John Tillman - The Park Forum

September 20, 2024September 20, 2024

Gods in Our Image — Readers’ Choice

Scripture Focus: Acts 14.11-17
11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

Originally published on June 28, 2024, based on readings from Acts 14.11-17.

Readers’ Choice is here: There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or filling out the linked form.

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:
Jason, TX — I find it interesting that our man-made “gods” are only more powerful and brutal, but never more moral or just.

Reflection: Gods in Our Image — Readers’ Choice
By John Tillman

When people say that humans create gods in our own image, I agree with them.

Human-created gods are easy to spot. They are like humans we know. There are strongman gods like Zeus, trickster gods like Hermes, and a host of other “types.” They mostly look like, think like, and act like us. They aren’t more holy, moral, or wise than humans. They are just more powerful. And with flaws and weaknesses like ours, they are more brutal. One slight brings destruction and curses. One slip-up brings unrelenting pain and suffering.

In Lystra, Paul and Barnabas are mistaken for Zeus and Hermes. Commentor, Conrad Gempf mentions a possible motivation for the crowd’s reaction. According to legend, a nearby town had failed to welcome Zeus and Hermes when they visited. Angered by this, the gods destroyed the offenders. With this story in the background, the cry, “The gods have come down to us in human form,” (Acts 14.11) seems less like a joyful announcement and more like a fearful warning. With gods like these, who needs monsters?

The best we can hope for from pagan gods is a balance of blessing and suffering—some light in the dark. “Perhaps good will hold evil at bay for a season. Perhaps, if we are vigilant, we can avoid offense or quickly make amends.”

Paul and Barnabas deny that they are gods and announce the true God, who is different than any the people know, yet has cared for them all this time. Jesus is a God-man unlike any in mythology. When sharing the gospel, beware of copying mythological ideas.

Jesus did not pretend to be human. He was. He was not a pseudo-human trickster god, conning the Father into loving humans. God does love humans. We are made in his image, not the other way around. The gospel reveals and resurrects this nature in us.

We need to share the gospel by emphasizing the “otherness” of Jesus. Our God is not like humans or easy to understand. He is merciful and gracious, yet punishes the guilty. Our best sacrifices do not appease. Our greatest arguments cannot overcome his wisdom. His gospel promises something completely different.

Jesus does not “restore balance,” or “hold evil at bay.” He completely destroys evil and, in the end, his light will banish all darkness. He will do this ultimately in the universe, but he will start in our hearts.

From John: The Divine Hours prayers will return in October. This month we will pray one scripture passage or verse each week.

Prayer:
Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man. — Nehemiah 1.11

Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 47 (Listen 1:21)
2 Corinthians 6 (Listen 2:31)

This Weekend’s Readings
Jeremiah 48 (Listen 7:31), 2 Corinthians 7 (Listen 2:58)
Jeremiah 49 (Listen 7:15), 2 Corinthians 8 (Listen 3:25)

Read more about Praising Christ’s Righteousness
Imagine hanging our hopes on a great leader, only to watch him or her fall…Most of us don’t have to imagine it. It has happened.

Praising Christ’s Righteousness

Read more about Gods of Ruin and Ridicule
Our greatest temptation today is to worship the false gods of power, wealth, pleasure, and narcissism.

Gods of Ruin and Ridicule

September 19, 2024October 4, 2024

Calluses Aren’t Forever — Readers’ Choice

Scripture Focus: Acts 28.23-28
23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “ ‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

Originally published on July 12, 2024, based on readings from Acts 28.23-28.

Readers’ Choice is here: There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or f illing out the linked form.

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:
GT, TX — We all know someone with a callus or two.

Barbara, TN — Thank you for this graphic word!

Brian, DC — Thanks for sharing about calluses of the hand and calluses of the ears, heart, mind and souls…such beautiful truth!

Reflection: Calluses Aren’t Forever — Readers’ Choice
By John Tillman

Calluses develop. We aren’t born with them.

Frequent friction forms calluses that are intended to protect us and, in some cases, help us. I have not played guitar in a long time, but my left hand used to have callus-tipped fingers. Even without a guitar in my hand, calluses marked me as an instrumentalist. If I nervously drummed my fingers on a table or desk, the tell-tale percussive taps of my calloused left hand were louder and sharper than the muted taps from my right.

Before the calluses formed, my tender fingertips could not stand to practice long without severe pain from the pressure and friction of the tiny metal strings. Once formed, the calluses, helped me play longer. (But not much better, unfortunately.)

The calloused hands of manual laborers testify to the hard work they regularly do. You don’t get calloused hands doing yard work once a week. You get them changing tires, or replacing roofs, or landscaping for long hours daily.

Physical calluses are badges of honor for hard work, frequently done. They indicate, in most cases, dedication and strength. The Bible speaks of calluses that are non-physical. We can have calloused ears that don’t hear, calloused hearts that don’t feel, calloused minds that refuse gospel arguments, and calloused souls that reject God.

Calluses of ears, hearts, minds, and souls don’t develop, as physical ones do, from hard work and frequent use. They develop from avoiding hard things and refusing to listen. When Paul addressed the Jewish community in Rome, “some were convinced…but others would not believe.” Paul quoted a warning from Isaiah to these individuals that they would become calloused. (Isaiah 6.9-10) Jesus also referred to this warning. (Matthew 13.13-16)

After his warning, Isaiah asked, “How long, Lord?” (Isaiah 6.11) The Lord’s answer included suffering and destruction, but also hope. God told Isaiah that the calloused hearts, ears, and eyes were temporary. Jesus and Paul knew this too. Calluses aren’t forever.Do you know people with gospel-resistant calluses? Do they stop their ears? Do they refuse to listen? (Acts 7.51-52) Don’t give up on them. Pray that they will stop resisting.

I no longer play guitar and today my left hand is as soft and sensitive as my right. Stay sensitive to those with calloused hearts. Reducing friction allows calluses to soften. Paul spoke “all day long” and some believed. Have patience and don’t be ashamed to share the gospel with the calloused.

From John: The Divine Hours prayers will return in October. This month we will pray one scripture passage or verse each week.

Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 45-46 (Listen 5:51)
2 Corinthians 5 (Listen 3:14)

Read more about Types of Blindness
Even those who already believe can be blinded…There are many types of blindness. Jesus heals them all.

Types of Blindness

Readers’ Choice is here!
This month, we are thankful to share your favorite posts from the past year. There’s still time to tell us your faves via email, direct message, or the linked form, so we can repost them.

#ReadersChoice #YearsBest

https://forms.gle/9vyYwVxa1kZZn7AKA

September 17, 2024September 18, 2024

A Broken Rebel’s Prayer — Readers’ Choice

Scripture Focus: Psalm 90
A prayer of Moses the man of God.
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You turn people back to dust,
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
4 A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
6 In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered.
7 We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.
10 Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
12 Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Originally published on June 3, 2024, based on readings from Psalm 90.

Readers’ Choice is here: There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or filling out the linked form.

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:
Casey, LA — So beautiful. So encouraging.

Brian, DC — Thanks for the gift of this reflection…I sent it to my brother. He is going through a hard time. This reflection will help him endure.

Reflection: A Broken Rebel’s Prayer — Readers’ Choice
By John Tillman

Psalm 90, the prayer of Moses, is the prayer of a broken rebel, humbled and wise, relying on God.

Moses was a rebel from the beginning. Born illegally, the state condemned him to death from birth. Secreted into the wicked king’s palace as a child, he grew up like a sleeper agent. His family did this for his safety but also must have hoped that their little rebel, like a well-slung stone, might take down the oppressive giant.

Instead, he fails miserably. Commits murder. Gets caught. Flees for his life. Marries foreigners. Has uncircumcised children. He stutters. He hesitates. He hides. Yet, God speaks directly to him and does wonders before his eyes. But, despite the burning bush and the voice of God and all those miracles, Moses still says, “Please send someone else.”

Who better to emulate in prayer than a man this broken, purposeless, ashamed, and fearful? Through prayer, Moses became a different kind of man. He became a man used for God’s purposes, breaking the might of a national superpower. He became a man of humility instead of shame. He became a man who stood his ground in faith rather than fleeing in fear.

A Broken Rebel’s Prayer
Lord, whether in a precariously floating basket, a gleaming palace, or a desert lit by burning bushes, you are the source of our life.

All our strivings are pointless before you.
You are the better dwelling place we long for.
Everything we hope for is in you.
We dwell enslaved to our brokenness, our shame, and our fear.
We return to the dust with you as our only hope.

Lord, you see thousands of years like a day and our lives like a blink of an eye.
Help us live our brief lives wisely, with your righteous wrath and merciful love before our eyes.

Have compassion on us, Lord, weak as we are.
Help us praise you with our faltering voices,
Raise our unworthy hands to see you win what our rebellions never could.

Let us pursue your power for your purposes.
Let us release our shame and stand before you in humility.
Let us stand our ground defending the weak with faith that seas will part and armies will fall without striking a blow against us.

Establish your work through our hands and speak your words through our voices.

From John: The Divine Hours prayers will return in October. This month we will pray one scripture passage or verse each week.

Prayer:
Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man. — Nehemiah 1.11

Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 43 (Listen 2:34)
2 Corinthians 3 (Listen 2:25)

Read more about Outward-Focused Rhythms
Instead of focusing mostly on activities that are forms of self-investment, practicing daily rhythms that are rooted in Christ can take us beyond ourselves.

Outward-Focused Rhythms

Read more about Offal Leaders
God smeared their faces with offal, but some keep trying to wipe it off and pretend nothing is wrong.

Offal Leaders

September 16, 2024September 14, 2024

The Prayer of a Man Named “Pain” — Readers’ Choice

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 4.9-10
9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Originally published on November 14, 2023, based on readings from 1 Chronicles 4.9-10.

Readers’ Choice is here: There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or filling out the linked form.

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:
Alisha, OK — This devotional is so timely for me…because of the constant pain I am living in. God is good and has given me peace, but I sometimes doubt if I should pray for relief or surrender to the pain. I’ve never thought…that “Lives defined by pain can find solace, salvation, and supply in God when we cry out to him.” I find my peace and provision and protection in God’s presence and there is a very great deal of relief knowing it’s ok to pray this prayer in the middle of the pain! God bless you for the timeliness of this! I love how He works and speaks right when we need it.

Barbara, TN — Alleluia! What a redemptive and more fleshed out devotion from a prayer that has been a bit distorted. Thank you! Pain Can bring great joy and deliverance as you beautifully say.

Reflection: The Prayer of a Man Named “Pain” — Readers’ Choice
By John Tillman

Jabez was born from pain and named for pain. This man called “Pain” cried out to God to avoid experiencing or causing pain. We should never sneer or be surprised when people in pain pray for relief.

Jabez prayed for God’s provision, presence, power, and protection.

Praying for God’s provision includes praying for “things” but goes beyond that to pray for God’s providential will. Praying for provision means requesting what we need in order to do what God would have us do.

Praying for God’s hand means longing to walk in God’s presence. God is omnipresent and with us at all times and places, but when we pray for his hand on us, we mean a greater experience of his presence.

Praying for God’s powerful hand means trusting God’s arm is not too short to save nor too weak to work in and through us according to his will. God’s power is for his purposes. His power will not go with us if we stray from his purpose.

Prayer for God’s protection confesses humility. We acknowledge our lack of control and that we cannot protect ourselves from spiritual or physical dangers. Sin and death hunger to devour us, and we, like Cain, fail to master them. Therefore, we need God’s protection.

The chronicler inserts Jabez’s story in the genealogical record of Judah but does not list Jabez as anyone’s father or son. It is a little bubble of narrative bursting out of a chart of records. Why is this story here?

The Bible only mentions Jabez one other time. 1 Chronicles 2.55 notes a town of scribes presumably named for Jabez. Many of the texts we hold dear today were copied and cared for by scribes such as the ones who lived at Jabez.

Perhaps the chronicler knew of Jabez before the exile or even lived there? Whether or not this is true, Jabez’s prayer must be one the chronicler longed to see come true in his life and the lives of other exiles.

When hurting, cry for healing. When exiled or outcast, cry for rescue and inclusion. When called a cursed name, cry for blessing and fruitfulness. When suffering pain in this world and homesick for our true home, cry for relief. Lives defined by pain can find solace, salvation, and supply in God when we cry out to him.

Pray for relief and blessing from pain.

From John: The Divine Hours prayers will return in October. This month we will pray one scripture passage or verse each week.

Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 42 (Listen 3:44)
2 Corinthians 2 (Listen 2:13)

Read more about Ask and Keep Asking
Lord, help us to ask and keep asking…grant us greater wisdom, enlightenment, hope, and power.

Ask and Keep Asking

Read more about Beyond Second Chances
God goes beyond giving second chances. Scripture is full of second chances, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh chances, and beyond.

Beyond Second Chances

September 13, 2024September 12, 2024

The Impression That We Give — Readers’ Choice

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 38.15-19
15 But what can I say?
He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this.
I will walk humbly all my years
because of this anguish of my soul.
16 Lord, by such things people live;
and my spirit finds life in them too.
You restored me to health
and let me live.
17 Surely it was for my benefit
that I suffered such anguish.
In your love you kept me
from the pit of destruction;
you have put all my sins
behind your back.
18 For the grave cannot praise you,
death cannot sing your praise;
those who go down to the pit
cannot hope for your faithfulness.
19 The living, the living—they praise you,
as I am doing today;
parents tell their children
about your faithfulness.

Originally published on July 9, 2024, based on readings from Isaiah 38.15-19.

Readers’ Choice is here: There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or filling out the linked form.

Music Week: Many choices from readers were ones having to do with music. Some were inspired by a song or hymn, some simply included music as part of the reflection experience. This week, we pray the Holy Spirit’s tune echoes in your heart and that he guides you into Truth as you listen again to these earthly tunes.

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:
Barbara, TN — ♥️

Reflection: The Impression That We Give — Readers’ Choice
By John Tillman

Have you ever been close to tragedy or been close to folks who have?

If you are humming a tune right now, you probably recognize the question above as the opening line of a popular song from 1997. “The Impression That I Get” doesn’t give the first impression of a song with deep meaning. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones bouncy, ska-infused beat sounds like a perfect summer party jam for the beach or pool, with a chorus people love to scream-sing along with. But the lyrics are deeper than a party pool or the shallow swim area at the beach. The song discusses seeing someone’s tragedy up close and doubting if you would have the faith, the strength, or the courage to face it.

“I’m not a coward, I’ve just never been tested
I’d like to think that if I was I would pass
Look at the tested and think “There but for the grace go I”
Might be a coward, I’m afraid of what I might find out”

We find out a lot about Hezekiah’s faith when he faces a deadly illness. Hezekiah described a painful time of emotional anguish as being crushed by the jaws of a devouring lion. Yet in prayer, weeping, and lament, Hezekiah reached out to God and was miraculously healed.

In Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, he found that the survivors of Nazi death camps had in common a transcendent source of meaning outside of career, family, or possessions. The greatest sources of inner hope and meaning are not self-created but discovered in God.

With purpose, we suffer on. With hope for something better, even if we’ll never experience it, we endure the present. Meaning and hope discovered in God create and sustain courage and cannot be taken away in suffering, even if everything, including your life, is.

What we discover in God, we must help guide others to discover. Hezekiah’s psalm isn’t a party jam but it is a freedom song, a testament of faith and hope not fear and panic. The next generation has plenty of panic and fear. They need the hope and purpose we discover in the gospel. Pain is not purposeless and God’s grace is sufficient for us. (2 Corinthians 12.9)

What stories of suffering have you been telling and what songs of hope have you been singing?
What impression of God’s faithfulness do we give?

From John: The Divine Hours prayers will return in October. This month we will pray one scripture passage or verse each week.

Prayer:
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
— Psalm 95.1-3

Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 39 (Listen 3:11)
1 Corinthians 15 (Listen 8:06)

This Weekend’s Readings
Jeremiah 40 (Listen 3:50), 1 Corinthians 16 (Listen 2:54)
Jeremiah 41 (Listen 3:36), 2 Corinthians 1 (Listen 2:52)

Read more about From the Crucible of Suffering
Deep richness comes to people who face suffering biblically…joy and contentment difficult experiences cannot steal.

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Read more about Worthy of Suffering
Every time the work was hindered, the apostles persevered. They had to…no, they got to continue preaching through many dangers.

Worthy of Suffering