Consider the Poor

This week's Bible study will be from Psalm 41. As I have taken some time to read over and try to understand this psalm, I have been struck by the first verse. The first phrase of this psalm says, "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble."

What does it mean to consider the poor? Does it mean to simple be aware of the poor in society? I decided that I needed to have a better understanding. After all, the first three verses of this psalm proclaim some promises for the one that "considers" the poor.

I did a short word study on the word "considereth". I found that this Hebrew word was used quite a bit in the Old Testament. This same word was often translated "wise" or "wisdom", "skill" or "skillful", "prudent", "understanding", "teach", "instruct", and "prosper". The vast majority of the time this word was translated "wise", "wisdom", and "understand", or some derivation of these. It became obvious to me that in order to "consider" the poor I must do better than simply be aware of them. I must understand, learn, and use wisdom in regards to those who are poor.

Now I must ask myself some other questions. Do I understand the poor? Do I know what it is that they struggle with on a daily basis? Do I have a grasp of what it means to be unable to meet my own physical needs, and to have to rely upon another? Before I can expect the blessings mentioned in Psalm 41 I must have an understanding of the poor -- who they are and the circumstances of their condition.

How well have I learned about the condition of the poor? Do I understand the larger picture of poverty-- its root causes and societal patterns? What are the major issues that the poor around me face? Obviously one issue is financial, but poverty often is interconnected with other issues that must also be understood and addressed.

What does it mean to be wise toward the poor? Does this mean that I need to put some thought into my charitable giving? Is it not enough to simply give some food or money? Is giving food or money always the best thing to do? If I fail to understand and learn the true state of those in poverty I can never expect to make wise choices in my interactions with them.

Needless to say, I did not make it much past the beginning of Psalm 41 this week. Thankfully, my fellow classmates will have spent some time on other parts of the psalm and can help me tomorrow as we study together.

Musings from Psalm 39

Psalm 39 is an interesting psalm. It is a look into the thoughts of King David-- likely near the end of his life.

The psalm starts off with David thinking about his thinking. He is obviously really eaten up with what he is thinking about. Then, he offers up a prayer to God.

Basically, David realizes two things about himself. First, David realizes his life is short (vs. 4-6). Second, David realizes that his life has been full of sin, and thus brought upon him the reproof and chastening of God (vs. 8-11). It is no wonder that David was troubled in the first few verses of the psalm.

With these thoughts heavy on his heart, David finds solace in one thing-- his God. Verse 7 seems to be the keystone of this psalm. When the sad state of life stares you in the face you must place your hope in God.

As you now consider your own life, what do you look to? Do you look to yourself? What good is that. Life is short. What have you ultimately been able to accomplish with your life? Have you not daily struggled with unrighteousness that only leads to the consequences of sin in your life? What real good have you been able to accomplish on your own? No, looking to yourself has not gotten you very far. The only hope you have is in the Lord.

Fame

I had a very interesting experience this weekend. I attended a hall of fame induction ceremony for several local athletic legends. This year's inductees included Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers, who won the Heisman Trophy; Greg Olson, who had a 14-year MLB career and was selected the AL Rookie of the Year in 1989; and Joe Orduna, who helped take the Huskers to a national championship in the early 70s and played 3 years in the NFL.

As most of these inductions go, you shake hands with a bunch of locally-important people, eat a nice steak dinner (medium rare, of course), and then listen to the inductees talk about themselves. This is all to be expected since the whole point of the night is to celebrate the human accomplishments of these individuals. I was fully prepared to settle in for a night of small talk and polite clapping at the appropriate times. What I was totally unprepared for was to spend a night getting to know someone who has decided not to measure their life based upon athletic accolades from days gone by, but to measure their life by a different standard.

Joe Orduna, you see, is a graduate of the high school where I work. His high school football jersey is one of only four others that hang in a prominent place in our gym lobby. His name still graces some spots on our school's list of record-holders. He was also previously inducted into our own school's hall of fame several years ago, and thus his plaque hangs conspicuously with others upon Central High's hallowed halls. But, what Joe spent the most time talking with me about on Saturday night was his love for Jesus Christ. Joe shared his testimony with me and wanted to let me know about the great opportunities his athletic fame grants him to share the gospel.

Joe and I talked for quite a while both before the dinner and after. Joe went back to school after his NFL career and finished his degree. He now teaches high school biology in California. He told me about the wonderful Christian principal that he works for and the great group of believing, creation-oriented science teachers he works with. While most everyone else was hob-nobbing with Omaha's movers and shakers, Joe prayed with me off in a corner.

The ceremony began with a video homage to the inductees. Included were highlights from Joe's high school, college, and NFL career. Each inductee spoke. They all ceremoniously thanked their family, high school coaches, and others that helped them start their careers and then recounted their shining achievements. Joe also recounted some fond memories of his high school days and his time growing up in Omaha. He then shared a very clear testimony of how Jesus Christ saved his life and how this has meant more to him than any award or honor he could ever recieve. He also invited any that might want to talk to him or just might need someone to pray with them to find him at the end of the evening. While it was evident that not everyone was comfortable with what Joe said during his speech, it was also interesting to see those who approached him after the ceremony and wanted to share something with him that was on their heart. Joe simply asked if they would mind if he prayed for them. Joe has a knack of being very disarming. I was truly taken back by how simply he was able to share his testimony to those he had just met.

I am sure I will recount the time I met Johnny Rodgers, Gregg Olson, Gayle Sayers and others. Their fame has earned them a spot with my other fleeting memories of interesting things I have experienced.

I don't know if I will ever cross paths with Joe Orduna again. He has, by now, gone back to California where he will be teaching high school biology and serving in his church. I know I will remember Joe Orduna. He will be more than an interesting personality I once had the fortune to meet. He is someone whose testimony and faith will have a lasting impact upon my life.

The message Joe put on the football he signed for me sums it up best:
As God made me
So I am
As He wills
So will I be
A life dedicated
To Jesus Christ

November 1

I love early fall Saturdays. The weather is usually not too cold, and schedules are not overly hectic.

Today, the kids and I went for a little adventure. First, we stopped at our favorite donut shop for a special Saturday breakfast. Then we headed off to see what we could find.

Our travels first brought us to a gravel road that ended on the west side of some bluffs overlooking the Platte River valley. The vistas were great. I found several promising sites for a cozy house. We also found some land where they raise horses. Of course, we had to get out and look at them. Too bad we didn't have any apples. We couldn't quite coax the horses close enough for us to pet them.

Eventually, we found a road that wound us down the side of the bluffs and into the valley. We ended up right on the Platte River. Soon, we happened upon a spot that we could turn off the road and we climbed down to the riverbank. We stayed for almost 30 minutes. Once we had thrown in all the available sticks, the kids turned to playing with the sand. Next time we will bring some provisions so we can stay longer.

Our last stop took us to a little park in the heart of Elkhorn. The kids climbed the old WWII tank and then played for about 45 minutes. Naptime finally forced us back to the car and then home.

As soon as I finish here, I might just start planning next Saturday's adventure!