DJD217 - The Valley Gods

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Scripture: 

Genesis 22:18

Starting Question:

What would be the hardest thing for you to give away forever?

The Valley Gods

Abraham is the father of today’s three major monotheistic faiths. The Jews story is recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible. The Christian story is connected to Abraham through our Jewish heritage. Both of these faiths claim Abraham’s Son, Isaac, as their connection point to Father Abraham. Islam, the religion of the Muslim people, started some 500 years after Christianity and connects themselves to Abraham through his other son, Ishmael. 

All three faiths claim their particular son of Abraham was the one recalled in the story on the mountain. The Bible tells us it was Isaac. The Koran tells Muslims that it was Ishmael. My point here is not to compare these claims or to debate their truthfulness.

I want to look at the story of what happened on the mountain top and how it gave us a God like no other.

But, before we can get to that mountain top of beginnings, we must travel through the valley. In the valleys, all around Abraham and his nomadic family there were many diverse people groups. They had their own languages, cultural practices and gods. Many gods. There was a god for the stars, the sun, the harvest, the rain, the clouds, the animals, the birds and many more. 

These cultures were all caught up in begging their gods for help and thanking their gods when times were good. They would offer sacrifices - much like the Israelites to come - on altars to their gods. There were hundreds of temples, high places and altars where the people could go to worship the particular god they wanted to beseech. Depending on their wealth, and the severity of their need for help, they would bring gifts that cost them from little to very much. 

When things got VERY bad, they believed they had to get the attention of their gods. Many of their ideas about their gods were similar to the way we feel about our political leaders. Some are good. Some are bad. All are hard to talk to because they are too busy doing their own thing to listen to their people. Today, it takes a desperate crisis - like an earthquake or a terrorist attack - to get our leaders to hear the cries of their people. This is how the many cultures in Abraham’s day believed their gods thought and acted. They needed a shock to be distracted. 

When the people were dying of starvation or loosing a battle to an enemy, they would make huge sacrifices in the hopes that their gods would listen. The most impressive offering they could give - because of how much it hurt their hearts - was to offer their children to the gods. And they did. Often. And it was just as terrible and painful to families then as it is to families today when children die in accidents or of illness. Everyone weeps. And this, they hoped, would get the attention of the gods.

It is through this valley of despair that the journey of Abraham to the Lord’s mountain takes place.

** Continued tomorrow **

Reflection Question:

How hard is it for us to get God's attention? How do we know this?

Prayer time:

Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today?

Further Reading:
Patriarchs and Prophets, 153, 154

Hey Dad!

It's been said that “a man's work is from sun to sun, but a mother's work is never done.” 

Many fathers have stretched the time they work from before and until after the sun makes its journey through the sky.

A young boy, after watching his father leave one morning, asked his mother, “Where does Dad go when he leaves every day?” His mother explained that his father had a job where he got paid for his time. The little boy ran to his room and returned with a handful of coins. He laid them out on the table, saying, “Mum, how much of Dad's time will this buy me?”

Fathers who spend time with their children bring untold blessing into the lives of those youngsters. But, like mothers, there are benefits to the male brain that result from spending time with their kids.

One research program studied marmoset monkeys and found that the male monkeys who were fathers (marmoset fathers help raise the babies) were faster and more accurate at finding containers with food in them. In human homes, the more time a father spends in the house, the less likely he is to be told, “It's behind the milk.” I have become so suspicious of the milk in our fridge that I have been known to check behind the milk before asking if anyone has seen my socks.

In all seriousness, dads, we've got a lot to answer for. We shouldn't be grunting, “I brought you into this world and I'll take you out” unless we are willing to spend time loving and being loved by our children.

Dad, your kids need you. They need you in their lives when they are living it – at home and engaged when they are awake and active. Dads, when we spend time with our kids we give them a good start in life. Your example as a father, a husband and grown man will help them become all they can be. 

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For more parenting pondering, 

see the "Parently" section of this blog.

DJD216 - He's Been There

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Scripture: 

Hebrews 4:15-16

Starting Question:

What part of today are you most excited about?

He's Been There

Just 25 years old, the theology student walked with the pastor up the stairs toward the group of boys he was to study with. 

“I just can’t get through to them,” the old pastor said. “They seem to take pleasure in persecuting me.”

Less than 14 years later, the youth minister would be dead. But today, it was only 1931, not 1945 when he would face the Nazi war machine - accused and hanged for plotting Hitler’s death. Today was just the training ground.

Deitrich tightened his tie as they reached the landing in front of the door to the classroom. There were boys, literally, hanging from the rafters. The others stood ready, with wadded paper and waiting insults. 

The elderly pastor threw the door open and shouted, “This is your new Bible Study leader!” Then, turning to Bonhoeffer, he said, “Their all yours. I’m sorry!”

The door hadn’t even finished closing from their entrance before the pastor was headed down the stairs. 

Deitrich, known today for his amazing practical theology and his written legacy ‘The Cost of Discipleship’ stood quietly with his hands in his pockets. Then he began to speak. 

He didn’t raise his voice. He just began talking to the room of German boys about one of his experiences in New York. Only the boys in the front row could make out what he was saying. They angrily shushed the others. 

Just a few moments after being warned about the sinful impossible rabble of these ruffians, he had them in the palm of his hand. “Listen now,” Dietrich said, “and next week, I will tell you another story about America.”

Telling stories of his travels and life experiences, young Bonhoeffer connected Bible stories and the teachings of the Word of God to the lives of these young men.

Young Deitrich knew what it was like to be a man trapped in a boys body. He had been where they sat. And he knew there was nothing more powerful than a story of greater places, bigger things and better times.

Jesus calls us to do the same. Tell our story. Connect it to His story. We’ve been where our listers are now. Jesus has been where we are - He has faced all that we have or will face. 

The story of Jesus’ love, demonstrated in His willingness to die for us, gives us the confidence and assurance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer because, like him, we have Jesus. 

Reflection Question:

What story from your life would you tell to connect a group of friends to Jesus?

Prayer time:

Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today?

Further Reading:
The Desire of Ages, 24, 25

DJD215 - Someone Else

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Scripture: 

Ezekiel 28:15,16

Starting Question:

What do you wish would happen today?

Someone Else

Humans love rules. We make up new ones for fun. The Jews turned God’s 10 Commandments into 663 rules by adding a bit here, explaining a bit there and doing it all over again. And again. And again. 

Societies and philosophies right around the world developed with one Golden Rule at their core: Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t like done to you.

Sounds easy enough.

And yet, we get it wrong - day in and day out. We treat people as slaves, drain them of their energy, and spend them until they are used up. We are not very good when left to ourselves at treating people as deeply beautiful and truly valuable. 

When Jesus walked the earth, He repeated the Golden Rule. But, He spun it in a new and wonderful way. Jesus said, “Do to others what you WISH they would do to you.” Do you see the difference? 

Close your eyes. Imagine the best thing that could happen to you today - the absolutely best thing that you wish would happen for you. Now open your eyes - and go make that happen for someone else. 

Jesus only said the Golden rule in this way because He knew we wouldn’t understand His example. He demonstrated a greater truth than could ever be put into words. Jesus tried to explain it, saying, “As the father has loved Me, I have loved you. Remain in my love.”*

Love is the core of being like Jesus. And Jesus is the example of being like God - in whose image we were created. Jesus went on to explain what being filled with God’s love looks like, “If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love.”*

That’s what obedience is all about. Love in action. Love in full swing looks a lot like Jesus. The disciple John called himself ‘the disciple Jesus loved’ because he knew there is nothing more revealing of who Jesus is than to say Jesus loves me. 

John went so far as to say, “The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”* John learned this from Jesus. And we will too, if we spend enough time with Him. 

Obeying God’s law is not a burden, it is an act of Love. Jesus simplified all of the law in one new simple rule - because He knows we love rules! Jesus explained the purpose of our image bearing lives in one short command. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”*

Now, open your eyes and go make that happen for someone else.

* John 15:9-10, 1 John 4:8, John 13:34

Reflection Question:

Who will you be seeing today that you can share God's love with? How will you do it?

Prayer time:

Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today?

Further Reading:
Patriarchs and Prophets, 34
Patriarchs and Prophets, 35

DJD214 - Shine Like Stars

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Scripture: 

Philippians 2:8

Starting Question:

Tell of a time when someone treated you kindly after you were unkind to them. 

Shine Like Stars

We must each develop our character. We cannot become anything great by allowing ourselves to be driven by greed, lust or power. These are the calling cards of the world and the toys in Satan’s playground. If he doesn’t get us with all three, he will focus in with one until we become accustomed to it and lower our guard. Then, being convinced - by our own repetitious habits and conformed mind - nothing is wrong, we will slip deeper and deeper into that muck-pit of sinful sludge. So, we need to focus our time and energy on higher things - generosity, love and equality - filling our mind and becoming reformed into people who think pure, kind and lovely thoughts.

The above paragraph is true but it is missing something. Focusing on the development of your character into a person of integrity and accountability is a good thing. But it is not a God thing. 

As Christians we are called to follow Jesus. To look at Him. Not to find and fix the weaknesses in ourselves by ourselves. Christian Character is developed by dwelling on the perfect nature of God. This nature was revealed, in human flesh, through his Son Jesus.  

Following Jesus is the primary purpose of the Christian life. 

His humility demonstrates what happens to our nature and our character when we stop looking in the mirror - adjusting small strands of human hair - and focus instead through the mirror of God’s love - Jesus - into His perfect glory. By beholding we are changed.  

If you have time, read the context around today’s verse. Read 7 verses before and 7 verses after - Philippians 2:1-15. The picture painted is a view of ourselves through the filter of Jesus: 

Our community because of His humility
Our humility because of His obedience
Our obedience because of His perfection
Our perfection because of His cross
Our cross because of His example
Our example because of His radiance
Our shining - like stars - 
because He is Lord - of all - 
to the glory of God the Father

Our character is not ours. It is His, if we are His. 

By humbling ourselves, fixing our eyes on Jesus, and following in His footsteps we  become His image-bearers, increasing in glory as we bask in His. All to the glory of God the Father! 

Reflection Question:

What will you do today to keep Jesus as your focus?

Prayer time:

Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today?

Further Reading:
The Review and Herald, March 15, 1906

DJD213 - Great Plans

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Scripture: 

Proverbs 22:6

Starting Question:

What is something that one of your parents said to you that you will never forget?

Great Plans

When I was about 8 years old, my Mom said something to me that surprised me. 

It was Sunday morning. I had finished breakfast and was heading out to hop on my BMX bike for a day of riding around our country property. There were lots of bush tracks, dirt roads and the occasional system of jumps to make the ride fun!

As I was getting my mike out of the garage, Mom said, “I don’t want you riding on the paved road. Stay on the dirt roads.”

This sounds like a perfectly reasonable request unless you know about the jumps on the section of paved road in the cut-away just above our property. A small hillside had been cut into so the road could travel up gently. There were huge dirt sides with drainage ditches on both sides of the paved road. And, in these ditches were jumps that used the momentum of coming down the hillside and launched you high up and far out - onto the paved road. 

“Awwww, please!?! Those are the best jumps!” I begged.

“Davy,” Mom said, “Cars drive through there very fast. If you got hit by a car, you could die!”

Those were the words that surprised me. “You could die!” It’s not that I thought I was Superman or some other superhero. I knew I was mortal. It was just very different than something else my Mom repeated many many many times as I was growing up.

God has great plans for you life. She told all of us kids that more times than we could count. 

“But Mom,” I said, “I can’t die.”

Now it was Mom’s turn to be surprised. She folded her arms across her chest and said, “Oh, really? And why would you think a silly thing like that?”

“Because,” I said, with complete confidence, “You always say God has great plans for my life and I haven’t done anything for Him, yet!”

Mom laughed! Then she said, “Davy, God does have great plans for your life. That’s true. But He also expects you to act responsibly. No riding on the paved road. I mean it!”

Well, that settled it. Every kid knows “I mean it” means business!

I honestly do not remember where I rode my bike that day. But, what I do remember is that story and that promise: God has great plans for my life. 

God has great plans for your life, too. Hopefully you have someone reminding you of that promise every day. That single phrase has given me hope and a sure future over and over in my life. 

Thanks Mom!

Reflection Question:

How will you speak God's promises into someone else's life today?

Prayer time:

Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today?

Further Reading:
The Review and Herald, November 17, 1896

DJD212 - Slaves

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Scripture: 

Colossians 3:18-24

Starting Question:

Who is someone you like to do things for? Why?

Slaves

We are all slaves. We may not see it this way, but everyone who is truly happy is slave to someone else - or, more likely, to a group of people.

Humans are created to live in relationship. One of the most dire situations in our world today is loneliness. Loneliness causes depression. Loneliness causes illness. Loneliness causes a broken heart and spirit. Social commentators, psychologists, sociologists and medical doctors call it the “epidemic of loneliness” and clear statistics show that it is killing us. 

But we have been sold on the dream of personal independence. We have been told that we will be happy when we have enough money for our own retirement, enough space to live the way we want, enough time to do our own thing, enough personal freedom to make it through a whole day without being interrupted by the needs of anyone else - that, they say, is the goal. 

But. It. Is. Not.

We have become slaves to self. Build self-worth, live by self-driven goals, achieve self-focused financial freedom, protect yourself from those who would invade your personal time and space. And we are dying alone.

We were created to live in relationship. Today’s passage shows the lifestyle of a Christian. It is others focused. This Christ-centred lifestyle brings interdependence, common purpose and goals, togetherness, and freedom to serve happily. Sharing conversation, goals, purpose, money, time and space with those we love is the answer to the epidemic loneliness. 

As Christians, Paul says, we all serve. Wives serve husbands. Husbands serve wives. Children serve parents. Parents serve children. Slaves serve masters. It’s all done in the same spirit - the spirit of Jesus living in us. We serve each other because we all serve Jesus Christ. In fact, serving others is serving Christ. 

Serving is living God’s way. And because we were created in His image, serving is living our way. When we serve willingly, we find joy and purpose in life. We were created to be complete in community. 

Slaves, serve your masters wholeheartedly, enthusiastically as if for the Lord. And you will find joy!

Reflection Question:

How does it make you feel to do something that makes some else happy?

Prayer time:

Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today?

Further Reading:
Testimonies for the Church 1:497-510

Teaching Great Sabbath School Lessons

More Sabbath School Tips

Sabbath School is all about building love. Love between people and God. Love between people and each other. Love between us and the world. To do this, we need to focus on relationships, worship, bible study and outreach. 

Here is my model for teaching Sabbath School each week.

Sabbath School Hour

Start: ON TIME! (No matter how many people are there. Regularity creates commitment.)

Opening Prayer

Nurture: "How was your week? Hi/Lo. Favourite thing. Etc. 

StartWarmer Question: A StartWarmer is a themed icebreaker - based on the lesson but personal experience. 

Lesson: (see below)

Prayer

SS Toolbox: 10 mins (SS Training Time. The four purposes of SS are INreach (nurture), OUTreach (service), UPreach (worship), WAY OUTreach (mission). Prepare a tiny 'toolbox training' sessions on one of these four aspects. Your SS will know what it is there for if you regularly talk about it!

Finish: ON TIME!

Sabbath School Guide Lessons: Preparing and Presenting

Study the lesson. 

Study the verses mentioned in the lesson in context.

Study the commentaries (I use 'Logos' on my computer) regarding these passages.

Then, with all that in mind, lead a discussion using Michael Fracker's teaching plan.

Teaching Strategy & Skills

When asking for people to read the scriptures, ask them to read a verse each and move around the circle. This allows every voice to be heard. Often, many people are not heard in Sabbath School. The best thing our voice can speak is God's Word. By reading Scripture one verse per person you are empowering people to be heard at their best. 

As you go through the discussion, leave moments of silence. You will be amazed what people will add. There are people that need a lengthy gap between comments before they will interject. Pause until you are uncomfortable, and they will speak - they are wise because they have the Spirit of Jesus living within them!

Based on your study time and your personal life journey, add your knowledge and stories as they fit.  By doing this, you are participating as one of the class members on the ground rather than a preacher on high. 

You will be amazed at what comes from this approach. And, you will be remembered as one who led the class to the Bible.

I like to finish by praying a blessing on the class members and their week ahead. Very few people hear people praying for them. Because prayer is half of the Christian experience, it should be made to stand out as a privileged and beautiful thing! When people hear their own names held out aloud to the God of the Universe, it touches them deeply. Never pass up a chance to pray for those who you are leading to a greater understanding of Christ (or anyone, for that matter!)... 

Teach well!

DJD211 - New Life

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Scripture:
Romans 8:3


Starting Question:
Things get easier with practice. What are some character choices that are easier for you because you've made them lots of times?


New Life

* Continued from yesterday *

As you click on the ‘new life’ door, you appear in a room. A transparent NPC (Non-Player Character) stands next to you. You click on the conversation bubble over his head and he says, “Walk with me and we will talk as we walk along.”

He wanders away following a faint trail of dots. You can’t help wondering if the developers accidentally left the dots for the NPC, or if they have some purpose in the game. There weren’t dots in the past version.

As you follow along the NPC narrates - telling back story. “This world will look familiar,” he says. “It looks just like ‘life’. But, ‘New Life’ does have major differences. The first being Me!”

A question mark appears above his head and you click on it. Two choices come up, “What about you?” and “What about ME?” You click “ME!” The NPC turns and raises one eyebrow in a very suspicious way. OOPS, you think. Wrong choice?

“In the previous version,” the NPC says, “Good gamers were smart enough to see what they needed to do to stay alive but unable to fully accomplish it because Death was the only ‘end game’. So, every decision, no matter how good was actually either bringing them closer to death or just stalling the inevitable. The fun in that, for the gamer was that they wanted to live, and tried to do so by making the best decisions for their character, but they didn’t actually have the ability to beat the game, only to prolong it. From reading the forums, you know, the best ‘death’ gamers really thought a lot of themselves! Even though the ‘death’ door told them they were going to die, no matter how good they did. But that was before Me.”

The question mark appears again. Click. “What about you?” or “‘death’ door?” Taking the eyebrow hint and the clear rebuke, you click on “What about you?”

The NPC smiles and says, “Now, the programmers have added this new door - I know it seems weird for an NPC to talk about the actual code and script-writers behind the program - but that’s what makes ‘new life’ such a great game! Before you even start playing, the developers have put a new ‘end game’ over your head, if you choose it. You just walked through the ‘New Life’ door. When you make bad decisions, you will be guided with hints and verbal cues to choose differently next time. That’s my role!”

The question mark appears again. Click. “What about you?” or “bad decisions?” You chuckle and click, “What about you?”

“He can be taught!” the NPC chides. “You’ll see a trail of breadcrumbs leading you through ‘New Life.’ Where before you only saw a loaf of bread to steal or not to steal, you will now see that doing good things makes the trail of breadcrumbs brighter and easier to follow.”

Question mark. Click. “What about you?” or “Breadcrumbs?” You hover the mouse over “Breadcrumbs?” but you are starting to get the point of the game of ‘New Life’. You click “What about you?”

“I’m here help you develop your character! The brightness of the breadcrumbs reflect your previous decisions and guide you to greater character development.”

You follow him for awhile in silence and then the NPC says, “‘New Life’ is multi-player. It’s all about working with other players. Every situation has at least two options - one about you and one about others.

And remember, I am here - just click on the breadcrumbs whenever you are unsure and I’ll come and ask you a question or two. Don’t ever wander too far from the trail of breadcrumbs and your game will never end!”


Reflection Question:
What are some decisions you are asking God to help you make today?


Prayer time:
Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today?

Further Reading:
The Signs of the Times, June 13, 1900

DJD210 - Death

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Scripture: 

Romans 6:16

Starting Question:

What is your favourite way to be healthy?

Death

With a little bit of free time on your hands, you sit down at your computer to try a new game that everyone is talking about. It’s called ‘life’ and the goal is to stay alive for as long as you can. At the very beginning of the game - right after you click ‘play’ you see a door. Above the door is one word, “DEATH”. You click on the door, and the game of ‘life’ begins.

There are many obstacles and choices you can make as your game character - the choices lengthen life, shorten life, give more health, take health away and more. But one thing is sure. Death. Everyone character in the game, no matter how good they are, dies. The point is to live long and prosper, not to beat death. That’s not even an option. 

A few months after the game came out, the online discussions revealed something intriguing. Everyone knows that making dangerous or unhealthy decisions brings death faster, but avid gamers have noticed that making poor moral decisions which satisfy the characters basic needs  - like stealing a loaf of bread to feed your hunger - have an over all negative effect. It seems the game developers had a sneaky subplot - poor values lead to less life.

Then the upgrade comes out. Everyone is raving about it because the developer has said there will only be one upgrade. Ever. Their slogan for this version: “This changes everything!” They’ve coyly called this upgraded version of ‘life’ - ‘New Life.’

You stand in the long line at midnight to get the upgrade. You want to play it before the gamers get talking and reveal all the secrets. You want to discover the secrets of ‘New Life’ yourself.

When you get home you begin playing. Who cares if it’s One in the morning?! You can’t wait! Clicking ‘play’ you see the first major change. Two doors. ‘DEATH’ and ‘NEW LIFE’. Of course you click ‘NEW LIFE’ as you’ve clicked on Death’s door every other time you’ve played.

*****

Before the cross, there was only one option. Only one doorway. Death. All players of life on Earth - all of humanity - we’re fed through the doorway of death. And no matter how they lived, it always ended in death.

But now that God’s plan of Salvation has been accomplished, there is a choice. You can restart the game - be born again - at any time. Without us even knowing it, every game of ‘life’ on the planet was secretly updated when Jesus died on the cross. 

Are you tired of fearing death? Would you like to try a new life that never ends? All you need to do is choose to start over and you will see a new door. Then walk through the door that says, ‘New Life.’ 

* The story of ‘new life’ continues tomorrow! *

Reflection Question:

What do you think will be different through the 'New Life' door?

Prayer time:

Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today?

Further Reading:
Manuscript Releases 6:337-339

Mistakes Make You Great!

Mistakes make successful people in the real world. When we are in school, making mistakes often means we failed. If we want to create successful adults out of our children, we need to encourage mistakes! This is done by focusing on the journey rather than the destination.

Getting kids to process their mistakes and keep working is not easy. Yet, every mistake our kids make provides an opportunity for growth, learning and a new level of maturity.

As parents, how do we create successful people who keep trying and making mistakes boldly so they keep learning and growing?  The answer is fairly simple but applying it is hard work: We need to encourage the process rather than the result.

What does that look like?

Instead of saying, “Good Job! That’s a great drawing!” you could say, “Your drawing is really taking shape! What are you going to add next?”

Rather than saying, “Oops. You’ve dropped some egg shell in the batter!” you could say, “Wow! That batter is almost ready. What are you going to do about that eggshell?”

The goal in process parenting is to recognise we are not finished yet. We are making great people and every drawing, every project, every walk, every shopping trip, every shoe tying, everything! – is a step toward the eternally repeated goal of saying, “I’m constantly amazed by you. What are you going to do next?” 

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For more parenting pondering, 

see the "Parently" section of this blog.