Friday, April 30, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 27
Ah the Jerry Springer moments of the old testament. Aside from the elaborate hoax that Rebakah and Jacob pull off, what really caught my eye was Jacob's response to Isaac when asked how he had come back so quickly. "Because the Lord your God granted me success." I'm surprised that God was thrown into this by a guy wearing cow fur glued on his hands.
A gardener, two travelers, and a cheat
Yesterday in class, we talked about good small group resources. A Bible study with the above title came up. It's about Adam, Abraham & Sarah, and Jacob. For being such a man of power, Isaac hardly has a personality in Scripture. God is referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from this point on. I have come to the conclusion that God blesses the faithful with daily bread for all, no matter how screwed up and sinful we are or how messed up our families seem to be.
The events of Genesis 27 almost needed to happen, due to what was proclaimed about the twins at their birth. I fall back on my life verse, Romans 8:28, "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord, who are called according to his purpose."
We have all been called together for something incredible. I will be sending my notes from this class on to our 20 leaders (the chair and secretary for each team). Many of you are reading along or blogging daily. Thank you. Please pray through the notes and be inspired for what God is doing in our midst at Faith. Then put your seat belt on. God is going to use us in mighty ways, as messed up as we are.
Here's how I do the blessing of children at communion and the benediction:
The Lord bless you and keep you in his grace forever
The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord look upon you will favor and give you peace
Ya sure, you betcha!
The events of Genesis 27 almost needed to happen, due to what was proclaimed about the twins at their birth. I fall back on my life verse, Romans 8:28, "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord, who are called according to his purpose."
We have all been called together for something incredible. I will be sending my notes from this class on to our 20 leaders (the chair and secretary for each team). Many of you are reading along or blogging daily. Thank you. Please pray through the notes and be inspired for what God is doing in our midst at Faith. Then put your seat belt on. God is going to use us in mighty ways, as messed up as we are.
Here's how I do the blessing of children at communion and the benediction:
The Lord bless you and keep you in his grace forever
The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord look upon you will favor and give you peace
Ya sure, you betcha!
Kelly - Genesis 27
Deceit and manipulation, sibling rivalry and parents working against each other.
What I find most interesting is that Isaac's blessing has power - it is assumed by every character in the story that what he says will be. A blessing in our world seem to be more of a wish or prayer of petition, here it is a certainty. What would it be to live in a world where blessings declared what the future would be?
The only times we use blessings now that I can think of are the blessing of children during communion and the benediction. Both of these blessings begin with words like "May" - but there is nothing more certain than God's general good will and blessings for us. So perhaps we should be more assertive about declaring God's blessings - the way we do after the confession. "I declare that you shall be blessed, that you will be loved, that you will grow in God's grace, that you will be a blessing to those you encounter."
What I find most interesting is that Isaac's blessing has power - it is assumed by every character in the story that what he says will be. A blessing in our world seem to be more of a wish or prayer of petition, here it is a certainty. What would it be to live in a world where blessings declared what the future would be?
The only times we use blessings now that I can think of are the blessing of children during communion and the benediction. Both of these blessings begin with words like "May" - but there is nothing more certain than God's general good will and blessings for us. So perhaps we should be more assertive about declaring God's blessings - the way we do after the confession. "I declare that you shall be blessed, that you will be loved, that you will grow in God's grace, that you will be a blessing to those you encounter."
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 26
Like father like son, Isaac pretends Rebekah is his sister. Same results too. It must have been pretty awkward for the king when he caught them!
Kelly - Genesis 26
I realize that there was a famine in the beginning of this chapter - but Isaac BECAME rich? He inherited all that was Abraham's. And Abraham had had so many flocks and servants that he and Lot had had to part ways in order to find enough room for - as Jordan put it - all their stuff.
So when this chapter explains that Isaac became rich - and that the king became threatened by his power and asked him to leave, we must be talking about a very rich and powerful man.
Which leads me to wonder about God's activity. So many times in the Bible God uses the weak, lowly, outcast. Here God is basing all of the story to come on a very powerful man.
In the Old Testament God uses David the shepherd, Ruth the alien, Noah the drunkard. And here, Isaac the extremely wealthy and powerful.
In the New Testament God uses the fishermen, the tax collectors, and the loose women. But God also uses Paul the educated orator who is both Jew and Roman citizen.
In Luke we talked about wealth as an evil in itself - what liberation theologians call God's "preferential option for the poor." Here we see a little more of what Calvin would later build on - God's preferences are shown in worldly successes - if you are faithful, God will reward you in this life as in the next.
The mixture of both viewpoints does not help me much as I try and figure out who God is. But it does remind me that we are called to use all that we have and are for God's purposes - be we lowly or powerful. The power and wealth we have are tools - nothing more.
So when this chapter explains that Isaac became rich - and that the king became threatened by his power and asked him to leave, we must be talking about a very rich and powerful man.
Which leads me to wonder about God's activity. So many times in the Bible God uses the weak, lowly, outcast. Here God is basing all of the story to come on a very powerful man.
In the Old Testament God uses David the shepherd, Ruth the alien, Noah the drunkard. And here, Isaac the extremely wealthy and powerful.
In the New Testament God uses the fishermen, the tax collectors, and the loose women. But God also uses Paul the educated orator who is both Jew and Roman citizen.
In Luke we talked about wealth as an evil in itself - what liberation theologians call God's "preferential option for the poor." Here we see a little more of what Calvin would later build on - God's preferences are shown in worldly successes - if you are faithful, God will reward you in this life as in the next.
The mixture of both viewpoints does not help me much as I try and figure out who God is. But it does remind me that we are called to use all that we have and are for God's purposes - be we lowly or powerful. The power and wealth we have are tools - nothing more.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 25
When Rebekah asks God about the children in her womb, the NRSV writes it as "So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her..." (22-23).
The "matter of fact" language around this encounter struck me today. God is so accessible to these people! Today, God seems to speak more abstractly and most people who hear God loud and clear have normally had a life altering experience. I don't know if God has ever spoken to me although I know that God has certainly helped me make decisions in my life. And, while I have felt God's presence many times, there is one time where I know God was with me.
In college, I was on a Lutheran Student Movement retreat at a camp. This camp had a labyrinth and I went out on my own to walk it. I started to walk, slowly, and my mind started to drift. About 5 or 10 minutes later, someone else was walking the labyrinth with me and my first reaction was annoyance and I didn't look directly up to see them. They had broken my concentration, but I quickly came back into the moment. It was so peaceful in the woods walking the labyrinth and my mind was solely focused on God and my life. I finished the labyrinth and looked back to see who else had joined me, but no one was there. It was one of the oddest moments of my life because I knew someone was there. I never had any "aha!" moments while walking in the labyrinth, but I know that God was with me in some way and I always wonder, should I have looked up? Was that my moment where God was making God's-self accessible to me? Or was the peaceful reflection what I needed in my life at that time?
The "matter of fact" language around this encounter struck me today. God is so accessible to these people! Today, God seems to speak more abstractly and most people who hear God loud and clear have normally had a life altering experience. I don't know if God has ever spoken to me although I know that God has certainly helped me make decisions in my life. And, while I have felt God's presence many times, there is one time where I know God was with me.
In college, I was on a Lutheran Student Movement retreat at a camp. This camp had a labyrinth and I went out on my own to walk it. I started to walk, slowly, and my mind started to drift. About 5 or 10 minutes later, someone else was walking the labyrinth with me and my first reaction was annoyance and I didn't look directly up to see them. They had broken my concentration, but I quickly came back into the moment. It was so peaceful in the woods walking the labyrinth and my mind was solely focused on God and my life. I finished the labyrinth and looked back to see who else had joined me, but no one was there. It was one of the oddest moments of my life because I knew someone was there. I never had any "aha!" moments while walking in the labyrinth, but I know that God was with me in some way and I always wonder, should I have looked up? Was that my moment where God was making God's-self accessible to me? Or was the peaceful reflection what I needed in my life at that time?
Kelly - Genesis 25
I never realized before that there were also 12 tribes of Ishmael. I like the way that these stories explain the histories of all the peoples living around the Israelites, and they are all tied in to one big story. It's a way to talk about the common humanity of all the people, as well as a way to explain hatreds and bigotries.
While in TN last week I was standing in line and struck up a conversation with the woman in front of me (things like that seem to happen in the South - people actually converse with each other - a little hard to get used to). After a few minutes of conversation, she asked where I was from - I said "Boston" - and she actually turned around and snubbed me and refused to talk to me for the next 5 minutes. The civil war has not fully ended in TN. Hatreds and bigotries continue - and the stories that justify them.
We can despise each other for our histories, for the ways our ancestors have hurt each other, for the color of our skin, for our political viewpoints, for our nation of origin, and increasingly for our genetic code. The struggle is to be part of one big story. There are 12 tribes of Israel, but there are also 12 tribes of Ishmael. And together they buried their father.
While in TN last week I was standing in line and struck up a conversation with the woman in front of me (things like that seem to happen in the South - people actually converse with each other - a little hard to get used to). After a few minutes of conversation, she asked where I was from - I said "Boston" - and she actually turned around and snubbed me and refused to talk to me for the next 5 minutes. The civil war has not fully ended in TN. Hatreds and bigotries continue - and the stories that justify them.
We can despise each other for our histories, for the ways our ancestors have hurt each other, for the color of our skin, for our political viewpoints, for our nation of origin, and increasingly for our genetic code. The struggle is to be part of one big story. There are 12 tribes of Israel, but there are also 12 tribes of Ishmael. And together they buried their father.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 24
Amazing! This story describes exactly how Erin and I had our first date 9 years ago today. Er, not exactly. We had our first date at Fenway Park and Erin left her veil at home. Three years later, we had another date at Fenway Park and I proposed (no, not at the stadium, its a long story). A year and half after that, we were married. Isaac and Rebekah got married the day they met. There are still a number of cultures that have arranged marriages and some that even keep the bride under the veil until after the wedding ceremony. A few of my past coworkers have gone to India and have come back either married or betrothed. I can't imagine that in the slightest, but its a fact of life for them and the couple learn to love each other because often the parents and families arranging the marriages are more in tune to these things than match.com.
Kelly - Genesis 24
Well, it's nice to see that in verse 57 someone finally got around to asking Rebekah her opinion of all that was going on. For a woman who takes control of the destinies of her sons so decidedly, I'm surprised she starts out being the object of events rather than an actor in them.
Does anyone have any insight on her covering herself with a veil as she approaches Isaac and Abraham? I don't see any precedence for that in any other stories thus far....and she was out interacting with traveling men and accepting gold gifts early in the chapter - so it doesn't seem the culture is trying to keep her secluded or separate....
This chapter speaks to me of how we all, regardless of temperment, become the object of events from time to time. Rebekah had choices - she chose to offer extreme hospitality, she chose to bring the traveler to her household - but the events of the story were outside of her control.
Does anyone have any insight on her covering herself with a veil as she approaches Isaac and Abraham? I don't see any precedence for that in any other stories thus far....and she was out interacting with traveling men and accepting gold gifts early in the chapter - so it doesn't seem the culture is trying to keep her secluded or separate....
This chapter speaks to me of how we all, regardless of temperment, become the object of events from time to time. Rebekah had choices - she chose to offer extreme hospitality, she chose to bring the traveler to her household - but the events of the story were outside of her control.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Kelly - Genesis 23
I recognize that today's chapter is one of deep sorrow - but for some reason it read more like a comedy routine to me.
"I insist, take a tomb"
"No, I insist, let me pay for it"
"No, I insist, take it!"
"No, I insist, here - take 400 sheckels"
Sarah has died at the age of 127. I looked back and could find no other place that mentioned Sarah's exact age (except that she was "past the age of childbearing"). In ch. 22 Isaac seemed quite young, and in ch. 24 he is looking for a wife. So I'm not sure what to make of Isaac's age at the death of his mother.
What's probably more telling, though, is my interest in the matter. I once had a man tell me that his greatest fear was experiencing a long and painful death. At that time, my children were aged 1 and 4 - and I spent a good deal of time talking with a friend over that confidence of his. The truth was, I discovered, that my greatest fear about death has nothing to do with how I will experience it. My greatest fears are about what my death will do to my children - at least while they're young.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of "the pill" - and having heard a story on the topic today on the radio - my mind is full of thoughts of motherhood and identity. Sarah's only real chance at being remembered was through her children. Abraham mourned his wife of many decades -the woman he had loved despite many years of childlessness. I find it strange that the Bible tells us nothing of Isaac's grief.
"I insist, take a tomb"
"No, I insist, let me pay for it"
"No, I insist, take it!"
"No, I insist, here - take 400 sheckels"
Sarah has died at the age of 127. I looked back and could find no other place that mentioned Sarah's exact age (except that she was "past the age of childbearing"). In ch. 22 Isaac seemed quite young, and in ch. 24 he is looking for a wife. So I'm not sure what to make of Isaac's age at the death of his mother.
What's probably more telling, though, is my interest in the matter. I once had a man tell me that his greatest fear was experiencing a long and painful death. At that time, my children were aged 1 and 4 - and I spent a good deal of time talking with a friend over that confidence of his. The truth was, I discovered, that my greatest fear about death has nothing to do with how I will experience it. My greatest fears are about what my death will do to my children - at least while they're young.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of "the pill" - and having heard a story on the topic today on the radio - my mind is full of thoughts of motherhood and identity. Sarah's only real chance at being remembered was through her children. Abraham mourned his wife of many decades -the woman he had loved despite many years of childlessness. I find it strange that the Bible tells us nothing of Isaac's grief.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 22
So far, God has already made the covenant with Abraham twice in Genesis. Promising him descendants that number the dust of the earth. Yet, in chapter 22, he puts Abraham to the ultimate test by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham's robotic responses in this chapter lack the emotion that every reader feels. You hear his heart beat as he ties up his son and you can see his hand trembling as he raises the knife. Such devotion and faith in God you can almost sense him saying "Father, if it be your will, take this cup from me!" God stops his hand in the nick of time and provides the ram for the sacrifice.
For the third time, God commends Abraham and promises him generations of people. But why 3 times? If Abraham had doubted God (as anyone else would have in this situation) would God have gone back on the covenant made twice before? And if God can do that, what about that rainbow from a bunch of chapters ago? My last question, is, what did Isaac think of this situation, I mean would you ever trust your dad again if he almost killed you because God told him to?
For the third time, God commends Abraham and promises him generations of people. But why 3 times? If Abraham had doubted God (as anyone else would have in this situation) would God have gone back on the covenant made twice before? And if God can do that, what about that rainbow from a bunch of chapters ago? My last question, is, what did Isaac think of this situation, I mean would you ever trust your dad again if he almost killed you because God told him to?
Genesis 21
Women really are mean, spiteful creatures. Instead of rejoicing in the birth of her child Sarah is thinking about her jealousy of her servant Hagar. Imagine giving birth when you are as old as Sarah, a child given to you by God no less. Yet all she can think about is the possibility that her son won't get his inheritance.
Where was her faith? God did as he had promised, why couldn't she bask in the joy of her child? Don't we behave the same way? God makes us many promises yet we look at what we don't have. We don't take the time to enjoy our blessings.
Take the time, enjoy what you have. This is the best advice anyone any give. God gives us gifts everyday we just need to open our eyes and see them.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 21
Random fact for the day: Christians and Jews claim to be descendants of Isaac and Muslims understand themselves to be descendants of Ishmael. Right off the bat, there is jealousy and hatred as Sarah in this chapter, has Abraham throw Hagar and Ishmael out and without God's help Ishmael would have died of thirst in the wilderness. Yet, God loves and protects both boys which says a lot about what our relationship as people and nations should be today. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.
God has blessed me with laughter
Sarah finally gets what she has been waiting for, but she's a bit defensive. God has promised to give her and Abraham descendants through Isaac. Still she insists, "Get rid of this slave woman and her son. No child of this slave is going to share inheritance with my son Isaac!"
God has already promised to make of Ishmael a great nation too. So Hagar need not fear for his life, nor Abraham.
More favorite Toby Mac lyric is this, "I gave to you a son so that you could know the Father's love for you." I just wish there wasn't so much hatred here. God has blessed us with laughter. His promises are true...for all.
God has already promised to make of Ishmael a great nation too. So Hagar need not fear for his life, nor Abraham.
More favorite Toby Mac lyric is this, "I gave to you a son so that you could know the Father's love for you." I just wish there wasn't so much hatred here. God has blessed us with laughter. His promises are true...for all.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 20
I'm just going to echo Pastor Matthew. Its comical that Abraham calls Sarah his sister again and the same thing happens. She's taken by the king and the king is embarrassed because he has taken a married woman. Was it customary in those times for kings to kill men for their wives?
Oh, Abraham!
You think Abraham would have learned his lesson and told Sarah to quit referring to him as her brother. Consider Abimelech's reaction, "What have you done to us? What have I ever done to you that you would bring on me and my kingdom this huge offense? What you've done to me ought never to have been done." What Abimelech didn't know is that Abraham had already pulled this stunt once.
In a few chapters, we'll see what the phrase, "like father, like son" means.
However, Abraham not only comes out of this unscathed, but benefits. He gets:
1. sheep and cattle and servants
2. a thousand pieces of silver
Did Abraham have something against the king of Sodom? Last week, he wouldn't take a dime from him, but twice now has reaped the rewards of lying about his relationship with Sarah.
I try to have as much integrity as I can. I just wish "the father of many nations" did too.
In a few chapters, we'll see what the phrase, "like father, like son" means.
However, Abraham not only comes out of this unscathed, but benefits. He gets:
1. sheep and cattle and servants
2. a thousand pieces of silver
Did Abraham have something against the king of Sodom? Last week, he wouldn't take a dime from him, but twice now has reaped the rewards of lying about his relationship with Sarah.
I try to have as much integrity as I can. I just wish "the father of many nations" did too.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 19 - Casting Lots
Lot is a pretty lame biblical character. Yes, he does give the angels shelter and is Abraham's nephew, but its surprising that he gets a mention. Not only that, but he even gets recognition in the new testament. In 2 Peter 2:7-8, Peter writes:
I am certainly not saying that Lot did not deserve to be saved. We are singing "Children of our Heavenly Father" in choir and the last phrase caught my eye in rehearsal tonight because of my feelings towards Lot today:
"and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man greatly distressed by the licentiousness of the lawless - (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by their lawless deeds that he saw and heard),"To me, it seems that Lot gets too much credit. I don't quite get Lot's righteousness. True, he shelters the angels, but what was he doing in Sodom anyway? Was he trying to be a witness or did he somehow decide to pick the worst place in the world to raise a family. I mean, even after he was captured and saved by Abraham, Lot still had money and goods, so he could have gone anywhere I imagine. Or did Sodom just go downhill after he had set roots? And if that is the case, couldn't he have had more civic reponsibility and worked to turn these people around? I don't get this guy...
I am certainly not saying that Lot did not deserve to be saved. We are singing "Children of our Heavenly Father" in choir and the last phrase caught my eye in rehearsal tonight because of my feelings towards Lot today:
Though He giveth or He taketh, God His children ne’er forsaketh; His the loving purpose solely, To preserve them pure and holy.
Messed up!
Maybe Jordan's right. What saved Lot and his family was the fact that they recognized God's presence and served his angels. Notice that Abraham pulled out all the stops for three men and now there are just two angels. Was God himself there yesterday, eating the bread and roast?
And why did Sodom and Gomorrah burn? Was it because the people were "bad" or due to the fact that they were inhospitable to the angels? Were Lot and his family any better? He was willing to let the men rape his daughters, who were engaged to be married. His wife couldn't resist looking back and was turned into a pillar of salt. And our reading ends with his daughters getting him drunk and taking advantage of him. Really? God's people, a shining light to the nations!
Can we just admit the fact that we are all messed up, but that God does incredible things in our midst? Instead of judging one another (we're all "bad"...Paul said it clearly, we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God), why don't we acknowledge God's presence and serve him with everything we are and everything he has blessed us with?
Barbara had an excellent idea last night at Bible study. The couple who rents the apartment in the Faith Center is expecting their first baby next month. What if we overwhelmed them with baby gifts? God would be pleased.
And why did Sodom and Gomorrah burn? Was it because the people were "bad" or due to the fact that they were inhospitable to the angels? Were Lot and his family any better? He was willing to let the men rape his daughters, who were engaged to be married. His wife couldn't resist looking back and was turned into a pillar of salt. And our reading ends with his daughters getting him drunk and taking advantage of him. Really? God's people, a shining light to the nations!
Can we just admit the fact that we are all messed up, but that God does incredible things in our midst? Instead of judging one another (we're all "bad"...Paul said it clearly, we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God), why don't we acknowledge God's presence and serve him with everything we are and everything he has blessed us with?
Barbara had an excellent idea last night at Bible study. The couple who rents the apartment in the Faith Center is expecting their first baby next month. What if we overwhelmed them with baby gifts? God would be pleased.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 18
What is critical mass of righteous people for saving a city? If God had been able to find 10 people in all of Sodom, the city would have been saved. That must have been a miserable place. Couldn't even find 10 people who had faith. But how bout Abraham and the way he was pressing God! Way to go old man.
J. Lo
Not Jennifer Lopez. Today I'm writing about Joy, Laughter, and Outreach. Our reading today starts out with a bang! "God appeared to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre." I can imagine at God's appearance, Abraham was filled with joy. It's like when I come home from work and my kids practically knock me over with hugs. Abraham likes to be around his daddy.
And Sarah laughs within herself at the news that she'll FINALLY be a mommy. I think it's more out of joy than disbelief.
By there is much more to this reading that I'd like to lift up and it's a make or break for the future of our church. A reminder that what sets the 20% of ELCA churches that are growing apart from the others is three-fold:
1. A mission statement people know and live out
2. Talking about God and his activity like he's actually in the room and in the world
3. 25% of Confirmed members read Scripture daily
A handful of us have been blogging, but I'm curious as to how many others are reading along (both the Bible and the blog). If you are a daily Bible reader (even if you don't read the blog every day), please mark one of the 4 boxes below OR post a comment about how this has affected your faith since mid-January.
To take this a step further, we see several things in this couple who God blessed in order to bless the world:
1. Abraham served complete strangers with bread made from their best flour and roasted a nice plump calf. He had the gift of hospitality and used it. Sarah rolled up her sleeves and went to work for these men and ended up entertaining angels without even knowing it.
2. God told them, "I've settled on you to train your children and future family to observe God's way of life, live kindly and generously and fairly."
3. Abraham pleads on behalf of the 10 good people in Sodom and Gomorrah, people he doesn't even know. He challenges the Almighty with this statement, "Doesn't the Judge of all the Earth judge with justice?" Abraham is talkin' smack and God is listening, because he knows his heart of compassion for others.
If we use our giftedness to the fullest to pass the faith on to our children and grandchildren, but we stop there, we have been stopped short. We need to reach out to others. God is trying to bless the world through us. Will we help him or be more concerned about ourselves?
And Sarah laughs within herself at the news that she'll FINALLY be a mommy. I think it's more out of joy than disbelief.
By there is much more to this reading that I'd like to lift up and it's a make or break for the future of our church. A reminder that what sets the 20% of ELCA churches that are growing apart from the others is three-fold:
1. A mission statement people know and live out
2. Talking about God and his activity like he's actually in the room and in the world
3. 25% of Confirmed members read Scripture daily
A handful of us have been blogging, but I'm curious as to how many others are reading along (both the Bible and the blog). If you are a daily Bible reader (even if you don't read the blog every day), please mark one of the 4 boxes below OR post a comment about how this has affected your faith since mid-January.
To take this a step further, we see several things in this couple who God blessed in order to bless the world:
1. Abraham served complete strangers with bread made from their best flour and roasted a nice plump calf. He had the gift of hospitality and used it. Sarah rolled up her sleeves and went to work for these men and ended up entertaining angels without even knowing it.
2. God told them, "I've settled on you to train your children and future family to observe God's way of life, live kindly and generously and fairly."
3. Abraham pleads on behalf of the 10 good people in Sodom and Gomorrah, people he doesn't even know. He challenges the Almighty with this statement, "Doesn't the Judge of all the Earth judge with justice?" Abraham is talkin' smack and God is listening, because he knows his heart of compassion for others.
If we use our giftedness to the fullest to pass the faith on to our children and grandchildren, but we stop there, we have been stopped short. We need to reach out to others. God is trying to bless the world through us. Will we help him or be more concerned about ourselves?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 17
There is a spiritual that goes "I told Jesus it would be alright if he changed my name." Names are powerful. God gives Abram and Sarai new names to signify a change in their life. They will now be known as Abraham and Sarah.
I remember in high school going to a Phillies game with a bunch of friends and sitting in the upper deck. This was when the Phillies were drawing only 10,000 or so fans to the colossal Veterans Stadium. A group of guys, obviously older, decided it would be fun to mess with us and moved into the seats right behind us. They started to make lewd comments to the girls in our group and it made all of us uncomfortable. So, for some reason, I decided to do something (and yes, I was just as intimidating then as I am now). I stood up and hopped into the seat next to the lead guy. I heard the other guys in the group do the "oooh, what's this guy gonna do" kinda thing and to be honest, I didn't have a plan. But for some reason...
I asked him what his name was.
It was Jeremy, I remember that clear as bell, mostly because I wasn't expecting a bully to be named Jeremy. What I don't remember was the exact exchange after that, but it really didn't matter because I already had the upper hand. I had caught him off guard because now I knew more about him than he would ever know about me. The rest of it went something along the lines of, "Jeremy, if you don't mind we are trying to enjoy the game and you aren't really allowing that to happen. Please go back to your seats." He kind of joked around a few times "Dude, we're just trying to talk to these ladies, why don't you sit back down before..." I never responded to what he would say, I just kept using his name, Jeremy, and asking him to back off. By the third or forth exchange, he realized I wasn't kidding, and I wasn't intimidated. I had called his bluff and I had called him by name and he was starting to get embarrassed. They got up, and they left and didn't bother us the rest of the game.
Shakespeare famously asks, "What's in a name?" Like a rose, its not something that defines you by any means, but it does identify you. Abraham and Sarah are still the Abram and Sarai we have been reading about on the inside, but they now have a not-so-subtle public witness that proceeds them.
I remember in high school going to a Phillies game with a bunch of friends and sitting in the upper deck. This was when the Phillies were drawing only 10,000 or so fans to the colossal Veterans Stadium. A group of guys, obviously older, decided it would be fun to mess with us and moved into the seats right behind us. They started to make lewd comments to the girls in our group and it made all of us uncomfortable. So, for some reason, I decided to do something (and yes, I was just as intimidating then as I am now). I stood up and hopped into the seat next to the lead guy. I heard the other guys in the group do the "oooh, what's this guy gonna do" kinda thing and to be honest, I didn't have a plan. But for some reason...
I asked him what his name was.
It was Jeremy, I remember that clear as bell, mostly because I wasn't expecting a bully to be named Jeremy. What I don't remember was the exact exchange after that, but it really didn't matter because I already had the upper hand. I had caught him off guard because now I knew more about him than he would ever know about me. The rest of it went something along the lines of, "Jeremy, if you don't mind we are trying to enjoy the game and you aren't really allowing that to happen. Please go back to your seats." He kind of joked around a few times "Dude, we're just trying to talk to these ladies, why don't you sit back down before..." I never responded to what he would say, I just kept using his name, Jeremy, and asking him to back off. By the third or forth exchange, he realized I wasn't kidding, and I wasn't intimidated. I had called his bluff and I had called him by name and he was starting to get embarrassed. They got up, and they left and didn't bother us the rest of the game.
Shakespeare famously asks, "What's in a name?" Like a rose, its not something that defines you by any means, but it does identify you. Abraham and Sarah are still the Abram and Sarai we have been reading about on the inside, but they now have a not-so-subtle public witness that proceeds them.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
I often wonder why God chooses to claim us. Now that the promise is moving toward fulfillment, we're going to hear the above name for God often. God says to Abram, "I'm establishing my covenant between me and you, a covenant that commits me to be your God and the God of your descendants."
Since I knew this day was coming, I've been using the names Abraham and Sarah for a week or more, but now they mean something. Circumcision doesn't mean anything to Christians anymore. When Malachi was born, I assumed all male babies were circumcised on the 8th day, but they did it on the 1st or 2nd before we left the hospital. The nurse said that if the dads are circumcised, then most of those sons are. It works the opposite way too. A son wants to look like dad does.
So what "permanent mark" do we have of this permanent covenant? One for all boys and girls, all men and women? It's the mark of the cross. Even if you didn't grow up Catholic, when I swing my arm in the air and say the words "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," feel free to mark yourself and your children and grandchildren with the sign of the cross.
Every night, Adeline and Malachi get that mark on their foreheads with our thumbs and hear these words, "You are a precious child of God and we love you." The same goes for you...
Since I knew this day was coming, I've been using the names Abraham and Sarah for a week or more, but now they mean something. Circumcision doesn't mean anything to Christians anymore. When Malachi was born, I assumed all male babies were circumcised on the 8th day, but they did it on the 1st or 2nd before we left the hospital. The nurse said that if the dads are circumcised, then most of those sons are. It works the opposite way too. A son wants to look like dad does.
So what "permanent mark" do we have of this permanent covenant? One for all boys and girls, all men and women? It's the mark of the cross. Even if you didn't grow up Catholic, when I swing my arm in the air and say the words "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," feel free to mark yourself and your children and grandchildren with the sign of the cross.
Every night, Adeline and Malachi get that mark on their foreheads with our thumbs and hear these words, "You are a precious child of God and we love you." The same goes for you...
Monday, April 19, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 16
Its hard to deal with this story in the present world. A woman has difficulty bearing children, so she let's her husband conceive a child with her "slave-girl." There are so many things wrong here that its frustrating to read. Yes, I am sure everything in here is customary for the time, but it makes me realize that when I sang about "Father Abraham, had many sons..." its because Sarah is really given the short end of the deal (and not to mention all the daughters born). Sure, I know Isaac is coming and Sarah is given her own name, but still, why must the Bible have so much culture stuck in it!
Waiting
Before we moved here from MN, I kept hearing this song on the Christian radio station I listened to:
While I'm Waiting
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord
(side note: see the movie Fireproof if you haven't...that's where the song comes from, which gives it much more meaning)
How different would the world be if Sarah had not been so impatient? You really can't fault her. A decade is a long time. Ishmael will be 13 before Isaac comes along.
Heidi and I waited two years before we could get pregnant and hold Adi in our arms. The transition we went through in Fergus Falls was 15 months long.
If I were Sarah, could I have lasted 24 years, trusting that God would indeed deliver on his promise for offspring? With each year that passed, having this baby became more miraculous. When the parents are 90 and 99, God's hand is obviously in it.
Where is God's hand in your life? In the life of our church?
While I'm Waiting
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord
(side note: see the movie Fireproof if you haven't...that's where the song comes from, which gives it much more meaning)
How different would the world be if Sarah had not been so impatient? You really can't fault her. A decade is a long time. Ishmael will be 13 before Isaac comes along.
Heidi and I waited two years before we could get pregnant and hold Adi in our arms. The transition we went through in Fergus Falls was 15 months long.
If I were Sarah, could I have lasted 24 years, trusting that God would indeed deliver on his promise for offspring? With each year that passed, having this baby became more miraculous. When the parents are 90 and 99, God's hand is obviously in it.
Where is God's hand in your life? In the life of our church?
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 15
You know you are a parent when you get to a restaurant and your 6 month old starts crying because he is hungry, but really too hungry to take the time to eat rice cereal. Then, your 2 year old gets that look in his eye and you put your hand out to catch the spit up so that it doesn't go all over his outfit. When I was younger, just looking at someone else get sick would make me get a bad feeling in my stomach. Now, I'm catching it in my hands. Tonight was one of those nights where I was brought back into the now and where my life is.
Abram is living in the "what's next?" Where are these children that God promised? God reassures him that there is still time. And then, God brings him into reality by telling him that these descendants that he so desperately wants will be "aliens in a land that is not theirs." Yes, they will eventually be given the promised land, but for many generations they will be oppressed. Abram, though, will live his days free and die before all of this happens. You gotta wonder if Abram was feeling very mortal at this time and with eyes on the "what's next" had a toe in the now.
Abram is living in the "what's next?" Where are these children that God promised? God reassures him that there is still time. And then, God brings him into reality by telling him that these descendants that he so desperately wants will be "aliens in a land that is not theirs." Yes, they will eventually be given the promised land, but for many generations they will be oppressed. Abram, though, will live his days free and die before all of this happens. You gotta wonder if Abram was feeling very mortal at this time and with eyes on the "what's next" had a toe in the now.
Righteousness
God made Abraham a promise, "Look at the sky. Count the stars. Can you do it? Count your descendants! You're going to have a big family!" And he believed! Believed God! God declared him "Set-Right-with-God."
We may strive to be good Christian people, but God is the one who sets us right with himself.
Just because we are declared righteous by God, it doesn't mean we won't still face our share of troubles: God said to Abraham, "Know this: your descendants will live as outsiders in a land not theirs; they'll be enslaved and beaten down for 400 years. Then I'll punish their slave masters; your offspring will march out of there loaded with plunder."
Good news: God's people will be well established.
Bad news: 400 years of slavery.
God does indeed work in mysterious ways.
We welcomed Ryan & Lora Cosmini and their 10 month old son, Dominic, to our family this morning. Please welcome them. They are your sister and brothers in Christ.
We may strive to be good Christian people, but God is the one who sets us right with himself.
Just because we are declared righteous by God, it doesn't mean we won't still face our share of troubles: God said to Abraham, "Know this: your descendants will live as outsiders in a land not theirs; they'll be enslaved and beaten down for 400 years. Then I'll punish their slave masters; your offspring will march out of there loaded with plunder."
Good news: God's people will be well established.
Bad news: 400 years of slavery.
God does indeed work in mysterious ways.
We welcomed Ryan & Lora Cosmini and their 10 month old son, Dominic, to our family this morning. Please welcome them. They are your sister and brothers in Christ.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Contentment
God has been whispering something in my ear lately and is now to the point of screaming, "Be content with who you are and what I provide for you and your family." We never seem to have enough to live the lifestyle we want (or feel pressured to live by the commercials), but maybe God wants us to give more to him and be more focused on our family and our faith. Counting on God for what we need draws us closer to him.
Abraham was very intentional about receiving those things God promised and not letting others get the credit for building him up. Of course he had times of "backsliding" where he passed his wife off as his sister and reaped the benefits, but he is genuinely trying to be the type of guy who prays to God for daily bread and a living legacy and desires only that. I am too.
Abraham was very intentional about receiving those things God promised and not letting others get the credit for building him up. Of course he had times of "backsliding" where he passed his wife off as his sister and reaped the benefits, but he is genuinely trying to be the type of guy who prays to God for daily bread and a living legacy and desires only that. I am too.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 13
"Move over" is the Krey motto over at The Ranch (the nickname for their house) where my dad's family grew up. A family of 17 never has enough space. Lot and Abram have run out of room so instead of fighting for space, they go their separate ways. God has blessed Abram and Lot and their blessings have led to problems and yet their problems lead to the opportunity of starting their own lives.
At Faith, we are blessed. We are a big family that loves to worship and fellowship. With that blessing comes a tendency to be inwardly focused. There are also times when we confuse worship and fellowship! (We are a boisterous congregation!) Yet, we can take our gifts and our "problems" and make them opportunities. We can use our gift of fellowship to make people feel welcome and part of the family. Our worship services can inspire us to be more in touch with our spirituality through the course of each day and week.
Abrams tent won't have extra room for long because God tells him that he will have more descendants than the grains of sand. What if we had so many people worshiping on Sunday that sitting in the pews you were always asked to "move over." We would then have a new problem and yet great opportunity!
At Faith, we are blessed. We are a big family that loves to worship and fellowship. With that blessing comes a tendency to be inwardly focused. There are also times when we confuse worship and fellowship! (We are a boisterous congregation!) Yet, we can take our gifts and our "problems" and make them opportunities. We can use our gift of fellowship to make people feel welcome and part of the family. Our worship services can inspire us to be more in touch with our spirituality through the course of each day and week.
Abrams tent won't have extra room for long because God tells him that he will have more descendants than the grains of sand. What if we had so many people worshiping on Sunday that sitting in the pews you were always asked to "move over." We would then have a new problem and yet great opportunity!
Kelly - Genesis 13
Abram traveled to Bethel - "where his tent had been earlier, and where he had first built an altar."
Sometimes when we try to "move on", we end up coming back. I'd like to believe that my life is directional - that I'm moving forward and that I'm constantly growing and all things new are waiting ahead of me. But that doesn't seem to be the case. My life seems to spiral, or wander. I'm always growing and changing, sure, but I seem to double back about as often as I move forward.
But the holy places in my life are different each time I visit them. Some of my big personal holy places are drastically different when I return to them - because I return so seldom that I bring a different me and a different faith. But some of my little holy places change, too. I may sit in the same sanctuary each Sunday - often in the same pew with the same people - but there is always something new at the altar. I always have something different to say, something important to hear, some lesson to learn or relearn, some new source of praise and thanksgiving.
As a side note, we're off on vacation tomorrow, and I will be living without consistent access to the internet for the next week. I look forward to reading what you've all posted when I get back.
Sometimes when we try to "move on", we end up coming back. I'd like to believe that my life is directional - that I'm moving forward and that I'm constantly growing and all things new are waiting ahead of me. But that doesn't seem to be the case. My life seems to spiral, or wander. I'm always growing and changing, sure, but I seem to double back about as often as I move forward.
But the holy places in my life are different each time I visit them. Some of my big personal holy places are drastically different when I return to them - because I return so seldom that I bring a different me and a different faith. But some of my little holy places change, too. I may sit in the same sanctuary each Sunday - often in the same pew with the same people - but there is always something new at the altar. I always have something different to say, something important to hear, some lesson to learn or relearn, some new source of praise and thanksgiving.
As a side note, we're off on vacation tomorrow, and I will be living without consistent access to the internet for the next week. I look forward to reading what you've all posted when I get back.
Talk is cheap
Unfortunately, Abraham's little stunt of pretending Sarah is his sister proves to make his very well off. "Because of her, Abram got along very well: he accumulated sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, men and women servants, and camels." So much for learning his lesson.
In chapter 13, Abraham and Lot have so much stuff that they need to part ways. I don't know about you, but for me family is much more important than stuff. Speaking of family, Abraham hears another seemingly empty promise from God, "I'll make your descendants like dust—counting your descendants will be as impossible as counting the dust of the Earth."
Do you know that Abraham and Sarah travel and trust God for 24 years before seeing the promise of a son fulfilled? I was 11 twenty-four years ago. Maybe you have more patience at 75, but as you approach 100, you could almost see your dreams of becoming a father slip away. But with God all things are possible.
In chapter 13, Abraham and Lot have so much stuff that they need to part ways. I don't know about you, but for me family is much more important than stuff. Speaking of family, Abraham hears another seemingly empty promise from God, "I'll make your descendants like dust—counting your descendants will be as impossible as counting the dust of the Earth."
Do you know that Abraham and Sarah travel and trust God for 24 years before seeing the promise of a son fulfilled? I was 11 twenty-four years ago. Maybe you have more patience at 75, but as you approach 100, you could almost see your dreams of becoming a father slip away. But with God all things are possible.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 12
This chapter was like a Seinfeld episode. I could almost see Kramer suggesting to Abram the idea of calling Sarai his sister so Pharoah wouldn't hit on her. I mean seriously, a strange plot, a silly idea that backfires and in the end, everything ends the way it was at the beginning. Poor Sarai, just collateral damage in a ridiculous world where men "take" wives.
Blessed to be a blessing
As a footnote to yesterday, did you know that if you could speak these 8 languages, you could communicate with 60% of the world:
22% Chinese
9% English
8% Hindi
7% Spanish
4% Bengali
4% Arabic
3% Russian
3% Portuguese
Maybe we could get that tower going again...just kidding.
Abraham is the father of many nations and 3 world faiths:
32% Christians
20% Muslims
1% Jewish
In other words, if the different segments of Abraham's lineage worked together and we all just reached out to serve one person, there wouldn't be enough people to go around. We represent 53% of the planet.
Am I my brother's keeper? Can the world be reached with God's love?
22% Chinese
9% English
8% Hindi
7% Spanish
4% Bengali
4% Arabic
3% Russian
3% Portuguese
Maybe we could get that tower going again...just kidding.
Abraham is the father of many nations and 3 world faiths:
32% Christians
20% Muslims
1% Jewish
In other words, if the different segments of Abraham's lineage worked together and we all just reached out to serve one person, there wouldn't be enough people to go around. We represent 53% of the planet.
Am I my brother's keeper? Can the world be reached with God's love?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 11
I remember when I read the Tower of Babel before I always thought of the people as silly. Who really thinks they can build a tower to the heavens? Today, when I read it I saw a utopia.
But ya know, I think its just one of those stories that the generations told to explain how different peoples of the world existed. In Genesis, the genealogies are tracing back to creation, so any person hearing these stories over and over would eventually ask, "if they all came from the same family, how are the languages of the world so different?" And the story of the tower of Babel was written!
"Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them." (v. 6)To read this in any other chapter or book, you would admire this civilization. It sounds peaceful and purposeful. Its almost as if God is threatened by their ability. The comment in my Bible mentions that God likely did this because if all of civilization was working together in one place so they weren't following the commandment of filling the earth to take care of it (not sure how well that worked out...). It also says that God's actions promote diversity.
But ya know, I think its just one of those stories that the generations told to explain how different peoples of the world existed. In Genesis, the genealogies are tracing back to creation, so any person hearing these stories over and over would eventually ask, "if they all came from the same family, how are the languages of the world so different?" And the story of the tower of Babel was written!
Miracles
At Confirmation on Monday night, we talked a lot about miracles. Do they still happen? When we look into a coincidence, are God's fingerprints everywhere?
Today, we see another list of ages:
700
438
433
437
239
239
230
148
205
Another thing I noticed is that most people are having babies at 30, not 65. Now that the earth is re-populated, is God preparing us for a shortened lifespan or is he getting us ready for Sarah's miracle in which the young couple is pushing triple digits?
Does God want us to know that Isaac is around and the promise continues solely due to him?
Today, we see another list of ages:
700
438
433
437
239
239
230
148
205
Another thing I noticed is that most people are having babies at 30, not 65. Now that the earth is re-populated, is God preparing us for a shortened lifespan or is he getting us ready for Sarah's miracle in which the young couple is pushing triple digits?
Does God want us to know that Isaac is around and the promise continues solely due to him?
Kelly - Genesis 11
Wouldn't it be nice if we had learned our lesson and had gotten over trying to "make a name for ourselves"?
We may not build towers to surpass God, but we build resumes and build fortunes and build egos to try and make God unnecessary in our lives. Like the ancients, we still believe in God, we still love God, we may even still worship God in a limited way. But we try to forget that we need God and rely on God. We are self-sufficient, thank you very much!
And we still work together to replace God in our lives. As one culture we have built a society that fails to recognize all that we need God for. We have even become disconnected from the sources of our food - seeing only sterile plastic-wrapped meat on styrofoam and produce available regardless of season in shiny piles in an air-conditioned store.
It's easy to see my own guilt when I look at this story. I am ego-filled. And I would like to "make a name for myself". And the glorious title of "stay-at-home-mom" is a continuous blow to my self-image in a culture where that whole issue is a battlefield.
But what has surprised me today is that this story is still about societal sin. The people together built that tower. And our culture today continues to build.
We may not build towers to surpass God, but we build resumes and build fortunes and build egos to try and make God unnecessary in our lives. Like the ancients, we still believe in God, we still love God, we may even still worship God in a limited way. But we try to forget that we need God and rely on God. We are self-sufficient, thank you very much!
And we still work together to replace God in our lives. As one culture we have built a society that fails to recognize all that we need God for. We have even become disconnected from the sources of our food - seeing only sterile plastic-wrapped meat on styrofoam and produce available regardless of season in shiny piles in an air-conditioned store.
It's easy to see my own guilt when I look at this story. I am ego-filled. And I would like to "make a name for myself". And the glorious title of "stay-at-home-mom" is a continuous blow to my self-image in a culture where that whole issue is a battlefield.
But what has surprised me today is that this story is still about societal sin. The people together built that tower. And our culture today continues to build.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Family Trees
Before Adeline was born, Heidi and I asked our parents to provide the names of all those we came from. We wanted to select a name for our baby that would honor those who paved the way. I now have four pages of info on my side of the family and know that my children are made up of this ethnic mix:
11/16 German
1/8 Norwegian
1/16 Swedish
3/64 English
1/32 Scottish
1/32 Pawnee Indian
1/64 Irish
Here are some of my favorite stories:
On my dad’s side
•My grandma’s dad (Norway) met her mom (Sweden) and he went to the United States first. He asked her to come also, but her father said that he would never speak to her again if she went. She did and he never did.
•My grandpa’s grandpa and his brothers were hired mercenaries for the English army. After they had a falling out with them, they moved to America.
•My grandpa’s grandpa moved to Kentucky. He and his brother both married Pawnee Indian women from Oklahoma. My great-grandpa was the youngest of eleven children and had five brothers, who were much older than him. Prior to the Civil War, half of his family, including him, moved to Illinois. As a result, his three oldest brothers fought for the South, while their two younger brothers fought for the North. In the evenings, after the fighting had ceased, they would meet for supper and resume fighting the next day.
•During WWII, my grandparents moved to California and my grandpa worked in the ship yards.
On my mom’s side
•The information that I received from my mom was much more vague, as her father committed suicide when she was five and her mother died of cancer when she was seventeen.
•My grandparents met at Luther League at church. He was nine years older than she was.
My parents met at a dance at the Lake Marion Ballroom; my dad was home on leave from the army.
My Grandma Adeline died when she was only 45, eight years before I was born. Heidi's Great-Grandmother Lydia died when she was 102, months before Adi was conceived. Malachi is the last of the minor prophets. Between his last word and Matthew's first, Jesus is born. Walter is a family name throughout Heidi's side. Her uncle Wally (like my dad's best friend, Ronnie, where my middle name comes from) survived Vietnam and then died in an accident after returning. Wally was tragically killed by a drunk driver. Heidi's Great-Grandfather Walter pastored in Fergus Falls, MN for half of his life.
History matters. Where we come from makes a difference. But in no way does it limit what we can become as precious children of God.
11/16 German
1/8 Norwegian
1/16 Swedish
3/64 English
1/32 Scottish
1/32 Pawnee Indian
1/64 Irish
Here are some of my favorite stories:
On my dad’s side
•My grandma’s dad (Norway) met her mom (Sweden) and he went to the United States first. He asked her to come also, but her father said that he would never speak to her again if she went. She did and he never did.
•My grandpa’s grandpa and his brothers were hired mercenaries for the English army. After they had a falling out with them, they moved to America.
•My grandpa’s grandpa moved to Kentucky. He and his brother both married Pawnee Indian women from Oklahoma. My great-grandpa was the youngest of eleven children and had five brothers, who were much older than him. Prior to the Civil War, half of his family, including him, moved to Illinois. As a result, his three oldest brothers fought for the South, while their two younger brothers fought for the North. In the evenings, after the fighting had ceased, they would meet for supper and resume fighting the next day.
•During WWII, my grandparents moved to California and my grandpa worked in the ship yards.
On my mom’s side
•The information that I received from my mom was much more vague, as her father committed suicide when she was five and her mother died of cancer when she was seventeen.
•My grandparents met at Luther League at church. He was nine years older than she was.
My parents met at a dance at the Lake Marion Ballroom; my dad was home on leave from the army.
My Grandma Adeline died when she was only 45, eight years before I was born. Heidi's Great-Grandmother Lydia died when she was 102, months before Adi was conceived. Malachi is the last of the minor prophets. Between his last word and Matthew's first, Jesus is born. Walter is a family name throughout Heidi's side. Her uncle Wally (like my dad's best friend, Ronnie, where my middle name comes from) survived Vietnam and then died in an accident after returning. Wally was tragically killed by a drunk driver. Heidi's Great-Grandfather Walter pastored in Fergus Falls, MN for half of his life.
History matters. Where we come from makes a difference. But in no way does it limit what we can become as precious children of God.
Kelly - Genesis 10
There actually is someone named Nimrod?!?!
My whole life "nimrod" has been a synonymn for "idiot" - "Don't be such a nimrod" - I've heard it from my father, my grandparents, and have used the word myself.
Apparently the name means something totally different - Mighty Hunter.
Dictionary search - leads to both definitions. Nimrod meaning hunter and Nimrod meaning "person regarded as silly, foolish, or stupid" And the second definition comes from Bugs Bunny - who called the hapless hunter Elmer Fudd a "nimrod"
There may be deeper meanings in today's scripture - but I'm really just completely amused at the etymology of "nimrod"
My whole life "nimrod" has been a synonymn for "idiot" - "Don't be such a nimrod" - I've heard it from my father, my grandparents, and have used the word myself.
Apparently the name means something totally different - Mighty Hunter.
Dictionary search - leads to both definitions. Nimrod meaning hunter and Nimrod meaning "person regarded as silly, foolish, or stupid" And the second definition comes from Bugs Bunny - who called the hapless hunter Elmer Fudd a "nimrod"
There may be deeper meanings in today's scripture - but I'm really just completely amused at the etymology of "nimrod"
Genesis 9
I like Kelly's take of this chapter. It made me think about it in a different way.
When I read the chapter it first brought back many memories of hearing the Noah story and the rainbow. How many times have I taught this story to children? Never did I remember the ending and the curse being handed out. We only think of the flood and then Gods promise.
After reading this last night I wondered about those last verses. I was shocked that Noah would be drunk! He was such a man of God, that would not have been something I would have thought he would do. Then when the son walked in on him and immediately left to get his brothers. I wasn't thinking that he was gossiping, my thought was that he was embarrassed and ashamed for his father and went to get help. Then he gets cursed for it!
I agree that Noah took his anger of himself out on Ham. I think the poor boy didn't know what to do seeing his dad in that state. I bet he learned his lesson!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 9
This chapter begins with God's covenant and it ends with Noah's curse. From divine promise to human anger. Its a bitter taste left in your mouth because the story of Noah and the Ark is supposed to just end with a beautiful rainbow and the prospect of a fresh start. Right? Isn't that what all of the children's books end with? But we don't even get out of the first generation without people being people again. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted, I hope!
Somewhere over the rainbow
What is the first thing that pops into your head when you hear the word rainbow?
For my daughter, it's the pot of gold at the end of it. For Noah and his sons, it's God's promise to be faithful to them.
In the sermon on the mount, we hear this from Jesus, "You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both."
Everything in life can make us think about God and his amazing creation or about ourselves and our unending desires for more. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. We just need to keep reminding ourselves that the main thing is love and sacrifice, not wealth and comfort.
For my daughter, it's the pot of gold at the end of it. For Noah and his sons, it's God's promise to be faithful to them.
In the sermon on the mount, we hear this from Jesus, "You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both."
Everything in life can make us think about God and his amazing creation or about ourselves and our unending desires for more. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. We just need to keep reminding ourselves that the main thing is love and sacrifice, not wealth and comfort.
Kelly - Genesis 9
Poor Canaan! And how very human Noah's actions!
Noah, the only faithful man that God would save from the flood - the most faithful man of all humanity - gets seriously drunk.
After a year in the flood on the ark with all the animals, after seeing the death of so many he knew and spoke with every day, after being confined to speaking only to his own offspring for the rest of his life - I can understand that he might be tempted to drink a bit.
But according to the story, he had to grow the grapes and ferment the wine first. So this wasn't a rash moment decision. My guess is that he either got drunk on a whim - or that he had be very unpleasant to live with for quite some time.
I don't sanction Ham's actions - seeing someone's disgrace and then heading straight out to spread the gossip. But.....Noah seems to have taken his own shame and turned it outward in anger. Ham spread the gossip, but Noah was the one who got drunk. And the only way he could have known that Ham began spreading the gossip is if one of the other boys "told on him." Shem and Japheth seem to have come out of this story looking a little better than they should.
Noah, the only faithful man that God would save from the flood - the most faithful man of all humanity - gets seriously drunk.
After a year in the flood on the ark with all the animals, after seeing the death of so many he knew and spoke with every day, after being confined to speaking only to his own offspring for the rest of his life - I can understand that he might be tempted to drink a bit.
But according to the story, he had to grow the grapes and ferment the wine first. So this wasn't a rash moment decision. My guess is that he either got drunk on a whim - or that he had be very unpleasant to live with for quite some time.
I don't sanction Ham's actions - seeing someone's disgrace and then heading straight out to spread the gossip. But.....Noah seems to have taken his own shame and turned it outward in anger. Ham spread the gossip, but Noah was the one who got drunk. And the only way he could have known that Ham began spreading the gossip is if one of the other boys "told on him." Shem and Japheth seem to have come out of this story looking a little better than they should.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 8
If you've come within a few feet of David in your life, chances are you know he likes animals. He has all sorts of them now and he routinely carries them around in a little lunchbox. He's protective and although he can't really express it he has them all categorized and counted. He knows them all. It shouldn't surprise you that he loves reading about Noah and the Ark. I think he likes it because not only is about animals, but its about the care of animals and keeping them safe and in order.
"But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and all the domestic animals that were with him in the ark." (v. 1)Just as God calls each one of us by name, he knows all of creation with such intimacy, even the animals. And while I might think about this and wonder about the impossibility of knowing all of that, David would just look at his lunchbox and know how its possible.
Rhythm
How do you mark your life?
Noah spent over a year in the ark. It was certainly a year he never forgot.
I kind of live Sunday to Sunday. We need to have rhythm to our lives and Sabbath breaks.
Today also marked the first season (i.e. 3 months) we've been here. Thanks for the great party last night and all the money donated to Feeding Children International.
During this Easter season, we're going to package all of the meals we have product for. When this season ends, we'll be celebrating with our Confirmation students on Pentecost.
Noah spent over a year in the ark. It was certainly a year he never forgot.
I kind of live Sunday to Sunday. We need to have rhythm to our lives and Sabbath breaks.
Today also marked the first season (i.e. 3 months) we've been here. Thanks for the great party last night and all the money donated to Feeding Children International.
During this Easter season, we're going to package all of the meals we have product for. When this season ends, we'll be celebrating with our Confirmation students on Pentecost.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 7
You're 600 years old and you've just built a giant cypress boat, filled it with animals, gathered your family and are standing at the door. The door is huge, heavy, and when you built it, you had no idea how you were going to get the darn thing closed. As you look out the huge door, the wind is howling and the sky is darkening. Behind you the animals are going nuts sensing the impending doom. Their friends and families are being left behind too...
Suddenly, the giant door is lifted off the ground and it creaks and groans as you are shut in. You realize, as you stand in darkness that everything you once knew would be wiped from the earth. You are shut in, and now as the rain comes down, your eyes go up, and you pray like you have never prayed before; that everything that God has promised to you and your family, he would fulfill. You're 600 years old and your life is just beginning.
Suddenly, the giant door is lifted off the ground and it creaks and groans as you are shut in. You realize, as you stand in darkness that everything you once knew would be wiped from the earth. You are shut in, and now as the rain comes down, your eyes go up, and you pray like you have never prayed before; that everything that God has promised to you and your family, he would fulfill. You're 600 years old and your life is just beginning.
Predators and Prey
I guess my question about the giants in the land is irrelevant.
"Everything died. Anything that moved—dead. Birds, farm animals, wild animals, the entire teeming exuberance of life—dead. And all people—dead. Every living, breathing creature that lived on dry land died."
I doubt that any giants dwelling in the Promised Land came from the union of the sons of God and the daughters of men. God had made a clean sweep.
Why did God spare Noah?
"Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah. Noah was a good man, a man of integrity in his community. Noah walked with God. Noah did everything God commanded him to do."
I think the sons made it on the reputation of their father.
Two more thoughts: Noah must have had the spiritual gift of skilled craft. Paul Allen, Bob Barnes, and I put together a jungle park for my kids this week. We did it all day Monday and I finished it after laboring on it all day Tuesday. A lot of work for someone nearly unskilled in that department.
Finally, can you imagine the environment on the ark. What would God have to do to convince the wild and domestic animals to get along with each other and not kill one another? Why doesn't he do the same with us now? That would be like heaven on earth. Diversity valued. Everyone matters. Everyone survives.
"Everything died. Anything that moved—dead. Birds, farm animals, wild animals, the entire teeming exuberance of life—dead. And all people—dead. Every living, breathing creature that lived on dry land died."
I doubt that any giants dwelling in the Promised Land came from the union of the sons of God and the daughters of men. God had made a clean sweep.
Why did God spare Noah?
"Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah. Noah was a good man, a man of integrity in his community. Noah walked with God. Noah did everything God commanded him to do."
I think the sons made it on the reputation of their father.
Two more thoughts: Noah must have had the spiritual gift of skilled craft. Paul Allen, Bob Barnes, and I put together a jungle park for my kids this week. We did it all day Monday and I finished it after laboring on it all day Tuesday. A lot of work for someone nearly unskilled in that department.
Finally, can you imagine the environment on the ark. What would God have to do to convince the wild and domestic animals to get along with each other and not kill one another? Why doesn't he do the same with us now? That would be like heaven on earth. Diversity valued. Everyone matters. Everyone survives.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Facing the Giants
Genesis 6:5 and on is so familiar that I got stuck on the first 4 verses. Who are the sons of God? Was Jesus the first of many? Didn't God have any daughters or were they just not interested in the sons of men? Not handsome enough?
The giants in the land...were these the ones everyone but Joshua and Caleb were afraid of? Did they go the way of the dinosaurs? I don't know of many, other than Andre the Giant and he died young. Maybe that breed just doesn't last.
We are kind of half-breeds too: saints and sinners.
And now for something completely different...
Heidi and I went on a date last night and saw the movie The Last Song. A father and daughter are talking about love, which is fragile. My favorite part is when he says, "We are caretakers of love." That is so true. God is love and is anything but fragile, but in our hands love (and our own hearts) can get broken so easily. Forgiveness heals.
Kelly, that's why I think parents talk about their kids so much. We love them and are caretakers of them. Heidi and I have a rule that we can't mention the little ones on dates. That's time to build our relationship. We are caretakers of the love between us.
Likewise, when you are out with friends, try to talk only about things that have to do with you and the love you share with them. Certainly, you may both be moms, but try to set that aside and dive deeper into life issues, your life, your future, the love you have for the world, not merely for your home.
Unfortunately, once we have offspring, we can't escape our new reality (except on dates). Even Noah had to bring his three boys along in the boat...not that he wanted to let them swim. Well, some days...maybe...until they got tired enough to sleep through the night.
The giants in the land...were these the ones everyone but Joshua and Caleb were afraid of? Did they go the way of the dinosaurs? I don't know of many, other than Andre the Giant and he died young. Maybe that breed just doesn't last.
We are kind of half-breeds too: saints and sinners.
And now for something completely different...
Heidi and I went on a date last night and saw the movie The Last Song. A father and daughter are talking about love, which is fragile. My favorite part is when he says, "We are caretakers of love." That is so true. God is love and is anything but fragile, but in our hands love (and our own hearts) can get broken so easily. Forgiveness heals.
Kelly, that's why I think parents talk about their kids so much. We love them and are caretakers of them. Heidi and I have a rule that we can't mention the little ones on dates. That's time to build our relationship. We are caretakers of the love between us.
Likewise, when you are out with friends, try to talk only about things that have to do with you and the love you share with them. Certainly, you may both be moms, but try to set that aside and dive deeper into life issues, your life, your future, the love you have for the world, not merely for your home.
Unfortunately, once we have offspring, we can't escape our new reality (except on dates). Even Noah had to bring his three boys along in the boat...not that he wanted to let them swim. Well, some days...maybe...until they got tired enough to sleep through the night.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 5
"Why can't we learn from all we've been through | After two thousand years?" - Billy Joel - Two Thousand YearsWhen I was reading chapter 5, I was thinking about what I would have lived through had I been born in 1081 AD instead of 1981, and I just happen to be 928 years old. Seriously, can you imagine? My life would have include memories of:
- The first lightbulb
- The discovery of the "new world"
- Martin Luther
- The first vaccine
- Gravity
- Kublai Khan
- The great artists of the Renaissance
Kelly - Genesis 5
I like the way this chapter breaks down the ages of each of these men...
George lived X years, became the father of Herbert, and then lived XX years and then died.
It's almost as if the Bible is acknowledging that life before kids and life after kids should be counted differently - in so many ways it is the beginning of a new lifetime - a new way of counting the years and a new way of looking at the world.
I spent the morning in conversation with a friend - and as I look back on the day, I'm amazed at how much of my conversation was about my kids. Why is it that so much of "ME" and my friendships and my concerns is made up of "THEM"?
There is an old commercial for an insurance company: A man is leaving the maternity ward of the hospital with his wife and baby for the first time - buckling them into the car for the momentous ride home - when a voice says "You will never be the center of your own world again."
There is something holy about learning to see the world on behalf of someone else - looking at everything as it would affect them.
But there is also something holy in the way each of these lives ends. "Altogether, George lived XXX years." At some point I hope to be able to reconcile the "before kids" me with the "after kids" me - and find an "altogether" wholeness.
George lived X years, became the father of Herbert, and then lived XX years and then died.
It's almost as if the Bible is acknowledging that life before kids and life after kids should be counted differently - in so many ways it is the beginning of a new lifetime - a new way of counting the years and a new way of looking at the world.
I spent the morning in conversation with a friend - and as I look back on the day, I'm amazed at how much of my conversation was about my kids. Why is it that so much of "ME" and my friendships and my concerns is made up of "THEM"?
There is an old commercial for an insurance company: A man is leaving the maternity ward of the hospital with his wife and baby for the first time - buckling them into the car for the momentous ride home - when a voice says "You will never be the center of your own world again."
There is something holy about learning to see the world on behalf of someone else - looking at everything as it would affect them.
But there is also something holy in the way each of these lives ends. "Altogether, George lived XXX years." At some point I hope to be able to reconcile the "before kids" me with the "after kids" me - and find an "altogether" wholeness.
All Enochs go to heaven
Which one of these doesn't belong?
930
912
905
910
895
962
365
969
777
Does Enoch get that shaft or what? His son posts the longest recorded life in history, yet he gets "only" 365 years on the planet.
"Enoch walked steadily with God. And then one day he was simply gone: God took him." Was Enoch a precursor to Elijah and Jesus himself. In 36 days, Christ will ascend into heaven, the disciples watching him go. Elisha witnessed Elijah's departure, but was anyone around for Enoch's?
We'll learn in Genesis 6 that we can expect no more than 120 years on earth, so if we shaved the last digit off, the above list would look like this:
93
91
90
91
89
96
36
96
77
I'll be 36 next month. That doesn't seem like sufficient time to do all that I want to do, but Jesus only got 33 years. These disproportionate lifespans make me think about something I heard regarding why dogs don't live as long as humans, though we love them like family. It has been said that the whole purpose of our lives is to learn how to love others unconditionally. Since dogs seem to have a head start in that area, they don't have to be around as long before they get to be with God again. Another way to say it is "only the good die young".
But who wants to die young? Was this Enoch's reward walking steadily with God? Does God take us when we're though here?
Please pray for Steve Manzer's daughter, Kristin Filo. Her husband, John, is dying from ALS. He probably won't live another month. How unfair is that?
930
912
905
910
895
962
365
969
777
Does Enoch get that shaft or what? His son posts the longest recorded life in history, yet he gets "only" 365 years on the planet.
"Enoch walked steadily with God. And then one day he was simply gone: God took him." Was Enoch a precursor to Elijah and Jesus himself. In 36 days, Christ will ascend into heaven, the disciples watching him go. Elisha witnessed Elijah's departure, but was anyone around for Enoch's?
We'll learn in Genesis 6 that we can expect no more than 120 years on earth, so if we shaved the last digit off, the above list would look like this:
93
91
90
91
89
96
36
96
77
I'll be 36 next month. That doesn't seem like sufficient time to do all that I want to do, but Jesus only got 33 years. These disproportionate lifespans make me think about something I heard regarding why dogs don't live as long as humans, though we love them like family. It has been said that the whole purpose of our lives is to learn how to love others unconditionally. Since dogs seem to have a head start in that area, they don't have to be around as long before they get to be with God again. Another way to say it is "only the good die young".
But who wants to die young? Was this Enoch's reward walking steadily with God? Does God take us when we're though here?
Please pray for Steve Manzer's daughter, Kristin Filo. Her husband, John, is dying from ALS. He probably won't live another month. How unfair is that?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Super Pastor
Subtitled: We are our brother's keeper.
When Jordan posted about Cain and Abel, I responded, since we were starting our 30 Hour Famine at the time, that yes we are our brother's keeper. Less than a month later, this phrase means a lot more to me...in a very different way.
Last year, I did the youth ministry at one of the five ELCA churches in Fergus Falls, MN. Heidi interviewed for a joint position with the two smallest congregations. She ultimately decided to serve the younger of them. I talked our friend, Becky, who you will be meeting at the Paw Sox's game, into covering the remaining church. Heidi, of course resigned and I took the call at Faith, but Becky is still working at Zion.
She fired a text off to me on Easter evening and I sent a quick one back. We were both swamped in the last couple of weeks with 30 Hour Famines and Holy Week. We talked today about the necessity of Sabbath rest. Then she sent me this link on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox%2Freadmessage.php&t=1164802498830&mid=226dbb7G5b687200G1883680G0&n_m=matthewmartinlukejohn%40hotmail.com
I had a conversation with one of our members on Good Friday about how many people in churches simply aren't healthy and can't serve the kingdom in the way they would like. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is overweight, which causes a lot of health problems and premature death. This may seem like rambling, but it is going somewhere.
Rob Bell shares his experience of killing "super pastor" in his book Velvet Elvis. If you read one book this year, other than the Bible, read this book! Rob was pastoring the fastest growing church in our country (Mars Hill in Michigan) when he was 30.
The basic lesson from Genesis 1-4 for me is that God cares for us and he wants us to care for each other. We need to work together to be healthy, which means having healthy boundaries, vocationally, physically, financially, etc.
I need you to be my keeper, so I don't think of myself as being too important to the health of the church and lose track of the things that matter to me (my own faith, my family, etc).
Faith is a family. I am your brother in Christ. Please watch out for me and I'll do the same for you.
When Jordan posted about Cain and Abel, I responded, since we were starting our 30 Hour Famine at the time, that yes we are our brother's keeper. Less than a month later, this phrase means a lot more to me...in a very different way.
Last year, I did the youth ministry at one of the five ELCA churches in Fergus Falls, MN. Heidi interviewed for a joint position with the two smallest congregations. She ultimately decided to serve the younger of them. I talked our friend, Becky, who you will be meeting at the Paw Sox's game, into covering the remaining church. Heidi, of course resigned and I took the call at Faith, but Becky is still working at Zion.
She fired a text off to me on Easter evening and I sent a quick one back. We were both swamped in the last couple of weeks with 30 Hour Famines and Holy Week. We talked today about the necessity of Sabbath rest. Then she sent me this link on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox%2Freadmessage.php&t=1164802498830&mid=226dbb7G5b687200G1883680G0&n_m=matthewmartinlukejohn%40hotmail.com
I had a conversation with one of our members on Good Friday about how many people in churches simply aren't healthy and can't serve the kingdom in the way they would like. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is overweight, which causes a lot of health problems and premature death. This may seem like rambling, but it is going somewhere.
Rob Bell shares his experience of killing "super pastor" in his book Velvet Elvis. If you read one book this year, other than the Bible, read this book! Rob was pastoring the fastest growing church in our country (Mars Hill in Michigan) when he was 30.
The basic lesson from Genesis 1-4 for me is that God cares for us and he wants us to care for each other. We need to work together to be healthy, which means having healthy boundaries, vocationally, physically, financially, etc.
I need you to be my keeper, so I don't think of myself as being too important to the health of the church and lose track of the things that matter to me (my own faith, my family, etc).
Faith is a family. I am your brother in Christ. Please watch out for me and I'll do the same for you.
Jordan - Genesis 4
If you read my Proverbs 15 entry, you know my feelings about the Cain and Abel story. So I won't bore you with those thoughts again.
Instead, I thought about two things today. First, when Adam and Eve are sent from the garden, God clothed them. When Cain is sent out to wander, God marks him so that he will be protected from those who would want to kill him. God's loving arms embrace us even when we are in our deepest shame. And that says a lot especially in Genesis where God seems to react in very strange ways. Almost like God isn't quite used to being God yet over such silly things as people.
The second thought I had was, who was going to kill Cain? Where did these other people come from and why doesn't the author mention something about them? All of a sudden all of these men and women are on the earth and they are knowing eachother all over the place.
On a side note, I added "Reactions" to the blog posts, so feel free to check off your reaction to a post. I thought it might give another way to get involved. Let me know if you want me to add any "Reaction" words.
Instead, I thought about two things today. First, when Adam and Eve are sent from the garden, God clothed them. When Cain is sent out to wander, God marks him so that he will be protected from those who would want to kill him. God's loving arms embrace us even when we are in our deepest shame. And that says a lot especially in Genesis where God seems to react in very strange ways. Almost like God isn't quite used to being God yet over such silly things as people.
The second thought I had was, who was going to kill Cain? Where did these other people come from and why doesn't the author mention something about them? All of a sudden all of these men and women are on the earth and they are knowing eachother all over the place.
On a side note, I added "Reactions" to the blog posts, so feel free to check off your reaction to a post. I thought it might give another way to get involved. Let me know if you want me to add any "Reaction" words.
Kelly - Genesis 4
Cain gave his offering but not his best - and God was not pleased.
So when I teach Sunday School, but do feel enthused about doing so - when I keep my commitment but am feeling a bit burned out - what is God's opinion of my offering? God accepts the offering, but is not pleased.
When I grab the store brand peanut butter for the food pantry and Skippy for myself? God accepts the offering, but is not pleased - God asks for my best, my firstfruits.
When I show up for worship out of habit or commitment and daydream through half the servie? God accepts my offering, but is not pleased.
So when I teach Sunday School, but do feel enthused about doing so - when I keep my commitment but am feeling a bit burned out - what is God's opinion of my offering? God accepts the offering, but is not pleased.
When I grab the store brand peanut butter for the food pantry and Skippy for myself? God accepts the offering, but is not pleased - God asks for my best, my firstfruits.
When I show up for worship out of habit or commitment and daydream through half the servie? God accepts my offering, but is not pleased.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Jordan - Genesis 3
What I have heard before and always forget about in this story is that in the beginning of the story when the serpent is talking, all the uses of the word "you" are plural and as Eve gets the apples she gives one "to her husband, who was with her." Later when God calls them out, Adam says "she gave me the fruit from the tree." Whether he was with her when she spoke to the serpent or not, it does seem pretty apparent that Adam was with her when she took the fruit and he did know that God commanded them both not to eat it. From the words in this chapter, its our own prejudices that provide a sexist lens.
In verse 16, God tell's Eve that "your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." Uh oh. In my previous readings of that, I just skimmed over that verse as something an old sexist culture would shove into a story (which still might be true). But then I read the comment in the margins, "The 'rule' over the woman is a consequence of sin; it is not a prescription for their future relationship." What a really interesting interpretation. Perhaps, as a consequence of the first sin, Adam became the first male chauvinist. So, its not that husbands are supposed to rule over their wife, in fact, its the opposite; to perpetuate that idea is to accept that we cannot be absolved of that first sin. And we all know what Jesus died for...
In verse 16, God tell's Eve that "your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." Uh oh. In my previous readings of that, I just skimmed over that verse as something an old sexist culture would shove into a story (which still might be true). But then I read the comment in the margins, "The 'rule' over the woman is a consequence of sin; it is not a prescription for their future relationship." What a really interesting interpretation. Perhaps, as a consequence of the first sin, Adam became the first male chauvinist. So, its not that husbands are supposed to rule over their wife, in fact, its the opposite; to perpetuate that idea is to accept that we cannot be absolved of that first sin. And we all know what Jesus died for...
Genisis #
It is interesting to read this chapter and really think about the meaning of what happened here. First you have the serpent who tells Eve hey you don't have to listen to God he just doesn't want you to know what he knows. Then you have Eve who gives Adam the fruit without telling him where it came from. This really gives women a bad reputation. After all aren't we condemed by this action for life?
So they eat the fruit and now they realize that they are naked? What is the meaning here? Why is it bad for them to be naked? It seems that the message here is that it is bad to be naked. Why? I really wonder about this.
So then here comes God and he finds out that they ate the fruit. So now the snake is cursed for life (no wonder I am deathly afraid of them it was God's plan), Eve is now going to suffer monthly plus have very painful childbirth and Adam now has to work really hard to care for his family. All because they know the difference between good and evil? (I also love the way they each throw the other under the bus. Adam claims it was Eve and Eve claims it was the snake.)
So what did the tree actually do for us? As humanity we became cursed and have to live our lives outside of the Garden and being in the grace of God. And if we know the difference between good and evil why is it so hard to do the right thing? Temptation is all around us on a daily basis. Making the right choices can at times be very difficult.
Luckily we have the events of 2 days ago, Jesus' ressurection! This event saved us all from sin and death. Our God is an awesome God, one who truly loves us. All we have to do is believe in Jesus and try on a daily basis to do the right thing. Not so hard right?
Trees
I really appreciated our last Nooma during Lent called Trees. It talked about how we are living between Genesis and Revelation. I really hope several people go to the Bible book of faith seminar on May 1st. Heidi and I are unable to attend, but it's HUGELY important for Faith's passionate spirituality score. We are striving to get 25% of our confirmed members reading Scripture daily. We are also restarting our prayer chain via e-mail and looking for a few people to pray together on Fridays or Saturdays and pray with me (or the preacher if it's not me) on Sunday mornings before worship.
One detail I picked up on today was that Adam and Eve had free reign to eat from the tree of life, but went for the other one, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. I am brought back to my confirmation verse, Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." What caused them to eat from that tree? They wanted to be like God. Wouldn't living forever be enough? I actually think Adam, this one made from dirt, wanted to be God. Most sin in this world comes from a power grab like this, wanting power over our own lives, power over others.
"You started out as dirt, you'll end up dirt." But what happens to dirt when God breathes into it? Life!
It's interesting that in Genesis 3 God makes this statement, "The Man has become like one of us, capable of knowing everything, ranging from good to evil. What if he now should reach out and take fruit from the Tree-of-Life and eat, and live forever? Never—this cannot happen!"
We cannot live forever in this state of knowing evil and being forever tempted to "make a bad choice," as we say in our home. That would be a disaster. For the next 1,185 chapters in God's story (notice I didn't say humanity's story), our Creator is working things together for our good, for our redemption. One day, there will be a tree the leaves of which will heal the nations. We yearn for that day. In the meantime, let's fear and love God and do our job: care for his creation (remember, people are God's best creation).
One detail I picked up on today was that Adam and Eve had free reign to eat from the tree of life, but went for the other one, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. I am brought back to my confirmation verse, Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." What caused them to eat from that tree? They wanted to be like God. Wouldn't living forever be enough? I actually think Adam, this one made from dirt, wanted to be God. Most sin in this world comes from a power grab like this, wanting power over our own lives, power over others.
"You started out as dirt, you'll end up dirt." But what happens to dirt when God breathes into it? Life!
It's interesting that in Genesis 3 God makes this statement, "The Man has become like one of us, capable of knowing everything, ranging from good to evil. What if he now should reach out and take fruit from the Tree-of-Life and eat, and live forever? Never—this cannot happen!"
We cannot live forever in this state of knowing evil and being forever tempted to "make a bad choice," as we say in our home. That would be a disaster. For the next 1,185 chapters in God's story (notice I didn't say humanity's story), our Creator is working things together for our good, for our redemption. One day, there will be a tree the leaves of which will heal the nations. We yearn for that day. In the meantime, let's fear and love God and do our job: care for his creation (remember, people are God's best creation).
Kelly - Genesis 3
Okay - so we've institutionalized gender roles into the very fabric of creation - very convenient for the leaders of Israelite society.
But what intrigues me most is "knowing good and evil." This story of the "Fall" is where we traditionally believe that Man and Woman become sinners. So is knowing good and evil the same as knowing sin? And if that is the case, does God know sin (in a more than academic way)?
Is sin simply disobedience to God's will? Or is it something more intrinsic to our self-understanding and view of the world. Do we separate ourselves from God only by conscious choice? Or is there something about the heaviness in our hearts, the jaded views we all grow into, our "knowledge of good and evil" that keeps us separate from God?
I think this is what people are getting at when they talk about "the innocence of children." I've always struggled with that image - at least since I've had kids. Children are the greediest creatures on this earth. There are biological reasons for it, sure, but they are all about themselves. Different children have different personalities -and are selfish to differing degrees - but empathy is always a learned trait of some sort. No child is happy when his/her sibling is born - there is always some jealousy.
But their supposed "innocence" ties to their lack of this "knowledge of good and evil" - they aren't yet jaded, their hearts are light - and they usually prefer running about naked.
I don't subscribe to the Augustinian doctrine of Original Sin...certainly not in the pseudo-scientific way he laid it out. But I think sin is more than just individual choice. It has to do with the water we swim in, the air we breathe. Living a righteous life is like swimming against the tide - against our own selfishness, our own individual issues - and against the institutionalized evil we are a part of every day. We are swimming against our racism, our wealth, our limited view of God's creation, and so much else. Swimming against what we have done, and what we have left undone.
God is merciful, and God performs miracles. And from time to time God helps us to rise above the tide and walk on the water.
But what intrigues me most is "knowing good and evil." This story of the "Fall" is where we traditionally believe that Man and Woman become sinners. So is knowing good and evil the same as knowing sin? And if that is the case, does God know sin (in a more than academic way)?
Is sin simply disobedience to God's will? Or is it something more intrinsic to our self-understanding and view of the world. Do we separate ourselves from God only by conscious choice? Or is there something about the heaviness in our hearts, the jaded views we all grow into, our "knowledge of good and evil" that keeps us separate from God?
I think this is what people are getting at when they talk about "the innocence of children." I've always struggled with that image - at least since I've had kids. Children are the greediest creatures on this earth. There are biological reasons for it, sure, but they are all about themselves. Different children have different personalities -and are selfish to differing degrees - but empathy is always a learned trait of some sort. No child is happy when his/her sibling is born - there is always some jealousy.
But their supposed "innocence" ties to their lack of this "knowledge of good and evil" - they aren't yet jaded, their hearts are light - and they usually prefer running about naked.
I don't subscribe to the Augustinian doctrine of Original Sin...certainly not in the pseudo-scientific way he laid it out. But I think sin is more than just individual choice. It has to do with the water we swim in, the air we breathe. Living a righteous life is like swimming against the tide - against our own selfishness, our own individual issues - and against the institutionalized evil we are a part of every day. We are swimming against our racism, our wealth, our limited view of God's creation, and so much else. Swimming against what we have done, and what we have left undone.
God is merciful, and God performs miracles. And from time to time God helps us to rise above the tide and walk on the water.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Kelly - Genesis 2
Two main thoughts today:
1 - it is absolutely amazing to me that the Tigris and Euphrates have kept the same names for this many millennia. The only other place name I can think of that has kept a name for so long is Egypt.
2 - Human was split in two - and the halves become Man and Woman. What does this mean about our relationships? Apparently Plato also theorized about the splitting of the original human - and from there developed the concept of "soul-mates" - spending your life looking for your other half. (I did read this in Plato somewhere along the line, but my source for this tonight is the latest episode of "Bones" - so I apologize if I get my philosophy wrong.)
I must admit that I don't agree with the concept of "soul mate" - it implies that we are intrinsically more static than I believe we are. We change - and adapt, and grow - and our love and relationships grow alongside those changes. And deep love and relationship - at least in my marriage - come from trust that is built over many years. Love grows deeper as trust grows stronger and older.
On top of which, I don't think I'd survive if I married the other half of "me". I have some serious flaws - and Marcus helps to smooth those out.
1 - it is absolutely amazing to me that the Tigris and Euphrates have kept the same names for this many millennia. The only other place name I can think of that has kept a name for so long is Egypt.
2 - Human was split in two - and the halves become Man and Woman. What does this mean about our relationships? Apparently Plato also theorized about the splitting of the original human - and from there developed the concept of "soul-mates" - spending your life looking for your other half. (I did read this in Plato somewhere along the line, but my source for this tonight is the latest episode of "Bones" - so I apologize if I get my philosophy wrong.)
I must admit that I don't agree with the concept of "soul mate" - it implies that we are intrinsically more static than I believe we are. We change - and adapt, and grow - and our love and relationships grow alongside those changes. And deep love and relationship - at least in my marriage - come from trust that is built over many years. Love grows deeper as trust grows stronger and older.
On top of which, I don't think I'd survive if I married the other half of "me". I have some serious flaws - and Marcus helps to smooth those out.
Jordan - Genesis 2
I had to mow the lawn today. I never mowed a lawn in my life until Erin and I bought our house in Weymouth and while the prospect of mowing the lawn is never enticing, the end result is always satisfying. There are few things greater than seeing a freshly mowed lawn, tulips coming up, new growth on the rose bushes and the yellow of the forsythia. In the middle of our lawn grows the tree of good and evil. On the good side, its a beautiful maple tree that provides shade in the summer, on the bad side it has been eaten of all its leaves by gypsy moth worms over the last couple years and I am just waiting for the disaster to strike this year. Of our 30 or 40 tulips last year we had only about 3 or 4 bloom after rabbits bit off the buds just before they bloomed so again I am just waiting to see if the rodents of death "passover" us this year. Creation is both glorious and heartbreaking.
Adam and Eve are the keepers of the Garden of Eden and in chapter 2, the enormity of that responsibility is revealed to Adam in the most tedious way possible. He has to name everything. I can imagine that when God told Adam what he had to do, Adam wondered whether he had eaten enough life fruit to get through half of the animals. But like mowing the lawn, the end result must have been inspiring. And yes, I did just compare mowing my lawn to naming all of God's creation.
Adam and Eve are the keepers of the Garden of Eden and in chapter 2, the enormity of that responsibility is revealed to Adam in the most tedious way possible. He has to name everything. I can imagine that when God told Adam what he had to do, Adam wondered whether he had eaten enough life fruit to get through half of the animals. But like mowing the lawn, the end result must have been inspiring. And yes, I did just compare mowing my lawn to naming all of God's creation.
Naming everything?!?
As I read through the second version of the creation story, it seemed to me that this one picks up at day 6. Two very different stories, but one isn't true and the other false. It's like the four Gospels. They aren't mutually exclusive (i.e. no one possesses all of the truth). Rob Bell actually refers to this as the Genesis poem. The cadence in version one is rhythmic. God spoke this into being...and saw that it was good. Second verse, same as the first. As the pinnacle of creation, we are the only thing made in his image. That's why none of the animals were found to be suitable companions for this journey.
As I make that statement, I recall a scene from Rob's DVD tour Everything is Spiritual. Adam is naming all of the animals. There is a data base angel recording everything. God brings each creature forward and Adam has to think of a name. Here's how it unfolds...
Yet another animal walks by.
Adam: Duck-billed platypus
Data Base Angel: God, seriously, where did you get this guy?
God: I don't know. I just stepped in something (picking it off his shoe, cradling it in his hands, and blowing it off) and "poof," there he was.
Adam continues naming everything.
God: It's been a long day. Adam do you think you can do a couple more?
Adam gets psyched up.
Adam: Dog.
God: That's my name backwards! Adam, you are the man! Literally. You are the man.
Adam: Okay one more. Cat.
God: Hey, I didn't make that!
As I make that statement, I recall a scene from Rob's DVD tour Everything is Spiritual. Adam is naming all of the animals. There is a data base angel recording everything. God brings each creature forward and Adam has to think of a name. Here's how it unfolds...
Yet another animal walks by.
Adam: Duck-billed platypus
Data Base Angel: God, seriously, where did you get this guy?
God: I don't know. I just stepped in something (picking it off his shoe, cradling it in his hands, and blowing it off) and "poof," there he was.
Adam continues naming everything.
God: It's been a long day. Adam do you think you can do a couple more?
Adam gets psyched up.
Adam: Dog.
God: That's my name backwards! Adam, you are the man! Literally. You are the man.
Adam: Okay one more. Cat.
God: Hey, I didn't make that!
New beginnings
Easter has long been my favorite holiday. Not the bunnies and chocolate eggs, not the presents many children get but the real reason we celebrate; Christ's dying and ressurection. When my children were younger I was always against buying gifts and giving easter baskets. My parents had always just hidden chocolate eggs and that was that. Easter was about getting all decked out and going to church. My husband didn't necessarily agree but went along with it.
As the children got older and saw that their friends were getting large gifts for Easter they would question why the Easter Bunny didn't bring them presents. I explained to them that it was their parents who were buying the gifts that the bunny only brought candy.(Boy was I glad when I didn't have to play that game anymore.) Easter, I told them, was not about the Easter bunny but about Jesus' death and ressurection. They get it now.
For me I think of Easter as a time for new beginnings and strengthening my faith and commitment to Jesus. I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of church activity during the week prior to Easter and it all goes by in a blur. But I revel in Easter morning and the uplifting services and feeling of new beginnings.
It seems very fitting that we are now reading Genesis. After all this is all about beginnings. We have a lot of new beginnings happening at Faith. There is much excitement and a little uneasiness as well. The path before us is ours to shape. I am excited about the new beginnings we are creating and look forward to the path we will shape.
As the children got older and saw that their friends were getting large gifts for Easter they would question why the Easter Bunny didn't bring them presents. I explained to them that it was their parents who were buying the gifts that the bunny only brought candy.(Boy was I glad when I didn't have to play that game anymore.) Easter, I told them, was not about the Easter bunny but about Jesus' death and ressurection. They get it now.
For me I think of Easter as a time for new beginnings and strengthening my faith and commitment to Jesus. I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of church activity during the week prior to Easter and it all goes by in a blur. But I revel in Easter morning and the uplifting services and feeling of new beginnings.
It seems very fitting that we are now reading Genesis. After all this is all about beginnings. We have a lot of new beginnings happening at Faith. There is much excitement and a little uneasiness as well. The path before us is ours to shape. I am excited about the new beginnings we are creating and look forward to the path we will shape.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Oh, by the way...
If you weren't paying attention, just listen to the sermon again online...they're only like 10 minutes. Talk about busy. I've been non stop today from 4:44 am-9:44 pm. This Holy Week has been a blur of activity.
My favorite verse today, "...and he made the stars". God made the sun and moon and...oh, by the way, the stars too. Almost like it was an afterthought. God is that big.
We ended the night with a wondering. Christ is risen, indeed, but do we have any idea what heaven is like? The question came up in regard to a man who has had two wives (like my dad). Here's the answer I found in Mark 12 (I had mis-remembered it being something Paul had talked about):
Some Sadducees, the party that denies any possibility of resurrection, came up and asked, "Teacher, Moses wrote that if a man dies and leaves a wife but no child, his brother is obligated to marry the widow and have children. Well, there once were seven brothers. The first took a wife. He died childless. The second married her. He died, and still no child. The same with the third. All seven took their turn, but no child. Finally the wife died. When they are raised at the resurrection, whose wife is she? All seven were her husband."
Jesus said, "You're way off base, and here's why: One, you don't know your Bibles; two, you don't know how God works. After the dead are raised up, we're past the marriage business. As it is with angels now, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God. And regarding the dead, whether or not they are raised, don't you ever read the Bible? How God at the bush said to Moses, 'I am—not was—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? The living God is God of the living, not the dead. You're way, way off base."
I love the song "I Can Only Imagine". That pretty much sums it up. Heaven is mind-blowing. As much as I love my wife and kids, Jesus loves me a million times more. It's hard to even wrap your head around. And he loves us all that way. Certainly, we will be surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, but we'll all be singing our praises to God. It is hard to imagine.
Christ is risen. We will be raised to eternal life that none of us can really comprehend now.
My favorite verse today, "...and he made the stars". God made the sun and moon and...oh, by the way, the stars too. Almost like it was an afterthought. God is that big.
We ended the night with a wondering. Christ is risen, indeed, but do we have any idea what heaven is like? The question came up in regard to a man who has had two wives (like my dad). Here's the answer I found in Mark 12 (I had mis-remembered it being something Paul had talked about):
Some Sadducees, the party that denies any possibility of resurrection, came up and asked, "Teacher, Moses wrote that if a man dies and leaves a wife but no child, his brother is obligated to marry the widow and have children. Well, there once were seven brothers. The first took a wife. He died childless. The second married her. He died, and still no child. The same with the third. All seven took their turn, but no child. Finally the wife died. When they are raised at the resurrection, whose wife is she? All seven were her husband."
Jesus said, "You're way off base, and here's why: One, you don't know your Bibles; two, you don't know how God works. After the dead are raised up, we're past the marriage business. As it is with angels now, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God. And regarding the dead, whether or not they are raised, don't you ever read the Bible? How God at the bush said to Moses, 'I am—not was—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? The living God is God of the living, not the dead. You're way, way off base."
I love the song "I Can Only Imagine". That pretty much sums it up. Heaven is mind-blowing. As much as I love my wife and kids, Jesus loves me a million times more. It's hard to even wrap your head around. And he loves us all that way. Certainly, we will be surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, but we'll all be singing our praises to God. It is hard to imagine.
Christ is risen. We will be raised to eternal life that none of us can really comprehend now.
Kelly - Genesis 1
Oh, sure...we're supposed to blog on this after you've preached on it?! It's not bad enough that this is one of those chapters that everyone knows very well - no, I have to prove how much I was paying attention this morning.....
I resonnate with this creation story this weekend. The weather is warm, spring is here, time for new beginnings and time to sort through the chaos. (I also suppose that the type of resolutions that go along with birthdays have played into this attitude in my life this weekend.)
I have spent the weekend being BUSY - I have restained the deck, bought the family's groceries, done the family's laundry, sorted through the shed, tossed the old "kiddie toys" in favor of the soccer balls and lacrosse stick, sorted through 2 kids' worth of drawers and closets to see what fits and what we need for the warm weather. Marcus worked, too - he picked up some sticks in the back yard and helped me carry the grill on and off the deck :).
I have not been creating - but I have been caught up the newness of the season and have been sorting the chaos to create order. I have not separated the waters, but I have separated the hand-me-downs.
And as we role into the final verses of the chapter, I am reminded that power and responsibility are partners. We have power over this world, and commensurate responsibility for it. I have the "Power of MOM" - and commensurate responsibility.
I resonnate with this creation story this weekend. The weather is warm, spring is here, time for new beginnings and time to sort through the chaos. (I also suppose that the type of resolutions that go along with birthdays have played into this attitude in my life this weekend.)
I have spent the weekend being BUSY - I have restained the deck, bought the family's groceries, done the family's laundry, sorted through the shed, tossed the old "kiddie toys" in favor of the soccer balls and lacrosse stick, sorted through 2 kids' worth of drawers and closets to see what fits and what we need for the warm weather. Marcus worked, too - he picked up some sticks in the back yard and helped me carry the grill on and off the deck :).
I have not been creating - but I have been caught up the newness of the season and have been sorting the chaos to create order. I have not separated the waters, but I have separated the hand-me-downs.
And as we role into the final verses of the chapter, I am reminded that power and responsibility are partners. We have power over this world, and commensurate responsibility for it. I have the "Power of MOM" - and commensurate responsibility.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Kelly - Proverbs 31
The advice of a mother - these words ring so very true. Benjamin is only 6, but already I've said things to him that echo in some of these verses.
"It is not for kings to drink wine, to crave beer" (v. 4). Not that I think these verses are espousing complete abstinence from alcohol - nor have I lectured Benjamin on alcohol issues yet (at least not too much)....
But there is a line drawn in these verses that makes sense to me from a parenting standpoint. "This is the way for you...this is what I expect of you based on who you are and whose you are....your actions reflect this family....As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." I don't care what others do - I don't care what Jack's mom says he's allowed to do - and I don't care what movies Derek gets to watch.
We are the people of God, and other people's rules aren't ours. I hold you to a standard. This community of faith, this church, this family is who you represent. And some things aren't for us.
I've said it as a mother, I've believed it as a child of God. I have a double standard - my behavior and others' behavior. "Others" may act one way - and I have no problem with that - pass no judgement, and love and accept unconditionally. Me and my house - we will strive in all we do to make God proud of us.
"It is not for kings to drink wine, to crave beer" (v. 4). Not that I think these verses are espousing complete abstinence from alcohol - nor have I lectured Benjamin on alcohol issues yet (at least not too much)....
But there is a line drawn in these verses that makes sense to me from a parenting standpoint. "This is the way for you...this is what I expect of you based on who you are and whose you are....your actions reflect this family....As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." I don't care what others do - I don't care what Jack's mom says he's allowed to do - and I don't care what movies Derek gets to watch.
We are the people of God, and other people's rules aren't ours. I hold you to a standard. This community of faith, this church, this family is who you represent. And some things aren't for us.
I've said it as a mother, I've believed it as a child of God. I have a double standard - my behavior and others' behavior. "Others" may act one way - and I have no problem with that - pass no judgement, and love and accept unconditionally. Me and my house - we will strive in all we do to make God proud of us.
It is finished
I loved this chapter, because it encapsulates my life. I spend my time speaking up for the people who have no voice, standing up for the poor, preaching the good news...and enjoying my life with my good wife and fantastic children. This week has been a little imbalanced toward the first one, but a light week is coming soon, right?!?
Kelly or Sue (or anyone else reading along with the gift of writing), I'd be anxious to hear your hymn to a good husband. =)
Kelly or Sue (or anyone else reading along with the gift of writing), I'd be anxious to hear your hymn to a good husband. =)
Friday, April 2, 2010
Jordan - Proverbs 31
A good ending to an interesting book. The "Ode to a Capable Wife" (v 10-31). The woman depicted in this poem is both a nurturing mother and wife as well as an independent woman buying fields. I told Erin verse 29, "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all" but she just rolled her eyes. I have no idea why.
Reading Proverbs was tedious, but I now know a good place to go in the Bible for quick advice. Tomorrow I suppose is a day off and we start Genesis on Sunday!
Reading Proverbs was tedious, but I now know a good place to go in the Bible for quick advice. Tomorrow I suppose is a day off and we start Genesis on Sunday!
Enough is enough
Happy Birthday, Kelly!
I know you guys are anxious to get through Proverbs, but we're on chapter 30 today and finish tomorrow. Genesis 1 for Easter Sunday.
What if every Christian on the planet lived within these bounds:
"Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little.
If I'm too full, I might get independent, saying, 'God? Who needs him?'
If I'm poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God."
If we had too much, we would give it away, but if we were struggling, we could rely on the plenty of others to get by...or is that too much like socialism? Marcus and Jordan, isn't this the essence of stewardship?
Our free enterprise system is based on the fact that we will strive to get more and more, but what if the more and more we were getting was for God and not ourselves? Would we still work as hard. Why not?
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven...
I know you guys are anxious to get through Proverbs, but we're on chapter 30 today and finish tomorrow. Genesis 1 for Easter Sunday.
What if every Christian on the planet lived within these bounds:
"Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little.
If I'm too full, I might get independent, saying, 'God? Who needs him?'
If I'm poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God."
If we had too much, we would give it away, but if we were struggling, we could rely on the plenty of others to get by...or is that too much like socialism? Marcus and Jordan, isn't this the essence of stewardship?
Our free enterprise system is based on the fact that we will strive to get more and more, but what if the more and more we were getting was for God and not ourselves? Would we still work as hard. Why not?
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven...
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Jordan - Proverbs 30
What a breath of fresh air. Full sentences and verses that actually extend to the next verse.
Anyway, I was told in verse 6 to "not add to [God's] words." So I guess I should stop blogging through the Bible, enough has been said or else God will rebuke me and the internet will be proof that I was a liar. April fools?
I underlined the same verse Kelly did (v 4) wondering what in the world was meant by "what is the name the person's child?" and I wrote margins "uh, Jesus?" But I also highlighted the middle portions of this chapter because I enjoyed how it read like a poem with the numerical pattern. Verses 18-19:
Anyway, I was told in verse 6 to "not add to [God's] words." So I guess I should stop blogging through the Bible, enough has been said or else God will rebuke me and the internet will be proof that I was a liar. April fools?
I underlined the same verse Kelly did (v 4) wondering what in the world was meant by "what is the name the person's child?" and I wrote margins "uh, Jesus?" But I also highlighted the middle portions of this chapter because I enjoyed how it read like a poem with the numerical pattern. Verses 18-19:
"Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a girl."A lyrical way of saying that I can appreciate the wonder of nature, but I have no idea how women work.
New Beginnings
Now that it's Maundy Thursday, I'm getting excited for spring, Easter, new beginnings and yes, Genesis. And I'm a HUGE fan of the wisdom literature. All 5 books (Job-Song of Songs) intrigue me. But you can't beat newness.
Last night, I finished my 3rd sermon in 3 days. Now, bring on worship!
On a mission trip several years ago, the resident we were serving gave me a book mark that I keep in my Bible. It contains this George Eliot quote: "It is never too late to be what you might have been." We are all becoming something.
On the way back from getting groceries this morning, Malachi said, "When mommy grows up, she should be a writer. I'm going to be a singer." Thankfully, he takes after his mother in that regard. We all need dreams.
I don't know if you've noticed this throughout Proverbs, but God keeps mentioning the poor and needy. Again today, "Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated fairly." Throughout the Old Testament, we basically hear two things over and over again:
1. I will be your God, you will be my people.
2. Take care of widows and orphans.
The verse that really grabbed me today was "If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed."
After Easter, two new task forces will start to meet:
1. The Natural Church Development Team
2. The Future Planning Team
We currently have 6 people on the first (4 women, 2 men...half are council members) and 3 guys on the second (no council members). We, as Faith Lutheran Church, the body of Christ in this place, are becoming something. We are doing our very best to follow God's dream for the world.
Last night, I finished my 3rd sermon in 3 days. Now, bring on worship!
On a mission trip several years ago, the resident we were serving gave me a book mark that I keep in my Bible. It contains this George Eliot quote: "It is never too late to be what you might have been." We are all becoming something.
On the way back from getting groceries this morning, Malachi said, "When mommy grows up, she should be a writer. I'm going to be a singer." Thankfully, he takes after his mother in that regard. We all need dreams.
I don't know if you've noticed this throughout Proverbs, but God keeps mentioning the poor and needy. Again today, "Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated fairly." Throughout the Old Testament, we basically hear two things over and over again:
1. I will be your God, you will be my people.
2. Take care of widows and orphans.
The verse that really grabbed me today was "If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed."
After Easter, two new task forces will start to meet:
1. The Natural Church Development Team
2. The Future Planning Team
We currently have 6 people on the first (4 women, 2 men...half are council members) and 3 guys on the second (no council members). We, as Faith Lutheran Church, the body of Christ in this place, are becoming something. We are doing our very best to follow God's dream for the world.
Kelly - Proverbs 30
Who has gone up to heaven and come down...what is his name, and the name of his son? v. 4
This is one of those verses that seems to read best through the lens of the New Testament. What did the original readers of Proverbs make of it? Did they skim over it the way I have skimmed over some of Proverbs - figuring that it was some sort of strange allegory? Did they associate the son with the king?
So far this morning, I have been told all sorts of fantastical things - followed by "April Fool's!" Today is a "holiday" created for the under-10 set. My kids are revelling in the most fantastical stories. And I'm trying to read the Wisdom literature of Proverbs.
But on Maundy Thursday, we begin the crazy story that proves that foolishness is wisdom.
This is one of those verses that seems to read best through the lens of the New Testament. What did the original readers of Proverbs make of it? Did they skim over it the way I have skimmed over some of Proverbs - figuring that it was some sort of strange allegory? Did they associate the son with the king?
So far this morning, I have been told all sorts of fantastical things - followed by "April Fool's!" Today is a "holiday" created for the under-10 set. My kids are revelling in the most fantastical stories. And I'm trying to read the Wisdom literature of Proverbs.
But on Maundy Thursday, we begin the crazy story that proves that foolishness is wisdom.
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