1 Kings 21:41-42 Ahab was judged for not killing God's enemy the rival king. God gave him the total victory but Ahab spared the king. So a prophet tells him he will be cut off instead of the king God wanted him to kill.
Rather than acting on the information Ahab goes away and sulks. His sulking got him into more trouble as we see in chapter 22. So much of the time we do the same thing. But in times like this we are to repent and ask God's forgiveness.
We have the example of the Ninevites in Jonah, David, Job, the Centurion when Peter spoke to him, and others. God loves to change his mind when we are repentant and change our behavior in response to his correction.
Let us learn to repent and not sulk.
1 Kings 22:27-29 Ahab does humble himself in the sight of God after the murder of Naboth. And God responds by repenting of his first curse against Ahab.
But we are not told that Elijah goes to inform him of that. I wonder if he did. God decides to lesson the curse but he does not totally eliminate it.
We do not get a prophet to speak to us but we do have the Bible and the Holy Spirit teaching us. Lord help us to have a heart that is soft and willing to be taught and to repent when we do fall into temptation and sin.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Barack Obama and Tiger Woods - which is black?
Taken from an op/ed piece in the WSJ from Friday April 9, 2010 by Abigail Thernstrom.
Barak Obama has checked the race box "black" instead of describing himself as multiracial. This despite the fact that his mother is white and he was raised by his maternal grandparents. He has hardly ever seen his black father.
Yet he describes himself as black because it is politically expedient. Yet it seems cynical at best. To call himself black falls back on the racist notions of many people that anyone with any black blood in them is black.
Contrast that to Tiger Woods, who without a racial constituency to placate, used the option to identify all the races in his ancestry. He listed himself as Caucasian, black, Indian, and Asian. That sounds much more honest.
Woods has never encouraged fans to see him as the "first black golfer" as Obama pitches himself as "the first black president". Woods, it seems, is much most honest, at least about his heritage.
Barak Obama has checked the race box "black" instead of describing himself as multiracial. This despite the fact that his mother is white and he was raised by his maternal grandparents. He has hardly ever seen his black father.
Yet he describes himself as black because it is politically expedient. Yet it seems cynical at best. To call himself black falls back on the racist notions of many people that anyone with any black blood in them is black.
Contrast that to Tiger Woods, who without a racial constituency to placate, used the option to identify all the races in his ancestry. He listed himself as Caucasian, black, Indian, and Asian. That sounds much more honest.
Woods has never encouraged fans to see him as the "first black golfer" as Obama pitches himself as "the first black president". Woods, it seems, is much most honest, at least about his heritage.
Israel Finkelstein - controversial?
You are probably not as interested in this as I am. Israel Finkelstein is normally classified as a pretty radical Biblical minimalist. He thinks pretty much all of Exodus did not happen. He basically thinks David might have existed as a simple Bedouin tribal chief and that a century later than most suppose.
As an anthropology major and BAR reader of many years I find this very interesting.
Whatever Finkelstein says being controversial makes him important and gets him fame, money, and tenure. It works to his advantage. Being likable also helps a lot.
Here is a link to an interview with editor of BAR Hershel Franks. Franks also is happy to be considered a bit controversial himself. So this interview is a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours endeavor".
If you are at all interested in how modern science of archaeology meets the search for Biblical dating read this interview.
As an anthropology major and BAR reader of many years I find this very interesting.
Whatever Finkelstein says being controversial makes him important and gets him fame, money, and tenure. It works to his advantage. Being likable also helps a lot.
Here is a link to an interview with editor of BAR Hershel Franks. Franks also is happy to be considered a bit controversial himself. So this interview is a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours endeavor".
If you are at all interested in how modern science of archaeology meets the search for Biblical dating read this interview.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Read any Leibniz lately?
Gottfried Leibniz wrote the book "Theodicy" exactly three hundred years ago this year. In it he tried to prove the goodness and justice of God amidst what is a world (cosmos?) full of evil.
He claimed that this world was the best world that God could have made so don't complain. What do you think of that claim?
This is based on an article on the Op/Ed section of the WSJ for April 9. Yes I often go back and read old WSJs that I did not get to the day they came to the house.
The writer, Samuel Newlands starts by quoting Pat Robertson as stating that the earthquake in Haiti was God's judgment for a 200 year old secret pact with the devil. Preachers attributed the hurricane destruction in New Orleans the same way.
He states this is not abnormal. What is new is how many people today rush to dismiss such proclamations. Gottfried Leibniz was one of the first to make the claim that God does not punish people for their sins like that.
Leibniz claimed that natural evils like earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes are not intended to be punishments. Leibniz reasoned that a world with simple natural laws and no natural disasters was not as perfect as the present world.
Leibniz attempted to harmonize natural and theological explanations, reason and faith. It is an effort still ongoing.
Many may know Gottfried Leibniz, as I do, mostly for his scientific achievements. He is credited, along with Isaac Newton with the development of calculus. It is interested that both of these wrote much on theology, attempting to understand God. Both of these men thought their best work was in the area of theology but today their science is most known and admired.
Newlands suggests that a corollary of Leibniz's ideas is that God's plans and purposes are not as human centered as we like to think. These natural disasters are really not a way for God to be involved in the workings of his world. They are simply natural and relatively random though perhaps predictable.
Going away from this article I do think that God's love is shown in his willingness to correct his people. To agree with Leibniz shows a less involved God than the bible tells us He is. Leibniz is right to ask the question and struggle with the answer. But he has come to the wrong conclusion.
I have trouble making specific pronouncements about individual disasters. I think it is up the people affected to hear from God about what he is saying. The problem is so many people refuse to listen to God. If he is correcting you it means he loves you and still has hope for you. Correction and punishment is no fun but it does have a silver lining.
He claimed that this world was the best world that God could have made so don't complain. What do you think of that claim?
This is based on an article on the Op/Ed section of the WSJ for April 9. Yes I often go back and read old WSJs that I did not get to the day they came to the house.
The writer, Samuel Newlands starts by quoting Pat Robertson as stating that the earthquake in Haiti was God's judgment for a 200 year old secret pact with the devil. Preachers attributed the hurricane destruction in New Orleans the same way.
He states this is not abnormal. What is new is how many people today rush to dismiss such proclamations. Gottfried Leibniz was one of the first to make the claim that God does not punish people for their sins like that.
Leibniz claimed that natural evils like earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes are not intended to be punishments. Leibniz reasoned that a world with simple natural laws and no natural disasters was not as perfect as the present world.
Leibniz attempted to harmonize natural and theological explanations, reason and faith. It is an effort still ongoing.
Many may know Gottfried Leibniz, as I do, mostly for his scientific achievements. He is credited, along with Isaac Newton with the development of calculus. It is interested that both of these wrote much on theology, attempting to understand God. Both of these men thought their best work was in the area of theology but today their science is most known and admired.
Newlands suggests that a corollary of Leibniz's ideas is that God's plans and purposes are not as human centered as we like to think. These natural disasters are really not a way for God to be involved in the workings of his world. They are simply natural and relatively random though perhaps predictable.
Going away from this article I do think that God's love is shown in his willingness to correct his people. To agree with Leibniz shows a less involved God than the bible tells us He is. Leibniz is right to ask the question and struggle with the answer. But he has come to the wrong conclusion.
I have trouble making specific pronouncements about individual disasters. I think it is up the people affected to hear from God about what he is saying. The problem is so many people refuse to listen to God. If he is correcting you it means he loves you and still has hope for you. Correction and punishment is no fun but it does have a silver lining.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Glass Key by Dashell Hammett and now The Thin Man
The Glass Key is a pretty good potboiler. It is short, a fast read. Ned Beaumont is a slightly shady political adviser to a machine boss. But he is a bit more honest than he likes people to know. It has a ending which is not particularly tied up.
So I checked out The Thins Man. I have read a few pages. It looks like the movie. But I do not think Hammett wrote any sequels. I think the movie producers did their own sequels. Hammett missed a bet, it seems.
So I checked out The Thins Man. I have read a few pages. It looks like the movie. But I do not think Hammett wrote any sequels. I think the movie producers did their own sequels. Hammett missed a bet, it seems.
Friday, April 23, 2010
1 Kings 17:18 and John 2:4
Jesus is more or less "forced" to do a miracle by his mother at a wedding. He is quoted as saying, "What do I have to do with you, woman?" In Greek it says, "What is me to you?" That is some kind of idiomatic expression and it does not mean anything literally. Now Jesus did not speak Greek. His words were translated. So there is a good chance the Greek is an attempt to get an Aramaic expression as close as possible.
So I came upon 1 Kings 17:18. The situation is a bit opposite but the expression is about the same. Again it is about a "forced" miracle. Only the man of God, Elijah is not the one who said the expression. However I think Jesus, who knew all things, was aware of Elijah when he addressed his mother.
The widow say to Elijah, "What do I have to do with you, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my iniquity to remembrance, and to put my son to death!"
In a sense the woman demands a sign. But the son of a widow is her only chance to live well. When he is an adult he will likely be able to take care of her by working. He can take over her ancestral lands. He will be a legal person and can protect her rights. He is her hope to take the place of her dead husband. Since she has been obedient to God and taken in the man of God. She showed great faith. She had a point and Elijah knew it.
That expression only slightly mean something in English. I guess you can say it is poetic, it makes you think. I like that.
Jesus' first miracle was brought on by the faith of his mom. She knew he could do it. After his protest that "my hour has not come" she orders the servants to do whatever he tells them.
This is Elijah's first, well OK second miracle. His first was to make her food and oil not run out for over three years. So when her son dies she knows he can do this thing. She has the faith that he can do or rather God can do it through him. I'm not sure Elijah is quite as sure. But he knows she is right. He appeals to God that this will bring Him glory. To now save her son after saving her from death for three years would be shameful.
The widow sort of forces the miracle too. Well she appeals to him in no uncertain terms. She demands it of him.
Perhaps someone else can see other parallels. I do believe Jesus was aware of Elijah's story when he said the words. When thrust into a surprising situation I rarely say anything coherent. But Jesus knew his role in God's universe. He was excellent on his feet in spontaneous situations.
What do you think?
So I came upon 1 Kings 17:18. The situation is a bit opposite but the expression is about the same. Again it is about a "forced" miracle. Only the man of God, Elijah is not the one who said the expression. However I think Jesus, who knew all things, was aware of Elijah when he addressed his mother.
The widow say to Elijah, "What do I have to do with you, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my iniquity to remembrance, and to put my son to death!"
In a sense the woman demands a sign. But the son of a widow is her only chance to live well. When he is an adult he will likely be able to take care of her by working. He can take over her ancestral lands. He will be a legal person and can protect her rights. He is her hope to take the place of her dead husband. Since she has been obedient to God and taken in the man of God. She showed great faith. She had a point and Elijah knew it.
That expression only slightly mean something in English. I guess you can say it is poetic, it makes you think. I like that.
Jesus' first miracle was brought on by the faith of his mom. She knew he could do it. After his protest that "my hour has not come" she orders the servants to do whatever he tells them.
This is Elijah's first, well OK second miracle. His first was to make her food and oil not run out for over three years. So when her son dies she knows he can do this thing. She has the faith that he can do or rather God can do it through him. I'm not sure Elijah is quite as sure. But he knows she is right. He appeals to God that this will bring Him glory. To now save her son after saving her from death for three years would be shameful.
The widow sort of forces the miracle too. Well she appeals to him in no uncertain terms. She demands it of him.
Perhaps someone else can see other parallels. I do believe Jesus was aware of Elijah's story when he said the words. When thrust into a surprising situation I rarely say anything coherent. But Jesus knew his role in God's universe. He was excellent on his feet in spontaneous situations.
What do you think?
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Moishe's Musings
I was struck by this article a few weeks ago. Moishe Rosen is a man I have never met but I greatly respect his writing and his manner. He was the creator of Jews for Jesus but he seems to have little feeling of ownership. Others with successful ministries get a bit of a big head.
I guess I should not name names. No purpose would be served by doing that. His daughter has been taking over a part of the newsletter up until now called "Moishe's Musings". This is the April article.
Moishe has been failing for a while. This is the first time he was too sick to actually have a column and his daughter did it. Actually I think there were times that they reprinted old columns.
Moishe has been sick almost to death several times but has recovered. He will be missed when he is gone.
I guess I should not name names. No purpose would be served by doing that. His daughter has been taking over a part of the newsletter up until now called "Moishe's Musings". This is the April article.
Moishe has been failing for a while. This is the first time he was too sick to actually have a column and his daughter did it. Actually I think there were times that they reprinted old columns.
Moishe has been sick almost to death several times but has recovered. He will be missed when he is gone.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Two short comments
First of all, when I pass by somebody stalled out in the middle of the freeway just sitting there I get annoyed. What is he waiting for? Someone is going to come up and charge him a bundle to tow his car. Why doesn't he simply push it off the freeway?
You laugh. That is dangerous you say? Is it any more dangerous that just sitting there? Houston is flat. I do not say you push a car up a hill. No one can do that. But I have several times pushed a stalled car off a freeway into a service station where I could call my AAA wrecker or call my mechanic and have him send his own wrecker. By doing so I saved myself a bundle and gotten it quickly taken care of.
One time on the Gulf Freeway feeder road a group of men came up and helped me get it up the ramp into a parking lot. The simply came out of no where and refused any compensation. I truly thought they were angels who appeared out of nowhere. "Angels unawares."
I have had to change lanes while pushing my car in rush hour traffic off I-45 North near North Main. Fortunately my travel off the freeway was all level or downhill. I think that time I had run out of gas and I coasted to an easy place. I tried to get over while I was still coasting but traffic wouldn't let me.
In my stalls over the years I have had flats, had batteries die and run out of gas. Once I was rear ended, that time I did have to accept a random wrecker. I had to get out soon. It really is better to clear out of run hour traffic as soon as possible. You can push yourself or take a wrecker. But just sitting there is a bad idea. It is also being a poor citizen. There could be collateral accidents.
Secondly I was really blessed the other day to find the last set of Trac II blades in a neighborhood CVS. For various reason I have not had to buy replacement blades for over 10 years. The last time I bought replacement blades I bought the wrong kind. I have been worrying about this day coming for several years. Finally my last blade got too dull. I had to find blades or be satisfied with disposables. I do not like disposables.
It dawned on me recently that the "trac" in Trac II describes the way the blade fits on the razor, on tracks. DOH! So I was looking for blades with tracks. Then lo and behold in the section next to the "real" blades all by itself was an old package of Trac-II's The package looked like it had been sitting there for a long time. I then I would have bought several if they had them. Wa-hoo! And praise the Lord for little graces that are big to me.
You laugh. That is dangerous you say? Is it any more dangerous that just sitting there? Houston is flat. I do not say you push a car up a hill. No one can do that. But I have several times pushed a stalled car off a freeway into a service station where I could call my AAA wrecker or call my mechanic and have him send his own wrecker. By doing so I saved myself a bundle and gotten it quickly taken care of.
One time on the Gulf Freeway feeder road a group of men came up and helped me get it up the ramp into a parking lot. The simply came out of no where and refused any compensation. I truly thought they were angels who appeared out of nowhere. "Angels unawares."
I have had to change lanes while pushing my car in rush hour traffic off I-45 North near North Main. Fortunately my travel off the freeway was all level or downhill. I think that time I had run out of gas and I coasted to an easy place. I tried to get over while I was still coasting but traffic wouldn't let me.
In my stalls over the years I have had flats, had batteries die and run out of gas. Once I was rear ended, that time I did have to accept a random wrecker. I had to get out soon. It really is better to clear out of run hour traffic as soon as possible. You can push yourself or take a wrecker. But just sitting there is a bad idea. It is also being a poor citizen. There could be collateral accidents.
Secondly I was really blessed the other day to find the last set of Trac II blades in a neighborhood CVS. For various reason I have not had to buy replacement blades for over 10 years. The last time I bought replacement blades I bought the wrong kind. I have been worrying about this day coming for several years. Finally my last blade got too dull. I had to find blades or be satisfied with disposables. I do not like disposables.
It dawned on me recently that the "trac" in Trac II describes the way the blade fits on the razor, on tracks. DOH! So I was looking for blades with tracks. Then lo and behold in the section next to the "real" blades all by itself was an old package of Trac-II's The package looked like it had been sitting there for a long time. I then I would have bought several if they had them. Wa-hoo! And praise the Lord for little graces that are big to me.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Glass Key Dashell Hammett
I'm going to escape into a Hammett whodunit. I wanted Maltese Falcon but alas all three copies are checked out of the library. Maybe next time I'll get that one.
We just watched Cheaper by the Dozen the Clifton Webb Myrna Loy version. We have watched in two days in a row. It is so good. It reminds me of bye gone days. I am too young to remember these days. My dad was a bit like this dad. This was telling of a time before the Great Depression told at a time just after it was over.
I guess the bare bones of it are true. These two efficiency engineers really did exist. The movie is based on a book written by two of the twelve children two remembering parts of their childhood and wanting to immortalize their loving parents.
Perhaps I should see if I can find that book. I am told by JB that it is still available in print. One can buy it at Barnes and Noble where a copy or two is always in stock.
We just watched Cheaper by the Dozen the Clifton Webb Myrna Loy version. We have watched in two days in a row. It is so good. It reminds me of bye gone days. I am too young to remember these days. My dad was a bit like this dad. This was telling of a time before the Great Depression told at a time just after it was over.
I guess the bare bones of it are true. These two efficiency engineers really did exist. The movie is based on a book written by two of the twelve children two remembering parts of their childhood and wanting to immortalize their loving parents.
Perhaps I should see if I can find that book. I am told by JB that it is still available in print. One can buy it at Barnes and Noble where a copy or two is always in stock.
RANT really not base on Revelation 1:4-20 at all
Rant time: The commentator concludes with one of her examples, "Do you despair of the rulers of this world ever 'getting it right' of dealing responsibly with the horrors of poverty and caring for the environment?"
That makes the assumption that it is the "rulers" responsibility doesn't it? So many assumptions in that comment that I think deserve discussion. What rights do we have that we must demand from our government?
The constitution says we have inalienable rights given by our creator. We demand our government do things it cannot do well. Nor should it.
If we have family that need help why shouldn't we help them? So many people would rather try to pass responsibility on to our government. After all, they say what do we pay taxes for? What indeed.
We should be paying taxes for infrastructure, defense, education, and an efferor to make capitalism a level playing field. All this entitlement stuff is us trying to get out of our own responsibilities.
What is it Paul Harvey used to say, democracy will not work without self discipline. That aphorism is still true today. When we refuse to be respoonsible as a people we make our country more and more impossible to govern.
This Goldman Sachs thing is certainly an example. Assuming they are guilty of something the problem can only be "fixed" after the fact. No law or regulation will really stop something like this from happening again. People need to act responsibly on both sides of the table. Those making these complicated instruments should be honest. And that will not happen 100% of the time.
It rests on us the ones buying these instruments to resist the sales talk which essentially relies on greed. A greedy fool will most likely get taken. Warren Buffet and Louis Rukeyser before him said "stay out of investing in things you do not understand." But we are lazy, impatient, and greedy and we do not listen.
The people defrauding the investor does deserve punishment but there will be new ones. So you must always be wary. Take time to understand the investment. And if it is too complicated stay out. And if it is too good to be true, it probably is.
I have little patience for those decrying the world and people like this new "wiz" who got GS into trouble. If we didn't listen to them they could not be the swindlers they seem to be. We let them because we want to believe.
Then we have this new health care. To me it is funny (sad) listening to the Obama administration complaining about GS when they have just sold us a ponzi scheme much bigger. They are still trying to claim this will be cheaper and it will come less in the long run. Do they really believe this? Don't we have other countries with universal health care to show us it is not true?
Many people think they are getting free or cheaper health care. It can only happen if they take the money from others. It is essentially stealing. But it will be called fees and taxes.
I hear a lot of commercials on the radio proclaiming relief from credit card and mortgage debt. These are debts that you chose to make. Surely you can be responsible and pay them off. These commercials tell you you are innocent and have a right to get some kind of federal bail out money. Even if it is true aren't you just stealing money from fellow citizens?
Did Obama and the congress really pass such a bill? If they did it is not free. It is costing our government a lot of money. Money that they took from productive people in taxes. We have nothing against paying our taxes for legitimate expenses. I think most of think it is not legitimate to spend our money to bail out foolish people who ran up too much debt so they could buy a house they could not afford or a big TV they could not afford.
This rant is too long, if you got this far, God bless you.
That makes the assumption that it is the "rulers" responsibility doesn't it? So many assumptions in that comment that I think deserve discussion. What rights do we have that we must demand from our government?
The constitution says we have inalienable rights given by our creator. We demand our government do things it cannot do well. Nor should it.
If we have family that need help why shouldn't we help them? So many people would rather try to pass responsibility on to our government. After all, they say what do we pay taxes for? What indeed.
We should be paying taxes for infrastructure, defense, education, and an efferor to make capitalism a level playing field. All this entitlement stuff is us trying to get out of our own responsibilities.
What is it Paul Harvey used to say, democracy will not work without self discipline. That aphorism is still true today. When we refuse to be respoonsible as a people we make our country more and more impossible to govern.
This Goldman Sachs thing is certainly an example. Assuming they are guilty of something the problem can only be "fixed" after the fact. No law or regulation will really stop something like this from happening again. People need to act responsibly on both sides of the table. Those making these complicated instruments should be honest. And that will not happen 100% of the time.
It rests on us the ones buying these instruments to resist the sales talk which essentially relies on greed. A greedy fool will most likely get taken. Warren Buffet and Louis Rukeyser before him said "stay out of investing in things you do not understand." But we are lazy, impatient, and greedy and we do not listen.
The people defrauding the investor does deserve punishment but there will be new ones. So you must always be wary. Take time to understand the investment. And if it is too complicated stay out. And if it is too good to be true, it probably is.
I have little patience for those decrying the world and people like this new "wiz" who got GS into trouble. If we didn't listen to them they could not be the swindlers they seem to be. We let them because we want to believe.
Then we have this new health care. To me it is funny (sad) listening to the Obama administration complaining about GS when they have just sold us a ponzi scheme much bigger. They are still trying to claim this will be cheaper and it will come less in the long run. Do they really believe this? Don't we have other countries with universal health care to show us it is not true?
Many people think they are getting free or cheaper health care. It can only happen if they take the money from others. It is essentially stealing. But it will be called fees and taxes.
I hear a lot of commercials on the radio proclaiming relief from credit card and mortgage debt. These are debts that you chose to make. Surely you can be responsible and pay them off. These commercials tell you you are innocent and have a right to get some kind of federal bail out money. Even if it is true aren't you just stealing money from fellow citizens?
Did Obama and the congress really pass such a bill? If they did it is not free. It is costing our government a lot of money. Money that they took from productive people in taxes. We have nothing against paying our taxes for legitimate expenses. I think most of think it is not legitimate to spend our money to bail out foolish people who ran up too much debt so they could buy a house they could not afford or a big TV they could not afford.
This rant is too long, if you got this far, God bless you.
1 Kings 15 - civil war
Civil war is the most horrible kind of war. Of course all war is horrible and to be avoided. The word "civil" has an ironic second meaning of friendly. But in the sense of civil war it mean something different. Coming from a Latin word where our word city comes from.
I bring this up because in chapter 15 and others around it the formulaic verse "Now there was war between < > king of Judah and < > king of Israel all their days. This is civil war. It is not civil at all. It means people were fighting close relatives. They may have friends or in-laws who are avowed enemies.
In the book Sarum by Edward Rutherford there is a story set at the time of the War of the Roses, a civil war in England. One man kills, without knowing it until he had done it, his brother-in-law. The sight of him dying before his eyes is indelibly printed on his mind for all of his life. For the longest time he kept the secret from his sister. Finally he does tell her and she is, by now, able to forgive him. She is wise about the conditions of war. Further she can see the suffering this has caused her brother for all the ensuing years. She has worked through a lot of the grief by now.
I recently saw an old movie that was set in 1920 America and features an old American Civil War veteran as a cantankerous hero. He went through the horror of war, so fear of organized crime bosses was tempered because he had been through worse. He is able to save the day because fear did not cripple him.
I was just musing but the point is we probably gloss over these verses. But ever present civil war is a horrible thing. It tends to involve civilians in a way that other wars don't. It occurred over many years through several regimes on both sides.
I bring this up because in chapter 15 and others around it the formulaic verse "Now there was war between < > king of Judah and < > king of Israel all their days. This is civil war. It is not civil at all. It means people were fighting close relatives. They may have friends or in-laws who are avowed enemies.
In the book Sarum by Edward Rutherford there is a story set at the time of the War of the Roses, a civil war in England. One man kills, without knowing it until he had done it, his brother-in-law. The sight of him dying before his eyes is indelibly printed on his mind for all of his life. For the longest time he kept the secret from his sister. Finally he does tell her and she is, by now, able to forgive him. She is wise about the conditions of war. Further she can see the suffering this has caused her brother for all the ensuing years. She has worked through a lot of the grief by now.
I recently saw an old movie that was set in 1920 America and features an old American Civil War veteran as a cantankerous hero. He went through the horror of war, so fear of organized crime bosses was tempered because he had been through worse. He is able to save the day because fear did not cripple him.
I was just musing but the point is we probably gloss over these verses. But ever present civil war is a horrible thing. It tends to involve civilians in a way that other wars don't. It occurred over many years through several regimes on both sides.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sunday lessons
Enjoyed the lesson this morning on Psalm 56 and 57. These were psalms of David praising, beseeching, and proclaiming his trust for God under times of extreme stress when people were trying to kill him. Sometimes when you feel paranoid they really are trying to get you.
Her teaching evoked strong emotion in me. That makes me uncomfortable. That probably means it is good for me right? She started off with a long story about a four year believing in a man killing children. Later she found out it was a boogie man story. But at four years old the boogie man seems real. I remember stories like that. Yeah, even when I realized what she was talking about it still did evoke emotions of fear and panic. I could identify with the story.
Then a female pastor gave her sermon on addiction. This was part two of a two parter. How can someone talk so long and so well on that? I was impressed. I do not feel I am much of an enabler but I probably do need to pray about my part in causing people to do things that are bad. I think I do provoke some people. I'm not sure how to deal with that. DW says simply I need to pray about my anger. Me? Angry? Heh.
I see it a bit differently but anger is how it presents itself I guess.
Her teaching evoked strong emotion in me. That makes me uncomfortable. That probably means it is good for me right? She started off with a long story about a four year believing in a man killing children. Later she found out it was a boogie man story. But at four years old the boogie man seems real. I remember stories like that. Yeah, even when I realized what she was talking about it still did evoke emotions of fear and panic. I could identify with the story.
Then a female pastor gave her sermon on addiction. This was part two of a two parter. How can someone talk so long and so well on that? I was impressed. I do not feel I am much of an enabler but I probably do need to pray about my part in causing people to do things that are bad. I think I do provoke some people. I'm not sure how to deal with that. DW says simply I need to pray about my anger. Me? Angry? Heh.
I see it a bit differently but anger is how it presents itself I guess.
Resident Aliens - by Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon
This is a good book. Maybe a great book for some people. I find some of the examples dated. It is copyrighted 1989. But I recommend it. And probably parts of it will anger/challenge you.
Perhaps the most challenging, angering idea is found on 148-149, where he is concluding the book:
"No ethic is worthy that does not require potentially the suffering of those we love. Nothing cuts against the liberal ethical sentimentality more than this. We wish that there were some means of holding convictions without requiring the suffering of our friends and family. We try to make love an individual emotion that does not ask someone else to suffer because of our love. Of course, such things like marriage or child-bearing incomprehensible since these practices inextricably involve those we love suffering as part and parcel of our joint endeavors."
Typing this makes it seem less radical that it is to me. I have tried hard to not involve my loved ones in suffering for what my believe. I have limited my choices so as to not disturb my family's comfort over the years. I operated from a different idea.
Not that you do not consider the affects on others of our decisions based on ministry and such but our actions based on our love of God should be more important.
Perhaps the most challenging, angering idea is found on 148-149, where he is concluding the book:
"No ethic is worthy that does not require potentially the suffering of those we love. Nothing cuts against the liberal ethical sentimentality more than this. We wish that there were some means of holding convictions without requiring the suffering of our friends and family. We try to make love an individual emotion that does not ask someone else to suffer because of our love. Of course, such things like marriage or child-bearing incomprehensible since these practices inextricably involve those we love suffering as part and parcel of our joint endeavors."
Typing this makes it seem less radical that it is to me. I have tried hard to not involve my loved ones in suffering for what my believe. I have limited my choices so as to not disturb my family's comfort over the years. I operated from a different idea.
Not that you do not consider the affects on others of our decisions based on ministry and such but our actions based on our love of God should be more important.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
God speaks through suffering - 1 Kings 14
Reading 1 Kings 14. God sent a horrible judgment on Jeroboam because he is not being obedient. God gave him half of the nation of Israel after Solomon died. Yet Jeroboam quickly fell away. He put up calf idols. Were these idol originally to take the place of the Temple in Jerusalem and people were supposed to worship Yahweh, the true God here? If so, why the idols? I don't think we are ever let in on why that was. We are told that he felt that if the people of Israel continued to go to Jerusalem pretty soon they would want to reunite with Judah and accept Rehoboam as king. Then they would reject him and he feared for his life. Do we think this would have been true? Would crossing the border to worship at Jerusalem caused the people to reject his rule?
Anyway Jeroboam chose not to trust God even after God gave him the kingdom.
Back to the horrible judgment. Jeroboam sent his wife to consult the prophet who told him he would be king. He had not forgotten that. Too bad he forgot so much else. The prophet explained to him that since he had sinned and led his subjects into sinning his son would die and his kingship would not last.
I am very glad God does not seem to treat me like that. I do not have horrible things happen to me and my family in order to punish or correct me for my disobedience. This is what happened to Jeroboam and to David before him.
Perhaps my willful disobedience is not as bad as there's. But it is sin after all. Jeroboam's disobedience caused a lot of other people to sin too. Many will follow his lead and worship other gods simply because he does. There may be some who follow after me, who can know? But not as many. Hopefully I do not teach people to sin.
And yet I do willfully sin. Does God punish me or set up circumstances to correct me? No, probably not. Certainly he does not do it in ways that are obvious to me. God sent prophets to tell Jeroboam and David why these horrible things were happening. They were told what they meant. That does not happen to me I don't think.
A trivia example: It always seems to me I get into the checkout line at the grocery store that takes the longest. God is teaching me patience. No that is not right. God is trying to do more. God is trying to get me to have a whole different attitude. Instead of seeing this as an ordeal, I can see it as an opportunity to pray for the people around me and maybe even strike up a conversation. (Thanks DG - you did tell me that once.) Yeah that's it - good share. heh
Have there been times for you when you felt God set up situation to correct or even punish you for disobedient behavior. Often the consequences of that behavior is enough to correct us, if we are wise.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
David learned from his punishment. It made him wiser and to fear and love God more. For Jeroboam it seems to have had no affect at all.God wished repentance from him. He wished to draw him back. We have seen from other stories, Jonah and Nineveh come to mind, where God's curses would be rescinded if the person is repentant. God relented against Nineveh. If Jeroboam would simply have repented and stopped worshiping other God and come back to Yahweh. God has always been willing to restore what he took away if the correction brings about repentance. God took away Bathsheba's son but then he gave them another son, which happened to be Solomon, after David repented.
A post script: between the time that I sketched out this blog and the time I typed it in I got to see another way God intervenes: God protects me from my stupid self many times. On Thursday the 15th I saw it at the post office, with all those people coming and going to drop off tax returns I managed to drop my check book right there in the parking lot. I do not know how I did it and I did not miss it. And on the way back to my car the spot next to my car was open so I could see it, still laying where I dropped it. God let me see it. It was just as I dropped it, either no one else saw it or people decided to leave it hoping the owner would find it, just as I did. God blesses and covers for me like that it little ways all the time. But I tend to forget about them soon after they happen. Yet, I do bless God for his graciousness in my life. Then I forget about it.
Anyway Jeroboam chose not to trust God even after God gave him the kingdom.
Back to the horrible judgment. Jeroboam sent his wife to consult the prophet who told him he would be king. He had not forgotten that. Too bad he forgot so much else. The prophet explained to him that since he had sinned and led his subjects into sinning his son would die and his kingship would not last.
I am very glad God does not seem to treat me like that. I do not have horrible things happen to me and my family in order to punish or correct me for my disobedience. This is what happened to Jeroboam and to David before him.
Perhaps my willful disobedience is not as bad as there's. But it is sin after all. Jeroboam's disobedience caused a lot of other people to sin too. Many will follow his lead and worship other gods simply because he does. There may be some who follow after me, who can know? But not as many. Hopefully I do not teach people to sin.
And yet I do willfully sin. Does God punish me or set up circumstances to correct me? No, probably not. Certainly he does not do it in ways that are obvious to me. God sent prophets to tell Jeroboam and David why these horrible things were happening. They were told what they meant. That does not happen to me I don't think.
A trivia example: It always seems to me I get into the checkout line at the grocery store that takes the longest. God is teaching me patience. No that is not right. God is trying to do more. God is trying to get me to have a whole different attitude. Instead of seeing this as an ordeal, I can see it as an opportunity to pray for the people around me and maybe even strike up a conversation. (Thanks DG - you did tell me that once.) Yeah that's it - good share. heh
Have there been times for you when you felt God set up situation to correct or even punish you for disobedient behavior. Often the consequences of that behavior is enough to correct us, if we are wise.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
David learned from his punishment. It made him wiser and to fear and love God more. For Jeroboam it seems to have had no affect at all.God wished repentance from him. He wished to draw him back. We have seen from other stories, Jonah and Nineveh come to mind, where God's curses would be rescinded if the person is repentant. God relented against Nineveh. If Jeroboam would simply have repented and stopped worshiping other God and come back to Yahweh. God has always been willing to restore what he took away if the correction brings about repentance. God took away Bathsheba's son but then he gave them another son, which happened to be Solomon, after David repented.
A post script: between the time that I sketched out this blog and the time I typed it in I got to see another way God intervenes: God protects me from my stupid self many times. On Thursday the 15th I saw it at the post office, with all those people coming and going to drop off tax returns I managed to drop my check book right there in the parking lot. I do not know how I did it and I did not miss it. And on the way back to my car the spot next to my car was open so I could see it, still laying where I dropped it. God let me see it. It was just as I dropped it, either no one else saw it or people decided to leave it hoping the owner would find it, just as I did. God blesses and covers for me like that it little ways all the time. But I tend to forget about them soon after they happen. Yet, I do bless God for his graciousness in my life. Then I forget about it.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
low Sunday last week
Humble pie. That's a good way to look at it. Last Sunday night I sang without the usual voice trained bass, section leader that I can follow. I sang without that safety net, so to speak and at times it was not pretty.
I think I may have been getting too big for my britches. This has brought me down a peg or two.
We were actually a quartet this last Sunday, one of each part, soprano, alto, tenor and bass. This is as few as I have ever seen in the choir. Some times it sounded good to me. But I may have the worst seat in the house to tell. We have no microphones and no monitors. So I have no way of really hearing the blend.
I will say that our leader, JF did look like he was trying not to cry some of the time. We made it through, nobody hurt.
"Low Sunday" is the name for the Sunday after Easter, at least in the Episcopal Church. Usually the Sunday after Easter is the lowest attended service of the year. Special music has been done all during Easter week. Singers and musicians have been working a lot. A lot of them plan to take a vacation right after Easter and they are not back for the next Sunday. So it is often the least attended Sunday for singers too.
I think I may have been getting too big for my britches. This has brought me down a peg or two.
We were actually a quartet this last Sunday, one of each part, soprano, alto, tenor and bass. This is as few as I have ever seen in the choir. Some times it sounded good to me. But I may have the worst seat in the house to tell. We have no microphones and no monitors. So I have no way of really hearing the blend.
I will say that our leader, JF did look like he was trying not to cry some of the time. We made it through, nobody hurt.
"Low Sunday" is the name for the Sunday after Easter, at least in the Episcopal Church. Usually the Sunday after Easter is the lowest attended service of the year. Special music has been done all during Easter week. Singers and musicians have been working a lot. A lot of them plan to take a vacation right after Easter and they are not back for the next Sunday. So it is often the least attended Sunday for singers too.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
My alarm clock
This is mostly a remembrance for my children. They probably will never read this but some might. As things go I will soon be gone. I wonder what my children will remember...
When I was very young, under ten years of age I wanted a radio alarm clock very badly. I think it took a while to talk my mom into it. I saw a good one in a grocery stamp catalog. Since it appeared "free" to my mom we drove across town to the Green Stamp Redemption Center and she traded the stamp books for a new radio alarm clock. It was much bigger than modern radio alarm clocks. It had a metal casing, was painted mostly red. It had quite a few vacuum tubes in it.
Remember grocery stamps? There were some that were green and some that were gold. I think those were the two main varieties. You got them for shopping in grocery stores. People saved these stamps. They had the glue that you moistened with your tongue to paste them into books. Get enough books full of stamps and you could get things. The redemption center had mostly things you did not need, not often even want unless you had hundreds of books. I'm sure my mother made me place the stamps in the books in order to be ready to get my radio alarm clock. She knew an eager worker when she saw one.
Anyway I loved that radio. I had it for about twenty years, so most of my life. It felt like an old trusted friend. I still mourn over it's loss even now when I think of it. I cannot remember quirt what happened but I think the radio stopped working and I had no idea how to fix it. I'm sure I spent quite a bit of time trying to find someone to fix it.
I feel that I never found it's equal. Alarm clocks have gotten me up and helped my get to sleep, with the timer for the radio ever since I was a little child. I do not use the alarm much anymore but I still use the radio to help me fall asleep.
The alarm was a buzzer. I missed the buzzer. All alarm clocks today have the "beep beep beep". I preferred the steady noise. It was hard to get used to the beeping sound. My old alarm had a lower timbre. The newer ones are higher and I don't hear quite as well at the higher timbre.
As a young adult I moved quite a bit. My old alarm was one of the few things that was non-negotiable. I needed a few clothes a razor, and my alarm clock. That's about it. I lived in dormitory styled arrangements several times. I had some roommates who would have gladly taken a sledge hammer to that radio and fortunately none of them ever did. Some people have a favorite pillow or a favorite teddy bear. I had my radio alarm clock.
As a child I could put the radio on timer and set the volume so low that (so I thought) only I could hear it and my mom could not. So I could listen to the Astros ball game as I fell asleep. I loved my radio for being able to do that.
This was before digital radios. This alarm clock had a face clock. But I could move the little alarm hand and place it exactly to the minute of when I wanted to get up. This was great for taking 15 minutes naps and so on.
The clock had its vagaries as it got older. Sometimes the alarm did not go off. The hour hand would seem to push the alarm marker. I eventually determined how to fix this.
There were, of course, a few times when I slept through this noisy alarm. So the deeper buzzer was not fool proof. But it always seemed to me better than the newer ones.
As a young parent I assumed my kids would be like me. Well I thought I understood that they wouldn't be. But some things are just so ingrained. My love of alarm clocks was like that. One Christmas I bought all four of them alarm clocks. (The youngest might have not even been in school yet. Yeah laugh its funny.) And also funny they never shared my love of radio alarm clocks. I never saw a one of them use the timer to fall asleep at night. That too me is still sad. To this day I still do not understand that. It makes me almost want to cry.
When I was very young, under ten years of age I wanted a radio alarm clock very badly. I think it took a while to talk my mom into it. I saw a good one in a grocery stamp catalog. Since it appeared "free" to my mom we drove across town to the Green Stamp Redemption Center and she traded the stamp books for a new radio alarm clock. It was much bigger than modern radio alarm clocks. It had a metal casing, was painted mostly red. It had quite a few vacuum tubes in it.
Remember grocery stamps? There were some that were green and some that were gold. I think those were the two main varieties. You got them for shopping in grocery stores. People saved these stamps. They had the glue that you moistened with your tongue to paste them into books. Get enough books full of stamps and you could get things. The redemption center had mostly things you did not need, not often even want unless you had hundreds of books. I'm sure my mother made me place the stamps in the books in order to be ready to get my radio alarm clock. She knew an eager worker when she saw one.
Anyway I loved that radio. I had it for about twenty years, so most of my life. It felt like an old trusted friend. I still mourn over it's loss even now when I think of it. I cannot remember quirt what happened but I think the radio stopped working and I had no idea how to fix it. I'm sure I spent quite a bit of time trying to find someone to fix it.
I feel that I never found it's equal. Alarm clocks have gotten me up and helped my get to sleep, with the timer for the radio ever since I was a little child. I do not use the alarm much anymore but I still use the radio to help me fall asleep.
The alarm was a buzzer. I missed the buzzer. All alarm clocks today have the "beep beep beep". I preferred the steady noise. It was hard to get used to the beeping sound. My old alarm had a lower timbre. The newer ones are higher and I don't hear quite as well at the higher timbre.
As a young adult I moved quite a bit. My old alarm was one of the few things that was non-negotiable. I needed a few clothes a razor, and my alarm clock. That's about it. I lived in dormitory styled arrangements several times. I had some roommates who would have gladly taken a sledge hammer to that radio and fortunately none of them ever did. Some people have a favorite pillow or a favorite teddy bear. I had my radio alarm clock.
As a child I could put the radio on timer and set the volume so low that (so I thought) only I could hear it and my mom could not. So I could listen to the Astros ball game as I fell asleep. I loved my radio for being able to do that.
This was before digital radios. This alarm clock had a face clock. But I could move the little alarm hand and place it exactly to the minute of when I wanted to get up. This was great for taking 15 minutes naps and so on.
The clock had its vagaries as it got older. Sometimes the alarm did not go off. The hour hand would seem to push the alarm marker. I eventually determined how to fix this.
There were, of course, a few times when I slept through this noisy alarm. So the deeper buzzer was not fool proof. But it always seemed to me better than the newer ones.
As a young parent I assumed my kids would be like me. Well I thought I understood that they wouldn't be. But some things are just so ingrained. My love of alarm clocks was like that. One Christmas I bought all four of them alarm clocks. (The youngest might have not even been in school yet. Yeah laugh its funny.) And also funny they never shared my love of radio alarm clocks. I never saw a one of them use the timer to fall asleep at night. That too me is still sad. To this day I still do not understand that. It makes me almost want to cry.
Disciple Jesus Loved
Have I written on this before? Probably. But every time I run into that expression in John's gospel I stop and think about it again.
I spoke at an old folk's home this past Sunday. I really cannot call it a sermon, I ran through John 20-21 as stories and added one comment on each passage.
But before I started I mused about that expression which occurs at the beginning of John 20. Peter and "the disciple whom Jesus loved" ran to the tomb.
Why did John write it like that? It is a sort of word puzzle isn't it? And John never reveals the answer. Who is John referring to here? Everyone thinks he is referring to himself. I think so too. But why does John use this wording? Why doesn't he simply say "John and I". In Acts, when author Luke is a part of the picture he uses "we".
Is it modesty on John's part? But if anything it draws more attention to himself. I think it is a sort of inside joke. Everyone who reads it will wonder, is he comparing himself to me? Other disciples might say that. We might say that. But a careful reading makes it clear he is most certainly NOT saying that. And in playing that little mental game we conclude Jesus loves me too, not just John and not John more than me. John never implies that. But it makes us think.
John meant it at least in these two ways, it's a puzzle. Not a hard puzzle but and interesting puzzle. And John meant it as a sort of inside joke. I still get a chuckle sometimes when I read his convoluted way of describing himself.
I spoke at an old folk's home this past Sunday. I really cannot call it a sermon, I ran through John 20-21 as stories and added one comment on each passage.
But before I started I mused about that expression which occurs at the beginning of John 20. Peter and "the disciple whom Jesus loved" ran to the tomb.
Why did John write it like that? It is a sort of word puzzle isn't it? And John never reveals the answer. Who is John referring to here? Everyone thinks he is referring to himself. I think so too. But why does John use this wording? Why doesn't he simply say "John and I". In Acts, when author Luke is a part of the picture he uses "we".
Is it modesty on John's part? But if anything it draws more attention to himself. I think it is a sort of inside joke. Everyone who reads it will wonder, is he comparing himself to me? Other disciples might say that. We might say that. But a careful reading makes it clear he is most certainly NOT saying that. And in playing that little mental game we conclude Jesus loves me too, not just John and not John more than me. John never implies that. But it makes us think.
John meant it at least in these two ways, it's a puzzle. Not a hard puzzle but and interesting puzzle. And John meant it as a sort of inside joke. I still get a chuckle sometimes when I read his convoluted way of describing himself.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Obama/Biden
I still see people with Obama/Biden bumper stickers. I wonder how people can still keep those on the car. He still scares me.
Having said that something that is getting very little press is his foreign policy successes. He seems fairly practical and aggressive. He may be doing as well as Bush did. Perhaps better.
He has continued Bush's policies in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is putting the pressure on Iran and North Korea. The Guantanamo campaign promise is on the slow go because it is simply bad policy. It may eventually happen but it is being carefully evaluated. He pressure to keep nuclear weapons from expanding seems to be more successful that Bush's.
Perhaps the lack of press coverage is because the liberals are a bit embarrassed that he continuing Bush's policy. They branded Bush as dumb and out of control. Now that Obama seems to be ratifying his policies, well the liberal press would be shown to be wrong. Can't have that. And the conservatives who normally back Republicans are not going to give him credit.
Obama still scares me. But so far his foreign policy looks very good.
Having said that something that is getting very little press is his foreign policy successes. He seems fairly practical and aggressive. He may be doing as well as Bush did. Perhaps better.
He has continued Bush's policies in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is putting the pressure on Iran and North Korea. The Guantanamo campaign promise is on the slow go because it is simply bad policy. It may eventually happen but it is being carefully evaluated. He pressure to keep nuclear weapons from expanding seems to be more successful that Bush's.
Perhaps the lack of press coverage is because the liberals are a bit embarrassed that he continuing Bush's policy. They branded Bush as dumb and out of control. Now that Obama seems to be ratifying his policies, well the liberal press would be shown to be wrong. Can't have that. And the conservatives who normally back Republicans are not going to give him credit.
Obama still scares me. But so far his foreign policy looks very good.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
John 21 - Jesus' prophesy
The last story is very interesting. After Jesus prophesies about Peter's future Peer looks back and sees John. He asks, "What about him?"
The whole passage seems to have been written in response to a rumor that John would never die. Jesus is rumored to have said that in prophesy. So John tells this story to put the statement into context. Then he explains clearly what Jesus did not mean.
John can speak to what Jesus did not say. But he cannot speak to what happened because at his writing it has not happened yet. Actually by the time of this writing Peter probably has been martyred. But John cannot totally explain what Jesus did mean.
It is pretty certain that Jesus' prophesy did come to be. John lived a lot longer than Peter. John died as a very old man in exile on a small island. While Peter was crucified in Rome much earlier.
Peter felt it would be presumptuous to die exactly like his Lord did so requested to be crucified up side down. That had to add to the agony of the death. Peter did not have to do that. I understand his feeling. Yet I dod not think God required that of him. It was a misguided "work".
I think many people do more than God requires in a misguided attempt to somehow gain more approval or even appease God. This shows a lack of understand of God's nature. God cannot love us or approve of us more than he does now. All we have to do is follow him.
The whole passage seems to have been written in response to a rumor that John would never die. Jesus is rumored to have said that in prophesy. So John tells this story to put the statement into context. Then he explains clearly what Jesus did not mean.
John can speak to what Jesus did not say. But he cannot speak to what happened because at his writing it has not happened yet. Actually by the time of this writing Peter probably has been martyred. But John cannot totally explain what Jesus did mean.
It is pretty certain that Jesus' prophesy did come to be. John lived a lot longer than Peter. John died as a very old man in exile on a small island. While Peter was crucified in Rome much earlier.
Peter felt it would be presumptuous to die exactly like his Lord did so requested to be crucified up side down. That had to add to the agony of the death. Peter did not have to do that. I understand his feeling. Yet I dod not think God required that of him. It was a misguided "work".
I think many people do more than God requires in a misguided attempt to somehow gain more approval or even appease God. This shows a lack of understand of God's nature. God cannot love us or approve of us more than he does now. All we have to do is follow him.
John 21 - around the fire
Jesus is here reminding Peter of what he did in a gentle, loving way. He is also giving him the opportunity to sort of undo the three denials. It is like a penance. Three times Peter declares that he loves Jesus. On the third time (verse 17) we are told Peter grieves. Why does he grieve. It occurs to me it is because Peter now remembers his three denials. At the same time he catches on to what Jesus is doing. Yet he affirms one more time that he loves Jesus. This time it must have had a lot more feeling.
Jesus is also renewing Peter's place as leader of the group by telling him to "Tend my sheep." also three times.
In the first question Jesus asks Peter if he loves him "more than these". Peter wisely and modestly does not address that part of the question. He simply responds, "yes Lord you know that I love you". Peter is growing wiser we see. He knows better than to compare himself to the other disciples. He can only speak for himself.
Jesus is also renewing Peter's place as leader of the group by telling him to "Tend my sheep." also three times.
In the first question Jesus asks Peter if he loves him "more than these". Peter wisely and modestly does not address that part of the question. He simply responds, "yes Lord you know that I love you". Peter is growing wiser we see. He knows better than to compare himself to the other disciples. He can only speak for himself.
John 21 - fishing
They were fishing. Fishermen today often fish at night. I think they think that fish bite more at night. I'm not sure this is always true. But it is the common understood truth. Being fair skinned I also think people do not want to get so sunburned. But anyway ...
John recognized Jesus on the shore not by his appearance but by his actions. The miraculous catch that they got by following his command had all the imprint of a God thing.
We too recognize the stamp of God, by faith, intervening in our lives by His actions, good circumstances. Our proper response is to praise God.
I think it is wonderful that Peter, who denied Jesus three times, forgot about that in his love for Jesus and excitement to see him. Denying Jesus was a shameful thing and he was ashamed when he did it.
But Peter ran to him, jumping out of the boat to get there before the rest. My response might be to self consciously hang back. But Jesus had never rebuked Peter, in the previous two meetings. I think Peter had forgotten all about it.
John recognized Jesus on the shore not by his appearance but by his actions. The miraculous catch that they got by following his command had all the imprint of a God thing.
We too recognize the stamp of God, by faith, intervening in our lives by His actions, good circumstances. Our proper response is to praise God.
I think it is wonderful that Peter, who denied Jesus three times, forgot about that in his love for Jesus and excitement to see him. Denying Jesus was a shameful thing and he was ashamed when he did it.
But Peter ran to him, jumping out of the boat to get there before the rest. My response might be to self consciously hang back. But Jesus had never rebuked Peter, in the previous two meetings. I think Peter had forgotten all about it.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
John 20 - Thomas
Thomas is kinda trite, right?
After Thomas makes his declaration Jesus steps in again and meets the need without recrimination. This is just like he did the first time he appeared to them in their "secret clubhouse".
Distraction: Upper room makes me think of a tree house or perhaps a Christmas tree fort. The Christmas tree fort was a hiding place for those in the know. And it had to be hidden or while we were gone other, bigger kids would come and take our trees and add them to their own fort.
Anyone remember Christmas tree forts? Eh?
OK back.
Jesus still does that for us now. He is very willing to meet our emotional needs and he never criticizes. This is a characteristic of God, who loves us that much. Only Satan accuses and condemns. Remember that, Satan tries to pretend to be God. If you get a little voice of your head condemning you, that is not God, that is Satan. Listen to God, all he wants to do is support you.
After Thomas makes his declaration Jesus steps in again and meets the need without recrimination. This is just like he did the first time he appeared to them in their "secret clubhouse".
Distraction: Upper room makes me think of a tree house or perhaps a Christmas tree fort. The Christmas tree fort was a hiding place for those in the know. And it had to be hidden or while we were gone other, bigger kids would come and take our trees and add them to their own fort.
Anyone remember Christmas tree forts? Eh?
OK back.
Jesus still does that for us now. He is very willing to meet our emotional needs and he never criticizes. This is a characteristic of God, who loves us that much. Only Satan accuses and condemns. Remember that, Satan tries to pretend to be God. If you get a little voice of your head condemning you, that is not God, that is Satan. Listen to God, all he wants to do is support you.
Blinker problems
I am still using my blinker for every turn and change of lanes. It is a good thing.
But someone mentioned hating that guy who forgets to turn off his blinker. I AM THAT GUY. Sorry.
My only excuse is that my blinker does not make a sound so I have to remember. I try to keep hold of it and click it off when I'm done.
But I am still very guilty of fairly often forgetting to turn it off after a lane change. SIGH
But someone mentioned hating that guy who forgets to turn off his blinker. I AM THAT GUY. Sorry.
My only excuse is that my blinker does not make a sound so I have to remember. I try to keep hold of it and click it off when I'm done.
But I am still very guilty of fairly often forgetting to turn it off after a lane change. SIGH
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
continuing John 20 - The Lord is Risen!
This is a new idea to me: The disciples were hiding out in fear. Perhaps they were fearful that they would be accused of robbing the grave. That was a capital offense in those days. It was not just some general fear because their leader was now dead. That might have been part of it. But they also had a specific thing they could be accused of. They were sort of "on the lam" from the authorities.
Jesus came into the room and did not complain of their unbelief, their cowardice, their lack of understanding. No, he simple encouraged them, "peace be with you" (19). He spoke loving to their present need.
Then he commissioned them. "As the Father has sent me so I am sending you." (22)
Then he empowered them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (23) Receiving the Holy Spirit does not have to come with speaking spiritual languages, flashing lights or sirens. God simply sends Him and we receive Him into our hearts by faith. Later the disciples will receive signs but that is simply to strengthen their faith. All believers may receive the support of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, by simply asking God. God is eager to give.
How different Jesus is than I am! I over much complain about the shortcomings of others, forgetting my own and how much the shortcomings of those around me are the result of my own lack of faith and lack of vision.
Jesus sends us out, flawed as we are, to do his work and be his ambassadors. He has no one else but us. And he absolutely loves working through weak people because it shows his strength. We are called. We are commissioned. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus came into the room and did not complain of their unbelief, their cowardice, their lack of understanding. No, he simple encouraged them, "peace be with you" (19). He spoke loving to their present need.
Then he commissioned them. "As the Father has sent me so I am sending you." (22)
Then he empowered them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (23) Receiving the Holy Spirit does not have to come with speaking spiritual languages, flashing lights or sirens. God simply sends Him and we receive Him into our hearts by faith. Later the disciples will receive signs but that is simply to strengthen their faith. All believers may receive the support of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, by simply asking God. God is eager to give.
How different Jesus is than I am! I over much complain about the shortcomings of others, forgetting my own and how much the shortcomings of those around me are the result of my own lack of faith and lack of vision.
Jesus sends us out, flawed as we are, to do his work and be his ambassadors. He has no one else but us. And he absolutely loves working through weak people because it shows his strength. We are called. We are commissioned. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Camp Peniel pictures
OK, pictures from last week's trip to Camp Peniel are here: http://brb4311.xanga.com/photos/
They may not be in order sorry. There are some great spring flowers.
Bruce
They may not be in order sorry. There are some great spring flowers.
Bruce
Interactive Fiction
I have been reading a book called "Twisty little Passages". I read a review and found that the Rice library did have a copy. It was written in 2003 so it is dated.
The title is a grabber for me because I did Adventure (or Colossal Cave) when it first came out in a write protected 5.25" disk under the Microsoft label. At the time it was about the only game available for the IBM-XT. Anyway I did finally finish it with the help of others and a cheat. But I did solve some of the puzzles myself. A few of them.
If you have ever played Adventure you know what Twisty Little Passages refers to, a maze that you get lost in and cannot get out of without help, and without first being robbed by the thief.
This book covers the history of IF pretty well. It begins by speaking of non-computer attempts at IF. The many computer games it speaks of were fairly familiar. Most of them I have tried or had a copy of but never tried. So it was like a review. I loved seeing better how they were connected.
The last few chapters deal with present attempts at computer generated IF most of which is free and distributed on the internet. I need to check this out. The reviews he gives make most of it seems depressing and some seem downright cruel. So maybe I won't like it. But I wish to dabble in it. Maybe after I finish taxes and my Greek class. Maybe.
Like a lot of books, after giving a survey of the field he spends the last chapter describing where he wants IF to go. I do not share his opinions. This last chapter is short.
He admires the IF which brutally mocks and parodies our present society. He seems to approve of the fiction that complains about our lack of freedom. We think we are free but it is an illusion. I think I know his frustration. He is life is short and then we die.
He seems to have the problem of sensing death is the end. All of those authors he cites have the same sense. All our efforts do not change the fact that our time on earth is limited. As a Christian I do not believe death is the end. So I am happy to use the limited freedom that I have to enjoy life and do good when I can. I do not share his feeling that life is a big joke. God gave us life and it is precious. God loves us and that helps to give life some sense, we are created to love God back. It is a good thing.
The title is a grabber for me because I did Adventure (or Colossal Cave) when it first came out in a write protected 5.25" disk under the Microsoft label. At the time it was about the only game available for the IBM-XT. Anyway I did finally finish it with the help of others and a cheat. But I did solve some of the puzzles myself. A few of them.
If you have ever played Adventure you know what Twisty Little Passages refers to, a maze that you get lost in and cannot get out of without help, and without first being robbed by the thief.
This book covers the history of IF pretty well. It begins by speaking of non-computer attempts at IF. The many computer games it speaks of were fairly familiar. Most of them I have tried or had a copy of but never tried. So it was like a review. I loved seeing better how they were connected.
The last few chapters deal with present attempts at computer generated IF most of which is free and distributed on the internet. I need to check this out. The reviews he gives make most of it seems depressing and some seem downright cruel. So maybe I won't like it. But I wish to dabble in it. Maybe after I finish taxes and my Greek class. Maybe.
Like a lot of books, after giving a survey of the field he spends the last chapter describing where he wants IF to go. I do not share his opinions. This last chapter is short.
He admires the IF which brutally mocks and parodies our present society. He seems to approve of the fiction that complains about our lack of freedom. We think we are free but it is an illusion. I think I know his frustration. He is life is short and then we die.
He seems to have the problem of sensing death is the end. All of those authors he cites have the same sense. All our efforts do not change the fact that our time on earth is limited. As a Christian I do not believe death is the end. So I am happy to use the limited freedom that I have to enjoy life and do good when I can. I do not share his feeling that life is a big joke. God gave us life and it is precious. God loves us and that helps to give life some sense, we are created to love God back. It is a good thing.
Happy Easter to all
Jesus is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed!
At church this morning we said
Christ is risen!
response: El resucito!
I would have liked it to be something like Verdado resucito! But they didn't ask me.
MP spoke on John 20. We have been using this as the basis for out Greek translations lately. I wonder if they knew that this part of the course would be in the spring around Easter. I'll bet they did. Three major verbs in Greek do not get introduced until now, one means "give", one means "put" or "place" and one means "stand".
The "give" verb is often used to describe Jesus giving his life. And "put" or "place" is often used in a similar way. When Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd the verb "put" is used to describe how he puts himself between the sheep and the wolf. In a similar way the verb "stand" is used, to stand between us and God as intercessor.
So while MP was speaking on John 20 I was thinking of the words in Greek. I could remember some of them but not all.
College baseball is going into its final weeks. I will miss the next three weeks of Life Group, the first is at home, the next two will be at nearby towns, Huntsville and College Station. Then I should be back for a while. CL took it well, as well as she could, bless her heart. She will be fine.
The Lord is risen indeed!
At church this morning we said
Christ is risen!
response: El resucito!
I would have liked it to be something like Verdado resucito! But they didn't ask me.
MP spoke on John 20. We have been using this as the basis for out Greek translations lately. I wonder if they knew that this part of the course would be in the spring around Easter. I'll bet they did. Three major verbs in Greek do not get introduced until now, one means "give", one means "put" or "place" and one means "stand".
The "give" verb is often used to describe Jesus giving his life. And "put" or "place" is often used in a similar way. When Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd the verb "put" is used to describe how he puts himself between the sheep and the wolf. In a similar way the verb "stand" is used, to stand between us and God as intercessor.
So while MP was speaking on John 20 I was thinking of the words in Greek. I could remember some of them but not all.
College baseball is going into its final weeks. I will miss the next three weeks of Life Group, the first is at home, the next two will be at nearby towns, Huntsville and College Station. Then I should be back for a while. CL took it well, as well as she could, bless her heart. She will be fine.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Weekend
I am still not doing Bible commentary. I feel overwhelmed but I am playing on facebook too. Anyway ...
Today was doing the Kegan Jail marriage class for seven couples. It ends up being a party because they bring in lots of food. They do watch the tapes and do the couples work as best they can I guess. I don't think these guys read and write too well. But we pray for them that this helps some.
Then after being home for a while I went off to choir practice at SJD for Easter night special service there. The voices were there but the instrumentalists did not come. What does that mean for tomorrow? I don't know. I am struggling with this special of three songs. They should not be difficult but several parts are unexpected and I am having trouble with some of the notes. Jeff is being so wonderful to give me special help. He has a little tone instrument that he pulled out to help me get the right pitch. God bless him!
Because the instruments were not all there we did not practice more than and hour. So I got to catch the rest of the Houston-Rice baseball game. Rice was behind 6-7 in the eighth when I got there. I got to see Rice tie in in the 8th, then win on a home run in the 12th. I saw quite a few pitchers. Boogie A. pitched about 2 innings and got the win. Manuel hit his first home run to win in the ninth. After the ninth it seemed to me that all the players were going for the home run. Manuel almost hit it out to about the same place in his previous at bat. The next time he hit a low liner that got out inside the right field foul pole. I was sitting down that line in the bleachers, having come in late. So I got a close look at it fly out. But I had the worst angle to see if it was fair. So I had to wait for the cheer.
So now I am home struggling to figure out Windows 7 and also work to get my computer add-ons up to speed.
Today was doing the Kegan Jail marriage class for seven couples. It ends up being a party because they bring in lots of food. They do watch the tapes and do the couples work as best they can I guess. I don't think these guys read and write too well. But we pray for them that this helps some.
Then after being home for a while I went off to choir practice at SJD for Easter night special service there. The voices were there but the instrumentalists did not come. What does that mean for tomorrow? I don't know. I am struggling with this special of three songs. They should not be difficult but several parts are unexpected and I am having trouble with some of the notes. Jeff is being so wonderful to give me special help. He has a little tone instrument that he pulled out to help me get the right pitch. God bless him!
Because the instruments were not all there we did not practice more than and hour. So I got to catch the rest of the Houston-Rice baseball game. Rice was behind 6-7 in the eighth when I got there. I got to see Rice tie in in the 8th, then win on a home run in the 12th. I saw quite a few pitchers. Boogie A. pitched about 2 innings and got the win. Manuel hit his first home run to win in the ninth. After the ninth it seemed to me that all the players were going for the home run. Manuel almost hit it out to about the same place in his previous at bat. The next time he hit a low liner that got out inside the right field foul pole. I was sitting down that line in the bleachers, having come in late. So I got a close look at it fly out. But I had the worst angle to see if it was fair. So I had to wait for the cheer.
So now I am home struggling to figure out Windows 7 and also work to get my computer add-ons up to speed.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Last few days
DW and I went on a short retreat to Camp Peniel from Monday until Thursday. They laid out a fabulous spread and there was lots to do.
The speaker told the story of Joseph and linked him to us in some interesting way. I was impressed with the idea that Joseph knew his place despite the circumstances just as Jesus did. He did go through a lot of awful circumstances. It does make sense that he was able to resist temptation and not get discouraged because he trusted in his role. He knew the dreams he had would somehow come true. Despite his setbacks he trusted in God and stayed faithful.
I got some nice pictures and met some interesting people.
This was a Senior Retreat. Most of the seniors there could have been our parents. Yet they were mostly very active. This was our third year to go to the Senior Retreat.
The speaker told the story of Joseph and linked him to us in some interesting way. I was impressed with the idea that Joseph knew his place despite the circumstances just as Jesus did. He did go through a lot of awful circumstances. It does make sense that he was able to resist temptation and not get discouraged because he trusted in his role. He knew the dreams he had would somehow come true. Despite his setbacks he trusted in God and stayed faithful.
I got some nice pictures and met some interesting people.
This was a Senior Retreat. Most of the seniors there could have been our parents. Yet they were mostly very active. This was our third year to go to the Senior Retreat.
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