Archives by: Gary Hoag

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

‘Tour-bus Christians’ drive comfortably through life as they gaze out the window at others who are elbow-deep in the daily adventure of serving God and working among spiritually needy people.

Tour-bus Christians are insulated from the real-world activity and excitement of God’s work. They may avoid some of the pain that’s involved, and they may protect themselves from the difficulties and struggles, but there’s no real adventure on a tour bus.

They miss out on the excitement of living at the edge of expectation. They don’t experience the tremendous counter-cultural truth that the more the Christian pours himself out serving others in God’s name, the more God will fill him to overflowing. The adventure comes when you tell the tour bus to stop, and you jump off and say:

‘Lord I want to get into the fray. I want to play a role in the biggest adventure story of all time. Use me to make a difference. Use me to impact a young person for You. Use me to solve someone’s problem. Use me to soothe someone’s pain. Use me to answer someone’s prayer. Use me to feed someone who’s hungry. Use me to rescue a child. Use me to bring someone to You. Use me to ease someone’s loneliness. Use me to raise a godly family.

Use me to deepen someone’s faith. Use me to cheer someone on. Use me to help a broken person understand that he’s precious in Your sight. Use me to touch lives in Your name.

I don’t want to just observe cathedrals through my bus window; I want to roll up my sleeves and build one! Lord, use me to build a living cathedral dedicated to Your glory.”

‘Tour-bus Christians’ in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 390-391.

This is a powerful word picture. When we read it in light of the command of the Lord to Joshua we discover that that call to step out of our comfort zone and into the unknown comes with a gift. Yet another reflection of the generosity of God. We get the gift of His presence with us, always.

The same promise comes in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). As we go forth making disciples and teaching people to obey everything Jesus commanded us, we have the promise of His presence with us.  In this light, our generosity comes into view as building disciples or living cathedrals.

Make it so Lord Jesus. And thanks for your continued prayers as Jenni and I continue to recover from Covid and regain our strength. Also join us in praying for others who suffer around the world. May we minister to them with encouragement and whatever else they need, in Jesus name.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40

“I saw a stranger yesterde ‘en.
I put food in the eating place,
drink in the drinking place,
music in the listening place,
and in the sacred name of the Triune
He blessed myself and my house,
my cattle and my dear ones,
and the lark said in her song
often, often, often,
goes Christ in the stranger’s guise.”

Celtic Rune of Hospitality in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 366-367.

Today is day 10 of my Covid journey and the worst is behind me, thank the LORD.

If often, often, often Christ disguises himself as needy, undeserving, and irresponsible people who are desperate for help, what is our rhythm for showing hospitality to them?

Hospitality is not so much giving handouts that create dependencies or even hand ups that build disciples. Hospitality is making margin for others. Notice the Celtic Rune suggests food in the eating place, drink in the drinking place, and even music in the listening place. How might we in our homes and churches create and resource such places in a welcoming way?

I want to honor my wife, Jenni, today. It’s her birthday. I am thankful for how she always thinks of the needs of others and creates margin for people. One of the many traits I love about her!

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

“Just as a table without bread is a needy one, so absence of charity is ruin to the soul, for the soul walks by love, and the man who does not love abides in death.”

The Monk of Farne in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 366.

Today we get a short and sweet post from the unnamed Monk of Farne. Researchers believe his name was John Whiterig and that he occupied the Lindisfarne hermitage from 1363-1371.

We may not ordinarily think of the opposite of gracious love as death, but without charity our generosity is worthless. God help us abide in love so that our lives are tables filled with an abundance of the bread of life.

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. John 8:3-8

“How easy it is to denounce structural injustice, institutionalized violence, social sin. And it is true, this sin is everywhere, but where are the roots of this social sin? In the heart of every human being. Present-day society is a sort of anonymous world in which no one is willing to admit guilt and everyone is responsible.

Because of this, salvation begins with the human person, with human dignity, with saving every person from sin. Individually there are among us here no two sinners alike. Each one has committed his or her shameful deeds, and yet we want to cast our guilt on the other and hide our own sin. I must take off my mask; I, too, am one of them, and I need to beg God’s pardon because I have offended God and society. This is the call of Christ.

How beautiful the expression of that woman upon finding herself pardoned and understood: ‘No one. Sir. No one has condemned me.’ Then neither do I, I who would give that truly condemning work, neither do I condemn; but be careful, brothers and sisters, since God has forgiven us so many times, let us take advantage of that friendship with the Lord which we have recovered and live it with gratitude.”

Óscar Romero of El Salvador (1917-1980) in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 329-330.

Ever wonder what Jesus wrote on the ground on the two occasions. No one knows. I think the first time He wrote that He forgave her and the second time that He loved her.

Regardless, that’s what the gospel is all forgiveness and grace.

In our recent GTP Monthly Global Prayer Hour, I opened with a prayer of confession. As Romero notes rightly, we are the problem and the gospel is the solution.

In the generosity space all too often people with wealth act like the problem is outside of them and they are the solution. While we may participate with God in administering change, the solution always has been and always will be Jesus Christ.

As we tackle challenges the right starting place is confession. We must “take the mask off” and acknowledge that we humans are the source of the problem, and ask God to bring hope, help, and healing.

As we start another week, pause to confess your sins and then celebrate with gratitude like the adulterous woman, that you are a friend of Jesus. Give thanks for God’s generosity which is the foundation for any generosity we may exhibit.

Lord have mercy on me a sinner. Forgive me. I am part of the problem. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the solution. Help me make it known to this broken and hurting world. Amen.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

“Why is there so little anxiety to get time to pray? Why is there so little forethought in the laying out of time and employments so as to secure a large portion of each day for prayer?

Why is there so much speaking, yet so little prayer? Why is there so much running to and fro, yet so little prayer? Why so much bustle and business, yet so little prayer? Why so many meetings with our fellow men, yet so few meetings with God?

Why so little being alone, so little thirsting of the soul for the calm, sweet hours of unbroken solitude, when God and His child hold fellowship together as if they could never part?

It is the want of these solitary hours that not only injures our own growth in grace but makes us such unprofitable members of the Church of Christ, and that renders our lives useless.”

Horatius Bonar (1808-1889) in “Time For Everything But Prayer” from Winners of Souls in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 315.

Bonar was a Scottish preacher who exhorted people to avoid rendering their lives useless by being people of prayer. It’s a powerful notion to think that if we are not spending much time in prayer that our contribution, our lives, are useless.

How much time do you spend in prayer each day?

One thing with Covid is that my physical capacities are diminished. My mind is a bit hazy at times too. But I am learning that I can pray. Often when I do I sense God whispering to me in reply as I sit in stillness. His words are filled with peace and hope.

God help me grow more faithful in prayer so that I may be more useful for you. Amen.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

The world gives itself
up to incessant activity
merely because
it knows nothing
better.
The inspired man
works among
its whirring wheels
also, but he knows
wither the wheels
are going.
For he has found
the centre
where all is
stillness.

Paul Brunton in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 303.

As servants of God, we can give ourselves to incessant activity, trying to advance our purposes or aiming to control our destiny. Or, we can take another path, an inspired one, which leads to peace and generosity. Why? How? When we know and trust the One is is in control and who fights for us, we can rest. Despite difficulty, even Covid, we can have peace and we can bless others with the blessings we receive. The Lord is with us in the center, the eye of the hurricane. He fights for us. We need only be still.

Come to our aid Lord, we who suffer. Our hope is in You all day long.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations. He has remembered His love and His faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:1-3

Before we hear Caedmon’s song, read these keen comments that Edward Spencer, a faithful Daily Meditations reader, sent me after reading yesterday’s post.

Spencer writes, “I find it ironic that the song…it’s melody and words…were not revealed to Caedmon until he started to sing. God calls us to get up and walk into our infirmities before He reveals the pathway forward. He calls us to engagement with Him first, in faith and compelling trust, and then reveals the beauty of His full and eternal presence. Prevenient grace poured out in unlimited abundance. He stands at the door and knocks, but each of us must move to open the door, and then be transformed. Before we can fully give, we must fully receive. In the receiving, we learn how abundantly we can give – and never exhaust the abundance of what we have been given.”

Spot on, Edward! Now, as promised yesterday, here are the words of Caedmon’s song, entitled, “Prayers about becoming a voice for those who have no voice.”

“I cannot speak,
unless You loose my tongue;
I only stammer,
and I speak uncertainly;
but if You touch my mouth,
my Lord,
then I will sing the story
of Your wonders!

Teach me to hear that story,
through each person,
to cradle a sense of wonder
in their life,
to honor the hard-earned wisdom
of their sufferings,
to waken their joy
that the King of kings
stoops down
to wash their feet,
and looking up
into their face says,
‘I know–I understand.’

This world has become
a world of broken dreams
where dreamers are hard to find
and friends are few.

Lord, be the gatherer of our dreams.
You set the countless stars in place,
and found room for each of them to shine.
You listen for us in Your heaven-bright hall.
Open our mouths to tell our tales of wonder.

Teach us again the greatest story ever;
the One who made the worlds
became a little, helpless child,
then grew to be a carpenter
with deep, far-seeing eyes.

In time, the Carpenter began to travel,
in every village challenging the people
to leave behind their selfish ways,
be washed in living water,
and let God be their King.

The ordinary people crowded round Him,
frightened to miss
a word that He was speaking,
bringing their friends, their children,
all the sick and tired,
so everyone could meet Him,
everyone be touched and given life.

Some religious people were embarassed
— they did not like the company He kept,
and never knew just what He would do next.

He said,
‘How dare you wrap God up
in good behavior,
and tell the poor that they
should be like you?
How can you live at ease
with riches and success,
while those I love go hungry
and are oppressed?
It really is for such a time as this
that I was given breath.’

His words were dangerous,
not safe or tidy.

In secret His opponents said:
‘It surely would be better that
one person die.’
‘I think that would be better
if he could.’
Expediency would be the very death of Him.
He died because they thought it might be good.

You died that we might be forgiven,
Lord; but that was not the end.
You plundered death,
and made its jail-house shudder
— strode into life
to meet Your startled friends.

I have a dream
that all the world will meet You,
and know you, Jesus,
in Your living power
that someday soon
all people everywhere will hear Your story,
and hear it in a way they understand.

I cannot speak,
unless You loose my tongue;
I only stammer,
and I sopeak uncertainly;
but if you touch my mouth,
my Lord,
then I will sing the story
of Your wonders!

So many who have heard
forget to tell the story.

Here I am, my Jesus:
teach me.”

Caedmon of Whitby (? – 680) in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 198-201.

Powerful and pointed is the song God put to His lips. Soak in it.

For those who want to grow in generosity, we must not miss the fact that the song is the gospel, and at the heart of the gospel is this truth: “How can you live at ease with riches and success, while those I love go hungry and are oppressed?”

Our living must demonstrate care for the hungry and oppressed.

In my work with GTP, God is opening my eyes to serve the spiritually hungry and culturally oppressed both near and far. I tend to attune to those crying for help from afar, and even forget the needs of family, friends, and voices close by.

God desires that we hear the story from those around us as this shapes our song.

Hild wanted everyone to hear Caedmon’s song. Likewise, we must learn from people near and far to know the gospel and to live it out in a way that shows the renunciation of cultural trappings and the embracing of the spiritually and materially poor. In so doing, I realize how poor I am.

Ironically, I find richness is only in sharing what God gives me, just like Caedmon.

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Psalm 96:1

“Caedmon loved to listen. Music thrilled him, and other people’s stories, songs, and ballads carried him along as helplessly as a small boat on a rising tide. But he couldn’t play a note in tune. If he tried to join in with a song when he was a child everyone else was unable to keep singing. Besides he could never remember any words. He couldn’t even tell a joke and get it right. His head got all confused, and the words tumbled out back to front.

So a night like tonight was tortue for him. Heaven and hell, that’s what it was. To hear each person share a song, to listen to the music of the harp as it was passed along, strummed by one, touched gently by another — nothing could be sweeter. But the nearer it came to Caedmon’s turn, the more a sickness rose from his stomach and his bowels stirred uneasily. At the last possible moment, he ran out of the hall.

Once outside, he went straight to the cattle shed to check on his beasts, then threw himself down on his bed and passed into a fitful sleep. In his dreams a man stood before him. ‘Sing for me, Caedmon,’ he said. ‘Sing for me.’ ‘I can’t sing,’ Caedmon protested. ‘Why do you think I’m out here in the cattle shed, instead of inside at the feast?’ ‘Sing anyway. Sing for me.’ ‘I don’t know what to sing.’ ‘Sing about the beginning of the world, and sing about creation.’

So Caedmon sang a song of praise to the Guardian of heaven, the Father of glory. And in his dream he was able to sing a song so beautiful that it could make you cry. When he awoke, the song was still with him, and he sang it for God and for himself. He sang it for the steward of all the farmlands of the abbey. He sang it for the Abbess Hild herself when the steward told her what happened. He sang it for all the scholars and holy men and women of the abbey whom the Lady Hild had called for. He sang it for the people of Whitby and everyone in the countryside round about.

Now someone else looked after the cattle, while whoever could read aloud translated the Scriptures for Caedmon. Each night he sang aloud the things he had heard until a new song was prepared, explaining the Bible to his people in their own language. And for the rest of his life his mouth spoke out the truths that filled his heart.”

Caedmon of Whitby (? – 680) in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 197-198.

Tomorrow I will share the prayers he sang for God that are attributed to him. So this is one of those “to be continued” posts.

But first, let us pause and get the gravity of what happened to this humble chap who watched over the cattle of the Abbey in Whitby. God had a purpose for a humble guy who could neither read nor sing. He had to overcome his fears, his lack of confidence and ability, and sing the new song God gave him.

What song has God given you to sing?

At present, I am singing one word over and over as I navigate COVID. It’s grace. God’s unmerited favor, His mercy and and blessing, is the greatest gift this old sinner who is suffering back pain and COVID could ever dream of receiving.

The irony is that we don’t just receive it but we get it to overflowing to share with others. It’s a song, like Caedmon’s song. And don’t miss that the song is not just for God, it’s for you and me. When we sing the unique song God gives us, we both glorify Him, and we find our place, our purpose.

Like the piccolo in the William Tell overture, every part matters. You matter. I matter. Whether or not you can carry a tune in a bucket, play an instrument, read or write, God has a part for you. It will likely take you out of your comfort zone to find it.

Together, like Caedmon, when we sing our song, we make known God’s generosity to the world. When they see it they know it is not us at work but God at work. They want others to hear it as well. Stay tuned to hear his songs tomorrow. In the meantime, ask God what your song might be.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:15-16

“Ninian returned to Scotland after traveling and studying in Europe. At Whithorn he and a team of skilled builders built a gleaming white stone monastery which became famous throughout the land for education, prayer, and mission.

Sometimes he liked to visit the shepherds and herdsman who tended the flocks and cattle belonging to the monastery. Once he had all the animals gathered into one place so that he could pray a blessing on them. Last of all, he came to the cattle, and with his staff drew around them a circle of protection. Everyone ate, listened to Ninian, then went off to their sleep. The cattle remained, and were noticed by thieves. No wall. No hedge. No ditch. No barking dogs! Just lots of cattle waiting to be carried away!

The thieves rushed inside the circle that Ninian had drawn. The bull of the herd rushed at the men and, attacking their leader, pierced his belly with its horns so that the entrails were torn from him. The bull’s hoof tore at the earth and dug its imprint into a stone there, so that the place became known as ‘The Bull’s Print’. Meanwhile Ninian, finishing his prayer, came past that place as saw the man lying dead and the other thieves running hither and thither nearly. He prayed to God to restore the man to life and health, and did not cease his tears and entreaties till it was so. The other thieves had found themselves unable to leave the confines of the circle until, begging Ninian’s forgiveness and being scolded by him, he bade them depart. And only then could they cross the circle.

Prayers for the blessing of the land and of life

As gulls in hunger’s flight keep to the boat’s track, may we follow in Ninian’s wake.

As we hunger and thirst for truth, may we follow in Ninian’s wake.

May we sound the depths of love for Ninian’s and for Christ’s sake

In the strong name of Jesus, we bless all that is living, and recognize in all that lives the reflection of the Word who said, ‘Let there be life and it lives.’

Teach us to care for all that is entrusted to us and nurture every sign of your presence.

Circle our dear ones in Your love and blessing; and protect us all from evil and from danger.

Give us open eyes to see beyond what others say is possible. Give us the insight to recognize and name deceit.

May the blessing of our love and our strong joy in blessing call out new growth in everyone we know and meet.

Give us a generosity that pushes back the boundaries for even death by You has been defeated. With all our powers we find our power in You.

The light shines on, and life is lived in You.

Ninian of Whithorn (360-432) in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 194-196.

The stories and prayers of the Celtic saints are so inspiring. Today’s post fills me with life, despite and aching back and other symptoms related to Covid. It has inspired me to draw circles around those entrusted to me, my family, the whole GTP team, the GTP global network, even the readers of Daily Meditations around the world.

I pray to the Father that these posts will “call out new growth in everyone” so that they too have faith to circle and bless others. I pray in the strong name of Jesus for “a generosity that pushes back the boundaries of even death” as He conquered it, delivering each one from harm and sickness (including Covid). And I pray that the Spirit will empower each of us to find power in God alone.

The light only shines through those with such power. In the name of the Holy Three, Empower my family, the GTP team, the GTP global network, and readers of Daily Meditations around the world for your glory to call out new growth, exhibit rich generosity, and find power to circle and bless all those they serve so their lives shine like light for your glory. Amen.

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16

“Brendan is one of the best loved of all the Celtic saints. The story of his sea voyages has held a special fascination for every generation. In the accounts that have been handed down to us the distinction between actual events and interior vision and experiences is not always clear… The voyage of adventure is an appropriate analogy of the spiritual journey that each of us is challenged to undertake.

Part 1
Brendan’s companions notice that his heart has been stirred. He is caught by a vision. A place beyond his present shores is calling to his yearning spirit. Does he know with a certainty that he must go? ‘We will go with you,’ they say. ‘We will journey where you journey. Your God is our God – for life or death we follow.’ Brendan climbs the mountain alone and searches his heart to test the truth of what he feels. And this is Brendan’s mountain prayer.

Shall I abandon the comforts and benefits of my home,
seeking the island of promise our fathers knew long ago,
sail on the face of the deep where no riches or fame
or weapons protect you, and nobody honors your name?
Shall I take leave of my friends
and my beautiful native land,
tears in my eyes
as my knees mark my final prayer in the sand?
King of the mysteries, will You set watch over me?
Christ of the mysteries, can I trust You on the sea?

Christ of the heavens,
and Christ of the ravenous ocean wave,
I will hold fast to my course
Through the dangers I must brave.
King of the mysteries, angels will watch over me,
Christ of the mysteries, when I trust You on the sea.

Brendan’s example speaks to us each:
Have I the courage to leave the familiar
and journey to the unknown?
To journey beyond the way I have prayed,
the life I have lived, the sensible and the secure?
to trust God to take me beyond these familiar shores?

Christ of the mysteries, can I trust You on the sea?”

Brendan the Navigator (c.476-575) in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 178-179.

This is only the beginning of Brendan’s mountain prayer but it touches on an idea that impacts our generosity. Can we, or rather, will we trust Christ? To pursue the adventures God has for each of us, we must either try to sort things by our own strength or put our trust in Christ.

In Brendan’s prayer he describes the place God is calling us to as “the deep where no riches or fame or weapons protect you, and nobody honors your name.” In this light, our generosity will be just what he supplies and accomplishes through us, and not anything we can plan or muster.

It comes through trusting Christ. While I won’t share the rest of Brendan’s prayer, what I will do is challenge you to join me in going out to the deep. Get out of your comfort zone. Trust Christ to guide, provide, and give you the security and fuel the generosity that He has planned for you.

As I shared last week, I hurt my back. It appears I have herniated another disc. If that’s not enough of a mountain to climb I contracted COVID. Pray for my family as Sophie (our daughter), Peter (our son in law), Jenni (my wife), and I are all COVID+. Christ, thanks that you are with us in our time of suffering.