Joseph Who?

Mary, the mother of Jesus. We all revere, some even worship, Mary so sweet, Mary so mild. She appears throughout the narrative of Jesus’ life in the Gospels.

But, who is this guy named Joseph? Mentioned a handful of times in the books of Matthew and Luke, and once in John. Over half of these verses reference Joseph only in the third person, as the “father of Jesus.”

There is little known about this man. We do know that this man was chosen by God, just as Mary was, to provide the footings on which the Savior of the world would grow and develop. We can infer that Joseph is a righteous and honorable man. He respected and cared for Mary, even when he thought she had cheated on him. He planned to divorce her quietly so as to not expose her to disgrace (Matt 1:18-19). Joseph took bold steps of obedience in response to God’s revelations to him in dreams. He protected his wife and baby from those who sought to kill baby Jesus, and he uprooted them from Nazareth  from Bethlehem, from Egypt. Who knows, he may even have had a hand in the dramatic delivery in the dirty stable on that world-changing night.

Jesus was known, early on, as “the son of the carpenter.” Jesus himself was trained as a carpenter by his earthly father (Matt 13:55, Mark 6:3). He trained the One who had spoken the universe into existence. He taught his Creator how to shape wood into tables, chairs and houses. Perhaps Jesus showed his father a thing or two about carpentry. Did Joseph intend to pass on the family business to his firstborn?

Just as the gospels begin to portray Jesus at the start of His ministry, Joseph disappears from the scene. At Jesus’ death, Mary is shown alone. Jesus gives instruction to John to care for his mother, most reasonably indicating that Joseph was no longer around to care for his wife (John 19:26).

What was the experience of the earthly father of the Son of God? As my pastor mentioned in a recent sermon, did he punish Jesus only to find later it was not his fault? A man of the scriptures, Joseph surely read to his family, but did he have to ask his three year old to explain to the family some of the more confusing parts of the Torah? Did Joseph have aspirations for his child any normal father would have? What about Joseph’s retirement plan? In a day and age where the children care for aging parents, did Joseph wonder what his life would be like in old age?

If Joseph was indeed around when Jesus began his ministry, did he encourage and support him? Did Joseph agree with Jesus when he confronted the Pharisees? Did he feel pain when Jesus was rejected in his hometown (Matt. 13:54-58)? Though it is apparent Joseph was not alive at the time of Jesus’ death and resurrection, how would Joseph have reacted?

Surely Joseph, the son of Jacob, belonging to the house and line of David, was a man worthy of honor. Anyone chosen by another man to raise his son must be of good repute. How much more the man chosen by God to bring up his Son on earth!

Why do we not see more of Joseph’s life portrayed in the scriptures? It may simply be a case of the importance of the revelation of Jesus’ ministry, but why does Joseph fade away without record in the Bible?

More importantly, what can be learned from the short biography we do see of this man, the father of Jesus? He listened to the voice of God and responded to God’s direction, even when it made no sense. He trained up and taught his son. He loved Mary and respected her. 

What of this great man who was chosen to as the head of Jesus’ earthly family? Surely his example is a worthy guide for those who today worship God. To those who seek to trust and obey Jesus, the son of Joseph, the Son of God.

Going Public

I Corinthians 10:31(b) "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." At the end of my life, I desire above all that I will be able to look back and say that my life was lived for His glory. 

I have heard the "still small voice" urging me to write for a long time now. It's time I obeyed. 

I have always written. I have pages and pages, notebooks and notebooks filled with scrawling. I write to process life. I write to understand myself. I write to understand others. I write to connect with God. I write to glorify God. Most all of what I have written, outside academic writing and a few small articles, has been for my own growth and my own purposes.

Fifteen months ago, God put someone into my life who has challenged my concept that my writing is really "my own." So, after months of urging, I submit! 

Here it is Diane...I'm "going public."

If any thoughts I share have value for a reader, if any words I write points a mind to God, if any element brings glory to God, then it has worth. 

Once upon a time I took on a challenge of a "Ten Day Experiment." As I sought to obey God in a specific area over those ten days, my life was eternally changed. That's a story for another day, but how 'bout another "Experiment?" 

So...for the rest of the year (all 35 days of it), what I have written and what I will write on this blog will be made public. Certainly not perfect, definitely not polished, but public. 

The Power of "gods"

I have been thinking lately how insane devotion to Christ looks to those who do not recognize that all power and glory are in God. Imagine a communion service, worship, prayer or even a the decision-making process of dedicated Christ-Follower. Imagine that you view this through the eyes of an a man or woman who has no belief in God.
  
I have been thinking about human doubt, or even skepticism, and the effect it does or does not have on our Infinitely Great God. As I ponder, I write, and this is what came out of my pen. (unedited and raw, but hopefully theologically accurate as clearly as I can express)...

"Gods" of this world gain fame only due to the recognition and value they gain from others. Our Great God of Glory does not reign supreme due to human belief, faith or recognition. 

"I Am," says our God, "I Am."

Apart from any glory He may gain from mankind's submission, He IS Lord.

He is Lord of All.
He is Ruler, Creator, all Power.
He is Healer, Restorer, Savior.
He is the Only, Worthy One.

The doubt, sin and insecurity of humankind in God in no way lessens the glory of God. Neither does man's praise, honor, belief increase His strength. He IS. He cannot become greater because He infinitely great. He cannot become less because He is not finite, nor can He be defined by any human terms. He is separate from man. He is the Only Holy One.

Yet - by His grand design, He humbled himself in the person of Christ so as to become accessible to unworthy mankind. Our acceptance of His good gifts--His forgiveness, His grace and mercy, His lovingkindness, His many blessings--magnifies His greatness, yet does not make Him greater than He already is. 

His glory and greatness are magnified, truly. It is magnified in and through His people as His glory overflows through us to touch lives of others. It is magnified in us as we become more like Him. His kingdom becomes greater as His glory is magnified in us. 

"Accomplish Much?"

What are (some of) the things I did today?

• Woke up one grumpy child and one moderately happy child, and woke again, and sang to, and prodded, and laid on top of, until I got some sort of reaction.
• Learned that if I just leave my 3 year old alone to make his own bed his own way and put on his clothes, morning are much happier where he is concerned.
• Skipped the "chore" checkbox on the morning chart because we were running out of time.
• Made lunch after all since I felt at the moment eating hot lunch at school is a waste of money.
• Hurried my sleepy head through her morning routine, threw her hair into a ponytail and out the door to school at the close to last minute.
• Picked up my dead cell phone from a friend's where I left it yesterday. 
• Treated myself to a thermal cup full of pumpkin latte from a gas station because there is no way I'm paying $5 and waiting forever in the Coffee Goddess' drive-thru.
• Stopped by my husband's office to grab the phone car charger.
• Arrived at my church for our first Mothers-Of-Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) meeting, found my son's childcare room. Was pleased to see that he is with Miss Beth again.
• Helped set up the food for the MOPS meeting.
• Enjoyed the first morning of MOPS this year. Was challenged to carefully choose words that express encouragement, love and truth when speaking to others, especially my husband.
• Stopped at a thrift store to find some pants to fit my boy; ended up finding a dress for my daughter and some brand new sweaters for myself.
• Skipped running to the store for milk because I spent too much time at the thrift store.
• Arrived home and decided the weather was too beautiful to go inside.
• Ate lunch with my son outside.
• Prepared the envelope printer and mailing software in hopes of printing at least 7,500 envelopes (of 151,000 total).
• Ran back and forth attempting to involve my son in an activity so I could get the 7,500 printed.
• Resigned finally to popping Tom and Jerry into the portable DVD player and setting it up in the basement near my workstation.
• Discovered (late tonight) that the reason my kitchen floor is sticky is due to the maple syrup my son drank and dripped while "getting some grapes."
• Printed about one seventh of my hoped for 7,500, due to printer, software and toddler problems. 
• Dragged a none-too-happy 3 year old away from Tom and Jerry to go pick up my daughter from school.
• Talked to my daughter about show and tell and library day and the exciting events of her schoolday while cautioning her to not brother her sleeping brother. 
• Took the long route home for the sake of my son who was taking a much-need nap in his carseat.
• Listened to my husband for awhile.
• Cooked a quick yet semi-healthy dinner.
• Ate outside again.
• Went on a walk/bike ride with my husband and kids, enjoying some ice cream at the halfway point in our route.
• Noted how the light angles of the evening sun reflected beautifully on God's creation and tried to take some photos.
• Returned home and started to teach my daughter to tie a bow without letting her become too discouraged. A daunting task for a five-year old.
• Implemented my kids' bedtime routine.
• Picked up clutter and attempted to make my house less of a disaster long after the kids went to bed.
• Checked Email and Facebook and listened to a short lesson on one section of the book of Job.
• Wrote this list for far too many minutes. All the while I have realized that though I attempted to let God live through me today I have neglected to devote some one-on-one time to allow Him to speak to me.

Though these tasks may have been necessary and some even noble, the list above is not an encouraging set of "accomplishments." My day lacks rhythm. A harmonious, joyful and productive life is centered around a rhythm of practices to draw one near to God. As I draw near to God, He draws near to me.

Though I felt like my day was somewhat purposeful and productive, it was far from what it could have been were I fully tuned into the voice of the Spirit in my inner being. What God-Given opportunities did I overlook or what needs did I fail to notice, what of God's work did I  just pass by? The moment by moment prayers throughout my day, good deeds, and snippet of scripture I wrote to a friend was far from adequate to satisfy my soul's true longing: to live every moment for God's glory, to be saturated by His love, to be filled with His Spirit.

I hate dragging myself out of bed shortly after six am. I stay up far too late most nights because I enjoy uninterrupted quiet time to tidy up, get ready for the next day, read, write, pray or think. As much as I am a night-owl, I must commit time in the first moments of my day to communicating with my Lord through quietness, prayer and scripture and seeking God's will for my day. I must create moments in the day to see the Lord at work in and around me and to seek His direction. What would my day look like then? I hope to soon discover.

O God, You are My God. Earnestly I seek You, my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary. I have beheld Your power and glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands, My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods. With singing lips my mouth will praise You. Ps 63

Right to Write

I need to start writing on a regular basis. It feels write to write... or right to right... No, right to write, that's it. I must sit down routinely and be surprised at what comes out of my fingers. As I write, I learn - more about the Glory of God, more about myself, more about others, more about life. I commit to never stop learning, so I therefore commit to never stop writing.

Jacob's Prayer

[In a note to a friend]:

I am learning that meditation and rich spiritual moments can occur in the daily life of a busy mother of young children. 

When I pray with my three year old, I simply guide him to give thanks. Last night his "Thank you Jesus" items were: Church, the Bible, Jesus, and... the trash can. In the silence, he went back to his thanks for the Bible and for Jesus, repeating the words, "Thank you for the Bi-i-ible-e-e-e, thank you for the Bi-i-ible-e-e-e, thank you for the Bi-i-ible-e-e-e," and he continued on. Then Jacob said "Thank you for Je-e-e-su-u-us" in the same manner.

Instead of just thinking about how cute and silly my boy is, I entered into prayer with him. My sense of gratefulness for the WORD made flesh and for His Holy Word grew as I meditated with my son's chants. It lasted just a moment, but I believe God was glorified in Jacob's simple prayer as well as how his prayer caused a moment of beauty within my soul.


May you focus today on all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy!

INTRODUCING: The Newest Three Year Old

So, tonight, apparently to celebrate his birthday, my son threw an award-winning 3-year-old tantrum. In the midst of dealing with his behavior I was reminded to pray. The Spirit spoke to me as I inhaled, "More of HIM." I replied, exhaling, "Less of me" (Jn. 3:30). I was refreshed with a renewed sense of His presence as well as a new idea on how to handle the particular issue.

Nearly every day I almost reach the "end of my rope" due to the challenges of raising two strong willed little ones. Parenting is the most difficult journey I have ever endured. As I reflect now on the meditation "More of Him; Less of me", I am encouraged that I am not alone.

My Savior invites me:  "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Mt. 11:29-30).

As I search out my true self in Christ, as I rely on His unending grace, strength and wisdom, I can never reach "the end" of my patience, my kindness, my endurance. Our Lord is truly a well of Living Water, quenching our souls that thirst for His goodness as we navigate life in a fallen world. God, our Perfect Abba-Father, can surely guide me as I mother the two precious lambs He has entrusted to me.
I long for More of Him. Less of me. More of Christ's love, patience, wisdom. More of Who He is. More of who He he longs for me to become-to be transformed as I sacrifice my own will to pursue "His good, pleasing and perfect will."

My name, "CHRIST-in-a [mother/wife/friend...]" is a blessed reminder of Christ in me. More of Him. Less of me.

"Let's look in a book"

Thanks, God, for my time with Diane again this morning. 

I felt you speak specifically in terms of using distractions as directives to allow me to commune with You. While we were having a time of quiet and prayer, Jacob's TV program was on in the other room. It was loud enough to distract me. Instinctively, I almost got up and turned down the volume, but instead, I used it as an opportunity for God to speak to me through the distraction. 

As the TV sang out "...to find the solution to Pig's problem, let's look... In a book!," I was drawn to reflect on the power of The Book in my life.