January 22 - MOJO (Moses & Joseph) Nobodies

Recently, I have heard about Joseph and Moses - how God made them nobodies so they could be useful for His purposes. 'Joe' was somebody to his daddy, nobody to his brothers, nobody to the Midianites, nobody in Potiphar's house, somebody to Potiphar (and a hot somebody to Mrs. Potiphar!), nobody in prison, somebody to the cupbearer and baker, somebody to Pharaoh, somebody to Egypt, somebody to the world, somebody to his family. Quite a stretch os up-and-down years in training for 'Joe'. 'Moe' was trained 40 years in Egypt to be somebody, then 40 years in the desert to be a nobody, so he could be a somebody to God's people in Egypt. Lord, help me to be content to be nobody so I can be somebody useful to anybody.

January 20 - Clutter

Like the temple in Jesus' day, my life has become cluttered. Jesus, make your whip, and drive out all the unclean and unnecessary things from my temple. Overturn every table and scatter whatever profit I have received from these tyrannical ways and means. Grant me grace to make radical changes in my lifestyle that will keep these things from encroaching and from cluttering my life in God.

Ruthless Trust

Reading Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning soberly and winsomely reminds me of the simplicity of life in Christ Jesus. Trust. Gratitude. Fullness of Life. Child-like characteristics. [I am convinced that God is eternally young!] I want to live a simple life full of love and free from complaining. Aren't they the beautiful aspects that attract others? Isn't this how we best represent God?

Compassion is the Master's Way

Compassion is the Master’s way.

Heart-aching, gut-wrenching benevolence.

He sees.

He feels.

He touches.

Blind men.

Bleeding women.

Lame, paralyzed, shriveled folk.

And things happen…

Dead live.

Crippled walk.

Deaf hear.

He smiles.

He leaps.

He dances for joy.

Mind boggling, heart-twisting benevolence.

Compassion is the Master’s way.

December 31, 2009

Matthew 20:29-34

Two Jericho-an blind men boisterously coveted Jesus' help. The master stopped on his way out of the city to probe their hearts. All they wanted is to be able to see. Jesus was moved with compassion and touched their eyes. Instantly, each one could see, and they became followers of Jesus.

O that I would have compassion on people who are in need - and not treat them as distractions. O that your power would change their lives!

December 30, 2009

Matthew 20:17-28

Jesus is prophesying his suffering and death to his disciples,... and they are concerned about personal greatness! How insensitive! How moronic! How could they?!

Wait! Don't I do the same thing? Christ reveals his plan to me; Christ reveals himself to me. And I desire being the center of attention. I want to be known. I secretly covet what is rightfully his - pre-eminence. Supremacy. First place. Christ must be my delight. Christ must be despot. In God's kingdom, greatness is achieved by slavery and service. Do I do his will? Or do I want his place?

Nazareth poem

Nazareth

Anything good out of Nazareth?

The prophet.

Not accepted.

Not received.

Not recognized.

Because of his Nazareth connection?

He was a Bethlehem-ite.

Born, but not raised.

David’s great-great-great…

But who knew?

Known as a Nazarene.

Raised, but not born.

One of the bad ones?

The good One.

Reputation is everything.

Nazareth.

Small village.

Questionable town.

Ordinary man.

Ordinary man?

God’s man.

From Nazareth

James R Snyder

©SnydeRemarks Works December 2009

Domination

The world is all about domination - politically, commercially, and religiously. Socialism. Monopoly. Islam. It all spells singular control by one or a small group. Isn't it interesting that after the Church is out of the picture, the people of the earth are under the singular control of the antichrist whose political, economic, and religious structures enslave the unsuspecting.

Herod was attempting to dominate politically. The Pharisees were attempting to dominate religiously. The Roman government, through their system of taxation, was attempting to dominate economically. Then, the Prophet, Priest, and King of an alien kingdom entered the stage and captivated the hearts of those who had been waiting for him. Everything was turned upside down! This 'new' kingdom was based on love, servanthood, and benevolence.

Personally, "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" are the soul's way toward domination. I want. I want. I own. There is no end to the 'more, more' cry. Only death to self and being made alive to God in the power of Christ's resurrection can interrupt the world's dominating influence at the very core. [Read James 4:1-10; 1 John 2:15-17; et al.]

Thanksgiving poem

We Give Thanks

‘Neath the turbulence of our moral uncertainty

lies the foundation of Eternal Truth

Through the crushed infrastructure of our greed

rises the uncanny Hope of redemption

‘Midst the ominous threat of international conflict

stands the humble symbol of Peace…

the cross of Jesus Christ

For Him we give thanks.

Monday 11/16/09

"My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught at the voice of my enemy" (Psalm 55:2-3). Being right with God has not silenced the voice of the enemy in my head. He has tried to deceive me into thinking I am trapped - there is no way out of lust and pride (see 1 John 2:15-17). The Lord reminded me this morning that my guilt is taken away and my sin atoned for (Isaiah 6:7). Now I see how eager God is to use me again (Isaiah 6:8). The moment Isaiah confessed his sin, forgiveness was granted and guilt no longer remained. Immediately following the cleansing was "the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?'" Like Isaiah, I respond this morning: 'Here am I; send me!'

Tuesday 11/10/09

I've been robbed. My passion for life has been taken away. The enemy attacked my strength, and I am left 'zest-less'. I find myself hiding from people rather than going to them. That's not me. Poverty of zeal holds me in a lifeless state.

Recently, others (one who does not even know me) have prayed for passion and for holy boldness to return. That is so necessary! It is hard to exhale when you feel you need every last ounce of oxygen from the last inhale. O, that my next breath would be the entrance of the Spirit of God refreshing my soul. I am weak. I am weary. "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and renew a right spirit within me." "O send forth Your light and Your truth; let them lead me. Let them take me to Your holy hill, and to Your dwelling places. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy!" "...And all the trees of the field will clap their hands" as I go out with joy!

Saturday 11/7/09

Lord, you have the final say in everything. Your word is supreme. You speak, and the mountains tremble; you utter a word and hearts melt. There truly is none like you. You scatter the frost (like this morning), and your breath melts it away. Who can fathom your wisdom or challenge your might? Who nuzzles an elephant or empowers the ant? Who has stretched out the heavens and scatters the stars? Who has intricately woven the DNA of all living things? None but you, O Lord. And I am yours....

Red River Running

I want to share a recent poem with you...

Red River Running

Red river running

From branches of a tree

Ambidextrous piercings

Fountainhead a vie*

Red river running

From inward-pointed crown

Humiliating mockery

Head hanging down

Red river running

Bubbling up from death

Foe lost his cunning,

Creation gained its breath

Red river running

Through corroded arteries

Enfranchising pardon

Indulgent liberties

Red river running

Medicine is free

Prescription is renewable

Healing balm for me!

*(a vie is French for “of life”)

©SnydeRemarks Works 7.22.09

James R Snyder

Thursday morning 11/5/09

I am finally beginning to realize that Jesus Christ's demands of me are not to make me miserable, but fruitful and faithful and joyful. Even his commands to exercise regularly, stop eating 'sweets', and prayer walk the neighborhood are given so that I would have joy, energy, enthusiasm, and be fruitful - abundantly fruitful. Death and resurrection are always at work in me. Die to something evil to become good. Die to something good to become great. Die to something great to become glorious. By His Spirit, we are constantly being changed from glory to glory - and that transformation is all for His glory and praise. O foolish soul, you thought God was robbing you. Rather, He was asking you to give up one thing so He could give you something far better. O what grace that keeps giving and giving! Christ does not want me simply to die more; rather, He desires that I live more, and only death is the pathway to life.

Wednesday morning 11/4/09

When I refuse to do something, I am either lazy, fearful, or feel incapable. Laziness must be repented of. Fear must be overcome. And lack of ability is not an excuse but rather an invitation to trust God. "Why are you crying out to me?...move on!" (Exodus 14:15) Get going. Do something. Right now I am paralyzed, as the Israelites were on Nuweiba Beach that night. No turning back but afraid to move forward. Turning back is death or enslavement. Going forward requires faith in the God of the possible. Move on. Go forward. Get going.

Monday morning 11/2/09

The problem for me is: I don't want to change.