it was here in this crowd of faces that God showed me one of the most impressive miracles of the ENTIRE Bible!

 

At first glance, this would never make it into a list of top ten miracles but it is every bit as miraculous as 5,000 people eating two loaves of bread and five fish. It is on the level of a red sea parting, 3,000 people being saved in one day, blind being healed, and the dead returning to life. What makes it so miraculous is that God's presence was right there in that list and you and I missed it!

 

You read that passage and thought as I have thought, "OK, its a lot of people going back to their home." right? Yes and No.

 

In the list of people going home, right at the very start of the list you have this ordinary guy named Mordecai. He is in line getting his paperwork processed, gets his passport stamped and then moved along. Unknown to everyone involved with him that day and close to 63 years after this very moment, there will be a young queen named Esther who is troubled about what to do when the fate of her peoples survival rests in her hands. She will turn to her uncle Mordecai and it is this man who will forever be remembered for speaking destiny into play with these words to Queen Esther.

 

"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" ~ Esther 4:14 

 

The miracles we miss are often the faces in the crowd that we look past trying to see God move in more DRAMATIC ways.

 

Take ten seconds and think about three people that were your Mordecai. Three people who spoke into your life and completely changed your path to direct you where you are today.

 

Got them?

 

OK, now think of the very first time that you met those three people. Did you miss them for the miracle that they were?

 

The miracles we miss are the people we meet and interact with on a day to day basis. No one had a clue on that day of "Home ward bound" moving that this guy would be the one that God used as a catalyst to save an entire nation.

 

The faces in the crowd that surrounds you call you dad, mom, son, daughter, employee, employer, church member, life group member, neighbor, co-worker, and friend. They interact with you for a purpose and they are just as big of a miracle as a red sea parting.

 

63 years before the night mentioned in Esther 4, God was already bringing into play His plan of deliverance for the Jewish people. Long before your moment of distress, God had already been moving people in and out of your life to help direct your steps and bring you to a point of deliverance.

 

"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." ~ Proverbs 16:9

 

You make plans for what your life will be, but God is using so much to direct your attention to just how much He has planned for you. He will use so many people to impact one life that it is staggering. You want to see God move like He did on the old days? You want to see miracles like those mentioned in the book of Acts? OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!

 

You will be amazed at the miracles that we miss. Go get lost in the crowd today and recognize how God moves certain people into your life for certain seasons for certain purposes and moves them back out again. Sometimes they stay and sometimes they leave but all the time they are a witness to God's overwhelming and relentless love for you.

 

Climbing with you,

~Dan

 

* The painting above is called "The crowd". I love this piece because it is hundreds of people on the canvas and yet within the contrasts of all of the people, if you really look at it, you will see faces. Look at who God has placed in your life at this very moment. For your apparent good or bad, and know they have been strategically placed to help you become who He made you to be!

 

 



God : The Invisible Man

The Invisible Man. WOW! What a concept. I remember, as a kid, watching the 1933 film based upon the story "The Invisible Man" by H.G.Wells and becoming captivated by the events of the main character Griffin. If you are not familiar with the story, here is a very brief overview.

A mysterious man arrives at the local inn of an English village during a snowstorm. The stranger wears a long-sleeved, thick coat and gloves; his face is hidden entirely by bandages and demands to be left alone. Shorty after his arrival, a mysterious burglary occurs in the village. Throughout the events of the story, Griffin recounts how he invented chemicals capable of rendering bodies invisible, and, on impulse, performed the procedure on himself. He soon discovers that being invisible is terror to the one who is and dies trying to become powerful enough to reverse the curse of invisibility. While on his "reign of terror" he can be tracked by footprints in the snow, shadows and other means. It is by these means that he is hunted down and killed by the law.

It was an intriguing story and I bring it up because to many, God is "The Invisible Man". He would seem to many to be on a power trip and only interested in forcing His agenda on the world through His "Unseen Hand" in our lives.

The cartoon to the right makes me chuckle because often to us, God seems to be this "Invisible Man" who is waiting for the opportunity to allow pain in our lives.

You have heard the questions before, and you may have even asked them yourself: "If God truly loves me, then why would he just allow __(FILL IN THE BLANK)_ to happen to me?"

Let's be honest for a minute here. If God really did so love the world, then why does He seem to be invisible when people are dying of cancer, starvation, torture, and disease? Why does He allow hate filled people to come to power and inflict suffering on others? Why does He seem so invisible when the day to day struggles knock the wind out of us and demand we carry on as if nothing ever happened?

 WHY DOES GOD SEEM TO BE INVISIBLE?

In the post "Still Holding On: (Click HERE), I mentioned a character of the Bible Habakkuk. (To spare me carpal tunnel, we will henceforth refer to Habakkuk in this blog as "Habby")
Habby was incredible. He was given a message from the Lord that spelled out doom for his homeland and for his friends, family, and neighbors. It was not pretty and Habby was one of the few people in the Bible we know of that "Argued" with God. Habby just flat out responded to God's word with a resounding, "God, that is NOT fair!"
God was going to collectively work on His people behavior through a source that was worse in their behaviour than God's people. Habby just spoke back and said, "God, that is not fair because our upcoming circumstances will be brought to us by people who are OPENLY defiant to you. At least we try to live on both sides of the fence. These people coming to invade us will prosper and that is NOT fair. It is NOT fair that heathen people prosper while your people suffer.

Have you ever had a "Habby moment"? God seemed to be unfair and absent from certain events in your life? Tears hit the floor, prayers seemed to hit the ceiling, and "The Invisible Man" seemed to haunt you with a presence that could not be detected?

Habby respond ultimately with a beautiful passage. Chapter three of his book  is Habakkuk’s answer to God.
This is the wild thing about this book. We don’t get a message from what he pronounces to the people on God’s behalf. We get the message from Habakkuk pronouncement to God.

“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” ~Habakkuk 3:18

“Father, I understand your anger and I also understand that judgment is necessary…but I still choose to cling to you.”

Judgment is eminent, but I will still cling to you.

As a father, God has shown me more of Himself through this lens than any other in my entire life. I was reading the very next book this morning and saw something so beautiful I could not wait to share it with you.

The book is the book of Zephaniah. (To spare me carpal tunnel, we will henceforth refer to Zephaniah in this blog as "Zephy")

"The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD. I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for him. " ~ Zepheniah 1:1-6

I know what you are thinking, "Okay Dan, nothing about that was beautiful. It actually brought back flashbacks of The Invisible Man stepping on Wonder woman's scale."

Let's look deeper at this for just a moment. Zephy's name means "Hidden by God." Zephy delivered a directors cut message going into greater detail of Habby's message, but the difference was that God used Zephy to explain why He was doing what He was doing.

Zephy was the footprint in the snow if you will for the proverbial "Invisible Man". He was the shadow on the wall that revealed a greater power behind an apparent absence of visibility.

Zephy teaches us two important truths about God.

1. NEVER MISTAKE SILENCE FOR ABSENCE.

Habby wrestled with the idea of God's action in his life because they seemed very unfair. Looking objectively, we would probably agree with Habby that God does seem to allow bad people to prosper while good people get messed over and it is very unfair that bad things happen to good people. Zephy revealed that God was in fact present and that He was operating with a purpose.

Just because God seems silent and appears "Invisible" does not mean that He is gone.

2. GOD'S PURPOSE NOT HIS FAIRNESS DICTATES THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF OUR LIFE.

Zephaniah was the shadow that revealed God's plan for His people and ultimately all of mankind. (3:10-20)
When I see the shadow of God displayed to His people through this man Zephaniah, I see a message that is familiar to me. It is the VERY message that God has given me to speak out with my life and one that I use this blog to present to the world.

"GOD'S PURPOSE NOT HIS FAIRNESS DICTATES THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF OUR LIFE."

The message of Zephaniah was a revealing of God's divine purpose in the lives of His people. Habakkuk wrestled with what he saw God doing because it did not seem fair, but God used Zephaniah to follow up Habakkuk's struggle with a detailed reminder that He was all about PURPOSE.

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."
                                                                                                             ~Zephaniah 3:17
 Did you see that???

"The Lord thy God in the midst of thee....". The Lord your God has arrived to live among you.

"For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song."                           
 
God was repositioning His people and purging the elements that would resist the repositioning. The nation was repositioned to fulfill prophetic alignment establishing the events mentioned in Isaiah. God was making the path straight for the coming Messiah.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. " ~Isaiah 7:14

"Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan--The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." ~ Isaiah 9:1,2

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit." ~ Isaiah 11:1

 
"But you, Bethlehem...out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel..."~ Micah 5:2

Then Zephy's words ring true. Look in Matthew chapter 1!!!

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." ~ Matthew 1:21 (This would be the resting in His love, singing and rejoicing part)

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." ~ Matthew 1:23
 (This would be the "The Lord your God has arrived to live among you." part!!!)

Is God always fair? No. Ask Joseph, Daniel, Habby, and Zephy. If you are in a "Habby" Moment of life where God seems to be invisible, HOLD ON!!! Let me be a Zephy for you and say, "His purpose is playing out right in front of you. He is present with you and everything is going to be OK!"

Climbing with you,
~Dan


* If you liked this post you would also enjoy these:

 "What Keeps You Kicking?" (Click HERE)

"God's Phone Booths" (Click HERE)

"What a Way to Die" (Click HERE)