We are to have our identity in Jesus. It is a great idea. But it is hard to realize.
John 7:17 (CEV) If you really want to obey God, you will know if what I teach comes from God or from me.
One not willing to obey will find a way not to understand. We can read and read. If we are not willing to obey God we will not understand his word.
I think too a big step towards knowing ourselves is knowing God. If we truly understand the grace that God has for us we can more easily honestly look at ourselves. People cannot know themselves without knowing the One in whose image they are created.
Pascal said "Not only do we know God through Jesus Christ alone, but we know ourselves only by Jesus Christ."
Or as Paul said, "You cannot know yourself without being known by him.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (CEV) Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don't know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us.
Galatians 4:9 (CEV) But now you know God, or better still, God knows you. How can you turn back and become the slaves of those weak and pitiful powers?
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
DR's sermon
I just love DR's sermons. They are the best I hear these days.
Sunday night the lectionary included John 1:1-18. He said something I have been thinking about too, especially since I read it for the Lessons and Carols.
John 1:1-18 is John's birth narrative. But John is boldly clear that Jesus, the Word who was born flesh, is the Son of God and has existed from the beginning, forever.
DR then went on to discuss the analogy of light. Jesus is the light that came into the world to dispel the darkness. Jesus is the light and the darkness could not overcome it.
He gave the example of going into a cave. I too remember going to Wonder Cave in central Texas. It was next to the glass bottom boats. It was not much of a cave but it was the best we have.
I too remember that after we got down to the big cave room the guide asks us to sit down. Then he turns out all the lights. The darkness is like nothing you have ever experienced. You cannot see you hand in front of you. There is absolutely no light. Then after your eyes are adjusted the guide turns on a small light. Perhaps it is simply a candle. Then you can see quite a bit. Even that little light breaks into the darkness and overcomes it.
He went further. If you find yourself in complete darkness you are never going to find your way out on your own. You are going to fall into a pit or take yourself further into the cave. You are better off sitting and waiting for rescue.
We are like that spiritually. Before God comes into our life we are in darkness and we cannot get ourselves out of it. We need a savior. We need a light. Jesus is the light that comes into the world. He comes to save us. He comes to find us and bring us out into safety. Before God came to us we were in total darkness and could not help ourselves spiritually. This is a great analogy.
Sunday night the lectionary included John 1:1-18. He said something I have been thinking about too, especially since I read it for the Lessons and Carols.
John 1:1-18 is John's birth narrative. But John is boldly clear that Jesus, the Word who was born flesh, is the Son of God and has existed from the beginning, forever.
DR then went on to discuss the analogy of light. Jesus is the light that came into the world to dispel the darkness. Jesus is the light and the darkness could not overcome it.
He gave the example of going into a cave. I too remember going to Wonder Cave in central Texas. It was next to the glass bottom boats. It was not much of a cave but it was the best we have.
I too remember that after we got down to the big cave room the guide asks us to sit down. Then he turns out all the lights. The darkness is like nothing you have ever experienced. You cannot see you hand in front of you. There is absolutely no light. Then after your eyes are adjusted the guide turns on a small light. Perhaps it is simply a candle. Then you can see quite a bit. Even that little light breaks into the darkness and overcomes it.
He went further. If you find yourself in complete darkness you are never going to find your way out on your own. You are going to fall into a pit or take yourself further into the cave. You are better off sitting and waiting for rescue.
We are like that spiritually. Before God comes into our life we are in darkness and we cannot get ourselves out of it. We need a savior. We need a light. Jesus is the light that comes into the world. He comes to save us. He comes to find us and bring us out into safety. Before God came to us we were in total darkness and could not help ourselves spiritually. This is a great analogy.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
If you want to know wht your prospective spouse will be like when married look at the parents
Check out the parents.
DW was talking to DD the other day. She told her to ask any prospective boyfriend if he likes to have the radio on all the time. DW loves it to be quiet. When she stays by herself it is perfectly quiet. I find that unnerving. She drives with the radio off. I like the radio on all the time and to have the radio on when I go to sleep. She hates that.
In addition I like to turn the radio on about 4 AM to listen to a special program that comes on from 4 to 7 AM. I can see why that would be annoying. She suffers in silence most of the time, pretending to be asleep.
But you would not have known that before I was married. I used to drive in the car without the radio on. I did listen to music, something I do rarely now, but not all the time.
No you would have to look to my mom if you were going to predict my present behavior. My mom always had the TV on, all day and all night. She left TV's on in rooms all over the house. You would get into trouble if you turned off the TV even if she was not in the room.
I "rebelled" by not doing this with the TV but I now keep a radio in pretty much every room in the house. And they are often on when I am not in the room.
So if you wanted to know about my bad habit of having background noise on all the time, you would have to have looked to how one of my parents behaved. I remember as a child going into their bedroom very late to see the TV with static. That was in the days when stations went off the air. But if I turned if off she would wake up immediately.
I was told by several people when I was young to look to the parents of the person to see what they would be like when they are older. I knew they were right, sort of, but I never took it seriously. I figured me and my honey would be different. But we aren't.
If you are wiser than I and heed the advise of many people you will look to the parents of your honey to see what they will be like when they are older. For most of us we will not change our behavior because of it, no matter how shocking that fact might be. We love our beau too much. But don't be surprised. My wife is a lot like her mom and aunt. I am a lot like my dad. It's reality. It's hard not to be. You might as well embrace it.
DW was talking to DD the other day. She told her to ask any prospective boyfriend if he likes to have the radio on all the time. DW loves it to be quiet. When she stays by herself it is perfectly quiet. I find that unnerving. She drives with the radio off. I like the radio on all the time and to have the radio on when I go to sleep. She hates that.
In addition I like to turn the radio on about 4 AM to listen to a special program that comes on from 4 to 7 AM. I can see why that would be annoying. She suffers in silence most of the time, pretending to be asleep.
But you would not have known that before I was married. I used to drive in the car without the radio on. I did listen to music, something I do rarely now, but not all the time.
No you would have to look to my mom if you were going to predict my present behavior. My mom always had the TV on, all day and all night. She left TV's on in rooms all over the house. You would get into trouble if you turned off the TV even if she was not in the room.
I "rebelled" by not doing this with the TV but I now keep a radio in pretty much every room in the house. And they are often on when I am not in the room.
So if you wanted to know about my bad habit of having background noise on all the time, you would have to have looked to how one of my parents behaved. I remember as a child going into their bedroom very late to see the TV with static. That was in the days when stations went off the air. But if I turned if off she would wake up immediately.
I was told by several people when I was young to look to the parents of the person to see what they would be like when they are older. I knew they were right, sort of, but I never took it seriously. I figured me and my honey would be different. But we aren't.
If you are wiser than I and heed the advise of many people you will look to the parents of your honey to see what they will be like when they are older. For most of us we will not change our behavior because of it, no matter how shocking that fact might be. We love our beau too much. But don't be surprised. My wife is a lot like her mom and aunt. I am a lot like my dad. It's reality. It's hard not to be. You might as well embrace it.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Merry Christmas - God with Us
A got button saying this and have worn it when I remember.
We talked at Life Group about the Matthew version of Jesus' birth. Matthew emphasizing Joseph's obedience. The genealogy at the beginning of Matthew seems to be Joseph's line going back to Abraham.
Luke's birth story emphasizes the obedience of Mary. When Luke says in 1:2 that he has investigated all this I think that includes his interviewing principal characters in the story. Likely Mary is still alive and Luke spoke to her about her memories. The story in Luke's gospel is mostly from Mary's point of view.
Both Matthew and Luke emphasize the theme of obedience.
Even Zacharias, who was chastised for unbelief, was obedient to God's call despite his disappointment over not having any children.
Many busybodies would have commented that this must mean he and Elizabeth were somehow unrighteous, disobedient in some way. As innocent people they would have to suffer the whispers. I imagine that Elizabeth would rejoice in her vindication when she did successfully gave birth in a miraculous way. Yet the joy could be bittersweet.
But both of them were obedient despite disappointment. Zacharias continued faithfully to perform his duties as a priest. They were obedient.
Joseph was obedient to take a pregnant woman as his wife. He was also obedient to immediately pick up and flee when he was warned about Herod. I think I might be tempted to be lazy about that. It's a lot of trouble to move and to become a homeless refugee in a foreign land. Fortunately I think there were several colonies of Jews in Egypt. (And extradition was unheard of. - joke)
Despite all the prophesies Jesus fulfilled, what God did here was new and unpredictable. Those involved in God's sovereign act in the world could only act in faith not able to understand the full plan in advance.
The angels promised great things to Joseph, Mary, and Zacharias, great things. But they did not explain how these things would happen. All that was to come had no precedent in the past.
Everyone has to walk in faith, trusting God despite any hardship we may face. God has a plan for us too.
We talked at Life Group about the Matthew version of Jesus' birth. Matthew emphasizing Joseph's obedience. The genealogy at the beginning of Matthew seems to be Joseph's line going back to Abraham.
Luke's birth story emphasizes the obedience of Mary. When Luke says in 1:2 that he has investigated all this I think that includes his interviewing principal characters in the story. Likely Mary is still alive and Luke spoke to her about her memories. The story in Luke's gospel is mostly from Mary's point of view.
Both Matthew and Luke emphasize the theme of obedience.
Even Zacharias, who was chastised for unbelief, was obedient to God's call despite his disappointment over not having any children.
Many busybodies would have commented that this must mean he and Elizabeth were somehow unrighteous, disobedient in some way. As innocent people they would have to suffer the whispers. I imagine that Elizabeth would rejoice in her vindication when she did successfully gave birth in a miraculous way. Yet the joy could be bittersweet.
But both of them were obedient despite disappointment. Zacharias continued faithfully to perform his duties as a priest. They were obedient.
Joseph was obedient to take a pregnant woman as his wife. He was also obedient to immediately pick up and flee when he was warned about Herod. I think I might be tempted to be lazy about that. It's a lot of trouble to move and to become a homeless refugee in a foreign land. Fortunately I think there were several colonies of Jews in Egypt. (And extradition was unheard of. - joke)
Despite all the prophesies Jesus fulfilled, what God did here was new and unpredictable. Those involved in God's sovereign act in the world could only act in faith not able to understand the full plan in advance.
The angels promised great things to Joseph, Mary, and Zacharias, great things. But they did not explain how these things would happen. All that was to come had no precedent in the past.
Everyone has to walk in faith, trusting God despite any hardship we may face. God has a plan for us too.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Hosea 14:9-end
Such visual images! And the sense of smell gets a workout too in the imagination.
I remember a song from Redeemer days based on these words. The tune was very ethereal.
The images are of plants, gorgeous plants. Cedars, lilies, fresh dew on the green hillside, blossoms, grapes. It speaks of abundance. Not only do you see green and white you smell cedar and flower scents.
God wants to restore. He does not want to judge.
The last verse is a wisdom verse, like in Proverbs, but also found in Psalms. If you want to be wise, you follow God. The righteous walk in God's ways but sinners stumble over God's ways. They will impede him. Doesn't that ring true in our experience.
Recently I was walking in a forest with a lot of fallen trees. They must have fallen in our most recent hurricane. So they almost all had fallen in the same direction. If I had wanted to go the same direction the trees had fallen I would have had smooth sailing, no problems. But since I needed to go at a 90 degree angle to the trees my movement was severely impeded. The image of Hosea reminds me of that. It's not a great analogy, no.
Hosea 14:4-9 CEV Israel, you have rejected me, but my anger is gone; I will heal you and love you without limit. (5) I will be like the dew-- then you will blossom like lilies and have roots like a tree. (6) Your branches will spread with the beauty of an olive tree and with the aroma of the cedars of Lebanon. (7) You will rest in my shade, and your grain will grow. You will blossom like a vineyard and be famous as the wine from Lebanon. (8) Israel, give up your idols! I will answer your prayers and take care of you. I am that glorious tree, the source of your fruit. (9) If you are wise, you will know and understand what I mean. I am the LORD, and I lead you along the right path. If you obey me, we will walk together, but if you are wicked, you will stumble.
I remember a song from Redeemer days based on these words. The tune was very ethereal.
The images are of plants, gorgeous plants. Cedars, lilies, fresh dew on the green hillside, blossoms, grapes. It speaks of abundance. Not only do you see green and white you smell cedar and flower scents.
God wants to restore. He does not want to judge.
The last verse is a wisdom verse, like in Proverbs, but also found in Psalms. If you want to be wise, you follow God. The righteous walk in God's ways but sinners stumble over God's ways. They will impede him. Doesn't that ring true in our experience.
Recently I was walking in a forest with a lot of fallen trees. They must have fallen in our most recent hurricane. So they almost all had fallen in the same direction. If I had wanted to go the same direction the trees had fallen I would have had smooth sailing, no problems. But since I needed to go at a 90 degree angle to the trees my movement was severely impeded. The image of Hosea reminds me of that. It's not a great analogy, no.
Hosea 14:4-9 CEV Israel, you have rejected me, but my anger is gone; I will heal you and love you without limit. (5) I will be like the dew-- then you will blossom like lilies and have roots like a tree. (6) Your branches will spread with the beauty of an olive tree and with the aroma of the cedars of Lebanon. (7) You will rest in my shade, and your grain will grow. You will blossom like a vineyard and be famous as the wine from Lebanon. (8) Israel, give up your idols! I will answer your prayers and take care of you. I am that glorious tree, the source of your fruit. (9) If you are wise, you will know and understand what I mean. I am the LORD, and I lead you along the right path. If you obey me, we will walk together, but if you are wicked, you will stumble.
Christmas childhood
As a child I remember Foley's showcases around Christmastime. The showcases open to the street in those days. They were full of trains and Santa's sleigh. Every year they added a new showcase. They changed every year. They were spectacular to a little child. I know my mom liked them as much as I did. Well maybe she liked them because my brother and I were so excited.
It was always a tradition going to see the Santa house. It was somewhere on North MacGregor I think. He had a very large front yard that at Christmastime he would rope off. Then he would dress up as Santa and with bells on would go around the circle giving out peppermint candy canes to kids. He would says, "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and talk to each child. That was amazing. It was a Houston tradition for many years in the 50's probably before and after too. Actually when this man died it was a major Houston story.
Also never to be missed was the wassail and gingerbread men (with raisin eyes nose and buttons) at the Bank of the Southwest. At noon during Christmas a choir would perform the Anvil Chorus ever day at noon. After we got for Christmas break we would make the pilgrimage downtown to get the wassail gingerbread and listen to the choir. It was so very crowded and it seemed like it took an hour sometimes to get the goodies. I think at least one year mom sprang us early so we can get down there without the big crowds. I'm sure we were not the only ones.
One year my cousins from Iowa came down and we went downtown for the big production. Perhaps that is the year mom let us skip school. Also one year I carried my hamster with me in my coat pocket. Poor animal. He did get home safely but he obviously was hot and stuffy much of the time. He probably did not have a good time. Why did I do it? I was an elementary aged boy. Of course my mom did not know about it until it was too late to go back. She probably did her "humpf!" and pretended not to know for the rest of the time.
BTW you can still find the wassail recipe from BotSW online. It is the best, tart and tangy and sweet at the same time. Other wassails do not pack the same wassail. You can probably find the gingerbread recipe too. It was amazing, full of dark molasses.
It was always a tradition going to see the Santa house. It was somewhere on North MacGregor I think. He had a very large front yard that at Christmastime he would rope off. Then he would dress up as Santa and with bells on would go around the circle giving out peppermint candy canes to kids. He would says, "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and talk to each child. That was amazing. It was a Houston tradition for many years in the 50's probably before and after too. Actually when this man died it was a major Houston story.
Also never to be missed was the wassail and gingerbread men (with raisin eyes nose and buttons) at the Bank of the Southwest. At noon during Christmas a choir would perform the Anvil Chorus ever day at noon. After we got for Christmas break we would make the pilgrimage downtown to get the wassail gingerbread and listen to the choir. It was so very crowded and it seemed like it took an hour sometimes to get the goodies. I think at least one year mom sprang us early so we can get down there without the big crowds. I'm sure we were not the only ones.
One year my cousins from Iowa came down and we went downtown for the big production. Perhaps that is the year mom let us skip school. Also one year I carried my hamster with me in my coat pocket. Poor animal. He did get home safely but he obviously was hot and stuffy much of the time. He probably did not have a good time. Why did I do it? I was an elementary aged boy. Of course my mom did not know about it until it was too late to go back. She probably did her "humpf!" and pretended not to know for the rest of the time.
BTW you can still find the wassail recipe from BotSW online. It is the best, tart and tangy and sweet at the same time. Other wassails do not pack the same wassail. You can probably find the gingerbread recipe too. It was amazing, full of dark molasses.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Hosea 11
What a wonder insight into God nature we find on Hosea 11. If you have time read this chapter several times. Read it aloud. That helped me to read it aloud. God has prophesied through Hosea of his people's horrible behavior. They lie, steal, cheat, and oppress the poor. They deserve to die. He has already predicted their destruction. Yet ...
Hosea 11:8-9 ESV How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. (9) I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.
The God of mercy and forbearance that Jesus taught about is the same God we find in the Old Testament. There are some people that would say the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New. Some would say Jesus' coming changed how God treats us. Yet it is not so.
Read the whole of Hosea 11.
What does the second part of verse 9 mean? "I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath."
Verse 8 seems to begin with God debating himself. Will he do the right thing, the righteous thing and destroy Israel? No he won't because he is God. I think no one can truly say what that means but that doesn't mean we don't try to understand. It is like another verse what says, "as the heavens are as high above the earth so far apart are my ways from your ways".
No we cannot really know or understand. But (trying) it seems to say that God is first and foremost a God of love and compassion. He loves his people. He chose them. Her rescued them and healed them at times when they were not even aware of it.
I think of that and my health. How many times has my body, directed by God, healed itself and I did not even know. I think that likely true for all of us. God knows and he seems to be affirming that in Hosea 11:3: "Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them."
How wonderful to imagine.
Back to it. God is speaking as a doting parent. He loves his children. Despite all the disappointment God feels he has never stopped loving them. Hosea and the prostitute demonstrate that in a sort of living parable. So God in his mercy will deliver them even though they are not repentant at all. Why? Because he is God. That doesn't seem to our mind to be an answer. But it is enough for God.
Hosea 11:8-9 ESV How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. (9) I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.
The God of mercy and forbearance that Jesus taught about is the same God we find in the Old Testament. There are some people that would say the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New. Some would say Jesus' coming changed how God treats us. Yet it is not so.
Read the whole of Hosea 11.
What does the second part of verse 9 mean? "I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath."
Verse 8 seems to begin with God debating himself. Will he do the right thing, the righteous thing and destroy Israel? No he won't because he is God. I think no one can truly say what that means but that doesn't mean we don't try to understand. It is like another verse what says, "as the heavens are as high above the earth so far apart are my ways from your ways".
No we cannot really know or understand. But (trying) it seems to say that God is first and foremost a God of love and compassion. He loves his people. He chose them. Her rescued them and healed them at times when they were not even aware of it.
I think of that and my health. How many times has my body, directed by God, healed itself and I did not even know. I think that likely true for all of us. God knows and he seems to be affirming that in Hosea 11:3: "Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them."
How wonderful to imagine.
Back to it. God is speaking as a doting parent. He loves his children. Despite all the disappointment God feels he has never stopped loving them. Hosea and the prostitute demonstrate that in a sort of living parable. So God in his mercy will deliver them even though they are not repentant at all. Why? Because he is God. That doesn't seem to our mind to be an answer. But it is enough for God.
Proverbs 5:18-19
This is a good verse for me in my old age.
Proverbs 5:18-19 ESV Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, (19) a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.
Be delighted in the wife of your youth. I am doing that praise God!
Proverbs 5:18-19 ESV Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, (19) a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.
Be delighted in the wife of your youth. I am doing that praise God!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Holday spirit
I do not get into the holiday spirit easily. This idea of spending less and giving more, I love it! Well the spending less part anyway. For several years I have just not gotten into the pressure of buying gifts. I guess a few people are disappointed. But I figure I give all year round. Em. Some people probably disagree.
I figure DW likes to shop, let her buy her own gifts. Seriously.
Wednesday I went to see a Christmas concert. I plan to see another one Saturday night. It has helped. I will participate in a Lessons and Carols service Sunday night. Some years I sing without even really feeling anything different. It probably doesn't matter but I feel better if I get into an expectant mood, remembering the baby Jesus, God born as a baby. Or I can think about his coming again to bring in God's promised kingdom. Peace and goodwill to all.
We sang carols at Life Group. There have been lots of opportunities this year.
Sadly we will probably not carol in the neighborhood. There are just three of us and DD is not home many nights. I am very sad about that.
I think from guilt mostly I started a Christmas letter. I also asked DW and DD what they wanted for Christmas. I think I left them speechless. It took a while to get a response.
I figure DW likes to shop, let her buy her own gifts. Seriously.
Wednesday I went to see a Christmas concert. I plan to see another one Saturday night. It has helped. I will participate in a Lessons and Carols service Sunday night. Some years I sing without even really feeling anything different. It probably doesn't matter but I feel better if I get into an expectant mood, remembering the baby Jesus, God born as a baby. Or I can think about his coming again to bring in God's promised kingdom. Peace and goodwill to all.
We sang carols at Life Group. There have been lots of opportunities this year.
Sadly we will probably not carol in the neighborhood. There are just three of us and DD is not home many nights. I am very sad about that.
I think from guilt mostly I started a Christmas letter. I also asked DW and DD what they wanted for Christmas. I think I left them speechless. It took a while to get a response.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Fruit picking
My satsuma on Dallas is pretty much picked over. Actually this tree is over 20 feet tall and there are quite a few more hidden in the branches up high or protected by branches close to the trunk. They are hard to get.
So I walked down Dallas looking for more fruit trees and planning to double back on Lamar. But I just got down to the next block. I thought from a distance I saw another unpicked satsuma. But when I got there I saw the fruit was a paler yellow and slightly larger. After easily picking about 10 of then it dawned on my what it was: a grapefruit tree. WOW.
I opened one smelled it. The fruit was reddish. I tasted it. Yep, a grapefruit fully ripe! I picked two canvas grocery bags full and did not make a noticeable dent in the fruit on this tree. In fact I barely got them home. Those bags had to weight forty pounds. Well over thirty. My arms were dragging.
I gave the crossing lady five grapefruit. She was excited to get them.
DW will be bringing them to M&M's today. If you are in the area and know what that is come by and take a look. I plan to get more.
So I walked down Dallas looking for more fruit trees and planning to double back on Lamar. But I just got down to the next block. I thought from a distance I saw another unpicked satsuma. But when I got there I saw the fruit was a paler yellow and slightly larger. After easily picking about 10 of then it dawned on my what it was: a grapefruit tree. WOW.
I opened one smelled it. The fruit was reddish. I tasted it. Yep, a grapefruit fully ripe! I picked two canvas grocery bags full and did not make a noticeable dent in the fruit on this tree. In fact I barely got them home. Those bags had to weight forty pounds. Well over thirty. My arms were dragging.
I gave the crossing lady five grapefruit. She was excited to get them.
DW will be bringing them to M&M's today. If you are in the area and know what that is come by and take a look. I plan to get more.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Texans
I can't believe I let myself get sucked into the Texans again. No I didn't expect them to win, but I watched most of the second half.
But I could not bear to watch the overtime. That was about the only way they were going to lose, they had the Ravens on the ropes. A defensive TD was about the only way they could lose. And that's what they did. Sad.
But it was exciting. I guess that is something.
But I could not bear to watch the overtime. That was about the only way they were going to lose, they had the Ravens on the ropes. A defensive TD was about the only way they could lose. And that's what they did. Sad.
But it was exciting. I guess that is something.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Are we as a people too hard to govern? If something bad happens we cry for our government to fix it for us.
Houston used to be a city that prided itself on taking care of our own problems.
But now I see so many blue plastic tarps over houses left over from Ike over two years ago. I see so many lawyer ads trying to talk people into suing others over this act of God. What happened to fixing the problem up and moving on? A vast majority of these people could find, save, or borrow the money to fix their roofs. It would be inconvenient yes. But they would be much better off if they did. Instead at least some of them are trying to lay off responsibility on the government or an insurance company. In the long run they are just hurting themselves.
Are we getting to be a people that is too hard to govern. People need to take responsibility, even if it not fair.
When I read Hosea 4 it reminds me of this. I know it seems a bit of a stretch. I have this subject on my mind right now.
Hosea was speaking to a people rich in things. Yet they were not satisfied. They had forgotten and forsaken God, the author of all good gifts. They had forgotten to be grateful. They had gotten greedy and licentious. They are willing to harm others for another shekel.
Their leaders are no different. Both their political and religious leaders are just like them.
God calls them back. They need to turn back. And our country does too.
Hosea 5:4 (and Romans 1:21-32) speaks of a people so full of sin and selfishness that they are not able to turn back to God.
Hosea 5:4 Their works will not let them come back to their God, for a false spirit is in them and they have no knowledge of the Lord.
The commentator speaks of a “heart of darkness” coming over their hearts. It implies that people are so lost in darkness they can never find their way back. He uses the title of Joseph Conrad’s book. The heart of darkness gets so strong there is no turning back. Conrad's book seem to suggest people who go this far are better off dead.
But I don’t think that this is God's position. Some people repent from a very dark, awful place. It is not impossible. And God is still willing to take us back. He is always on our side. Hosea speaks of God’s willingness. Hosea himself was sent to make it clear. God still cares.
Houston used to be a city that prided itself on taking care of our own problems.
But now I see so many blue plastic tarps over houses left over from Ike over two years ago. I see so many lawyer ads trying to talk people into suing others over this act of God. What happened to fixing the problem up and moving on? A vast majority of these people could find, save, or borrow the money to fix their roofs. It would be inconvenient yes. But they would be much better off if they did. Instead at least some of them are trying to lay off responsibility on the government or an insurance company. In the long run they are just hurting themselves.
Are we getting to be a people that is too hard to govern. People need to take responsibility, even if it not fair.
When I read Hosea 4 it reminds me of this. I know it seems a bit of a stretch. I have this subject on my mind right now.
Hosea was speaking to a people rich in things. Yet they were not satisfied. They had forgotten and forsaken God, the author of all good gifts. They had forgotten to be grateful. They had gotten greedy and licentious. They are willing to harm others for another shekel.
Their leaders are no different. Both their political and religious leaders are just like them.
God calls them back. They need to turn back. And our country does too.
Hosea 5:4 (and Romans 1:21-32) speaks of a people so full of sin and selfishness that they are not able to turn back to God.
Hosea 5:4 Their works will not let them come back to their God, for a false spirit is in them and they have no knowledge of the Lord.
The commentator speaks of a “heart of darkness” coming over their hearts. It implies that people are so lost in darkness they can never find their way back. He uses the title of Joseph Conrad’s book. The heart of darkness gets so strong there is no turning back. Conrad's book seem to suggest people who go this far are better off dead.
But I don’t think that this is God's position. Some people repent from a very dark, awful place. It is not impossible. And God is still willing to take us back. He is always on our side. Hosea speaks of God’s willingness. Hosea himself was sent to make it clear. God still cares.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Hosea
Reading Hosea, asking God to give me something to share. I think it comes from God but it comes through this very limited servant.
Hosea is called to marry a prostitute. What is the hardest thing God has called you to do?
This seems like something God would never ask his servant to do. But God did. Can you rationalize this?
Perhaps the hardest thing for me to do was to go to work for my dad. Circumstances made it a good choice when I went to work in the family. I had sworn I would never do it.
I tried to leave several times but each time it seems God closed the door and then he encouraged me this is where he wanted me.
To me this was pretty much like marrying a prostitute. I do not believe in insurance. It is sort of against my principals. But God did not ask me to sin. God really did not ask Hosea to sin either. He was faithful to his wife. She was not faithful to him.
Despite having to submit to my dad, which was very hard, in the long run it may have been the easiest path for me.
Hosea married a prostitute. We read about this in chapter one of the book of Hosea. We are told directly that the first son is his. But we are not told about the next two children. We are just told they were conceived. She is still a prostitute after all.
The names of his children are awful. Imagine the teasing that they received. The firstborn is name Jezreel, after the site of a massacre. It would be like naming your child "Pearl Harbor" or "Bull Run". They next two are named "Not loved" and "Not mine". God uses Hosea's children to make a statement.
But then at the end of chapter one God turns it around to speak of God's faithfulness, he will restore his people. The etymology of Jezreel is "God's offspring" and Israel will be "mine" and "loved".
Marrying a prostitute had to be very hard for Hosea. He lost all semblance of pride. She would shame him each time she had sex for money. How could God call his servant to such an awful thing?
Has God called you to something very hard, maybe against your principals yet not a sin?
Hosea is called to marry a prostitute. What is the hardest thing God has called you to do?
This seems like something God would never ask his servant to do. But God did. Can you rationalize this?
Perhaps the hardest thing for me to do was to go to work for my dad. Circumstances made it a good choice when I went to work in the family. I had sworn I would never do it.
I tried to leave several times but each time it seems God closed the door and then he encouraged me this is where he wanted me.
To me this was pretty much like marrying a prostitute. I do not believe in insurance. It is sort of against my principals. But God did not ask me to sin. God really did not ask Hosea to sin either. He was faithful to his wife. She was not faithful to him.
Despite having to submit to my dad, which was very hard, in the long run it may have been the easiest path for me.
Hosea married a prostitute. We read about this in chapter one of the book of Hosea. We are told directly that the first son is his. But we are not told about the next two children. We are just told they were conceived. She is still a prostitute after all.
The names of his children are awful. Imagine the teasing that they received. The firstborn is name Jezreel, after the site of a massacre. It would be like naming your child "Pearl Harbor" or "Bull Run". They next two are named "Not loved" and "Not mine". God uses Hosea's children to make a statement.
But then at the end of chapter one God turns it around to speak of God's faithfulness, he will restore his people. The etymology of Jezreel is "God's offspring" and Israel will be "mine" and "loved".
Marrying a prostitute had to be very hard for Hosea. He lost all semblance of pride. She would shame him each time she had sex for money. How could God call his servant to such an awful thing?
Has God called you to something very hard, maybe against your principals yet not a sin?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Gratefulness
I think I blogged on this in recent memory. I was thinking of it again as I recall DW always thanks me when I take her out to dinner. I get confused. It's not like I gave her anything the money is ours. But she is grateful. Gratefulness is always appropriate.
Often gifts seem to be begrudgingly accepted. It is as if the gift is due them. It is their right. So they do not need to be grateful, to say thank you.
In certain situations we say thank for perfunctorily. We should try to make it as real as we can. I think of the grocery store, when I get my groceries checked out, I say "thank you" and "have a good day". DW always says "God bless you". I might too but it is an embarrassed "God bless you". I often say it as I am moving away. Sadly it does embarrass me.
During this season I am likely to say "Merry Christmas" because so few people say it anymore and I am mad about that. Yeah I know, sorry reason for doing it.
I'm reminded of taking the tram at Rice University. Rice is like a small community or they try hard to make it so. The bus driver always gives a cheery "Have a good day" as people leave the bus. By now the drivers recognize me and I them. I always say "thank you" and often follow up with "Have a good day". I ought to get their names. Some people stand up by the driver and chat as we go, getting the news. That seems wrong as there are signs saying to stay back when the bus is moving. The driver does have to drive.
I am grateful to God for each succeeding day. I am grateful for health and for family both my biological family and my family of faith.
Often gifts seem to be begrudgingly accepted. It is as if the gift is due them. It is their right. So they do not need to be grateful, to say thank you.
In certain situations we say thank for perfunctorily. We should try to make it as real as we can. I think of the grocery store, when I get my groceries checked out, I say "thank you" and "have a good day". DW always says "God bless you". I might too but it is an embarrassed "God bless you". I often say it as I am moving away. Sadly it does embarrass me.
During this season I am likely to say "Merry Christmas" because so few people say it anymore and I am mad about that. Yeah I know, sorry reason for doing it.
I'm reminded of taking the tram at Rice University. Rice is like a small community or they try hard to make it so. The bus driver always gives a cheery "Have a good day" as people leave the bus. By now the drivers recognize me and I them. I always say "thank you" and often follow up with "Have a good day". I ought to get their names. Some people stand up by the driver and chat as we go, getting the news. That seems wrong as there are signs saying to stay back when the bus is moving. The driver does have to drive.
I am grateful to God for each succeeding day. I am grateful for health and for family both my biological family and my family of faith.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Walking
It was a perfect day for walking this morning, well if you wore a parka and sweat pants. Yeah perfect. This really is a great time to walk (or jog) after you get warmed up the weather feels fine!
I just about got all the fruit I can get off the satsuma that I have approval to pick. My part was about forty pieces. There are so many citrus trees producing well. There are quite a few left but they are too tall for my picker or inside the tree protected by lots of branches.
I got in about 8.5 miles this morning after I picked fruit. I discovered some other satsumas. One is in a yard behind a fence. I left them a note asking if I could pick them sense they seemed not to have touched them at all. The is another smaller tree hanging over a fence near a major street. Yeah I'm going back for these.
I just about got all the fruit I can get off the satsuma that I have approval to pick. My part was about forty pieces. There are so many citrus trees producing well. There are quite a few left but they are too tall for my picker or inside the tree protected by lots of branches.
I got in about 8.5 miles this morning after I picked fruit. I discovered some other satsumas. One is in a yard behind a fence. I left them a note asking if I could pick them sense they seemed not to have touched them at all. The is another smaller tree hanging over a fence near a major street. Yeah I'm going back for these.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
First sunday
Today we went to help at Brighton. We were not as late as last month. This was a big Advent service. We sang Christmas songs and SJ read a scripture from Isaiah. I let DW help with communion. We had a super big crowd. I was hard from everyone to get out when it was over with all the wheelchairs packed together.
I scrapped the sermon on Romans 6 and instead read John 1, the prologue. I spoke on Jesus coming again as well. We remember his birth and we await his coming again. I got up around 9:50 and we usually finish up by 10. And after I finished NJ got up and did a pastor's part speaking to their specific needs. It is so great to see her wrap up the service. I am the guest, she and SJ are the leaders of the service.
I got to Vineyard and found I was given a month off from serving communion. The servers this week looked pretty different. It was great. Usually I serve communion twice in the morning. Today I did not serve at all.
In the afternoon I checked out the new fruit tree to pick. It is different than a satsuma. It might be called a sour orange tree. Turned out the shipping company where the tree is found was actually open today. What are they doing open on Sunday? Anyway the owner, a small Oriental guy, came over to look at me through the fence. I asked if he wanted the fruit and he said no go ahead and pick them. After that I was ignored. He did admire my technique. Yeah I'm great, heh.
I had DW take some of these as well to church for LW. They loved the satsumas, not so much the sour oranges. The oranges look prettier. Maybe they will sweeten up off the tree. We shall see.
Evening service was fun as usual. Rocky and I held down the bass section without benefit of a section leader. That should be a vote of confidence. But I am worried about my performance. I always worry. I could use reassurance. But I got to man up. I do my best. As long as they keep letting me sing, that's all I can do.
I scrapped the sermon on Romans 6 and instead read John 1, the prologue. I spoke on Jesus coming again as well. We remember his birth and we await his coming again. I got up around 9:50 and we usually finish up by 10. And after I finished NJ got up and did a pastor's part speaking to their specific needs. It is so great to see her wrap up the service. I am the guest, she and SJ are the leaders of the service.
I got to Vineyard and found I was given a month off from serving communion. The servers this week looked pretty different. It was great. Usually I serve communion twice in the morning. Today I did not serve at all.
In the afternoon I checked out the new fruit tree to pick. It is different than a satsuma. It might be called a sour orange tree. Turned out the shipping company where the tree is found was actually open today. What are they doing open on Sunday? Anyway the owner, a small Oriental guy, came over to look at me through the fence. I asked if he wanted the fruit and he said no go ahead and pick them. After that I was ignored. He did admire my technique. Yeah I'm great, heh.
I had DW take some of these as well to church for LW. They loved the satsumas, not so much the sour oranges. The oranges look prettier. Maybe they will sweeten up off the tree. We shall see.
Evening service was fun as usual. Rocky and I held down the bass section without benefit of a section leader. That should be a vote of confidence. But I am worried about my performance. I always worry. I could use reassurance. But I got to man up. I do my best. As long as they keep letting me sing, that's all I can do.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Saturday in Christmas season
We just finished leading a marriage class in Kegans. We do it in four weeks. Of the nine couples that signed up (by the inmate husbands) six woman said yes. Four came the first week. There was only one very young couple here for the last session.
We usually do not say much but today they got a lot of wisdom from us both before the last taped session and after.
The wife went through all the channels and got delivery of Pizza Hut (the best!!) pizza delivered to the jail. WOW
So we had three large pizzas and a box of BBQ wings for a birthday party for the husband. She had thought at least one other couple would make it. I and the husband ate too much and still we left one whole pizza in the guard lunchroom and the wife took home about half a pizza.
Finishing the class felt like a relief and yet also some satisfaction for the couple who seemed to have gotten a lot out of it. They both left inspired to teach what they learned to others. That is high praise.
The man celebrated his 23rd birthday, so he is very young. The wife looks to be the same. They have two children ages 2 and 1. Prayers for their future are very appropriate.
Tonight we plan to go to a big Christmas open house hosted by a church member. It should be festive.
Oh, right now I am grilling some meat to eat over the next week.
We usually do not say much but today they got a lot of wisdom from us both before the last taped session and after.
The wife went through all the channels and got delivery of Pizza Hut (the best!!) pizza delivered to the jail. WOW
So we had three large pizzas and a box of BBQ wings for a birthday party for the husband. She had thought at least one other couple would make it. I and the husband ate too much and still we left one whole pizza in the guard lunchroom and the wife took home about half a pizza.
Finishing the class felt like a relief and yet also some satisfaction for the couple who seemed to have gotten a lot out of it. They both left inspired to teach what they learned to others. That is high praise.
The man celebrated his 23rd birthday, so he is very young. The wife looks to be the same. They have two children ages 2 and 1. Prayers for their future are very appropriate.
Tonight we plan to go to a big Christmas open house hosted by a church member. It should be festive.
Oh, right now I am grilling some meat to eat over the next week.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
last Sunday's sermons
I usually can remember (sort of) what the evening sermon was better. Why is that I ask myself? Maybe because it was last. Maybe because it was shorter and therefore fewer points to remember.
Anyway what I remember about the evening service was that RC determined to given us a summary of the book of Romans. I listened and was not sure what he said is what I would have said. Sadly I do not know Romans well enough to follow it. I suppose I could have pulled out a pew Bible and tried to follow him.
But as he was doing it I was distracted by the whole marvelous concept. Read a whole epistle through and then summarize the argument of the book. You could do it for John's epistles as well, or James' book which is more like a sermon. A sermon should have an argument and James' certainly does. Paul's epistles are like sermons that have a opening salutation and closing greeting. So summarizing and following the flow is a great idea. It would be a good thought exercise. I pose a lot of thought exercises like that and only follow through on a few.
In the morning MP spoke of being ready for God's call. I loved the sermon because it seems so natural so obvious. It pretty much follows what I think and how I have (at least now) tried to live my life. Perhaps it took me a while to get here or perhaps I was doing it before in a less mature way. Wow even typing that sound self-congratulatory. Yet I know whatever "maturity" I have in Christ, and it is not much, has come because God has been the hornet of heaven trying to work some discipline in my life.
Anyway I do try to prepare myself for God's call. I try to keep my face towards God as much as possible. I do it by giving myself exercises hopefully by God's calling.
It seems MP said something to this effect. Paraphrasing very loosely he said if we are willing to serve God then the things we want to do will be God's will. That's sort of how I live so I am probably importing that into what MP said. He probably nuanced it quite differently, no doubt much more correctly. But without looking at my notes that is what I got out of it.
So we prepare ourselves praying and worshiping and waiting for God's call. That is what Abraham did, what Joseph did, what the prophets did. My call will certainly be less spectacular and for that I say, PRAISE GOD! But I want to do the will of God and bring him glory.
Anyway what I remember about the evening service was that RC determined to given us a summary of the book of Romans. I listened and was not sure what he said is what I would have said. Sadly I do not know Romans well enough to follow it. I suppose I could have pulled out a pew Bible and tried to follow him.
But as he was doing it I was distracted by the whole marvelous concept. Read a whole epistle through and then summarize the argument of the book. You could do it for John's epistles as well, or James' book which is more like a sermon. A sermon should have an argument and James' certainly does. Paul's epistles are like sermons that have a opening salutation and closing greeting. So summarizing and following the flow is a great idea. It would be a good thought exercise. I pose a lot of thought exercises like that and only follow through on a few.
In the morning MP spoke of being ready for God's call. I loved the sermon because it seems so natural so obvious. It pretty much follows what I think and how I have (at least now) tried to live my life. Perhaps it took me a while to get here or perhaps I was doing it before in a less mature way. Wow even typing that sound self-congratulatory. Yet I know whatever "maturity" I have in Christ, and it is not much, has come because God has been the hornet of heaven trying to work some discipline in my life.
Anyway I do try to prepare myself for God's call. I try to keep my face towards God as much as possible. I do it by giving myself exercises hopefully by God's calling.
It seems MP said something to this effect. Paraphrasing very loosely he said if we are willing to serve God then the things we want to do will be God's will. That's sort of how I live so I am probably importing that into what MP said. He probably nuanced it quite differently, no doubt much more correctly. But without looking at my notes that is what I got out of it.
So we prepare ourselves praying and worshiping and waiting for God's call. That is what Abraham did, what Joseph did, what the prophets did. My call will certainly be less spectacular and for that I say, PRAISE GOD! But I want to do the will of God and bring him glory.
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