Weeping for Our Home

1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.

2 There on the poplars
we hung our harps,

3 for there our captors asked us for songs,
our tormentors demanded songs of joy;
they said, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

4 How can we sing the songs of the LORD
while in a foreign land?

5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget its skill .

6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
if I do not remember you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem
my highest joy.

Psalm 137:1-6 (New International Version)

But if I weep let be as a man that is longing for his home.
- Rich Mullins, If I Stand

This passage makes me think of how we often forget how awesome heaven is in comparison to where we are now. When we enjoy where we are - and what we're doing - we lose sight of our ultimate goal. At the same time, this verse says to me - anything you weep for, it is less than the grief of not being in heaven. It is both a comfort and a warning.

It is very easy to say, "Try your best and you will go to Heaven." It's a comforting thing to think. However that is a simplification of the concept of grace. This verse speaks poetically of the woe of those far from their homes. God's grace gives us a place in heaven and the Bible tells us what our response should be.

http://kairosverse.blogspot.com

Glorious Unveiling

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

1 Cor 13:12 (NIV)

Continuing with the musical theme we have a song by The Micah Watson Band. If you click on the link to the band's site you can listen to their first album. The first song is the title track for their CD, "Glorious Unveiling". I went to look up the lyrics in the case and found the above verse in parentheses. What a wonderful message.

Before I address today's verse, I want to put in a plug for The Micah Watson Band. My friend Joe is the bassist for the band. He and I met at my first Kairos. He taught me everything I know about U2. :) The band is working on their new CD, and they are hoping to pay for it by selling pre-release packages. If you like their music, I would encourage you to support them if it is within your means. You can find the pre-release in their store - just click here! :)

We often talk about God's grace and how it saves us. Everyone has an idea in their head of what heaven will be like. This verse talks about the wonders of our reward in heaven. Imagine fully knowing. Imagine understanding all the things that perplex you now. We get to find out where gravity comes from. We can ask "why?" about anything and know the answer! Imagine a world where you can see everything clearly - where there is no need for deceit because everyone can see it for what it is. There is only truth.

Sounds good.

http://kairosverse.blogspot.com

Cell Phones Treasures

¹⁹"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

This verse is inspired by my Sunday, which started by my brand new iPhone no longer working. I lost my ability to call people, to connect with them, and to arrange meetings for the Watermelon Festival today. Luckily everyone I was with had a phone and had most of the numbers I needed. But not all of them. I found out how much I rely on my cell phone.

Further I found how much of a distraction my phone was. When it was broken I was sitting in church trying to listen to the sermon and I was running scenarios in my mind about what would happen when I brought my phone into the Apple store for repair. Then I started thinking about what today's verse was going to be.

So my conclusion is not to throw away your technology. But when it fails you, realize your life isn't over and don't obsess over it. I still had people to hang out with. It was all God. And when I finally let it go and got to the Apple the store, the guy behind the counter took about 30 seconds to look at my phone and just gave me a new one. Having said that, back up your cell phone. It's a very good thing to do. :)

For me, I found that while I did complain a bit about my cell phone breaking; and fret about not meeting up with all the people I planned to (sorry Sarah, Suzanna and Meggie), I was able to take that step back and enjoy what I did have. Regardless of your situation, God gives us things to be thankful for. So when stuff happens, look for the silver lining and remember your friends' value is in their company, not their contact info in your phone.

http://kairosverse.blogspot.com