A few months ago a group of us met to go to a concert together. Several of us were going to different places after the concert and one girl was going to drive herself as to not be a burden.
Here's our conversation:
"Come ride with us. I can take bring you back home."
"I'll just drive. I don't want you to go out of your way."
"It's no problem."
"I'll just drive."
"You are a part of our community. Let me drive you."
"Okay, I receive that."
It was such a little and simple thing but what a great picture of how hard it is for us to live in community here. (And by "here" I mean the U.S.) Go ahead, try it out. Let me know how it goes.
Acts 2:42ff
" 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Mediator
What mediates between you and God?
That question was posed to a group of around 1,200 college students at this year's 20/20 conference at SEBTS. It was the last of three questions under the heading of "We are most often enslaved by that which we love." The other two questions were also poignant but this question hit me. You see I was raised in a home with both parents who loved the Lord. They took me to church and I loved it. I was very active in church activities and even invited my friends to church and told them about Jesus on my own.
One of my friends that I shared Jesus with was Catholic. She was one of my first friends in my new town as a 6th grader. I can't recall if they were active in their church or not but I can recall one conversation that we had at my house. We were talking about God and stuff. I couldn't understand why she would have to go to a priest to talk with God. I mean, as best as I understood, we could just talk with God. He is everywhere. He forgives our sin. He is our friend. I didn't need someone else to talk with my friends for me so why did I need someone else to talk with God for me?
But did I really believe that I could talk with God on my own?
When I was little I told my teacher that my dad ran the church. He didn't, he was just there all the time. But I thought he ran the church. Because my dad "ran the church" I trusted him with everything. I mean, what he said was truth and I never doubted it. Now, it's not a bad thing to believe your father's words but I took it one step further. I never searched the scripture for myself. I would read along with the pastor as he would read his Sunday passage and preach. But I never investigated further the depths of God's Word. I did my Bible study and sat in my discipleship groups and participated in discussion in Sunday School but I did it all through the lens of my parents' or pastor's or Bible study leaders' word. So in much the same way I was putting them in place as my mediator.
1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time."
Hebrews 4:14-16 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Romans 8:26 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
That question was posed to a group of around 1,200 college students at this year's 20/20 conference at SEBTS. It was the last of three questions under the heading of "We are most often enslaved by that which we love." The other two questions were also poignant but this question hit me. You see I was raised in a home with both parents who loved the Lord. They took me to church and I loved it. I was very active in church activities and even invited my friends to church and told them about Jesus on my own.
One of my friends that I shared Jesus with was Catholic. She was one of my first friends in my new town as a 6th grader. I can't recall if they were active in their church or not but I can recall one conversation that we had at my house. We were talking about God and stuff. I couldn't understand why she would have to go to a priest to talk with God. I mean, as best as I understood, we could just talk with God. He is everywhere. He forgives our sin. He is our friend. I didn't need someone else to talk with my friends for me so why did I need someone else to talk with God for me?
But did I really believe that I could talk with God on my own?
When I was little I told my teacher that my dad ran the church. He didn't, he was just there all the time. But I thought he ran the church. Because my dad "ran the church" I trusted him with everything. I mean, what he said was truth and I never doubted it. Now, it's not a bad thing to believe your father's words but I took it one step further. I never searched the scripture for myself. I would read along with the pastor as he would read his Sunday passage and preach. But I never investigated further the depths of God's Word. I did my Bible study and sat in my discipleship groups and participated in discussion in Sunday School but I did it all through the lens of my parents' or pastor's or Bible study leaders' word. So in much the same way I was putting them in place as my mediator.
1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time."
Hebrews 4:14-16 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Romans 8:26 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Confession
A few weeks ago I posted a blog about ways in which God transformed my prayer life. I left out one very large part of that because I wanted to spend a little more time on it.
So often we read through passages in the Bible and immediately think of someone else, someone with "more sin than me," or we simply breeze over passages that aren't meant to be breezed over. But as I was slowly walked through 2 Timothy 3:2-5 some years ago I was struck by my sin in every area of my life. Let those of us who have been saved swiftly turn to Romans 8 which begins with, "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." But don't stop there. Paul continues in verse 13 with, "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." I like the KJV word here "mortify." John Owen has written a fabulous book on that subject that I won't rewrite for you here.
Take some time to slowly read through this passage...
2 Timothy 3:2-5
"People will be lovers of themselves,
lovers of money,
boastful,
proud,
abusive,
disobedient to their parents,
ungrateful,
unholy,
without love,
unforgiving,
slanderous,
without self-control,
brutal,
not lovers of the good,
treacherous,
rash,
conceited,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—
having a form of godliness but denying its power."
Then be reminded of the promises of God in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" and in Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"
So often we read through passages in the Bible and immediately think of someone else, someone with "more sin than me," or we simply breeze over passages that aren't meant to be breezed over. But as I was slowly walked through 2 Timothy 3:2-5 some years ago I was struck by my sin in every area of my life. Let those of us who have been saved swiftly turn to Romans 8 which begins with, "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." But don't stop there. Paul continues in verse 13 with, "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." I like the KJV word here "mortify." John Owen has written a fabulous book on that subject that I won't rewrite for you here.
Take some time to slowly read through this passage...
2 Timothy 3:2-5
"People will be lovers of themselves,
lovers of money,
boastful,
proud,
abusive,
disobedient to their parents,
ungrateful,
unholy,
without love,
unforgiving,
slanderous,
without self-control,
brutal,
not lovers of the good,
treacherous,
rash,
conceited,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—
having a form of godliness but denying its power."
Then be reminded of the promises of God in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" and in Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"
Friday, February 20, 2009
Friday - Psalm 104:31-34
*A friend of mine gave me a great gift for Valentine's day a few years ago. A photo clip stand with 7 cards, 1 for each day of the week, each with scripture on it. These rotate above our kitchen sink and I want to share them with you.
Psalm 104:31-34
31May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in his works,
32who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke!
33I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the LORD.
What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about you? How will you respond?
Psalm 104:31-34
31May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in his works,
32who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke!
33I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the LORD.
What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about you? How will you respond?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday - Psalm 143:8,10
*A friend of mine gave me a great gift for Valentine's day a few years ago. A photo clip stand with 7 cards, 1 for each day of the week, each with scripture on it. These rotate above our kitchen sink and I want to share them with you.
Psalm 143:8,10
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about you? How will you respond?
Psalm 143:8,10
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about you? How will you respond?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday - 1 John 4:10-12
*A friend of mine gave me a great gift for Valentine's day a few years ago. A photo clip stand with 7 cards, 1 for each day of the week, each with scripture on it. These rotate above our kitchen sink and I want to share them with you.
1 John 4:10-12
10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about you? How will you respond?
1 John 4:10-12
10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about you? How will you respond?
1,000 hours of prayer - my hour
Our church is in the middle of our 1,000 hours of prayer of which this morning was my hour.
We were provided with a prayer guide in which there was a specific time for adoration, confession, thanksgiving - each of these will have their own posts - and then... supplication.
I wrote out a list of friends that I was praying for and then a list of things to be praying for them. The commonalities were a bit overwhelming: for marriages to remain a living testimony of Christ and the church, for parents to raise their children in a God-honoring way, for wisdom in taking jobs (and trust in God when a job is lost), for strength in ministry to their families, friends, neighbors, and churches....
I couldn't help but pray for the other 5 people who were praying at the same time as I. That they would be encouraged as I was this morning, that their hearts would be drawn more to God, that their ministry in the area would be expanded by the Spirit's work in and through them....
Then we were asked to pray for ourselves, "that God would use your current circumstance
for the advance of the Gospel" (Phil. 1:12) Wow. In conversation with a friend the other day, we talked about how the gospel is not just for salvation, not just for those who don't yet know God. The gospel is for life! When I am struggling with a particular sin, I am pointed to the cross. When I am rejoicing in God's faithfulness, I am led to the cross.
Oh, that our lives would show the gospel in action and our lips speak the gospel with words.
We were provided with a prayer guide in which there was a specific time for adoration, confession, thanksgiving - each of these will have their own posts - and then... supplication.
I wrote out a list of friends that I was praying for and then a list of things to be praying for them. The commonalities were a bit overwhelming: for marriages to remain a living testimony of Christ and the church, for parents to raise their children in a God-honoring way, for wisdom in taking jobs (and trust in God when a job is lost), for strength in ministry to their families, friends, neighbors, and churches....
I couldn't help but pray for the other 5 people who were praying at the same time as I. That they would be encouraged as I was this morning, that their hearts would be drawn more to God, that their ministry in the area would be expanded by the Spirit's work in and through them....
Then we were asked to pray for ourselves, "that God would use your current circumstance
for the advance of the Gospel" (Phil. 1:12) Wow. In conversation with a friend the other day, we talked about how the gospel is not just for salvation, not just for those who don't yet know God. The gospel is for life! When I am struggling with a particular sin, I am pointed to the cross. When I am rejoicing in God's faithfulness, I am led to the cross.
Oh, that our lives would show the gospel in action and our lips speak the gospel with words.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tuesday - Psalm 16:5-8
*A friend of mine gave me a great gift for Valentine's day a few years ago. A photo clip stand with 7 cards, 1 for each day of the week, each with scripture on it. These rotate above our kitchen sink and I want to share them with you.
(Yes, Sunday and Tuesday are the same... I'm okay with that.)
Psalm 16:5-8
5The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
(Yes, Sunday and Tuesday are the same... I'm okay with that.)
Psalm 16:5-8
5The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about you? How will you respond?
Monday, February 16, 2009
Monday - Psalm 103:11-14
*A friend of mine gave me a great gift for Valentine's day a few years ago. A photo clip stand with 7 cards, 1 for each day of the week, each with scripture on it. These rotate above our kitchen sink and I want to share them with you.
Psalm 103:11-14
11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14For he knows our frame,
he remembers that we are dust.
What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about you? How will you respond?
Psalm 103:11-14
11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14For he knows our frame,
he remembers that we are dust.
What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about you? How will you respond?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
This just in...
I want to send you over to my church campus' blog... www.summitwestclub.com to see a little something I'm super excited to be a part of. Check out this post specifically. Thanks, Brad, for leading us at West Club. We are thankful for you and God's work in your life!
Sunday - Psalm 16:5-8
*A friend of mine gave me a great gift for Valentine's day a few years ago. A photo clip stand with 7 cards, 1 for each day of the week, each with scripture on it. These rotate above our kitchen sink and I want to share them with you.
Psalm 16:5-8
5The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Psalm 16:5-8
5The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about you? How will you respond?
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Saturday - Psalm 121
*A friend of mine gave me a great gift for Valentine's day a few years ago. A photo clip stand with 7 cards, 1 for each day of the week, each with scripture on it. These rotate above our kitchen sink and I want to share them with you.
Psalm 121:2, 3, 5, 8
2My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
3He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
5The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
8The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about you? How will you respond?
Psalm 121:2, 3, 5, 8
2My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
3He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
5The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
8The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about you? How will you respond?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Carboard
Who ever thought leftover cardboard would be used to share God's faithfulness? Well, someone did. Not us. But we used their idea.
Below is the link for the video we showed this past Sunday. Many of these people are friends of mine and I am so excited to see God's faithfulness in their lives! "Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1
Below is the link for the video we showed this past Sunday. Many of these people are friends of mine and I am so excited to see God's faithfulness in their lives! "Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1
Friday, February 6, 2009
The Land of Thieves
I had a quite hilarious interaction with a co-worker in which someone pointed out a hole in his sweater. His immediate comment was "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy." We all laughed at his comment because it was not at all what we expected to hear. What we expected was what he later said, "This sweater is from college... or maybe high school."
When I think about the passage he quoted from in Matthew 6 I usually think about just the part he quoted, the moth and rust. Rarely do I think about the thieves. Moths and rust I know but thieves? Nada.
The closets in my grandparents' house had a distinct smell. I remember one visit opening the closet in my mom's childhood room to find a painting. Instead I was greeted rather boldly with a fragrance I had never smelled before nor would I ever forget. I asked my mom about it later and she told me about the moth balls. You see there were some "precious" items of clothing in that closet that my grandparents didn't want to be eaten by moths. Nothing was destroyed but there was something they didn't want destroyed. I didn't understand it but now I know about it.
Rust was the stuff that would prevent me from leaving my bike outside over night or let me weasel out of cleaning the bathroom. I guess I liked my bike and a working bathroom.
It wasn't until my car got broken into that I began to truly understand the imagery of this verse. A would-be thief smashed one of my windows and did some damage to the inside of my car. My first reaction was, "I'm pretty sure they stole my stereo," quickly followed by, "I probably should call my dad."
Turns out, nothing was stolen. I had a heart check though. For me, honestly, it wasn't as much about if anything was stolen but that my stuff was broken into, it was destroyed. I am so thankful for the friends who carried me around to church and work and the car shop until it was all taken care of. It was such a beautiful and tangible picture of the body of Christ!
What do you treasure most? Where do you put your money? What about your energy?
Matthew 6:19-21
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
When I think about the passage he quoted from in Matthew 6 I usually think about just the part he quoted, the moth and rust. Rarely do I think about the thieves. Moths and rust I know but thieves? Nada.
The closets in my grandparents' house had a distinct smell. I remember one visit opening the closet in my mom's childhood room to find a painting. Instead I was greeted rather boldly with a fragrance I had never smelled before nor would I ever forget. I asked my mom about it later and she told me about the moth balls. You see there were some "precious" items of clothing in that closet that my grandparents didn't want to be eaten by moths. Nothing was destroyed but there was something they didn't want destroyed. I didn't understand it but now I know about it.
Rust was the stuff that would prevent me from leaving my bike outside over night or let me weasel out of cleaning the bathroom. I guess I liked my bike and a working bathroom.
It wasn't until my car got broken into that I began to truly understand the imagery of this verse. A would-be thief smashed one of my windows and did some damage to the inside of my car. My first reaction was, "I'm pretty sure they stole my stereo," quickly followed by, "I probably should call my dad."
Turns out, nothing was stolen. I had a heart check though. For me, honestly, it wasn't as much about if anything was stolen but that my stuff was broken into, it was destroyed. I am so thankful for the friends who carried me around to church and work and the car shop until it was all taken care of. It was such a beautiful and tangible picture of the body of Christ!
What do you treasure most? Where do you put your money? What about your energy?
Matthew 6:19-21
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Transformation
When I was in high school I was introduced to the "concert of prayer." It was the most amazing thing I had experienced in corporate prayer. We prayed in different groups and for different things. At the very end we all got in a big circle and prayed out-loud at the same time. Amazing.
Each Friday morning while I was in college we had prayer with other college students. It was a little earlier than I'd like sometimes but always totally worth it. One of my favorite times was when we did Alphabet Adoration in small groups. We would take turns going through the alphabet saying names or attributes of God.
One weekend in 2000 I went on my first Silent Retreat. I have to admit, I was a little intimidated by the thought of an entire weekend without communication with those I was going to be with. We ate in silence, walked the grounds in silence, and sat in sessions in silence. Not just any silence though. We purposefully thought on God and talked with Him and listened to Him. It transformed my prayer life and community life.
Starting February 15, 2009 I will be participating in 1,000 hours of prayer. I believe that it will find itself in the list of transforming times in my prayer life. If you call The Summit Church home, go ahead and sign up for your time to pray alongside of the rest of the church. This might just be a life-changing moment for you. I pray that it is!
Each Friday morning while I was in college we had prayer with other college students. It was a little earlier than I'd like sometimes but always totally worth it. One of my favorite times was when we did Alphabet Adoration in small groups. We would take turns going through the alphabet saying names or attributes of God.
One weekend in 2000 I went on my first Silent Retreat. I have to admit, I was a little intimidated by the thought of an entire weekend without communication with those I was going to be with. We ate in silence, walked the grounds in silence, and sat in sessions in silence. Not just any silence though. We purposefully thought on God and talked with Him and listened to Him. It transformed my prayer life and community life.
Starting February 15, 2009 I will be participating in 1,000 hours of prayer. I believe that it will find itself in the list of transforming times in my prayer life. If you call The Summit Church home, go ahead and sign up for your time to pray alongside of the rest of the church. This might just be a life-changing moment for you. I pray that it is!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Waiting
I really enjoy looking back through my life with Christ seeing how He has purposed people and events in my life that at the time didn't necessarily make sense. One of those people was a former boss of mine. God did use him (and his wife) greatly in my life while we served at the same church. God has moved him on from where we served together to do new things for His glory. His blog has been an encouragement to me recently.
The post below (linked here) was a particular encouragement as I have been praying for so many friends who are waiting right now. Waiting for health issues to be resolved, waiting for family members to be saved, waiting for a "yes" or a "no" or any direction, waiting for a child, waiting for a job, waiting on God's hand to work on specific heart issues.
So wherever you are, take hope, God has His best for you. It may just look a little (or a lot) different from what you are expecting. His love for you is perfect!
The post below (linked here) was a particular encouragement as I have been praying for so many friends who are waiting right now. Waiting for health issues to be resolved, waiting for family members to be saved, waiting for a "yes" or a "no" or any direction, waiting for a child, waiting for a job, waiting on God's hand to work on specific heart issues.
So wherever you are, take hope, God has His best for you. It may just look a little (or a lot) different from what you are expecting. His love for you is perfect!
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, ”Let us go to Judea again.”
John 11:5-7 ESV
(Thanks JimmyD for being available to God's work through you, specifically in my life. Love to your family!)The really remarkable thing is verse six. Now I don’t like to go around saying that translations are wrong, but sometimes translations are wrong. And in this case, just about all the translations are wrong. We read, verse 5, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was.” But you know, the original is very strong. It [the word translated "so"] means “therefore.” Therefore when He heard Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days. That’s what the original says. You can’t get away from it. Now, listen to the logic again: Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, therefore, when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed away two more days. In other words, the text is claiming that He shows His love by delay.
~ D. A. Carson in “A Day With Dr. Don: Session 3″
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