Rice bowl game in Fort Worth

DW and I went to Fort Worth for the bowl game versus Air Force. I mentioned several things to my children but I left out one important thing. WE WERE ON THE FRONT ROW. We were right in front of the offensive line group meeting. We could practically reach out and touch them. I imagine the coaches had to tame their speech because if they raised their voices we could hear them. So they mostly whispered. I tried not to eavesdrop but I did see the players sneak a look at us to see if we were listening. Amon Carter stadium on the TCU campus is a very old, very traditional stadium. Ninety percent of the seats are between the twenty yard lines. The stands are very close to the field. There is a very thin sideline. Amon Carter stadium was made in a time when football was a much simpler game played by a few players and a few coaches. There was no need for space for water girls, section meetings, remote headsets and TV cameras.

Which brings me to getting into the stadium. I assumed there would be parking. Well I left late thinking parking would be simple. I was trying to avoid being out in the freezing cold with nothing to do except wait. Well, that was a mistake. We did not get into our seats until the second quarter. First the access to the stadium is nil. We entered by a small road and Google maps recommended a small back way in which I did not see until I passed it. But many probably expected parking and got confused when they just got shunted through. We should have known when we got close to the zoo and saw a few people had parked there and were taking a walk down the same road we were on. They were going as fast as we were. We finally ended up driving past the stadium and after trying to find legal parking on campus we parked in the neighborhood several blocks away. We had a good 3/4 mile walk and on campus had to cross several vacant fields. TCU is a sprawling campus.

Imagine our surprise when we pulled out our tickets and found we were on row A. I was still in denial until I got to the seats. I thought we would be too low but not really. Sometimes the chain gang sticks blocked us a little but that was no problem. I enjoyed watching the official crew techniques and the chain crew as well. We were a section of Rice fans with the rest of the stadium a smattering of Air Force fans. We were at about the 30 yard line. When play was on our side the players crowded in front of us we could see them talking to one another. The coaches acted composed even after bad plays. I wondered if they would have actually so casual if we were not so close to them.

The Rice team dominated the line of scrimmage so it would have been a surprise if we had not won. We did 33-14 but the score remained close most of the time due to 5 or 6 fumbles in the first have and several errant passes in the second. There were enough great throws and runs to make it exciting and give us the victory. I heard a lady reporter on the radio say that "Rice thrashed Air Force 33-14". That about sums it up because of the domination at the line of scrimmage.

picking oranges

I went this morning to pick oranges on Coyle. A man was out raking the leaves out of the street gutters for his neighbors. When I said "Good morning!" He responded that is was a great morning. I agreed that it was a wonderful morning. I do not think he thought I said it enthusiastically enough so he repeated how great a morning it was.

Later when I was struggling to get the high oranges left on this tree he was whistling and humming Handel's Messiah, "And the glory the glory of the Lord, shall be revealed." When I mentioned I did not have any good gloves (mine all have holes) he gave me the gloves off his hands. They were old and mismatched but they did not have holes and they kept my frostbitten blue tipped fingers from getting worse as I walked home. When I got back my fingers were back to normal. God is blessing that man.

I got about twenty and while I was at it I knocked off the remaining pecans from my tree with my fruit picker. Mine are so big they actually stay in the basket. Cool.

Ancient Library of Qumran - Dr. Frank Cross

This is an older book, published 1958. Sometimes older is better. Lots of books have been written about the Dead Sea Scrolls. But Frank Moore Cross, Jr. is one of the best. He is willing to connect these scrolls with the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. He understands the Bible, both as a witness for archaeology and also as a statement of God's witness to his people.

What I truly love about this book is that he is willing to give opinions, and of course then defend them convincingly. So many people want to say "No one knows." etc. He tells us that the sectarian commentaries are using prophets, such as Habakkuk to refer to specific people existing at that time. They are not allegorical, they they are allusions. If you have read at all about this you have heard about the Teacher of Righteousness. He did really exist, probably one of the founders of the Essenes. But the monikers of the Wicked Priest, Wrathful Lion, the Prince of Darkness, and more, these all refer to actual living people, most of whom are know from the books of the Maccabees. The Essenes saw them differently than the Maccabees did. The Essenes felt these men were perverting the truth, taking power upon themselves that they should not have and compromising with the gentile rulers. Anyway I find this very enlightening. Even of some of his opinions might be wrong, like I said at least he is giving us a place to start rather than refusing to risk being wrong. Cross was a giant in the field.

In the last few chapters he discusses how the Essenes and the early church were very similar in political structure and in some beliefs. The early church and the Essenes both believed in a quick return of the Messiah. They both believed in sharing things in common. Both had a high view of baptism. Of course there were many differences. But again I think he makes a good case for the Essene movement having a large influence on the early Jewish Christian church.

I find it fascinating too that he feels several of Jesus' teaching may be addressing bad things in the Essene movement, as Jesus knew many of his followers prized this group. For example Jesus spoke several times about not being concerned for rank and positions. The Essenes were very concerned with rank and authority in their organization. Jesus wanted his followers to not be like this. In some places Jesus spoke specifically of Pharisees but in other times, like when James and John asked to have the positions at his left and right, it was not about the Pharisees at all. He could have been criticizing the Essene proclivities.

Anyway, it is a good book, I recommend it.

Psalm 16

The commentator speaks of Bucket Lists disparagingly and says that David does not need one because "The LORD is the portion of my cup and inheritance. God does support my lot." Psalm 16:5.

I have spoken a little of bucket lists. I do seek joy and pleasure and peace, perhaps too much. I do not let God be my portion and cup as much as I should. I endeavored to spend more time talking to God this advent, have more than one quiet time a day. I started out doing it but pursuit of pleasure has distracted me.

After listening to a MP sermon my other resolution was to have a less stressed Advent. That mainly means to me that I resist anger and stay away from worry and impatience. I was not going to do Christmas cards. But later I decided to try to do that without getting angry. I have done that so far, they are mostly done. But I suspect those around me do not know how to act. When I ask them to help they mostly demure, waiting to be forced. So I am doing them mostly by myself. Well, I have plenty of time. Oh instead of a newsletter, which brings stress, I have decided to enclose a sheet of 2012 pictures. This has been a good success. I put a word document on a thumb drive and go to fed-ex/kinkos to make color copies. It looks good. Perhaps we will put together a newsletter later and email it.

There have been more parties than usual (1). And of course the season is not over. So far I have had three caroling events and we hope to do one more in the neighborhood. One daughter has back out because of a commitment. I tried not to get angry. I have tried to keep peaceful. I have tried to be joyful too.

David had lots of external stresses. But he tried to remain calm and seek refuge in God. He has taken counsel. He has been instructed while he sleeps (16:7). He has kept his heart glad. He has found pleasure (and joy) in God's presence. (16:11). Let us all seek to do the same, find pleasure more in God's presence and less in Bucket Lists.

minutae about Luke 15, parables of lost things

God's joy is in ransoming us, loving us, keeping us, possessing us, dwelling with us, and finally taking us to be with him forever.

^ Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. ^ Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." ^ So He told them this parable, saying, ^ "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? ^ When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ^ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' ^ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. ^ "Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? ^ When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!' ^ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

I am impressed by the fact that one parable is aimed at women and one at men. Jesus was interested equally in both sexes. He did respect and love women equally with men. And yet they complement each other. Both are important for all people.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus

I am reading a lot of notes, and hearing sermons that touch on Jesus' second coming. He will come again in great glory and power. Some speak of the Rapture but of that my theology is not that clear. But Jesus will come again to take his saints, those he has saved.

In truth I have mixed feelings. I like a lot of things about this world. I like playing games. I like reading. I like football. Will we have those things in heaven? My Father Wounding issues cause me to have problems trusting fathers and God the Father is no different. Still, in faith, I can cry Come Lord Jesus! And in faith I know what is to come will be infinitely better than what we have here. Jesus has promised us a reward in heaven, a reward all I had to do is believe in. I believe Jesus came in flesh, was God in the flesh. He died for my sins and was resurrected on the third and now sits with God in heaven.

I believe. But I do not even trust that belief because I know it is so frail. I trust God is bigger than even my lack of faith. It is he who save me.

I read Luke 21:28 recently in a message I gave, "Look up! And lift your heads, for your redemption is coming to you." All those before us have also cried "Come Lord Jesus!" and they have gone to their reward. For two thousand believers have believed and waited for his return.

In the mean time we call each other to live holy lives, to resist temptation. I think of Reverend Larry Hall and his exemplary life, dare I even say holy life? I say he has been a witness in his church and his example has helped many to be encouraged.

I too am admonished to live a holy life, resisting temptation that I can so easily fall into. You too are admonished to live holy lives, different from those in the mainstream culture around us. Because I do not know who will be encouraged, and neither do you by you witness. Hopefully my family will be encouraged. You have loved ones who need to see a life lived well, holy unto God.

shoflifter shot fleeing

This seems to have been a one day story. A woman was shot while obviously shoplifting with two other women. She was chased by a Sheriff's deputy working as a security guard. He was attempting to arrest them and they were attempting to flee in a car.

This woman's mother was quoting as saying she did not deserve to die for such a small thing. My question to you is is she right?

I would submit to you is the mother is wrong. She took the risk, this was not her first time. She has priors. The story is she tried to run over the law officer and he fired to protect himself. But even without that he has the right to use whatever force he needed to in order to stop her.

She took the risk. She assumed he would not shoot because the theft "was so small". But I think if we decide that people can be scofflaws what is the world coming to? We all pay for the stealing going on, which increases greatly during the Christmas season. If we do not pay for it them the company goes out of business.

On a related note I understand that after the power outage in NYC there was quit of bit of looting. Did the police stand by and allow it? If so shame on them. Shooting a few of those thieves would be a deterrent to others. Breaking in and looting stores is going to ruin many store owners who have spent their lives building this business and helping society by fulfilling a need and paying taxes. Don't these people count? Why should a bunch of thieves count more than hard working middle class shop owners. I say shops should be defended. It is wrong for the police to allow laws to be broken in such a flagrant manner.

Jeremiah at end (chapter 51)

Jeremiah's last prophesies are aimed at encouraging Israel. It is violent and bloody but so have the previous years. We have to understand the time. In chapter 51, Jeremiah sends a scroll to Babylon with a scribe going with the conquered king, King Zedekiah. I think Zedekiah had the horrible experience of watching his sons killed and then being blinded. What a painful ordeal! Then he is allowed to live as a living sign of Nebuchadnezzar's victory and Israel's utter defeat.

In this horrible time for God's people God sends Jeremiah to encourage. His work tell that Babylon, the city that seems so powerful, so dominating, will soon be overthrown. And at its destruction it will never rise again.

A scribe is given a scroll to be read in Babylon to the people who are exiled there. Then Jeremiah instructs that the scroll be weighed down and thrown into the Euphrates as a sign. Just as the scroll sinks, never to rise again, so Babylon will sink, never to risk again. Jeremiah is pronouncing God's judgment on Babylon, as he pronounced judgment on Israel.

In contrast God's chosen people have been beaten and many killed. But the remnant will rise again. God is not defeated. He has had his hand in all this, to punish Israel. But God is not defeated. He is still alive and still their God, even though they are not in the promised land.

God is not a god fixed in a certain place. He is the God of the whole world, the whole universe. He has been hard on Israel but he will be merciful again. His judgement is not forever.

Advent

Yesterday, the first Sunday in Advent, MP spoke about spending more time with God.  Just being quiet, less time with other things, less money on things that do not satisfy.  I am going to shake a stick and try to do it, today anyway.  When I get quiet though I get sleepy.  But for at least an hour on Sunday, after the football game and before going to evening church service.  I did fall asleep for a time during that hour.

Sunday morning after the 9 AM service at Brighton Home one of the ladies said, when asked how she was doing said, "I am just sitting here enjoying it."  Nothing to do.  No agenda.  I think that is what MP was suggesting.  Can I handle that?

At the evening service MF spoke on a similar thing, forgetting lessor things and sticking to the most important thing.  He listed several things that were not as important.  After all it is Advent.  It is to be expected that the sermons will be on waiting on God.

The scriptures spoke a lot of Jesus second coming, he coming back in power.  The earth will change. The gospel said, when you see those days are near, straighten up you back.  Be in anticipation.  Be proud, your vindication is near!

So as MF emphasized, be on the alert, do not think about less important things.  Be eager for the most important.