Word filled Wed--Scattered

Dandelion seeds are scattered to spread, well, dandelions.

Sometimes I think God scatters the church to do the same. Though I'm sure it was traumatic to the early Christians who were scattered at the beginning of Acts 8, it served an important purpose in spreading God's word in the "beyond".

I've recently met with some of the people who have been scattered from the donut church. While it's no fun to be scattered, God definitely had a purpose. One is being used in amazing ways with youth, and growing leaps and bounds. Another has had opportunities to lead in ways that would have never been possible at the donut church--too much history followed them there. And another has a much greater appreciation of other church leadership styles. They learned important things, were healed of baggage, and grew at the donut church, but they had to be scattered to really take root.

These meetings are bittersweet. While I'm happy for those who are planted and growing, I also have a twinge of "why not us?" Someday...

Crying

Babies might not be able to talk, but they definitely can communicate. Hope has several different cries. There is the "I'm so tired, I just want to go to bed" cry, which is distinct from the "I'm hungry" cry and the "I need to be changed" cry. She's recently added a strange, inhaling cry which means "I see something I want but can't get it" and the "where did you go?" cries.

We think we grow out of that, but I don't. I read Psalm 77 earlier, as I was pondering ths. I cry out to God for the same reasons Hope does--I'm hungry, God. I'm dirty, I need you to clean me and change my heart. I can see your kingdom but can't reach it. I can't see you right now--show yourself to me.

Maybe that makes me a baby Christian. Or maybe it just makes me human. But either way, the psalmist gives some good suggestions when I'm crying out to God. I can remember all the good things God has done in the past. I can testify to his past provision and His mighty arm. I can trust that His love and compassion unfailing.

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint.

You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
"Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"

Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High."
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

Lord, change me. Feed me through your word. Show me Your face. I thank you for all the ways you have provided for us, and for teaching us through our children.

Psalm 77

1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
4 You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.

5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
7 "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"

10 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High."
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
13 Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

16 The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.