I have tried to communicate this before. Because I am not satisfied with previous attempts, I'll try again.
Jonah is a strong indictment of Israel's unwillingness, hardheartedness. And yet in a later generation they were also honest enough to put this short book into their canon. It was considered inspired.
There are some very self deprecatory books in the Old Testament. Job and Jonah are included in the set of very unique books.
Isaiah has some amazing passages that described a suffering servant that would come for all men. Yet when Jesus came, God was doing something so different that the Jews who lived at the time could not accept him. God was doing a new thing yet Isaiah and other books predicted it. Often predictions do not make sense until they happen but when Jesus came and then died the Jews should have been able to recognize him. Yet the fact that Jesus came fro all men was a large stumbling block for the Jews. They just could not accept that.
Yet when the Good News was accepted by those who were not Jews this did not get the Jewish leaders to reconsider. But many individuals did repent and believe in Jesus. Even more Jews initially were convinced but then recanted under pressure from their leaders. How sad for them. Yet Jesus predicted this too.
Unlike Jonah, who the leaders accepted later. Unlike Isaiah that was read at many Sabbaths, speaking of a man to come who was a lot like Jesus, the leaders never reconsidered.
Paul prophesied that the Jews would later accept Jesus. Revelation speaks of Jews who will come back to God in the end. So continue to pray for the Jews to accept Jesus.
If you know Jews you can tell them Jesus was a Jew, he came to the Jews first. His time was predicted. He is the Jesus Messiah. You don't have to beat it to death. But he was the Jewish messiah. He died for their sins too.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thanksgiving walk - bad teeth
I walked as about as fast as I could at the Turkey Trot in the Galleria. I slow jogged about 15 minutes of the 98 minutes on the 10k course.
But after looking at previous results I see that my rate has been about the same for a couple of years. I think I pretty much left in all on the course. Yet I ended up about 16 minutes per mile and finished pretty close to last. I was amongst a group of younger people who were simply strolling at an easy pace for them. But I worked pretty hard at it.
I scored some bananas and apples and quite a few "Chew" bars for later. Cool.
Bad teeth. I was born with a lot of good genes. I have a strong heart. Cancer is not a family problem. Most everything else is genetically strong. But for some reason I was born with awful teeth. No one else in my family has such weak teeth. But as a child I had multiple cavities each year. Several teeth had more than one cavity. I had frequent dental appointments and it was just awful. My doctor was a popular children's dentist. I think he did all he could. He was a Christian I realize in retrospect.
As a young man they seemed OK so I let them go. Now I am paying the price for all those cavities. I know I look funny and everything I eat leaves me with stuff between my teeth. I have had pulled quite a few of the cavity filled teeth that eventually died and feel apart. The other teeth have shifted apart. I am using a toothbrushes a lot. We need to get new water pick.
I imagine that I could "fix" them. But it would take several thousand dollars and probably much discomfort. So I am not likely to go full bore. But I have seen my old dentist a few times and I need to make an appointment to see him again about a second tooth. It's going to be a gradual fix.
But when I see the people who go in and out of the clinic next to door to my office I know I have it very good. These people are in very sad shape. They are much more to be pitied than I am. So far my problem teeth are an annoyance, nothing more.
But after looking at previous results I see that my rate has been about the same for a couple of years. I think I pretty much left in all on the course. Yet I ended up about 16 minutes per mile and finished pretty close to last. I was amongst a group of younger people who were simply strolling at an easy pace for them. But I worked pretty hard at it.
I scored some bananas and apples and quite a few "Chew" bars for later. Cool.
Bad teeth. I was born with a lot of good genes. I have a strong heart. Cancer is not a family problem. Most everything else is genetically strong. But for some reason I was born with awful teeth. No one else in my family has such weak teeth. But as a child I had multiple cavities each year. Several teeth had more than one cavity. I had frequent dental appointments and it was just awful. My doctor was a popular children's dentist. I think he did all he could. He was a Christian I realize in retrospect.
As a young man they seemed OK so I let them go. Now I am paying the price for all those cavities. I know I look funny and everything I eat leaves me with stuff between my teeth. I have had pulled quite a few of the cavity filled teeth that eventually died and feel apart. The other teeth have shifted apart. I am using a toothbrushes a lot. We need to get new water pick.
I imagine that I could "fix" them. But it would take several thousand dollars and probably much discomfort. So I am not likely to go full bore. But I have seen my old dentist a few times and I need to make an appointment to see him again about a second tooth. It's going to be a gradual fix.
But when I see the people who go in and out of the clinic next to door to my office I know I have it very good. These people are in very sad shape. They are much more to be pitied than I am. So far my problem teeth are an annoyance, nothing more.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Bullying
Do we have to tell people bullying is bad? Bullying is being linked to being gay.
Heck I've never been gay but I was bullied. Bullying is not exclusively a gay thing. In fact gay bullying is actually a very small segment of the bullying that goes on in schools.
I have probably pretty much pushed down the memories of the bully in elementary school. He picked on me I guess because I walked home. I was vulnerable. There were some very terrifying times. I may have told my mom I don't remember. She probably thought it was a boy thing and I would work it out. I'm not sure how it ended. He probably finally moved away.
Bullying is not just about being gay. But no gay people should be left alone, even if you do not think it is a normal lifestyle.
Heck I've never been gay but I was bullied. Bullying is not exclusively a gay thing. In fact gay bullying is actually a very small segment of the bullying that goes on in schools.
I have probably pretty much pushed down the memories of the bully in elementary school. He picked on me I guess because I walked home. I was vulnerable. There were some very terrifying times. I may have told my mom I don't remember. She probably thought it was a boy thing and I would work it out. I'm not sure how it ended. He probably finally moved away.
Bullying is not just about being gay. But no gay people should be left alone, even if you do not think it is a normal lifestyle.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Faith Hope and Love
I love pithy over generalizations:
Faith Hope and Love -
1. Paul in the Epistle to the Galatians represents Faith
2. Peter in First Peter represents Hope
3. John in First John represents Love
1. Paul is especially appreciated by modern Protestants
2. Peter as the first Pope is revered by Roman Catholics
3. John has a special place among Eastern Orthodox Christians for his emphasis on the spiritual and mystical quality of our faith.
We can associate faith hope and love with past, future and present.
1. Faith is what we anchor our commitment, we are justified by faith.
2. The future s exemplified by hope. We hope that our God, who has begun a good work it us will bring it to completion at the second coming of Christ Jesus.
3. Love is in the present. We love by sharing the good news. Love is of God, God is love. God acts in the present in his loving character.
Paul tells the Corinthians that these three values are primary, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have fully understood. So faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:12-13.
Taken from Bruce Metzger, Apostolic Letters of Faith Hope and Love Amazon link
Faith Hope and Love -
1. Paul in the Epistle to the Galatians represents Faith
2. Peter in First Peter represents Hope
3. John in First John represents Love
1. Paul is especially appreciated by modern Protestants
2. Peter as the first Pope is revered by Roman Catholics
3. John has a special place among Eastern Orthodox Christians for his emphasis on the spiritual and mystical quality of our faith.
We can associate faith hope and love with past, future and present.
1. Faith is what we anchor our commitment, we are justified by faith.
2. The future s exemplified by hope. We hope that our God, who has begun a good work it us will bring it to completion at the second coming of Christ Jesus.
3. Love is in the present. We love by sharing the good news. Love is of God, God is love. God acts in the present in his loving character.
Paul tells the Corinthians that these three values are primary, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have fully understood. So faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:12-13.
Taken from Bruce Metzger, Apostolic Letters of Faith Hope and Love Amazon link
Special services
We at Celebration will do a special song for the Offertory next week celebrating the start of Advent. It is called Midnight Cry. You can hear one version on the former link. Here is a link to the lyrics. This is one of the wonderful anthems we do during the year.
The service starts at 6:00 PM St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks at Westheimer. The anthem will start approximately 6:35 PM. Make a special point to come and enjoy this and the worship service.
Additionally our Lessons and Carols Celebration of Christmas will be December 19, the Sunday before Christmas. Come and get in the Christmas spirit with us. Ours is different than the orders I see online. It outlines the life of Jesus.
The service starts at 6:00 PM St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks at Westheimer. The anthem will start approximately 6:35 PM. Make a special point to come and enjoy this and the worship service.
Additionally our Lessons and Carols Celebration of Christmas will be December 19, the Sunday before Christmas. Come and get in the Christmas spirit with us. Ours is different than the orders I see online. It outlines the life of Jesus.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Rice vs.ECU
I'll make this short.
Saturday the Rice Owls played well and IMO ECU looked like they were not in the game. Rice scored nine touchdowns and "only" gave up five. So they won. They had a great concept and broke many tackles. They looked much faster than the ECU team.
But DW was more excited than I was. This is too little too late in the season. It's too late to have a winning record. It is too late to go to a bowl.
I plan to be spoiled, to expect that at least we will be in contention for a bowl each year. I do not think that is too much to ask in the secondary conference we are in.
But this team has been lackluster all year.
In this game coach found a unique plan for offense. He has also eliminated many players who do not want to do what it takes to win, like catch passes or block or learn the plays. We are down to several true freshman who are contributing.
You have give the coach credit for recruiting these guys and not giving up on the season. But it is too late to actually play meaningful games.
DW was wondering why I was not happy about how well the team played. I just could not help thinking "what if". This team, like many other teams, had the talent to win, to go to a bowl. But many players did not care enough to try hard enough.
So I find mixed with some excitement about the game win and the good individual plays quite a bit of smoldering anger at the lack of effort by "my" team.
The Texans are a similar story. But I do not care as much about the pro team in town.
Saturday the Rice Owls played well and IMO ECU looked like they were not in the game. Rice scored nine touchdowns and "only" gave up five. So they won. They had a great concept and broke many tackles. They looked much faster than the ECU team.
But DW was more excited than I was. This is too little too late in the season. It's too late to have a winning record. It is too late to go to a bowl.
I plan to be spoiled, to expect that at least we will be in contention for a bowl each year. I do not think that is too much to ask in the secondary conference we are in.
But this team has been lackluster all year.
In this game coach found a unique plan for offense. He has also eliminated many players who do not want to do what it takes to win, like catch passes or block or learn the plays. We are down to several true freshman who are contributing.
You have give the coach credit for recruiting these guys and not giving up on the season. But it is too late to actually play meaningful games.
DW was wondering why I was not happy about how well the team played. I just could not help thinking "what if". This team, like many other teams, had the talent to win, to go to a bowl. But many players did not care enough to try hard enough.
So I find mixed with some excitement about the game win and the good individual plays quite a bit of smoldering anger at the lack of effort by "my" team.
The Texans are a similar story. But I do not care as much about the pro team in town.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
History mortality the present
I think a lot about mortality. I am here for such a relatively short time. Soon I will be going back to God.
I think about that when I read about great men. They lived in their time. They lived around in the world interacting lots of other people whose names have not been preserved. People like me. But they were important to others in their time. They had children and raised them. They could be my ancestors or ancestors of my friends. Though unknown to me they have a connection to me.
When we are young history bores us. As we age history gets more interesting think because we do sense our place in it and that soon we will be part of history. We are making it now.
When I come home from work I drive east on 610 South and make the connection to 288 North. From that overpass you can look out your window and see the downtown skyline. You can also see the medical center skyline. That one is closer so they both look about the same size. I always wish there was a way to get a great picture of this whole scene. You get a wide sweeping panorama of the city. To the right as I make the turn I can see some refineries in Pasadena and the "coffee factory" on Harrisburg near my house. I'd like to be able to stop and drink it in for a while. But you can't. I am going 50 MPH and soon this scene will be behind me.
Last night I was coming home after dark. The lights make it look different but no less beautiful. Maybe on Christmas morning I could come back here and stop the car. I've thought about doing this before but I never have actually done it.
Last night I got a sense of being a small part of this big city. I remember when it was much smaller. That's a part of history I was involved with. I know after I am gone it will still be here hardly noticing I have left. Yet for this present time I am a part of it. This is my city. I belong to it. I feel at home here.
I think about that when I read about great men. They lived in their time. They lived around in the world interacting lots of other people whose names have not been preserved. People like me. But they were important to others in their time. They had children and raised them. They could be my ancestors or ancestors of my friends. Though unknown to me they have a connection to me.
When we are young history bores us. As we age history gets more interesting think because we do sense our place in it and that soon we will be part of history. We are making it now.
When I come home from work I drive east on 610 South and make the connection to 288 North. From that overpass you can look out your window and see the downtown skyline. You can also see the medical center skyline. That one is closer so they both look about the same size. I always wish there was a way to get a great picture of this whole scene. You get a wide sweeping panorama of the city. To the right as I make the turn I can see some refineries in Pasadena and the "coffee factory" on Harrisburg near my house. I'd like to be able to stop and drink it in for a while. But you can't. I am going 50 MPH and soon this scene will be behind me.
Last night I was coming home after dark. The lights make it look different but no less beautiful. Maybe on Christmas morning I could come back here and stop the car. I've thought about doing this before but I never have actually done it.
Last night I got a sense of being a small part of this big city. I remember when it was much smaller. That's a part of history I was involved with. I know after I am gone it will still be here hardly noticing I have left. Yet for this present time I am a part of it. This is my city. I belong to it. I feel at home here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
