Author: Jason Zerbey

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Where I Find God

The first time I remember connecting with God was in the woods.

As a child, we had a trickle of a stream that ran along the back of our property and the spot was magical.

I could feel the whole Universe in those woods, like God was there in every leaf and breeze. Everything was in that one place.

I’ve had these moments throughout my life, but for a long time they were scattered over years.

Since finding Christ in my heart, quitting alcohol, and devoting myself to healing, I’ve found God present every day.

Even so, it’s not until I submerge myself in a quiet wood or float alone along a peaceful river, that I return to a feeling of oneness with Spirit.

Although my sons and their companions are a riotous bunch, a long tubing trip allowed me to break away and once again connect with God’s Creation. I’m not skilled at meditation, but it’s easier when magic is all around you.

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Isaiah 32: Faith Through Crisis

Isaiah 32:1 RSV — Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice.

1 Peter 2:9 RSV — But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

In this chapter, I hear God calling His people to be righteous and just leaders in difficult times.

After the Assrian invasion fails, Judah will suffer economically. God commands the complacent to rise up and prepare to receive the fruits of His Spirit.

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Isaiah 31

Isaiah 31:1 RSV — Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!

Jerusalem is besieged by Assyria and King Hezekiah is panicking. He wants to call out to Egypt for help, but Isaiah assures him that God will deliver the city to safety.

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Do What You Can

My parents wanted to homeschool me 40 years ago, but circumstances prevented that path.

They always encouraged a
home learning environment that had little to do with school. My father, especially, put my education in my hands and taught me to question the arbitrary authority of the school system.

I didn’t learn about their homeschooling intentions until I announced that we were going to homeschool our sons. In their quiet, unschooling ways, they gave me the space to imagine a more free future for my children.

We don’t get to heal everything in one lifetime, but we do get to set the course for future healing.

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Isaiah 28-30: Misplaced Trust

Isaiah 29:13-14 RSV — And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men learned by rote; therefore, behold, I will again do marvelous things with this people, wonderful and marvelous; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hid.”

Isaiah repeatedly warns against trusting in political alliances, rules and rites, and human wisdom.

It feels like a personal warning as a I read and listen to different resources.

How does one keep one’s heart close to God while (over)thinking deeply through His Word?

I try to remember that I will always hold more ignorance than knowledge.

That’s why I choose to trust in God. The unknowable is nearly infinite, but God is omniscient.