Tag Archives: envisioning

Erecting a Place for the Lord

Erector Sets was one of the first commercial products made for children to learn how to build things. Legos and Lincoln Logs were later introduced to enhance a child’s creativity and imagination. Based upon the number of items available today, Legos continues to be a popular toy. Throughout the book of Genesis, Israel’s forefathers erected a place for the Lord, often in the form of an altar, monument or well.

When Jacob came from Padan-aram, he arrived safely and in peace at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan, and pitched his tents before the [enclosed] town. 19 Then he bought the piece of land on which he had encamped from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of money. 20 There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel [God, the God of Israel], Genesis 33:18-20.

When my parents moved to Ohio during my sophomore year of college, I had to start over from scratch. While I met new friends at work, my dad was still envisioning what this new property could become. After damming up a small stream into a pond just beyond our back deck, I began to erect my own place for the Lord. Since my concentration in college was Plant Science, I began to grow a fern garden along the banks of this small pond. While I didn’t erect a physical monument, I called this secluded portion of our yard, Rehobeth, a place of rest.

For as I passed along and carefully observed your objects of worship, I came also upon an altar with this inscription, To the unknown god. Now what you are already worshiping as unknown, this I set forth to you, Acts 17:23.

Couples tend to come with up their own song to commemorate a special date, moment or time in their relationship. If human beings do this for their own significant others, why can’t Christians do something similar to remember their personal relationship with Jesus. The Old Testament is filled with symbols designed to keep Israel meditating upon the Lord day and night, Joshua 1:8. Although you should avoid erecting an image to replace the Lord, do something for God’s honor and glory.

by Jay Mankus

Who Will Roll the Stone Away?

When facing a challenge, there are two ways to approach any dilemma, with an open or closed mind.  The optimistic see potential, envisioning that somehow or someway the job or task will be completed.  The skeptic will bring doubt to the table, often rejecting or questioning every possible solution that is brought up.  Thus, when an obstacle is blocking your way, the minds wonders, “how will roll the stone away?”

And they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” – Mark 16:3

On a Sunday morning during the first century, a few women headed for a tomb to anoint Jesus’ dead body with spices.  Caught up in all their preparations, none of these women stopped to think about how they were going to enter the tomb.  Guarded by Roman soldiers and protected by a boulder which weighed over a ton, the odds were against them.  However, in this unique case, God cancelled the funeral, arriving to an empty tomb.

For no word from God will ever fail, Luke 1:37.

Every miracle should empower people of faith to believe.  Yet, a disciple named Thomas doubted, another committed suicide and a prophet named Elijah wanted to die after receiving a death threat.  Stones are placed into the paths of our lives on a daily basis.  Unfortunately, most people like me complain, “God why are you allowing this or that to happen?  Or you up there?  Do you care about me anymore?”  These are all good questions, but the answer is easy,  In the Lord’s timing, the Holy Spirit will roll the stones in your life away.

by Jay Mankus