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Dragon Spring

“I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.”

Nehemiah 2:13 (ESV)

We are still in the middle-of-the-night surveying by Nehemiah and a few of his men. He has taken his 3-day rest and is figuring out what is broken, what needs repaired, and how to move forward. Starting with a gate.

Gates are what allow us in, welcome us to a specific place. But they also keep out that which is an enemy of the good. I remember the rest of being in a safe place with toddlers; where gates could be closed, no breakables were present, and I could relax such stringent focus on preventing trouble.

I’m so glad one of the Names our Savior chose was The Gate. We can come in and be saved from destruction. But we can also freely go out and find pasture and purpose. The Good Shepherd makes use of the gate’s dual purpose.

Nehemiah went through the Valley Gate, but also inspected the Dung Gate – the Hebrew is ashpoth: refuse, ash. The Dung Gate led to the rubbish dump. Scholars also think it could be referring to 2 Kings 23:10 and the babies which were sacrificed by fire to the false god of Molech under Manasseh, king of Judah.

A place that leads to ashes and death.

And the Dragon Spring is also an interesting notation. The Hebrew for Dragon is tannin – serpent. Monster.

Sometimes I think we get lax on what a horrible enemy we have. To be too focused on it is backwards and unhealthy. But to think of the evil as anything less than monstrous is to be vulnerable to his schemes. He would seek to destroy anything of our Beautiful God in our lives.

There is a place in our bedroom where, if I lay my head down, I see only the top of our neighbor’s tree and endless sky. I often lay my head there when I get a friend’s devastating report or hear of heartbreaking world news or something else that feels broken down. That seems to be eaten by the fire of the vicious dragon. The death and hate and ashes which oppose the Shalom He longs to bring – and one day will.

Some days I can’t wait. I know, though, that “if we’re not dead, we’re not done” here. There is more He wants to do in us and through us to prepare us. And the image of a Spring helps see redemption in the pain. Well or Spring is ayin – of the eyes/appearance.

“A fountain known as the eye of the landscape.”

He can turn anything the serpent means for evil into good.

After all, scholars wonder if the Dragon Spring refers to the Pool of Siloam. Where the One Who would crush the serpent healed a blind man. And like this man, you may not have all the answers. But if you have encountered the Most High, you can relate to him.

This you know: once you were blind but now you see.

Ways to Save Week of March 16th

Great Beginnings for Families is being offered through the Sedgwick County Extension Office. These are bi-lingual classes offering practical ideas for nurturing young kids, and are court approved. Register here.

Coming up at Watermark:

See Jung Yun for an author talk and signing on Thursday, March 16 at 6:00 p.m. for her novel Shelter.

Then tomorrow night, Friday the 17th, see Lyndsay Faye for an author talk and signing of Jane Steele at 6:00 p.m.

Then Monday March 20 at 6:00 p.m., catch  Josh Barkan for a signing of Mexico.

Finally on Tuesday, March 21st, come for a signing of David Nichols‘ book Ike and McCarthy.

Come tomorrow, March 17th, for Wichita Art Museums’ Opening Reception: The Artist Project beginning at 6 pm. “Join Wichita artists and WAM board members for camaraderie and a sneak peek at WAM collection gems selected by artists featured in the book, Wichita Artists in Their Studios.”

And are you needing some kid ideas for Spring Break next week? WAM is offering Artcation Tuesday through Saturday, the 21st – 25th, from 11-3. Enjoy special art projects, movies, and explore the galleries. Come one day or all!

Do you know if you’re at risk for Type 2 Diabetes? You can take an online self-assesment and learn about the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program here.

Coming up this Saturday the 18th: Johnson’s Garden’s Become a Backyard Beekeeper

And for more creative Spring Break options, check out the Great Plains Nature Center:

At Explore Prairie enjoy a guided nature hike, a craft, and Barry the Bison!

For Explore Woodlands, see a Screech Owl program and woodland crafts and activities.

Come to Green Acres‘ Workshop: Understanding Inflammation tonight from 6:30-7:30.

And City Arts will be hosting a Spring Break Art Camp. Choose from Digital Arts or Mixed Media, with early drop off or pick up available.

Upcoming live music at Mead’s Corner:

Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe w/ Jack & The Bear and Aaron Lee Martin are featured tonight, the 16th, from 8-10.

Kill Vargus ALBUM Release  & Tour Kick Off w/ Cavves & Leftmore is Friday March 17th from 7-10.

Then Saturday the 18th from 8-10 enjoy All Strings Considered.

Enjoy Reverie’s Monthly Game Night Saturday the 18th from 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Library:

Teens: Are you interested in helping your local community while learning this summer? Learn more about being a Summer Volunteer.

And see some wonderful, free Spring Break Kids Events here.

 

Have a great weekend!

Unity in Jesus

Our city was brave and met together – as representatives of many different local churches – and took on the topic of racial reconciliation last night. We began with worship including this song.

I believe in God the Father

I believe in Christ the Son

I believe in the Holy Spirit

Our God is three in One

 

I believe in the resurrection

That we will rise again

For I believe in the Name of Jesus

Pretty important anthem to begin the night, especially as we could probably all sit down and discuss nuances of theology together. I have too much fear of God to believe doctrine isn’t important and would never desire to neglect His Word. And the Word was preached.

I mean preached.

And, somehow, a humble comment in the Q&A panel hit me most squarely between the eyes: “We can learn a lot about this topic academically. But the way forward will be through relationship.”

Yes.

At some point we must set aside our different convictions – of which I have many – and listen to each other. I believe that was the spirit of the evening and I want to follow suit.

For the record, none of the speakers were saying we should ignore academia. In fact, it seems one way to educate yourself and your family is through books authored by those of a different background. I know many parents have great lists of books that have helped elevate in their homes those not of the powerful majority. Some ideas to start with for kids are here. And for adults here.

Please know I have not read or researched all these books, so this isn’t meant to be a sweeping recommendation for every bit of content. But it’s a great way to start in opening up new worlds and perspectives. The main idea of last night was that Heaven? It is gonna be filled with diversity. And one of our goals is not to force, but to welcome, that kind of difference in our churches now.

Open our hearts, LORD. We have much to learn from each other.

3 Day Rest

“I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.”

Nehemiah 2:11-12

I went to Jerusalem and after staying an appointed time of 3 days, I myself arose at night with only a few men alongside me. I hadn’t confessed/reported what Elohim, my Creator God, had given my heart to accomplish for Jerusalem. There were no beasts/behemah other than the one I rode.

Last time we looked at how the local leaders felt threatened by Nehemiah’s arrival to rebuild Jerusalem. Today we see our leader at last arriving in the city of his fathers. Interestingly, both he and Ezra took a 3 day rest after their travels to the City of God. And the Hebrew for stayed means appointed. An appointed rest.

Have you ever been grateful for an unexpected break? A rest from weariness to reconnect with your Savior and your soul?

It does not escape me that when the break was over, the Hebrew verb Nehemiah uses is qum – arose. You see it, yes?

He appoints His children a 3-day break while He Himself took a 3-day trip to the pit of hell for us.

“Then bursting forth in glorious day up from the grave He rose again.”

None beside Him.

The above green was springing up under much death this morning. I brushed aside leaves, but also unrooted, lifeless remnants from last year’s growth.

Anything you need to move aside? It moves quite easily when it is no longer gaining sustenance from the Source. No need for moldy manna or old wineskins for the New Wine He longs to bring.

Beauty from Ashes.

I do appreciate how discreet Nehemiah is as he slips into the night to survey the damage of the city walls. And he hasn’t told anyone what Creator God put in his heart to do.

How about us? Can He trust us with plans to seek the beauty of others? And are our plans His? We are all guilty of making our own timetable and to-do lists and goals, then asking Him to bless it almost as an afterthought.

What if we made ourselves available to let Creator God give our hearts what He wants to accomplish? Or even better: pay attention to what He is already at work doing and throw in – with the awareness we join Him.

When His Spirit is in charge, it flows, help offered is welcomed and He gets the glory.

The only animal (behemah-beast) in this middle-of-the-night scene is the one Nehemiah is on. Makes me wonder what the few other men were doing? Perhaps our leader needed a bit more height to survey the damage done.

What we know for sure is the Leader never required being above others. He was born lowly among animals, beasts. He Himself rode a donkey into Jerusalem while people proclaimed Him king. Only to be betrayed by that same crowd later in the most important week in history.

And He reversed all the damage we’ve ever done.

Beauty from Ashes.

Ways to Save Week of March 9th

It’s 2nd Saturday time!

You won’t want to miss the Beginning Vegetable Gardening class beginning March 16th through the Wichita Public Library and the Sedgwick County Extension Office.

At Watermark: Peter Heller an author talk and signing of Celine on Tuesday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m.

And don’t miss Hudson River Exploration: A Naturalist’s Response to Landscape Painting with Rob Manes coming up tonight, March 9th, at 6:00 at the Wichita Art Museum.

Then tomorrow night, March 10th, at WAM check out Art Chatter as “local artists, musicians, and designers present streamlined offerings about what’s up and on their minds.”

This Saturday the 11th at Sedgwick County Zoo enjoy Children’s Farm Festival from 9-12.

City Arts has a couple of workshops coming up: How to Price Your Artwork this Saturday from 1-2:30 and Discover Your Creativity Sunday from 1-3.

Interested in a dialogue on race hosted by local churches? Join City Life Church and First Evangelical Free Church for City Forum: A Dialogue on Race this Sunday the 12th from 6-8 pm.

And the next Candid Conversation on Race through the Library is this coming Tuesday, March 14th from 7-8 pm at WSU’s Hughes Metropolitan Complex (5015 E. 29th Street – corner of 29th & Oliver, room 180)on Racial Profiling.

Because we should talk about it.

Live Music coming up at Mead’s Corner:

Crystal City will be playing tomorrow night, March 10th, from 8-10.

Then see Endless Chasm with Saura Mandala, Christopher Flores + Athena Kerr this Sunday the 12th from 8-11 pm.

Spice Merchant has Wichita Flag Tees for sale these days. Just saying.

And Kansas Grown is hosting their March Indoor Farmers Market this Saturday the 11th from 8-noon.

Check out the rest of this Week’s Schedule at ICT Pop-up Urban Park

Featured at the Wichita Symphony this weekend: Von Oeyen Plays Grieg

And have you seen the wonderful kids seeking mentors through Youth Horizons?

 

Library:

Register for this weekend’s Second Saturdays of Code for kids ages 8 and up.

And don’t miss Photo Editing on Your Computer at Alford or this morning’s Toddler Dance Party at Rockwell.

 

See all upcoming Library events here.

 

Have a great weekend!

Threatened

“So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.”

Nehemiah 2:9-10

Last time we saw Nehemiah’s final request of the king: wood to build. Today we see Nehemiah take his next steps, complete with army officers and cavalry. As Nehemiah was to be the official head in Jerusalem during the rebuild, an armed escort (unlike Ezra) was appropriate according to custom.

“So I went to the governors and gave them the king’s letters. The king had freely sent an armed escort with me.

Sanballat the Samaritan governor from Beth-horon and Tobiah (“Yah is my good”) the servant from Ammon were exceedingly, greatly afflicted when they heard someone had come to baqash (desire, request) the towb (beauty) of the Israelites.”

It’s so interesting that the very same Hebrew words used to describe Nehemiah’s affliction are here used for the ruler of Syria and a governor of Transjordan at Nehmiah’s arrival. In Nehemiah’s instance, he was heartbroken for his brothers and sisters – and the city of his forefathers. But here, the use is political. These leaders were threatened by Nehemiah.

I don’t have to look far to see this played out daily – in our home and at school. But I would need to be in denial to think this only affects children. Jealousy and comparison rise quickly in us too, don’t they? Beautiful, sweeter, younger women. Older, wiser, more gracious women. Marriages that do it right and always have. Better bloggers or funny speakers or bolder, more administrative ministry leaders.

We’ve all experienced this. But the jealousy or comparison doesn’t become a threat until it gets close to something or someone important to us. That woman too admired by our man. A similar ministry doing “more.” Someone seeming to become more important to our friends. Or having more influence in an area that matters to us.

Aren’t you glad He took away the need for all this? That His love for His own never changes – and we never earned it in the first place.

And the greatest in His eyes is a servant. One who puts the needs of others above their own.

It is in times like these we are well aware it takes His Spirit in us. On our own, with our brokenness, we too can become exceedingly, greatly afflicted when someone we feel threatened by seeks beauty on behalf of others. But nothing could be further from our Father’s heart.

And thank the good goodness He will help us.

Ways to Save Week of March 2nd

We get to start thinking about gardens soon. Make sure to check out the Gardening Seminars through the Sedgwick County Extension Office this weekend.

Coming up at Watermark: David Baldacci this Sunday the 5th at 3:00 at Abode Venue for a reading and signing of his latest The Width of the World, the third book in the Vega Jane series.

Then on Monday March 6th, see Scott Novosel for an author talk and signing of Fieldhouse at 6:00 pm.

And Wednesday the 8th at 6:00 pm, see Tom Clavin for an author talk and signing of Dodge City.

The Donut Whole has a great line up of events this month. See the list here.

Next Breakfast with Matt at Green Acres at Bradley Fair is this Saturday the 4th at 8:00 am. See Drs. Ron Hunninghake and Anne Zauderer discuss breast cancer and breakthrough medicine.

At Spice Merchant

Did you know you can Join the Day at the YMCA through March 15th? Today is the 2nd, so just pay a $2 joiner fee.

Enrollment is now open for City Arts’ Spring Classes.

Come hear some great live music at Mead’s Corner: Tonight from 8-10 see Layden and the Lion with Relatives and Pallet Town. Then next Wednesday, March 8th, hear Chase Castle with John Bukavoc.

 

Library:

Today, Thursday the 2nd, don’t miss Dr Seuss Day at Angelou Branch from 3-5. Stop by after school to make your own Thing 1 or Thing 2 headgear.

And on Tuesday March 2nd learn more about Windows 10 at Westlink from 6-7:30.

 

Have a great weekend!