Honor's Reward

Part 1 (there's two parts.  the part that I originally sat down to write, and the part that I thought was crucial to understanding that actually turned out to be different, but still worth leaving):

I don't have the answer to why it seems like prayer doesn't work sometimes, and sometimes when you need it to work the most, nothing seems to happen, but I do have an interesting notion, based on an interesting book, based on a really interesting passage.  I've thought a lot about it, and now that I have a blog on which to pen my thoughts, I figured I'd share.  The book is one that Sean and I are studying in a small group entitled "Honor's Reward", by John Bevere.  You can download some of his stuff for free on itunes as a side note.  Anyway, the book is based on a passage in the Bible where Jesus is in Nazareth and is teaching at the synagogue.  Those in attendance asked where Jesus got his wisdom, saw him as the ordinary guy from down the road, and didn't believe Him.  The passage that the book is based on is Mark 6:4-6:

"Then Jesus told them 'a prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family'.  And because of their unbelief he could not do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.  And he was amazed at their unbelief"

In the passage, Jesus was limited.  He COULD NOT do any mighty works.  In other passages, Jesus raised people from the dead, fed the 5000, etc.  Backtracking in the passage, it is because they with held honor from him.  I could talk about this book for a long time and the concept of rewards, but you can buy the book or look up reward passages in the Bible.  It's just interesting that without HONOR, Jesus is restricted.  So if I'm not honoring God in my life and obeying his commands, then I can't expect him to do mighty works in my life.  If I don't HONOR Him in my finances, then I can't expect Him to come running and REWARD my financial situation.  If I don't HONOR God in my relationships, then I can't expect God to do mighty things in my relationships. Interesting thought, because I know that I, as well as tons of other people, are quick to pray to God for help, but not so quick to Honor.

Part 2:

I thought that the previous was well worth writing down, but I sat down originally to write the next part.  We're doing the workbook along with the book and there was a question about people that we know with what Bevere calls a "Grandfather Anointing", which he uses to describe John, who wrote another passage that the book focuses on.  When these people speak, the wise listen.  It's an anointing that people arrive at after living long and well, following a life calling, a post of assurance and strength.  The author says that he has had a handful of encounters with these types of people and outlines a few common characteristics.  For the sake of understanding, I'm going to repeat them.

1.  They instinctively locate the heart of the matter.  They don't beat around the bush, or waste time with the unimportant.

2.  They say much in very few words.

3.  The words that they choose are utter and weighty.  As a result, you might find yourself mediating on just a few words spoken by such an individual for months.

As a sidenote, I am one of the very few and very lucky 20-somethings people who have all four of my grandparents still living.  They are not young either.  All in their mid-80's-mid-90's, and all awesome.  Sean has 3 of his, and is lucky enough to have a working memory of all 4.  So last night, when we were asked in this book to identify who, if any, are those that we have met with a "Grandfather Anointing".  We had a lot to choose from just in our very close circles but looked at each other in perfect unison and said "Pops".  My grandfather carries all three qualities like no one that I've ever met.  So I wanted to take a second to honor him and his weighty words and picked a few to share.  Words that I've mediated on seemingly countless times.

1.  Sometimes, you have to smile at people that you don't like and give them candy.

2.  Always tell the truth, but don't always be tellin' it.

3.  Sean, Maria, I'm going to tell you something and I want for you to listen really close.  Kids mess up.  And they mess up a LOT.  And you just can't get upset.  

I wish I had a tape so I could upload these sentences complete with his slow, deep, old man voice, but I don't.  I have NEVER heard ONE, even one, negative word about anyone come out of his mouth.  He has taken adversity in stride, never felt sorry for himself, never complains.  Everyone loves him, he says what he means, and means what he says.  He works hard and has worked hard his whole life.  He loves his family sacrificially, and has put up with things that would send your average person over the edge.  His first concern is never what he's having for dinner, but what YOU'RE having for dinner, if you get my drift.  He gives of everything that he has.  He knows the Bible and understands it.  I can't put my grandfather into words, but know that the term "Grandfather Anointing" was practically made for him.