Beautiful Scars

Malachi 3:1-3

I finished reading Malachi 2. I will get back to that.

I started Malachi 3. The first three verses captured my imagination. These three little verses are bursting at the seems with meaning.

"Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.

I marvel at our Great King and Wise Father. He set things in motion before the universe even existed. He raised up prophets and told them about what was coming. The day that no one could abide. And He let the prophets in on the Mystery (1 Peter 1:10-12).

God told Isaiah and Malachi about the great John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1 and Malachi 4:5).

John was the last of the Old Testament prophets. He was the prophet whose coming had been prophesied. He was the greatest of them all (Matthew 11:11). But there was Someone else coming. Someone whose coming would leave a mark on this world greater even than the scorched top of Mt. Sinai.

God asks the question. "Who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand the day He appears?" (Malachi 3:2, Joel 2:11)

I pondered this question. (Pause for effect) Who has ever had an encounter with Christ Jesus and walked away unscathed? Who has ever been able to stand before Him and walk away unchanged? After an encounter with Jesus, we walk away either with a broken, healed heart or with a hardened heart. There is no in between (Luke 11:23).

After an encounter with the King of Kings, we are cleansed with a very powerful cleanser and a purifying fire.

How does a silver smith know when the silver is pure and ready to come out of the refining fire? When he can see his reflection in it.

God is AWESOME!

A Kingdom of Priests

I started Malachi 2...barely. There is a lot there!

God does not mince words. He believes in direct confrontation (I think He expects the same from us - Matthew 18:15).

In Malachi 1, it is established that the people, including the priests, had lost all reverence for God. Their offerings reflected that fact.

In Malachi 2:1-3, some very graphic imagery and strong words are used to express how God views the kind of job these priests are doing.

It would seem that God's mercy up to this point had been viewed by the priests as either complicity or as some sort of weakness. Either way, their irreverence and apparent disdain became more and more brazen.

God said that He would curse their blessings, in fact, He had already done so. He said that he would spread dung on their faces.

Sounds harsh, but they may have gotten off easy when you think about how God has dealt with priests in the past (Leviticus 10:1-2).

Malachi 2:4-9 could be called 'What Not To Do'. God juxtaposes good priests and the priests He sent Malachi to confront. He reminds them of the covenant with Levi (Numbers 25:10-13).

Malachi 2:6 brought to mind what was said in Daniel 12:3 - "And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever."

As believers in and followers of Christ Jesus, we are called to be priests as well (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:4-5; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:4-6; Revelation 5:9-10; Revelation 20:6).

How would you say we are doing? Will we shine like the stars for ever and ever or do we need a visit from Malachi?

A Love Letter From A Broken Heart

I've been reading the book of Malachi.

I almost had to stop reading. So much of what God had to say brought some of my own behavior to center stage. But that is what God's word does, isn't it? Shows us a reflection of who we are...who we really are when nobody is looking, or where nobody can see in the darkest recesses of our inner most being.

He starts by saying "I have loved you, but you say 'how have You loved us?'"

Wow. I had to stop there. How often have I said that? In my actions and in my words. In my willing, premeditated sin. In the hearing and ignoring of the promptings of the Holy Spirit. In my hesitation, even reluctance, to trust in Him.

"How have You loved me?" Can there be a more arrogant question? A more foolish question? The tone of this book reminds me of Isaiah 29:13.

I continued on through Malachi 1. God starts talking about the sacrifices. I felt a little relieved. After all, we don't do that anymore, do we? But wait...

Something they said sounds hauntingly familiar. Malachi 1:13. "What a weariness this is..." Wow.

That sounds like me on almost any given Sunday morning.

More to come....I have yet to start on chapter 2....dang it.

Thank You, Father, for Your word. Thank You for the mirror it holds up, so that I may see myself as You do. So that I may see the person You want me to become. Please help me to look closely at the reflection, and never close my prideful eyes to the light of Your Truth. You are indeed a Great King! Forgive me for not honoring You as such with my whole heart.

Mighty Men of Valour

John 15:13

It is Veteran's Day. A day set aside each year to honor those who are serving and who have served our great nation.

I have had the honor that few others have had. The honor of having served during war time with some of the greatest and bravest men in the world.

This is just a quick post to say thank you to the men and women who make up the greatest fighting force on the planet. United States Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.

It is because of you that we are able to go about our daily business without fear.

We attend church and boldly write and speak about our God. It is our right as Americans.

This right came at a great price. A price that each and every one of you say that you are willing to pay when you volunteer.

Thank you. Semper Fi.

Contents Fragile - Handle With Care

2 Corinthians 10:3-6


I cannot help noticing that a lot of bad things are happening in the families of friends. Tragic things. Illnesses, accidents and things that just don't seem to be fair.

Every time the news comes on, there is a story about someone's child dying, violent crimes that tear families apart, tragic car accidents or someone's home burning.

It just doesn't seem fair. There seems to be no explanation. It almost makes life seem pointless. People suffering for no apparent reason.

Then you hear about those who are living life outside the boundaries of the law, and prospering. It just doesn't seem fair.

It is in these situations that our faith can be shaken. It is in these trials that we are tempted to ask questions that begin with "How could a loving God..." or "Why".

We've all been through something bad. I know I have. My faith has been shaken. I almost walked away from God because of what happened. A friend recommended that I read the book of Job. It helped, eventually.

I remember how angry my wife was after she found out her mother had lung cancer. She confided in her friend just how angry she was. I'll never forget what our friend told Cheryl. "Kick, scream, yell. He's a big God, He can take it."

Prayerfully ask the questions "how" and "why". Not defiantly.

Unless we are gifted with the wisdom of Solomon, it is impossible to see in the midst of the trial or tragedy. Our wise Father has our best interests in mind. We often don't see it until we are far removed from the tragic time. (Job 42:5)

Psalm 73 is often comforting to me. All of the Psalms, for that matter, are comforting.

I started this post with the scripture reference 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. It is relevant. If we practice taking our thoughts captive in every situation, discipline our minds with prayer and meditation on the things of God, then our faith is not easily shaken. We will not be so quick to exchange the peace of God for doubt and anger.

Thank You, Father, for the hope You hold out and the peace You promise. Help us to trust You, even when we don't understand.