Walking With Bilbo

In crafting the epic tales of the adventures in Middle Earth, JRR Tolkien did a masterful job in creating a mythical world when he wrote “The Hobbit” and the “Lord of the Rings” series. Though fictional, the stories of hobbits and dwarves, elves and men, dragons and goblins and trolls, compel the reader to take note of the characters and their characteristics and join in on the journey, as it were. Some fans of the series go so far as to call themselves “Tolkien junkies”, and one of them has written a new book looking at lessons gleaned from “The Hobbit.”

Sarah Arthur, author of “Walking With Frodo,” has followed up her first devotional book with a sequel (or should it be considered a prequel, as is the case with “The Hobbit” compared to the “LOTR” series?) aptly called “Walking With Bilbo.” At any rate, we discover 22 key lessons from Bilbo’s journey with Gandalf and the dwarves that apply to the Christian journey. The author makes it clear that JRR Tolkien did not intend for his stories to be 100% allegorical, however, there are striking connections that can be made.

Knowledge of the classic work is not entirely necessary, as quotes are brought in and further expounded upon. Rounding out each chapter are discussion questions and a list of related Scripture verses. I found this supplement most enlightening, as the passages from Genesis to Revelation confirm the themes drawn out from the book. One such parallelism is that of being chosen and selected. In the original story, Bilbo did not ask to go on the journey with the dwarves—Gandalf specifically chose him because he saw qualities deep within Bilbo that would be developed on the journey and effectively change the course of history through the success or failure of the mission. The same was true for Jesus selecting His 12 disciples, and is true today for all Christians. The calling to follow Jesus is there—do we have the faith to go on the journey?

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of “Walking With Bilbo” through the Tyndale Blog Network, in exchange for my honest review.

Then Sings My Soul

What do you do when you have a bad day…complain about the unfairness of life, tell your sob story to anyone in shouting distance, or maybe just crawl under the covers and hope things turn out better the next morning? How about turning to God and focusing on His amazing love and the grace that is greater than our sin? He has redeemed us and given us all we have needed day by day as we acknowledge our dependence in Christ alone. God will take care of you in times like these, and as we know His eye is on the sparrow, joy can fill our inmost heart today as He leads us to higher ground. Come, we that love the Lord, to join in a song of praising the mighty fortress that is our God.

In the previous paragraph, perhaps you picked up on some familiar phrases that came straight from several hymns of the faith. These hymns (and others like them) lift up the soul, provide strength to the weak, and cultivate joy in the believer’s heart. In the latest book I read, Then Sings My Soul, Vol. 3, author Robert Morgan highlights many of the hymns that form our rich heritage and gives the background on the writing of the hymn. Covered in the book are ancient hymns sung by the early Christians to modern ones written by current hymnwriters, with a few stops along the way. This is the third book in the trilogy, so not all the traditional hymns are covered in this installment.

I really appreciated the author’s thoughts and views on hymns. Hymns are a way of turning our focus outward and upward for what God has done for us. Hymns are eloquent expressions of our beliefs, and many are prayers that we sing to God. In addition to being used in corporate worship, they should be read, committed to memory, meditated on, played, prayed, leaned on, quoted, and passed on to the next generation. It is important to dig into the wealth of wisdom the generations before us have left us through the richness of the hymns of the faith. Along with the cloud of witnesses, let us here and now proclaim, “How great Thou art!”

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Then Sings My Soul, Vol. 3 through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

Babylon's Falling

Several months ago I had the opportunity to take a trip to Israel with a group of my friends and coworkers. It was relatively easy—hop on a plane to fly across the ocean, go through customs, and start touring the sites in the comfort of a brand-new Mercedes bus (also known as “chariot” in those parts). Excellent food was prepared for us at every stop, and our lodging was in the nicest area hotels. Communication with folks back home was possible through free wifi access or even the occasional cell phone call, thanks to international roaming. But that’s not how traveling to Jerusalem has always been. Jerusalem is situated in a mountainous region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea, meaning travel in the old days before the modern inventions of planes, trains, and automobiles, was a long and arduous undertaking. Extra measures would have to be taken to ensure all needed supplies were brought along, because there were no Wal-Marts back then. Travel would take days, weeks, or even months depending on how far one was going on foot. A book I just finished reading brings to light what life might have been like in that part of the world at the time of the Babylonian conquest during the time of Daniel and his three friends.

In the beginning pages of Babylon's Falling, we are introduced to four Israelite young men as they are beginning the exile out of Jerusalem after being captured by the Babylonian army. The historical novel continues through Daniel’s and his three friends’ ascent into places of prominence in the Chaldean court of wise men as they honor God in their daily living even though they have been placed in a heathen king’s palace. The author uses the first six chapters of the Book of Daniel as inspiration for the events that take place in these men’s lives, but also takes some liberties to suggest why Daniel was not present when Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednego) were thrown into the fiery furnace.

I’ve discovered that historical fiction is a great way to stir up interest in past cultures, geography, and events that shaped the history of the world. I found myself riveted to the plot of this fictional work even though I knew the Bible-inspired stories. The dialogue and conversation between the characters brings out the fact that these Bible heroes were in fact human and had important choices to make how they lived their lives given their circumstances. Throughout his service in the foreign land, Daniel regularly sought the Lord his God in prayer three times a day. Because of his willingness to be used of God—whether in the countryside or in the courts of kings—he was able to provide service as a provincial governor and a counselor to at least four kings. May we be like Daniel who said, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to Whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:20-21).

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Babylon's Falling through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

Seeing God in the details

Each new day is a gift from God. It’s up to us to determine how we will use the gift. Today was one of those days that caused me to realize just how blessed I am to be where I am and to be doing what I am doing.

I’m currently in a very unique stage of life right now. Last month marked the first time I’ve lived at my parent’s home for an extended period of time since I finished high school and became involved in a Christian ministry nine years ago. I had a lot of responsibilities and felt my involvement was making a difference, the friends I had there were great, and I formed many happy memories there. In fact, I’d say this past year was the best year of my life, hands down. However, I chose to move on from all that and come home, not knowing exactly what I would be doing next but knowing that God wanted to bring our family together again.

While I’ve been home, I’ve been able to connect with my parents on a level that hasn’t been there when I just popped in for a few weeks over seasonal breaks and holidays. Dad and I have had time to be together, just the two of us going out for ice cream or going out to a ball game. The other day, we dug out one of his old storage trunks and started going through his childhood coin collections that his dad got him started on. Mom has been busy with teaching, but we’ve still had time for bonding through special outings like bike rides or even the simple things like helping out in the kitchen. One of the things we’ve done together is sing in the church choir. We got there early for practice one time, and as we were conversing with one of the other choir members, he found out I am still looking for employment. The next day he called me up and asked if I would like to work with him and his assistant on some home-improvement projects he had lined up for the week. Out of the blue God provided work for me to do, and it came because I was willing to honor my parents!

Working for a professional handy-man, I’ve picked up on a lot of techniques and skills that should serve me well down the road. Attention to detail is key! At this point, he’s had work for me to do every day since first asking me to join him a few weeks ago, with the exception for today (the forecast called for rain, so his outdoor projects were put on hold). However, this gave me time at home to fix a few things around the house and time during business hours to take my résumé and go do some PR for myself around town. Dad went with me to the various places and even treated me to an ice cream cone while we were downtown Midland. I don’t know what will come of these job-search efforts, but it is encouraging to know that God has a plan for my life, and it is a good plan—one that even I could not dream up.

That brings be back to today. The forecast (like I mentioned earlier) called for rain, and the rain started to fall shortly after we were done with dinner. It was so beautiful out, though, with the setting sun dropping behind the clouds, we decided that our family bike ride was not going to be rained out this evening! On our ride, the sky lit up with the orange glow of the sunset, the clouds reflected a warm, pink glow, and God painted a huge rainbow overhead. As I was crossing over a pedestrian bridge in the park where the creek meets the river, a beautiful blue heron was taking flight above the water, and just down the way, two fat blue jays happily hopped about after a nice meal. After the bike ride, we all gathered on the porch and had a time for family devotions, learning from Dr. Guthrie’s lessons on sheep. The day wasn’t over though until I had played the hymns on the piano that have been on my heart lately. Dad sat and listened for a while as I played, and in the middle of the music, Mom paid me the highest compliment ever just for being me. I am so grateful to be living these days at home with my family and having a chance to support each other in various ways that can’t easily be done from a distance. God knows.

Be still, my soul

One of the ways I'm stepping in faith is evidenced in the new habits I'm forming. Every day for the last month (or more accurately every night, as is my normal pattern), I've made a concerted effort to sit down at the piano and play through a selection of hymns. In the lobby, there are a few hymnals and a book of beautiful piano/vocal arrangements of the Getty songs that I've come to frequent on a daily basis. Even after just a few weeks of doing this, it's really encouraging to see my progress and see my confidence build. I did grow up taking piano lessons until age 10 or 11, but really got away from having anything to do with the piano for several years. As such, I chose to not play in public, but rather to tickle the keys only once in a great while, perhaps after a long night in the office when I was sure everyone else was sound asleep. These 2- and 3am adventures at the piano were about my only contact for quite a time until recently when I decided to "go rogue" with my playing.

It sort of began one evening a few days after coming back from the Israel trip. Our network had been experiencing problems, and I had called in towards the end of the workday for on-site support to resolve the problem. The technician informed me he would be coming between 10-11pm. Well, someone needed to be there to let him in the building, so I placed myself there in the lobby. Seeing the piano and an empty room, I started to play. By the time the AT&T guy had come and gone a few times (he had to check a few things down the street), I had played through the entire book of Getty songs and had fallen in love with the piano again.

These songs and hymns are so full of rich doctrinal truths that are so beautifully expressed, both in words and music. It has been a blessing to meditate on the different aspects of Christianity as I play the melodies… all creation speaking of God's glory, His love ringing out across the lands, the power of the cross bringing forgiveness, my being secure in Christ because of His incredible sacrifice, the dawning of hope as God's salvation plan is fulfilled in Jesus, the church putting on the armor of God to combat the lies of the devil, a yearning to hear the Lord speak that my faith would rise and I would see His truth and authority.

Last night after coming back from the park, I joined in on the final minutes of dishpit. Those that were involved were exhibiting such an attitude of joyfulness, breaking out in hymns of praise while brandishing the brooms and mops throughout the huge dining room. As there happens to be a piano in the room, I sat down after a few a capella verses and started into the hymnbook. The final hymn really brought it home for us: Be Still My Soul. I'd like to quote one of the verses (sadly the hymnbook omitted it from the register, but it stands as a personal favorite).

"Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy works and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well-pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine."

Stepping in Faith

What qualifies my steps to be steps of faith? Is it throwing aside all caution to the wind and acting on whatever impulse overcomes me? Is it having no purpose or plan and wandering wherever one wills? No, these do not describe the steps of faith, but instead the one who cares not about God’s plan for his life. This perhaps is a harsh thing to say, especially as I would tend to place myself in the latter category. However, I believe God would have each of us step out in faith to prove our dependence on Him. He will show the way and give light for each step…one at a time, though it may be.

Last month I had the opportunity to go to the Holy Land, to walk the places Jesus walked. While there I did more than just tour the different sites or go on a spiritual pilgrimage, although that was a significant part of the trip. One of the things that stood out to me most through my travels around Israel is God’s faithfulness to do what He says He will do. All the places we went to had prophesies tied to them, some even being fulfilled before my eyes (Isaiah 35:1-2). If God is able to fulfill prophesies from 3,000 years ago and even those made at the beginning of time, should I not be willing to step out in faith and do what He calls me to do?

Sometimes all it takes to step out is to hear the Master calling—yes, even beckoning my name. “Peter, if only you will come out to meet me. Never mind the wind and the waves; come out of the boat and draw near to Me.” Simon Peter, not one to let his thoughts get in the way of him doing or saying anything, just lived life as sincere as could be, showing all. In taking that first step of faith by climbing out of the boat, he left his “safe place” to walk to Jesus, the only true source of safety, setting an example for ages to come. However, in his moment of triumph, defying even the laws of nature, Peter faltered seeing the waves around him. How often do I come so close to doing great things for God yet stop short when I see the pressures piling up against me? To allow pressures in the form of fears of failure, worry, growing responsibilities, unspoken expectations, time pressures, or various and sundry other means prohibit my follow-through in the Master’s bidding is to sink into the waves when I was intended to rise above them. The good news is that Jesus was right there to pull Peter out of the sea and calm the storm, and He will come to my aid when I call out to Him in the midst of my trouble.

So how does one “get out of the boat” and make that first step of faith? I submit that first he must confess to Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Proclaiming this is the foundation stone for being used by God. Like Simon Peter, be willing and prepared to do something out of the ordinary. He was the first one God called upon to preach the Word to the Gentiles, and while on mission, God used him to do many miracles and wonderful deeds. Let us each step out in faith and see what great things God has in store for us!