I have been told one person had confusion about what "JD" means in a recent blog entry. It does not mean "juvenile delinquent". It is the initials of a priest at St. John the Divine. I do not usually give the name of the preacher for a couple of reasons. First I do not have approval from the person. I probably do not need it but it would be polite. Secondly I use the sermon to make comments. I do quote or paraphrase the sermon but often I inject, without making it clear when, my own opinions. So this is me blogging with a sermon as a starting point.
Anyway when JD preaches at 6 PM we always know beforehand because her husband comes in to visit with us in the coffee room. (He is a very extroverted guy.) We rest for about thirty minutes between rehearsal and the actual service.
So he came in and we discussed the situation in Mexico and discussed the possibility of legalizing drugs. He thinks Mexico might give in to the cartel in order to keep murders down. JD comes in in the middle of this and says "pragmatism has its limits". But the husband says that he has a friend who has recently come back from Mexico. They are on the verge of giving in and letting drugs traffic through Mexico without hindrance. The discussion then went to other places. That may have been the most lively discussion we have ever had before church.
A great old tenor from the past Steve Duson, made a surprise visit as a singer. He leads a jazz service at Trinity Episcopal (on Main street). He used to sing with us all the time.
Steve says his oldest is about to enter high school. I remember when he sang with us his son being born. He is still a pretty good athlete. They are creatively talented family. His wife is a former actor for AD Players. They, as a family, did "Best Christmas Pageant Ever" last Christmas at a theater out I-10 way. He said they did nine performances. All the family had parts and Steve and his wife were the parents. That is a big commitment. I wished I have known. I may not have been able to make it but I would have like the opportunity.
Oh this Sunday was our bass section leader's last week. I was surprised to have him say he'd been there 2 1/2 years. (Is that what he said?) Wow. Time sure flies. I would never had thought it had been that long. He's been a great leader. He has patiently helped me with getting pitches. He has spoken on theory of harmony, something that always interests me. He kept us up to date on Pittsburgh sports on his ipod.
As we were saying our goodbyes he mentioned we could keep up on Facebook and then he admitted to reading my blog sometimes. I think that slipped out, hehe. Which blog entries I wonder. That was a stunner. So now I have facetiously commented I have to train a new section leader.
He is driving to New England for the summer and after the summer he will drive to San Francisco to spend a year. He will be learning from new voice coaches and also will still audition for things. Good luck Jeff.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Apostle's Creed
Hmm. SJD is planning to do a series of sermons on the Apostle's Creed. That's a good idea. I wonder if that would work for Life Group. I'm all about borrowing good ideas. They are doing it line by line.
So this week was line three: I believe in Jesus Christ, his Son, our lord.
So the first two lines were about God the Father. Frankly I did not even notice they started the series.
Actually though the priest spoke mostly on the gospel message. I think it was Luke 15. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem where he knows he is going to die. This passages is about people who want to volunteer: "foxes have holes and birds have nests but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" and people who Jesus asks to volunteer: "let the dead bury their on dead". JD spent a lot of time explaining why these comments were not mean or rude.
Why did Jesus say those things? Do you have an understanding of this? We believe God, through Jesus, was loving and patient. Why did he say these things in these particular situations? Luke felt they were important or he would not have included them.
To give short and incomplete answers the first one seems to make it clear that following Jesus is not altogether easy. He wants this man to count the cost. But why? The second one could be any number of things. JD has a theory that since the dead in those days were buried immediately perhaps this man meant his father was not really dead. He wished to wait until his father passed on before joining Jesus. Or perhaps he had no intention of following at all, his dad was simply an excuse.
So this week was line three: I believe in Jesus Christ, his Son, our lord.
So the first two lines were about God the Father. Frankly I did not even notice they started the series.
Actually though the priest spoke mostly on the gospel message. I think it was Luke 15. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem where he knows he is going to die. This passages is about people who want to volunteer: "foxes have holes and birds have nests but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" and people who Jesus asks to volunteer: "let the dead bury their on dead". JD spent a lot of time explaining why these comments were not mean or rude.
Why did Jesus say those things? Do you have an understanding of this? We believe God, through Jesus, was loving and patient. Why did he say these things in these particular situations? Luke felt they were important or he would not have included them.
To give short and incomplete answers the first one seems to make it clear that following Jesus is not altogether easy. He wants this man to count the cost. But why? The second one could be any number of things. JD has a theory that since the dead in those days were buried immediately perhaps this man meant his father was not really dead. He wished to wait until his father passed on before joining Jesus. Or perhaps he had no intention of following at all, his dad was simply an excuse.
Monday, June 28, 2010
The unruly tongue
James 3 speaks a lot about the tongue. The tongue is little but it boasts of great things. James cautions us to be careful in what we say. We cannot unsay unkind or false things. I sure know about that. Typing is usually safer. I have trouble in social situations and certainly fear of speaking badly is one reason.
James 3:2 He says that if we speak well we are perfect. "If a man never makes a slip in what he says he is complete." Perfect usually has a sense of mature and complete, not that one never makes a mistake.
So it is important to be careful what one says.
James has three analogies about the tongue. First is the bit that we put in a horses mouth to guide the horse. With a small piece of metal we can make a 1,000 pound animal go where we wish. Secondly is the rudder. The rudder is not big compared to a large ship. But the captain can guide the ship by directing the rudder this way and that. The third analogy is that of the spark. With a little spark a large fire can be started. Fires can be used for good or can be very destructive.
We can use the tongue to praise or criticize people. Praise is better. God builds us up, we should do likewise. Praise is often hard to do well. At least it is for me.
We can bless or curse (3:10). We can bless God with our tongues. It is appropriate to do that.
But I can identify with the idea spoken here by James and by Jesus too. When I get bitter or angry in my heart it has a tendency to come out of my mouth. It takes a lot of control to keep my lack of contentment from being spewed on others.
Jesus said that it is not what we eat that defiles us it is what we say. It is not what goes into our mouth that makes us unclean, it is what comes out of our mouth in lies and attempts to put people down.
Proverbs 15 goes on in a similar veins.
I love 15:1, it has been a favorite verse of mine. I used to have it posted in my classroom when I taught school: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a bitter word is a cause of angry feelings."
Knowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words. (15:2 BBE)
Kind words are good medicine, but deceitful words can really hurt. (15:4 CEV)
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. (15:7 ESV)
Read all of Proverbs 15 if you have the time. A word to the wise. Wisdom comes from God and is not the same as knowing facts. Let us seek God and be wise.
James 3:2 He says that if we speak well we are perfect. "If a man never makes a slip in what he says he is complete." Perfect usually has a sense of mature and complete, not that one never makes a mistake.
So it is important to be careful what one says.
James has three analogies about the tongue. First is the bit that we put in a horses mouth to guide the horse. With a small piece of metal we can make a 1,000 pound animal go where we wish. Secondly is the rudder. The rudder is not big compared to a large ship. But the captain can guide the ship by directing the rudder this way and that. The third analogy is that of the spark. With a little spark a large fire can be started. Fires can be used for good or can be very destructive.
We can use the tongue to praise or criticize people. Praise is better. God builds us up, we should do likewise. Praise is often hard to do well. At least it is for me.
We can bless or curse (3:10). We can bless God with our tongues. It is appropriate to do that.
But I can identify with the idea spoken here by James and by Jesus too. When I get bitter or angry in my heart it has a tendency to come out of my mouth. It takes a lot of control to keep my lack of contentment from being spewed on others.
Jesus said that it is not what we eat that defiles us it is what we say. It is not what goes into our mouth that makes us unclean, it is what comes out of our mouth in lies and attempts to put people down.
Proverbs 15 goes on in a similar veins.
I love 15:1, it has been a favorite verse of mine. I used to have it posted in my classroom when I taught school: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a bitter word is a cause of angry feelings."
Knowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words. (15:2 BBE)
Kind words are good medicine, but deceitful words can really hurt. (15:4 CEV)
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. (15:7 ESV)
Read all of Proverbs 15 if you have the time. A word to the wise. Wisdom comes from God and is not the same as knowing facts. Let us seek God and be wise.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
USA vs Ghana
It is good for Ghana and the Africans. They are likely celebrating.
We go back to looking forward to REAL football.
In Italy and France they are still seething. They are crying about firing their coaches. In the USA we are crying, who is the coach?
More people know who Landon Donovan is. But the rest of the team is still anonymous. And most people will likely forget who Donovan is soon enough.
In France and Italy most of the country knows all of the players and can debate the relative merits of strikers and middle backs.
Americans don't know what those are.
We have a little more awareness of world futbol now. But we barely care.
We go back to looking forward to REAL football.
In Italy and France they are still seething. They are crying about firing their coaches. In the USA we are crying, who is the coach?
More people know who Landon Donovan is. But the rest of the team is still anonymous. And most people will likely forget who Donovan is soon enough.
In France and Italy most of the country knows all of the players and can debate the relative merits of strikers and middle backs.
Americans don't know what those are.
We have a little more awareness of world futbol now. But we barely care.
Saturday
About to go to some sort of thank you dinner. I hope to feel comfortable.
Got in a 9 mile walk this morning. Started at 6. I walked down Harrisburg to where it changes into Broadway. I was by a part of the ship channel business. I was sort of looking for a new Republican office that is down there somewhere. It may be further on Broadway.
DW thinks it is dangerous down there. I saw no one. Well there was this young man on the other side of Broadway. He stopped and watched me. I don't know. I made sure he was aware I saw him and that I was not worried. I wasn't. He wasn't going to do much to me unless he had a weapon. He was dressed light like I was so it didn't look like he had a place big enough to hold a knife or gun.
So I never felt in any kind of danger.
I did see a place, a dockside business, with some Republican campaign signs. That might have been what was referred to as an office. But there was no real indication except that a business liked Republicans. I'm not sure. Any way it was a good walk.
As I approached home I was getting tired. I bought a coke and got some more water. But I was slowing down. So I called DW. She came and got me and we went to breakfast at a local place down Harrisburg that I spotted. It was not cheaper but it was filling. We were surrounded by people eating native food. We got tacos with eggs. Homemade flour tortillas. Good stuff.
Got in a 9 mile walk this morning. Started at 6. I walked down Harrisburg to where it changes into Broadway. I was by a part of the ship channel business. I was sort of looking for a new Republican office that is down there somewhere. It may be further on Broadway.
DW thinks it is dangerous down there. I saw no one. Well there was this young man on the other side of Broadway. He stopped and watched me. I don't know. I made sure he was aware I saw him and that I was not worried. I wasn't. He wasn't going to do much to me unless he had a weapon. He was dressed light like I was so it didn't look like he had a place big enough to hold a knife or gun.
So I never felt in any kind of danger.
I did see a place, a dockside business, with some Republican campaign signs. That might have been what was referred to as an office. But there was no real indication except that a business liked Republicans. I'm not sure. Any way it was a good walk.
As I approached home I was getting tired. I bought a coke and got some more water. But I was slowing down. So I called DW. She came and got me and we went to breakfast at a local place down Harrisburg that I spotted. It was not cheaper but it was filling. We were surrounded by people eating native food. We got tacos with eggs. Homemade flour tortillas. Good stuff.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Augustine's commentary on Galatians
I just love this expression of it. In John 8, the Jews brag that Abraham is their father. Augustine says that in that they claim a sort of natural righteousness. Yes that is exactly what they did. They bragged about the merits that they got from circumstances.
But we cannot claim righteousness from our parents. (also see Matthew 3:8-9 and Luke 3:8)
Matthew 3:8-9 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. (NIV)
Luke 3:8 "Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham (NASB)
Paul is arguing in Galatians that the law is not equal to faith in Jesus. Jesus saves, the law cannot save at all, only show us our sin. "For if a law had been given that could confer life, then righteousness would indeed by by the law." (Galatians 3:21)
Quoting Augustine: For more than anything else, it is humility that calls us back from the place where pride cast us down. And this same humility is appropriate fro receiving the grace of Christ, who is the supreme example of humility.
I am reminded of John 8:31+ again where those who believed something about Jesus are shown to be prideful. When Jesus attempts to show them the futility of their pride they respond in violent anger rather than in proper humility.
The disciples show humility when they respond with Peter as their spokesman, "to whom would we go Lord, you have the words of life."
This commentary is just getting good. I am going slowly and am just over half way finished. It's not long. I am satisfied.
But we cannot claim righteousness from our parents. (also see Matthew 3:8-9 and Luke 3:8)
Matthew 3:8-9 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. (NIV)
Luke 3:8 "Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham (NASB)
Paul is arguing in Galatians that the law is not equal to faith in Jesus. Jesus saves, the law cannot save at all, only show us our sin. "For if a law had been given that could confer life, then righteousness would indeed by by the law." (Galatians 3:21)
Quoting Augustine: For more than anything else, it is humility that calls us back from the place where pride cast us down. And this same humility is appropriate fro receiving the grace of Christ, who is the supreme example of humility.
I am reminded of John 8:31+ again where those who believed something about Jesus are shown to be prideful. When Jesus attempts to show them the futility of their pride they respond in violent anger rather than in proper humility.
The disciples show humility when they respond with Peter as their spokesman, "to whom would we go Lord, you have the words of life."
This commentary is just getting good. I am going slowly and am just over half way finished. It's not long. I am satisfied.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Answered prayer
First I want to say I typed rashly the other day. What I got out of the morning sermon was more on an affective, emotional level. The last remarks MP made about things one might pray for about our relationship with our dads touched me.
I want to glorify God for answered prayer. And encourage myself. It is sort of hard to ask for prayer when you have no specific thing to ask for. Just help to do what God asks from me.
I went up Sunday and two stalwart men of God prayed over me. I knew I needed to work over with God's help some old memories from my childhood about my dad. Specifically I need some healing about my rage at how he disciplined me. I could not put that into words with the men who prayed for me. I can only put it like that because I have since prayed about the visual images I have about some early childhood experiences. How can a 8-9 year old express rage at his dad? He really can't. He is a helpless child before that great big man. I need God to assure me that my dad meant well and may even (gulp) have been right.
So anyway these two men prayed and God did speak dispute the little help I gave them.
The thing I am praising God was the little miraculous thing he did. Yesterday when I went to smile at people, friendly strangers, checkers in sales lines, my smile was much bigger, happier than usual. I could just feel it on my face. It just happened. I would have trouble doing it consciously. It really was a work of God and that to me is miraculous. It is insignificant to others but amazing to me.
Was it in response to the prayer or to my revisiting old memories? I don't know. I do know it is a sovereign work of God. I did not effect it by myself.
I want to glorify God for answered prayer. And encourage myself. It is sort of hard to ask for prayer when you have no specific thing to ask for. Just help to do what God asks from me.
I went up Sunday and two stalwart men of God prayed over me. I knew I needed to work over with God's help some old memories from my childhood about my dad. Specifically I need some healing about my rage at how he disciplined me. I could not put that into words with the men who prayed for me. I can only put it like that because I have since prayed about the visual images I have about some early childhood experiences. How can a 8-9 year old express rage at his dad? He really can't. He is a helpless child before that great big man. I need God to assure me that my dad meant well and may even (gulp) have been right.
So anyway these two men prayed and God did speak dispute the little help I gave them.
The thing I am praising God was the little miraculous thing he did. Yesterday when I went to smile at people, friendly strangers, checkers in sales lines, my smile was much bigger, happier than usual. I could just feel it on my face. It just happened. I would have trouble doing it consciously. It really was a work of God and that to me is miraculous. It is insignificant to others but amazing to me.
Was it in response to the prayer or to my revisiting old memories? I don't know. I do know it is a sovereign work of God. I did not effect it by myself.
When I am lifted up I will draw all men
John 12:31-32 Now it is time for the world to be judged. Now the ruler ofthis world will be thrown down. I will be lifted up from the earth. And when this happens, I will draw all people to me.
This is poetry. It has meanings on many levels.
His death really did draw all people (men) to him. I believe this is truer than we often think. His death and resurrection was not a secret event attended only by a few disciples. It was a major news item, scandal if you will, that all Jerusalem buzzed about. Everyone was forced to have a reaction to decide what they thought.
I believe that after his death and resurrection many Jews did come to believe that he was the promised Messiah. The common belief was that the Messiah would come and free them from the Romans. But the disciples told them it was to free their hearts, that was more important. This freedom was eternal.
However the leaders stamped it. They made it very costly to continue to believe in Jesus. So the vast majority fell away. No one could remain a Jew and still accept Jesus as the fulfillment of the great promise. One would lose his patrimony and be liable for stoning. So they gave it up. Jesus rightly prophesied about them in John 8 and in other places. They were not willing to give up their lives for him. So they would be judged. The world was judged by his death and resurrection. All who were not willing to believe and live it out were judged.
Believe seemed easy to those Jews Jesus addressed in John 8. He showed them it was really hard. It involved a commitment. Their response was to want to stone him.
Sadly it is easy to understand their position. Most of us love our comfort and are willing to go with the flow rather than suffer indignities. We love peace bought by compromise better than truth. It is always a struggle to stay intentional and believe with our whole life.
This is poetry. It has meanings on many levels.
His death really did draw all people (men) to him. I believe this is truer than we often think. His death and resurrection was not a secret event attended only by a few disciples. It was a major news item, scandal if you will, that all Jerusalem buzzed about. Everyone was forced to have a reaction to decide what they thought.
I believe that after his death and resurrection many Jews did come to believe that he was the promised Messiah. The common belief was that the Messiah would come and free them from the Romans. But the disciples told them it was to free their hearts, that was more important. This freedom was eternal.
However the leaders stamped it. They made it very costly to continue to believe in Jesus. So the vast majority fell away. No one could remain a Jew and still accept Jesus as the fulfillment of the great promise. One would lose his patrimony and be liable for stoning. So they gave it up. Jesus rightly prophesied about them in John 8 and in other places. They were not willing to give up their lives for him. So they would be judged. The world was judged by his death and resurrection. All who were not willing to believe and live it out were judged.
Believe seemed easy to those Jews Jesus addressed in John 8. He showed them it was really hard. It involved a commitment. Their response was to want to stone him.
Sadly it is easy to understand their position. Most of us love our comfort and are willing to go with the flow rather than suffer indignities. We love peace bought by compromise better than truth. It is always a struggle to stay intentional and believe with our whole life.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Greeks coming to see Jesus
Another hard to understand part of the gospel of John is John 12:20 and following. "Now there were some Greeks among those who had come up to worship at the feast. They came to Philip who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, 'Sir, we would like to see Jesus.' Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus."
Jesus has a strange response, don't you think?
12:23 "Jesus answered then, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.'"
Why does Jesus say this. It seems that before he was forever saying, "My hour has not come." Is there something special about Greeks asking for him? Is this just coincidence?
And why does Philip go get Andrew first? Why doesn't he go directly to Jesus? Does the questioners being Greeks make it so very different?
Jesus makes four serious statements. They seem to be in response to Philip and Andrew and their request. We never hear again about the Greeks. Do they get to see Jesus. It doesn't appear so but it's hard to tell.
1. The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. (12:23)
Jesus already knew this was coming. He has entered Jerusalem and knows his death will be before the passover time. Still something about the Greeks must be symbolic. Perhaps it is simply about his death being for the whole world and not just for the Jews.
2. Truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies it produces much fruit. (12:24)
We are reminded of the Parable of the Sower where seeds are scattered. Some produce 100 fold. He is speaking of himself here. He is about to die and produce much fruit. He is following his Father's command.
3. Whoever loves his life loses it and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. (12:25)
Now Jesus is speaking of those who will follow him, his disciples. in Matthew 10:25 Jesus says a similar thing: "He who wishes to save his life shall love it." Only God can save my life. I can do nothing to save my life. Not exercise, not eating right, not avoiding stress can really do anything to avoid inevitable death.
Here Jesus uses a Semitism. Love/hate are opposite extremes. Hate here means something like not seeking selfishly for ones own good at the expense of others. Jesus said we are to prefer one another, serve one another. This is what he means by "hating" ones life.
4. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
Serve me, follow ma, where I am there you will be also. How does one know if he is serving in the right place? Where is Jesus that we might be there with him?
We see from the gospels that Jesus went everywhere. No place was off limits for him. He did not seem to go to royal palaces but he probably would have if he had been invited. So wherever you serve Jesus will be there. If you are serving Jesus (and not yourself) in these places you will do well.
Following Jesus means to be like him. We try. It is not always easy for me in groups. Boy did I see that last Saturday. But I do try.
Think about your gifts and interests. See how God would lead you to serve him with those. Start somewhere. Jesus will be there. He will encourage you.
That last promise is the encouragement. "The Father will honor whoever serves me." Start out somewhere and see where it goes. God will honor and bless you.
Jesus has a strange response, don't you think?
12:23 "Jesus answered then, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.'"
Why does Jesus say this. It seems that before he was forever saying, "My hour has not come." Is there something special about Greeks asking for him? Is this just coincidence?
And why does Philip go get Andrew first? Why doesn't he go directly to Jesus? Does the questioners being Greeks make it so very different?
Jesus makes four serious statements. They seem to be in response to Philip and Andrew and their request. We never hear again about the Greeks. Do they get to see Jesus. It doesn't appear so but it's hard to tell.
1. The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. (12:23)
Jesus already knew this was coming. He has entered Jerusalem and knows his death will be before the passover time. Still something about the Greeks must be symbolic. Perhaps it is simply about his death being for the whole world and not just for the Jews.
2. Truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies it produces much fruit. (12:24)
We are reminded of the Parable of the Sower where seeds are scattered. Some produce 100 fold. He is speaking of himself here. He is about to die and produce much fruit. He is following his Father's command.
3. Whoever loves his life loses it and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. (12:25)
Now Jesus is speaking of those who will follow him, his disciples. in Matthew 10:25 Jesus says a similar thing: "He who wishes to save his life shall love it." Only God can save my life. I can do nothing to save my life. Not exercise, not eating right, not avoiding stress can really do anything to avoid inevitable death.
Here Jesus uses a Semitism. Love/hate are opposite extremes. Hate here means something like not seeking selfishly for ones own good at the expense of others. Jesus said we are to prefer one another, serve one another. This is what he means by "hating" ones life.
4. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
Serve me, follow ma, where I am there you will be also. How does one know if he is serving in the right place? Where is Jesus that we might be there with him?
We see from the gospels that Jesus went everywhere. No place was off limits for him. He did not seem to go to royal palaces but he probably would have if he had been invited. So wherever you serve Jesus will be there. If you are serving Jesus (and not yourself) in these places you will do well.
Following Jesus means to be like him. We try. It is not always easy for me in groups. Boy did I see that last Saturday. But I do try.
Think about your gifts and interests. See how God would lead you to serve him with those. Start somewhere. Jesus will be there. He will encourage you.
That last promise is the encouragement. "The Father will honor whoever serves me." Start out somewhere and see where it goes. God will honor and bless you.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Father's day musing
OK, this is a musing that will be the basis of my sermon introduction tomorrow. I thought it was pretty good so I thought I'd share it.
In God's amazing plan it takes two people, one of each sex, to make a baby, a new life. Somehow the Trinity of God is like that two. At creation in Genesis 1 we find God the Father, the Spirit moving over the waters, and the Word. God's three persons, different yet alike, were all a part of creation. And so God made the creation of new life to involve one man and one woman, the same species and yet different.
And two people together, male and female, are the best parents for a child. Two men cannot create a child and having two fathers is not the optimum way of raising a child either.
We celebrate Mother's Day. It is only right that we celebrate fathers too. They are both necessary, each important in different ways.
Often a daughter is the gleem of daddy's eye. She can do no wrong. A son gets a model of what he will be like when he grows up. Often, without even realizing it, he takes on the mannerisms of his father when he is grown. So a dad has to be careful that he does not spoil his daughter and that he set the right example for his son. The lack of a dad in a child's life growing up leaves a big hole.
If you have children you never stop being their dad.
In God's amazing plan it takes two people, one of each sex, to make a baby, a new life. Somehow the Trinity of God is like that two. At creation in Genesis 1 we find God the Father, the Spirit moving over the waters, and the Word. God's three persons, different yet alike, were all a part of creation. And so God made the creation of new life to involve one man and one woman, the same species and yet different.
And two people together, male and female, are the best parents for a child. Two men cannot create a child and having two fathers is not the optimum way of raising a child either.
We celebrate Mother's Day. It is only right that we celebrate fathers too. They are both necessary, each important in different ways.
Often a daughter is the gleem of daddy's eye. She can do no wrong. A son gets a model of what he will be like when he grows up. Often, without even realizing it, he takes on the mannerisms of his father when he is grown. So a dad has to be careful that he does not spoil his daughter and that he set the right example for his son. The lack of a dad in a child's life growing up leaves a big hole.
If you have children you never stop being their dad.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday afternoon
We went hope from morning church and ate leftovers. It was fairly quiet at home with both girls off traveling the state.
We had a send off (Memorial Service) for Mike Henderson. He died a week ago and this gave out of town family enough time to travel. It started at 4 PM. I called to tell JF that I could make the 6 PM service but not practice. This was approved by phone. I help solidify the lower notes but I'm certainly not essential. I was told we were doing "Ride that Chariot" a really fun anthem to do that involves the basses getting the main part.
Generally the service songs are well known to me and practice is nice but not usually necessary. It turned out that was right this time.
Mike Henderson had had a very public fight against cancer for over two years. The church was involved through prayer, corporate fasting, and some fund raisers. We prayed and prayed for him and he took the risk to let us. He was very brave through all this.
The service included several witnesses of his life. We learned about his work life. I learned a lot new about Mike. The few things we had done together, elementary Sunday school mostly, I got to relive a little. But a lot was new. We memorialized his life. He is at rest with Jesus now. He will be missed.
I had to finally leave around 5:20 PM. About that time MP was beginning a sermon where he took 2 Samuel 12, the story of David praying for his dying child, as his text. I can see how it fit. The interesting thing was that the service scripture for the 6 PM service included 2 Samuel 11, the story of David's murder of Uriah. It ends with the prophet saying that the child he had with Uriah's wife would die as God's judgment. This is all part of one story.
I thought that was a bit coincidental and wondered if MP doesn't sneak a peek at the standard lectionary for inspiration from time to time.
I did not listen too much to LH's sermon at 6PM preferring to try to translate Galatians 2, another one of the lectionary passages for tonight, from the Greek. I did not get far but was interested in the word for circumcision.
I did hear him mention a great illustration from the Alpha class. It was about a 19th century tightrope walker called Blondin (Jean-François Gravele). The story has it that after walking a 1,000 foot tightrope extended across Niagara Falls he then asked if people watching believed that he could carry a man in a wheelbarrow across. When the crowds enthusiastically yelled "yes!" he responded, "Hop in." There is a difference between verbal agreement and actually acting on it. True belief involves life changes. I don't think any of the crowd took him up on his offer.
We had a send off (Memorial Service) for Mike Henderson. He died a week ago and this gave out of town family enough time to travel. It started at 4 PM. I called to tell JF that I could make the 6 PM service but not practice. This was approved by phone. I help solidify the lower notes but I'm certainly not essential. I was told we were doing "Ride that Chariot" a really fun anthem to do that involves the basses getting the main part.
Generally the service songs are well known to me and practice is nice but not usually necessary. It turned out that was right this time.
Mike Henderson had had a very public fight against cancer for over two years. The church was involved through prayer, corporate fasting, and some fund raisers. We prayed and prayed for him and he took the risk to let us. He was very brave through all this.
The service included several witnesses of his life. We learned about his work life. I learned a lot new about Mike. The few things we had done together, elementary Sunday school mostly, I got to relive a little. But a lot was new. We memorialized his life. He is at rest with Jesus now. He will be missed.
I had to finally leave around 5:20 PM. About that time MP was beginning a sermon where he took 2 Samuel 12, the story of David praying for his dying child, as his text. I can see how it fit. The interesting thing was that the service scripture for the 6 PM service included 2 Samuel 11, the story of David's murder of Uriah. It ends with the prophet saying that the child he had with Uriah's wife would die as God's judgment. This is all part of one story.
I thought that was a bit coincidental and wondered if MP doesn't sneak a peek at the standard lectionary for inspiration from time to time.
I did not listen too much to LH's sermon at 6PM preferring to try to translate Galatians 2, another one of the lectionary passages for tonight, from the Greek. I did not get far but was interested in the word for circumcision.
I did hear him mention a great illustration from the Alpha class. It was about a 19th century tightrope walker called Blondin (Jean-François Gravele). The story has it that after walking a 1,000 foot tightrope extended across Niagara Falls he then asked if people watching believed that he could carry a man in a wheelbarrow across. When the crowds enthusiastically yelled "yes!" he responded, "Hop in." There is a difference between verbal agreement and actually acting on it. True belief involves life changes. I don't think any of the crowd took him up on his offer.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday
In the morning - I had forgotten this was going to happen - we had a man do a recital of the gospel of John. It took him 45 minutes to wend his way through John. It is an amazing feat. He did it with seeming ease. He added pantomime and had a communion table full of props to help him.
I have struggled through translating this from the Greek in my Greek class. As he went through it I realized I have translated most all of John. I could recall some expressions. I was interested in how he translated some passages. There were a couple that I thought fresh because they were unusual.
For examples instead of calling the miracle at the Cana wedding his first he said something like "this was the beginning of his miracles". That is good. The Greek word can mean both things. I liked it as a fresh alternative translation.
We got to see Francis Graves at her reception at the Methodist church down the street. Frances had from time to time come to our Life Group at the Olsons. She must be close to 80 but she would walk over from her house a few blocks away. DW and I would often take her home. She has a real passion for prayer.
Francis is moving up to Tyler and this was a going away reception at the church. Church ended at 11 and we got over there just as they were wrapping it up. It was nice to speak to her and meet her other daughter.
Sunday afternoon tomorrow. Stay tuned.
I have struggled through translating this from the Greek in my Greek class. As he went through it I realized I have translated most all of John. I could recall some expressions. I was interested in how he translated some passages. There were a couple that I thought fresh because they were unusual.
For examples instead of calling the miracle at the Cana wedding his first he said something like "this was the beginning of his miracles". That is good. The Greek word can mean both things. I liked it as a fresh alternative translation.
We got to see Francis Graves at her reception at the Methodist church down the street. Frances had from time to time come to our Life Group at the Olsons. She must be close to 80 but she would walk over from her house a few blocks away. DW and I would often take her home. She has a real passion for prayer.
Francis is moving up to Tyler and this was a going away reception at the church. Church ended at 11 and we got over there just as they were wrapping it up. It was nice to speak to her and meet her other daughter.
Sunday afternoon tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Republican State Convention
I do not know what to make of the convention. So much division. So many people ready to share their "wisdom".
How many of the these same people are ready to work together? Without working together to get out the vote none of this makes a lot of difference. In fact it will be counterproductive.
We changed out the leaders of the State Party. The woman who was leading was an appointee. We feel disenfranchised so it's understandable that people would like to pick their own person. Yet the lady was had is a veteran of political organization. The new guy is a LAWYER (aghast!) and we'll see if he is up to this new challenge. I have friends who know and admire him. So maybe.
Still one cannot help thinking there will be a learning curve. He may have to bring in a whole new staff. Will that be like patronage?
We usually leave by 4 or 5. Last night we were done about 8 and that is mainly because we were about to lose a quorum.
How many of the these same people are ready to work together? Without working together to get out the vote none of this makes a lot of difference. In fact it will be counterproductive.
We changed out the leaders of the State Party. The woman who was leading was an appointee. We feel disenfranchised so it's understandable that people would like to pick their own person. Yet the lady was had is a veteran of political organization. The new guy is a LAWYER (aghast!) and we'll see if he is up to this new challenge. I have friends who know and admire him. So maybe.
Still one cannot help thinking there will be a learning curve. He may have to bring in a whole new staff. Will that be like patronage?
We usually leave by 4 or 5. Last night we were done about 8 and that is mainly because we were about to lose a quorum.
Friday, June 11, 2010
How do we react to God doing a new thing?
We know it's true right? Whenever God does something new, people want to kill somebody.
It is annoying to see that the "Jews" mentioned in John 10 are such sticklers for legalism that despite all the amazing teaching and unique healings they want to kill him for saying something provocative? (DW thinks I am over stating, this does not make sense. But I'm trying it on you anyway.)
Sometimes we have to be willing to think outside the box, to suspend all our old prejudices, to hold lightly the things we hold dear. I guess what DW is thinking is "What about all those things that are right?" But it is still good to relook at them and reaffirm their rightness.
In 10:31 Jesus says, "I and the Father are one!" The Jews react in anger and want to stone him. But surely after all the things he has said and done shouldn't he at least be given a hearing? I do not think they did, they simply reacted. Their deeply held beliefs are too firm.
Of course they are right, God is God. He is unique. He is not like a human. How can a man be God? This is impossible. And yet, they admit, only God can do the things he has done. They have seen it. But they are not willing to even consider his claim.
Jesus responds to their reaction. He quotes the Old Testament. "I said you are gods." So, he asks, "Why the anger when I equate myself with God?"
We need not reject the basic tenets of the faith. But sometimes we are called to reassess the implications.
God is a God of surprises. He loves to do new things. He loves to do them in our midst. We have to be open or we will miss them.
I tend to get angry at surprises, just like the Jews. God is gentle with me. But I do not want to miss what he is doing.
It is annoying to see that the "Jews" mentioned in John 10 are such sticklers for legalism that despite all the amazing teaching and unique healings they want to kill him for saying something provocative? (DW thinks I am over stating, this does not make sense. But I'm trying it on you anyway.)
Sometimes we have to be willing to think outside the box, to suspend all our old prejudices, to hold lightly the things we hold dear. I guess what DW is thinking is "What about all those things that are right?" But it is still good to relook at them and reaffirm their rightness.
In 10:31 Jesus says, "I and the Father are one!" The Jews react in anger and want to stone him. But surely after all the things he has said and done shouldn't he at least be given a hearing? I do not think they did, they simply reacted. Their deeply held beliefs are too firm.
Of course they are right, God is God. He is unique. He is not like a human. How can a man be God? This is impossible. And yet, they admit, only God can do the things he has done. They have seen it. But they are not willing to even consider his claim.
Jesus responds to their reaction. He quotes the Old Testament. "I said you are gods." So, he asks, "Why the anger when I equate myself with God?"
We need not reject the basic tenets of the faith. But sometimes we are called to reassess the implications.
God is a God of surprises. He loves to do new things. He loves to do them in our midst. We have to be open or we will miss them.
I tend to get angry at surprises, just like the Jews. God is gentle with me. But I do not want to miss what he is doing.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Habakkuk
Habakkuk as a whole book is sort of hard to understand. I think he is making allusions to current events in his poetic prophesies making it hard to exactly know what he is saying. But interspersed are wonderful quotable passages, bon mots almost, which are quoted in the New Testament, some by Jesus. Some are quoted today and used in hymns and songs of praise.
These prophesies, each chapter seems to be a different prophesy, seem to be the result of a robust, honest relationship Habakkuk has with God.
Chapter 3 sees Habakkuk waiting for the awful thing that he has foreseen to actually happen. His country and his people will be invaded by a cruel and bloodthirsty people. All that he has known and loved will be destroyed. All he can do is wait. And yet he concludes that God is good and just. He is the only one who is worthy of praise and glory.
The quotable passages in Habakkuk:
(Habakkuk 2:3 ESV) For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not tarry. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
(Habakkuk 2:4b ESV) "but the righteous shall live by his faith."
(Habakkuk 2:14 ASV) For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of GOD, as the waters cover the sea.
(Habakkuk 2:20 DRB) But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silent before him.
(Habakkuk 3:2d ASV) In wrath remember mercy.
(Habakkuk 3:17-18 KJV) Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no crop; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
(Habakkuk 3:19 CEV) The LORD gives me strength. He makes my feet as sure as those of a deer, and he helps me stand on the mountains.
These prophesies, each chapter seems to be a different prophesy, seem to be the result of a robust, honest relationship Habakkuk has with God.
Chapter 3 sees Habakkuk waiting for the awful thing that he has foreseen to actually happen. His country and his people will be invaded by a cruel and bloodthirsty people. All that he has known and loved will be destroyed. All he can do is wait. And yet he concludes that God is good and just. He is the only one who is worthy of praise and glory.
The quotable passages in Habakkuk:
(Habakkuk 2:3 ESV) For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not tarry. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
(Habakkuk 2:4b ESV) "but the righteous shall live by his faith."
(Habakkuk 2:14 ASV) For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of GOD, as the waters cover the sea.
(Habakkuk 2:20 DRB) But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silent before him.
(Habakkuk 3:2d ASV) In wrath remember mercy.
(Habakkuk 3:17-18 KJV) Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no crop; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
(Habakkuk 3:19 CEV) The LORD gives me strength. He makes my feet as sure as those of a deer, and he helps me stand on the mountains.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
slogans again
This article in Bibliotheca Sacra states that 6:18 and 7:1 can be (should be) viewed differently than we normally do.
First:
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (ESV) (18) "Every sin a person commits is outside the body", but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. (19) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Now this one is harder to make work easily. According to this view the first part of verse 18 is a saying of the Corinthians and the rest of it is a refutation using sexual sin as the prime example. Using this logic though sexual sin is not the only type of sin which is against the carnal body (as opposed to the spiritual). For example my favorite sin, gluttony. Gluttony is certainly a sin against the body.
Secondly:
1 Corinthians 7:1-5 ESV (1) Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." (2) But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. (3) The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. (4) For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. (5) Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
This is certainly a quote from the Corinthians themselves. In the first passage I put the quotes in. In the second one, the quotes were in this translation already. But the article says that understood here is a common Corinthian belief that it is best for married couples to be celibate. Paul is speaking to immorality but also encouraging married couples to be sexually active.
This is Gordon Fee's view of 1 Corinthians 7:1 and others have followed him. But now others are disagreeing with him and taking a more traditional view.
So there is no absolutely right way to interpret these passages. But it is important to understand that this letter is between Paul and a group he knew well. It is only one of several letters and oral communications between them. We know that some facts are assumed known but not written. This makes it hard to be sure the context of some of the passages.
First:
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (ESV) (18) "Every sin a person commits is outside the body", but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. (19) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Now this one is harder to make work easily. According to this view the first part of verse 18 is a saying of the Corinthians and the rest of it is a refutation using sexual sin as the prime example. Using this logic though sexual sin is not the only type of sin which is against the carnal body (as opposed to the spiritual). For example my favorite sin, gluttony. Gluttony is certainly a sin against the body.
Secondly:
1 Corinthians 7:1-5 ESV (1) Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." (2) But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. (3) The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. (4) For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. (5) Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
This is certainly a quote from the Corinthians themselves. In the first passage I put the quotes in. In the second one, the quotes were in this translation already. But the article says that understood here is a common Corinthian belief that it is best for married couples to be celibate. Paul is speaking to immorality but also encouraging married couples to be sexually active.
This is Gordon Fee's view of 1 Corinthians 7:1 and others have followed him. But now others are disagreeing with him and taking a more traditional view.
So there is no absolutely right way to interpret these passages. But it is important to understand that this letter is between Paul and a group he knew well. It is only one of several letters and oral communications between them. We know that some facts are assumed known but not written. This makes it hard to be sure the context of some of the passages.
Monday, June 7, 2010
"slogans" in 1 Corinthians
This is important to casual readers of the epistles. Paul knew the Corinthian church very well. Perhaps better than any other. He stayed there for 18 months I think it says in Acts. And he revisited Corinth on other occasions.
He mentions other correspondence that he has had with them. He mentions specific members and leaders and specific things they have told him. He knows all of the major leaders and many of the regular members.
So when we read things in this letter we have to beware that there are understood facts left unsaid that might change entirely the way we understand some of the letter. Remember we are reading one side of a dialogue. The original readers know a lot of things we do not.
We come to the idea of slogans that Paul repeats. Just because he repeats them does not mean that he agrees with them. Greek has no direct quotation marks so modern translators have to try to figure out where they come, if any. Sometimes a Greek word normally translated "that" can denote the start of a direct quotation. But "that", as in English can also show an indirect quotation, such as "He said that ..." In a direct quotation the person changes from third person to first person such as "He said 'I went to church.'" Greek does the same so there are cases we can be sure of a direct quotation. However there are a lot of gray areas.
But if Paul is quoting a saying so that he might refute it it is often hard to see where the quote begins. One example we are pretty sure about is "all things are profitable". That is because he repeats it. Is this an idea that Paul agrees with? Or is this an idea that Paul has heard said among the Corinthians that he wishes to dispute? That he wishes to try to argue them to a better understanding?
Anyway most commentators would agree that this phrase is not original to Paul. He has heard it said among the Corinthians. He wishes to quote it in order to clear up misconceptions. At the least this slogan is being distorted to mean things that are totally wrong. Paul knows this church. He has seen them in action. He has heard the gossip.
So if we quote "all things are profitable" out of context approvingly we are certainly misquoting Paul. He did not mean this to be a commendable approach at all. We are quoting a Corinthian slogan that Paul strongly disagreed with.
He mentions other correspondence that he has had with them. He mentions specific members and leaders and specific things they have told him. He knows all of the major leaders and many of the regular members.
So when we read things in this letter we have to beware that there are understood facts left unsaid that might change entirely the way we understand some of the letter. Remember we are reading one side of a dialogue. The original readers know a lot of things we do not.
We come to the idea of slogans that Paul repeats. Just because he repeats them does not mean that he agrees with them. Greek has no direct quotation marks so modern translators have to try to figure out where they come, if any. Sometimes a Greek word normally translated "that" can denote the start of a direct quotation. But "that", as in English can also show an indirect quotation, such as "He said that ..." In a direct quotation the person changes from third person to first person such as "He said 'I went to church.'" Greek does the same so there are cases we can be sure of a direct quotation. However there are a lot of gray areas.
But if Paul is quoting a saying so that he might refute it it is often hard to see where the quote begins. One example we are pretty sure about is "all things are profitable". That is because he repeats it. Is this an idea that Paul agrees with? Or is this an idea that Paul has heard said among the Corinthians that he wishes to dispute? That he wishes to try to argue them to a better understanding?
Anyway most commentators would agree that this phrase is not original to Paul. He has heard it said among the Corinthians. He wishes to quote it in order to clear up misconceptions. At the least this slogan is being distorted to mean things that are totally wrong. Paul knows this church. He has seen them in action. He has heard the gossip.
So if we quote "all things are profitable" out of context approvingly we are certainly misquoting Paul. He did not mean this to be a commendable approach at all. We are quoting a Corinthian slogan that Paul strongly disagreed with.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Savior - Mike Henderson - accepting death
We do need a savior. Mike Henderson needed a savior. He has him now. He wanted to see his son graduate from high school. That will not happen now. I remember DW's mom hanging on, or so we thought. Despite her poor health she clung to life when perhaps it was time to move on. DW thought it proper to encourage her to let go and be at peace. But she was 94. Her situation is only dimly comparable to Mike's.
It will be soon time (as God sees soon) for us to let go and leave living to other people. We need a savior. Will we have the faith to let go? Will we know peacefully that Jesus is our savior and God will catch us on the other side? I believe that when the time comes God will give me the faith. But even if I cannot get totally peaceful about it, that's OK too, God is greater than that.
Remember love, joy, peace ... from Galatians 5:22? We will need all those fruits when the time come. Mike Henderson had them in great measure and now has then in completion. It did not work out like he and his family hoped. But God called him home. Yet he died too young. We each mourn in our own way. We wonder why.
Our world is fallen. Sickness and death are a part of the fall, after Adam's sin. Paradoxically God is still in control. Yet death is born of evil. God still somehow uses it for his purposes. We can still praise him for his grace and goodness. Yet we have heavy hearts. Death causes separation from those who love us. We know we will be together again.
It will be soon time (as God sees soon) for us to let go and leave living to other people. We need a savior. Will we have the faith to let go? Will we know peacefully that Jesus is our savior and God will catch us on the other side? I believe that when the time comes God will give me the faith. But even if I cannot get totally peaceful about it, that's OK too, God is greater than that.
Remember love, joy, peace ... from Galatians 5:22? We will need all those fruits when the time come. Mike Henderson had them in great measure and now has then in completion. It did not work out like he and his family hoped. But God called him home. Yet he died too young. We each mourn in our own way. We wonder why.
Our world is fallen. Sickness and death are a part of the fall, after Adam's sin. Paradoxically God is still in control. Yet death is born of evil. God still somehow uses it for his purposes. We can still praise him for his grace and goodness. Yet we have heavy hearts. Death causes separation from those who love us. We know we will be together again.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
God's blessing
Well it seems that God has been giving me grace upon grace in my driving. The latest example happened after coming back from Austin Friday. I was merging onto a road that would take me back to Houston. It goes from three lanes to one and there was some traffic. So it was slow going. People were letting one car merge sort of like a zipper but you know what I mean.
Well I was letting one car merge ahead of me and he kept waving me ahead. There was not enough room for me to zoom on ahead and my car does not accelerate too well so I kept trying to let him go ahead. I would fall in behind him. He kept waving and I kept declining. Finally I heard some loud cursing. Then I saw the chain. The two cars were chained together. Fortunately I had a lot of time to fall back. I saw the mistake was trying to merge between two cars, the second one was being towed by the first one. So I was saved again. I really think God has blessed me a lot.
But I make a lot of stupid financial mistakes. I am not particularly good at investing. Sadly it is my job to do that. There has to be some ironic humor in that.
I'm thinking mostly about mistakes involving repairs and renovations. A lack of trust and a lack of communication get me into problems a lot. My last debacle is going to cost me $500. And that is only for starters.
It involves my daughter's car which we took in for transmission problems. Now I must spend $500 to get it back from what I think is a dishonest repairman. Maybe he is not dishonest but about things like this how can one tell? I do not know enough to really decide. I do not trust him. But I am not a good judge of these things and certainly there must have been a better way of behaving.
Should we give up on the car and shop for a new (old) car for DD2? I will do something. I suspect it will be the wrong thing. This seems like other situations in the past. I seem to be doomed to repeat the same mistakes over again. Am I slowly learning to react better? Perhaps slowly. It is frustratingly slow though.
I seem to react the same way to situations that involve money and quick decisions. I end up wasting money when I am trying to save it. I end up throwing good money after bad, it seems. One can never predict the future. At times like this it is so maddening.
Well I was letting one car merge ahead of me and he kept waving me ahead. There was not enough room for me to zoom on ahead and my car does not accelerate too well so I kept trying to let him go ahead. I would fall in behind him. He kept waving and I kept declining. Finally I heard some loud cursing. Then I saw the chain. The two cars were chained together. Fortunately I had a lot of time to fall back. I saw the mistake was trying to merge between two cars, the second one was being towed by the first one. So I was saved again. I really think God has blessed me a lot.
But I make a lot of stupid financial mistakes. I am not particularly good at investing. Sadly it is my job to do that. There has to be some ironic humor in that.
I'm thinking mostly about mistakes involving repairs and renovations. A lack of trust and a lack of communication get me into problems a lot. My last debacle is going to cost me $500. And that is only for starters.
It involves my daughter's car which we took in for transmission problems. Now I must spend $500 to get it back from what I think is a dishonest repairman. Maybe he is not dishonest but about things like this how can one tell? I do not know enough to really decide. I do not trust him. But I am not a good judge of these things and certainly there must have been a better way of behaving.
Should we give up on the car and shop for a new (old) car for DD2? I will do something. I suspect it will be the wrong thing. This seems like other situations in the past. I seem to be doomed to repeat the same mistakes over again. Am I slowly learning to react better? Perhaps slowly. It is frustratingly slow though.
I seem to react the same way to situations that involve money and quick decisions. I end up wasting money when I am trying to save it. I end up throwing good money after bad, it seems. One can never predict the future. At times like this it is so maddening.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Galatians 5:22-23
Galatians 5:22-23: love joy peace... These are not personal characteristics. This list and these nouns describe how we relate to others.
Paul speaks of the struggles of flesh vs spirit (lower nature vs higher nature) in Romans 7:14+. God has set us free to live victoriously but we have to act on it.
The list in Galatians is different. . I think it is helpful to see the difference. This list of model characteristics is about relationships. Be loving. Be joyful. Be peaceful. Be patient. … Practicing these things will make your church run more smoothly and pleasantly. This is applicable in my Life Group, my family, my workplace, even my business. I can strive to be these things in these social situations.
I love to try to find relationships between these nine nouns. Most people try to group these into three groups of three. I think it looks easier in English. The first three seems basic somehow: Love, joy peace. In another place Paul speaks of three main spiritual values: faith, hope, and love. Are these three related? Faith hope and love do seem to be more individual in nature. Is hope related to joy? And faith to peace? Perhaps so.
I have tried to find relationship pairing words within the first three and the second three and the third three. Some have tried to characterize each groups of three. I can’t remember any of them but at the time I thought they were good.
It seems to me that these characteristics go from the simple to the most difficult. Love joy and peace are also things we are going to have a hard time getting by ourselves. Those are things that come from God. They are based on feelings. Love, joy, and peace are things you find out you are experiencing after the fact. I guess you can sort of take your emotional temperature and see that you are joyful, peaceful, and loving. But it’s hard to plan for it.
To be patient, kind, and good you do have to add some intentionality. Faithful, gentle, and self-controlled seem to be qualities that I usually do not experience. So what do I say about them? I think there is a sort of hierarchy. Those last three qualities seem to be the fruit of a long time of discipline.
Paul speaks of the struggles of flesh vs spirit (lower nature vs higher nature) in Romans 7:14+. God has set us free to live victoriously but we have to act on it.
The list in Galatians is different. . I think it is helpful to see the difference. This list of model characteristics is about relationships. Be loving. Be joyful. Be peaceful. Be patient. … Practicing these things will make your church run more smoothly and pleasantly. This is applicable in my Life Group, my family, my workplace, even my business. I can strive to be these things in these social situations.
I love to try to find relationships between these nine nouns. Most people try to group these into three groups of three. I think it looks easier in English. The first three seems basic somehow: Love, joy peace. In another place Paul speaks of three main spiritual values: faith, hope, and love. Are these three related? Faith hope and love do seem to be more individual in nature. Is hope related to joy? And faith to peace? Perhaps so.
I have tried to find relationship pairing words within the first three and the second three and the third three. Some have tried to characterize each groups of three. I can’t remember any of them but at the time I thought they were good.
It seems to me that these characteristics go from the simple to the most difficult. Love joy and peace are also things we are going to have a hard time getting by ourselves. Those are things that come from God. They are based on feelings. Love, joy, and peace are things you find out you are experiencing after the fact. I guess you can sort of take your emotional temperature and see that you are joyful, peaceful, and loving. But it’s hard to plan for it.
To be patient, kind, and good you do have to add some intentionality. Faithful, gentle, and self-controlled seem to be qualities that I usually do not experience. So what do I say about them? I think there is a sort of hierarchy. Those last three qualities seem to be the fruit of a long time of discipline.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Remember the poor
Galatians 2:10 The apostles all agreed from the earliest times to "remember the poor". They probably mostly meant poorer converts among them. But that is not what is says so I am very likely adding my own opinion here. The apostles were about helping the poor whenever they could as an act of charity and to show the compassion of God. Jesus remembered the poor too and the apostles knew Jesus and they were conscious of wanting be and act like he did.
I am struck by this verse this morning. Some, like me, of a more fundamentalist bent might wonder. I use the word "fundamentalist" for lack of a better word. I am not trying to broad brush fundamentalists who I have a lot of respect for. But some would say that we should preach the gospel and not get distracted by social work like remembering the poor. There is some truth there too.
But the apostles listed: James, Cephas, and John and Paul and Barnabas all agreed that their witness included remembering the poor. That is a phrase that could do with a lot of unpacking. It does not simply mean feed or clothe. It also means have compassion, be with, pray with (and for). That is how Jesus remembered the poor.
Interestingly, Paul uses the same word πτωχός in Galatians 4:9. This is my dangerous Greek knowledge again. He describes the main correcting point of this letter, that the Galatians want to be under the Jewish Law, as "weak and worthless" The world for worthless πτωχὰ is the same word used for the poor πτωχῶν.
It is not an accident that he uses the same word. Sometimes circumstances or our own actions put us into places where we need help. We are to be pitied. But that is not a place to aspire to. Paul is saying that wishing to go back to the law is a big mistake and one not to wish for.
Paul knows the Law is weak and worthless - unable to save. So this word /πτωχός/ carries a lot of meaning. Perhaps in 4:9, Paul is "coining" the word, using it in a way not normally seen. He is taking the word for poor and using it as an adjective. One who is poor is on the one hand to be pitied. On the other hand the poor are seen as inferior. Nevertheless they are to be shown compassion as Jesus did.
The apostles agreed to "remember the poor". Then in 4:9 Paul brings poverty home more personally by saying that is what they are thinking about doing, making themselves more impoverished by going back to the law. Only Jesus saves.
We can easily take on legalisms and begin to rely on them rather that the grace of God. That is a mistake and it impoverishes us.
I am struck by this verse this morning. Some, like me, of a more fundamentalist bent might wonder. I use the word "fundamentalist" for lack of a better word. I am not trying to broad brush fundamentalists who I have a lot of respect for. But some would say that we should preach the gospel and not get distracted by social work like remembering the poor. There is some truth there too.
But the apostles listed: James, Cephas, and John and Paul and Barnabas all agreed that their witness included remembering the poor. That is a phrase that could do with a lot of unpacking. It does not simply mean feed or clothe. It also means have compassion, be with, pray with (and for). That is how Jesus remembered the poor.
Interestingly, Paul uses the same word πτωχός in Galatians 4:9. This is my dangerous Greek knowledge again. He describes the main correcting point of this letter, that the Galatians want to be under the Jewish Law, as "weak and worthless" The world for worthless πτωχὰ is the same word used for the poor πτωχῶν.
It is not an accident that he uses the same word. Sometimes circumstances or our own actions put us into places where we need help. We are to be pitied. But that is not a place to aspire to. Paul is saying that wishing to go back to the law is a big mistake and one not to wish for.
Paul knows the Law is weak and worthless - unable to save. So this word /πτωχός/ carries a lot of meaning. Perhaps in 4:9, Paul is "coining" the word, using it in a way not normally seen. He is taking the word for poor and using it as an adjective. One who is poor is on the one hand to be pitied. On the other hand the poor are seen as inferior. Nevertheless they are to be shown compassion as Jesus did.
The apostles agreed to "remember the poor". Then in 4:9 Paul brings poverty home more personally by saying that is what they are thinking about doing, making themselves more impoverished by going back to the law. Only Jesus saves.
We can easily take on legalisms and begin to rely on them rather that the grace of God. That is a mistake and it impoverishes us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
