June 22, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 11-12 and Ephesians 6
Some of you might not have noticed this, but I have been completely skipping the Old Testament readings. That is because it is 1 Chronicles, and who really wants to read about who begat who anyway?
I can honestly say that every year I skim through the Chronicles. I treat them like its stuff on the editing floor of my favorite movie. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to have the additional footage of my favorite scenes, but in the end, the scenes were edited down for a reason.
I mean, do I really need to hear the story of how David refused to drink water that his soldiers bought for him, again? In all honesty, it sounds like a story that some celebrity would tell about another celebrity on a late-night talk show. Except instead of saying: “wow, those guys are just like me” or “wow, those guys are exactly like me”, the audience is saying: “Hmm. So you were thirsty, your men bought you water, and you didn’t drink it. I mean, it was there, you might as well drink it. Now you’re just going to have to find a drinking fountain someplace.”
Yeah, there are parts of the Bible that I just can’t relate to, which is why I started Irreverent Reverence in the first place.
So now that we’ve started reading the book of Ephesians, there is a lot of stuff that sadly, most people can’t relate to. Stuff like: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
Man, I don’t even know what that even means!
Still, I want to be at the point where I not only understand it, but I live it. Ha ha ha!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Yes, you are your brother's keeper!
June 21, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 9-10 and Galatians 6
Yeah, we all know what Cain said after Abel was killed. “Am I my brother’s keeper”. In other words, he was telling God: “hey, I don’t know. He’s his own man, I’m not the boss of him.”
Of course, God already knew the answer, and if there is one thing the Bible says about Christians is that we are our brother’s keeper. The Bible says that if a Christian is caught sinning, then whoever is spiritual should restore him, gently.
This is very different to some Christian behavior that I have seen before. I think we all know the stories of the Jim Bakkers and Jerry Falwells, who committed adultery and were sometimes ostracized by other Christians.
I’ve seen it happen time and time again. A Christian is caught with sinful behavior, and then all these defense mechanisms get in the way. Soon, there is damage control, and the Christian sinner comes forth, usually giving a prepared statement. From there, all the renewed sinner’s friends take sides. Some go to the side of judgment, saying: “you should have known better, you now have no place amongst us.” Then the other side goes to the side of mercy and says: “Come back to us, brother”.
To be honest, I’m not certain what is the best attitude to handle situations like these, other than preventing them from starting. Of course, there is no such thing as an ideal situation, is there?
In fact, there may come a time when I screw up, big time. In fact, the whole reason that I became a Christian is because I was screwed up, big time. True, I have been redeemed, but if I ever want to be unredeemed, a life of sin is always there. Who will be there for me then? Will all my Christian friends just tell me to get out, or will they accept me back?
I remember when DC Talk wrote a song called “What if I Stumble”. I remember treating this song with harsh tones, saying: “well, don’t”.
The truth is that we do carry each other. It’s hard to believe that when I have problems, my Christian brothers are often the last people that I go to. I don’t go to secular people, because I’m supposed to be a Christian to them.
Why is it that we have to be seen as invincible to other Christians? Can we shed that stupid guise of us having everything all together. Can we wear a sign that says “imperfect”. If we look silly, then I am willing to take that chance.
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 9-10 and Galatians 6
Yeah, we all know what Cain said after Abel was killed. “Am I my brother’s keeper”. In other words, he was telling God: “hey, I don’t know. He’s his own man, I’m not the boss of him.”
Of course, God already knew the answer, and if there is one thing the Bible says about Christians is that we are our brother’s keeper. The Bible says that if a Christian is caught sinning, then whoever is spiritual should restore him, gently.
This is very different to some Christian behavior that I have seen before. I think we all know the stories of the Jim Bakkers and Jerry Falwells, who committed adultery and were sometimes ostracized by other Christians.
I’ve seen it happen time and time again. A Christian is caught with sinful behavior, and then all these defense mechanisms get in the way. Soon, there is damage control, and the Christian sinner comes forth, usually giving a prepared statement. From there, all the renewed sinner’s friends take sides. Some go to the side of judgment, saying: “you should have known better, you now have no place amongst us.” Then the other side goes to the side of mercy and says: “Come back to us, brother”.
To be honest, I’m not certain what is the best attitude to handle situations like these, other than preventing them from starting. Of course, there is no such thing as an ideal situation, is there?
In fact, there may come a time when I screw up, big time. In fact, the whole reason that I became a Christian is because I was screwed up, big time. True, I have been redeemed, but if I ever want to be unredeemed, a life of sin is always there. Who will be there for me then? Will all my Christian friends just tell me to get out, or will they accept me back?
I remember when DC Talk wrote a song called “What if I Stumble”. I remember treating this song with harsh tones, saying: “well, don’t”.
The truth is that we do carry each other. It’s hard to believe that when I have problems, my Christian brothers are often the last people that I go to. I don’t go to secular people, because I’m supposed to be a Christian to them.
Why is it that we have to be seen as invincible to other Christians? Can we shed that stupid guise of us having everything all together. Can we wear a sign that says “imperfect”. If we look silly, then I am willing to take that chance.
Living by the Spirit
June 20, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 7-8 and Galatians 5
Oh yeah, I just love titling my entries with some vague title that sounds really spiritual. I mean, I titled this one the most vague and spiritual one I could think of.
Of course, it seems that one of those vague and spiritual phrases that gets thrown around by Christians so very often is actually in the Bible.
So what does it mean to live by the Spirit? Easy, you get the Spirit to take control of you, and it works you like a puppet. No, it never is that simple. I swear, I’ve heard so many people who say they are or know someone who is “possessed by the devil”, but I’ve just not heard of anyone ever being “possessed by God”. Man, I guess only the devil has the power to take our freewill, right? (I am being sarcastic.)
The truth is that it is quite easy to live by the Spirit, which requires us to simply be willing to surrender our freewill. I suppose that I could get into issues of being baptized by the Holy Spirit, but that will lead me to all sorts of fights amongst denominations. I mean, why put a bunch of bees in a bag and shake it?
The truth is we can always count on the Holy Spirit helping us to keep us out of trouble. There is a whole list of stuff after it that should be avoided because they are really sinful. The issue is not avoid them, but to live by the Spirit and you simple won’t do those things. This is always true.
Sometimes the best way to stop a bad habit is to simply start a new one. Instead of concentrating on quitting, you start something new that overflows the void left.
About a month ago, I realized that I still was doing with some really sick sins in my life. I couldn’t avoid it, and repented big time. I believe that I am out of the dark tunnel, but it was a habit that was stopped not by quitting old behavior, but taking on a new behavior.
Since then, I haven’t been perfect, but I can see a way to develop the fruit of the Spirit that is listed in the positive list.
In fact, if you do live by the Spirit, then you don’t have to worry about the law. Chances are that you will be following it in every sense of the word. The law is there to show us that we are doing wrong, but shouldn’t that point us to something right?
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 7-8 and Galatians 5
Oh yeah, I just love titling my entries with some vague title that sounds really spiritual. I mean, I titled this one the most vague and spiritual one I could think of.
Of course, it seems that one of those vague and spiritual phrases that gets thrown around by Christians so very often is actually in the Bible.
So what does it mean to live by the Spirit? Easy, you get the Spirit to take control of you, and it works you like a puppet. No, it never is that simple. I swear, I’ve heard so many people who say they are or know someone who is “possessed by the devil”, but I’ve just not heard of anyone ever being “possessed by God”. Man, I guess only the devil has the power to take our freewill, right? (I am being sarcastic.)
The truth is that it is quite easy to live by the Spirit, which requires us to simply be willing to surrender our freewill. I suppose that I could get into issues of being baptized by the Holy Spirit, but that will lead me to all sorts of fights amongst denominations. I mean, why put a bunch of bees in a bag and shake it?
The truth is we can always count on the Holy Spirit helping us to keep us out of trouble. There is a whole list of stuff after it that should be avoided because they are really sinful. The issue is not avoid them, but to live by the Spirit and you simple won’t do those things. This is always true.
Sometimes the best way to stop a bad habit is to simply start a new one. Instead of concentrating on quitting, you start something new that overflows the void left.
About a month ago, I realized that I still was doing with some really sick sins in my life. I couldn’t avoid it, and repented big time. I believe that I am out of the dark tunnel, but it was a habit that was stopped not by quitting old behavior, but taking on a new behavior.
Since then, I haven’t been perfect, but I can see a way to develop the fruit of the Spirit that is listed in the positive list.
In fact, if you do live by the Spirit, then you don’t have to worry about the law. Chances are that you will be following it in every sense of the word. The law is there to show us that we are doing wrong, but shouldn’t that point us to something right?
Waiting for an Inheritance
June 19, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 5-6 and Galatians 4
In the reading of Galatians, Paul starts out with an odd observation. He states that as long as the heir to an estate is a child, then the child is pretty much the same status as a slave.
After all, it is the child who is receiving an inheritance has to obey his or her parents. Is it any wonder why the prodigal son wanted his inheritance up front? At this stage, it would not be good for any child to receive the inheritance, because it would mean that their parents are dead.
And what parents, before they are teenagers what their parents dead? Right now, I have a few children, and I am fortunate to be at an age where my kids will tell me “I love you” without being first told it by me. The only reason that I want to live is because I know my kids need me.
Here’s the deal with receiving an inheritance. You may get lands or money, but someone has to die for it. If you respect the relative who left you the money, you will not be cheering when they die.
Yet here is the thing, in order to receive our heavenly inheritance, someone has to die. Now, the issue is: how are we going to deal with that? Sometimes I think it is interesting all the praise we give God for dying for us, and then turned around and ignore the fact that crucifixion hurts.
How should we treat that? Well, have you ever had someone do you a big favor? Chances are, if they gave it out of a heart of love, he or she does not want any restitution. However, it wouldn’t heart to give a little bit of thanks now and then.
In fact, the comparison between someone who hasn’t received the inheritance and not received is like Hagar and Sarah. Hagar was the surrogate parent who carried Ishmael, but it was Sarah who carried Isaac, the child of promise.
We are not the child born of a slave, or one by a mother. This is the difference between the inheritor and what may eventually become property.
The issue is that we need to realize why we have been set free to be the inheritor. Granted, I hate the way it had to happen, with Christ dying, but it really is part of the process of being a citizen of heaven. It wouldn’t hurt to give a “thank you” to Jesus every once in a while.
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 5-6 and Galatians 4
In the reading of Galatians, Paul starts out with an odd observation. He states that as long as the heir to an estate is a child, then the child is pretty much the same status as a slave.
After all, it is the child who is receiving an inheritance has to obey his or her parents. Is it any wonder why the prodigal son wanted his inheritance up front? At this stage, it would not be good for any child to receive the inheritance, because it would mean that their parents are dead.
And what parents, before they are teenagers what their parents dead? Right now, I have a few children, and I am fortunate to be at an age where my kids will tell me “I love you” without being first told it by me. The only reason that I want to live is because I know my kids need me.
Here’s the deal with receiving an inheritance. You may get lands or money, but someone has to die for it. If you respect the relative who left you the money, you will not be cheering when they die.
Yet here is the thing, in order to receive our heavenly inheritance, someone has to die. Now, the issue is: how are we going to deal with that? Sometimes I think it is interesting all the praise we give God for dying for us, and then turned around and ignore the fact that crucifixion hurts.
How should we treat that? Well, have you ever had someone do you a big favor? Chances are, if they gave it out of a heart of love, he or she does not want any restitution. However, it wouldn’t heart to give a little bit of thanks now and then.
In fact, the comparison between someone who hasn’t received the inheritance and not received is like Hagar and Sarah. Hagar was the surrogate parent who carried Ishmael, but it was Sarah who carried Isaac, the child of promise.
We are not the child born of a slave, or one by a mother. This is the difference between the inheritor and what may eventually become property.
The issue is that we need to realize why we have been set free to be the inheritor. Granted, I hate the way it had to happen, with Christ dying, but it really is part of the process of being a citizen of heaven. It wouldn’t hurt to give a “thank you” to Jesus every once in a while.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
God the Warrior
June 18, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 3-4 and Psalms 35-36
Even though it isn’t my favorite of the three films, I like the ending of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Much of the second film is a lot of boring scenes until the last part, the awesome battle of Helm’s Deep.
I love in the end when the army is completely surrounded, and there is absolutely no hope. Then Aragorn remembers that Gandalf will be coming on “the sunrise of the fifth day”, and so he and the king ride out to meet the army.
Then Gandalf appears on the hillside, with an army at his side, and goes up against the armies of darkness. Good guys win, and the conclusion is nothing short of epic. Gandalf appears like we see the Second Coming, in a long beard, staff, and flowing white robe.
Many of us have had problems where we would want God to come as some giant warrior and fight for us. Note the words in Psalm 35: “Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler;
arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, I am your salvation."
Of course, we all know that God isn’t some attack dog that we can sic on whatever problems that we see fit. I’m sure that if we had our choice, God would be attacking everything that we would face.
Can you imagine that when we get a parking ticket? Lord, take out that meter maid! It’s pretty easy to pray to God when there is some serious army of darkness heading your way, but I have never been in a position where that has happened.
However, I’ve been in a position where I’ve had a parking ticket. Yeah, I don’t have the epic Lord of the Rings lifestyle that I read about, but I do have a life. A life that involves a lot of paychecks, groceries, and bills. Man, what I wouldn’t give to have God just attack all of that.
However, I am assuming that my life, seemingly mundane, is there for a reason. So if God doesn’t want to do the whole warrior thing, that’s fine by me. Then again, how do I know that God isn’t fighting for me, at all times. Yes, for all I know, God fights for me like Aragorn, and I’m the one who is being protected all through it.
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 3-4 and Psalms 35-36
Even though it isn’t my favorite of the three films, I like the ending of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Much of the second film is a lot of boring scenes until the last part, the awesome battle of Helm’s Deep.
I love in the end when the army is completely surrounded, and there is absolutely no hope. Then Aragorn remembers that Gandalf will be coming on “the sunrise of the fifth day”, and so he and the king ride out to meet the army.
Then Gandalf appears on the hillside, with an army at his side, and goes up against the armies of darkness. Good guys win, and the conclusion is nothing short of epic. Gandalf appears like we see the Second Coming, in a long beard, staff, and flowing white robe.
Many of us have had problems where we would want God to come as some giant warrior and fight for us. Note the words in Psalm 35: “Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler;
arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, I am your salvation."
Of course, we all know that God isn’t some attack dog that we can sic on whatever problems that we see fit. I’m sure that if we had our choice, God would be attacking everything that we would face.
Can you imagine that when we get a parking ticket? Lord, take out that meter maid! It’s pretty easy to pray to God when there is some serious army of darkness heading your way, but I have never been in a position where that has happened.
However, I’ve been in a position where I’ve had a parking ticket. Yeah, I don’t have the epic Lord of the Rings lifestyle that I read about, but I do have a life. A life that involves a lot of paychecks, groceries, and bills. Man, what I wouldn’t give to have God just attack all of that.
However, I am assuming that my life, seemingly mundane, is there for a reason. So if God doesn’t want to do the whole warrior thing, that’s fine by me. Then again, how do I know that God isn’t fighting for me, at all times. Yes, for all I know, God fights for me like Aragorn, and I’m the one who is being protected all through it.
In God We Trust
June 17, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 1-2 and Psalms 33-34
Okay, you know from that title what I’m probably going to do next. I’m probably going to talk about how all of our money says this, but most Americans don’t truly trust in the Lord for money or anything else for that matter.
Generally, illustrations like these are used in those sermons where preachers go on and on about how America has so fallen away from its Christian values that the forefathers “clearly intended” in the Constitution. I’ve always wondered if all of these speeches come from an era where Beaver Cleaver lived, a fictional era of America’s history in the forties and fifties where everyone was prosperous because we all went to church.
Perhaps those who took Psalm 33:12 seriously: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance”. It is nice that our money does say that, but the dollar bill also has that strange eye and pyramid thing that doesn’t mean anything to me. If you would like to bring up that whole Illuminati thing up, save it for some other time. Those secret governments are so secret, that they don’t even know about it.
Still, God is very faithful in delivering us, isn’t he. This is especially true of David when he was escaping form Abimelech. As I recall, David escaped by pretending he was insane.
I always wondered how he pulled that off. Did he do a Jack Nicholson Joker or a Heath Ledger Joker. You know, one was hamming it up crazy and the other actually won an Oscar for acting crazy.
I guess it took a lot of drooling, or some sort of weird crazy talk. I will have to admit that I’m not really proud of David for escaping Abimelech that way. It wasn’t that the man who “had slain his ten thousands” fought his way out.
Still, you have to admire how God takes care of those who trust in Him, and something tells me that David had to trust in the Lord in order to get through Abimelech’s land. So playing insane was part of God’s plan, more or less.
This is almost in stark contrast to Psalm 34:11-13 which says: “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.” Hard to believe that the one who wants us to do right would approve of a plan of acting insane.
Well, like the country music song says: “A little bit of crazy’s all right”.
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 1-2 and Psalms 33-34
Okay, you know from that title what I’m probably going to do next. I’m probably going to talk about how all of our money says this, but most Americans don’t truly trust in the Lord for money or anything else for that matter.
Generally, illustrations like these are used in those sermons where preachers go on and on about how America has so fallen away from its Christian values that the forefathers “clearly intended” in the Constitution. I’ve always wondered if all of these speeches come from an era where Beaver Cleaver lived, a fictional era of America’s history in the forties and fifties where everyone was prosperous because we all went to church.
Perhaps those who took Psalm 33:12 seriously: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance”. It is nice that our money does say that, but the dollar bill also has that strange eye and pyramid thing that doesn’t mean anything to me. If you would like to bring up that whole Illuminati thing up, save it for some other time. Those secret governments are so secret, that they don’t even know about it.
Still, God is very faithful in delivering us, isn’t he. This is especially true of David when he was escaping form Abimelech. As I recall, David escaped by pretending he was insane.
I always wondered how he pulled that off. Did he do a Jack Nicholson Joker or a Heath Ledger Joker. You know, one was hamming it up crazy and the other actually won an Oscar for acting crazy.
I guess it took a lot of drooling, or some sort of weird crazy talk. I will have to admit that I’m not really proud of David for escaping Abimelech that way. It wasn’t that the man who “had slain his ten thousands” fought his way out.
Still, you have to admire how God takes care of those who trust in Him, and something tells me that David had to trust in the Lord in order to get through Abimelech’s land. So playing insane was part of God’s plan, more or less.
This is almost in stark contrast to Psalm 34:11-13 which says: “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.” Hard to believe that the one who wants us to do right would approve of a plan of acting insane.
Well, like the country music song says: “A little bit of crazy’s all right”.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Jehoiachin's Special Treatment
June 16, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 24-25 and Galatians 3
It would appear that the second book of Kings has ended with a terrible tragedy. The Babylonians invaded the nation of Israel and took it over. In four days, Israel had no food to eat. I have no idea what it is like to live under an invading army, but I usually don’t hear any nice stories coming out of World War II Europe.
You usually hear about the stories like in Schindler’s List, where people have to do morally questionable things just to survive.
This reminds me of the time in Israel when the land was invaded. At the time, Jehoiakim reigned, and he did bad things. I mentioned yesterday about how Josiah was a good guy who probably postponed the fall of Israel, but Jehoiakim probably helped bring it on.
Jehoiakim was relieved by Jehoiachin, who was only 18 years at the time. He was dragged to captivity, and then Zedekiah became king.
What is interesting is the treatments of Jehoiachin versus Zedekiah. Zedekiah had his sons killed in front of him, and then they put out his eyes. Yeah, that was the last thing he ever saw. Sick, isn’t it?
However, Jehoiachin was treated much differently. He was released from his captivity, and then was invited to eat regularly with the ruling king.
Man, which king do you want to be? I suppose this is the classic Christian duality going on here. This is where we say: “do you want eternal bliss of heaven, or torment of hell?” I never did like the black and white view of the world, even if the afterlife seems to be that way.
The issue is what did Jehoiachin do for the Babylonians to deserve such special treatment? Probably nothing, if you want to know the truth. I don’t know if Jehoiachin was more willing to give up certain valuables than the others.
The reading in Galatians talks about how the world is a prisoner of sin, much like the nation after Babylon took over. Then the odd thing is that Paul talks about how we are prisoners of the law, and “locked up until faith should be revealed”.
Technically, we should all be cut down by sin, and then again, we should all be cutoff by the law. However, grace is the one thing that can set us apart, make us stand out. I suppose it was grace that allowed Jehoiachin to have his comfortable prison, while Zedekiah pretty much rotted.
Like I said, completely random. However, random isn’t what is on God’s mind when we give ourselves to him. We all get the special treatment there. Sure, we may not be at the king’s table, but we will eventually end up at God’s table.
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 24-25 and Galatians 3
It would appear that the second book of Kings has ended with a terrible tragedy. The Babylonians invaded the nation of Israel and took it over. In four days, Israel had no food to eat. I have no idea what it is like to live under an invading army, but I usually don’t hear any nice stories coming out of World War II Europe.
You usually hear about the stories like in Schindler’s List, where people have to do morally questionable things just to survive.
This reminds me of the time in Israel when the land was invaded. At the time, Jehoiakim reigned, and he did bad things. I mentioned yesterday about how Josiah was a good guy who probably postponed the fall of Israel, but Jehoiakim probably helped bring it on.
Jehoiakim was relieved by Jehoiachin, who was only 18 years at the time. He was dragged to captivity, and then Zedekiah became king.
What is interesting is the treatments of Jehoiachin versus Zedekiah. Zedekiah had his sons killed in front of him, and then they put out his eyes. Yeah, that was the last thing he ever saw. Sick, isn’t it?
However, Jehoiachin was treated much differently. He was released from his captivity, and then was invited to eat regularly with the ruling king.
Man, which king do you want to be? I suppose this is the classic Christian duality going on here. This is where we say: “do you want eternal bliss of heaven, or torment of hell?” I never did like the black and white view of the world, even if the afterlife seems to be that way.
The issue is what did Jehoiachin do for the Babylonians to deserve such special treatment? Probably nothing, if you want to know the truth. I don’t know if Jehoiachin was more willing to give up certain valuables than the others.
The reading in Galatians talks about how the world is a prisoner of sin, much like the nation after Babylon took over. Then the odd thing is that Paul talks about how we are prisoners of the law, and “locked up until faith should be revealed”.
Technically, we should all be cut down by sin, and then again, we should all be cutoff by the law. However, grace is the one thing that can set us apart, make us stand out. I suppose it was grace that allowed Jehoiachin to have his comfortable prison, while Zedekiah pretty much rotted.
Like I said, completely random. However, random isn’t what is on God’s mind when we give ourselves to him. We all get the special treatment there. Sure, we may not be at the king’s table, but we will eventually end up at God’s table.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Josiah’s Repentance
June 15, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 22-23 and Galatians 2
I have always admired Josiah, a goodly king in the Bible who I am surprised is not mentioned in more sermons. Generally, messages of repentance inconveniently leave this man out.
Usually, we hear the stories of those who don’t repent and have some really bad things happen to them. Generally, we usually don’t hear about it when someone gets it right. Josiah was one of those rare ones who did what the Lord asked, precisely when he was convicted of it.
It all started during some renovation of the Temple, when Hilkiah the priest discovers a book of the Law in the midst of things. When they read the book, they discover that they have been doing everything wrong.
And so the king decided to change the law so they wouldn’t have to listen to the old book. Oddly enough, the king actually did the right thing and decided to repent. In fact, it has to be one of the biggest repentance sessions that I have ever seen! Not only does he repent of his own sins, but he gets the entire nation involved.
Of course, he doesn’t “do good for goodness sake”. It takes a prophet to tell him that “if you don’t do this, there’s going to be disaster”. However, it wasn’t like there was any external motivation like someone holding a sword to his throat saying: “turn or burn”.
Indeed, most of Josiah’s motivation to change is internal. Not only that, he wasn’t one of those people that says that he or she will repent, and does nothing. He was active about it, and I believe that the entire nation of Israel was saved because of it. Don’t get me wrong, the nation was doomed, but repentance has a way of putting off the judgment of the Lord.
Still, how many people do you know that repent right away when you tell them they need to change? Usually they go through stages, like grief. It starts off with the denial stage, then the bargaining stage. If you’re lucky, your sinner will hit acceptance, but that is no guarantee that repentance will occur.
Imagine if we were all like Josiah, and we repented at the first time someone told us that we needed to change. Just think of all the preachers who would be happy, because all the people in their congregation wouldn’t be thinking about how soon they can get out for lunch. They will rush out of church and actually apply all these sermons they listen to.
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 22-23 and Galatians 2
I have always admired Josiah, a goodly king in the Bible who I am surprised is not mentioned in more sermons. Generally, messages of repentance inconveniently leave this man out.
Usually, we hear the stories of those who don’t repent and have some really bad things happen to them. Generally, we usually don’t hear about it when someone gets it right. Josiah was one of those rare ones who did what the Lord asked, precisely when he was convicted of it.
It all started during some renovation of the Temple, when Hilkiah the priest discovers a book of the Law in the midst of things. When they read the book, they discover that they have been doing everything wrong.
And so the king decided to change the law so they wouldn’t have to listen to the old book. Oddly enough, the king actually did the right thing and decided to repent. In fact, it has to be one of the biggest repentance sessions that I have ever seen! Not only does he repent of his own sins, but he gets the entire nation involved.
Of course, he doesn’t “do good for goodness sake”. It takes a prophet to tell him that “if you don’t do this, there’s going to be disaster”. However, it wasn’t like there was any external motivation like someone holding a sword to his throat saying: “turn or burn”.
Indeed, most of Josiah’s motivation to change is internal. Not only that, he wasn’t one of those people that says that he or she will repent, and does nothing. He was active about it, and I believe that the entire nation of Israel was saved because of it. Don’t get me wrong, the nation was doomed, but repentance has a way of putting off the judgment of the Lord.
Still, how many people do you know that repent right away when you tell them they need to change? Usually they go through stages, like grief. It starts off with the denial stage, then the bargaining stage. If you’re lucky, your sinner will hit acceptance, but that is no guarantee that repentance will occur.
Imagine if we were all like Josiah, and we repented at the first time someone told us that we needed to change. Just think of all the preachers who would be happy, because all the people in their congregation wouldn’t be thinking about how soon they can get out for lunch. They will rush out of church and actually apply all these sermons they listen to.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Peace in our Lifetime
June 14, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 20-21 and Galatians 1
You have to admire Hezekiah for the way he lived. He must have been one of those guys that probably prayed a lot and believed in it even more. So when he is about to die, he receives some very good news: he will live, for about fifteen more years.
He even gets a sign. The sun goes back ten steps. I would imagine that God moved the sun in an erratic manner like in the days of Joshua.
So not only does the guy get a rare extension on his life, but he actually knows when he is going to die. I don’t know anyone who has that kind of condition going on. Now, you think that would give Hezekiah a new lease on life, and he would go and do all sorts of good things to fill up those next decade and a half.
Instead, he sort of screws it up. I mean, he doesn’t really completely screw it up by worshipping Baal or anything, but he does invite people from Babylon to see the Royal Treasury. I would imagine this would be like the president of the United States inviting the leader of some country that harbors terrorists into places that most Americans can’t get to.
Isaiah is there to warn him that he screwed up. He then warns him that soon Babylon is going to bring a word of hurt on the country. However, he tells him that he will not experience this now, but in a future after he is gone.
Hezekiah’s reaction is not one of shock, but rather relief. He says: “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good, will there not be peace and security in my lifetime”.
I can’t help but think that this is one of the most selfish things that I have ever heard. However, this really is how much of us live. Most of us will save up for our own retirement, and perhaps our children’s college funds.
Unlike Hezekiah, we don’t know when our huge crisis will come. I’m not certain if we will ever see a global economic crisis, or some sort of worldwide disaster in our lives. However, if I ever found out that the worst will be far past me, I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
However, the bad stuff will come. Shouldn’t I see fit to prepare all of my friends and family to get through whatever tough times come ahead? Can’t we think beyond our own generation?
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 20-21 and Galatians 1
You have to admire Hezekiah for the way he lived. He must have been one of those guys that probably prayed a lot and believed in it even more. So when he is about to die, he receives some very good news: he will live, for about fifteen more years.
He even gets a sign. The sun goes back ten steps. I would imagine that God moved the sun in an erratic manner like in the days of Joshua.
So not only does the guy get a rare extension on his life, but he actually knows when he is going to die. I don’t know anyone who has that kind of condition going on. Now, you think that would give Hezekiah a new lease on life, and he would go and do all sorts of good things to fill up those next decade and a half.
Instead, he sort of screws it up. I mean, he doesn’t really completely screw it up by worshipping Baal or anything, but he does invite people from Babylon to see the Royal Treasury. I would imagine this would be like the president of the United States inviting the leader of some country that harbors terrorists into places that most Americans can’t get to.
Isaiah is there to warn him that he screwed up. He then warns him that soon Babylon is going to bring a word of hurt on the country. However, he tells him that he will not experience this now, but in a future after he is gone.
Hezekiah’s reaction is not one of shock, but rather relief. He says: “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good, will there not be peace and security in my lifetime”.
I can’t help but think that this is one of the most selfish things that I have ever heard. However, this really is how much of us live. Most of us will save up for our own retirement, and perhaps our children’s college funds.
Unlike Hezekiah, we don’t know when our huge crisis will come. I’m not certain if we will ever see a global economic crisis, or some sort of worldwide disaster in our lives. However, if I ever found out that the worst will be far past me, I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
However, the bad stuff will come. Shouldn’t I see fit to prepare all of my friends and family to get through whatever tough times come ahead? Can’t we think beyond our own generation?
The Test
June 13, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 17-19 and 2 Corinthians 13
Paul uses the word “test” a lot in 2 Corinthians 13. I think we as human beings hate the idea of it. Some people still have dreams that they are back in college or high school, and there is a test that he or she hasn’t studied for. Of course, we all know the necessity of tests. How are we going to know if something works, and can work again, unless we test it out.
As Paul says: “And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.”
Tests are always something that we need, but never want. The thing is, I think we all know that life is all one big test. Now, you can believe in Jesus Christ can get a certain A plus, or you can trust in your own works and hope for the best. I don’t know how to get the A without accepting Jesus death on the cross, but I know some great ways to cataclysmically fail.
For example, you could indulge in as much sins as possible, and worship something that you know not to be true. Israel was failing terribly, as instead of bowing down to their God, they went with the Baals and other gods that were strictly forbidden. They even worshiped the bronze snake that Moses had made. I can’t help but think that if Moses was alive, he would come out with that huge “God rod” and say: “what the hey, it’s not meant to be worshipped”
It would be like taking the SAT and making drawings with the ovals. Of course, life is not just one big test, but death is just the final! On the way there are quizzes, midterms, the unusual paper, and a pop quiz. So it is odd that Hezekiah knew what to do when Shalmaneser attacked.
He immediately prays to the Lord, and there doesn’t seem to be an answer right away. It was the right thing to do, and God probably rewarded him for his faithfulness by sending massive amounts of deliverance.
Of course, there is no guarantee that any reward will occur when a correct answer is given. However, as perfection is hard to achieve, it is completely tough to get it right every time.
However, celebrate when a test comes back with a big old A and put it on the fridge. Don’t you think Israel did after their deliverance.
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 17-19 and 2 Corinthians 13
Paul uses the word “test” a lot in 2 Corinthians 13. I think we as human beings hate the idea of it. Some people still have dreams that they are back in college or high school, and there is a test that he or she hasn’t studied for. Of course, we all know the necessity of tests. How are we going to know if something works, and can work again, unless we test it out.
As Paul says: “And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.”
Tests are always something that we need, but never want. The thing is, I think we all know that life is all one big test. Now, you can believe in Jesus Christ can get a certain A plus, or you can trust in your own works and hope for the best. I don’t know how to get the A without accepting Jesus death on the cross, but I know some great ways to cataclysmically fail.
For example, you could indulge in as much sins as possible, and worship something that you know not to be true. Israel was failing terribly, as instead of bowing down to their God, they went with the Baals and other gods that were strictly forbidden. They even worshiped the bronze snake that Moses had made. I can’t help but think that if Moses was alive, he would come out with that huge “God rod” and say: “what the hey, it’s not meant to be worshipped”
It would be like taking the SAT and making drawings with the ovals. Of course, life is not just one big test, but death is just the final! On the way there are quizzes, midterms, the unusual paper, and a pop quiz. So it is odd that Hezekiah knew what to do when Shalmaneser attacked.
He immediately prays to the Lord, and there doesn’t seem to be an answer right away. It was the right thing to do, and God probably rewarded him for his faithfulness by sending massive amounts of deliverance.
Of course, there is no guarantee that any reward will occur when a correct answer is given. However, as perfection is hard to achieve, it is completely tough to get it right every time.
However, celebrate when a test comes back with a big old A and put it on the fridge. Don’t you think Israel did after their deliverance.
Friday, July 3, 2009
The Thorn
June 12, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 15-16 and 2 Corinthians 12
I’ve actually been ignoring the readings in 2 Corinthians lately. Part of it is because the readings in the books of Kings are a lot more exciting than the letters from Paul, which is a real shame. Today, I am going to talk about 2 Corinthians because 2 Kings was a little boring.
As it is, the reading in 2 Corinthians 12 is one of my favorites as Paul talks about the thorn. I don’t believe that biblical historians have ever revealed what is this thorn that Paul talks about, but apparently it was some “messenger of Satan, to torment him”. Some have speculated that Paul was afflicted by some disease, but maybe he was tempted by something.
It reminds me of the movie A Beautiful Mind. If you haven’t seen it, then I am going to spoil the ending of it. It is one of those movies where you should not know much about it before you see it.
Supposedly, it is based on a true story of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician who was plagued with schizophrenia. He had hallucinations that involved a roommate that didn’t existed, and the most disturbing was a man from the DOD who told John that there was a Russian atomic bomb hidden in the United States.
Of course, the movie doesn’t reveal that John’s roommate and DOD handler are delusions until the middle of the movie. By that time, the audience had believed they were real and it comes as a total twist.
The good news is that John does eventually get over his schizophrenia, but only in the sense that he is able to function daily. In fact, he becomes a college professor, but he has to learn to not speak to his imaginary friends.
Eventually, John Nash works win a Nobel Prize. At the end of the movie, after receiving his accolade, he sees his imaginary friends once again. His wife senses that there is a problem, and asks what is wrong. His response: “nothing at all”.
John Nash had to choose to ignore these visions of his, even though the world said he was one of the most smartest man on the planet.
Sometimes a Christian can be tempted time and time again by the same thing, and it apparently never quits. The truth is, that trial or temptation has to be there to show that we are made of stronger stuff. In other words, that thorn is needed, and necessary. This is why it stays, for now.
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 15-16 and 2 Corinthians 12
I’ve actually been ignoring the readings in 2 Corinthians lately. Part of it is because the readings in the books of Kings are a lot more exciting than the letters from Paul, which is a real shame. Today, I am going to talk about 2 Corinthians because 2 Kings was a little boring.
As it is, the reading in 2 Corinthians 12 is one of my favorites as Paul talks about the thorn. I don’t believe that biblical historians have ever revealed what is this thorn that Paul talks about, but apparently it was some “messenger of Satan, to torment him”. Some have speculated that Paul was afflicted by some disease, but maybe he was tempted by something.
It reminds me of the movie A Beautiful Mind. If you haven’t seen it, then I am going to spoil the ending of it. It is one of those movies where you should not know much about it before you see it.
Supposedly, it is based on a true story of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician who was plagued with schizophrenia. He had hallucinations that involved a roommate that didn’t existed, and the most disturbing was a man from the DOD who told John that there was a Russian atomic bomb hidden in the United States.
Of course, the movie doesn’t reveal that John’s roommate and DOD handler are delusions until the middle of the movie. By that time, the audience had believed they were real and it comes as a total twist.
The good news is that John does eventually get over his schizophrenia, but only in the sense that he is able to function daily. In fact, he becomes a college professor, but he has to learn to not speak to his imaginary friends.
Eventually, John Nash works win a Nobel Prize. At the end of the movie, after receiving his accolade, he sees his imaginary friends once again. His wife senses that there is a problem, and asks what is wrong. His response: “nothing at all”.
John Nash had to choose to ignore these visions of his, even though the world said he was one of the most smartest man on the planet.
Sometimes a Christian can be tempted time and time again by the same thing, and it apparently never quits. The truth is, that trial or temptation has to be there to show that we are made of stronger stuff. In other words, that thorn is needed, and necessary. This is why it stays, for now.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
It’s Not Fair!
June 11, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 13-14 and Psalms 31-32
I thought I would do a little retelling of what happened on the day of Elisha’s death.
Jehoash: Hey, Elisha, how are you doing?
Elisha: I’m dying, sire.
Jehoash: Shouldn’t a whirlwind be coming for you, or something?
Elisha: Everybody always says that. Your father, your father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!
Jehoash: Isn’t that my line?
Elisha: Yeah, but when I said it, it made sense.
Jehoash: Yeah, I didn’t think that made much sense, either.
Elisha: Get a bow and some arrows.
Jehoash: What? Are you going to shoot someone?
Elisha: I will…unless…you…get…those…bow and arrows.
Jehoash: It’s all right, I keep a spare underneath your mattress.
Elisha: I thought the bed was lumpy. Take the bow in your hands.
Jehoash: No problem. You want me to shoot you? Is this what this is about?
(Elisha puts his hands on the king’s hands.)
Elisha: Open the east window.
Jehosah: But I’ve got this bow in my hands.
Elisha: Put down the bow, and open the east window.
Jehoash: Okay, fine. It’s open, now what?
Elisha: Shoot!
Jehoash: Shoot? What? What did I do wrong?
Elisha: No, shoot an arrow, out the window.
Jehoash: What, seriously? What if I hit someone?
Elisha: Just shoot, God says so!
(Jehoash shoots his arrow out the window.)
Elisha: The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram! You will complete destroy the Arameans at Aphek.
Jehoash: Oh, sweet!
Elisha: Now, take the arrows.
Jehoash: No problem, where do I shoot them?
Elisha: Strike the ground.
Jehoash: I don’t really get it, but I’ll do it. In fact, I’ll do it three times. That will do it!
Elisha: No!
Jehoash: Dude, don’t get ticked off, man.
Elisha: You should have struck the ground five or six times, then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.
Jehoash: What? You didn’t tell me that’s what I was doing! Man, if you had, I would have smacked them until there was nothing left! That is so no fair.
Elisha: Life’s not fair.
Jehoash: Oh, that’s original. Elisha? Elisha! Seriously, you are going to die with a cliché on your lips? Your master dies in a whirlwind, and you do that. You’re a real piece of work, you know that? Seriously.
Isn’t this true? If Elisha had told the king what the Lord was doing, surely he would have done what the Lord would have wanted. The issue is, life isn’t really fair sometimes, and you pay consequences that you didn’t really intend to have.
That is life. We make our choices, but we can’t choose what happens as a result of them. And yes, it is not fair. I’ll leave it at that.
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 13-14 and Psalms 31-32
I thought I would do a little retelling of what happened on the day of Elisha’s death.
Jehoash: Hey, Elisha, how are you doing?
Elisha: I’m dying, sire.
Jehoash: Shouldn’t a whirlwind be coming for you, or something?
Elisha: Everybody always says that. Your father, your father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!
Jehoash: Isn’t that my line?
Elisha: Yeah, but when I said it, it made sense.
Jehoash: Yeah, I didn’t think that made much sense, either.
Elisha: Get a bow and some arrows.
Jehoash: What? Are you going to shoot someone?
Elisha: I will…unless…you…get…those…bow and arrows.
Jehoash: It’s all right, I keep a spare underneath your mattress.
Elisha: I thought the bed was lumpy. Take the bow in your hands.
Jehoash: No problem. You want me to shoot you? Is this what this is about?
(Elisha puts his hands on the king’s hands.)
Elisha: Open the east window.
Jehosah: But I’ve got this bow in my hands.
Elisha: Put down the bow, and open the east window.
Jehoash: Okay, fine. It’s open, now what?
Elisha: Shoot!
Jehoash: Shoot? What? What did I do wrong?
Elisha: No, shoot an arrow, out the window.
Jehoash: What, seriously? What if I hit someone?
Elisha: Just shoot, God says so!
(Jehoash shoots his arrow out the window.)
Elisha: The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram! You will complete destroy the Arameans at Aphek.
Jehoash: Oh, sweet!
Elisha: Now, take the arrows.
Jehoash: No problem, where do I shoot them?
Elisha: Strike the ground.
Jehoash: I don’t really get it, but I’ll do it. In fact, I’ll do it three times. That will do it!
Elisha: No!
Jehoash: Dude, don’t get ticked off, man.
Elisha: You should have struck the ground five or six times, then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.
Jehoash: What? You didn’t tell me that’s what I was doing! Man, if you had, I would have smacked them until there was nothing left! That is so no fair.
Elisha: Life’s not fair.
Jehoash: Oh, that’s original. Elisha? Elisha! Seriously, you are going to die with a cliché on your lips? Your master dies in a whirlwind, and you do that. You’re a real piece of work, you know that? Seriously.
Isn’t this true? If Elisha had told the king what the Lord was doing, surely he would have done what the Lord would have wanted. The issue is, life isn’t really fair sometimes, and you pay consequences that you didn’t really intend to have.
That is life. We make our choices, but we can’t choose what happens as a result of them. And yes, it is not fair. I’ll leave it at that.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Not in the Cards
June 10, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 11-12 and Psalms 29-30
Have you ever watched a movie or read a book and saw something that didn’t seem to add up, and it was a little too convenient to the plotline. For example, there is a character that everyone says is dead, and then he or she shows up conveniently when he or she is needed?
In fact, I have begun a simple rule of thumb when I am watching a movie that says: unless you see someone die, that person is not dead. Sometimes it seems like a character is dead, as in shot in the stomach, and then the character shows up and does something extremely heroic, maybe as their last act. Think of the end of Ice Age when Diego the saber-toothed tiger shows up alive despite the fact he appeared to die in the previous scene.
This is what happened when all the relatives of Ahab were being killed. We hear in the last chapter that they are all dead, and then suddenly, there is this Joash guy who is miraculously alive.
At that point, I almost said: “no way, they were all dead”. I wouldn’t buy this explanation if I saw it in some movie, and yet the Bible expects me to take it on faith. Maybe reading books and watching too many movies is just not good to your spiritual health.
Now you want to know something even sillier? God tends to turn around things in his plotline of life that have no foreshadowing to them. In the dramatic biz, they call that “dues ex machine” where godly characters are lowered by mechanical pulleys and then they work out the main characters’ problems instead of them working it out.
The truth is that God is the one who can turn “our wailing into dancing, removing sackcloth and clothed with joy”. Just last week, I was feeling sorry for myself, and now I have at least one opportunity this week.
I believe that I have already covered this topic the other day, and it is weird that I am covering it again. But God has a way of turning things around that probably shouldn’t be turned around. He tends to twist the plot a way a movie or book would not, and make it so a loser wins and a winner loses.
No, this is the God that makes stuff happen that isn’t really made to happen a certain way.
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 11-12 and Psalms 29-30
Have you ever watched a movie or read a book and saw something that didn’t seem to add up, and it was a little too convenient to the plotline. For example, there is a character that everyone says is dead, and then he or she shows up conveniently when he or she is needed?
In fact, I have begun a simple rule of thumb when I am watching a movie that says: unless you see someone die, that person is not dead. Sometimes it seems like a character is dead, as in shot in the stomach, and then the character shows up and does something extremely heroic, maybe as their last act. Think of the end of Ice Age when Diego the saber-toothed tiger shows up alive despite the fact he appeared to die in the previous scene.
This is what happened when all the relatives of Ahab were being killed. We hear in the last chapter that they are all dead, and then suddenly, there is this Joash guy who is miraculously alive.
At that point, I almost said: “no way, they were all dead”. I wouldn’t buy this explanation if I saw it in some movie, and yet the Bible expects me to take it on faith. Maybe reading books and watching too many movies is just not good to your spiritual health.
Now you want to know something even sillier? God tends to turn around things in his plotline of life that have no foreshadowing to them. In the dramatic biz, they call that “dues ex machine” where godly characters are lowered by mechanical pulleys and then they work out the main characters’ problems instead of them working it out.
The truth is that God is the one who can turn “our wailing into dancing, removing sackcloth and clothed with joy”. Just last week, I was feeling sorry for myself, and now I have at least one opportunity this week.
I believe that I have already covered this topic the other day, and it is weird that I am covering it again. But God has a way of turning things around that probably shouldn’t be turned around. He tends to twist the plot a way a movie or book would not, and make it so a loser wins and a winner loses.
No, this is the God that makes stuff happen that isn’t really made to happen a certain way.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Jehu's Zeal
June 9, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 9-10 and 2 Corinthians 11
Today’s reading is about Elisha going to a man named Jehu, and he anoints him to be king. Sometimes this doesn’t go well. Saul was the man who hid from the anointing of God, but Jehu takes it to the other extreme.
In fact, he makes certain that anything that is touched by Ahab is completely eradicated. He knocks off seventy heads for gosh sakes, then he goes for the entire family. Then he goes for Baal worshipers, and takes out a whole temple full of them.
Jehu says that he has “zeal for the Lord”, but it really isn’t. You see, zeal is willingness to go all the way for God, and this man did not. Jehu left the golden calves of Jeroboam at Bethel and Dan active.
Isn’t that just the way? Have you ever done a job for someone, like your employer, and then they say “it’s not good enough”. Yeah, I have had that happen to me before. It’s always “we love your work, but we need some more of it done”.
Of course, but here is the thing about doing works. We can never do enough of them. This is why it is so interesting to see Paul boasting about his works. Actually, he wasn’t really boasting, but more as laying out a bulleted list about the things that makes him weak. Don’t ask me why he does this. Maybe it’s because Paul knows how useless works are.
Not only that, we have a way of doing all of the wrong things. Haven’t you ever noticed that on a day where you have a ton of things to do, you end up doing the things that often have little to do with your to-do list?
Yeah, that happens to me, a lot. Life is too darn short, and you just can’t do a lot of stuff in the time that you are allotted, seriously. I suppose you could give up, and not try, but that really isn’t what you want to do.
The point is to keep track of what works are really important, and don’t try to do them all at once. God knows how limited life is, and He will be there. Now, God is really great that way, knowing what we have to do in our life. It’s all planned out, and there is nothing we can do about it. So, we should do as much as we can, and don’t get frazzled that we can’t do enough.
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 9-10 and 2 Corinthians 11
Today’s reading is about Elisha going to a man named Jehu, and he anoints him to be king. Sometimes this doesn’t go well. Saul was the man who hid from the anointing of God, but Jehu takes it to the other extreme.
In fact, he makes certain that anything that is touched by Ahab is completely eradicated. He knocks off seventy heads for gosh sakes, then he goes for the entire family. Then he goes for Baal worshipers, and takes out a whole temple full of them.
Jehu says that he has “zeal for the Lord”, but it really isn’t. You see, zeal is willingness to go all the way for God, and this man did not. Jehu left the golden calves of Jeroboam at Bethel and Dan active.
Isn’t that just the way? Have you ever done a job for someone, like your employer, and then they say “it’s not good enough”. Yeah, I have had that happen to me before. It’s always “we love your work, but we need some more of it done”.
Of course, but here is the thing about doing works. We can never do enough of them. This is why it is so interesting to see Paul boasting about his works. Actually, he wasn’t really boasting, but more as laying out a bulleted list about the things that makes him weak. Don’t ask me why he does this. Maybe it’s because Paul knows how useless works are.
Not only that, we have a way of doing all of the wrong things. Haven’t you ever noticed that on a day where you have a ton of things to do, you end up doing the things that often have little to do with your to-do list?
Yeah, that happens to me, a lot. Life is too darn short, and you just can’t do a lot of stuff in the time that you are allotted, seriously. I suppose you could give up, and not try, but that really isn’t what you want to do.
The point is to keep track of what works are really important, and don’t try to do them all at once. God knows how limited life is, and He will be there. Now, God is really great that way, knowing what we have to do in our life. It’s all planned out, and there is nothing we can do about it. So, we should do as much as we can, and don’t get frazzled that we can’t do enough.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
That Whole Economy Thing
June 8, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 7-8 and 2 Corinthians 10
These days, everyone is talking about the “huge financial crisis”. I suppose this is the thing that makes it hard to find a job for many, including myself.
I suppose that I could let this whole economy thing put me down, and I suppose that I could use it as an excuse for not bothering to look for work. I’m sure there are a lot of people who are using the present economy as an excuse for many a thing now.
There has probably never been an economy as bad as the siege of Israel from the nation of Aram. Man, if people had to sell a donkey’s head or a cup of bird poop in order to keep fed, than there is a serious need going on.
So here comes Elisha who says that food will be at record low prices by the end of the day. Sometimes I don’t know what is worse, the prophet to says there will be bad times when things are good, or the prophet who says there will be good times when things are bad. Elisha was the latter guy, and a certain officer of the king hated him for it.
Then the next day, four lepers dare to approach the enemies camp. They find out that the Aramities have left, for some odd reason. I actually think it was a huge miracle that they left, by the way.
So then what happens? The Israelites discover that they can raid all the Aramite treasures, and that officer that can’t stand Elisha gets trampled. I suppose you could call that a happy ending, for most of the characters.
I suppose that we would like to see this type of ending for the current economic crisis, sudden and full of riches. If there is one thing that I have discovered about life, it is its unpredictability. One day everything looks hopeless, and in the next, suddenly everything is okay.
This is why I don’t worry about the “economic crisis”, and this is not because I have a stable job is always in demand. It is because you never know how things are going to turn around. This is why you don’t put a gun to your head and pull the trigger, because fortune could very well be on its way.
So hey, you don’t want to completely lose it over this whole economic thing. Sure, you can prepare, but things have a way of turning around.
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 7-8 and 2 Corinthians 10
These days, everyone is talking about the “huge financial crisis”. I suppose this is the thing that makes it hard to find a job for many, including myself.
I suppose that I could let this whole economy thing put me down, and I suppose that I could use it as an excuse for not bothering to look for work. I’m sure there are a lot of people who are using the present economy as an excuse for many a thing now.
There has probably never been an economy as bad as the siege of Israel from the nation of Aram. Man, if people had to sell a donkey’s head or a cup of bird poop in order to keep fed, than there is a serious need going on.
So here comes Elisha who says that food will be at record low prices by the end of the day. Sometimes I don’t know what is worse, the prophet to says there will be bad times when things are good, or the prophet who says there will be good times when things are bad. Elisha was the latter guy, and a certain officer of the king hated him for it.
Then the next day, four lepers dare to approach the enemies camp. They find out that the Aramities have left, for some odd reason. I actually think it was a huge miracle that they left, by the way.
So then what happens? The Israelites discover that they can raid all the Aramite treasures, and that officer that can’t stand Elisha gets trampled. I suppose you could call that a happy ending, for most of the characters.
I suppose that we would like to see this type of ending for the current economic crisis, sudden and full of riches. If there is one thing that I have discovered about life, it is its unpredictability. One day everything looks hopeless, and in the next, suddenly everything is okay.
This is why I don’t worry about the “economic crisis”, and this is not because I have a stable job is always in demand. It is because you never know how things are going to turn around. This is why you don’t put a gun to your head and pull the trigger, because fortune could very well be on its way.
So hey, you don’t want to completely lose it over this whole economic thing. Sure, you can prepare, but things have a way of turning around.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Naaman wants it his own way
June 7, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 5-6 and 2 Corinthians 9
We have all heard that expression “beggars can’t be choosers”. In other words, if a person receives help, they cannot choose what form the help comes in.
Take Namaan, for example. This was some big shot commander in Aram, who just happened to have leprosy. Now I’m sure that having this disease was a real burden for this guy’s position, and he probably didn’t want to spend the rest of his life in a leper colony.
So along comes Elisha, who says he can cure him, but Naaman assumes that it will be done in a certain fashion. In fact, he expects Elisha to come to him. Instead, Elisha wants Naaman to come to the Jordan river. I suppose that I could get an atlas and check out how far these places are on the map, but I’m certain it was quite far. No one had any cars or phones, so it probably took months of correspondence before these two could be in the same room.
I’m not certain why Naaman didn’t see fit to visit Israel and get this healing going on. I think Naaman thought his river was better than Israel’s river. Either way, I have to admit that yeah, God could have healed Namaan from any river.
The issue is would Namaan have it if it wasn’t his way. I mean, we have all been in positions where we needed help. The other day, I had a terrible problem with my teeth, and I couldn’t stop the pain. I wanted help, and I wanted it in a particular way. Sadly, God did not answer my prayer.
I had to do some things to help make the tooth pain go away. God didn’t make it go away on my terms, which would have been right away, in some act of God. No, He decided to use people called dentists. I’m still not “out of the woods” as far as this problem is concerned, by the way.
Why is it that whenever we receive help, it is always in a form that doesn’t seem to help us? It just doesn’t seem to work that way. Do you want to know why? It is scary to be in a place where you need help. Very scary. Especially when you are a Christian, because technically, we are the ones that should be helping people.
However, we need to accept whatever help that comes from wherever. We have to be willing to be helpless, no matter how scary it is. Don’t try and make stipulations about how the help comes, just take it.
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 5-6 and 2 Corinthians 9
We have all heard that expression “beggars can’t be choosers”. In other words, if a person receives help, they cannot choose what form the help comes in.
Take Namaan, for example. This was some big shot commander in Aram, who just happened to have leprosy. Now I’m sure that having this disease was a real burden for this guy’s position, and he probably didn’t want to spend the rest of his life in a leper colony.
So along comes Elisha, who says he can cure him, but Naaman assumes that it will be done in a certain fashion. In fact, he expects Elisha to come to him. Instead, Elisha wants Naaman to come to the Jordan river. I suppose that I could get an atlas and check out how far these places are on the map, but I’m certain it was quite far. No one had any cars or phones, so it probably took months of correspondence before these two could be in the same room.
I’m not certain why Naaman didn’t see fit to visit Israel and get this healing going on. I think Naaman thought his river was better than Israel’s river. Either way, I have to admit that yeah, God could have healed Namaan from any river.
The issue is would Namaan have it if it wasn’t his way. I mean, we have all been in positions where we needed help. The other day, I had a terrible problem with my teeth, and I couldn’t stop the pain. I wanted help, and I wanted it in a particular way. Sadly, God did not answer my prayer.
I had to do some things to help make the tooth pain go away. God didn’t make it go away on my terms, which would have been right away, in some act of God. No, He decided to use people called dentists. I’m still not “out of the woods” as far as this problem is concerned, by the way.
Why is it that whenever we receive help, it is always in a form that doesn’t seem to help us? It just doesn’t seem to work that way. Do you want to know why? It is scary to be in a place where you need help. Very scary. Especially when you are a Christian, because technically, we are the ones that should be helping people.
However, we need to accept whatever help that comes from wherever. We have to be willing to be helpless, no matter how scary it is. Don’t try and make stipulations about how the help comes, just take it.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Not like ours
June 6, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 3-4 and 2 Corinthians 8
I believe that there is a saying that “you’re ways are not like mine”. I will have to say that is completely true. Sometimes it is comforting to know that God has this plan for my life which concludes with a great eternity in heaven. And sometimes, that just confuses the hell out of me.
There are times in which God asks for things, and it doesn’t make sense to do them. Worse yet, we are usually asked to do it anyway. Take the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom. Their armies were all assembled to meet with the armies of Moab. Nobody knew what to do, and people generally tend to call out for God in desperation in times like these.
So naturally, people turned to Elisha. What happens then makes little sense when it happens, but crescendos into quite a conclusion. First of all, Elisha calls for a harpist, which is just odd. I guess that worked for Saul.
Then, during the music, Elisha has a great idea: there is going to be water. Granted, they were out in the desert, and water is a concern, but it there was some armies due to arrive and quenching your thirst should be the least of your worries.
So what do they start doing? Elisha orders them all to dig ditches. That would make sense in trench warfare, but that hadn’t been invented yet. Can you imagine all the soldiers who probably thought they were dead because their leaders don’t have a plan. It’s like the workers who are worried that the business is going to go under.
Well, they didn’t strike oil, but they got water. And it was not just any water, because when the sun hit it, it looked like blood. And then this blood was enough for Moab to let their guard down, because they thought the armies had destroyed each other.
Then the Israelites yelled “surprise” and just attacked and won. Now, how in the world did a simple digging of ditches win a battle. From what I can tell, there didn’t seem to a plan beyond the ditches for Elisha.
There wasn’t the planning scene like in Independence Day, where the heroes know the stage of their plans. Then something goes wrong, and the heroes have to improvise. No, this entire plan was based on improvisation.
At least on the heroes part. God tends to work like an Author, building suspense and taking the characters to the limits of themselves for one of the most exciting endings.
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 3-4 and 2 Corinthians 8
I believe that there is a saying that “you’re ways are not like mine”. I will have to say that is completely true. Sometimes it is comforting to know that God has this plan for my life which concludes with a great eternity in heaven. And sometimes, that just confuses the hell out of me.
There are times in which God asks for things, and it doesn’t make sense to do them. Worse yet, we are usually asked to do it anyway. Take the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom. Their armies were all assembled to meet with the armies of Moab. Nobody knew what to do, and people generally tend to call out for God in desperation in times like these.
So naturally, people turned to Elisha. What happens then makes little sense when it happens, but crescendos into quite a conclusion. First of all, Elisha calls for a harpist, which is just odd. I guess that worked for Saul.
Then, during the music, Elisha has a great idea: there is going to be water. Granted, they were out in the desert, and water is a concern, but it there was some armies due to arrive and quenching your thirst should be the least of your worries.
So what do they start doing? Elisha orders them all to dig ditches. That would make sense in trench warfare, but that hadn’t been invented yet. Can you imagine all the soldiers who probably thought they were dead because their leaders don’t have a plan. It’s like the workers who are worried that the business is going to go under.
Well, they didn’t strike oil, but they got water. And it was not just any water, because when the sun hit it, it looked like blood. And then this blood was enough for Moab to let their guard down, because they thought the armies had destroyed each other.
Then the Israelites yelled “surprise” and just attacked and won. Now, how in the world did a simple digging of ditches win a battle. From what I can tell, there didn’t seem to a plan beyond the ditches for Elisha.
There wasn’t the planning scene like in Independence Day, where the heroes know the stage of their plans. Then something goes wrong, and the heroes have to improvise. No, this entire plan was based on improvisation.
At least on the heroes part. God tends to work like an Author, building suspense and taking the characters to the limits of themselves for one of the most exciting endings.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wiped Out by God
June 5, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 1-2 and 2 Corinthians 7
Imagine if you knew that today you were going to die. I suppose the next obvious and most often asked question is: “what would you do that is different”. I’m certain that some of us, including myself, would probably repent as much as possible. However, I wouldn’t really have to if I truly repented in the first place.
I suppose that I could talk about Elijah, because he actually knew when he was going to die. However, he never really experienced death, did he? He was carried aloft by some whirlwind. He is only one of two people known that went to God without dying.
No, I’m talking about the fifty men who came to see Elijah and were incinerated. I can imagine that the soldiers who had come to get him probably thought: “well, fifty men to get one guy, this is overkill”. Of course, the only overkill that happened was with the men.
I can’t help but wonder what the second group of men were thinking when they went to get Elijah. Did they think: “Fire from heaven? Right. Let’s just go get these guys and make fun of the guys that didn’t do it right the first time.” And then they all died.
So we have, what, one hundred lives that were lost all because Ahaziah fell down and wanted to consult someone. You know, if he went to Elijah in the first place, this never would have happened. But he didn’t, he went to consult Baal-zebub. Isn’t this the same as Beelzebub? So, instead of going to God, you go to the devil?
I suppose there was some sort of complication with this, and why Ahaziah chose to go to this ungodly counselor is not mentioned. Fortunately, there was one wise leader of fifty men who begged Elijah to come with him.
I feel sorry for this guy. He probably wanted to do his job, but he didn’t want to get torched in the process. At least, he had to beg for help.
And let’s talk about the boys who made fun of Elisha’s bald head. Bears came and killed forty two youths who were just doing what most boys would do. Now the toll is up to about 150.
Sometimes I wonder how God can see fit to sacrifice lives in his plan for humanity. I suppose that one hundred men is probably a small fraction of all humanity, but it certainly feels like a terrible price to pay for it.
The lesson here is: don’t disobey the Lord. If you think it won’t lead to death, maybe you’re right. It may not lead to your death, but man, be mindful as it leads to others dying.
Today's Reading: 2 Kings 1-2 and 2 Corinthians 7
Imagine if you knew that today you were going to die. I suppose the next obvious and most often asked question is: “what would you do that is different”. I’m certain that some of us, including myself, would probably repent as much as possible. However, I wouldn’t really have to if I truly repented in the first place.
I suppose that I could talk about Elijah, because he actually knew when he was going to die. However, he never really experienced death, did he? He was carried aloft by some whirlwind. He is only one of two people known that went to God without dying.
No, I’m talking about the fifty men who came to see Elijah and were incinerated. I can imagine that the soldiers who had come to get him probably thought: “well, fifty men to get one guy, this is overkill”. Of course, the only overkill that happened was with the men.
I can’t help but wonder what the second group of men were thinking when they went to get Elijah. Did they think: “Fire from heaven? Right. Let’s just go get these guys and make fun of the guys that didn’t do it right the first time.” And then they all died.
So we have, what, one hundred lives that were lost all because Ahaziah fell down and wanted to consult someone. You know, if he went to Elijah in the first place, this never would have happened. But he didn’t, he went to consult Baal-zebub. Isn’t this the same as Beelzebub? So, instead of going to God, you go to the devil?
I suppose there was some sort of complication with this, and why Ahaziah chose to go to this ungodly counselor is not mentioned. Fortunately, there was one wise leader of fifty men who begged Elijah to come with him.
I feel sorry for this guy. He probably wanted to do his job, but he didn’t want to get torched in the process. At least, he had to beg for help.
And let’s talk about the boys who made fun of Elisha’s bald head. Bears came and killed forty two youths who were just doing what most boys would do. Now the toll is up to about 150.
Sometimes I wonder how God can see fit to sacrifice lives in his plan for humanity. I suppose that one hundred men is probably a small fraction of all humanity, but it certainly feels like a terrible price to pay for it.
The lesson here is: don’t disobey the Lord. If you think it won’t lead to death, maybe you’re right. It may not lead to your death, but man, be mindful as it leads to others dying.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
How Micaiah Avoids Groupthink
June 4, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 21-22 and Psalm 27-28
When I was in psychology class, I learned a lot of odd words that are quite applicable. For example, the concept of groupthink. I suppose the meaning of this word is pretty self-explanatory, as it happens in business board rooms and church meeting places all the time.
This is when there is a feeling amongst a group of people that there is a majority rule on a certain issue, despite the fact that there hasn’t been an official election. When it comes time to make that decision, those who are undecided or even those who are opposed to the perceived way the crowd is turning vote for it and not against it.
I am told that this is how the space shuttle Challenger was pushed to launch despite the doubts NASA had about its left thruster. Of course, who really wants to scrub a launch date for a problem that “probably isn’t there anyway”. Of course, we all know how that ended up.
This is the sad state that a lot of us live in. We just sort of go with the crowd and are afraid to make waves. I’m betting there have been a lot of great decisions that have occurred simply because of groupthink. We would like to think that all the Nazis hated the Jews and wanted to seem them in concentration camps, but I think the literal truth would be that some of the Germans were horrified at what they did to the Jews, but they felt they were under orders.
I wonder if groupthink works for good decisions as well. I’m sure most of us would say that the Declaration of Independence was a good thing (for America, at least). I wonder if any of those founding fathers just signed because George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were doing it.
Such is the case with Macaiah the prophet. This guy has a lot of conviction and will only say what the Lord tells him, and he has to be the one who tells everyone that there will be a lying spirit in the prophets. Man, how would you like to be the bearer of that news?
Well, you all know how the story goes: Macaiah was right. I suppose the lesson to be learned here is to be a wave-maker, but hey, is that any guarantee that you will be right. Of course not. However, Macaiah proves that sometimes being the guy who stands up in the crowd can be a good thing. You have to like the calm way Macaiah stood up. He just said what God put on his heart, and had no self-righteousness about him. This is how you go against the flow, if you need to.
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 21-22 and Psalm 27-28
When I was in psychology class, I learned a lot of odd words that are quite applicable. For example, the concept of groupthink. I suppose the meaning of this word is pretty self-explanatory, as it happens in business board rooms and church meeting places all the time.
This is when there is a feeling amongst a group of people that there is a majority rule on a certain issue, despite the fact that there hasn’t been an official election. When it comes time to make that decision, those who are undecided or even those who are opposed to the perceived way the crowd is turning vote for it and not against it.
I am told that this is how the space shuttle Challenger was pushed to launch despite the doubts NASA had about its left thruster. Of course, who really wants to scrub a launch date for a problem that “probably isn’t there anyway”. Of course, we all know how that ended up.
This is the sad state that a lot of us live in. We just sort of go with the crowd and are afraid to make waves. I’m betting there have been a lot of great decisions that have occurred simply because of groupthink. We would like to think that all the Nazis hated the Jews and wanted to seem them in concentration camps, but I think the literal truth would be that some of the Germans were horrified at what they did to the Jews, but they felt they were under orders.
I wonder if groupthink works for good decisions as well. I’m sure most of us would say that the Declaration of Independence was a good thing (for America, at least). I wonder if any of those founding fathers just signed because George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were doing it.
Such is the case with Macaiah the prophet. This guy has a lot of conviction and will only say what the Lord tells him, and he has to be the one who tells everyone that there will be a lying spirit in the prophets. Man, how would you like to be the bearer of that news?
Well, you all know how the story goes: Macaiah was right. I suppose the lesson to be learned here is to be a wave-maker, but hey, is that any guarantee that you will be right. Of course not. However, Macaiah proves that sometimes being the guy who stands up in the crowd can be a good thing. You have to like the calm way Macaiah stood up. He just said what God put on his heart, and had no self-righteousness about him. This is how you go against the flow, if you need to.
Monday, June 22, 2009
A Superhero in fear
June 3, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 19-20 and Psalm 25-26
I have a confession to make: I have always wanted to be a superhero. However, the lack of radioactive spiders, gamma bombs, cosmic rays, and all other pseudo-science has been absent in my life. Granted, I have had some tragic things happen in my life, but my parents divorce has never driven me over the edge to motivate me to get into a spandex suit and fight crime.
I think the appeal of superheroes is the power of God in the hands of man. Of course, if there is one thing that comic books have taught us is that having power isn’t easy. Sure, you may be able to take out the ordinary bad guys, but there is always a limit. Just like Superman has a Kryptonite, I’m pretty certain that most super-powered good guys would not stand a chance if all the villains in the world ganged up on them.
In fact, that was happening with Elijah. I mean, this guy made fire fall from the sky like he was some Human Torch, then he outran the king to Jezreel like the Flash. And before that, he made oil multiply. Man, I don’t know any superhero that could do that? If there was one, I would imagine he would be pretty popular right now with oil prices going up and all.
Okay, that was a stupid contemporary commentary, I admit it, but I couldn’t believe the reading today when Elijah was afraid. Man, he had done some pretty amazing stuff, and now he was scared? I mean, this is the guy who had ravens bring his food.
Then Elijah learns a valuable a lesson as God sends earth(quake), wind, and fire on that mountain that Elijah was dwelling in. Then there was the whisper, a voice of God that was more powerful than powers.
By the way do you know what happened to Elijah? As far as I know, nothing. In fact, the story seems to go away from Elijah after he finds an assistant. Yeah, I know, he’s probably going to be killed, and he gets a secondhand man. Man, that’s like Batman getting Robin after the Joker, Riddler, and Penguin put out a hit on him.
So, what can we learn? Problems are never as bad as we think, and even if they are, then God will give us the power we need to get over them. Until then, we need to remember who we are, and that we can do some pretty cool stuff.
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 19-20 and Psalm 25-26
I have a confession to make: I have always wanted to be a superhero. However, the lack of radioactive spiders, gamma bombs, cosmic rays, and all other pseudo-science has been absent in my life. Granted, I have had some tragic things happen in my life, but my parents divorce has never driven me over the edge to motivate me to get into a spandex suit and fight crime.
I think the appeal of superheroes is the power of God in the hands of man. Of course, if there is one thing that comic books have taught us is that having power isn’t easy. Sure, you may be able to take out the ordinary bad guys, but there is always a limit. Just like Superman has a Kryptonite, I’m pretty certain that most super-powered good guys would not stand a chance if all the villains in the world ganged up on them.
In fact, that was happening with Elijah. I mean, this guy made fire fall from the sky like he was some Human Torch, then he outran the king to Jezreel like the Flash. And before that, he made oil multiply. Man, I don’t know any superhero that could do that? If there was one, I would imagine he would be pretty popular right now with oil prices going up and all.
Okay, that was a stupid contemporary commentary, I admit it, but I couldn’t believe the reading today when Elijah was afraid. Man, he had done some pretty amazing stuff, and now he was scared? I mean, this is the guy who had ravens bring his food.
Then Elijah learns a valuable a lesson as God sends earth(quake), wind, and fire on that mountain that Elijah was dwelling in. Then there was the whisper, a voice of God that was more powerful than powers.
By the way do you know what happened to Elijah? As far as I know, nothing. In fact, the story seems to go away from Elijah after he finds an assistant. Yeah, I know, he’s probably going to be killed, and he gets a secondhand man. Man, that’s like Batman getting Robin after the Joker, Riddler, and Penguin put out a hit on him.
So, what can we learn? Problems are never as bad as we think, and even if they are, then God will give us the power we need to get over them. Until then, we need to remember who we are, and that we can do some pretty cool stuff.
Crossing the Unbuilt Bridge
June 2, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 17-18 and 2 Corinthians 6
Some of you might remember a certain scene in X-men where the villain Magneto forms this bridge by taking tiles from the wall and making this makeshift floor in front of him. It’s a two-second special effect that is worth the price of admission, but it left me wondering about why the heck Magneto didn’t make the entire bridge and then walk across it.
I suppose that is what faith is, leaping and then looking. I find it odd that Elijah just goes up to Ahab and makes a challenge. I mean, it is pretty simple: If God is God, worship Him, and if Baal is lord, worship him.
I guess he was sick of the generations of faithful kings and then evil kings that had come before him. I can’t say that I blame him. Who really wants this kind of inconsistency?
Needless to say, it is the matter of Elijah’s challenge which interested me. There doesn’t seem to be any point before this scene where Elijah spent time with God to see if that is what He wants to do.
No, it appears that Elijah came up with this plan all by himself, and took steps to implement it. Not only that, it seems to have worked. Fire fell from the heavens, and really humiliated those prophets of Baal.
Can you imagine if Elijah did this, and it turned out that God didn’t back him up? Man, all that trash talking would have been in vain, and it would have been really sad. I’m not certain what would have happened if Baal and God didn’t answer.
I can’t help but wonder if God likes it when we just do stuff like that. After all, wasn’t it Peter’s idea to walk on water? And Jesus was the one who just said: “yeah, go ahead”.
However, most of us don’t really take this sort of initiative with God. We don’t just say: “Hey, you guys don’t believe in God, just watch as I walk across this river. Then you will believe.”
Have you ever tried that? Me neither. Maybe it is because I don’t want people thinking that I am completely nuts after I fall into the water after the first step. Yeah, I’m guessing that would probably happen.
But what if it didn’t? Man, that would be something. Of course, there is no guarantee that the people that you are trying to win over with the gospel won’t think it is some sort of trick.
Still, when was the last time you put it all on the line for God?
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 17-18 and 2 Corinthians 6
Some of you might remember a certain scene in X-men where the villain Magneto forms this bridge by taking tiles from the wall and making this makeshift floor in front of him. It’s a two-second special effect that is worth the price of admission, but it left me wondering about why the heck Magneto didn’t make the entire bridge and then walk across it.
I suppose that is what faith is, leaping and then looking. I find it odd that Elijah just goes up to Ahab and makes a challenge. I mean, it is pretty simple: If God is God, worship Him, and if Baal is lord, worship him.
I guess he was sick of the generations of faithful kings and then evil kings that had come before him. I can’t say that I blame him. Who really wants this kind of inconsistency?
Needless to say, it is the matter of Elijah’s challenge which interested me. There doesn’t seem to be any point before this scene where Elijah spent time with God to see if that is what He wants to do.
No, it appears that Elijah came up with this plan all by himself, and took steps to implement it. Not only that, it seems to have worked. Fire fell from the heavens, and really humiliated those prophets of Baal.
Can you imagine if Elijah did this, and it turned out that God didn’t back him up? Man, all that trash talking would have been in vain, and it would have been really sad. I’m not certain what would have happened if Baal and God didn’t answer.
I can’t help but wonder if God likes it when we just do stuff like that. After all, wasn’t it Peter’s idea to walk on water? And Jesus was the one who just said: “yeah, go ahead”.
However, most of us don’t really take this sort of initiative with God. We don’t just say: “Hey, you guys don’t believe in God, just watch as I walk across this river. Then you will believe.”
Have you ever tried that? Me neither. Maybe it is because I don’t want people thinking that I am completely nuts after I fall into the water after the first step. Yeah, I’m guessing that would probably happen.
But what if it didn’t? Man, that would be something. Of course, there is no guarantee that the people that you are trying to win over with the gospel won’t think it is some sort of trick.
Still, when was the last time you put it all on the line for God?
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Living on the Sine Wave
June 1, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 15-16 and 2 Corinthians 5
For those of you who aren’t familiar with a sine wave, then you might want to find some sort math-lete who understands y=sinx. The graph is a curve that goes up and down, which is very similar to the collective morality of Judah and Isreal.
I don’t know if there is any record of the Annals of the Kings of Judah or the Annals of the Kings of Israel, but the Bible certain refers to this source a lot. I guess so we can see more of their daily activities other than mentioning of the high places.
But hey, there is nothing worse than someone who is good one day and then bad the next. Man, could you just pick a side and stay with it, please? In fact, for all those good people who occasionally dabble in evil, can I just say one thing? Just be evil! I mean, don’t fool yourself, you can’t be both. By the way, don’t listen to what I said, I don’t want you to be evil.
Still, it’s sort of like what Jack Sparrow said in Pirate of the Caribbean: “You can always count on a dishonest person to be dishonest. It’s the honest ones that you have to worry about, because you can never tell when they will do something absolutely stupid.”
Yeah, I would say that out of all the nations in the world, it is probably Israel that probably did the stupidest stuff, really. I mean, all the other ones like Babylonia or Egypt can at least claim ignorance.
However, I can’t claim any degree of superiority. The other day, I began to notice habit patterns that I was falling back into about twenty years ago. Man, did I feel like a huge prize chump that hadn’t changed one bit. I began to wonder why the heck I went through the last twenty years for if I had learned nothing.
Yeah, I think we all fluctuate, and we just don’t ever really settle down on any particular alignment unless we are really forced to. However, given our own fickle selves, we generally will fall for anything since we stand for nothing.
Perhaps this is why 2 Corinthians 5 tells of us of how we groan and long to have a heavenly dwelling. I suppose in heaven we won’t be tempted to fall into old habits, or any bad new ones, for that matter. However, if I am going to enter heaven, I would really like to leave everything else behind me.
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 15-16 and 2 Corinthians 5
For those of you who aren’t familiar with a sine wave, then you might want to find some sort math-lete who understands y=sinx. The graph is a curve that goes up and down, which is very similar to the collective morality of Judah and Isreal.
I don’t know if there is any record of the Annals of the Kings of Judah or the Annals of the Kings of Israel, but the Bible certain refers to this source a lot. I guess so we can see more of their daily activities other than mentioning of the high places.
But hey, there is nothing worse than someone who is good one day and then bad the next. Man, could you just pick a side and stay with it, please? In fact, for all those good people who occasionally dabble in evil, can I just say one thing? Just be evil! I mean, don’t fool yourself, you can’t be both. By the way, don’t listen to what I said, I don’t want you to be evil.
Still, it’s sort of like what Jack Sparrow said in Pirate of the Caribbean: “You can always count on a dishonest person to be dishonest. It’s the honest ones that you have to worry about, because you can never tell when they will do something absolutely stupid.”
Yeah, I would say that out of all the nations in the world, it is probably Israel that probably did the stupidest stuff, really. I mean, all the other ones like Babylonia or Egypt can at least claim ignorance.
However, I can’t claim any degree of superiority. The other day, I began to notice habit patterns that I was falling back into about twenty years ago. Man, did I feel like a huge prize chump that hadn’t changed one bit. I began to wonder why the heck I went through the last twenty years for if I had learned nothing.
Yeah, I think we all fluctuate, and we just don’t ever really settle down on any particular alignment unless we are really forced to. However, given our own fickle selves, we generally will fall for anything since we stand for nothing.
Perhaps this is why 2 Corinthians 5 tells of us of how we groan and long to have a heavenly dwelling. I suppose in heaven we won’t be tempted to fall into old habits, or any bad new ones, for that matter. However, if I am going to enter heaven, I would really like to leave everything else behind me.
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Unknown Soldier of God
May 31, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 13-14 and 2 Corinthians 4
I never did understand this story between Jeroboam and this mysterious man of God that the bible does not name. He tells King Jeroboam that Josiah will come to destroy all the priests of the high places. By the way, that actually happened.
To confirm that this was going to happen in the future, there is something that occurs in the present. The altar that Jeroboam was worshipping at splits open spontaneously. Then Jeroboam’s hand just up and shrivels up. The king prays for healing on his arm, but I don’t think he prays for deliverance for the things to come.
Maybe that’s why the king invited this prophet to dinner. I’m not certain why God did not want this prophet to accept a gift from the king, or anyone else for that matter. And some guy comes to this prophet later and says: “hey guess what? I am a prophet too, and God told me to take you out”.
And so, God took out the prophet. Really sad. I mean, how was this prophet to know that this man was lying? Of course, I always feel sorry for people in the Bible that die stupidly. Okay, I suppose the prophet sort of brought it on himself, but what is the point of this story?
I mean, I feel the main “meat” of this story is the meeting between Jeroboam and the prophet, and then it should just go on to something else. I mean, if the Bible was a novel, that’s how I would write it. As it is, the darn story goes to this prophet that doesn’t have a name, to meet up with a guy who doesn’t have a name. The story just gets a little boring compared to the action that happens afterward. By the way, Jeroboam does not listen to the prophet, apparently.
Of course, I didn’t write the Bible, and real life doesn’t play like book. It plays like an independent film that is really boring and is so lifelike that you realize that you could have not wasted two hours of your life watching a film, and could have just lived life for that kind of inaction you just observed.
Of course, life is not directionless. Our life seems like one city street, but we don’t realize without looking from a overhead that we are part of a huge grid. It would be stupid of us to assume that we know our place in this world, because until our life is done, we don’t know our life’s work.
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 13-14 and 2 Corinthians 4
I never did understand this story between Jeroboam and this mysterious man of God that the bible does not name. He tells King Jeroboam that Josiah will come to destroy all the priests of the high places. By the way, that actually happened.
To confirm that this was going to happen in the future, there is something that occurs in the present. The altar that Jeroboam was worshipping at splits open spontaneously. Then Jeroboam’s hand just up and shrivels up. The king prays for healing on his arm, but I don’t think he prays for deliverance for the things to come.
Maybe that’s why the king invited this prophet to dinner. I’m not certain why God did not want this prophet to accept a gift from the king, or anyone else for that matter. And some guy comes to this prophet later and says: “hey guess what? I am a prophet too, and God told me to take you out”.
And so, God took out the prophet. Really sad. I mean, how was this prophet to know that this man was lying? Of course, I always feel sorry for people in the Bible that die stupidly. Okay, I suppose the prophet sort of brought it on himself, but what is the point of this story?
I mean, I feel the main “meat” of this story is the meeting between Jeroboam and the prophet, and then it should just go on to something else. I mean, if the Bible was a novel, that’s how I would write it. As it is, the darn story goes to this prophet that doesn’t have a name, to meet up with a guy who doesn’t have a name. The story just gets a little boring compared to the action that happens afterward. By the way, Jeroboam does not listen to the prophet, apparently.
Of course, I didn’t write the Bible, and real life doesn’t play like book. It plays like an independent film that is really boring and is so lifelike that you realize that you could have not wasted two hours of your life watching a film, and could have just lived life for that kind of inaction you just observed.
Of course, life is not directionless. Our life seems like one city street, but we don’t realize without looking from a overhead that we are part of a huge grid. It would be stupid of us to assume that we know our place in this world, because until our life is done, we don’t know our life’s work.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Just How Does This Happen?
May 30, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 11-12 and 2 Corinthians 3
I think we all know stories about rich heiresses or heirs of families who have all the money that they will need, and just squander it on a life of nothing but lavish living.
It is odd that Solomon eventually became one of these cases. He started off so well as the son of David, one of the most spiritual figures of Israel.
God even came to this man and asked what he wanted. Oddly enough, Solomon did not ask for money, and I believe this is because he probably already had some. He then asked for some wisdom, and apparently this helped him when he met with Sheba.
You have to wonder what went wrong here. God even appeared to this man a second time, and he was warned not to get involved with the wives with the other countries and other faiths. So what happens? Solomon does the very thing he stood against. There is no explanation as to how this happen.
I get the feeling that if there was a Solomon movie, there would be some scene where we would see Solomon making a choice to marry his first wife, and this would probably be the first step on a downward spiral stairwell.
Why didn’t Solomon just rest in his riches, and use his wisdom to rule the kingdom justly. Surely this is all we really want from our rulers, and if anyone did this at peak capacity, we would probably just call it “normal”.
However, Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines! Man, if he spent the night with one of each of these women every night, it would take about three years before a woman would spend the night with him again.
I’m certain that there got to be a point where Solomon was just taking in wives, and lost track of how many he had. Perhaps he had a wife committee made up of some of his more treasured wives, whose sole duty was just to bring more wives into the spousefold.
Even though Solomon’s father had seen God’s works firsthand, he really should have known better. He reminds me of Homer Simpson, who is often told and shown the right path, but still manages to head down the wrong one with all deliberate speed.
Solomon is proof that just because you have everything, it doesn’t mean that you are going to keep it or stay there. Inversely, I believe that those who start with nothing can achieve something. However, we need to keep the faith.
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 11-12 and 2 Corinthians 3
I think we all know stories about rich heiresses or heirs of families who have all the money that they will need, and just squander it on a life of nothing but lavish living.
It is odd that Solomon eventually became one of these cases. He started off so well as the son of David, one of the most spiritual figures of Israel.
God even came to this man and asked what he wanted. Oddly enough, Solomon did not ask for money, and I believe this is because he probably already had some. He then asked for some wisdom, and apparently this helped him when he met with Sheba.
You have to wonder what went wrong here. God even appeared to this man a second time, and he was warned not to get involved with the wives with the other countries and other faiths. So what happens? Solomon does the very thing he stood against. There is no explanation as to how this happen.
I get the feeling that if there was a Solomon movie, there would be some scene where we would see Solomon making a choice to marry his first wife, and this would probably be the first step on a downward spiral stairwell.
Why didn’t Solomon just rest in his riches, and use his wisdom to rule the kingdom justly. Surely this is all we really want from our rulers, and if anyone did this at peak capacity, we would probably just call it “normal”.
However, Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines! Man, if he spent the night with one of each of these women every night, it would take about three years before a woman would spend the night with him again.
I’m certain that there got to be a point where Solomon was just taking in wives, and lost track of how many he had. Perhaps he had a wife committee made up of some of his more treasured wives, whose sole duty was just to bring more wives into the spousefold.
Even though Solomon’s father had seen God’s works firsthand, he really should have known better. He reminds me of Homer Simpson, who is often told and shown the right path, but still manages to head down the wrong one with all deliberate speed.
Solomon is proof that just because you have everything, it doesn’t mean that you are going to keep it or stay there. Inversely, I believe that those who start with nothing can achieve something. However, we need to keep the faith.
You May Know More than Solomon!
May 29, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 9-10 and 2 Corinthians 2
I’d like for you to imagine the meeting of Solomon and Sheba like it was an interview between Barbara Walters and one of her celebrities.
Sheba: So, Solomon what is the meaning of life.
Solomon: Seriously, you are asking me that? You can ask me anything, and you chose that of all things? I would think that the answer to that is pretty obvious.
Sheba: Well, it is obvious to you, so if you could make it clear to me, I would appreciate it.
Solomon: Since I believe in God, I am believe that we are to live for Him.
Sheba: This God, who is he.
Solomon: Guy who created the entire universe. Once he got the planets down, along with the animals, he apparently wasn’t satisfied being alone, and created man. Then he wasn’t satisfied with men being alone, so he created women.
Sheba: But where is He now?
Solomon: Once upon a time, God, man, and women lived together in harmony. Since God did not want them to be automatons, so he had to give them a choice of whether they would follow him or not. So he created a Tree of Conscience.
Sheba: Conscience?
Solomon: That inner sense that we have between right or wrong. Humanity never had need of a conscience with God around. There was no need of the words “right” or “wrong”. It was a different story once humanity decided to eat of the tree. Yes, there was a temptation that they gave into, and since matters were in their own hands, we still feel the effects.
Sheba: Why should future generations suffer for the choice of their ancestors?
Solomon: God is one of those guys who is perfect. He’s not so perfect that he cannot stand our presence, but it is like being in the same room with someone with a fatal disease. You can’t ignore that the disease is there, even if it won’t kill you. You have to do something about it.
Sheba: So what can you do about it?
Solomon: Go to the Temple, give animal sacrifices of blood for our sins.
Sheba: What if you don’t have any animals?
Solomon: I guess you borrow them from someone else. God will probably provide them.
Yeah, I suppose these are the answers that Solomon the wise would have given the royal Sheba back then. I mean, how difficult were her questions? Chances are, that was as difficult as they would get, and I’m guessing a lot of Christians could answer these questions much better than Solomon. I mean, the king didn’t know a thing about Jesus.
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 9-10 and 2 Corinthians 2
I’d like for you to imagine the meeting of Solomon and Sheba like it was an interview between Barbara Walters and one of her celebrities.
Sheba: So, Solomon what is the meaning of life.
Solomon: Seriously, you are asking me that? You can ask me anything, and you chose that of all things? I would think that the answer to that is pretty obvious.
Sheba: Well, it is obvious to you, so if you could make it clear to me, I would appreciate it.
Solomon: Since I believe in God, I am believe that we are to live for Him.
Sheba: This God, who is he.
Solomon: Guy who created the entire universe. Once he got the planets down, along with the animals, he apparently wasn’t satisfied being alone, and created man. Then he wasn’t satisfied with men being alone, so he created women.
Sheba: But where is He now?
Solomon: Once upon a time, God, man, and women lived together in harmony. Since God did not want them to be automatons, so he had to give them a choice of whether they would follow him or not. So he created a Tree of Conscience.
Sheba: Conscience?
Solomon: That inner sense that we have between right or wrong. Humanity never had need of a conscience with God around. There was no need of the words “right” or “wrong”. It was a different story once humanity decided to eat of the tree. Yes, there was a temptation that they gave into, and since matters were in their own hands, we still feel the effects.
Sheba: Why should future generations suffer for the choice of their ancestors?
Solomon: God is one of those guys who is perfect. He’s not so perfect that he cannot stand our presence, but it is like being in the same room with someone with a fatal disease. You can’t ignore that the disease is there, even if it won’t kill you. You have to do something about it.
Sheba: So what can you do about it?
Solomon: Go to the Temple, give animal sacrifices of blood for our sins.
Sheba: What if you don’t have any animals?
Solomon: I guess you borrow them from someone else. God will probably provide them.
Yeah, I suppose these are the answers that Solomon the wise would have given the royal Sheba back then. I mean, how difficult were her questions? Chances are, that was as difficult as they would get, and I’m guessing a lot of Christians could answer these questions much better than Solomon. I mean, the king didn’t know a thing about Jesus.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Necessity of the Temple
May 28, 2009
Today's Review: 1 Kings 7-8 and Psalm 23-24
Today's Review: 1 Kings 7-8 and Psalm 23-24
I think I have mentioned this before when we were discussing the Tabernacle, but why is it that we need a Tabernacle, much less a
However, you have to admire the idea of a
Who doesn’t like the idea of a place where all the action happens. I mean, at one time the presence of God was so thick that no one could (or dared) enter in the
Even Psalm 24 is supposed to be some sort of declaration of getting into the
And yet, just before this Psalm is the famed Psalm 23. It declares that we really have all that we need with the Lord on our side. We really don’t need a big
Even Solomon acknowledged this, that no house can house God. God is just too big to be put under four walls, but this is how we treat churches. Come on, don’t tell me that most people don’t act differently when the arrive at church. Granted, people do this for the wrong reasons.
I can’t help but wonder if we couldn’t use some sort of
Man, what I wouldn’t give to see that
Is it any wonder why God promises that he will restore the
God’s Prefab Construction
May 27, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 5-6 and Psalm 21-22
Years ago, when I was taking a Bible class (think of it as a young Christian initiation course). I was told that when Solomon’s
These days it seems like all building is done by pre-fab. When I was a kid, my parents bought a new house that was essentially built within a day. The basement was a strong concrete foundation, but all of the other walls and floors was just pieces that arrived by semi trucks and assembled like gigantic puzzle pieces.
Even Legos have gone into pre-fab, but this has worked against it. Some of you may remember when Lego Castles were a bunch of seemingly random bricks, but they eventually became these playsets with tower-shaped blocks that sadly can’t be used for any other projects.
Who knows how these bricks were taken to the temple, and what happened if one of them was out of place. I wonder if this is supposed to be some sort of metaphor of what it is supposed to be before we get to heaven.
Yeah, sometimes I wonder if God wants us to be completely perfected by the time we get to heaven. If so, then I am so boned.
Okay, I don’t really know that. I believe that we are supposed to walk in whatever conviction or enlightenment that we know about. The other day, I was watching some movies online, and remember that the last time I watched these films, I felt like I had to repent. Today, I watched that same film and enjoyed the experience. Is this a sign that I have grown as a Christian?
I don’t know, but there are some things that I did in the name of God way back when that I wish I could undo today. I see no reason to bang the Bible over the head with everyone that I knew, as all I created was alienation. I think about all the times I thought people who played role-playing games were ungodly, and now I think I was ungodly for putting a spotlight on these gamers and saying they were nigh Satanists.
In short, I suppose we could be perfected before we reach heaven, but honestly, that would require me to be as perfect as possible before I die. Could I do that on a daily basis? I think I could.
Monday, June 15, 2009
A Re-telling of Solomon and the Two…ahem…working girls
May 26, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 3-4 and 2 Corinthians 1
This is a Transcript of “Prostitute vs. Prostitute”
Judge Officiating: Solomon the king
Date: The first year of Solomon
Baliff: Here is the issue. Woman 1 woke up with a dead son. She claims woman 2 switched babies and while the other was sleeping.
Judge: Oh, for crying out loud, you are just a bunch of hos!
Baliff: Sir?
Judge: I’m the king, dang it! Don’t you think I have better things to do than officiate over a matter like this!
Woman1: Please hear me out! I want my son back.
Woman2: You mean my son.
Judge: Yeah, yeah, whatever. Wait a second, this reminds me of a dream that I had last night. I saw that the promises in God are “Yes” and “Amen”. I saw the words 2 Corinthians amongst them.
Baliff: What does that have to do with anything?
Judge: I don’t know. Oh wait, God also showed up to give me some wisdom. Wait! I know what to do. Bring me a sword.
Baliff: Why.
Judge: So I can cut all of your dang heads off. No, I’m just kidding. I mean, not that I couldn’t, but I just want to cut this bas…this baby in half.
Baliff: How do you want it cut?
Judge: Did you actually think I wasn’t kidding about that! Well, I wasn’t, so good job! I was thinking down the middle. No, not down the waistline middle, but from nose to toes middle! That way, each of them get equal portions, unless that tyke’s got a birthmark.
Woman 1: Wait, give the baby to the other one. At least he will live.
Woman 2: Fine, who cares.
Judge: Okay, that first lady is the real mother. After all, guess who was willing to sacrifice for the sake of their own.
Woman 1: Thank you, my liege.
Judge:
Solomon was willing to put it all on the line for one thing, a breakthrough! I’m wondering if he was the one who coined the term “think outside the box” because this is the most outside the box that I have ever seen.
I wonder what other solutions to our problems are just waiting to be solved through a little creative thinking. Sometimes you have to risk cutting a baby in half to get that breakthrough, but it is worth it.
Who knows what atoms are waiting to be split?
Small Histories
May 25, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 1-2 and Mark 16
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 1-2 and Mark 16
Anyone remember the election of 2000? How could you forget? I mean, Bush Jr. and Gore were going at it, each one saying that they won.
I always thought that was the most ridiculous thing to happen to
I would imagine that something similar occurred during the days Adonijah. Yet I can’t really imagined how it occurred. I mean, when Solomon was born, did David make some sort of proclamation saying: “Hey, everyone, I believe my son Solomon will be king instead of me. So if I’m ever on my deathbed, and you’re wondering who is next, don’t pick some other son, pick Solomon.”
Okay, that was a stupid slogan, but you get my drift. Had David made some sort of formal proclamation, or had put it on a certain stone tablet, then Adonijah would never have been able to set himself up as king. And yet by some sort of technicality, this guy, whose ambition was as great as the whole kingdom, apparently, was almost the next Solomon, with or without the wisdom.
Yeah, who knows, maybe Adonijah may not have fallen into the bad soup that Solomon eventually went into, but if you have to win by some technicality, then that is pretty pathetic. I’m sure there are a lot of George W. Bush fans who are really ticked off by now, but hey, history don’t lie.
Yet history is all about little things occurring. I mean, does anyone think that it is odd that the ultimate salvation of man came in the form of some carpenter from
And yet some empty tomb that could have gone unnoticed is
So how is it that anything ever happens, anyway? I mean, in all this world of seemingly important happenings, sometimes the simplest of things become grand enough to change the world.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wrong Thing, Wrong Time
May 24, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 23-24 and Mark 15
I think you all know that there are some things in the Bible that I don’t really agree with. However, I’m not the one who wrote it, and there are a few edits that I would make.
First of all, there seems to be a part where David counts his army. Now, I don’t understand why it is a sin to count an army. In the book of Numbers, there is nothing but counting! Accountants probably sit around and dream of the book of Numbers.
So what makes the counting that David did wrong? Maybe it is like that song by Kenny Rogers: “you never count your money when you’re sitting at the table, they’ll be time enough for counting, when the dealing’s done”.
Okay, all Gambler references aside, I’m am certain that there is some sort of trust issue going on with David and the Lord. Even Joab could see that, and that guy was pretty thick sometimes.
Trust issues are really tough. After all, you can make yourself feel good by counting dollar bills, or other things that we have in our life to keep us secure. I suppose for David, knowing that his massive army was surrounding him probably made him feel safe. Yet trusting in that army would lead to not trusting in God, really.
I suppose it was the lesson that Gideon had to learn, when he had to get rid of the invading army. God had intended a small army to liberate Israel, but there was apparently too many of them.
So why is it that God punished David so terribly when he just counted his army? No offense, I don’t consider this action even sinful. Should I be punished every time I check my bank account?
No, that’s just rational for when I check my bills. I suppose if I was a billionaire, I would be stupid if I kept counting my money all the time. Impractical, yes, and possibly paranoid.
I suppose this demonstrates the importance of doing the right thing at the right time. There is nothing wrong with counting an army, because I’m pretty sure the government does this at least three times per day.
Still, God wants us to do specific things at a specific time. There is no point in denying that God has a plan, and if we do something that we aren’t supposed to do, then it would be like going back in time and doing something that we aren’t supposed to do.
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 23-24 and Mark 15
I think you all know that there are some things in the Bible that I don’t really agree with. However, I’m not the one who wrote it, and there are a few edits that I would make.
First of all, there seems to be a part where David counts his army. Now, I don’t understand why it is a sin to count an army. In the book of Numbers, there is nothing but counting! Accountants probably sit around and dream of the book of Numbers.
So what makes the counting that David did wrong? Maybe it is like that song by Kenny Rogers: “you never count your money when you’re sitting at the table, they’ll be time enough for counting, when the dealing’s done”.
Okay, all Gambler references aside, I’m am certain that there is some sort of trust issue going on with David and the Lord. Even Joab could see that, and that guy was pretty thick sometimes.
Trust issues are really tough. After all, you can make yourself feel good by counting dollar bills, or other things that we have in our life to keep us secure. I suppose for David, knowing that his massive army was surrounding him probably made him feel safe. Yet trusting in that army would lead to not trusting in God, really.
I suppose it was the lesson that Gideon had to learn, when he had to get rid of the invading army. God had intended a small army to liberate Israel, but there was apparently too many of them.
So why is it that God punished David so terribly when he just counted his army? No offense, I don’t consider this action even sinful. Should I be punished every time I check my bank account?
No, that’s just rational for when I check my bills. I suppose if I was a billionaire, I would be stupid if I kept counting my money all the time. Impractical, yes, and possibly paranoid.
I suppose this demonstrates the importance of doing the right thing at the right time. There is nothing wrong with counting an army, because I’m pretty sure the government does this at least three times per day.
Still, God wants us to do specific things at a specific time. There is no point in denying that God has a plan, and if we do something that we aren’t supposed to do, then it would be like going back in time and doing something that we aren’t supposed to do.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Time to Lay it Down
May 23, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 21-22 and Mark 14
During the time of David, there was some sort of plague happening. The source of this disease had something to do with a promise that was not kept dealing with the Gibeonites.
Who are the Gibeonites? They were a bunch of scoundrels who made this deal with Joshua a long time ago. It was a shady deal, done under false pretenses. They said that they were from a kingdom far away, when in actuality, they were from next door. They had these old sacks, and Israel made the deal.
I don’t know whether Saul didn’t know about the deal or whether he saw it for what it was: kind of sucky. Either way, Saul did away with the Gibeonites.
Sadly, blood has a way of crying out for blood. It is difficult to say why in the world this is happening, but there are many people who believe in equilibrium in the spiritual world.
So, if you make a deal with God, even if it is a questionable deal at best, it would appear that you must keep it. There is always some sort of consequences for breaking that deal. I mean, we all know about Isaac’s deal with Jacob and Esau, as well as Barak’s deal with the spirit world. If you don’t, then you should read more of the Bible.
Basically, it comes down to this: in the spirit world, there are things that work like creditors. Essentially, if you will find yourself in debt spiritually, then there will be consequences. God apparently is one of those vengeful creditors, and will take it out of our hides if we don’t pay.
For this reason, Christ had to die on that terrible day. Yes, he did not have to. I’m sure what in the world would possess an ordinary person to endure the cross, but I suppose that is what makes Christ special.
Do I really need to explain why? You see, it is because we have that whole original sin thing we got going on, and it is a credit card debt of infinity. The idea is that Christ will pay that off, and take it more to just zero.
In the case of David, he was willing to lay down the life of other people. Granted, it is pretty easy to do that when there are other sheep to sacrifice, but it is difficult to lay down yourself.
So, if you have some serious business with God where you are in debt spiritually, deal with it. Okay, not one of my better entries, I will admit it.
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 21-22 and Mark 14
During the time of David, there was some sort of plague happening. The source of this disease had something to do with a promise that was not kept dealing with the Gibeonites.
Who are the Gibeonites? They were a bunch of scoundrels who made this deal with Joshua a long time ago. It was a shady deal, done under false pretenses. They said that they were from a kingdom far away, when in actuality, they were from next door. They had these old sacks, and Israel made the deal.
I don’t know whether Saul didn’t know about the deal or whether he saw it for what it was: kind of sucky. Either way, Saul did away with the Gibeonites.
Sadly, blood has a way of crying out for blood. It is difficult to say why in the world this is happening, but there are many people who believe in equilibrium in the spiritual world.
So, if you make a deal with God, even if it is a questionable deal at best, it would appear that you must keep it. There is always some sort of consequences for breaking that deal. I mean, we all know about Isaac’s deal with Jacob and Esau, as well as Barak’s deal with the spirit world. If you don’t, then you should read more of the Bible.
Basically, it comes down to this: in the spirit world, there are things that work like creditors. Essentially, if you will find yourself in debt spiritually, then there will be consequences. God apparently is one of those vengeful creditors, and will take it out of our hides if we don’t pay.
For this reason, Christ had to die on that terrible day. Yes, he did not have to. I’m sure what in the world would possess an ordinary person to endure the cross, but I suppose that is what makes Christ special.
Do I really need to explain why? You see, it is because we have that whole original sin thing we got going on, and it is a credit card debt of infinity. The idea is that Christ will pay that off, and take it more to just zero.
In the case of David, he was willing to lay down the life of other people. Granted, it is pretty easy to do that when there are other sheep to sacrifice, but it is difficult to lay down yourself.
So, if you have some serious business with God where you are in debt spiritually, deal with it. Okay, not one of my better entries, I will admit it.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Jumping the Shark
May 22, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 19-20 and Mark 13
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the phrase that serves as the title of this devotional, it is one that you need to watch a lot of television to become familiar with.
If you are familiar with TV, then you may have noticed that shows inevitably go bad. In other words, there comes a time where the show can do nothing more with the characters then they have already done, and the audience also loses interest.
Usually it is one particular episode. The whole reason that we have this expression comes from Happy Days, on an episode where the Fonz literally jumps over a shark on water-skis. I’m sure the episode is the product of the successful movie Jaws, and Fonzie makes the jump in his leather jacket, despite the fact that leather is ruined in water. I guess Fonz was so cool that he never fell.
Most shows jump the shark after an episode that promises to be very good. For example, when a family has a baby. Think Family Ties, Growing Pains, and Mad about You. It just kills a show.
For some reason, I thought of this phrase when I read about David after Absalom. Here was a man who had experienced the ultimate blow of losing his kingdom, and fortunately gained it back. He wasn’t exactly happy, and Joab kept telling him to cheer up.
I always imagined David walking back into Jerusalem, which will be full of celebration. While confetti is showering and people are cheering, David wears a frown.
He probably didn’t feel like living after that, completely jumping the shark. I’m certain there are those reading this who probably feel like they have jumped the shark, and that the glory days have passed them by, like the Bruce Springsteen song.
Fortunately, our lives are not television shows where one singular act causes the whole thing to come down. The problem is we can’t see the whole show. I think all of us would like our life to end at the most strong moment, but the truth is that it does not.
Life goes on, and sometimes it feels as though we live in the “all downhill from here” stage. Should we simply stop living life simply because the best part is over? On the contrary, for all we know, the best is yet to come. Then our supposed “jump the shark” moment, could end up being just a bad episode.
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 19-20 and Mark 13
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the phrase that serves as the title of this devotional, it is one that you need to watch a lot of television to become familiar with.
If you are familiar with TV, then you may have noticed that shows inevitably go bad. In other words, there comes a time where the show can do nothing more with the characters then they have already done, and the audience also loses interest.
Usually it is one particular episode. The whole reason that we have this expression comes from Happy Days, on an episode where the Fonz literally jumps over a shark on water-skis. I’m sure the episode is the product of the successful movie Jaws, and Fonzie makes the jump in his leather jacket, despite the fact that leather is ruined in water. I guess Fonz was so cool that he never fell.
Most shows jump the shark after an episode that promises to be very good. For example, when a family has a baby. Think Family Ties, Growing Pains, and Mad about You. It just kills a show.
For some reason, I thought of this phrase when I read about David after Absalom. Here was a man who had experienced the ultimate blow of losing his kingdom, and fortunately gained it back. He wasn’t exactly happy, and Joab kept telling him to cheer up.
I always imagined David walking back into Jerusalem, which will be full of celebration. While confetti is showering and people are cheering, David wears a frown.
He probably didn’t feel like living after that, completely jumping the shark. I’m certain there are those reading this who probably feel like they have jumped the shark, and that the glory days have passed them by, like the Bruce Springsteen song.
Fortunately, our lives are not television shows where one singular act causes the whole thing to come down. The problem is we can’t see the whole show. I think all of us would like our life to end at the most strong moment, but the truth is that it does not.
Life goes on, and sometimes it feels as though we live in the “all downhill from here” stage. Should we simply stop living life simply because the best part is over? On the contrary, for all we know, the best is yet to come. Then our supposed “jump the shark” moment, could end up being just a bad episode.
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