Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. The first time I ever saw an eagle in the wild was at Douglas Dam. While camping there I met a group of photographers that had gathered to take picture of birds. One of the photographers showed me where the group had seen eagles. The next morning, in the exact place he pointed out, I saw the eagles. Now I know where to look and because of what I have learned about eagles from that encounter I have seen eagles at other places, like this one at Cherokee Dam. Without that help from the other photographer I never would have taken this image.
Timothy was a young leader in need of help. Paul had sent him to Ephesus to deal with several issues that were dividing the church. One piece of advice he gave to the young Timothy in his letter was to read and teach the scriptures as a part of the church’s gatherings. Paul knew that it would take regular time in the scriptures to help the church work through the disagreements and resulting conflicts. Remember that at this time many of the Christians were gentiles and had no understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures. For them to understand who Jesus was it was important that Hebrews and gentiles read the scriptures together. Paul’s words of advice to Timothy are also important for us today. Sure we can read the Bible on our own, but we need the help of others to truly understand God’s word. I am so grateful for a group of friends from my church that gather regularly to read and study God’s word. We share questions that we have about difficult passages that we are reading and insights and things we have learned from commentaries and trusted teachers. Through our time together each of us has grown in our understanding of scripture. God created us to live and work in community and we need the fellowship we find in our church to see God’s mission for us in his word. How can you strengthen your study of God’s word in your community of believers? Prayer Great Teacher Thank you for my fellowship of friends who read scriptures with me, encourage me to walk closer to you, and teach me how to serve your world. Amen
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The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: I never appreciated the beauty of morning light or noticed how different it was from other times of day until I started taking pictures. Now I not only notice it but I get up early and search for it. On this one special day in Badlands National Park I saw the morning light totally transform the colors of the rock from the dull brown of midday to brilliant orange hues.
As David wrote these words I imagine him looking back over his life as king. Being a shepherd I am sure he had experienced the beauty of the golden light of morning. He also knew the kind of king he wanted to be. He knew that the times when he was that kind of king were times when he trusted in God’s power and served under God’s authority. He wasn’t always that kind of king but his kingship pointed to the one that would be the kind of king that would bring God’s righteousness to the world. It is King Jesus who brings the golden light of justice. The challenge for us is that now we are called, through the power of the Spirit, to bring justice to our world. It may be in small individual acts of service or larger actions with our community of faith. Either way we, in God’s power, bring the golden light of morning to our world. What will you do to bring God’s golden light to your world today? Prayer God of Light Shine in our lives the golden light of morning so that we can reflect your love and justice to our little part of your world. Amen Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. Our last hike on our last day in the north unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park was on the Achenbach Trail through the open prairie to an overlook on the Little Missouri River. We didn’t see anyone on the whole three mile trail. I saw the shimmering gold leaves of this tree from a distance as the path kept drawing closer to it. When I got to the tree I gently touched the leaves and just stood there for a minute to take in its beauty. I love to find trees like this. They have a kind of intricate beauty that no human can make. While I love this image, it only captures fraction of the tree’s beauty that day. It was more than worth the three mile hike to see it.
Finding wisdom is like the tree and my hike that day. I didn’t make the tree or the peaceful path on which I walked. I didn't even expect to find a tree. Wisdom is not something that we can make on our own, it is a gift from God’s word. We do have to do the walking, but spending time in God’s word gradually transforms our lives. Wisdom grows in us a tree of life - steady, sure, and beautiful. How does God’s word give you wisdom? Prayer God of Wisdom Grant us wisdom in our walk with you this day. Transform us a little more today as we read your word and spend time with you. Amen Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked We have just returned from our fourth road trip. Some call them vacations but for us they are adventures. We research, plan, and then we drive. We see things that we never expected, beauty along the road. And, for me of course, there is my photography. Our adventures are filled with long days that begin before sunrise and last until into the night, traveling on unknown roads to places that are new and unfamiliar.
Psalm 1 has become a kind of summary of what I have learned about photography and God’s word on our adventures. Both require focused study, take a long time, and require that you do things over and over again. When I first got interested in photography I would go to specific places to see specific things - a sunrise from an overlook or the big tree in the field. Now after taking many images I see beautiful things in God’s world that I didn’t plan to see. Likewise when I used to read the Bible I would read one passage looking for the main idea or reread my favorite verses. As I have learned more how to see God’s word as one story that leads to Jesus, I see things I never saw before. The world is full of beauty to photograph and there is still much to learn about photography. God’s word is vast, beautiful, and full of insight into who God is and who we are. It is there waiting on us to spend time with it, meditate on it again and again; to learn to delight in it and let it transform us. What adventures await you in God’s world and God’s word? You will find them as you take the time to meditate on both. Prayer Lord God Thank you for sunrises along new roads. Open our eyes to see the light in your word. Lead us on the adventure to learn who you are and who we are in you. Amen |
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Soli Deo Gloria,
1 Corinthians 10:31
© 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Karen Milligan
1 Corinthians 10:31
© 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Karen Milligan