The Help

We went to see The Help the other day. I would like to find the book that it based on. This is a very good movie.

It sets the tenor of the times about black maids in a very prejudiced southern town. But I think this was sort of the way in any town with relation to blacks servants and perhaps could apply to servants anywhere.

I have read quite a few books about English manners in the 18th century. The house fully staffed with servants has quite a bit of the same feel. Servants were not people in the same sense as everyone else. You might feel yourself magnanimous enough to speak to them as equals but the separation was always there. In a pinch you had no real loyalty to them. They would be discarded at whim.

They also touch on the subject of separate restrooms and never eat anything touched by a black, at least in your presence.

It is long by movie standards, almost 2 1/2 hours. Yet it kept my interest.

I remember black maids and vaguely black restrooms in Houston. So it touches me personally.

I really do not like violent movies anymore nor "dark comedies". This was the only thing playing that looked at all inviting. It was a good movie. And I left thinking a little.

bad week

This has been a bad week for blogging. I apologize.

No good excuses but my CA daughter has been here this week with her fiance. We got to meet him for the first time. He is nice. We did not spend a lot of time with her since she had a wedding and banking to do plus reconnecting with old friends.

1 Timothy 2:1-8

The word all is important in this section. We pray for all men (1). God desires that all men would be saved (4). Here Paul seems to be speaking to what is the true teaching. In chapter one Paul speaks against false teachers and teaching. Now he is affirming what is true. The false teachers are likely saying only a limited number can be saved or that there is some special knowledge that only they know. And they will share with you for the right price (wink).
Paul makes it clear that God wants all to be saved. And what is required is not special.
The other word that is important here is one. There is only one God and one savior Jesus Christ (5).
These are the simple truths that Paul is affirming against what the false teachers are trying to add.
Paul concludes this section by saying we should all pray together, in agreement (8) for all men and all rulers (1).
Paul begins and ends this passage speaking of prayer. The first verse explains what we should continually pray about ,and why. The last verse tells us how we should pray:
1) in every place and for every one
2) we will be holy before God
3) we will come to God without holding grudges against one another

Unless we follow those last two conditions our prayers will be blocked. Our lives need to be consistently holy, in private and in public - God sees.
And we must not stay angry with other people in the church, holding grudges, acting divisively.
I naively want to think that if all men accepted Christ as savior my life would be easier. Everyone would love me and not take advantage of me. Alas I will never find out. But if my relationship with Christians I do know is any example it is not true. Perhaps it is my selfishness or theirs but Christians are among the most trying people I deal with. I suspect it is just it takes work to be loving and patient.
If people were all Christians my life would not be a bed of roses. People would rightfully call me to responsibility. They would expect me to serve. They would expect me to work for the good of all. Maybe more than they do now.
I suspect heaven will be like this too. Only we will our part joyfully.

1 Timothy (second)

I was described last night as a cream puff. This is a new revelation. Yeah, I'm slow too. The ladies at Alpha were encouraging me to be more forceful about getting the couples at the marriage class to listen to the tapes and not to whisper while the tape is going.
I have never thought of myself as a push over. I have some idea of why this has occurred. I have trouble being firm without getting angry. So I just keep quiet and stay frustrated inside. Sometimes not so much inside.
I do not like to be the one in authority because then I have to deal with peoples' negative reactions. Even if one leads, corrects, call people to obedience in the nicest way possible some people will still react angrily. I tend to get down with them and get angry right back. Then I have destroyed my authority.
And at the jail, as you might imagine, you have a lot of people who react this way to authority, without thinking first. It is how they were raised.
In situations like this in the past I have reacted right back. This muddies up the whole situation. And I do not think fast in stressful situations. I tend to panic. I start to doubt myself.
Anyway my tendency to avoid such situations makes me look like a cream puff - a push over.
In contrast, Paul in 1 Timothy does not give himself this luxury. He takes his role as evangelist and disciple maker very seriously. He must correct those who are disobedient, and who are teaching false doctrine, for the sake of the rest of the church. He will expel Hymanaeus and Alexander who persist in teaching false doctrine.
Paul knows he is right, for he has his word from God. He insists on proper doctrine and behavior in the churches. He has so many new converts. It is so easy for them to be led astray. Paul knows how important it is to teach, model, and admonish so that the new Christians will learn to be mature disciples.

1 Timothy

In places in the world where the gospel is being spread aggressively and many people are accepting Jesus as Lord, such as parts of Africa, it has been said that the church's faith is a mile wide and an inch deep. It is not an accident that Jesus commanded his follows to go into the world and make disciples. The word is not convert. People should not be afraid of that word.
There are many churches in places like Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. There is a great need for people to teach and model.
Paul and his fellow evangelists were having the same problems. The church was growing rapidly. In all his new churches he is fighting against ignorant people who were changing the gospel.
Paul admonishes Timothy to preach sound doctrine and not to get distracted by fruitless doctrines.
Paul is sternly warning Timothy of the danger of this. The gospel is to be explained. Some old behaviors have to be spoken against. People have to be retaught how to be a Christian. We follow Christ. We are to be like him.
Paul in 1 Timothy gives examples of fruitless discussions: working out genealogies and arguing about the (Jewish) law as things that can distract new converts from deepening their walk.
Paul suggests people are teaching strange doctrines (3). The people in Ephesus, where Timothy is, are Gentiles. And they think they are experts on the Jewish law (7)?
As new Christians they are susceptible. If someone confidently teaches a false doctrine they are liable to be confused. It is important that they, and we, find teachers who teach sound doctrine, not adding and subtracting from the true gospel. Paul tells Timothy to find people who will do that and appoint them as leaders.
We have the Bible to help us to judge true from false doctrine. They did not have that yet. The Bible was in the formative stages when Paul taught. So they did not have the Bible for help.
Paul was urgently concerned for the many new Christians that they would not be led astray.

1 TIMOTHY 1:1-11 [1] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, [2]To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. [3]As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, [4]nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. [5]But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. [6]For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, [7]wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. [8]But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, [9]realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers [10]and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, [11]according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. NASB

Proverbs 24 second part

The commentator speaks of the betrayal of a trusted friend. This is how he interprets v. 26. A kiss on the lips is the greeting for trusted friends. We see this also in Judas' kiss of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He betrayed a trusted friend. A kiss like this is the formal greeting of a trusted friend.

Judas betrayed Jesus. Have we every been betrayed by a trusted friend? If it has happened to me I have blotted out the conscious memory of it.

The commentator says he showed this verse (26) to a friend. The friend said, "There are some people I would prefer to lie to me." I'm not sure what he meant by that and it is left unexplained.

Are there some people he would prefer not to trust? Or some people he would rather not be friends with at all. (Why?) Or is it that some people have a lying nature? It would be incongruous to hear them tell the truth. He would not expect it. It would catch him off guard if this man he is thinking of was honest.

Verse 28 adds that one should not lie or perjure oneself in court.

The writer finishes this section by warning us not to be lazy. Verse 27 tells us to work wisely. Prepare and plan your garden or business venture, then go out and do it. A vineyard (30) needs constant tending. Or it will not produce. I vineyard is an excellent example. Some things, seem to grow with little manual labor. But vines need pruning fertilizing watering, lots of TLC.


PROVERBS 24:23-34 [23] These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good. [24] He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous," Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him; [25] But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. [26] He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer. [27] Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house. [28] Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips. [29] Do not say, "Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work." [30] I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, [31] And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down. [32] When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. [33] "A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest," [34] Then your poverty will come as a robber And your want like an armed man. NASB

Proverbs 24a

My commentator thinks the theme of this part of the chapter is "bad company ruins good character". Or "bad company ruins good morals" quoted by Paul.

One must avoid bad company (1) and cultivate good advisers (6). We are influenced by those we associate with. We cannot help it. So beware of your choice of friends and business associates. They will subtly lead us for good or evil. So be wise.

The gate (7) is where the town elders meet to judge disputes and generally share the news. Is there wisdom at the gate? I think the writer here is not sure. Just like today we wonder at the intelligence of those who are in government.

Do not be envious of evil men (1) who seem to have life better than yourself. If you associate with them you will get into trouble (2). Do not use them as a model for how to get ahead.

I like verses 17-18 especially "do not rejoice when your enemy falls". There is great wisdom wrapped up in that.

On a sports chat forum I frequent this is jokingly referred to as not provoking the "weauf gods". If you brag too much about your team's successes you may bring wrath upon your team in the future.

But seriously if a rival in business is embarrassed by a set back that may work in our favor, how do we react? Perhaps this a person who is competing with us for a promotion. It is wrong and dangerous to gloat over their misfortune.

Verse 18 says God is displeased with this behavior and may very well feel compassion for our rival and restore them. God loves everyone after all, even our enemy.

This could be a direct consequence of our behavior. It is like we are kicking them while they are down. Others could feel sorry for the person we are laughing at and come in to help them. Perhaps may laugh with you but they will not think well of you. It is mean.

Jesus told us to love our enemies. This proverb seems to go along with that.

PROVERBS 24:1-22 [1] Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; [2] For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble. [3] By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; [4] And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. [5] A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. [6] For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory. [7] Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the gate. [8] One who plans to do evil, Men will call a schemer. [9] The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men. [10] If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited. [11] Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back. [12] If you say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work? [13] My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; [14] Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off. [15] Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place; [16] For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. [17] Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; [18] Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him. [19] Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked; [20] For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. [21] My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, [22] For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them? (NASB)

Proverbs 22

Two kinds of behavior will bring you to the attention of the king (read that powerful, influential people). One who is gracious in speech 11) and one who is skilled at his work (29).

This chapter has some oft quoted aphorisms. A good name is to be more desired than great riches (1). Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is one he will not depart from it (6).

Of the later I have great pride. We did a great job, with the help of God and many wonderful people, of raising our four children.

In contrast listening the lives and character of the men in prison, who are really trying to change, it saddens me. Most of them did not have nurturing childhoods. Yes, children have choices. Not all children from neglecting families turn out bad. There are many reason why parents are not successful in raising their children. Sometimes circumstances make things impossible. But some kids hardly have a chance.

The rest of the chapter give lots of good advice about how one can become successful in life and come to the attention of influential people and have a good name.

We are not to oppress the poor. We are not to borrow money unnecessarily. Once you are a borrower the lender has a control over you. He can make your life hard.

My commentator made a list:
1) Think ahead, be prudent (3)
2) Fear the Lord, and know yourself (4)
3) Do not walk with evil perverse people (5)
4) Train your children well (6, 15)
5) Calm your temper (8)
6) Be generous to those in need (9)
7) Stay away from those who criticize people (10)
8) What kind of people do you model yourself after? (11)
9) Don't be lazy (see #1) (13)

Ezekiel 22:23-31

This fits in with the proverbs chapters.

God will call down condemnation on his people because the leaders are oppressing the poor. Ezekiel says they are tearing them limb from limb, devouring them. He uses a illustration coming from the wild. This is how a predator eats, a lion for example. They had lions in Israel at this time. Shedding blood and destroying lives (27).

Four groups of oppressors are named: prophets, priests, princes, and people. All these groups take advantage of the poor. The poor specifically include: widows, poor, needy, foreigners. These people are powerless to protect themselves. So some take advantage of this and treat them unjustly.

Ezekiel says there is no one to protect them or even to pray to God for them. In Proverbs God says he will protect from oppressors if they call out to him. He will judge those and punish those who do the oppressing. And as a result of this God pronounces destruction on the land (30).

It is interesting that God pronounces judgment on the land too. Are the floods, drought, and earthquakes recently here in the USA a judgment from God? Has he pronounced destruction on the land?

How are we in this country oppressing the powerless? How can we stand in the gap before God for our country? How can we help? And by we I do not not mean let the government do it. I do not mean throw more money after it. How can we help?

How can we stand in the gap against the people, princes, prophets, and priests who are acting unjustly and oppressing the powerless? I certainly do not think we can expect politicians to do it for us.

EZEKIEL 22:23-31 [23] And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, [24] "Son of man, say to her, 'You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.' [25] There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her. [26] Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they hide their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. [27] Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. [28] Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD has not spoken. [29] The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice. [30] I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. [31] Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads," declares the Lord GOD. NASB

Proverbs 21

Two points (among many) in this chapter are repeated. So they stand out.

At the beginning and the end of the chapter the proverbs speak of making our plans. Yet God brings the result. A foolish, lazy man does not work and plan in order to keep his family provided for. He is likely to go hungry. But it is God who brings the results, the victory (31).

So we do all we can to prepare. But after all we are right to gratefully praise God when all goes well. Recently we have seen this in natural disasters all around us. Some unfortunate people are losing homes to fires, some to storms, tornadoes and hurricanes. These things are in the news. We feel sorry for those who lose everything. It could happen to us. We are grateful for God that it does not.

But its not just natural disasters. Circumstances can contrive to foil the best plans and not always because of our mistakes. I figure the best we can do is muddle through. That is how my dad saw it. We often are forced to make decisions with very incomplete information. If we overlook something that changes everything we take our losses and move forward. If things work out as we hoped, we are right to thank God for his goodness.

If we suffer set back God is still good. We survived with our lives. We can take no possessions with us. I feel sorry for those who lose precious keepsakes, pictures, and even important records.We just can use them while we are here.

Secondly the proverbs repeat that it would be better to live in very uncomfortable conditions than to live with a contentious woman. This could just as easily mean a contentious man. I resemble that I'm afraid. I am reminded of one poignant example many years ago of being considered a contentious man.

There are many areas of my life where I cannot control my tongue very well. I can think of at least one place where I seem to be able to hold it together and am not known as contentious. It is by God's grace. It feels good.

Being contentious involves speaking hastily and foolishly. Lord help us all to speak carefully and often less.

James also speaks of the tongue (1:19-21, 3:1-12) warning us to be wise in its use, for it is powerful beyond its size.

So obviously I am not the only one. But I am the only one I can possibly control, maybe.

Lord help me to be a lot better husband. Also help me to be a better businessman and not so contentious. Help me to work in a collegial manner, building up partners and making deals that allow gain for all sides.

9 - 11 sermons

I heard two good ones on Sunday.

First MP spoke of learning from the past and specifically used the 9-11-01 tragedy as an example.

People can learn the wrong things from the past. MP spoke of a man who had a successful yet unfulfilled career. The 9-11 tragedy got him to act on his dream to be a teacher. So he quit his job, got training, and ten years later he is still teaching.

But another man in the chaos of 9-11 called his wife at 8:37 AM to tell her he was all right. Ten years later every day at 8:37 he still calls his wife to tell her he is all right. It seems he is fixated in the past. He learned the wrong thing from 9-11.

Then MP generalized from 9-11. He used the illustration of a child learning to "pump" on a swing. To grow up you learn to go higher by yourself. You no longer need someone else to push you. You lean back on the back swing and push forward when coming forward. That makes you go higher.

In the same way we lean back (look back) to learn from the past in order to more strongly move forward. We learn from the past but we do not stay there.

In the evening, RC gave a sermon specifically remembering 9-11-01.

"Everyone remembers where they were on 9-11-01." He said this to us. I have heard it said repeatedly in the days coming up to Sunday. Yet it is not true for me. Truth be told I have it mixed up with the Challenger disaster in my memory. I have vivid memories of where I was when I heard about the Challenger blowing up with all those brave astronauts. Since Mission Control is in Houston it is closer to me. I know people who knew some of them. Perhaps that is why. I am not sure.

Pictures come to my mind and when I think of 9-11. But they are the memories of Challenger. Those same pictures come up. I have the two memories mixed up. I cannot truly say I remember sharing my feelings with others on 9-11. I have little memory of it at all.

Perhaps it is dissociated in my mind, if that is the right term. I did not spend a lot of time watching the towers fall over and over again. That was too much. It was painful and I did not want to deal with my emotions.

RC mentioned that many people came back to church after 9-11. The churches were filled. SJD was filled. I remember that too. He spoke of people getting single minded. We looked to God alone for comfort and help. We sought his love and support.

Yet this did not last. Soon we were back to being double minded again, wanting to love God but also wanting to take comfort from the sinful world. We wanted our distractions back. They tend to drown out God.

RC likened this to the Israelites who were single-mindedly grateful after God delivered them from the Egyptians miraculously through the Red Sea. Everyone praised God wholeheartedly. But soon the Israelites forgot. They were soon complaining about their situation. They had already forgotten God's great salvation for them.

Let us try to remember God's salvation and be truly grateful.

Mark 6:1-6a

Jesus is rejected by his hometown.

There has been debate over the years as to which gospel was written first. It is then assumed those coming after had knowledge of the first gospel and made alterations accordingly. Most people today see Mark as the first gospel. This sparse telling of the rejection was later added to and commented on by the other gospel writers.

But the early Christians thought Matthew was written first. The gospels were arranged in the Bible in the order they were thought to have been written. We have always agreed John was written last.

Anyway. I think most of us agree that it is hardest to convince our family of the goodness of God. Michael Green says it is because they know us too well.

Let us not grow weary of praying for the family members that need to know him. And thank God for those who do know Jesus. We ask that they continue to grow in righteousness before God.

MARK 6:1-6 [1] Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. [2]When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? [3]"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?" And they took offense at Him. [4]Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household." [5]And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. [6]And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching. NASB

Mark 5:35-43 - two healings

My commentator emphasizes the contrast between the synagogue official and the woman. The bleeding woman is ritually unclean. But she disregards this. She pushes through the crowd, making everyone she touches ritually unclean. They may not know it but it does not change the fact. When she touches Jesus she makes him ritually unclean. Yet the touch does not make him unclean, it does the opposite, it makes her clean! She knows she needs healing and she goes and gets it.

The official also knows he is desperate. Going to Jesus though has to be against all his prior prejudices. If he has shared his intent with anyone surely they tried to talk him out of it. Better to lose a daughter than to allow this upstart to gain a victory. The synagogue official also knows where he must go for healing. Yet his reticence is based on entirely different reasons than the woman.

Both could be embarrassed by going to Jesus for very different reasons. I think if we came to Jesus when we had needs with the intensity that these two people did, God would grant our petitions. But we are too proud. We ask timidly. We refuse to give full weight to our desperation for fear of looking foolish.

The commentator saw it much differently than I. He thought of Paul who asked three times to be loosed of a "thorn in the flesh" and God told him "no"(2 Cor. 12:7-10). It sounds like Paul did ask in desperation. In his desperation God gave him a direct answer. The answer was no. Of course this contradicts what I just wrote in the previous paragraph. Yes I agree. God's ways are not our ways. There is no logical rule.

Yet Paul received an answer. In response to our half-hearted requests we usually get silence. . "In a model response to a negative answer he put behind him the disappointment of not getting what he wanted and instead accepted what he got." (Phillip Yancey).

Paul heard God. The no was a blessing. In this case no is better than yes. God knows better than we do. In this case he explained it to Paul. I think we always have to accept no as God's will no matter how fully or how half-heartedly we ask. In the final analysis we petition God and he answers. I believe through Jesus Christ our mediator and advocate we get audience with God. God hears and answers. But the answer could be no. In fact it often seems to be no or at least not yes as we wanted. It may be wait. It may be God will answer in a different, better way.

It is important to keep asking in positive faith and not in bitterness.

MARK 5:35-43

[35]While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?" [36]But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." [37]And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. [38]They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. [39]And entering in, He said to them, "Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep." [40]They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child's father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was. [41]Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, "Talitha kum!" (which translated means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). [42]Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. [43]And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat.

Mark 5

Jesus travels over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and encounters the demoniac. When I traveled to Israel and worked on a Decapolis city archaeological dig this is the scripture I thought of.

This side is the Greek side. There are few Jews. Jesus thought he could get a rest over here, for himself and his disciples.

Gerasa is further north from where we were at Hippos. But both were Decapolis cities, proud of being modern, up to date, in the Greek/Roman style. Any Jewish people living there were quite hellenized.

I can imagine pigs living up at the top of a hill, Hippos is situated on a flat plateau at the top of a small mountain. As we face the sea there are steep slopes going down the sea. In some places it is more like a cliff. But the lake was higher everyone agrees. So if the water was right up against the hill then that would describe the account very well. The demons entered the pigs and the pigs ran down a steep cliff into the water.

But it happened further north. However the geography is pretty similar all along the eastern coast. The mountains rise quickly out of the sea. There is little coastline now and there must have been even less in Jesus' time.

So when I read this I think of the view from the top of Mt. Hippos/Sussita. (They both mean "horse" in different languages.

Mark 4 - Parables

Jesus spoke in parables. Is that so they would not know? I think that is an exaggeration. Jesus wanted them to have to work for their knowledge. When something comes too easily we take it for granted. We do not value it as much. Having to work for makes it more memorable.

Wisdom is free. But we must work for it. We must study, listen, make the time, ask dumb questions. The disciples were humble enough to admit they did not understand. They asked the dumb questions. Sometimes Jesus mildly berates them but he always answers their questions. I think that is what made them disciples, they asked.

If others had asked don't you think Jesus would have answered? The Pharisees asked, testing Jesus. Yet Jesus always gave them a good answer. Often it was difficult to understand. But if they took the time to unpack it, it was full of wisdom.

Jesus' parables were not impossible to understand. On the surface they were often interesting even funny stories. Yet with reflection the meaning was usually not difficult.

Jesus parables used illustrations drawn from every day life, experiences these men had had or knew about. For example the parable of the sower (4:3+) was familiar to those much closer to the land than we are. Many of us have never truly seen a farm much less worked on one. And seed planting is done differently now. So it might be harder for us. But still not impossible.

People then tended to find distractions to while away time just as we do today. We have our computers, TVs etc. We go to clubs, movies, sporting events. We keep our minds occupied and never consider God. Why are we here? What does it mean to be alive? What happens after death? If there is a God, what is his relation to me?

Jesus came to force these people to think about such things. People in all eras could get busy and concentrate only on the moment. Jesus insisted that people work for it, that they seek wisdom if they are to obtain it.

Jesus gave them tantalizing stories. He forced them to think about eternal things. Jesus let them know wisdom was available and desirable. But they had to do some work to get it. If wisdom comes too easily we will not appreciate its value.

God, through his Holy Spirit, seeks to get us to think now as well, to seek wisdom. Finding wisdom will give us true peace.

How can we be sure of our faith?

Week three of the new Alpha course. That is the title to the older session. Now it says How can we know our faith? I like the first title better. They have simplified it.

It is good to remember our faith is not based on our emotions. Some days we are down and feel less confident. But it is not based on faith but on facts. We chose Christ and God promises to keep that faith.

Nicky Gumbel always uses such great examples. One is faith look forward and feelings follow. When we continue to look forward at the facts we go straight. If we look back at the feelings we are likely to waiver from straight. And as we look at facts the "feelings follow".

I think of God's love. If I am down I can rehearse to myself perhaps out loud that God loves me. That is a fact. As I rehearse it the feeling that God loves me follows. So yes remember the facts and the feelings will come back.

We can be sure of our faith because of the Word of God, the Work of Jesus, and our Walk with the Holy Spirit. I love that Trinitarian example as well.