Friday, January 30, 2009

The Lost Son




Whew! Can you believe January is almost over? For some of us it’s probably dragged out like a bad cough, for others it’s zoomed along like sneeze. Pass the Kleenex, it’s been a sneezy month for me. Where did the days go? Why haven’t I accomplished the things on my January list? I don’t have an answer but I know like Jacob and Joseph I’m smack dab in the middle of God’s plan for my life. And I will move forward in slow motion or in a trot. We’re winding up the story of Jacob and Joseph this week. May God bless you as you contemplate these two dear men, who trusted God to guide their days.

As usual, leave a comment here or send an email to writecat@consolidated.net to have your name entered into the January book drawing.

The Lost Son Restored

The bustle in a house / The morning after death / Is solemnest of industries / Enacted upon earth, / -The sweeping up the heart, / And putting love away / We shall not want to use again / Until eternity.- Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)


In the Old Testament saga, dear old Jacob has thought for decades that his son Joseph is dead. One woman described losing someone to death as having a literal hole in her body. She pointed to her mid-section and said, “I can tell you where it’s at. It’s here.”

In this last installment, the patriarch Jacob who is father to 12 sons will display amazing faith in risking two more sons’ lives to spare his entire clan, but Jacob will receive a surprise ending.

Earlier, ten sons sold their brother Joseph into slavery, deceiving their father Jacob by making him believe Joseph was dead. But Joseph is very much alive, and through the years, God unfettered Joseph’s chains, and Joseph has risen next in command to the Pharaoh of Egypt.

With seven years of a bumper crop and then seven years of famine predicted, Joseph has stored up “beyond measure” amounts of food in Egyptian warehouses. When the famine finally hit, patriarch Jacob sends 10 sons into Egypt to buy grain. There, unfolding events will reveal their sordid past deeds.

When the brothers see the man next in command to Pharaoh, they fail to recognize family traits in his face. However, Joseph knows they are his brothers, but he hides his identity and emotions. After inquiring about their family, he discovers his very old father is still alive. Through a series of arranged tests, Joseph makes his brothers vow to bring youngest brother Benjamin to Egypt when they return for grain.

As a guarantee, Joseph detains his brother Simeon. So, nine brothers arrive in their homeland with news that Simeon is imprisoned, and when they return to Egypt, they’re to bring the youngest son Benjamin or they cannot buy more grain.

Soon, out of grain, starvation threatens Jacob’s large family. After much heart wrenching, Jacob stamps Benjamin’s passport saying, “May God Almighty grant you mercy….As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved” (43:14).

Jacob is at a low point in life—a severe famine threatens lives, one son is presumed dead, one is detained in prison, and he now has to send off his baby boy. Relying on the Almighty, Jacob makes a tough decision. Jacob expects more heartache, but God plans a different ending.

Years ago, Jacob’s loss of Joseph left a huge gap in his life. Jacob will soon need that stowed-away love. In compassion, God will allow father and son, to embrace again. This Genesis history is not really about patriarchs and lost sons, it’s really a story about God who is righter-of-wrongs. He can shatter misery. After all he knows that one day he will give up a son to save families, too.

Friday, January 23, 2009



Have any of you had any spy ware sneak into your computer? I did and my computer was in the shop last week, so I didn’t get to send out my column. Today, you’re getting a double installment in the Jacob and Joseph saga, and next week, we’ll wrap up this series with thoughts about staying on God’s path and how God restores what was lost—it’s a recurring theme with God’s people.

As usual, send an email to writecat@consolidated.net or comment here for your name to be entered into a drawing for a book The Stained Glass Pickup or A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts.


NEWSPAPER COLUMN From JANUARY 16

“When it rains it pours” is an old saying meaning when Trouble arrives it’s followed by its kin Double Trouble. That’s probably what the young Joseph felt when his brothers sold him into slavery, and his life went from pleasant to punishing. A Psalmist later wrote about Joseph, “They bruised his feet with shackles, and his neck was put in irons” (105:18).


Last week, we left the Old Testament patriarch Jacob absorbing tragic news: His ten oldest sons had sold Joseph, and then they deceived Jacob into thinking that his beloved 17 year old Joseph had been mauled by a wild animal and killed.

Chained, Joseph was headed for Egypt’s auction block. Did he feel abandoned? Large question marks must have punctuated every thought. What will become of me? Will I die soon? Will I be beaten? Will I ever see my family again? Where is God? Does he see? Does he know? His questions may be similar to what many ask today.

We’ve read the end of the story and know that God’s long range plan was unfolding. But Joseph is in the middle of the script, the live actor and he has no way to flip the pages to read the pleasant ending -- of being reunited with family and of becoming God’s hero who helped to save millions from starvation. But even in the middle of his miserable journey, Joseph is smack dab in the heart of God’s plan.

But the monsoons are coming, and he will go through some really muddy places before he sees positive results. However, throughout the biblical account of Joseph’s lonely sojourn away from his family, there are several compassionate descriptions of God and his constancy with Joseph: “The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered” (Genesis 39:2); “. . . the LORD was with him . . . and the LORD gave him success in everything he did” (39:3).

God’s generously granted wisdom to the young man and a definite pattern formed in his life. Even away from hands-on parental guidance, Joseph behaved honorably. Potiphar bought him, eventually giving him management over all his household and business. God blessed all the enslaved Joseph did, and the grace received by Joseph splashed onto all of Potiphar’s holdings, increasing his wealth.

We’ve all seen enough weather and life patterns to know that just behind the sunny days, the cloudy ones gather. Just when God and Joseph niched out a place in Potiphar’s trust, the lustful wife of Potiphar enters the stage.
Joseph was apparently “well built and handsome” (Genesis 39:6) Yes, the Bible says Joseph was, in today’s vernacular, a hunk. Mrs. Potiphar grew fond of Joseph in a very unhealthy way, and repeatedly sought him out. Joseph kept evading her, but one day, he ran out of her presence so hurriedly that she grabbed his cloak.

When Potiphar came home, Mrs. Potiphar fabricated a story about Joseph and an attempted assault. Falsely accused, Joseph got tossed to the bottom rung of life again. He ended up in a dungeon with royal prisoners. Again Joseph is faced with seemingly impossible circumstances, but dungeons don’t deter deity.

God repeated his efforts of blessing Joseph with wisdom, and soon the jailer put Joseph in charge of prison facilities, and there “the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden” (39:21). The text says the warden didn’t pay attention to anything under Joseph’s care. That’s how good he was at managing. Joseph may be unhappy, but the warden now had free time to go Nile-fishing. Some days bring gloom. Some days bring brightness.

Joseph’s story speaks to paying attention on both rainy days and sunny days. A wise saying from future King Solomon addresses such. And it’s still good advice whether windshield wipers or sunshades are needed: “On a good day enjoy yourself; on a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days so that we won’t take anything for granted” (Ecclesiastes 7:14).

NEWSPAPER COLUMN FOR JANUARY 23, 2009

We re-visit Joseph’s story during a very tough personal time for him. Within a decade or so, more hard times will fall upon his homeland and Egypt. Joseph is still awaking in a prison each day. Although, he’s gained favor with the warden and is in a trusted position, there’s nothing appealing about being locked away from society, about staring at the same limited scenery day after day.

Joseph doesn’t know it but he is about to be set free. Some of his cell mates are the king’s former cupbearer and baker, and Joseph’s sensitivity to others shows when he asks them, “Why are your faces so sad today?”

The night before, both had significant dreams, dreams which begged to be interpreted. Joseph asked to hear their dreams, and assisted by God, he correctly determined the meanings.

Eventually, the poor baker was hanged and the fortunate cupbearer was restored to his position of honor. Before he left the confines of the dungeon, Joseph requested a favor from the wine taster, “Show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison” (40:14).

“The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him” (Genesis 40:23). Two full years passed. That’s a long time to be morally obligated to Joseph and to forget his ally.

God then sent double dreams to the Pharaoh. In one he saw seven gaunt cows eat seven fat cows, and in the other he watched as seven blighted heads of grain ate seven healthy full heads.

Troubled, the Pharaoh asked his magicians and wise men the meaning of his dreams. I suspect they were more than intimidated by His Majesty’s request. After all, he could hang or knight you. No one even tried to conjure up the meaning.

The need prompted the cupbearer’s memory, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.” He even went so far as to remind the king why he’d been imprisoned and explained how Joseph, the dungeon keeper, had correctly interpreted his dream. I’m starting to warm up to this cupbearer, this righter of wrongs.

Joseph was summoned and after he had shaved and put on clean clothes, he came before Pharaoh. Still giving credit to God, he told how the land of Egypt would be blessed with seven years of bounty followed by seven years of severe famine. He advised that a discerning man be employed to head up a mighty storage effort during the years of plenty.

Pharaoh recognized the “spirit of God” was in Joseph and appointed him over everything in the land except the throne. Within a few hours, God culminated Joseph’s pitiable years of mistreatment into a top political position, from dungeon director to officiating next to Pharaoh.

Improbable outcomes seem to be God’s specialty. Our dreams in his capable hands can turn into reality. Dare to dream and pray big this year: “For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
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Friday, January 16, 2009

Books for the Road--Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity
Resting on the seventh day doesn’t fit neatly into our busy lives, but Keri Wyatt Kent provides functional advice to help pause and refresh even the busiest life overrun with demanding jobs, countless kids’ activities and getting dinner on the table. Kent combines her own life experiences as a soccer mom with her study of the ancient practice of resting one day of the week, known as the Sabbath, in her new book Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity (Zondervan, January 2009). She invites readers to rediscover the practice of Sabbath in a practical and accessible format.


Kent bases her study on Jesus’ teachings and actions and explores six aspects of Christian spiritual practice that lead to Sabbath Simplicity: resting, reconnecting, revising, pausing, playing and praying. Practicing these six actions creates space in our lives for rest and renewal.


When asked what is Sabbath, its purpose and what do you mean by Sabbath Simplicity, Kent answered:

"Sabbath, first and foremost, is a gift from our loving God. He invites us to take a day to rest from our labor, so that we might engage in relationship with him and with others. Its purpose is to refresh us physically and spiritually, to celebrate our freedom, to draw us close to God, and yet to remind us that we are not God.

"God commanded us to Sabbath, to stop. But Sabbath-keeping is also a spiritual practice or discipline. All disciplines, (like prayer, solitude, etc.) create some space for God in our lives. Just as we have a lot of latitude in other practices (we can pray any number of ways, for example), we have freedom in how we practice Sabbath. My book offers a lot of ideas, and real-life examples, of how to approach this life-giving practice.


"Sabbath Simplicity is a sanely-paced, God-focused life. It’s a lifestyle that includes the practice of Sabbath-keeping, but goes beyond just taking a day off. In a way, it’s living out what Jesus told us to do in Matthew 6:33: Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Sabbath Simplicity seeks God first."


So if you are looking for a take-along book that will touch your spiritual senses, try Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity.

Friday, January 09, 2009

God's Road Map for Jacob

A note to readers: We moved two weeks before Christmas, so it's been a blessed and hectic past month including caring for our four parents, the book launch, writing columns, running our business, children and grands, cleaning out old house and getting ready for remodeling to use as rent house -- a good stir of many things and God's grace splashed over all of it.

I said all of that to offer an apology for not posting here or mailing out my newsletter, but I'm back!

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DECEMBER BOOK WINNER: Connie L. is the winner of either A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts or The Stained Glass Pickup. Send me a note with your mailing address and I'll get either of those books in the mail to you.

Same as 2008, send me a note or leave a comment here and your name will be entered to win a book, monthly drawing.
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New beginnings are like new cars all wrapped up in intoxicating leathery smell. But this January, hope may be in the back seat of your old jalopy. If so, you may enjoy taking a peek at an Old Testament family and the twists and turns in their lives and how God’s direction helped them overcome all kinds of obstacles: drought, hurt because of wrong doing, riffs between kin, dire news, and much more.

For the next few weeks, we’ll look at the family of Jacob who was Dad to 12 boys. Number 11 son, Joseph, was favored above the rest “because he had been born to him in his old age” (37:3). Dad Jacob seemed to coddle Joseph, and when he was a teen, he was presented with a richly ornamented robe, maybe the equivalent of a new car in our day.

Joseph turned out to be one of those dream-tellers. Do you know a person who does that? They can remember what they dreamed months ago. I can’t remember rolling over last night, much less the weird cranial scamperings going on while I slept.

But this 17 year old Joseph could recall certain dreams with clarity, and he wasn’t only a dream re-caller, he was a dream re-teller. The trouble -- the dreams he remembered were about him lording it over the rest of his family. In one, he and all his brothers are binding grain in a field, and the brothers’ sheaves bow down to Joseph’s sheaf. The older males scoffed when hearing that one.

And Joseph had another dream where the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to him. He even ruined Daddy’s meal when he described that at the dinner table. None could imagine the pipsqueak of the family with any fame. They had no wisdom that Joseph’s dreams were prophetic, early messages which no one would understand until much later.

Brotherly love long gone, one day the brood of older brothers sold their teenage sibling into slavery, to a caravan of Midianite merchants journeying into Egypt. Joseph’s pampering ended that day. But little known to all, God held the future map in his hand. He had routed the path. Joseph would later rule in this foreign country and help save his clan and many others.

Even though the end of this story is eventually beautiful, there’s a camel load of heartache along the route. Can you imagine the wrinkled Jacob’s face when the ten older sons show him Joseph’s gorgeous coat soaked in goat’s blood? They allowed their father to believe a wild animal had mauled Joseph and torn him to pieces.

This is terrible place to halt this epic, a real cliffhanger. The twig on the precipice has broken and Joseph will hit a few more rocks on the way down.

We leave Jacob and Joseph, daddy and son, mourning a lost relationship, but God is there with them. He is also in the days ahead when his plan unfolds to reunite an entire family and move them into a spacious saving place.

God is more adept than any, a master of helping us maneuver bumpy roads, and when the time is right he will guide us into a good U-turn, one that restores our feet to a new beginning.

God's Roadmap Jacob

New beginnings are like new cars all wrapped in intoxicating leathery smell. But this January, hope may be in the back seat of your old jalopy. If so, you may enjoy taking a peek at an Old Testament family and the twists and turns in their lives and how God’s direction helped them overcome all kinds of obstacles: drought, hurt because of wrong doing, riffs between kin, dire news, and much more.

For the next few weeks, we’ll look at the family of Jacob who was Dad to 12 boys. Number 11 son, Joseph, was favored above the rest “because he had been born to him in his old age” (37:3). Dad Jacob seemed to coddle Joseph, and when he was a teen, he was presented with a richly ornamented robe, maybe the equivalent of a new car in our day.

Joseph turned out to be one of those dream-tellers. Do you know a person who does that? They can remember what they dreamed months ago. I can’t remember rolling over last night, much less the weird cranial scamperings going on while I slept.

But this 17 year old Joseph could recall certain dreams with clarity, and he wasn’t only a dream re-caller, he was a dream re-teller. The trouble -- the dreams he remembered were about him lording it over the rest of his family. In one, he and all his brothers are binding grain in a field, and the brothers’ sheaves bow down to Joseph’s sheaf. The older males scoffed when hearing that one.

And Joseph had another dream where the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to him. He even ruined Daddy’s meal when he described that at the dinner table. None could imagine the pipsqueak of the family with any fame. They had no wisdom that Joseph’s dreams were prophetic, early messages which no one would understand until much later.

Brotherly love long gone, one day the brood of older brothers sold their teenage sibling into slavery, to a caravan of Midianite merchants journeying into Egypt. Joseph’s pampering ended that day. But little known to all, God held the future map in his hand. He had routed the path. Joseph would later rule in this foreign country and help save his clan and many others.

Even though the end of this story is eventually beautiful, there’s a camel load of heartache along the route. Can you imagine the wrinkled Jacob’s face when the ten older sons show him Joseph’s gorgeous coat soaked in goat’s blood? They allowed their father to believe a wild animal had mauled Joseph and torn him to pieces.

This is terrible place to halt this epic, a real cliffhanger. The twig on the precipice has broken and Joseph will hit a few more rocks on the way down.

We leave Jacob and Joseph, daddy and son, mourning a lost relationship, but God is there with them. He is also in the days ahead when his plan unfolds to reunite an entire family and move them into a spacious saving place.

God is more adept than any, a master of helping us maneuver bumpy roads, and when the time is right he will guide us into a good U-turn, one that restores our feet to a new beginning.

Visit Cathy at http://stainedglasspickup.blogspot.com/