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.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
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.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
When Good News isn’t Good News
May 21, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 17-18 and Psalm 19-20
Today’s reading discusses the end of the coup of Absalom, which, sorry to say, does not have a happy ending.
I find the actions of Ahimaaz sort of interesting. He hears that Absalom is dead, and he immediately wants to bring David the good news. After all, David was on the run from this guy, and it would be good to be rid of Absalom.
Joab, the guy who actually killed Absalom, knows what will happen once the news is given. By the way, Joab actually had the opportunity to capture Absalom alive, as the king was caught in a tree by his hair. I guess he knew that his son will always have influence, even if he was captured. He reminds me of the militant guy that you see in movies that wants to go around what the president wants to do.
So Joab sends a Cushite to deliver the message. I can only assume that a Cushite was sort of slave guy. I believe that Noah put a curse on Ham, who is the son of Cush. I guess that might be somewhat important, maybe. If this was a normal devotional, I would probably spend quite a bit of time discussing that.
Even though Joab discourages Ahimaaz from delivering this message, he insists on doing it. In fact, he even passes up the Cushite who is supposed to be the imparitial messenger. In all honesty, I think Joab sent the Cushite because he wanted the Cushite to take the flack, in case David was the type to “blame the messenger”.
Oddly enough, David assumes that the presence of two messengers means doubly good news. I don’t know why in the world he would think that.
Of course, David got the good news (the coup is over) and the bad news (Absalom is dead). You may consider David a pessimist, but I think that he had a right to be sad about his son.
The truth is that every good news is always bad news to someone. I guarantee that when we won World War II, millions of wives from Axis countries mourned. The sick thing is that every bad news is good news to someone. I’m certain that whatever earthquake or hurricane probably resulted in someone turning a profit, make no mistake.
Even the Good News of the gospel is seen as a curse by many. I’m sure we all know people who don’t want to give their life to God, for some reason or another. There would be no point in discussing why.
Yeah, the good goes with the bad, it always does.
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 17-18 and Psalm 19-20
Today’s reading discusses the end of the coup of Absalom, which, sorry to say, does not have a happy ending.
I find the actions of Ahimaaz sort of interesting. He hears that Absalom is dead, and he immediately wants to bring David the good news. After all, David was on the run from this guy, and it would be good to be rid of Absalom.
Joab, the guy who actually killed Absalom, knows what will happen once the news is given. By the way, Joab actually had the opportunity to capture Absalom alive, as the king was caught in a tree by his hair. I guess he knew that his son will always have influence, even if he was captured. He reminds me of the militant guy that you see in movies that wants to go around what the president wants to do.
So Joab sends a Cushite to deliver the message. I can only assume that a Cushite was sort of slave guy. I believe that Noah put a curse on Ham, who is the son of Cush. I guess that might be somewhat important, maybe. If this was a normal devotional, I would probably spend quite a bit of time discussing that.
Even though Joab discourages Ahimaaz from delivering this message, he insists on doing it. In fact, he even passes up the Cushite who is supposed to be the imparitial messenger. In all honesty, I think Joab sent the Cushite because he wanted the Cushite to take the flack, in case David was the type to “blame the messenger”.
Oddly enough, David assumes that the presence of two messengers means doubly good news. I don’t know why in the world he would think that.
Of course, David got the good news (the coup is over) and the bad news (Absalom is dead). You may consider David a pessimist, but I think that he had a right to be sad about his son.
The truth is that every good news is always bad news to someone. I guarantee that when we won World War II, millions of wives from Axis countries mourned. The sick thing is that every bad news is good news to someone. I’m certain that whatever earthquake or hurricane probably resulted in someone turning a profit, make no mistake.
Even the Good News of the gospel is seen as a curse by many. I’m sure we all know people who don’t want to give their life to God, for some reason or another. There would be no point in discussing why.
Yeah, the good goes with the bad, it always does.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Where is Deliverance?
May 20, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 15-16 and Psalm 18
I believe there is a line in Independence Day that says: “isn’t it amazing how quickly they turn against you”. The president in that movie was talking about how he went to being a popular president to an unpopular one, practically overnight. Then the aliens show up all hell breaks loose after that.
I would imagine this is how David felt. One day Saul is after him, and then later on he is King. Then his son Absalom stages a coup, and then he is on the run again.
Today’s reading in Psalms talk about David after he had escaped the clutches from his enemies and Saul. I have no idea at what point in David’s life this was, because I believe David was pretty sad when he learned that Saul had died.
However, if you read Psalm 18, there are some very positive things in there. The idea that “with God, you can scale a wall”, or “I can bend a bow of bronze” is pretty kickin’.
I wonder if David remembered this Psalm he wrote when he was on the run from Absalom. I’m sure it was pretty tough to remember that when Absalom was after him. I wonder what was worse for David, being chased by Saul or Absalom? After all, David had very little to lose under Saul, but he lost the whole kingdom with Absalom.
He also had problems with his friends. Some of them supported him, secretly or publicly, when Absalom came into power, but some others betrayed him. I’ll bet that hurt.
The truth is that we all have times in our life where we feel that the world is against us. I remember times in my life where I felt that problems were heaping upon me, but I honestly don’t think I have ever known a time where the government was after me. Maybe I should become paranoid just so I know what it feels like.
Okay, that was seriously bad advice. The truth is that I have always feared a time would come when, say, Anti-Christian government rises to power. Christians are always good at putting the fear of God by making certain man is feared.
I have discovered that even if I live to see a time where zombies or giant frickin’ robots attack, then I need to trust in the divine providence of God. Should that day ever happen, I am going to trust in the goodness of God rather than the badness of man.
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 15-16 and Psalm 18
I believe there is a line in Independence Day that says: “isn’t it amazing how quickly they turn against you”. The president in that movie was talking about how he went to being a popular president to an unpopular one, practically overnight. Then the aliens show up all hell breaks loose after that.
I would imagine this is how David felt. One day Saul is after him, and then later on he is King. Then his son Absalom stages a coup, and then he is on the run again.
Today’s reading in Psalms talk about David after he had escaped the clutches from his enemies and Saul. I have no idea at what point in David’s life this was, because I believe David was pretty sad when he learned that Saul had died.
However, if you read Psalm 18, there are some very positive things in there. The idea that “with God, you can scale a wall”, or “I can bend a bow of bronze” is pretty kickin’.
I wonder if David remembered this Psalm he wrote when he was on the run from Absalom. I’m sure it was pretty tough to remember that when Absalom was after him. I wonder what was worse for David, being chased by Saul or Absalom? After all, David had very little to lose under Saul, but he lost the whole kingdom with Absalom.
He also had problems with his friends. Some of them supported him, secretly or publicly, when Absalom came into power, but some others betrayed him. I’ll bet that hurt.
The truth is that we all have times in our life where we feel that the world is against us. I remember times in my life where I felt that problems were heaping upon me, but I honestly don’t think I have ever known a time where the government was after me. Maybe I should become paranoid just so I know what it feels like.
Okay, that was seriously bad advice. The truth is that I have always feared a time would come when, say, Anti-Christian government rises to power. Christians are always good at putting the fear of God by making certain man is feared.
I have discovered that even if I live to see a time where zombies or giant frickin’ robots attack, then I need to trust in the divine providence of God. Should that day ever happen, I am going to trust in the goodness of God rather than the badness of man.
Lack of Action
May 19, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 13-14 and Mark 12
The reading today in the book of Mark tells of a story of tenants. This one owner sends servants to collect, but they just keep getting beat up. I’m not certain why he feels a need to do this again, but he does it again until he sends his son, believing his flesh and blood would be respected.
This was, of course, not so. Instead, they killed son so they could inherit the land. Sure enough, the owner gets mad and goes all medieval on their butts.
Some of you might find that the owner’s actions deplorable, that he really should have known better than to send more servants when it didn’t work the first time. All I have to say is that at least something was done.
I have read the story about Amnon and Tamar before, as well as Absalom’s involvement in it. What I can’t understand is why David didn’t do anything. It says that he was furious, but it doesn’t say that he sent for Tamar, or punished him, or anything. Is it any wonder why Absalom took the law in his own hands.
Granted, Absalom did some pretty stupid things, but I will have to say that I understand his motivation. His sister had been violated, and the king didn’t seem to do a thing.
I understand Absalom like I understand, Magneto, the villain in the X-men films. In the first film, Magneto is seen as a child in a concentration camp. He grew up believing that people with his powers would always be persecuted, and that tolerance would never outshine people’s general prejudice. Oddly enough, I actually felt a great sympathy toward the villain in this film, because I can understand his frustration in the general system.
Of course, by the time we got to X3, Magneto is a complete monster, willing to sacrifice his followers on a whim. I didn’t like the third X-men movie, because I felt Magneto was too much of a villain.
And yet Absalom became a monster, sleeping with David’s wives, simply because he had the power to do so.
There is no way that I can absolve Absalom for what he did, but this is what the heck happens when people who are in power don’t do justice. Eventually, it becomes down to a sin of omission that turns quickly into another’s sin of commission.
Why didn’t David act? Wasn’t he told that something like this would happen? Sure, hindsight is 20/20, but this should have been seen.
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 13-14 and Mark 12
The reading today in the book of Mark tells of a story of tenants. This one owner sends servants to collect, but they just keep getting beat up. I’m not certain why he feels a need to do this again, but he does it again until he sends his son, believing his flesh and blood would be respected.
This was, of course, not so. Instead, they killed son so they could inherit the land. Sure enough, the owner gets mad and goes all medieval on their butts.
Some of you might find that the owner’s actions deplorable, that he really should have known better than to send more servants when it didn’t work the first time. All I have to say is that at least something was done.
I have read the story about Amnon and Tamar before, as well as Absalom’s involvement in it. What I can’t understand is why David didn’t do anything. It says that he was furious, but it doesn’t say that he sent for Tamar, or punished him, or anything. Is it any wonder why Absalom took the law in his own hands.
Granted, Absalom did some pretty stupid things, but I will have to say that I understand his motivation. His sister had been violated, and the king didn’t seem to do a thing.
I understand Absalom like I understand, Magneto, the villain in the X-men films. In the first film, Magneto is seen as a child in a concentration camp. He grew up believing that people with his powers would always be persecuted, and that tolerance would never outshine people’s general prejudice. Oddly enough, I actually felt a great sympathy toward the villain in this film, because I can understand his frustration in the general system.
Of course, by the time we got to X3, Magneto is a complete monster, willing to sacrifice his followers on a whim. I didn’t like the third X-men movie, because I felt Magneto was too much of a villain.
And yet Absalom became a monster, sleeping with David’s wives, simply because he had the power to do so.
There is no way that I can absolve Absalom for what he did, but this is what the heck happens when people who are in power don’t do justice. Eventually, it becomes down to a sin of omission that turns quickly into another’s sin of commission.
Why didn’t David act? Wasn’t he told that something like this would happen? Sure, hindsight is 20/20, but this should have been seen.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
David Moves On
May 18, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 11-12 and Mark 11
I’m sure we all know the story of David and Bathsheba, and I suppose I could talk about how it is a cautionary tale of the fate of adulterers, and such. I think we have wondered what was David doing home in the palace “at the time when kings go off to war”. Was it his idleness that led to lustfulness?
Who knows? I don’t know why, but I’m always thinking of the unusual thing whenever I read stuff like this. For example, David’s plan to keep his affair under wraps. He did everything he could by making certain Uriah came home, and making certain that he slept with his wife. But that Hittite just wouldn’t indulge in his sex drive, not even with alcohol.
I couldn’t help but feel the frustration of David here. You know what, I really shouldn’t. If anything, I should pity him for his sick plan!
You may notice how much David is pleased after hearing that Uriah has been killed in battle. It’s funny that the story tells about the messenger, who Joab says: “the king might be displeased when you report the news”. And the messenger was probably surprised when David said: “don’t worry about it”.
Can you imagine if Uriah had lived? “Sir, Uriah the Hittite slaughtered everyone in his path.”
“Dang it! What is it going to take to kill this guy? I mean, that is good news.”
Of course, we know that David was found out, and he definitely paid a huge price. Interestingly enough, God tells him that the son Bathsheba is carrying will die, but David tries to prevent it with prayer and fasting. Sadly, it does not work in this case.
It is surprising to me how David bounces back from this incident. If my son had died in childbirth, the last thing I would feel like doing is worship. And yet, that is what he does. He then takes it a step further and makes Bathsheba pregnant again. Granted, I don’t know how long that took, but I might not have done that.
In fact, I might have seen the death of Bathsheba’s baby as a sign that I shouldn’t have been with her in the first place. However, David is very pragmatic and simply moves on.
In all honesty, I’m not certain if David does the wrong thing. I’m not talking about the adultery, because that is just plain stupid, but often times how we recover from a mistake shows who we are. After all, everyone makes mistakes, but if we let them make us, then we are made.
Yeah, that was quite a cliché, but I think you catch my drift. Life happens. It moves forward, and so do we.
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 11-12 and Mark 11
I’m sure we all know the story of David and Bathsheba, and I suppose I could talk about how it is a cautionary tale of the fate of adulterers, and such. I think we have wondered what was David doing home in the palace “at the time when kings go off to war”. Was it his idleness that led to lustfulness?
Who knows? I don’t know why, but I’m always thinking of the unusual thing whenever I read stuff like this. For example, David’s plan to keep his affair under wraps. He did everything he could by making certain Uriah came home, and making certain that he slept with his wife. But that Hittite just wouldn’t indulge in his sex drive, not even with alcohol.
I couldn’t help but feel the frustration of David here. You know what, I really shouldn’t. If anything, I should pity him for his sick plan!
You may notice how much David is pleased after hearing that Uriah has been killed in battle. It’s funny that the story tells about the messenger, who Joab says: “the king might be displeased when you report the news”. And the messenger was probably surprised when David said: “don’t worry about it”.
Can you imagine if Uriah had lived? “Sir, Uriah the Hittite slaughtered everyone in his path.”
“Dang it! What is it going to take to kill this guy? I mean, that is good news.”
Of course, we know that David was found out, and he definitely paid a huge price. Interestingly enough, God tells him that the son Bathsheba is carrying will die, but David tries to prevent it with prayer and fasting. Sadly, it does not work in this case.
It is surprising to me how David bounces back from this incident. If my son had died in childbirth, the last thing I would feel like doing is worship. And yet, that is what he does. He then takes it a step further and makes Bathsheba pregnant again. Granted, I don’t know how long that took, but I might not have done that.
In fact, I might have seen the death of Bathsheba’s baby as a sign that I shouldn’t have been with her in the first place. However, David is very pragmatic and simply moves on.
In all honesty, I’m not certain if David does the wrong thing. I’m not talking about the adultery, because that is just plain stupid, but often times how we recover from a mistake shows who we are. After all, everyone makes mistakes, but if we let them make us, then we are made.
Yeah, that was quite a cliché, but I think you catch my drift. Life happens. It moves forward, and so do we.
Monday, May 18, 2009
“Who you know” goes only so far
May 17, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 9-10 and Mark 10
I think we all know that phrase “It’s not what you know, but who you know”. And man, I hate it when I start an entry with a cliché.
Especially when it is a cliché that I really hate. I mean, if this is really true, then those people who are celebrities or in positions of power could easily be very stupid, right? It just so happens that they happen to know the right people, and they were plugged into the social pipeline.
I realize that is a pretty negative interpretation of this, but you have to admit, if this cliché is true, then education is pretty worthless. Instead, you should spend your time getting to know people and less time studying.
Take the situation with Ziba and Mephibosheth. These two people were not really anyone special. They just happened to be related to Saul. Even Mephibosheth was surprised that the king wanted to spend time with him, and you can imagine how humbled he was.
Sadly, who you know as limits. In the next chapter, David tries to send some tidings to Hanun, the son of the king of the Ammonites. Now, these two have many things in common, but Hanun sends David’s messengers back humiliated.
By the way, the disciples of Jesus knew him, and I bet they probably thought that they would get special seats at the Lord’s table. As it turned out, it was possible to get those special seats, but they come at a great price.
Yeah, sure you know these people, but that doesn’t mean that there is a free ride. I suppose we can use this to illustrate how we live in Christ. After all, we get to know Jesus when we give our life to Him, but there is still a price to pay.
As a writer, I know that more opportunities are given to those who get to know people higher up. However, there still is no free rides, you have to pay your dues. Man, I would love to get to know the president or some rich celebrity to help me with my problems, but honestly, that is a little to dues ex machina for me.
For those who don’t know this term, this is something in writing for when an ending feels tacked on. Dues ex machine translates to “God of the machine”, and refers to scenes in plays where gods will descend from above on pulleys.
Then these divine beings just solve the characters, rather than have the characters work out their own problems. With Christ, the crucifixion started it, but we still have to work it out. We know him, and we know better than to think it will come easy.
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 9-10 and Mark 10
I think we all know that phrase “It’s not what you know, but who you know”. And man, I hate it when I start an entry with a cliché.
Especially when it is a cliché that I really hate. I mean, if this is really true, then those people who are celebrities or in positions of power could easily be very stupid, right? It just so happens that they happen to know the right people, and they were plugged into the social pipeline.
I realize that is a pretty negative interpretation of this, but you have to admit, if this cliché is true, then education is pretty worthless. Instead, you should spend your time getting to know people and less time studying.
Take the situation with Ziba and Mephibosheth. These two people were not really anyone special. They just happened to be related to Saul. Even Mephibosheth was surprised that the king wanted to spend time with him, and you can imagine how humbled he was.
Sadly, who you know as limits. In the next chapter, David tries to send some tidings to Hanun, the son of the king of the Ammonites. Now, these two have many things in common, but Hanun sends David’s messengers back humiliated.
By the way, the disciples of Jesus knew him, and I bet they probably thought that they would get special seats at the Lord’s table. As it turned out, it was possible to get those special seats, but they come at a great price.
Yeah, sure you know these people, but that doesn’t mean that there is a free ride. I suppose we can use this to illustrate how we live in Christ. After all, we get to know Jesus when we give our life to Him, but there is still a price to pay.
As a writer, I know that more opportunities are given to those who get to know people higher up. However, there still is no free rides, you have to pay your dues. Man, I would love to get to know the president or some rich celebrity to help me with my problems, but honestly, that is a little to dues ex machina for me.
For those who don’t know this term, this is something in writing for when an ending feels tacked on. Dues ex machine translates to “God of the machine”, and refers to scenes in plays where gods will descend from above on pulleys.
Then these divine beings just solve the characters, rather than have the characters work out their own problems. With Christ, the crucifixion started it, but we still have to work it out. We know him, and we know better than to think it will come easy.
All the Right Things
May 16, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 7-8 and Mark 9
A lot people can relate to Peter, for many good reasons. One of them is because he usually had this habit of saying really stupid things. For example, when Jesus was transfigured, Peter talks about building three tabernacles. I’m sure that he meant well, whatever the heck he meant.
This is the same one who meant well when he said: “surely this will not happen to you”. This is referring to the crucifixion, at which Jesus said: “get behind me, Satan”. I’m sure that Peter was regretting opening his big old mouth that day.
I’ve been Peter, as I remember that I had a time in my life where it seemed like I couldn’t say anything but the wrong thing. Sometimes I think Peter denied Christ simply because he was guilty of saying the sin of saying the wrong thing rather than outright loss of faith.
It’s good to know that there are characters in the Bible that I can relate to. That is, people who do stupid things. I want to know characters in the Bible who make social blunders, as well as stumble and fall.
Then there are other Bible characters, who seem to do nothing but good things all the time. Take David for example. Here is a guy who literally kicked butt and took names. This guy probably had some sort of serious trophy case.
Of course, I think we all know that David did screw up. I really don’t want to go into detail on that, but it was as bad a screw up as Peter’s denial. Then again, it is wrong to compare sins.
The truth is that we all have good days where we do many things right, and then we have days where we just keep screwing things up all the time. The issue is not to characterize ourselves. If we wanted to that, then you should know that we are pretty much screwed up from the beginning. You know, that whole original sin thing.
Yet that whole thing with being perfect is just so impossible. There are those who believe that perfection is completely possible to achieve. I say that is true until proven otherwise.
I would assume that the path of perfection requires leaving behind all of our mistakes. Just today, my daughter was talking about how “we all make mistakes”. I said to her “and your Dad would know”. My daughter didn’t think it was funny, and I can see why.
It’s not good to focus on humanity’s ability to make mistakes.
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 7-8 and Mark 9
A lot people can relate to Peter, for many good reasons. One of them is because he usually had this habit of saying really stupid things. For example, when Jesus was transfigured, Peter talks about building three tabernacles. I’m sure that he meant well, whatever the heck he meant.
This is the same one who meant well when he said: “surely this will not happen to you”. This is referring to the crucifixion, at which Jesus said: “get behind me, Satan”. I’m sure that Peter was regretting opening his big old mouth that day.
I’ve been Peter, as I remember that I had a time in my life where it seemed like I couldn’t say anything but the wrong thing. Sometimes I think Peter denied Christ simply because he was guilty of saying the sin of saying the wrong thing rather than outright loss of faith.
It’s good to know that there are characters in the Bible that I can relate to. That is, people who do stupid things. I want to know characters in the Bible who make social blunders, as well as stumble and fall.
Then there are other Bible characters, who seem to do nothing but good things all the time. Take David for example. Here is a guy who literally kicked butt and took names. This guy probably had some sort of serious trophy case.
Of course, I think we all know that David did screw up. I really don’t want to go into detail on that, but it was as bad a screw up as Peter’s denial. Then again, it is wrong to compare sins.
The truth is that we all have good days where we do many things right, and then we have days where we just keep screwing things up all the time. The issue is not to characterize ourselves. If we wanted to that, then you should know that we are pretty much screwed up from the beginning. You know, that whole original sin thing.
Yet that whole thing with being perfect is just so impossible. There are those who believe that perfection is completely possible to achieve. I say that is true until proven otherwise.
I would assume that the path of perfection requires leaving behind all of our mistakes. Just today, my daughter was talking about how “we all make mistakes”. I said to her “and your Dad would know”. My daughter didn’t think it was funny, and I can see why.
It’s not good to focus on humanity’s ability to make mistakes.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
More undignified than this
May 15, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 5-6 and Mark 8
Travel to enough spirit-filled churches, and you will probably hear the verse about Michal quite often. It is usually used as a cautionary tale for those who are critical of another’s worship.
I suppose that we could infer this from its ending. Michal was childless all of her life, after all. Should we assume the same fate if we tell others that their worship is stupid?
The sad part is Michal was apparently the woman that David truly loved, and yet it looks like the love they had went sour.
That is, this is the impression that I get from what I read here. I mean, have you ever seen a couple caught in a spat? Generally, I don’t like the idea of having an argument with my spouse in public, because it usually leads people to believe that the whole marriage is like this.
This is the really only impression that we get of Michal after a certain point in the Bible. At one point in time, she actually helped save his life. This was during the time that Saul was looking for David. Michal used the head of an idol and put in on a pillow, and then pretended David was sick. Saul’s guards didn’t seem to think that their orders to take in David applied to that, so they actually came back to Saul. Man, was Saul ticked.
Long story short, David got away. I believe Michal was punished for her actions, and I can only assume that this punishment was rescinded once David came to power.
Maybe what this story shows is how undignified we should be in the light of God. I am not certain how David was worshiping, as it seems he was “exposing himself like a pervert”. Was David a flasher or something? I think I am missing some cultural thing that I’m just not in the mood to look up.
Back to the point about David’s worship. It sounds like he went all out, and he was undignified.
It reminds me of the reading in the New Testament, where Jesus heals a blind man. For some reason, he spits in the man’s eyes. I don’t know about you, but I don’t understand why he spits. Wouldn’t that normally be an insult?
Still, if I was blind, I would have gallons of spit poured upon my eyes if it meant that I could see. It would be undignified, yes, but it would work.
Oddly enough, this spit doesn’t heal the man. In fact, it seems to work part way, and then Jesus lays his hands on him and heals him.
Perhaps this is what we have to endure to get some blessing: a little undignification.
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 5-6 and Mark 8
Travel to enough spirit-filled churches, and you will probably hear the verse about Michal quite often. It is usually used as a cautionary tale for those who are critical of another’s worship.
I suppose that we could infer this from its ending. Michal was childless all of her life, after all. Should we assume the same fate if we tell others that their worship is stupid?
The sad part is Michal was apparently the woman that David truly loved, and yet it looks like the love they had went sour.
That is, this is the impression that I get from what I read here. I mean, have you ever seen a couple caught in a spat? Generally, I don’t like the idea of having an argument with my spouse in public, because it usually leads people to believe that the whole marriage is like this.
This is the really only impression that we get of Michal after a certain point in the Bible. At one point in time, she actually helped save his life. This was during the time that Saul was looking for David. Michal used the head of an idol and put in on a pillow, and then pretended David was sick. Saul’s guards didn’t seem to think that their orders to take in David applied to that, so they actually came back to Saul. Man, was Saul ticked.
Long story short, David got away. I believe Michal was punished for her actions, and I can only assume that this punishment was rescinded once David came to power.
Maybe what this story shows is how undignified we should be in the light of God. I am not certain how David was worshiping, as it seems he was “exposing himself like a pervert”. Was David a flasher or something? I think I am missing some cultural thing that I’m just not in the mood to look up.
Back to the point about David’s worship. It sounds like he went all out, and he was undignified.
It reminds me of the reading in the New Testament, where Jesus heals a blind man. For some reason, he spits in the man’s eyes. I don’t know about you, but I don’t understand why he spits. Wouldn’t that normally be an insult?
Still, if I was blind, I would have gallons of spit poured upon my eyes if it meant that I could see. It would be undignified, yes, but it would work.
Oddly enough, this spit doesn’t heal the man. In fact, it seems to work part way, and then Jesus lays his hands on him and heals him.
Perhaps this is what we have to endure to get some blessing: a little undignification.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Not the Reward You were Looking for
May 14, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 3-4 and Psalms 15-17
In the Old Testament Reading, two soldiers of David thought they were doing the right thing when they went and murdered Ish-Bosheth, the son of Saul.
I can see why. David could not be king because the line of Saul had yet to be cut off. I’m sure Recab and Baanah thought they would get a medal for the valiant efforts, but instead, they got pinned.
David even states a similar situation where some Amalekite says he killed Saul. What is weird is that this story contradicts how it says Saul actually dies. I can only suggest that maybe this guy was looking for some sort of reward from David for killing the king. Sadly, he also got pinned.
Have you ever done that? You did something that you thought was good, but instead of getting rewarded, you got punished? The worst part is that it could have been prevented if it had been thought your actions through.
Of course, it would be like me to take the view of the guys who thought they were doing the right thing. After all, I took the side of Esau whenever I discussed Esau and Jacob.
Sadly, it is difficult to for the person who is supposedly receiving a gift, but gets a curse. Psalm 15:4 says that “who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts”.
In the two cases with David, David probably didn’t want to punish those guys who thought they were doing the right thing. Still, everyone has to pay the price for their actions, but no one wants to be the instrument of this.
Yeah, no one wants to be the guy who metes and doles unequal laws to a savage race. And yet, as I have said before, the people who often thing they are doing the wrong things usually believe that they are doing the right thing. Occasionally, they believe that they are doing the right thing with all their heart.
The truth is that we should really expect a reward when we do the right thing. Yes, it is true that it really sucks when we get punished for doing something we thought was right, but that isn’t the point.
The point in is that we are put on this Earth to “go do the right thing”. I realize I sound like that Dr. Laura chick, but it reminds me of a student who went to the blackboard and solved a problem for his calculus professor. He apparently hoped for some high praise, but the teacher just told him to sit down.
When the student questioned his professor later, he told him that: “A correct answer isn’t an option in my classroom, it is required”. Yeah, we are truly required to do the right thing, and whether or not we get rewarded now is immaterial.
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 3-4 and Psalms 15-17
In the Old Testament Reading, two soldiers of David thought they were doing the right thing when they went and murdered Ish-Bosheth, the son of Saul.
I can see why. David could not be king because the line of Saul had yet to be cut off. I’m sure Recab and Baanah thought they would get a medal for the valiant efforts, but instead, they got pinned.
David even states a similar situation where some Amalekite says he killed Saul. What is weird is that this story contradicts how it says Saul actually dies. I can only suggest that maybe this guy was looking for some sort of reward from David for killing the king. Sadly, he also got pinned.
Have you ever done that? You did something that you thought was good, but instead of getting rewarded, you got punished? The worst part is that it could have been prevented if it had been thought your actions through.
Of course, it would be like me to take the view of the guys who thought they were doing the right thing. After all, I took the side of Esau whenever I discussed Esau and Jacob.
Sadly, it is difficult to for the person who is supposedly receiving a gift, but gets a curse. Psalm 15:4 says that “who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts”.
In the two cases with David, David probably didn’t want to punish those guys who thought they were doing the right thing. Still, everyone has to pay the price for their actions, but no one wants to be the instrument of this.
Yeah, no one wants to be the guy who metes and doles unequal laws to a savage race. And yet, as I have said before, the people who often thing they are doing the wrong things usually believe that they are doing the right thing. Occasionally, they believe that they are doing the right thing with all their heart.
The truth is that we should really expect a reward when we do the right thing. Yes, it is true that it really sucks when we get punished for doing something we thought was right, but that isn’t the point.
The point in is that we are put on this Earth to “go do the right thing”. I realize I sound like that Dr. Laura chick, but it reminds me of a student who went to the blackboard and solved a problem for his calculus professor. He apparently hoped for some high praise, but the teacher just told him to sit down.
When the student questioned his professor later, he told him that: “A correct answer isn’t an option in my classroom, it is required”. Yeah, we are truly required to do the right thing, and whether or not we get rewarded now is immaterial.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Dirty
May 13, 2009
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 1-2 and Mark 7
I don’t normally do word searches, but since I was reading the in the book of Mark about what is clean and unclean, I decided to do a few.
Yeah, I usually hate word searches, because I know a lot of people who are addicted to them for their Bible reading. Still, I found that clean was mentioned 177 times, and unclean was mentioned about 182. Usually they were used in context of the Levitical law, as you might have guessed.
The thing that I discovered is that the word “dirty” is not in the Bible once. It is true. I can understand why. I don’t think that dirty is in God’s plan, and I think that it is only humanity who uses that term.
Seriously, we usually refer to something dirty as something sinful. Like Harry Callahan is “Dirty Harry” because he doesn’t play by the cop’s rules. The truth is, if the fall had not occurred, we would not have any use of this word dirty. In fact, we probably wouldn’t use the word unclean.
Here’s a weird thought that I’ve mentioned before. If the fall had not occurred, then sex would not be dirty. We would all be naked, and seeing nudity would not lead to any illicit arousal. Sex would be right up there with a biological reaction like going to the bathroom. Who knows? We might not even do it in private.
Anyway, I’m pretty sure that everyone feels dirty sometimes. I remember some sins that I did, and I felt just dirtiest of dirty. It was like when you get dried dirt on your hands, and nothing but soap and water can get it off, but you can’t find it anywhere. Like when you’re working outside, or something.
You know what is interesting? Jesus actually says that there is nothing that can make us dirty or unclean. In fact, the only thing that makes us unclean is what comes out of us, not in.
The truth is, we don’t have to have to feel dirty. Christ died so we wouldn’t feel guilty about anything. That is a relief, because that means that no matter what dirty things that we exposed ourselves to, whether we did it to ourselves, or whether others did it to us, then it should not haunt us.
For those who were sexually abused, even if you feel at fault, you are not dirty. By the way, even if you watched the worst porn in the world, you also don’ t have to feel dirty.
In all honesty, you don’t have to be dirty, so don’t. No matter what!
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 1-2 and Mark 7
I don’t normally do word searches, but since I was reading the in the book of Mark about what is clean and unclean, I decided to do a few.
Yeah, I usually hate word searches, because I know a lot of people who are addicted to them for their Bible reading. Still, I found that clean was mentioned 177 times, and unclean was mentioned about 182. Usually they were used in context of the Levitical law, as you might have guessed.
The thing that I discovered is that the word “dirty” is not in the Bible once. It is true. I can understand why. I don’t think that dirty is in God’s plan, and I think that it is only humanity who uses that term.
Seriously, we usually refer to something dirty as something sinful. Like Harry Callahan is “Dirty Harry” because he doesn’t play by the cop’s rules. The truth is, if the fall had not occurred, we would not have any use of this word dirty. In fact, we probably wouldn’t use the word unclean.
Here’s a weird thought that I’ve mentioned before. If the fall had not occurred, then sex would not be dirty. We would all be naked, and seeing nudity would not lead to any illicit arousal. Sex would be right up there with a biological reaction like going to the bathroom. Who knows? We might not even do it in private.
Anyway, I’m pretty sure that everyone feels dirty sometimes. I remember some sins that I did, and I felt just dirtiest of dirty. It was like when you get dried dirt on your hands, and nothing but soap and water can get it off, but you can’t find it anywhere. Like when you’re working outside, or something.
You know what is interesting? Jesus actually says that there is nothing that can make us dirty or unclean. In fact, the only thing that makes us unclean is what comes out of us, not in.
The truth is, we don’t have to have to feel dirty. Christ died so we wouldn’t feel guilty about anything. That is a relief, because that means that no matter what dirty things that we exposed ourselves to, whether we did it to ourselves, or whether others did it to us, then it should not haunt us.
For those who were sexually abused, even if you feel at fault, you are not dirty. By the way, even if you watched the worst porn in the world, you also don’ t have to feel dirty.
In all honesty, you don’t have to be dirty, so don’t. No matter what!
Suicide Ain’t Painless
May 12, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 30-31 and Mark 6
I think the theme song to the MASH television show and movie has lyrics. In fact, it does, because I just verified it. The song is called “Suicide Is Painless”, and let me say that title, as a statement is a lot of B.S..
If you think suicide is painless, then either you have no experience doing it, or you do not know someone related (either friend or familial) to someone who has committed suicide.
I can understand why people commit suicide. Who hasn’t wanted to give all their problems the big brush-off the easy way? The problem is, I’m just not willing to roll that die.
Sure, you could get boxcars and everything the atheists say is true, and there is no God and no heaven. All your problems will be solved, but there will be no blessings to take their place. It will be this big black void of nothing.
Yet what if you rolled snake eyes. You lose! Sure, all your problems will also be gone, but you will now have a new one. Being surrounded by the burning fires of hell. This assumes that the Christians are right.
This is why I can’t understand why Saul wanted to kill himself during a big battle. After all, he was going to die anyway, I think what he wanted was to control the pain until the big sleep. He suspected that his captors would probably abuse him, and he was probably right.
What a difference between him and John the Baptist. Here was a man who told the king news he did not want to hear, knowing full well that he might experience his death because of it. And yet he did it anyway. Now that showed guts.
Just the other day, I realized how my life was going to end: I will die. I don’t know if I ever brought this up, but I received a great revelation from the Ice Age Testament, in the book of Scrat. Some of you may recall in the opening, how the weird saber-toothed squirrel tries to bury in acorn, and inadvertently starts the Glacial Drift. Now, Scrat faces several death-defying obstacles, and he miraculously survives.
Then he gets stepped on by a mammoth. That is life for you. You eventually get stepped on by a mammoth. The fact that it happens at the end and not in the middle just makes it funnier, but in no way lifelike.
The truth is we don’t know when we are supposed to die, but we should know that it is for a greater purpose other than a punchline. Trust me, you will die exactly when you should. There is no point ending the movie too early.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 30-31 and Mark 6
I think the theme song to the MASH television show and movie has lyrics. In fact, it does, because I just verified it. The song is called “Suicide Is Painless”, and let me say that title, as a statement is a lot of B.S..
If you think suicide is painless, then either you have no experience doing it, or you do not know someone related (either friend or familial) to someone who has committed suicide.
I can understand why people commit suicide. Who hasn’t wanted to give all their problems the big brush-off the easy way? The problem is, I’m just not willing to roll that die.
Sure, you could get boxcars and everything the atheists say is true, and there is no God and no heaven. All your problems will be solved, but there will be no blessings to take their place. It will be this big black void of nothing.
Yet what if you rolled snake eyes. You lose! Sure, all your problems will also be gone, but you will now have a new one. Being surrounded by the burning fires of hell. This assumes that the Christians are right.
This is why I can’t understand why Saul wanted to kill himself during a big battle. After all, he was going to die anyway, I think what he wanted was to control the pain until the big sleep. He suspected that his captors would probably abuse him, and he was probably right.
What a difference between him and John the Baptist. Here was a man who told the king news he did not want to hear, knowing full well that he might experience his death because of it. And yet he did it anyway. Now that showed guts.
Just the other day, I realized how my life was going to end: I will die. I don’t know if I ever brought this up, but I received a great revelation from the Ice Age Testament, in the book of Scrat. Some of you may recall in the opening, how the weird saber-toothed squirrel tries to bury in acorn, and inadvertently starts the Glacial Drift. Now, Scrat faces several death-defying obstacles, and he miraculously survives.
Then he gets stepped on by a mammoth. That is life for you. You eventually get stepped on by a mammoth. The fact that it happens at the end and not in the middle just makes it funnier, but in no way lifelike.
The truth is we don’t know when we are supposed to die, but we should know that it is for a greater purpose other than a punchline. Trust me, you will die exactly when you should. There is no point ending the movie too early.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Man of the Tombs
May 11, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 28-29 and Mark 5
I remember when I first heard this story of the man of the Tombs, I couldn’t help but think it was “neat”. Yeah, I wasn’t really a Christian at the time. I mean, I thought that a guy who has so many demons that he calls himself “Legion” was kind of cool.
I mean, isn’t this why people see horror movies with supernatural things? I mean, I hope that everyone has some interest in the supernatural, even if it may not be healthy.
Oh yeah, there was also this villain that the X-men faced whose name was Legion. He was named after this verse, and he had three separate personalities with three separate powers. He also looked strange and gangly, with long hair that stood up without mousse.
Yeah, comic books and movies give us real wrong images of spiritual things, we all know that. There are some things that I want to know.
What made this guy crazy, seriously? Why was he always hanging around the tombs? Why did he have to be chained up?
Was it his fault that he was crazy? After all, I think we know that Saul made some choices that drove him over the edge, and eventually to take advice from a Witch. I think we all know not to mess with stuff like that.
I go to a church that writes an Easter Production a year, usually with a Bible setting. Sometimes we cover stories in the New Testament, and at one time, I wanted to write a story about this Man of the Tombs.
I hesitate to write what I thought this guy’s backstory was. You know, I don’t want people stealing my idea. My theory is this Man of the Tombs wasn’t crazy per se, but he is a victim of a bad childhood. Maybe he lost his father, and he blamed himself. I think we all know what that kind of pain can do to people.
So what is this guy’s deal? For some odd reason, the Bible doesn’t say what’s up with this guy. Instead, it gets a little weird. I mean, when this guy is healed, Jesus doesn’t want him to follow him.
Well, I don’t know what demons this man had, why he had them, or what needed to do to heal from it. I suppose that we all have our issues, and God has some plan for us to get over them.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 28-29 and Mark 5
I remember when I first heard this story of the man of the Tombs, I couldn’t help but think it was “neat”. Yeah, I wasn’t really a Christian at the time. I mean, I thought that a guy who has so many demons that he calls himself “Legion” was kind of cool.
I mean, isn’t this why people see horror movies with supernatural things? I mean, I hope that everyone has some interest in the supernatural, even if it may not be healthy.
Oh yeah, there was also this villain that the X-men faced whose name was Legion. He was named after this verse, and he had three separate personalities with three separate powers. He also looked strange and gangly, with long hair that stood up without mousse.
Yeah, comic books and movies give us real wrong images of spiritual things, we all know that. There are some things that I want to know.
What made this guy crazy, seriously? Why was he always hanging around the tombs? Why did he have to be chained up?
Was it his fault that he was crazy? After all, I think we know that Saul made some choices that drove him over the edge, and eventually to take advice from a Witch. I think we all know not to mess with stuff like that.
I go to a church that writes an Easter Production a year, usually with a Bible setting. Sometimes we cover stories in the New Testament, and at one time, I wanted to write a story about this Man of the Tombs.
I hesitate to write what I thought this guy’s backstory was. You know, I don’t want people stealing my idea. My theory is this Man of the Tombs wasn’t crazy per se, but he is a victim of a bad childhood. Maybe he lost his father, and he blamed himself. I think we all know what that kind of pain can do to people.
So what is this guy’s deal? For some odd reason, the Bible doesn’t say what’s up with this guy. Instead, it gets a little weird. I mean, when this guy is healed, Jesus doesn’t want him to follow him.
Well, I don’t know what demons this man had, why he had them, or what needed to do to heal from it. I suppose that we all have our issues, and God has some plan for us to get over them.
Learning Through Rerun
May 10, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 26-27 and Mark 4
There is nothing I hate more than a rerun. I honestly don’t think they even show them anymore, because television has such a short shelf-life these days. I remember that the children of 1955 in Back to the Future had never seen a rerun before, but during the summertime when I was a child reruns were all over TV.
The weirdest thing is when I would watch this one episode of a show during non-rerun season, and think “I’ll have to catch this show some other time”. Then, during rerun season, I have time to watch the show, and what do you know, it is the rerun of the episode I had already watched. What are the odds of that?
Indeed, what are the odds that David will be at a place where he has the king’s life in his hands. I mean, what if he thought that “God is again put me in this situation. I really am the Lord’s anointed, and I somewhat regret not killing him the first time. Maybe I’m supposed to do this?”
In fact, the situation is so much like a rerun, I can’t help but wonder if the author of the book did a “cut and paste”, and then change a few of the minor details. It reminds me of those puzzles you see in the paper with the two pictures that look identical, but there are about six differences.
I think it is good that given the same situation, David does the same thing. However, Saul does the same thing, which is cause for alarm.
You see, no one should ever have to repent twice. If you quit, once is enough. David makes a sudden realization that Saul will eventually hunt him down and kill him. It is only a matter of time.
It just goes to show you that you can learn something by repetition. In fact, it really is the only way we learn, sorry to say. The problem is we feel that we are stuck in a rut, doomed to repeat certain actions over and over.
We are not put on this Earth for that. We are here to keep a progressive story going, not repeat one over and over again. If you find yourself stuck in some sort of rerun, then it is time to do something different and change the plotline.
It isn’t good to live life like you are Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day. There is a pattern to life, but if you want it changed, do something! Learn from repetition.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 26-27 and Mark 4
There is nothing I hate more than a rerun. I honestly don’t think they even show them anymore, because television has such a short shelf-life these days. I remember that the children of 1955 in Back to the Future had never seen a rerun before, but during the summertime when I was a child reruns were all over TV.
The weirdest thing is when I would watch this one episode of a show during non-rerun season, and think “I’ll have to catch this show some other time”. Then, during rerun season, I have time to watch the show, and what do you know, it is the rerun of the episode I had already watched. What are the odds of that?
Indeed, what are the odds that David will be at a place where he has the king’s life in his hands. I mean, what if he thought that “God is again put me in this situation. I really am the Lord’s anointed, and I somewhat regret not killing him the first time. Maybe I’m supposed to do this?”
In fact, the situation is so much like a rerun, I can’t help but wonder if the author of the book did a “cut and paste”, and then change a few of the minor details. It reminds me of those puzzles you see in the paper with the two pictures that look identical, but there are about six differences.
I think it is good that given the same situation, David does the same thing. However, Saul does the same thing, which is cause for alarm.
You see, no one should ever have to repent twice. If you quit, once is enough. David makes a sudden realization that Saul will eventually hunt him down and kill him. It is only a matter of time.
It just goes to show you that you can learn something by repetition. In fact, it really is the only way we learn, sorry to say. The problem is we feel that we are stuck in a rut, doomed to repeat certain actions over and over.
We are not put on this Earth for that. We are here to keep a progressive story going, not repeat one over and over again. If you find yourself stuck in some sort of rerun, then it is time to do something different and change the plotline.
It isn’t good to live life like you are Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day. There is a pattern to life, but if you want it changed, do something! Learn from repetition.
Who do we listen to?
May 9, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 24-25 and Mark 3
In the Old Testament reading, David is told that he should probably take out Saul while he has the chance. In fact, it totally seems convenient that he should. Surprisingly, David does not take the shot, but he does chop off a piece of the robe. Amazingly enough, he feels guilty about the incident.
In the next chapter, David has a little squabble with another person named Nabal. Someone gives him some advice, and this time it is positive. Abigail does not want her husband killed, and begs David for mercy. I wonder if David thought: “the last time I took advice, I would have regretted it. I know how I feel right now, and I want to kick this Nabal’s butt”.
One of the things that makes David different from Saul is that Saul will often follow the will of the people, while David acts out of a different decision making process. David usually followed his heart, and perhaps that is why is known as a “man after God’s own heart”.
In the case of Jesus, I get the feeling that he didn’t care. I mean, he does care, which is why he does what he does. I mean, he heals on the Sabbath, even though he knows it is going to cause a stirring of the crowd.
Isn’t it funny how our lives are made up out of decisions where we could go one way or the other? Sometimes I think that our life is made up of one road that forks every few seconds. Sometimes we can back track and go back and unmake a decision, but for the most part, the moment we make that decision, the consequences will follow us for the rest of our lives.
Of course, a lot of us make our decisions on the advice from others. There is nothing wrong with that, really. I mean, even Proverbs advises wisdom in a multitude of counselors. Even the president has a cabinet.
All of us really need to take advice from someone. In all honesty, I cannot say if taking advice from Christians is always the right course of action. I have taken advice from Christians and regretted it later. However, they are good about keeping me out of sin.
Advice is good, but what keeps us going the right way is often advice that we take from ourselves. Sometimes we don’t want to hear what others have to say, because we fear we will disagree with them. Sometimes we don’t want to hear what people will say because we know we will agree with them.
The thing is that we have to take responsibility for what choice that we make.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 24-25 and Mark 3
In the Old Testament reading, David is told that he should probably take out Saul while he has the chance. In fact, it totally seems convenient that he should. Surprisingly, David does not take the shot, but he does chop off a piece of the robe. Amazingly enough, he feels guilty about the incident.
In the next chapter, David has a little squabble with another person named Nabal. Someone gives him some advice, and this time it is positive. Abigail does not want her husband killed, and begs David for mercy. I wonder if David thought: “the last time I took advice, I would have regretted it. I know how I feel right now, and I want to kick this Nabal’s butt”.
One of the things that makes David different from Saul is that Saul will often follow the will of the people, while David acts out of a different decision making process. David usually followed his heart, and perhaps that is why is known as a “man after God’s own heart”.
In the case of Jesus, I get the feeling that he didn’t care. I mean, he does care, which is why he does what he does. I mean, he heals on the Sabbath, even though he knows it is going to cause a stirring of the crowd.
Isn’t it funny how our lives are made up out of decisions where we could go one way or the other? Sometimes I think that our life is made up of one road that forks every few seconds. Sometimes we can back track and go back and unmake a decision, but for the most part, the moment we make that decision, the consequences will follow us for the rest of our lives.
Of course, a lot of us make our decisions on the advice from others. There is nothing wrong with that, really. I mean, even Proverbs advises wisdom in a multitude of counselors. Even the president has a cabinet.
All of us really need to take advice from someone. In all honesty, I cannot say if taking advice from Christians is always the right course of action. I have taken advice from Christians and regretted it later. However, they are good about keeping me out of sin.
Advice is good, but what keeps us going the right way is often advice that we take from ourselves. Sometimes we don’t want to hear what others have to say, because we fear we will disagree with them. Sometimes we don’t want to hear what people will say because we know we will agree with them.
The thing is that we have to take responsibility for what choice that we make.
Abiathar, the Pharisees, and the Big Picture
May 8, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 22-23 and Mark 2
It isn’t often that I have a good Old Testament and New Testament tie-in for Irreverent Reverence. After all, Jesus mentions the Old Testament reading in the New Testament. It could be that these stories represent some historical and spiritual link, or as Doc Brown said in Back to the Future II, it could be just an amazing coincidence.
In Mark, Jesus was going through a field and he was plucking kernels for him and his disciples for a snack. The Pharisees felt it necessary to say “A-ha. We told you that he was working on the Sabbath day”.
In all honesty, I don’t see how this constitutes as work. I mean, if they made a day of it, and then went and sold the grain, then I can see why. However, they just were chomping some seed, dude!
Oddly enough, Jesus quotes a Scripture that does not even seem remotely related to what is going on. He mentions the story of how David went to the house of Abiathar the high priest, and how they ate the showbread.
I don’t see how it is related, except that there are times when it is okay to bend or break a law in case of emergency. In fact, Jesus talks about how “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath”. I am assuming that he is emphasizing that if we make all these rules for the Sabbath, then the holiday becomes Lord, not the God of it.
It is a nice reminder of what is really important in life, because sometimes we forget. I mean, I know a lot of Christians who get bogged down in little rules and forget that they serve a very big God who is above all little rules. They easily forget the big picture.
There was a time when I forget this. I have two small children, and I fear that they are learning that Sunday, during the message is simply “be quiet time”. I focus a lot of effort keeping them quiet, and I often fear that others are going to rebuke me or something.
In all honesty, there really isn’t any law saying that children are to be silent in church. Oddly enough, there is that whole “women are to be silent in the church”, but that can be interpreted so many ways.
Sometimes I forget why I take my children to church in the first place. Granted, they are too young to understand some things, but I’m trying to get them started.
And that is the Big Picture.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 22-23 and Mark 2
It isn’t often that I have a good Old Testament and New Testament tie-in for Irreverent Reverence. After all, Jesus mentions the Old Testament reading in the New Testament. It could be that these stories represent some historical and spiritual link, or as Doc Brown said in Back to the Future II, it could be just an amazing coincidence.
In Mark, Jesus was going through a field and he was plucking kernels for him and his disciples for a snack. The Pharisees felt it necessary to say “A-ha. We told you that he was working on the Sabbath day”.
In all honesty, I don’t see how this constitutes as work. I mean, if they made a day of it, and then went and sold the grain, then I can see why. However, they just were chomping some seed, dude!
Oddly enough, Jesus quotes a Scripture that does not even seem remotely related to what is going on. He mentions the story of how David went to the house of Abiathar the high priest, and how they ate the showbread.
I don’t see how it is related, except that there are times when it is okay to bend or break a law in case of emergency. In fact, Jesus talks about how “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath”. I am assuming that he is emphasizing that if we make all these rules for the Sabbath, then the holiday becomes Lord, not the God of it.
It is a nice reminder of what is really important in life, because sometimes we forget. I mean, I know a lot of Christians who get bogged down in little rules and forget that they serve a very big God who is above all little rules. They easily forget the big picture.
There was a time when I forget this. I have two small children, and I fear that they are learning that Sunday, during the message is simply “be quiet time”. I focus a lot of effort keeping them quiet, and I often fear that others are going to rebuke me or something.
In all honesty, there really isn’t any law saying that children are to be silent in church. Oddly enough, there is that whole “women are to be silent in the church”, but that can be interpreted so many ways.
Sometimes I forget why I take my children to church in the first place. Granted, they are too young to understand some things, but I’m trying to get them started.
And that is the Big Picture.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Not According to Plan
May 7, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 20-21 and Mark 1
David and Jonathan had to play spies when Saul was gunning for David. In one of their covert operations, they had to resort to coded messages.
At one point, they met out in a field, and a message of whether or not it is safe is translated with arrows. You know the story, but I suppose that I could waste some space going into detail.
Essentially, if Jonathan said the arrows are close, then David would be fine. However, he said that he was far away. Yeah, that is a signal that the coast is very much not clear.
However, something happens that was not discussed in the plan. Jonathan sends his servant away, and then decides to meet with David himself. In all honesty, if he wanted to meet with David, then why did he just say: “Hey, let’s meet here”.
Why do all those stupid codes, man? Seriously. Is there not enough excitement in your life that you had to do these James Bond espionage tactics?
Obviously, things just don’t go according to the plan, assuming that there was one.
In the same manner, the plan that Jesus had to spread his love in the world was somewhat hindered when he told someone not to tell people about him. You want to know what? It didn’t work. Instead, the guy became known as the biggest blabbermouth in the Bible.
Yeah, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. I wonder if Jesus meant for this to happen. In other words, does God ever tell us to do something because He knows that we are going to do the opposite? If so, then, dang! You can’t really deal with something like that. I mean, seriously, then you will have to second guess a lot of things.
I mean, maybe God doesn’t want us to follow the Ten Commandments. Maybe I should break a few.
Okay, disclaimer. I am not advocating breaking God’s law. All I am saying is that if you did, God has a plan around that.
Yeah, he ain’t like us, who comes up with these plans that don’t really work well, pratical-wise. Then if they get screwed up, we may not work around it.
However, this also gives us some assurance that when things don’t go “according to plan”, we know that there is some bigger plan that catches us when our plans fall through. I’m sure that I have said this all before, but for some reason, I have to remind myself of it as well.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 20-21 and Mark 1
David and Jonathan had to play spies when Saul was gunning for David. In one of their covert operations, they had to resort to coded messages.
At one point, they met out in a field, and a message of whether or not it is safe is translated with arrows. You know the story, but I suppose that I could waste some space going into detail.
Essentially, if Jonathan said the arrows are close, then David would be fine. However, he said that he was far away. Yeah, that is a signal that the coast is very much not clear.
However, something happens that was not discussed in the plan. Jonathan sends his servant away, and then decides to meet with David himself. In all honesty, if he wanted to meet with David, then why did he just say: “Hey, let’s meet here”.
Why do all those stupid codes, man? Seriously. Is there not enough excitement in your life that you had to do these James Bond espionage tactics?
Obviously, things just don’t go according to the plan, assuming that there was one.
In the same manner, the plan that Jesus had to spread his love in the world was somewhat hindered when he told someone not to tell people about him. You want to know what? It didn’t work. Instead, the guy became known as the biggest blabbermouth in the Bible.
Yeah, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. I wonder if Jesus meant for this to happen. In other words, does God ever tell us to do something because He knows that we are going to do the opposite? If so, then, dang! You can’t really deal with something like that. I mean, seriously, then you will have to second guess a lot of things.
I mean, maybe God doesn’t want us to follow the Ten Commandments. Maybe I should break a few.
Okay, disclaimer. I am not advocating breaking God’s law. All I am saying is that if you did, God has a plan around that.
Yeah, he ain’t like us, who comes up with these plans that don’t really work well, pratical-wise. Then if they get screwed up, we may not work around it.
However, this also gives us some assurance that when things don’t go “according to plan”, we know that there is some bigger plan that catches us when our plans fall through. I’m sure that I have said this all before, but for some reason, I have to remind myself of it as well.
An Extra Hundred Foreskins
May 6, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 18-19 and 1 Corinthians 16
What exactly is the opposite of minimalism? I am assuming you know the definition of this word or can at least use it in context.
For example, I have seen much artwork that seems minimalist to me. For example, a minimalist sculpture that was nothing but a cube. I’m sure it probably took quite a while to make a cube out of stone or whatever the heck it was made from. Also, there are cartoons that are minimalist like Batman the Animated Series or Samurai Jack. Again, I’m certain that these cartoons take a lot more time to make than it looks.
The thing about minimalism is that most of us live by it and don’t even know it. It’s too easy to live our life without truly living it to the fullest. Once we get the job that can provide for us, we usually stay at it, and don’t try anything more in life.
In other words, we minimize our life and don’t maximize it. Yeah, it doesn’t sound right to say maximize. Yet this is just what David did when Saul asked for a dowry for his daughter.
David was supposed to get one hundred foreskins. I can imagine that the process of getting those meant to kill the Philistine soldiers that they came from. That, or there are a lot of Philistines standing around going “ow, ow, ow” afterward.
Oh come on. Did you really expect me to read a verse about two hundred foreskins and not make some cheap crack about it? I mean, I haven’t had this much fun since Jael and Sisera.
The thing is David probably had 100 foreskins easily. I’m not really certain what made him decide to go after another one hundred. Maybe he just took on 200 soldiers, and figured that he might as well get some more.
In other words, I don’t know whether David went the extra mile, or if the extra mile went to him. The point is, David did more than he was required to do.
Considering that most of us don’t do the minimum of what we are supposed to do, it is good to know that some people aren’t satisfied with just the minimum.
What if everyone did this? Imagine if we gave more than we took. I couldn’t think of a better society.
Also, who was the person who counted the two hundred foreskins to make certain that they were all there. Maybe you could tell a sack of two hundred foreskins by looking. Yeah, I know that is sick. I just had to get another one in there.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 18-19 and 1 Corinthians 16
What exactly is the opposite of minimalism? I am assuming you know the definition of this word or can at least use it in context.
For example, I have seen much artwork that seems minimalist to me. For example, a minimalist sculpture that was nothing but a cube. I’m sure it probably took quite a while to make a cube out of stone or whatever the heck it was made from. Also, there are cartoons that are minimalist like Batman the Animated Series or Samurai Jack. Again, I’m certain that these cartoons take a lot more time to make than it looks.
The thing about minimalism is that most of us live by it and don’t even know it. It’s too easy to live our life without truly living it to the fullest. Once we get the job that can provide for us, we usually stay at it, and don’t try anything more in life.
In other words, we minimize our life and don’t maximize it. Yeah, it doesn’t sound right to say maximize. Yet this is just what David did when Saul asked for a dowry for his daughter.
David was supposed to get one hundred foreskins. I can imagine that the process of getting those meant to kill the Philistine soldiers that they came from. That, or there are a lot of Philistines standing around going “ow, ow, ow” afterward.
Oh come on. Did you really expect me to read a verse about two hundred foreskins and not make some cheap crack about it? I mean, I haven’t had this much fun since Jael and Sisera.
The thing is David probably had 100 foreskins easily. I’m not really certain what made him decide to go after another one hundred. Maybe he just took on 200 soldiers, and figured that he might as well get some more.
In other words, I don’t know whether David went the extra mile, or if the extra mile went to him. The point is, David did more than he was required to do.
Considering that most of us don’t do the minimum of what we are supposed to do, it is good to know that some people aren’t satisfied with just the minimum.
What if everyone did this? Imagine if we gave more than we took. I couldn’t think of a better society.
Also, who was the person who counted the two hundred foreskins to make certain that they were all there. Maybe you could tell a sack of two hundred foreskins by looking. Yeah, I know that is sick. I just had to get another one in there.
Underdogs
May 5, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 16-17 and 1 Corinthians 15
Yeah, today’s reading is of course one of the biggest stories in the Bible, ever. Considering that this is Irreverent Reverence, I could probably say something unconventional about how the story of David and Goliath really shouldn’t be so inspiring.
Oh, who am I kidding? I love Rocky, I love Rudy, and I love the Karate Kid. As far as I know, this is the very first underdog story. It is of course not the last.
There must be something about living in America that just makes us want to root for the underdog. It reminds me of this old comedy sketch with Don Rickles and a few of his friends get arrested in Mexico at a bullfight. Apparently, they were rooting for the bull, which is a big no-no there. In fact, it is a jail-able offense.
Yeah, I’m guessing that they won’t haul you away in Mexico if you do that. I think we all know that most old-school comedy had a real anti-Hispanic stance.
Anyway, there is something about dramatic conflict that always creates some sort of magnetic attraction to the side that has the least chance of winning.
In a way, I can’t help but think that Christianity needs a little underdog excitement every once in a while. I heard that the numbers of Christians in the world are in the billions, while most major religions are in the millions at most.
Now, if you are a Christian, you probably think that number is a good thing. After all, don’t we want there to be more Christians? Sure we do. However, there is something about being on the winning team that creates a good feeling, but it will only last when you are winning. When you are the underdog, you are always losing, and it takes more faith to get out on the field.
Right now, about the only underdog in Christianity took place about two thousand years ago when one little man decided to sacrifice himself on the cross. Because of this, the big problem of salvation has been solved. In all honesty, any thing after that should be a walk in the park.
So the next time we face a problem in our life, we shouldn’t treat it like St. George and the Dragon. It is more like we have a sword, and we have to defeat a lizard. Yeah, we have to do some work, but Christ really has done all the heavy lifting.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 16-17 and 1 Corinthians 15
Yeah, today’s reading is of course one of the biggest stories in the Bible, ever. Considering that this is Irreverent Reverence, I could probably say something unconventional about how the story of David and Goliath really shouldn’t be so inspiring.
Oh, who am I kidding? I love Rocky, I love Rudy, and I love the Karate Kid. As far as I know, this is the very first underdog story. It is of course not the last.
There must be something about living in America that just makes us want to root for the underdog. It reminds me of this old comedy sketch with Don Rickles and a few of his friends get arrested in Mexico at a bullfight. Apparently, they were rooting for the bull, which is a big no-no there. In fact, it is a jail-able offense.
Yeah, I’m guessing that they won’t haul you away in Mexico if you do that. I think we all know that most old-school comedy had a real anti-Hispanic stance.
Anyway, there is something about dramatic conflict that always creates some sort of magnetic attraction to the side that has the least chance of winning.
In a way, I can’t help but think that Christianity needs a little underdog excitement every once in a while. I heard that the numbers of Christians in the world are in the billions, while most major religions are in the millions at most.
Now, if you are a Christian, you probably think that number is a good thing. After all, don’t we want there to be more Christians? Sure we do. However, there is something about being on the winning team that creates a good feeling, but it will only last when you are winning. When you are the underdog, you are always losing, and it takes more faith to get out on the field.
Right now, about the only underdog in Christianity took place about two thousand years ago when one little man decided to sacrifice himself on the cross. Because of this, the big problem of salvation has been solved. In all honesty, any thing after that should be a walk in the park.
So the next time we face a problem in our life, we shouldn’t treat it like St. George and the Dragon. It is more like we have a sword, and we have to defeat a lizard. Yeah, we have to do some work, but Christ really has done all the heavy lifting.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
A Tight Ship
May 4 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 14-15 and 1 Corinthians 14
There is a lot of talk at churches about leadership. I suppose it sounds better than politics, but many churches want to talk about leadership because we want to feel important. Not only that, the idea of being over someone for good reasons appeals to all of us.
Of course, I think I know why all of us aren’t leaders. We don’t want that whole responsibility thing. I think that I mentioned this the other day when I was talking about Saul, and how he didn’t want to be King.
I think we can all see why. Saul did screw things up. I realize that this guy gets a lot of bad press because of what he did to David, but there are some things that I would have to say were pretty good. He did defeat a lot of the invading armies. If you look at some of the other judges, Saul may not be the best, but certainly not the worst.
If there was a problem with Saul’s reign, it was because he didn’t really run a tight ship. There was an incident where he ordered everyone to fast. Sadly, the word didn’t get out. Jonathan did eat the honey, and he had to suffer. Of course, no son of the king did suffer over that, really.
Yeah, Saul was not like the guy in Judges who sacrificed his daughter after the battle was won. Then there was the incident with all the Amalekites. I suppose you could say that it was the fault of the men, and they were the ones who wanted to spare the sheep. It would be too kind to call Saul a victim here.
After all, the thing that happens when you become a leader is to run a “tight ship”. To make certain that every piece of the machine is a constant, with no room for any variables.
I suppose this is why the reading in 1 Corinthians 14 talks about how churches should be run. That “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way”.
The truth is, that orderly can only go so far. And in all honesty, as much as I hear churches talk about leadership, many of them don’t want to be decent and in order. Many of them want to leave their services in the hands of the Holy Spirit, really.
Does anyone want a ship that is run so tight that even the rats are in a cell? No. Leadership can keep things in order, but some times there must be a little chaos. The problem is that chaos is never around when it is wanted, and always in abundance when it is needed.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 14-15 and 1 Corinthians 14
There is a lot of talk at churches about leadership. I suppose it sounds better than politics, but many churches want to talk about leadership because we want to feel important. Not only that, the idea of being over someone for good reasons appeals to all of us.
Of course, I think I know why all of us aren’t leaders. We don’t want that whole responsibility thing. I think that I mentioned this the other day when I was talking about Saul, and how he didn’t want to be King.
I think we can all see why. Saul did screw things up. I realize that this guy gets a lot of bad press because of what he did to David, but there are some things that I would have to say were pretty good. He did defeat a lot of the invading armies. If you look at some of the other judges, Saul may not be the best, but certainly not the worst.
If there was a problem with Saul’s reign, it was because he didn’t really run a tight ship. There was an incident where he ordered everyone to fast. Sadly, the word didn’t get out. Jonathan did eat the honey, and he had to suffer. Of course, no son of the king did suffer over that, really.
Yeah, Saul was not like the guy in Judges who sacrificed his daughter after the battle was won. Then there was the incident with all the Amalekites. I suppose you could say that it was the fault of the men, and they were the ones who wanted to spare the sheep. It would be too kind to call Saul a victim here.
After all, the thing that happens when you become a leader is to run a “tight ship”. To make certain that every piece of the machine is a constant, with no room for any variables.
I suppose this is why the reading in 1 Corinthians 14 talks about how churches should be run. That “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way”.
The truth is, that orderly can only go so far. And in all honesty, as much as I hear churches talk about leadership, many of them don’t want to be decent and in order. Many of them want to leave their services in the hands of the Holy Spirit, really.
Does anyone want a ship that is run so tight that even the rats are in a cell? No. Leadership can keep things in order, but some times there must be a little chaos. The problem is that chaos is never around when it is wanted, and always in abundance when it is needed.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Saul gets a lot of flack
May 3, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 12-13 and Psalm 13-14
In most conversations about Saul, it generally bleeds into a very cautionary tale about how you need to follow the Lord’s orders to the letter, or he will take away your kingdom.
Most of the times, when I hear about Saul being mentioned, it is always in a negative light. This is why I have been enjoying the show Kings on NBC, the modern-day retelling of Saul and David in some alternate timeline. Yeah, I’m sure this is going to date this entry by even mentioning this show, which will probably be forgotten in a few months.
As far as I know, NBC will not renew this show for another year, and I don’t think a lot of people are watching it. Shame, really. It’s sort of refreshing to get some show that is a modern retelling of the Bible. Ever since Touch by an Angel has been canned, there just hasn’t been that presence of God thing going on the tube.
The only reason why I bring this up is because I could use the space taken up here. I also want to bring up that I like the way Ian McShane plays King Silas, the Kings version of Saul. He plays Saul as a politician that is sympathetic, but often makes choices “for the people” that he often doesn’t really agree with.
In other words, they create a Saul who isn’t this complete jerk, always trying to pin David to the wall or such nonsense. No, I begin to feel sorry for this guy, just as I feel sorry for the Saul in the Bible.
You see, Saul wasn’t really a bad king, but he was misguided in many ways. I can imagine that Samuel probably found him to be a hard case. I mean, Saul would constantly do things his own way, think he was doing the right thing, and would really screw up the whole reason of doing things, man.
Still, there is a section describe how Saul and his son Jonathan heroically led an army that was armed with nothing but sharpened plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles. Now that is quite something.
Have you ever noticed that some guy can do a lot of cool stuff, but as soon as you do something stupid, it just negates everything good that you ever do. Man, doesn’t that just suck! I’m guessing that doing one good deed isn’t enough to make up for it either.
Why is it that human nature is like this?
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 12-13 and Psalm 13-14
In most conversations about Saul, it generally bleeds into a very cautionary tale about how you need to follow the Lord’s orders to the letter, or he will take away your kingdom.
Most of the times, when I hear about Saul being mentioned, it is always in a negative light. This is why I have been enjoying the show Kings on NBC, the modern-day retelling of Saul and David in some alternate timeline. Yeah, I’m sure this is going to date this entry by even mentioning this show, which will probably be forgotten in a few months.
As far as I know, NBC will not renew this show for another year, and I don’t think a lot of people are watching it. Shame, really. It’s sort of refreshing to get some show that is a modern retelling of the Bible. Ever since Touch by an Angel has been canned, there just hasn’t been that presence of God thing going on the tube.
The only reason why I bring this up is because I could use the space taken up here. I also want to bring up that I like the way Ian McShane plays King Silas, the Kings version of Saul. He plays Saul as a politician that is sympathetic, but often makes choices “for the people” that he often doesn’t really agree with.
In other words, they create a Saul who isn’t this complete jerk, always trying to pin David to the wall or such nonsense. No, I begin to feel sorry for this guy, just as I feel sorry for the Saul in the Bible.
You see, Saul wasn’t really a bad king, but he was misguided in many ways. I can imagine that Samuel probably found him to be a hard case. I mean, Saul would constantly do things his own way, think he was doing the right thing, and would really screw up the whole reason of doing things, man.
Still, there is a section describe how Saul and his son Jonathan heroically led an army that was armed with nothing but sharpened plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles. Now that is quite something.
Have you ever noticed that some guy can do a lot of cool stuff, but as soon as you do something stupid, it just negates everything good that you ever do. Man, doesn’t that just suck! I’m guessing that doing one good deed isn’t enough to make up for it either.
Why is it that human nature is like this?
The Reluctant Saul
May 2, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 10-11 and Psalms 11-12
So here’s the deal. A guy learns that he is about to be king, and what does he do? He goes and tells everyone…that he finds the donkeys that he was looking for.
Not only that, when it comes time to crown Mr. King, Mr. Saul is hiding amongst the baggage. Man, talk about a guy with excess baggage! Is this where we got the term? Probably not, because honestly, it was kind of a nineties saying. Now I think we just say “he’s got issues”.
Saul apparently had a lot of them, and it isn’t really explained why he feared the crown. I heard that there are some people who are “afraid of their own success”. I’m not really certain what that means. I mean, why be afraid of that which you seek after.
But this isn’t like an actor who would be afraid of the Academy Award. I would imagine that Saul was afraid of what would happen when he became king. I mean, if someone were to contact me and say that I just became president, I probably wouldn’t be thinking about the perks that would come with the job.
I would probably think about: “Oh crap, with this great power is going to come great responsibility, I just know it. I am so screwed.”
I’m assuming that Saul was at least a bit smart, but he seems a bit cowardly if you ask me. Then he gets all Spirited and lets loose, kicking some major butt. I can’t help but wonder what sort of transformation had to occur to get that going on.
This brings me to realization that there are really no heroes, honestly. That is, the idea of a hero who does really super-cool things and never feels fear. The truth is, everyone feels fear. I suppose that continuous exposure into perilous situations could create a feeling of apathy toward them. This could definitely explain how cops and firemen could rush toward the burning Twin Towers.
Even then, there has got to be a time when fear had to be planted, and maybe take root. I suppose we all like the story of when the Cowardly Lion has the courage to face the Wicked Witch. I suppose this is all of us, trying to conquer all of our fears as we go through life, facing new responsibilities and terrible things.
In other words, who cares about what terrible things we are going to face? If we were less concerned with what scares us and more concerned about what is our responsibility, then it wouldn’t matter.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 10-11 and Psalms 11-12
So here’s the deal. A guy learns that he is about to be king, and what does he do? He goes and tells everyone…that he finds the donkeys that he was looking for.
Not only that, when it comes time to crown Mr. King, Mr. Saul is hiding amongst the baggage. Man, talk about a guy with excess baggage! Is this where we got the term? Probably not, because honestly, it was kind of a nineties saying. Now I think we just say “he’s got issues”.
Saul apparently had a lot of them, and it isn’t really explained why he feared the crown. I heard that there are some people who are “afraid of their own success”. I’m not really certain what that means. I mean, why be afraid of that which you seek after.
But this isn’t like an actor who would be afraid of the Academy Award. I would imagine that Saul was afraid of what would happen when he became king. I mean, if someone were to contact me and say that I just became president, I probably wouldn’t be thinking about the perks that would come with the job.
I would probably think about: “Oh crap, with this great power is going to come great responsibility, I just know it. I am so screwed.”
I’m assuming that Saul was at least a bit smart, but he seems a bit cowardly if you ask me. Then he gets all Spirited and lets loose, kicking some major butt. I can’t help but wonder what sort of transformation had to occur to get that going on.
This brings me to realization that there are really no heroes, honestly. That is, the idea of a hero who does really super-cool things and never feels fear. The truth is, everyone feels fear. I suppose that continuous exposure into perilous situations could create a feeling of apathy toward them. This could definitely explain how cops and firemen could rush toward the burning Twin Towers.
Even then, there has got to be a time when fear had to be planted, and maybe take root. I suppose we all like the story of when the Cowardly Lion has the courage to face the Wicked Witch. I suppose this is all of us, trying to conquer all of our fears as we go through life, facing new responsibilities and terrible things.
In other words, who cares about what terrible things we are going to face? If we were less concerned with what scares us and more concerned about what is our responsibility, then it wouldn’t matter.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Do we need a king?
May 1, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 8-9 and Psalms 9-10
Today, I am going to make the most blasphemous Irreverent Reverence quote that I will ever make. If you are one of those Christians that have been wondering whether or not you should quit reading my blog, this could be your day of decision.
Despite what you have read in the Bible, God is not infinite in mercy. If he was, then there would be no hell. God would forgive us without us even knowing it.
Actually, God has forgiven us, the issue is, we don’t accept it. So God, who is so merciful that he’ll give us whatever we want even though we really don’t want it.
This was the case for the Israelites when it was time to choose a king. Part of it was because the last judge was super-duper corrupt. I guess they didn’t want history to repeat itself.
All I got to say to that is: you think the judge was corrupt, just wait until you see the king. I mean, you give the judge temporary power, but the moment that judge is given absolute power, just you watch how much that absolute power is going to corrupt him absolutely.
History has proven that those who are given power over anyone will generally abuse it unless there are proper checks and balances. I remember when I was in Psychology class, and there was this study about prison inmates. One group played the role of the guards, while the other played the role of the inmates. The guards quickly became dictators, emphasis on first syllable. Eventually, the guards were so bad that they had to stop the experiment.
However, this is what the people wanted, so guess what, they got it. Saul did some pretty stupid stuff when he was king, and a lot of it had nothing to do with David.
The whole thing about God giving us what we want is because there tends to be this thing called consequences that show up when we least expect them.
So, God’s mercy is forever, and it is so good. Why? Because if we want something, He will give it to us.
Also, know this. There is a limit as far as the badness that we can go to. As soon as we die, that is our cutoff point. From there, you can’t go back on sin unless you have repented of it. And we don’t know what that cutoff point is, so make certain that you know what you want.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 8-9 and Psalms 9-10
Today, I am going to make the most blasphemous Irreverent Reverence quote that I will ever make. If you are one of those Christians that have been wondering whether or not you should quit reading my blog, this could be your day of decision.
Despite what you have read in the Bible, God is not infinite in mercy. If he was, then there would be no hell. God would forgive us without us even knowing it.
Actually, God has forgiven us, the issue is, we don’t accept it. So God, who is so merciful that he’ll give us whatever we want even though we really don’t want it.
This was the case for the Israelites when it was time to choose a king. Part of it was because the last judge was super-duper corrupt. I guess they didn’t want history to repeat itself.
All I got to say to that is: you think the judge was corrupt, just wait until you see the king. I mean, you give the judge temporary power, but the moment that judge is given absolute power, just you watch how much that absolute power is going to corrupt him absolutely.
History has proven that those who are given power over anyone will generally abuse it unless there are proper checks and balances. I remember when I was in Psychology class, and there was this study about prison inmates. One group played the role of the guards, while the other played the role of the inmates. The guards quickly became dictators, emphasis on first syllable. Eventually, the guards were so bad that they had to stop the experiment.
However, this is what the people wanted, so guess what, they got it. Saul did some pretty stupid stuff when he was king, and a lot of it had nothing to do with David.
The whole thing about God giving us what we want is because there tends to be this thing called consequences that show up when we least expect them.
So, God’s mercy is forever, and it is so good. Why? Because if we want something, He will give it to us.
Also, know this. There is a limit as far as the badness that we can go to. As soon as we die, that is our cutoff point. From there, you can’t go back on sin unless you have repented of it. And we don’t know what that cutoff point is, so make certain that you know what you want.
Gold Rats and Tumors
April 30, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 6-7 and Psalms 7-8
Yesterday, I commented on how dumb it is for the people of Israel to take the Ark out into battle because they assumed that it would help them win a battle. Instead, they lost, proving that the mere possession of holy objects is no evidence of any positive outcome.
Still, it didn’t work out well for the Philistines, because the statue of their god was on the ground before the Ark of the Lord. So I guess the Ark did make a difference after all. I still hold to the validity of my last posting.
Anyway, no one seems to know how to appease God on either side, as the Philistines did one of the weirdest offerings that I have ever seen. Because of a plague, they sent back an offering of five gold tumors and five gold rats.
I’m not certain why the Philistines did this. I mean, if you had gold to give, then why in the world would you make it in the shape of a rat? I mean, I understand a Faberge Egg or a cheribum, but a rat? I mean, that is one of the most unclean animals in existence.
Not only that, they made golden tumors, for crying out loud! Tumors. Every time that I’ve read this, I’ve been wondering what the heck a golden tumor looks like. I mean, I don’t want to see a tumor that isn’t golden. So what did the sculptor do, just slap down a big blotch of gold and say: “That’ll do”.
In other words, it seems like a waste of pure gold. This is assuming that it was pure, but gold is gold, really. It doesn’t really say what happened to the gold rats or tumors. Were they melted down for cash, and then the proceeds given to the widows of the women who lost their soldier husband in the Philistine battle.
It reminds me of the reading in Psalm 8. I imagine that all of us has looked up at the sky full of stars and have felt like you were insignificant. Just today, I saw a rainbow in the sky that was huge. I was with my kids at the time, and the moment was truly magical.
Events like that always make me feel really small, like the writer of Psalms when he realizes “what is man that you are mindful of him”. However, the verse goes on to say that “you have made him [humanity] a little lower than the heavenly beings”. Some translations will say angels, but some will say “Elohim”, which is often a synonym in Hebrew for “Almighty”.
In short, man, despite his seeming insignificance, is worth quite a lot, like gold. And yet, I can’t help but feel like a gold rat or tumor, because there are times that just make me feel less godly.
Still, a gold tumor or rat is still made of gold. It is not the shape that is important, but what it is made of that counts.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 6-7 and Psalms 7-8
Yesterday, I commented on how dumb it is for the people of Israel to take the Ark out into battle because they assumed that it would help them win a battle. Instead, they lost, proving that the mere possession of holy objects is no evidence of any positive outcome.
Still, it didn’t work out well for the Philistines, because the statue of their god was on the ground before the Ark of the Lord. So I guess the Ark did make a difference after all. I still hold to the validity of my last posting.
Anyway, no one seems to know how to appease God on either side, as the Philistines did one of the weirdest offerings that I have ever seen. Because of a plague, they sent back an offering of five gold tumors and five gold rats.
I’m not certain why the Philistines did this. I mean, if you had gold to give, then why in the world would you make it in the shape of a rat? I mean, I understand a Faberge Egg or a cheribum, but a rat? I mean, that is one of the most unclean animals in existence.
Not only that, they made golden tumors, for crying out loud! Tumors. Every time that I’ve read this, I’ve been wondering what the heck a golden tumor looks like. I mean, I don’t want to see a tumor that isn’t golden. So what did the sculptor do, just slap down a big blotch of gold and say: “That’ll do”.
In other words, it seems like a waste of pure gold. This is assuming that it was pure, but gold is gold, really. It doesn’t really say what happened to the gold rats or tumors. Were they melted down for cash, and then the proceeds given to the widows of the women who lost their soldier husband in the Philistine battle.
It reminds me of the reading in Psalm 8. I imagine that all of us has looked up at the sky full of stars and have felt like you were insignificant. Just today, I saw a rainbow in the sky that was huge. I was with my kids at the time, and the moment was truly magical.
Events like that always make me feel really small, like the writer of Psalms when he realizes “what is man that you are mindful of him”. However, the verse goes on to say that “you have made him [humanity] a little lower than the heavenly beings”. Some translations will say angels, but some will say “Elohim”, which is often a synonym in Hebrew for “Almighty”.
In short, man, despite his seeming insignificance, is worth quite a lot, like gold. And yet, I can’t help but feel like a gold rat or tumor, because there are times that just make me feel less godly.
Still, a gold tumor or rat is still made of gold. It is not the shape that is important, but what it is made of that counts.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
How to Ask for Things
April 29, 2009
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 3-5 and Psalm 5-6
I never seem to get tired of talking about the stupidity of people, and how it just doesn’t seem to end. The sad part is that people do the dumbest things in the name of God.
Case in point, what the Hebrews when they were fighting the Philistines. I don’t know whose brilliant idea it was to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the battle.
I think it was the same one who suggested that Steven Spielberg add the whole line about “the Bible speaks of the Ark leveling mountains”. I can’t seem to find that mountain-leveling part in my Bible.
But that is beside the point. Still, I mean I can understand why they would think that. The Israelites had seen supernatural effects done through objects before. Why shouldn’t the Holy of Holies do something dramatic like win a battle or two? I mean, an ordinary rod turned into a snake and parted the Red Sea, for crying aloud.
I have seen people do things that they really thought were godly, and it just ended up oddly. Boy, that sounds like one of those sick “Christian Clichés” that I see places. You know, like “Let Go, Let God”. Man, those suck, you know why? Because they are true!
Let’s go back to that godly/oddly rhyming one. I have seen and you have seen people try and do things in the name of God.
Think about all the people who speak up at a Gay pride parade. True, God may have asked them to do it, but man, they often are surprised at the result. “Wow, you mean they didn’t all repent? You mean the crowd turned against me and are now they hate Christianity more than ever?” Wow, what a shock!
Of course, if we’re doing things for God, then they have to be right, right? I mean, What Would Jesus Do? Let’s just say what Jesus said when he condemned the actions of sinners, and ignore the fact that he loved them too.
There are some people that pray with that whole “name it and claim it” thing. If you’re not familiar with that cliché, that’s like when Christians say that they get everything that they pray for.
I bet there are people who think that prayers work if they cling to the Ark of the Covenant, if we were still using it.
The truth is, we can’t really expect to do things to make our wishes come true. The reading in Psalms, which talks about people who humbly pray to the Lord.
Now, that is the way to request something. If you expect God to do something, you probably should not expect it, seriously. I don’t mean to be a negative Nellie, but honestly, just how important is it, in the big picture of things? Just ask the man who painted it.
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 3-5 and Psalm 5-6
I never seem to get tired of talking about the stupidity of people, and how it just doesn’t seem to end. The sad part is that people do the dumbest things in the name of God.
Case in point, what the Hebrews when they were fighting the Philistines. I don’t know whose brilliant idea it was to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the battle.
I think it was the same one who suggested that Steven Spielberg add the whole line about “the Bible speaks of the Ark leveling mountains”. I can’t seem to find that mountain-leveling part in my Bible.
But that is beside the point. Still, I mean I can understand why they would think that. The Israelites had seen supernatural effects done through objects before. Why shouldn’t the Holy of Holies do something dramatic like win a battle or two? I mean, an ordinary rod turned into a snake and parted the Red Sea, for crying aloud.
I have seen people do things that they really thought were godly, and it just ended up oddly. Boy, that sounds like one of those sick “Christian Clichés” that I see places. You know, like “Let Go, Let God”. Man, those suck, you know why? Because they are true!
Let’s go back to that godly/oddly rhyming one. I have seen and you have seen people try and do things in the name of God.
Think about all the people who speak up at a Gay pride parade. True, God may have asked them to do it, but man, they often are surprised at the result. “Wow, you mean they didn’t all repent? You mean the crowd turned against me and are now they hate Christianity more than ever?” Wow, what a shock!
Of course, if we’re doing things for God, then they have to be right, right? I mean, What Would Jesus Do? Let’s just say what Jesus said when he condemned the actions of sinners, and ignore the fact that he loved them too.
There are some people that pray with that whole “name it and claim it” thing. If you’re not familiar with that cliché, that’s like when Christians say that they get everything that they pray for.
I bet there are people who think that prayers work if they cling to the Ark of the Covenant, if we were still using it.
The truth is, we can’t really expect to do things to make our wishes come true. The reading in Psalms, which talks about people who humbly pray to the Lord.
Now, that is the way to request something. If you expect God to do something, you probably should not expect it, seriously. I don’t mean to be a negative Nellie, but honestly, just how important is it, in the big picture of things? Just ask the man who painted it.
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