“Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” (Ezra 4:42)

 

Remember, the majority of last week’s text was a letter about something that took place 80 years in the future from the time of our group of exiles. If we back up to two weeks ago, we remember that the exiles were being discouraged and their plans to rebuild the temple were frustrated. But no one had reversed King Cyrus’ edict.

 

Enter the prophets.

“Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, helping them.” (Ezra 5:1-2)

 

Oh, I cannot wait to dive into these two prophets. Stirring up work, restoring passion – right alongside our exiles, helping them.

 

Let’s start with Haggai. His name means “festive.”

 

Don’t you love our God?

 

We have a lot of work to do, but the man who will help stir you up? His name means pure joy.

 

Let’s keep that in mind as we read what God said through him:

 

“…the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest:

 

This is what the LORD Almighty says:

 

‘These people say, ‘The time has not yet come for the LORD’S house to be built.’

 

Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai:

 

‘Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?’

 

Now this is what the LORD Almighty says:

‘Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.’

This is what the LORD Almighty says:

‘Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,’ says the LORD. ‘You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the LORD Almighty.

“Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands.” (Haggai 1:1-11)

The amount of time that lapsed between the peoples around setting out to discourage our exiles and “the second year of the reign of Darius King of Persia” is about twenty years. Our group of exiles had been discouraged and their work frustrated, but they had the opportunity to continue trying.

 

Instead, they chose to pack up, go home, settle in, and focus only on themselves.

 

But remember the amazing way God had worked through King Cyrus’ edict? The thrill that those who desired to worship at Temple and offer sacrifices once again for sin felt when Jeremiah’s prophecy came true and their seventy-year captivity ended?

 

And they were quitting because of discouragement.

 

I am first in the Empathy Line saying, “I get it.” Being discouraged and your work frustrated is awful. The resulting feelings of failure sting.

 

But at no point did the king reverse his edict.

 

And in no way has our King reversed ours.

 

We who trust in Jesus alone are declared His children. We have received the Spirit that calls Elohim, the All-powerful Creator, Daddy. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit. And we are blessed with every spiritual blessing.

 

But lean in as I tell you the next part: We have work to do.

God’s message through Haggai began with the exiles insisting the time had not yet come for the LORD’s house to be built. But God had allowed an empire to be overthrown, a new king to fulfill a 200-year-old prophecy releasing the exiles, and protected the group through the return to Jerusalem and rebuilding the altar and foundation.

 

The time was now.

 

It is our time now, too, Believers. And I am not just talking about work “out there.” Sometimes that work is easier. I am also referring to the internal work in our hearts God is doing among the Church as He prepares His Bride to meet Her Groom.

 

I’m talking about pursuing holiness.

Far from self-righteousness or legalism, the pursuit of becoming more like Jesus should flow from our deep desire to love Him. To let the things in our lives that break His heart break ours. To call sin, sin. And to repent.

 

We are truly terrible at being our own bosses. We need a God so far above us, Whose ways are so much higher than ours, to show us the best way to live. What pleases His heart, blesses those around us, and gives our lives purpose.

 

Let’s share our struggles, confess our sins, but then – with pure joy – lean into obedience.

 

He’s worth every last drop of effort.

Library first today:

Did you know November is Kansas Reads to Preschoolers month? This year’s selection is Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino. There will be a Kick-off Party this Saturday, November 7th, from 2-3 p.m. at the Rockwell Branch Library. The first 50 families will receive a copy of the book, and all attendees can interact with a live llama and alpaca, participate in storytime, and enjoy a llama craft. Too fun!

Also this Saturday, from 7-9 pm, come to the WSU Hughes Metroplex for an evening with Luis Alberto Urrea, author of this year’s Big Read Wichita book Into the Beautiful North. Come listen about themes of Mexican immigration, cultural identity, the complexities surrounding our American-Mexican border, and Urrea’s own story. A book signing will follow.

 

Tonight at Alford Branch, come interact with The Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance and Scenic Roots. Play a variety of American folk instruments including a dulcimer, banjo, and mandolin. Ages 5 and up.

 

Come honor Hispanic culture through stories and a craft this Saturday the 7th from 2:30-3:30 at Central Branch. Layer yarn onto a drawing of traditional Mexican heroes, emblems, or a Mixtec calendar pattern. Ages 5 and up.

 

For adults, come learn about your Kindle Fire on Tuesday the 10th at Angelou Branch.

My friend passed on this fun article about the new Union Station project downtown. The area will feature drive-thru coffee, Indian cuisine, and outdoor seating.

 

Do you know about The Legacy Project? Good, good stuff.

 

This Saturday at 11:00, Spirit is hosting their annual Veterans’ Day Parade at Wichita WaterWalk. Come celebrate our vets and enjoy food trucks, a car show, toy collection and face painting.

 

Green Acres at 21st and Maize is hosting a Holiday Tasting Event this Saturday November 7th from 11-3. This event will include gluten-free and vegan meal options, demos & tastings, and storewide savings.

 

The Fresh Market is also hosting their Taste of the Holidays this Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 6:00. Come sample the flavors of the season.

 

Julie Checkoway and Jenny Lawson will be at Watermark tonight and tomorrow, respectively.

Christian Youth Theater will present Beauty and the Beast beginning tonight through the 7th. Purchase tickets here.

 

I got to meet the founder of Guiding Paws, Inc, a local organization supporting a nonprofit, Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Andrew is dedicated to “bringing awareness to people about guide dogs and the role they play in helping visually impaired individuals gain independence.” He is currently selling great t-shirts at Mead’s Corner to raise funds for his guide dog’s vet bills.

 

We got the International Justice Mission Holiday Gift Catalog in the mail the other day. What better gift to give someone in your life who may not need anything than purchasing in their honor a gift of freedom from slavery? A wonderful stocking stuffer for this year. You can shop online here.

 

Enjoy your weekend intentionally loving your people and our city!

He looked guilty when I got back. I go, “What did you do?” He replied, “Cheated.”

Women loving women

Stunning Creator, stunning creation

Creativity

Trick-or-Treat swooning

Color

Fresh air

Flames of auburn

Glisten

 

Your 7 Days?

There are things that are possible in community that are not possible on your own.

 

It was such an innocuous statement shared with new friend who was at her parenting max. At that point in her life, she had some family in town but not deep community to share the load. To step in when she needed help, to carpool, to listen.

 

I realized as it came out of my mouth, the above statement was a testimony to how I was learning to survive the hard parenting days: deep friendships. This new friend just needed a few hours break every day. Just to sit and breathe. She didn’t know how it was going to happen. They couldn’t afford babysitting and no one was taking naps anymore.

 

No one had come alongside to share the load. She had no idea she could ask.

I have watched this family over the past two and a half years. She has blossomed as relationships with moms from our neighborhood school have play dates and carpool and ask her for help so she feels completely comfortable asking back when she needs it. Breaks are natural and friendships are flourishing.

 

There are things that are possible in community that are not possible on your own.

The last we left our exiles, the peoples around were setting out to discourage them and frustrate their work.

 

The Scripture section today inserts a letter about opposition which happened some 80 years later, around 448 BC. The way we know this does not address our current situation is because of the reference to rebuilding the city walls. (Our exiles barely have the temple foundation laid.) Also, in verse 7, the “days of King Artaxerxes” refer to Artaxerxes I who reigned from 465-424 B.C. Our exiles were working on the temple foundation around 536 B.C.

Interesting, isn’t it? Why would the author include it here? Let’s read:

 

“At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, they lodged an accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic script and in the Aramaic language.

Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows…

 

To King Artaxerxes,

From your servants, the men of Trans-Euphrates:

 

The king should know that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.

Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and the royal revenues will suffer. Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king, so that a search may be made in the archives of your predecessors. In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place of rebellion from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed. We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.” (vs 6-16)

 

Whew. That is quite an accusation.

 

And it worked.

“The king sent this reply:

 

To Rehum the commanding officer, Shimshai the secretary and the rest of their associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates:

 

Greetings.

 

The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence. I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition. Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them. Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?

 

As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.” (17-23)

In the earliest Hebrew manuscripts, Ezra and Nehemiah were combined as one book. Scholars wonder if the author uses the first mention of the peoples around slowing the work in verses 4 & 5 to connect to similar frustrations later experienced by Nehemiah in these verses 6-23.

 

Either way, the point is clear: the work of God was being stopped. And by terrible accusations.

 

You know who is called the accuser of our brothers in Revelation, yes? Who is filled with fury because, in light of eternity, he knows he only has a short time to wreak havoc?

 

I think an easy way for us to get our minds off Kingdom Work and onto ourselves is looking for who to blame. In whatever situation. Marriage, friendships, disagreements between friends or communities or denominations. Shame and blame rule instead of Jesus and the work He longs to do.

Talking to myself here as well, what if we turned those accusations back on the originator? If we stopped pointing fingers at each other and pointed them at the one behind every work-stopping mess? In prayer, if we just let all the hurt and anger and resentment and fear and shame and deep, deep regret out to Him so He is free to be the Only Righteous Judge in our particular situations?

It might slow down the shame and blame cycle. The world really could see we are discipled by Him by how we love each other. Things could be taken care of in the only place we really have control: where we’re bowed down and handing over the control to Him. If we pretend it doesn’t matter, that’s no good. If we hang on and try to set it right ourselves, it only gets worse (ask me how I know).

But if we get gut-level honest with our Creator Who already knows, and release it to Him as many times an hour as it takes, day after day, our hearts could slowly be freed up. To obey the greatest commands.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends…You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 

 

This is my command: Love each other.

 

It is Final Friday time. Support local artists!

Whole Foods Market is offering 25 cent coffee or tea from their in-store coffee bar now until November 3rd.

 

Would you or someone you know like conversational English practice? RiverWalk Church of Christ hosts FriendSpeak, an internationally known program offering one-on-one instruction with a native English speaker using the Book of Luke. Call 316-265-9653 for information.

Don’t forget all the Trick-or-Treat/Fall Events listed at Wichita On the Cheap.

 

I hope your weekend is safe and fun!

These guys are still going strong in our yard

And each one so unique

Conference Week means friend time.

Beautiful Creator

Cousin love

Is he gonna eat my foot?

Fish sighting

Birthday men and soy sauce fun

Restaurant birthday photo

There were neighbor puppies

Love

Uncle Darrick is hours of fun

Heads Up 7-Up. With tickling.

One reason I love my sis-in-law

Treat Street fun

Target practice

Puzzle time

Delicate

 

Your 7 Days?

I recently decided to give Twitter an official go.

The hardest part?

Seeing world news headlines (with pictures) instantly.

I now know that, as of 30 minutes ago, the death count in Afghanistan and Pakistan is at least 60 from the powerful earthquake.

Sixty people dead and I know about it within the hour.

The best part of being on Twitter?

When sixty precious souls die, I know about it within the hour.

I’ve been having a hard time lately keeping my mind off myself.

This helps.

 

Pray for the Middle East with me?

“Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.”

(Ezra 4:4-5)

 

Well, we could probably have guessed the peoples around were not going to be happy with our exiles’ answer to their query on help.

The disgruntled locals couldn’t reverse the edict from King Cyrus, but they could certainly make use of a good old fashioned bribe to slow the importing of materials or make sure the money from the royal treasury didn’t get to our exiles. Based on the kings mentioned in verse 5, the work slowed for around twenty years.

 

But let’s look at the wording: set out to discourage. That is intense. Discouragement was not just a by-product of the situation; our disgruntled locals set out to make it happen.

 

The Hebrew word for discourage is “raphah” : to sink, relax, lose heart or energy. The peoples around had one goal: to make sure our exiles lost heart and their work sank.

How about us? Many things can cause us to lose heart. A while back a friend and I had a conversation I regularly return to in my brain. Often a way the enemy of our souls can make our work sink is by bringing up past sin. Regrets have a debilitating way about them, don’t they?

This friend and I talked about how being free in Jesus doesn’t mean we pretend the past didn’t happen. It means we take off the binding chains causing our work to sink and our hearts to crumble, and declare based on what Jesus did on the cross that it’s forgiven.

 

But you know what many of us do, don’t you? We immediately pick those wretched chains back up, and as we’re binding them back around our wrists and feet and neck, we explain to everyone watching that yes, we’re free and forgiven. But please know we don’t deserve this. And we still struggle with this thing over here. And we’re far from perfect.

 

Trust me when I tell you I’m saying this to myself as well:

 

No.

 

Leave those chains down. Refuse to put them back on. Declare over and over that of course you don’t deserve this. That’s the gospel. And of course you’re not yet perfect. You’re working out your salvation.

 

You claim as many times as it takes that His death was enough of a guilt offering for you.

 

That there is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus.

 

And that He shows up best in weak people.

 

And, friends, let’s do this no matter who tries to hand us back those chains.

 

The Wichita Asian Association is presenting their Asian Festival on Saturday from 5 – 10:30 pm at Century II. Admission is free, but you’ll want to sample delicious food.

Food Trucks at the Fountain this Sunday.

 

Beginning next Tuesday the 27th, the Sedgwick County Extension Office is hosting a five-session Mommy and Me Cooking Class. Register here.

 

Andrea Cassell and Jason Bailey will be at Watermark on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Then on Saturday, author Aaron Barnhart will be reading and signing his book Firebrand at 3:00 pm.

 

This Saturday is also Zumba at the Ballpark. Come to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium from 10:30-11:30 to dance to great music and get in a great workout with others.

 

Wichita on the Cheap has a great list of upcoming free and cheap Trick-or-Treat/Fall events in the area. I love that some churches’ Trunk or Treats are included. Our church is hosting Treat Street this Sunday the 25th at 6:00 pm. The youth group does a great job with games, photo booths, prizes and, of course, candy.

 

The 21st and Maize Green Acres Market will be hosting their Grand Opening from 11-3 this Saturday. The first 50 customers will receive a free gift!

Library:

Friday the 23rd, come to Rockwell Branch at 10:30 for stories and crafts based on Pete the Cat books. Ages 3-6.

Make play dough with your 3-12 year old at Linwood Branch on Monday the 26th from 6-7 pm.

And today, the 22nd, at Rockwell Branch come from 4-5:30 pm to find out how to protect your computer, its contents, and how to stay safe on the internet.

 

Have a fabulous weekend!