God is a Verb
When my boys were little, our days were filled with constant activity.
At one point, I had three boys at ages three and under, and life was a whirlwind of running, jumping and climbing.
I had friends who had just girls, and I used to laugh when they told me that they had “stayed in” the day to color or watch “The Sound of Music.”
What!? With three boys there was no such thing as a “stay in” day. Not if Mama wanted to keep her sanity!
I figured that if we could arrange an event each day, that would cover my boys’ need to exercise, verbalize, socialize and … get all that energy out!
So, between playgroups, zoo outings, and trips to the park and library, I kept my boys fairly busy. I remember once, while at the library, someone commented because I was out so soon after I had had a new baby.
My friend Laura just laughed at that and said, “Oh, Debbie’s always out with her boys.”
Today, I tell people that having your boys first is a great blessing, because, well, you’ve got more energy when you’re a younger parent!
At one point, I had three boys at ages three and under, and life was a whirlwind of running, jumping and climbing.
I had friends who had just girls, and I used to laugh when they told me that they had “stayed in” the day to color or watch “The Sound of Music.”
What!? With three boys there was no such thing as a “stay in” day. Not if Mama wanted to keep her sanity!
I figured that if we could arrange an event each day, that would cover my boys’ need to exercise, verbalize, socialize and … get all that energy out!
So, between playgroups, zoo outings, and trips to the park and library, I kept my boys fairly busy. I remember once, while at the library, someone commented because I was out so soon after I had had a new baby.
My friend Laura just laughed at that and said, “Oh, Debbie’s always out with her boys.”
Today, I tell people that having your boys first is a great blessing, because, well, you’ve got more energy when you’re a younger parent!
My boys are teens now and while their needs have shifted some, they still like to take their energy out on the ball field or the basketball court.
And, my husband and I have been able to settle down some now and even have “stay in” days with our two youngest coloring, craft-making, cookie-baking girls.
And, my husband and I have been able to settle down some now and even have “stay in” days with our two youngest coloring, craft-making, cookie-baking girls.
_ Last Sunday, I was nursing a bad cold and it was nice to know that I could have a “stay in” day myself. Sitting down in front of the TV, I figured that I would take my stuffy head to the Caribbean with the Travel Network. But before I was able to switch the channel, someone on the “preaching” station caught my attention.
Fully garbed in rabbinic prayer shawl and kippa, Rabbi K.A. Schneider, a Messianic Jew from, “Discovering the Jewish Jesus,” had a message that seemed to be tailored just for me. Soon, I was feverishly jotting down notes and wearing out the rewind button on my remote control.
Nearing the end of his message, the Rabbi had something to say about God’s character that was fresh and new to me: “God is a verb.”
What? I thought as I listened and played the message over and over again making sure I got it down right. According to the Rabbi, “Yahweh,” a Hebrew name for God, is actually a verb and that its particular verb tense is “continuous, unfinished action.”
“We need to have faith in God’s active activity in our life,” said Schneider, “God’s sacred name … Yahweh is not a noun.” And he went on to say, “The point is that God is a verb and he is involved in your life. He’s involved in your circumstances."
Fully garbed in rabbinic prayer shawl and kippa, Rabbi K.A. Schneider, a Messianic Jew from, “Discovering the Jewish Jesus,” had a message that seemed to be tailored just for me. Soon, I was feverishly jotting down notes and wearing out the rewind button on my remote control.
Nearing the end of his message, the Rabbi had something to say about God’s character that was fresh and new to me: “God is a verb.”
What? I thought as I listened and played the message over and over again making sure I got it down right. According to the Rabbi, “Yahweh,” a Hebrew name for God, is actually a verb and that its particular verb tense is “continuous, unfinished action.”
“We need to have faith in God’s active activity in our life,” said Schneider, “God’s sacred name … Yahweh is not a noun.” And he went on to say, “The point is that God is a verb and he is involved in your life. He’s involved in your circumstances."
Hmmm … a verb. I liked that.
Even though I’m a writer, memorizing the rules of grammar has never been a strong point of mine.
I had a boss once that even paid for me to take a correspondence grammar class. Past participles, homonyms, and dangling modifiers, oh my! – I’m not sure he got his money’s worth out of that venture.
Even though I’m a writer, memorizing the rules of grammar has never been a strong point of mine.
I had a boss once that even paid for me to take a correspondence grammar class. Past participles, homonyms, and dangling modifiers, oh my! – I’m not sure he got his money’s worth out of that venture.
Today, I get along pretty well by keeping handy grammar guides at my finger tips. But a verb – well I think I might be able to get a handle on that one before it runs, jumps or climbs off again.
So often we treat God like a noun don’t we?
Like the hymnals and pew, we might leave him behind at church on Sunday. Or, maybe we’ve got him cozied up somewhere in our quiet time spot next to our Bible and journal.
But if God’s a verb – well then, he’s not easily left behind is he? The Bible describes the Word of God as being “living and active.” Ah! More verb talk!
If we tend to “compartmentalize” God -- positioning him in different places in our lives and excluding him from others – well then we’ve got it all wrong. Because you see, he’s everywhere all at the same time.
An interesting thing about God is that even though he longs to be active in every part of our lives, he waits to be let in. If we leave him out of a certain part of our life, he waits at the door. Because he gives us free will, he chooses not to barge in uninvited.
Give it a try! Call on him today during your darkest hour and in your brightest moment, and don’t be surprised when he shows up for both.
Here are some Bible verses that'll help you on your journey:
Revelation 3:20 New Living Translation
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Hebrews 4:12 King James Version
12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Jeremiah 23:29 English Standard Version
29 Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
So often we treat God like a noun don’t we?
Like the hymnals and pew, we might leave him behind at church on Sunday. Or, maybe we’ve got him cozied up somewhere in our quiet time spot next to our Bible and journal.
But if God’s a verb – well then, he’s not easily left behind is he? The Bible describes the Word of God as being “living and active.” Ah! More verb talk!
If we tend to “compartmentalize” God -- positioning him in different places in our lives and excluding him from others – well then we’ve got it all wrong. Because you see, he’s everywhere all at the same time.
An interesting thing about God is that even though he longs to be active in every part of our lives, he waits to be let in. If we leave him out of a certain part of our life, he waits at the door. Because he gives us free will, he chooses not to barge in uninvited.
Give it a try! Call on him today during your darkest hour and in your brightest moment, and don’t be surprised when he shows up for both.
Here are some Bible verses that'll help you on your journey:
Revelation 3:20 New Living Translation
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Hebrews 4:12 King James Version
12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Jeremiah 23:29 English Standard Version
29 Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?