Author: Erin Newton

Links for today’s readings:

Sep 16  Read: Jeremiah 42 Listen: (3:44) Read: 2 Corinthians 2 Listen: (2:13)

Reflection: Let Go and Let God?

By Erin Newton

One thing that has worked well in my marriage (and I would assume that nearly all relationships would benefit positively) is that when one spouse complains, the other pauses before giving any advice and asks, “Do you need to vent or do you need advice?” Usually for me, I only want to vent. I know what to do, but I need to get all my feelings out there.

There are times when I genuinely have no idea what to do. Do I take this teaching position when I already feel too busy? Do I write a letter to a former church explaining the pain they caused? Do I stay? Do I go?

Our lives are filled with a multitude of decisions, and decision fatigue is a real thing. Sometimes we are simply out of our depth or out of energy. We need advice. I’m grateful for the pastors, mentors, friends, and family that have often been a solid source of guidance.

In chapter 42, Johanan comes to Jeremiah asking for advice. He even vows to take the advice no matter what. That is a strong commitment.

Ten days pass before Jeremiah returns with the words of God for Johanan. I really like this slow approach. It’s not Jeremiah’s opinion given at a drop of a hat. It’s advice that’s been sought after and slowly gathered. Jeremiah is the “God-expert” so to speak. His role as a prophet meant he was the right person to ask advice from. Johanan made a good choice there.

Asking for advice is a humbling experience. One has to let go of control and pride, admit a deficiency in experience or ability, and then hold oneself to the guidance of another. Sometimes our pursuit of wisdom stops there. But what does Johanan promise next? He commits to taking the advice.

Johanan realizes in his vulnerable request that he has relinquished control of the situation and he cannot guarantee the outcome of God’s advice. That can be a scary place.

Sometimes we ask for advice and hope for a particular outcome. We feign commitment by promising to listen and take heed of whatever response is given.

But we will see in the next chapter that asking for advice is one step. Committing to follow is another step. But following through will be the ultimate litmus test of one’s faith.

Are you willing to seek advice? Now are you willing to take it?

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Let us make a vow to the Lord and keep it; let all around him bring gifts to him who is worthy to be feared. — Psalm 76.1

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Readers’ Choice is Coming!

Readers’ Choice is when we ask you to share your favorite Park Forum posts from this year. What posts did you share with a friend?

https://forms.gle/Kj12Ziy4C9gQg8Xm7

Read more: The “Ideal” of the New Testament Church

Rather than one “ideal,” when we look at what the different churches actually did, we see many variations. 

The “Ideal” of the New Testament Church

Links for today’s readings:

Sep 9  Read: Jeremiah 35 Listen: (3:43) Read: 1 Corinthians 11 Listen: (4:20)

Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 35:16

16 The descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.

Reflection: Loopholes or Loyalty?

By Erin Newton

I wouldn’t say that I did everything my parents told me to do. But my mom, when she was on hospice, asked for a few things—cremation vs. burial, no headstone, and not to post sad tributes each year online. I’ve kept my promise. But, honestly, she wasn’t around to make sure we obeyed. We did it because of our respect and love for her.

In Jeremiah 35 we see another case of descendants honoring the wishes and commands of one of their elders. I imagine these descendants are generations removed from the original command. But their desire to be loyal and faithful was so steadfast that they kept the promise even when things might have been easier if they hadn’t.

The prophet uses them as an example of faithfulness. The analogy is that if these descendants chose to obey a human ancestor year after year, then why would God‘s people not do the same in obeying him? The command given to these ancestors caused them to be vulnerable—without permanent housing or food sources. The easy road would have been to find a loophole or justify giving up the commandment. 

I wish my mom had a grave marker that I could visit when I was feeling sad. I sometimes wish I could post on the anniversary of her death so that my friends would give me a little extra attention when I reminded them. But I don’t, because my desire to honor her is greater than my own desire for comfort. 

I am amazed at the faithfulness of the Rekabites. 

How do we integrate this example into our lives in the twenty-first century?

We daily face decisions where the easier option is high-handed disobedience or feigned ignorance to what God has commanded. He told us to take care of those who are less fortunate or voiceless or abused or forgotten. But we often look at the world and assume it is somebody else’s problem or that the mediocre care given by a few is sufficient to fulfill the command by God for the rest of us.

Jesus asked us to avoid excessive wealth and hoarding of goods and the storing up of treasures on this earth. But we call it being smart and prudent to leave an inheritance for our children at the cost of helping others in need today. 

One day all that is hidden will be revealed—even our faithfulness.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling;

That I may go to the altar of God, to the God of my joy and gladness; and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God. — Psalm 43.3-4

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Readers’ Choice is Coming!

Readers’ Choice is when we ask you to share your favorite Park Forum posts from this year. What posts nourished your faith?

https://forms.gle/Kj12Ziy4C9gQg8Xm7

Read more: Chastened Towards Freedom 

We are not taught perfectionism in Paul, but rather confession and submission to the Holy Spirit…

Chastened Towards Freedom

Links for today’s readings:

Sep 2  Read: Jeremiah 27 Listen: (3:52) Read: 1 Corinthians 4 Listen: (3:15)

Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 27:16-17

16 Then I said to the priests and all these people, “This is what the Lord says: Do not listen to the prophets who say, ‘Very soon now the articles from the Lord’s house will be brought back from Babylon.’ They are prophesying lies to you. 17 Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon, and you will live. Why should this city become a ruin?

Reflection: It’s a Trap!

By Erin Newton

In the Star Wars movies, one character is known for the line “It’s a trap!” The phrase is actually repeated by multiple characters. Clearly the plot relies on the element of ruses and tricks. Situations the characters first think are good, often erupt into action-packed scenes of near disaster.

False prophets also deal in tricks and traps. 

Jeremiah warns the people about their judgment by the hand of God through the Babylonians. While their experience was painful, it was tempting to trust those who promised ease and a reversal. I don’t think I blame them. 

In fact, the prophets often began their messages with warnings of judgment and destruction and then followed those statements with promises of restoration. We rely on the conclusion of hope when we read the Bible. Why is Jeremiah warning against those prophecies now? 

If these false prophets had been able to sway the people, they would likely have attempted to act on the promises by rebelling against Babylon. Jeremiah warns that this would be futile.

Disclaimer: A glimmer of hope appears when Jeremiah indicates that restoration will happen when God decides. But the key factor is that God is the determiner of when that happens. Reacting to a false promise of restoration would likely have ruined it all. 

Pain has a way of leading us into temptation. We are tempted to listen to false prophets. We are tempted to listen to people who claim the name of God but speak a different message. 

You often see movies with these types of characters. They are the characters that cannot possibly grasp the danger that lies before them and so they convince themselves that everything is going to be just fine and that restoration is coming “very soon.” The character jumps up and flees the small net of safety and then the monster pounces. 

It is certainly tempting to believe a message that we can control. Blessing is coming very soon? Well let’s just hurry things along! That sounds rather nice. But in the end, it is foolish for us to force things to happen—force blessings, force ease and comfort. 

It’s sometimes hard to distinguish between promises of hardship or promises of coming restoration. I think we are called to be patient in God’s timing, even in pain. We must hold this life of ours loosely, never trying to turn things to our own commands.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the clouds. — Psalm 36.5

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Readers’ Choice is Coming!

Readers’ Choice is when we ask you to share your favorite Park Forum posts from this year. 

What posts helped you heal?

https://forms.gle/Kj12Ziy4C9gQg8Xm7

Read more: Comfortable Prophecies

It is difficult to judge Jerusalem for falling for these false prophets. Don’t we also feel the pull to grasp onto any far-fetched hope of a return to normalcy?

Comfortable Prophecies

Links for today’s readings:

Aug 26  Read: Jeremiah 20 Listen: (3:07) Read: 1 Thessalonians 5 Listen: (2:37)

Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 20:14–15

14 Cursed be the day I was born!
May the day my mother bore me not be blessed!
15 Cursed be the man who brought my father the news,who made him very glad, saying,“A child is born to you—a son!”

Reflection: Cursed Birth Day

By Erin Newton

What do Jeremiah, Job, and Frankenstein’s monster all have in common? Answer: They curse the day they were born. 

Jeremiah has been ridiculed and imprisoned for his prophesying. He curses the day that brought him life and the messenger who brought the news. 

Job suffered the deaths of his children and the loss of his wealth and health. He declares: “May the day of my birth perish, and the night that said, ‘A boy is conceived!’ That day—may it turn to darkness” (Job 3.3-4). 

The Creature in Mary Shelley’s gothic novel experiences rejection from his maker and cries out: “Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed?”

We know the value of life. We celebrate birthdays. We pray for healings. 

But let’s be honest. Many of us have felt pain deep enough to wish it away. We have grieved to the point that the future seems not worth the trouble. We understand that living is a gift, but pain brings us to the place we want to trade it all in. 

And that’s expected. Despite our desire for ease and comfort—this world often brings the uncomfortable and the painful and the awful events right to our doorstep. 

It is good for us to sit with the uneasiness of this chapter in Jeremiah. It ends rather bleakly. We want to rush to tidy it up, to add a “but then” phrase in there. 

But if we move past the harsh, raw emotions of pain too fast, we lose the transformative moment of what brutal honesty can do for us. Telling God we wish we’d never been born is probably the most honest we will ever be. But it’s scary. Are we allowed to not want this? 

I think Jeremiah and Job give us permission to say what we are really thinking. Job sits in misery for a while. He bangs on the doors of heaven until God speaks. A fire of passion is stoked by God in the heart of Jeremiah. He cannot contain it even if he wants to give up. 

We are not a creature stitched together from decomposing flesh and rejected by our father. We are like the prophet and the most faithful servant—seen, heard, and tended to by God. Don’t be afraid to be honest. He’s heard all this before and still loves us.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. — Psalm 86.4

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Better Unborn

It is normal to feel ready to give up, regret answering God’s call, and wish we could go where no one can reach us.

Better Unborn — Readers’ Choice

Read more: Be Awake Be Light

In Christ, we are “of the light” but live in a world dominated by darkness…How then should we live?

Be Awake Be Light

Links for today’s readings:

Aug 19  Read: Jeremiah 13 Listen: (4:11) Read: Galatians 4 Listen: (4:13)

Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 13:7–10

7 So I went to Perath and dug up the belt and took it from the place where I had hidden it, but now it was ruined and completely useless.

8 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “This is what the Lord says: ‘In the same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt—completely useless!

Reflection: Burn Out, Rust Out, or Rot Out?

By Erin Newton

There was a saying I heard in seminary: Better to burn out than rust out. A friend would quip: “But either way, you’re out.”

The saying was meant to encourage people to enter ministry with passion and fervor. The saying helped keep the flames of motivation going when long years of service weighed you down. The contrasting negative option was the picture of doing nothing—either through laziness or apathy. Those people rusted. Obviously, fire sounds cooler than oxidation. Duh.

Yet the friend’s retort was telling: Neither ash heaps or rust are helpful tools.

Then there’s a third image of being “out”—Jeremiah’s depiction of the rotten linen belt.

Linen is a fiber, one we tend to relate to for its coolness, comfort, sturdiness, and breathability. But it’s a natural fiber which means it’s of this earth—from dust it came and to dust it shall return. (Which in its purest state means it won’t leave pollutants in creation.)

While linen can start decomposing within weeks, this belt is meant to be purposefully worn. Belts are utilitarian. Belts are secured to their wearer.

Israel and her pride were this belt. But they had turned to worshiping other gods. They became stubborn and neglected their duties. The purpose and utility they were supposed to perform were tossed aside. So God says he will bury this belt. To dust it will return. When it is dug up, it’ll be tattered and weak—useless.

So now I amend that seminary saying: You can burn out, rust out, or rot out—but either way you’re out. What’s the better solution? Even if you aren’t in ministry. What if you’re just trying to live your life in a way that honors Christ? 

Burning out might look flashy and impressive, but there is purpose to retreating and relaxing. Some might assume you can only fight fire with fire, but we know that water will also do the trick. 

Rusting out from apathy is truly shameful. Laziness is not any better. I guess rust is still our lesser preference. 

Rotting out would be to deny our call, forsake our God, and refuse to change. The rusty ones might not be too helpful but they are still faithful. Rotting out is the bottom of the list. 

What should we do instead? 

Look out – for God’s direction. 

Cry out – for God’s wisdom. 

Work out – our salvation with fear and trembling.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive us our sins, for your name’s sake. — Psalm 79.9

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: A Neglected Garment

Let us consider ourselves with sober judgment. Do we treat our status under Jesus with disdain? Neglect? Pride?

A Neglected Garment

Read more: Why the Cross?

Why the cross?…people express discomfort with the cross. “Isn’t it gross?” “Isn’t it violent?”

Why The Cross?