Posted in Through the Bible Devotions, Travel

How much do you really need?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
 Photo by Totte Annerbrink on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Luke 9 and 22.

Jesus said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics” (Luke 9:3).

 Jesus said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one” (Luke 22:35,36).

So should you pack light, or take everything you need?

Those who aspire to international mission work in our world must raise enough support to last three years. The sending organization wants to make sure they have enough funding for housing, food, transportation, and health insurance. Support comes from family, friends, churches, and church groups. It can take as long as a year raise enough support to embark on the mission.

Does anyone go with nothing but the clothes on their back, a bible, and a zeal to reach the unsaved? I suppose. But to travel to and stay in another country usually requires a visa, passport, cash for those who enforce entry points and transport your from one place to another.

Jesus was sending out the twelve to other towns in Israel, to Jewish communities where hospitality was the rule rather than the exception. They spoke the language, shared a heritage, and would know someone who knew someone who would have a place for them to stay.

Later, the apostles would face the same opposition Jesus did. So they needed to be prepared to fend for themselves in a hostile world. They would be hated and rejected just like Jesus. Equip yourselves with a sack for money, extra clothes, and a weapon. It’s going to be rough.

When my wife first went to Haiti just weeks after the 2010 earthquake, she followed instructions to pack as lightly as she could. Upon arrival, she watched people unpack ginormous luggage packed with clothing, food, fans, and other first-world comforts. The definition of “minimal packing” varies greatly from person to person.

We learn a lot about what we need with every trip we take. Basically, lay out everything you think you’ll need. Put half of it back in the closet, and pack the other half in the suitcase. You’ll still have packed way more than you need.

Spirit Airlines charges extra for carry on bags as well as checked luggage. You can bring on personal item, no more than 18x14x8 inches in size. I bought a backpack exactly that size, and am amazed at how much I can pack in there. I love the challenge of traveling that lightly!

Posted in humor, Life

Rescuing the Rescue Ranger

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I caught this ironic picture the other day. I always wondered who rescued the guy who usually rescues guys broken down by the side of the road?

Even though the Road Ranger’s services are free, I’ll bet John’s Towing charged a few bucks.

I wonder what the problem was. Oil light come on? Blown transmission? Check engine light? Who knows.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Let me see some identification

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/

Some “through the bible” thoughts from John 1.

In the first chapter of his gospel, John identifies Jesus as

  • The Word
  • God
  • The Light
  • The Lamb of God
  • The Son of God
  • The Messiah
  • The son of Joseph
  • A rabbi
  • The King of Israel
  • The Son of Man

Identifying yourself is a big deal.

  • I have to show a driver’s license to visit a doctor or dentist, to travel, or to vote.
  • Everyone who sees me in the doctor’s office confirms my identity by asking my birthdate.
  • I’ll often have to complete two-step verification, with a password plus a code sent to my phone, to identify myself to a website.
  • A fingerprint or facial recognition grants you access to your phone.

After waiting a short while to see a doctor, a nurse came out and said, “William?” Three of us stood up. With a smirk, she said, “Just a minute,” and disappeared until she had found a last name.

I’ll be preaching at the church from which I retired three-and-a-half years ago. Enough time has passed that many will have no idea who I am, other than a preacher. Should I identify myself? Or just let them ask someone else, “Who’s this guy?” Or better yet, “Where’d they get this guy from?”

It’s not long into Jesus’s ministry that people begin to ask, “Who is this?” Who is this who forgives sin? Who is this that the wind and the sea obey him? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Who is this riding into Jerusalem on a donkey? Are you a king? Are you the Christ?

All those IDs didn’t do him much good, I guess.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Persistent prayer

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Luke 18.

“[Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). The good news in Jesus’s parable (18:1-8) is that we don’t have to wear down God with relentless prayer like an uncaring judge. We know God will respond in just the right way at just the right time.

It’s not that I lose heart. It’s all the distractions that compete for my attention. Morning prayer is easy. It’s part of my early day routine. After that, life gets busy.

In the Old Testament, Daniel prayed three times a day, every day. He didn’t abandon that habit when threatened with lions (Daniel 6). Someone suggested a similar system. Set an alarm for noon and late afternoon, a simple, personal call to prayer. It’s not a bad idea. When my phone buzzes in my pocket, I remember to pray. When that alarm goes off, God shows up on my radar. I don’t pray for a long time. I just give thanks for whatever is going on, or pray for whoever’s around at that moment.

A bell summons monks away from work to prayer in monasteries. Why not use technology to my advantage? What a great way to weave prayer in the fabric of a day.

Posted in hygiene, noticing

Flossing

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I enjoy people watching. Of course, just when you think I’ve seen it all, someone surprises me.

That’s right, this woman is flossing her teeth. I saw her while sitting in the waiting room at the dermatologist. She was chatting with her daughter, getting all that gunk out from between her teeth as if the other dozen people weren’t there at all. She was so absorbed in public self-care that she didn’t even notice me taking pictures.

I’m not sure that anyone else noticed her. Most people were either scrolling on their phones or dozing while they waited. I could have photographed everyone sitting there. I doubt anyone would notice. But that’s kind of creepy, isn’t it?

I’ve often wondered if anyone is noticing or watching me? On any given day, probably not. Everyone lives in their own little bubble.

So I can people-watch to my hearts content. No one sees me. No one cares. I’ll be sure to share my favorite observations with all of you.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Free admission

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Luke 18.

“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Luke 18:17).

With grandchildren in tow, we pay a lot of attention to admission prices. Free admission for some of them varies from place to place. Sometimes we pay nothing for two and under. Other places there no fee until you turn five. Once place didn’t charge for twelve and under.

One of the great things about the kingdom of God is that admission is free. Well, at least for us. Jesus paid for our ticket with his life, sacrificed on the cross. Kingdom entrance is free for the children of God!

That’s an easy truth to forget. As we get older, we expect more from ourselves and others. We beat ourselves up for failure and congratulate ourselves for success. We look down on those who don’t have it together, and aspire to be like those who have accomplished much. As we age, we begin to think and act like there’s a buy-in.

There’s not. (If there was, you couldn’t afford it anyway.) If he’s your Father, then you’re his child. Come on in. It’s free.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Words from the heart

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Glen Carrie on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Luke 6.

“What’s on your mind?”

Sounds like a good question. But a better question would be, “What’s in your heart?” At least that’s what Jesus says.

“Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45 ESV)

“The mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45 NIV).

If you want to know what someone really cares about, just listen. Listen to their words. Pay attention to their vocabulary. Do you hear what they’re saying? What we say just never comes from our mouths. It’s not about what we’ve learned. It comes from deep within. It comes from our hearts.

  • Does every sentence begin with “I?” Guess who is the most important person in their life?
  • How frequently do they mention money, purchases, or possessions? They’ve revealed the identity of their God.
  • Have they told you about everything they can’t stand, won’t tolerate, and absolutely hate? A lot of anger escapes in their words.
  • Admission of worry, concern, and doubt reveals fear.

It’s not all bad. Sometimes our words reveal beautiful heart-held truths.

  • Does the speaker ask a lot of questions? They care a lot about you.
  • Words of gratitude flow from those who know the one who gives them life, and breath, and everything. They have a close, personal relationship with the provider.
  • What if they obsess about the hurts and needs of others? Perhaps they see people as Jesus did: sheep who need a shepherd.
  • Do you hear joy in their words? Do they see the hand of God in the most difficult of situations? Their hearts are attuned to the one who truly holds our lives in his hands.

Here’s your assignment. Listen carefully to what another is saying. What do you hear that’s coming from their heart?

Posted in neighbor, neighborhood

It’s beginning to look a lot like…

Posted on by William Douthwaite

…someone lost a bet and had to put the fuzzy flamingoes in their front yard this year.

…someone cleaned out their attic and found some long lost yard decorations. “Hey, remember these? Everyone said we had the best yard in the neighborhood!”

…the HOA went belly-up so anything goes.

…someone up the street died. Whoever cleaned out her house left stuff like this out on the curb. One person’s trash…

…my neighbor put out the first decorations on our block. While some are still trying to coax a few more days from Halloween pumpkins, many have started their Christmas festivities. Less than 25 yards from my house, I have the pleasure of seeing these fuzzy flamingoes every day. This is their first year along this neighbor’s driveway. They are an omen of what’s to come. Soon this neighbor will fill his yard with a hideous hodgepodge of lights, trees, ornaments, snowmen, and other Christmas characters.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

The house where you grew up

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Luke 2.

To his parents, who had been searching for him for three days, Jesus said, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49).

Something has changed. After Passover, the family was on their way home from Jerusalem to Nazareth. But now as a young man, Jesus refers to the temple as his father’s house. He has begun to understand his unique relationship with God the Father.

All the fullness of God may have been in Christ, but he also had to grow up. Just like you and I, he learned language, customs, and a trade from his parents. On this trip to Jerusalem he began to understand that he was here for something more than carpentry.

As we grow, we continually learn what it means to be a child of God. Our perspective changes when we become parents and grandparents. Seeing the next generations helps us understand our relationship with a heavenly Father. Just like us in every way, Jesus learned what it meant to be the Son of God.

I love hearing people talk about the house where they grew up. That location occupies a treasured spot in our hearts. Jesus had two of those, a home in Nazareth and the temple in Jerusalem.