Sunday morning and I got in a good walk. When I walk I feel like I own Houston, or at least the places where I get to go. Slowly walking I can take in details. In fact each time I got the same way I see new things. I went over two bridges. From the top of each bridge I had a grand view. From afar I can see the downtown buildings. Facing another way I can see what appear to be manufacturing buildings. I can see a coffee factory. I know that place. Then there are the tops of warehouses and distribution companies. I see parked trucks. I even see some parked train cars. Over one bridge I can see down into a company filled with piles of dirt, sand, crushed concrete etc. There is a tower advertising asphalt. Here there were train cars filled with what looked like sand on a side track. Even though it is a Sunday morning I can hear sounds of activity. Not a lot but some. I hear clanging and trucks moving. Sometimes I hear the beeping of a truck moving backwards. But I really see no one and rarely see movement.

At the top of a bridge I feel on top of the world. I get a feeling of security. Perhaps it is the high from light exercise.

There are still mulberries on the Lockwood bridge over the ship channel. Even though I was late getting home I stopped and picked a couple of cups of berries. There a still quite a few unripe red berries left on the two trees. But perhaps these will never ripen. I'm not sure. Maybe I'll make another mulberry/strawberry pie.

It is windy today and still pretty cool out. Yet I am sweating profusely. The humidity is back up. Summer is close now. The Chinese tallow trees are in tassel. Pretty soon they will blooming and sending off that musky fragrance. There is only a little spring left.

Consecrations

In Exodus 28 we move from description of the altar and related things to the description of the vestments, the garments that the priests would wear. Again MEGO (my eyes glaze over) as I read and try to comprehend all the detail. God describes in great detail several garments: their color and ornamentation. Repeatedly we read that is must be fine linen. So I understand that to imply the finest possible cloth. It seems the hems of one garment will be adorned alternatively with gold bells and pomegranates of either scarlet, purple, or blue. I get a good picture there and it sounds fantastic!

Exodus 28:42 describes breeches next to the skin. Are we talking underwear here? Even the underwear is described. I notice that when they are finally vested in from of the Tent of Meeting, they disrobe but the "breeches" are not mentioned. I take it that for modesty's sake Aaron and his sons keep the underwear on during their formal robing.

The priests, Aaron and his sons must be properly vested in these special garments when they enter the Tent of Meeting or they might die (28:43). These garments have extensive symbolism.

If I was a tailor trying to create these garments I would have pretty good ideas of how to start. But I am not sure what an ephod is. Nor do I know what a breast-piece is. But I am sure they did.

In Exodus 29 the consecration of the altars and the priests is described, again in mind numbing detail. Everything is symbolic and underscores God's great holiness and majesty. The commentator rightly sees the contrast to the present. People have taken the symbolism out of many consecrations. I tend to sympathize with the modern tendency. I would like to dispense with all the symbolism and just lay hands and pray for people. Mental asset ought to be enough. But I can see I am wrong.

I am encouraged that I need to accept more symbolism in sacred rites. The visual and the physical help to make the service memorable. It helps to keep it in the mind of the one prayed for and for those who participate as onlookers. Perhaps it really does add to God's involvement too but of that I am still not convinced.

Each time I read through this part of Exodus a different part jumps out at me. Each time I read it I think I am seeing it for the first time. This time I see the part where Aaron and his sons are touch with the blood of the ram on the right ear, the right thumb, and the right big toe of each man (29:20). Then some of this same blood, mixed with sacred oil, is sprinkled on their sacred garments as they wear them. Detail: Does mixing the blood with oil make them more easily washable?

Anyway that is what I looked at. The symbolism is sort of obvious. Well perhaps some of it. I may think of it later. Right now I am simply overwhelmed by the detail or the ritual.

Altars

I was thinking about O.T. altars. First of all they had horns on the four corners. It was an altar shaped in a square. Altars were recessed in the middle because animals were burned in the middle. We see altars in churches. They are of course very different. We forget that altars were originally for sacrificing animals. Now when we think of sacrifice we think of giving money, the plate or the hat being passed. We also think of the sacrifice of time.

But in O.T. times an altar was associated mostly with sacrificing of animals. Oils and grains were also burnt as sacrifices. But mostly we think of sheep, goats, and the like. It's blood was poured out and collected.

Exodus 27:1-8 discussed the design of a new altar. Even this roving troop needed an altar. God, through Moses, describes all the utensils associated with an altar and sacrifice. I have seen the remains of an altar of stone like this, all one piece with the horn sticking out. Why do these altars have those horns? They are shaped like the horns of a goat or a deer. To me it is associated with the violence of sacrifice.

The O.T. altar described in Exodus is square. All Christian altars have rectangular tops. Christian altars are a far cry from this O.T. altar that is meant to be used for animal sacrifice. Altars today are mostly used to read from. If we think of it, the altar is meant to remind us that Jesus is our sacrifice. His altar was a cross.

Anything good can be taken to evil extremes. God allowed animal sacrifice of animals that the Israelites were allowed to eat. God never meant us to sacrifice humans. But many of the surrounding tribes did practice human sacrifice on these same kinds of altars. This altar shape was not unique to Israel. But this one was meant to be a practice sign of the worship of God. Today we worship by giving money and time. In those days we showed God his worth to us by giving up a perfect, unblemished animal to show our allegiance.

Building the tabernacle - Exodus 26

I am reading about the building of the tabernacle in Exodus 26. Again I marvel at the detail God went into. It is very detailed with lots of term I do not really understand. I can get some of the proportions but only vaguely. I see that God expected only the best materials to be used in his house. There is acacia wood and gold. There is goat's thread and porpoise skin. Only the best will do. (How do desert dwellers get porpoise skin?) The colors are bright and bold - blue, purple, scarlet, and red.

God calls upon skillful craftsmen to do the work. These people were only recently slaves. We are told their job was to make bricks and build monumental buildings and tombs. So who were these craftsmen? I wonder if they were using gifts God gave them especially for this occasion. Were they self taught? But I guess any large community like the Israeli slaves would still have need for these kinds of skills. Even slaves love beauty and well built houses.

God goes into great details on the dimensions and how everything is connected together so that it will be strong. My translation uses terms like loops, tenons, rings, sockets. There is great organization. It is well built. I do not understand these terms at all, really. I am not a skilled craftsman.

26:30 mentions a plan God gave Moses earlier for this tabernacle - tent of meeting. Good a picture, a diagram, something like a blueprint. These is some kind of visual to go on. All this description would not be sufficient for me. God spares no effort to reveal his plan for this building.

Likewise God wants to reveal himself to us. This will be God's dwelling place with his people. This tent will show God's grandeur. He is a great God who deigns to be the leader of a lowly people. But God has plans for them, detailed plans. They will be a great nation. if they will be his people, he will be their God.

So it is with us. God wants to be our God if we want to be his servant.

Malachi

Malachi is praising the righteous while almost in the same breath criticizing (and cursing) the wicked. Chapter 4 is a good example in this short book.

When one teaches a class you find if you criticize the whole class for being lazy the ones who are working hard, not your target audience, are the ones most closely listening and likely to take it personally. As one who has taught (long, long ago) I remember this well. You have to make it clear that you are not speaking to all or at least one child will cry out, "Do you mean me Mr. Baker?" Now sometimes they are fishing for a compliment but other times the child is truly afraid he/she is failing and not working hard enough.

Malachi gives the promises of God's eternal blessing. He will restore his people. He will restore their hearts, or he will send a curse.

The ones who seriously look for God, who try to please God will take seriously the admonition and try harder. The ones who scoff, who Malachi is trying to reach, most of them are not listening and do not honor God. They are the ones that will eventually be cursed.

Ministry to the sick

I am brought up short by the obvious, written by James F. White.

Healing is closely linked to forgiveness of sins. I person who wishes healing should also confess his sins and receive forgiveness. God is perhaps more interested in that than in the physical healing. We are often more interested in the physical because no one likes to be in discomfort.

He also speaks of anointing with oil. This is a Biblical rite. James says that the elders and ministers (presbyters) should go to the sick and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.

As an appointed healing prayer minister I need to avail myself of the oil for anointing more than I do, which is never.

Hippolytus, in the third century, speaks of oil being blessed by the minister and being drunk as well as used for external anointing. Sarapion says it was customary for people to bring oil from home to be used as an outward sign used in healing. The oil would be blessed and then people would drink it and anoint themselves for healing.

Initiation into the body of Christ

Most Christians call it baptism. It is the rite of initiation into membership in Christ's body. Some people say it is irrevocable. Some say you can deny it later either by speaking the denial or by acting in a way that shows you do not take it seriously.

James White in his book Introduction to Christian Worship (pp. 189-192) states the Bible gives five major metaphors used in conjunction with baptism.

1. Union with Christ (Romans 6:3-4) "Have you forgotten that when we were baptized into union with Christ Jesus we were baptized into his death? By baptism we were buried with him and lay dead, in order that, as Christ was raised from the dead in the splendor of the Father, so also we might set our feet upon the new path of life."

2. Secondly we are brought into the church. We become members by baptism. (1 Corinthians 12:13) "'For indeed,' Paul says, "we were all brought into one body by baptism in one Spirit.'" In Galatians 3:27-28 Paul uses both of these images, we are in union with Christ and all made equal together, no more divisions such as Jew and Greek, male and female, slave and free man. As we enter together into the church earthly divisions become secondary.

3. Thirdly baptism is a new birth, out of the womb, arising out of the water a new person. Jesus told Nicodemus "No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the spirit." This image has been incorporated into the baptismal rite.

4. Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. We are washing clean. The water is a physical metaphor for a spiritual cleansing. Ananias states to Saul (Paul) in Acts 22:16 "Be baptized at once, with invocation of his name, and wash away your sins." 1 Peter 3:21 and Hebrews 10:22 speak of an outward washing and an inward cleaning. Acts 2:38 states clearly "repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins."

5. Lastly baptism is where the Holy Spirit is given to the new convert. Some suggest that a separate rite should be used for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. In some services the Holy Spirit is given as a separate part after baptism with water. Acts 2:38 continues "and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit." I think the baptized Christian is given the gift of the Holy Spirit. God said he would go away so that he could send the Comforter. The disciples in the upper room that first received it did not receive water baptism, just the Holy Spirit. I have little problem with a separate rite if you want. But a Christian need only ask God in his closet and God will send the Holy Spirit and renew you again and again whenever you ask. This is a good gift of God, who wants to keep giving it.

White tells us there are other minor metaphors but these are five major ones. Can anyone think of any other Biblical metaphors associated with baptism?

I'm Satisfied

I was listening to a preacher the other night speaking on greed. He got off on how greed is what is killing our country. Well yeah.

In conclusion he encouraged his listeners to be satisfied. Be satisfied with what you have. If you have enough to eat, a sufficient house, good clothes, a car, why get greedy for more? You have enough.

I hope I am that. For the most part I am satisfied with what I have. And why not? I have everything I need and most everything I want.

I still live in the second house that we bought when we first got married. Some think this is a bad neighborhood. Some might think a newer house would be better. When we had four younger children we did move next door to a bigger house when it conveniently became available. Now that they are gone I'd like a smaller house. But I like the neighborhood. It is close to downtown. Funny. We are starting to have younger couples with kids moving back in. That is wonderful.

I see people with newer cars or larger beautiful houses and I wonder how it would be to buy a better car or house. But mostly I am just glad for them. I am satisfied with this house and for now with my older car. Someday I will get a newer car. DW's new car has a wonderful music system. I love that I can plug in a USB drive and play the music recorded on them. That is so cool. I have the "I wants" for that music system. It beats my cassette deck and broken CD player. But I can live without it for now. I'm good.

As I walk around the neighborhood I marvel at the houses with things I would like, three stories, balconies that go around the corner, round towers, big picture windows, beautiful entryways. I admire them and revel in them vicariously. But that's enough. I am satisfied with what I have and to admire the wonderful things that others have.

Springtime!

The jasmine are so beautiful right now. They smell wonderful. I see them in several places as I walk.

The loquat trees are very ripe. In fact on a lot of trees they are rotting. No one knows how to use them. I looked online and most advertized recipe sites are blank about loquats. I could easily pick some but what would I do with them. And I am scared to eat one. I know, why?
But it amazes me. I have not seen loquats on these for a while. The loquat trees are full of fruit.

I was worried about my pecan tree. But now it is budding out nicely. It looks back to normal after being "weed and feeded" about four years ago. Boy did I chew out my yard crew guy about that. I would never have approved that.

Lots of flowers around. Honey flow has not started yet. No chinese tallow yet.

Introduction to Christian Worship by James F. White

I am slowly reading through Introduction of Christian Worship. He writes well but non-fiction is slow going.

I really like what he says about the sacraments.

I am going to summarize a little.

The number of sacraments is indeterminate. This is because a sacrament is anything God uses to reveal himself to us and work in our lives. There are not just seven as the Catholics say nor two as more Protestants say.

God is actively working through the sacraments to make changes in us. We experience the sacraments emotionally as well as mentally. Our whole being in involved. Sacraments are not just ways of remembering the past. So communion is not just a remembrance. God comes to us when we partake of communion.

We can probably think of person ways God touched us through a physical action. That can be a sacrament for us.

The sacraments are a third testament. It is another way to knowing God's self giving. The Old and New Testaments tell of God's giving to us in the past. In these writings God shows how he has given to us humans in the past. We learn of him nature. He reveals himself. It is also true in sacraments. He reveals himself, he gives himself. When he touches us he expects that touch to make a change.

I'm not doing White's discussion justice. But I wanted to try.

King Rat a book by James Clavell

I just finished King Rat. We older folk may remember a movie of that same name. George Segal deftly plays a POW camp black marketer named King. That's his last name. No one calls him by his first name and king becomes more of a title. He is hated and respected by all in the camp. Many are beholden to him for his selling things so they can buy stuff to keep themselves alive. Others are his flunkies and therefore also get benefits. Still everyone is jealous and hates him. He extols in their hated. The POW commanders try to catch him, some more than others. But he and his underlings keep him free.

The book is told through the eyes of Peter Marlowe, a British officer who King befriends when he finds he can speak the language. We learn, through his thinking, more about him than we ever do King. King is an American. The camp, set in the Far East, Philippines I think, has Americans, British, and Australians. They all live in separate areas.

Clavell is very interested also in the different perceptions when the war ends and they are liberated. The remaining men are skin and bones. The Japanese never gave them clothes so many, after three years, are pretty much naked all the time. Yet this is all the POW's know. They have grown used to their private hell. Outsiders coming in after all this time see animals. The soon to be free men wonder why they stare at them and get angry.

The book is a little depressing.

King is an American. Unlike anyone else there he has no place to go back to. He comes from a low class abusive home. For him this is the best time of his life and he really does not want it to end. That is horrible to admit and he really does not admit it to himself. But Marlowe sees it before they part for good. When he rides off in the truck with the other Americans heading home he is no longer king, he's just another man. In fact he is the worst of all the men.

Good Friday

Luke 23: [39]One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" [40]But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? [41]"And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." [42]And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" [43]And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

In Luke's version of the crucifixion one of the robbers is saved because he pleaded "remember me". This plea is found on many gravestones from this period. I can identify. How soon after we are dead are we forgotten? How soon we forget that go before us?

Jesus did promise to remember this man. He promised he would be rewarded. He was rewarded because the man defended Jesus with his last breaths. The robber sort of acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah. Perhaps the thief only had a very incomplete idea of who Jesus was. We too are limited in our understanding and our faith.

Perhaps by telling this story, not in any other versions, Luke wanted to underscore the offensiveness of salvation. We wonder at this near death conversion. Is this right? This man was a robber, perhaps a murderer. He had done nothing before now to deserve salvation. What he did was ask.

Luke wants his readers to know salvation is given freely, for the asking. We do not deserve it. We need not, no we really cannot truly understand what we are saying or who we are addressing. Jesus knew paradise, we do not really. We know we will be with Jesus, like this man. God's gift is just too mind boggling.

We can know Jesus has saved us on the cross. Easter night our worship group will sing a song called, "He Loved Me With a Cross". It is an awkward expression. It is purposely meant to be awkward. It is hard to really understand.

We, by faith, accept our gift. We rightfully respond by giving thanks and worship to the the great God who is infinitely compassionate.

Luke 22: 14-16

"When the time came, Jesus and the apostles were setting at the table. He said to them, 'I want very much to eat this passover meal with you before I die.' I will never eat another passover meal until it is given its true meaning in the kingdom of God."

This translation is called New Century (NCV). There is a lot of interpretation put into the translations.

Nevertheless it is a great turn of phrase. It is not a new meaning, but the true meaning. I think true does imply new.

The normal translation is that the passover is fulfilled. The Greek uses the strongest possibly expression to emphasize Jesus' emphatic statement.

Jesus was saying he would never do this again. And it's important because he is going to do something that changes the meaning of passover forever. He is the true paschal (passover) lamb. The passover was a sign of remembrance to the Jews. It would now get a greater meaning, a more important meaning. Now the sacrifice that saved the Israelites from the Angel of Death has been fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus is the sacrifice that saves us all too, not just Israelites but people from every tribe and nation.

Jesus saves us from our sins. He saved everyone, those who accept his salvation and those who chose not to accept it. Jesus' sacrifice covers all our sins, past present and future. Yet we must accept this salvation. It is free but we must choose it.

I love you Lord for your great gift to me, to all. Thank you very much. We worship you. We remember what you did on Maundy Thursday, today. And we celebrate on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.