Tagged: Audrey Frank

The LORD was so furious with Uzzah, he killed him on the spot for his negligence. 2 Samuel 6:7 To read more of my reflections on 2 Samuel 6, click here. The word ḥârâ used for furious in this passage not only means to grow angry, but also to be grieved. This word has stuck with me in recent days.  What if our helping grieves the Lord? I recently stood with two dear African friends from two different nations as they recounted one way Western help has hurt. Historically, some helpers brought the Gospel to Africa wrapped in prosperity. In the process, suffering was omitted from the message of faith in the One who suffered to save humanity. Allured by illusions of quick solutions and… Read More

To read more in my series of reflections on 2 Samuel 6:;1-18, click here and here. David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How will the Ark of the Lord ever come to me?” 2 Samuel 6:10 When the day started, David was full of hope. After a long road of battle and loss, grief and sorrow, he was finally taking his place as king in Jerusalem. But he wanted his reign to be religious as well as political. So he gathered 30,000 of the best men of Israel and showed up at the house of Abinadab to collect the ark. With much celebration, the king would take it into Jerusalem. In his zeal for the Lord, David overlooked the Lord’s holiness.… Read More

To read the first in my series of reflections on 2 Samuel 6:1-18, click here.   He died right there beside the ark of God. 2 Samuel 6:7 When holiness is ignored loss is inevitable. The ark of God represented the very presence of God among His people. He gave careful instructions in Numbers 7:9 about its transport. It was to be carried on poles, supported on the shoulders of the Kohathites. Not even the priests were permitted to touch it (Numbers 4:15). It is difficult for us modern readers to comprehend the gravity of Uzzah’s story. Holiness has become archaic, a concept associated with ceremony and gilded altars beneath domed, elaborately painted ceilings. But holiness is worth revisiting. Without it, there is no hope.… Read More

And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 2 Samuel 6:6 Helping can hurt. The ark of God represented God’s holy presence. Not even the priests were allowed to touch it. But as they trundled over the uneven surface of the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah automatically reached out to steady God's Presence. Do we think by helping we can steady God? We cannot. God Himself is steadfastness and stability. Isaiah 33:6 says, “And He shall be the stability of your times.”  Can we steady the One who is Steadfastness? Can we stabilize Him who is Stability? Perhaps we should let… Read More

  The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water. He restores my strength. Psalm 23:1-3     Hope for a Saturday Morning Song   A song hums low  Behind the noise Beneath the chaos Invitation to joy.   A narrated song With video I see the images A picture show.   A happy list Of things to do Not things I must But only want to.   Visit the garden shop Choose some roses Linger among  Violets and posies.   Make an oasis Privacy screen With roses for walls I’ll sip my tea.   Meet a friend For no good reason Except for revelry In blooming season.   Make good bread Knead it… Read More

I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. 1 Timothy 1:12-13 If Paul had stopped his sentence after the word ministry, he would have been no different from the Pharisees in their religious pride of position. Yet he continued. …even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. The small phrase even though is a sharp pivot from pride to humility. Ministry is littered with traps that open to a gaping pit of pride. Without even though, even the most gifted minister is vulnerable to falling headlong. However, even though… Read More

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 Across the earth, each day begins with a song for the Light of the World. The birds have been commanded and commissioned to announce the joyful news that the Light of the World has come. In Kenya, birds sing a ballad that breaks the dawn as lions, zebras, and giraffes pause to welcome a new day. Bells of birdsong ring over Italy heralding sunrise. As deep violet night gives way to morning light in Tunisia, birds crescendo over the ancient Roman ruins of Carthage. In Egypt, birds dance across the sky to… Read More

for so many little acorns waiting in the dark. Little Seed   Silent little seed Deep in the dark Buried.   Decaying little seed All that you once were Decomposed.   Surrendered little seed Still and waiting Hoping.   Poor little seed Silence stretching long Inertia.   Surprised little seed Life is thrumming through you Upward.   Tough little seed Pushing through your casket Breakthrough.   Blinded little seed Emerging into brilliance Light.   Growing little seed Stretching to the heavens Free.   Big little seed Towering in sunshine Rooted.   God’s little seed Oak of righteousness Honored.   [bctt tweet="Hold on, little seed. There's mighty power inside you. Hold on. #transformation" username="audreycfrank"] @audreycfrank Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash Read More

for Nat, who has stretched out her love for me over decades. And above all, keep your love for one another fervent…  …because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:21-23 Stretching keeps us from injury. In my first year as a serious runner, I hadn’t learned this important lesson. I ran out the door and down the road thinking I could run the distance on my sheer motivation and dedication, my belief in the goodness of running for my health. This naïveté resulted in an IT band injury my first month. I was sidelined before I’d barely begun. I had eight long weeks to learn from a professional how to stretch my muscles so I could become the long-distance runner I’d set out… Read More

Then they said to him, “What must we do to be doing the works of God?” John 6:28   Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched. Don’t get the cart before the horse. Learn to walk before you run. Look before you leap.   Come and believe before you start doing. The crowds at the seaside that day wanted to know what they must do to do the works of God. Jesus’ enigmatic response didn’t fit their mental and cultural boxes. Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has… Read More