I went to the Counseling Center today. It looks like I'm going to be doing my practicum there. I'm a little excited about it.
As much as I want to be a teacher, I also want to do this counseling stuff. It's okay, I'm young. This is the time for me to test a bunch of water before diving in anywhere.
Hurrah! I just found my contacts case! I'm getting tired of only wearing glasses all the time. I was planning to go buy another one this afternoon. But there they are.
I am planning to go get my phone fixed today. It's doing this thing where I can clearly hear the people talking to me, but they can't hear me. I don't know why Joy seems to think that I enjoy not being able to respond to her on the phone.
My roomate, Ben, got asked to preach at campus days chapel on the 18th. That's one of the biggest honors for a ministry student here.
gotta go
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Monday, February 07, 2005
uninspired
Tommorow's Fat Tuesday. The next day is Ash Wednesday. Those of you who follow church tradition already know that. The rest of you Christians need to get with the pope and open your eyes to the multitude of pagan holidays that you can celebrate. Easter just isn't the same without Mardi Gras.
I haven't felt like writing lately. Well, actually, I've wanted to write, but I don't know what to write about.
So the Super Bowl was last night. John Elway wasn't playing, so I didn't really care. In my mind I can still see #7 making that dive toward the endzone and getting spun around like a helicopter by those Packers in Super Bowl XXXII.
This week's Torah Portion is about the tabernacle. When people decide to read through the Bible and start in Genesis, this is where most people begin to give up.
Ok, that's all I'm writing tonight.
I haven't felt like writing lately. Well, actually, I've wanted to write, but I don't know what to write about.
So the Super Bowl was last night. John Elway wasn't playing, so I didn't really care. In my mind I can still see #7 making that dive toward the endzone and getting spun around like a helicopter by those Packers in Super Bowl XXXII.
This week's Torah Portion is about the tabernacle. When people decide to read through the Bible and start in Genesis, this is where most people begin to give up.
Ok, that's all I'm writing tonight.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Master
It's been so very cold. And wet. It was supposed to snow yesterday/last night, but it didn't. It takes a discerning eye to see the beauty in this weather, but it has been beautiful. Because God controls the weather.
I sent in my application for the teaching internship. But I still need to find a place to do my counseling internship. I have choices I must make and things I must do. Still God is in control of my future.
I wonder where Nathan is. I haven't heard from my cousin in a long time. Only crude forwarded emails. I wonder if any of my family knows where he is. Maybe I should try emailing him again. That boy needs to get his life straightened out. He's got some real potential. God knows where Nathan is.
In chapel today, the speaker told about 8 stories about people. At about 3 or 4 I began analyzing his style, because I want to be a great storyteller. We are God's story. And God is the best storyteller.
This week's Torah portion as well as my own wandering mind have led me to think more and more that God is The Boss. And we are small and depend on him for everything. We really have no say in the matter. We may feel powerful, but we're not. We may think that God had elevated us to a level equal with him, but we're not equal with God. He owns us. Our job is to obey. We don't have any room for negotiations. No room to say, but I thought we were buddies. God is the Sovereign Lord and Master.
I hear testimonies about how people have been supernaturally brought to Christianity. But I've also read amazing stories about how secular Jews have come in contact with a Rabbi and later became devout Orthodox Jews and were so glad because it changed their lives and they really got to know G-d. Mormons feel a burning in the bosom when they read the Book of Mormon. Buddhists talk about how freeing and wonderful Buddhism is. People give testiomnies about how some self-help guru changed their lives. What is real? What matters? Do many roads lead to God? I don't think so. Counterfeit is so close to the real thing. We don't decide who goes to heaven or not. God decides what happens after we die. He can judge however he wants. In the meantime, he has told us what we ought to do. Just because we do what he told us doesn't mean he has to be nice to us in the afterlife. But I figure it's a good idea to obey God. He keeps his word. That's the only limit on what he's gonna do. It has to line up with scripture from beginning to end. The only security we have is his Word. For those who don't have the Bible, there is the hope for Mercy. But we've been warned. I don't know what I'm trying to say in this last paragraph. But I'm convinced that we ought to obey the commands from Torah. Yet God seems to use people who have aspects of truth, but trample the rest of truth underfoot. Maybe if you comment, I'll be able to explain some more. God is Merciful and True.
I sent in my application for the teaching internship. But I still need to find a place to do my counseling internship. I have choices I must make and things I must do. Still God is in control of my future.
I wonder where Nathan is. I haven't heard from my cousin in a long time. Only crude forwarded emails. I wonder if any of my family knows where he is. Maybe I should try emailing him again. That boy needs to get his life straightened out. He's got some real potential. God knows where Nathan is.
In chapel today, the speaker told about 8 stories about people. At about 3 or 4 I began analyzing his style, because I want to be a great storyteller. We are God's story. And God is the best storyteller.
This week's Torah portion as well as my own wandering mind have led me to think more and more that God is The Boss. And we are small and depend on him for everything. We really have no say in the matter. We may feel powerful, but we're not. We may think that God had elevated us to a level equal with him, but we're not equal with God. He owns us. Our job is to obey. We don't have any room for negotiations. No room to say, but I thought we were buddies. God is the Sovereign Lord and Master.
I hear testimonies about how people have been supernaturally brought to Christianity. But I've also read amazing stories about how secular Jews have come in contact with a Rabbi and later became devout Orthodox Jews and were so glad because it changed their lives and they really got to know G-d. Mormons feel a burning in the bosom when they read the Book of Mormon. Buddhists talk about how freeing and wonderful Buddhism is. People give testiomnies about how some self-help guru changed their lives. What is real? What matters? Do many roads lead to God? I don't think so. Counterfeit is so close to the real thing. We don't decide who goes to heaven or not. God decides what happens after we die. He can judge however he wants. In the meantime, he has told us what we ought to do. Just because we do what he told us doesn't mean he has to be nice to us in the afterlife. But I figure it's a good idea to obey God. He keeps his word. That's the only limit on what he's gonna do. It has to line up with scripture from beginning to end. The only security we have is his Word. For those who don't have the Bible, there is the hope for Mercy. But we've been warned. I don't know what I'm trying to say in this last paragraph. But I'm convinced that we ought to obey the commands from Torah. Yet God seems to use people who have aspects of truth, but trample the rest of truth underfoot. Maybe if you comment, I'll be able to explain some more. God is Merciful and True.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Time Density
So, I’ve been working a lot. I worked 40.7 hours last week. I’m supposed to be working part time. Seems to me like my time at work has been pretty full. This week I get somewhat of a break, until the weekend when I work twenty-some hours fri-sun (basically the whole weekend, excluding sabbath and sleeptime).
I went to the university’s Career Services office the other day to find out about places to do my practicum. I have to intern at a counseling type place in order to graduate. So I mentioned that I have recently re-realized that I would rather teach than be a psychologist. The Career Servant mentioned this Alternative Certification Program. Where I could do a year of education type stuff beginning with some classes in the summer. I would have to pay for it like a year of school. But I would also get paid and become a real live teacher. I looked it up on the internet and found out that I had one week to send in the big fat application. So, though I don’t have to go to work this week, I’m pretty busy trying to get my application in on time. This could be cool.
I also have to find a place to intern in order to graduate with my somewhat useful bachelor’s degree in counseling. No reason to stress out. Everything’s gonna be OK.
I went to the university’s Career Services office the other day to find out about places to do my practicum. I have to intern at a counseling type place in order to graduate. So I mentioned that I have recently re-realized that I would rather teach than be a psychologist. The Career Servant mentioned this Alternative Certification Program. Where I could do a year of education type stuff beginning with some classes in the summer. I would have to pay for it like a year of school. But I would also get paid and become a real live teacher. I looked it up on the internet and found out that I had one week to send in the big fat application. So, though I don’t have to go to work this week, I’m pretty busy trying to get my application in on time. This could be cool.
I also have to find a place to intern in order to graduate with my somewhat useful bachelor’s degree in counseling. No reason to stress out. Everything’s gonna be OK.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Jethro and the cowboy missionary
Y’know, the cowboy preacher was right when he said that preachin’ to thousands at a time aint as effective as disciplin’ one at a time.
And, in Exodus 18, Jethro was right when he told Moses that he’d get plum wor’ out listnin’ t’all those people’s problems, and that the people’d get tired of standin’ around waitin’ for him to hear their case. So Jethro suggested to Moses, “I reckon you could teach them rules to a few people and have them judge some cases. They could bring the toughest problems to you. An’ your work load would be slimmed down quite a bit.”
And in chapter 20 God kinda does the same thing. He speaks so that the Israelites can hear his voice, but it is through Moses that he makes his will known.
And God doesn’t give big fancy revelations of himself to everybody. He relies on people telling others about him. God takes sort of a hands off approach. Sure he is totally involved in our lives and everything. But he doesn’t tell us every little thing. He lets us make big decisions on our own.
I was thinking about how God hasn’t given be any big hints about my future. I just want to have some idea, so that I know what I need to be doing now to prepare for it. I saw a someone who couldn’t walk very well. I had this urge to go help her out. To open doors, carry things, pick her up and carry her. But I knew she wouldn’t appreciate any of those things. She’s glad that she can walk as well as she can. And as she struggles with her legs they become stronger and her stride gets smoother.
God isn’t like an overbearing overprotective mother who raises incompetent children. He knows how much we can handle. He is like an eagle. Pushing us out of the nest so that we can use our own wings. But as we fall, he is right there to catch us.
And, in Exodus 18, Jethro was right when he told Moses that he’d get plum wor’ out listnin’ t’all those people’s problems, and that the people’d get tired of standin’ around waitin’ for him to hear their case. So Jethro suggested to Moses, “I reckon you could teach them rules to a few people and have them judge some cases. They could bring the toughest problems to you. An’ your work load would be slimmed down quite a bit.”
And in chapter 20 God kinda does the same thing. He speaks so that the Israelites can hear his voice, but it is through Moses that he makes his will known.
And God doesn’t give big fancy revelations of himself to everybody. He relies on people telling others about him. God takes sort of a hands off approach. Sure he is totally involved in our lives and everything. But he doesn’t tell us every little thing. He lets us make big decisions on our own.
I was thinking about how God hasn’t given be any big hints about my future. I just want to have some idea, so that I know what I need to be doing now to prepare for it. I saw a someone who couldn’t walk very well. I had this urge to go help her out. To open doors, carry things, pick her up and carry her. But I knew she wouldn’t appreciate any of those things. She’s glad that she can walk as well as she can. And as she struggles with her legs they become stronger and her stride gets smoother.
God isn’t like an overbearing overprotective mother who raises incompetent children. He knows how much we can handle. He is like an eagle. Pushing us out of the nest so that we can use our own wings. But as we fall, he is right there to catch us.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
read
check out this article. (and click on the link at the bottom)
also, if you have some time, read this article.
also, if you have some time, read this article.
Monday, January 24, 2005
point five (.5)
Today is my half birthday. So in honor of me, randomness.
Talk on your cell phone in public as much and as loud as you want. But when you get up to a cash register, hang up. Talking on the phone the entire time that you're paying for your groceries is one of the rudest things ever.
I don't care what you say, wasabi peas rock the casbah.
Rich people can be so mean, and some of them are very nice.
Parents, don't ignore your kids. They're a blessing not a nuisance.
Ageism the other way. Old people are cool. They can contribute spiritually as well. Hey kid, show some respect.
Joseph at work is from Sudan. Joseph would rather live in Sudan than in America. Sudan signed some kind of peace treaty this month. I think I'm going to try to find out more about that. Who knows, maybe I will write another political type post.
Talk on your cell phone in public as much and as loud as you want. But when you get up to a cash register, hang up. Talking on the phone the entire time that you're paying for your groceries is one of the rudest things ever.
I don't care what you say, wasabi peas rock the casbah.
Rich people can be so mean, and some of them are very nice.
Parents, don't ignore your kids. They're a blessing not a nuisance.
Ageism the other way. Old people are cool. They can contribute spiritually as well. Hey kid, show some respect.
Joseph at work is from Sudan. Joseph would rather live in Sudan than in America. Sudan signed some kind of peace treaty this month. I think I'm going to try to find out more about that. Who knows, maybe I will write another political type post.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Children rock
Children are so interesting. Sure they are completely selfish, but they are also full of trust and love thy neighbor. If you give a young child enough attention, he or she will smile at you and brighten your day.
But all that stops when their parents teach them not to talk to strangers. But sadly, children must be taught to avoid the danger of those creeps (far too mild a word) out there who would want to do them harm. Those horrible vile filthy disgusting perverts (still I'm being too kind) who would kidnap, molest, or in any way do harm to a child. Am I really to love that kind of person?
But back to children. When I see children, I am reminded of when I was a child. I feel a unique feeling as I go back to those days in my mind. I also remember those older people who didn’t appreciate how great children are. People that only saw children as rambunctious troublemakers. I always knew that children were real people, too. I never thought that girls had cooties, and I’ve always known that skin color was just skin color. Yet I was aware of all kinds of discrimination around me. I couldn’t understand why people would look down on, avoid, or dislike other people for such stupid reasons.
I was most keenly aware of ageism. I knew that we children were being treated like second class citizens in some places, i.e. church. I knew that children should be able to contribute to the Christian meeting, but they must be given the opportunity. My brother would sing at church when he was young. His voice was great (and still is). He wasn’t just cute, people could actually have a spiritual experience as he sang.
And when children reach the age where they can look at an idea from various angles, they come up with theories, they come up with questions, they can be so smart, it just rocks. At the congregation I attend on Saturday mornings, the format is more like Sunday School than like a church service. And everyone is encouraged to comment or ask questions during the service. The last two weeks a young girl has been asking questions. She is so smart and when she speaks everyone listens. She went to the front and did a reading yesterday. For the past three weeks, children have been doing the reading from the New Testament. They read a passage and then give a few comments. I’m doing the reading this week, it’s going to be tough following those children. I hope that I can speak with the honesty and sincerity that they did.
But all that stops when their parents teach them not to talk to strangers. But sadly, children must be taught to avoid the danger of those creeps (far too mild a word) out there who would want to do them harm. Those horrible vile filthy disgusting perverts (still I'm being too kind) who would kidnap, molest, or in any way do harm to a child. Am I really to love that kind of person?
But back to children. When I see children, I am reminded of when I was a child. I feel a unique feeling as I go back to those days in my mind. I also remember those older people who didn’t appreciate how great children are. People that only saw children as rambunctious troublemakers. I always knew that children were real people, too. I never thought that girls had cooties, and I’ve always known that skin color was just skin color. Yet I was aware of all kinds of discrimination around me. I couldn’t understand why people would look down on, avoid, or dislike other people for such stupid reasons.
I was most keenly aware of ageism. I knew that we children were being treated like second class citizens in some places, i.e. church. I knew that children should be able to contribute to the Christian meeting, but they must be given the opportunity. My brother would sing at church when he was young. His voice was great (and still is). He wasn’t just cute, people could actually have a spiritual experience as he sang.
And when children reach the age where they can look at an idea from various angles, they come up with theories, they come up with questions, they can be so smart, it just rocks. At the congregation I attend on Saturday mornings, the format is more like Sunday School than like a church service. And everyone is encouraged to comment or ask questions during the service. The last two weeks a young girl has been asking questions. She is so smart and when she speaks everyone listens. She went to the front and did a reading yesterday. For the past three weeks, children have been doing the reading from the New Testament. They read a passage and then give a few comments. I’m doing the reading this week, it’s going to be tough following those children. I hope that I can speak with the honesty and sincerity that they did.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Pax Americana
I’m not a big fan of politics. My discussion topic of choice is usually religion. I didn’t even realize that yesterday’s post was on the eve of the Presidential Inauguration. (you can read the inagural address here)(i fixed the link).
I’m not a Republican, I’m not a Democrat. I’m a little bit liberal, a little bit conservative. I like to think of myself as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. So my citizenship on earth isn’t that big of a deal. Of course I am free to say that because I live in America. But even if I was in a more restricted country, I hope I would try to obey God rather than men.
George W. Bush is president. Good for him. He’s not the perfect Christian leader, he’s not evil incarnate. He’s an imperfect human being. I’m pretty sure he’s doing the best he can to help people. I’m pretty sure he’s got some selfish motives. Woopdidoo.
American style freedom isn’t the best hope for peace in our world. What if every country had a government of the people by the people and for the people? The world would still have the same problems it has always had.
My mind is running every which way, so I'm going to leave this unfinished and just wrap it up. I'm sorta wishy-washy when it comes to politics. I'm more firm when it comes to faith. But I still don't have all the answers and I could be mostly wrong on most of what I believe. I'm open to that possibility. Read Bush's address and tell me what you think about it in the comments.
And when you comment on religious type stuff and I argue with you, it's not because I'm right, you're wrong and that's the way it is. It's because God is a big deal to me; I don't want to settle for less than the best when it comes to that area of my life. Let's walk and talk about Jesus and hash out the most excellent way. I don't expect a smooth ride. It hasn't been so far. Let's get down and dirty following this Jesus guy.
OK. I'll stop for now. If anybody's reading this, I would greatly appreciate some comments.
I’m not a Republican, I’m not a Democrat. I’m a little bit liberal, a little bit conservative. I like to think of myself as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. So my citizenship on earth isn’t that big of a deal. Of course I am free to say that because I live in America. But even if I was in a more restricted country, I hope I would try to obey God rather than men.
George W. Bush is president. Good for him. He’s not the perfect Christian leader, he’s not evil incarnate. He’s an imperfect human being. I’m pretty sure he’s doing the best he can to help people. I’m pretty sure he’s got some selfish motives. Woopdidoo.
American style freedom isn’t the best hope for peace in our world. What if every country had a government of the people by the people and for the people? The world would still have the same problems it has always had.
My mind is running every which way, so I'm going to leave this unfinished and just wrap it up. I'm sorta wishy-washy when it comes to politics. I'm more firm when it comes to faith. But I still don't have all the answers and I could be mostly wrong on most of what I believe. I'm open to that possibility. Read Bush's address and tell me what you think about it in the comments.
And when you comment on religious type stuff and I argue with you, it's not because I'm right, you're wrong and that's the way it is. It's because God is a big deal to me; I don't want to settle for less than the best when it comes to that area of my life. Let's walk and talk about Jesus and hash out the most excellent way. I don't expect a smooth ride. It hasn't been so far. Let's get down and dirty following this Jesus guy.
OK. I'll stop for now. If anybody's reading this, I would greatly appreciate some comments.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Wulfstan
Some people recognize today as the Feast of Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester. He is known for his opposition to slave trade in England. Wulfstan started out as a loyal subject of King Harold, but when William conquered England, Wulfstan became loyal to King William.
It is interesting when patriots quote Romans 13 as a proof that Americans should go to war when the American government says to go to war. We should submit to the governing authorities they say. And these same people see July 4, 1776 as a great day. Yet that day marks a great rebellion against the governing authorities.
And as a result of that day, slavery in America was extended. In England and its colonies, slave trade was abolished over 50 years before America’s Civil War. England abolished slavery with its Emancipation Act 30 years before Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
So was the American Revolution a good thing or not? What if the colonists had submitted to the governing authorities? Only God really knows. I believe he sees all the possible outcomes and tries to point us toward the right direction. He may even command things that just don’t seem very nice, but they are for the best.
There’s no such thing as the harsh God of the Old Testament. God is the eternal God. He’s just kinda hard to figure out sometimes. Look at this week’s Torah portion. Exodus 13:7 says that God led the Israelites a certain way so that they wouldn’t face war or they might be afraid and want to go back to Egypt. Well, before long Pharaoh comes charging up with his chariots and then later the Israelites get hungry and thirsty and they wish they had never left Egypt. Then the Israelites face war. The Amalekites attacked them.
Fast forward to 1 Samuel 15. Saul is told to totally destroy the Amalekites. Why would a loving merciful God demand such a thing? Well, Saul decides to be more merciful than God. He lets king Agag live. In Esther 3, we see Haman, a descendant of Agag. Haman tried to kill all the Jews. This results in a big war. Some people think that Haman had a descendant named Adolf who tried to pick up where Haman left off. That resulted in a big war also.
Maybe God can see consequences that we just cant see. Our hearts can deceive us. But God knows our hearts. His Word penetrates and judges our hearts.
“Multiply among us faithful pastors, who, like your holy bishop Wulfstan, will give courage to those who are oppressed and held in bondage: and bring us all, we pray, into the true freedom of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns”
It is interesting when patriots quote Romans 13 as a proof that Americans should go to war when the American government says to go to war. We should submit to the governing authorities they say. And these same people see July 4, 1776 as a great day. Yet that day marks a great rebellion against the governing authorities.
And as a result of that day, slavery in America was extended. In England and its colonies, slave trade was abolished over 50 years before America’s Civil War. England abolished slavery with its Emancipation Act 30 years before Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
So was the American Revolution a good thing or not? What if the colonists had submitted to the governing authorities? Only God really knows. I believe he sees all the possible outcomes and tries to point us toward the right direction. He may even command things that just don’t seem very nice, but they are for the best.
There’s no such thing as the harsh God of the Old Testament. God is the eternal God. He’s just kinda hard to figure out sometimes. Look at this week’s Torah portion. Exodus 13:7 says that God led the Israelites a certain way so that they wouldn’t face war or they might be afraid and want to go back to Egypt. Well, before long Pharaoh comes charging up with his chariots and then later the Israelites get hungry and thirsty and they wish they had never left Egypt. Then the Israelites face war. The Amalekites attacked them.
Fast forward to 1 Samuel 15. Saul is told to totally destroy the Amalekites. Why would a loving merciful God demand such a thing? Well, Saul decides to be more merciful than God. He lets king Agag live. In Esther 3, we see Haman, a descendant of Agag. Haman tried to kill all the Jews. This results in a big war. Some people think that Haman had a descendant named Adolf who tried to pick up where Haman left off. That resulted in a big war also.
Maybe God can see consequences that we just cant see. Our hearts can deceive us. But God knows our hearts. His Word penetrates and judges our hearts.
“Multiply among us faithful pastors, who, like your holy bishop Wulfstan, will give courage to those who are oppressed and held in bondage: and bring us all, we pray, into the true freedom of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns”
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Part 4 of 4: Love the Lord
Love God. Love others.
That’s it.
But how? What does that mean?
Loving your neighbor should be somewhat understandable. We deal with human relationships all the time. We have the parable of the Samaritan. The man who bandaged and took care of someone who would have been an enemy because of race. We are told to love our enemies, but how are we to love someone we hate? Love is action. Show me love without action and I’ll show you someone who’s fooling himself. Loving your enemy does not first require that you feel nicely toward that person, but that you behave kindly, and then allow the warm feelings to grow with time.
But loving God. How does one love God? Singing songs? Feeling nicely toward him in your heart? Believing certain things? Our relationship with God is comparable to two human relationships. The marriage relationship and the parent-child relationship.
He buys her flowers. He has no idea why flowers are such a big deal, they’re going to die in a few days anyway, but she really likes them, so he gets them. She knows he can’t stand spinach, so she hasn’t tried to make him eat spinach casserole. They talk to each other. They know the other’s likes and dislikes. They know what the other hates and what the other really likes. They do what they know will please the other. Some of the biggest problems come when he does something wrong and doesn’t realize it. Or he just decides it’s no big deal even though it’s a big deal to her. When couples have to go to marriage counseling, the counselor doesn’t tell the couple to try to change their feelings. They change behaviors and the feelings will follow. Lost love is usually caused by doing or not doing. She can tell him she loves him forever, she may even feel like she loves him, but until she acts out that love it’s just words and feelings and not love.
A child shows his love for his parents by obeying them and by drawing with crayons on construction paper. The child doesn’t know why he can’t touch the stove, but because he trusts his parents he wont touch it. If parents and children don’t love each other, there will be a lack of rules, discipline, and obedience.
Sabbath is like a wedding ring showing that I am his and he is mine. The ring is worth a lot of money, but that’s not its real value. Rest on the Sabbath may be good for you physically, but its real value is spiritual. It’s the same with the other commandments, they are a demonstration of your love for God. “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”
True, God does not want us to just be robots that do whatever he says. He wants our hearts and our actions. It's not either you obey the Law or you have faith in Christ. It's both. It's not Love or Works. It's both. God wants your everything. Your love, obedience, faith, knowlege, blindness, wisdom. All of you. It's everything. Do you get it? Jesus is not just the Gospels, he is the epistles, he is Revelation, he is Torah, he is the Psalms, Prophets, Proverbs, he is the sacrifices, the priestly garments, honor your father and mother, he is do not murder, he is the sanctity of life, he is the holiness of the Sabbath, he is I AM. Study him, Love him, Serve him. Be conformed to his image. Do Not make up excuses in order to avoid the parts of him that make you uncomfortable.
That’s it.
But how? What does that mean?
Loving your neighbor should be somewhat understandable. We deal with human relationships all the time. We have the parable of the Samaritan. The man who bandaged and took care of someone who would have been an enemy because of race. We are told to love our enemies, but how are we to love someone we hate? Love is action. Show me love without action and I’ll show you someone who’s fooling himself. Loving your enemy does not first require that you feel nicely toward that person, but that you behave kindly, and then allow the warm feelings to grow with time.
But loving God. How does one love God? Singing songs? Feeling nicely toward him in your heart? Believing certain things? Our relationship with God is comparable to two human relationships. The marriage relationship and the parent-child relationship.
He buys her flowers. He has no idea why flowers are such a big deal, they’re going to die in a few days anyway, but she really likes them, so he gets them. She knows he can’t stand spinach, so she hasn’t tried to make him eat spinach casserole. They talk to each other. They know the other’s likes and dislikes. They know what the other hates and what the other really likes. They do what they know will please the other. Some of the biggest problems come when he does something wrong and doesn’t realize it. Or he just decides it’s no big deal even though it’s a big deal to her. When couples have to go to marriage counseling, the counselor doesn’t tell the couple to try to change their feelings. They change behaviors and the feelings will follow. Lost love is usually caused by doing or not doing. She can tell him she loves him forever, she may even feel like she loves him, but until she acts out that love it’s just words and feelings and not love.
A child shows his love for his parents by obeying them and by drawing with crayons on construction paper. The child doesn’t know why he can’t touch the stove, but because he trusts his parents he wont touch it. If parents and children don’t love each other, there will be a lack of rules, discipline, and obedience.
Sabbath is like a wedding ring showing that I am his and he is mine. The ring is worth a lot of money, but that’s not its real value. Rest on the Sabbath may be good for you physically, but its real value is spiritual. It’s the same with the other commandments, they are a demonstration of your love for God. “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”
True, God does not want us to just be robots that do whatever he says. He wants our hearts and our actions. It's not either you obey the Law or you have faith in Christ. It's both. It's not Love or Works. It's both. God wants your everything. Your love, obedience, faith, knowlege, blindness, wisdom. All of you. It's everything. Do you get it? Jesus is not just the Gospels, he is the epistles, he is Revelation, he is Torah, he is the Psalms, Prophets, Proverbs, he is the sacrifices, the priestly garments, honor your father and mother, he is do not murder, he is the sanctity of life, he is the holiness of the Sabbath, he is I AM. Study him, Love him, Serve him. Be conformed to his image. Do Not make up excuses in order to avoid the parts of him that make you uncomfortable.
Monday, January 17, 2005
Ring the Bell
Won't somebody ring the bell
Won't somebody ring the bell
Won't somebody ring the bell
Let me hear it ring
as the people sing
to their king
though they wont give their brother a thing
the brother who doesn't have a thing
They are captives to their greed
blind to a brother in need
Is it them
or is it me
who doesn't see
as i go
to and fro
to buy and sell
Won't somebody ring the bell
Won't somebody ring the bell
ring the song as they sing
a bountiful melody to you and me
Listen and see
the songs
one two three
sit up, stand down
Sit up
stand down
enter the con-men in pharisaical robes
watch as they circle the globe
making twice as much sons of hell
Won't somebody ring the bell
Fools listening to the con-men
telling lies with a little truth mixed in
words like ice cream to them
so they hang on every word so absurd
they swallow what they're told
their eyes glittering gold
fools ears love to listen to what con-men's tongues love to tell
Won't somebody ring the bell
Won't somebody ring the bell
Won't somebody ring the bell
Let freedom ring
let Truth be seen
let Truth be the thing that sets us Free
Son set us Free to be Free indeed
In a master father's house a slave has no power
the Son came for this hour
to exercise the authority given him by the Father
to free the captives, break the chains, and release the oppressed
and he passed the responsibility on to us
So when you get on the bus
take the smelly seat
wash your betrayer's smelly feet
we need to love our enemies
and set men truly free
Won't somebody ring the bell
Won't somebody ring the bell
Maybe i should ring the bell
_
(11/10/03)
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Part 3 of 4: The New Covenant
The New Covenant aint just a New Testament thing. The New Testament guys got the idea from Jeremiah. Let’s take a look.
Jeremiah 31:31-34
“Behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant...”
“What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.” Galatians 3:17. The Noaic Covenant was not abolished by the Abrahamic Covenant, which was not abolished by the Mosaic Covenant, which is not abolished by the New Covenant.
“...with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,...”
Are you an Israelite or are you a Jew? If those “Israelite Laws” don’t apply to you, why in the world do you think the New Covenant applies to you?
“...not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them, declares the LORD. . .”
The New Covenant is not the Mosaic Covenant. Makes sense.
“...But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD, I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. . .”
His law? Could that be the same law as the law in the Mosaic Covenant? You can have the same law and different covenants.
“...They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, “Know the LORD,” for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, declares the LORD, for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Whoa. What’s this? No more teaching? Are we in the New Covenant or not? Does everyone know the LORD? But what about the cup at Passover? Jesus said something about the New Covenant. Do some studying. Did he drink it, did he pour it out, did the disciples drink it, did Jesus say he wouldn’t drink it until he drank it anew in the Kingdom?
Maybe the New Covenant is one of those “now but not yet” things. It’s been started a little bit, but it’s not totally here. There’s a lot of stuff that still has to happen before everything is completed.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Jeremiah 31:31-34
“Behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant...”
“What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.” Galatians 3:17. The Noaic Covenant was not abolished by the Abrahamic Covenant, which was not abolished by the Mosaic Covenant, which is not abolished by the New Covenant.
“...with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,...”
Are you an Israelite or are you a Jew? If those “Israelite Laws” don’t apply to you, why in the world do you think the New Covenant applies to you?
“...not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them, declares the LORD. . .”
The New Covenant is not the Mosaic Covenant. Makes sense.
“...But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD, I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. . .”
His law? Could that be the same law as the law in the Mosaic Covenant? You can have the same law and different covenants.
“...They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, “Know the LORD,” for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, declares the LORD, for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Whoa. What’s this? No more teaching? Are we in the New Covenant or not? Does everyone know the LORD? But what about the cup at Passover? Jesus said something about the New Covenant. Do some studying. Did he drink it, did he pour it out, did the disciples drink it, did Jesus say he wouldn’t drink it until he drank it anew in the Kingdom?
Maybe the New Covenant is one of those “now but not yet” things. It’s been started a little bit, but it’s not totally here. There’s a lot of stuff that still has to happen before everything is completed.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Part 2 of 4: Yesterday, Today, and Forever
Righteousness has always been by faith. No one has ever been able to work their way to God. Faith, hope and love have always been necessary. The blood of bulls and goats was never able take away sins.
The legalistic "observer of the law" who had no love in his heart in David’s day was just the same as the Pharisees to whom Jesus said woe.
The prophets told people who offered sacrifices and oppressed the poor that their sacrifices were abominations. The people needed to follow the command from God that Moses wrote down and circumcise their hearts. Deuteronomy 10:16 and 30:6.
Offering sacrifices did not make people forgiven. Animal blood didn't forgive, God forgave. People were to offer sacrifices out of obedience and love. A sacrifice without intent was just a dead animal.
In "Old Testament times" the temple was destroyed. People were taken in captivity to Babylon. Daniel lived during that time. He couldn't make sacrifices. But he prayed three times a day facing Jerusalem, confessing his sins and the sins of the people. I'm pretty sure Daniel recieved forgiveness.
God didn’t change his mind about what it meant for a human being to be righteous. He didn’t start off saying, “Okay, I got this pair of balances. I’m going to weigh your good deeds and bad deeds,” but then later decide that’s not what he really wanted. He’s not wishy washy. He has always judged people’s hearts and actions the same way.
Remember this: Jesus is eternal. His death 2000 years ago still covers us 2000 years later. It also covered people in 3000 B.C. God is not bound by time.
To find out about Jesus, people just had to study the Torah. The whole bible is all about Jesus.
Faith: Trust in God’s Mercy and Justice and his Promises, acting faithfully toward God.
Hope: Hope in Messiah, hope in the Word of God.
Love: Respect, honor, loyalty, submission, service to God and people.
The legalistic "observer of the law" who had no love in his heart in David’s day was just the same as the Pharisees to whom Jesus said woe.
The prophets told people who offered sacrifices and oppressed the poor that their sacrifices were abominations. The people needed to follow the command from God that Moses wrote down and circumcise their hearts. Deuteronomy 10:16 and 30:6.
Offering sacrifices did not make people forgiven. Animal blood didn't forgive, God forgave. People were to offer sacrifices out of obedience and love. A sacrifice without intent was just a dead animal.
In "Old Testament times" the temple was destroyed. People were taken in captivity to Babylon. Daniel lived during that time. He couldn't make sacrifices. But he prayed three times a day facing Jerusalem, confessing his sins and the sins of the people. I'm pretty sure Daniel recieved forgiveness.
God didn’t change his mind about what it meant for a human being to be righteous. He didn’t start off saying, “Okay, I got this pair of balances. I’m going to weigh your good deeds and bad deeds,” but then later decide that’s not what he really wanted. He’s not wishy washy. He has always judged people’s hearts and actions the same way.
Remember this: Jesus is eternal. His death 2000 years ago still covers us 2000 years later. It also covered people in 3000 B.C. God is not bound by time.
To find out about Jesus, people just had to study the Torah. The whole bible is all about Jesus.
Faith: Trust in God’s Mercy and Justice and his Promises, acting faithfully toward God.
Hope: Hope in Messiah, hope in the Word of God.
Love: Respect, honor, loyalty, submission, service to God and people.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Freedom
For when you were slaves to sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. . . . But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, Romans 6:20,22
The Israelites are about to leave Egypt and God starts giving them rules. Cook the lamb this way, eat it this way, don't eat bread with yeast in it for 7 days, I want your firstborn. . .
You've heard, "Pharaoh, Pharaoh, let my people go." But it's actually, "Thus says the LORD, 'Let my people go, that they may serve me.'"
So freedom isn't free. Either you're a slave to God, or a slave to not-God. And not-God aint a kind master.
But later the Israelites would complain and even want to go back to Egypt. In the same way, we often long to go back to our disgusting sin. We tend to prefer what is familiar to us over what is good for us.
LORD, may I be satisfied with manna and hope as I travel outside the comfort zone.
The Israelites are about to leave Egypt and God starts giving them rules. Cook the lamb this way, eat it this way, don't eat bread with yeast in it for 7 days, I want your firstborn. . .
You've heard, "Pharaoh, Pharaoh, let my people go." But it's actually, "Thus says the LORD, 'Let my people go, that they may serve me.'"
So freedom isn't free. Either you're a slave to God, or a slave to not-God. And not-God aint a kind master.
But later the Israelites would complain and even want to go back to Egypt. In the same way, we often long to go back to our disgusting sin. We tend to prefer what is familiar to us over what is good for us.
LORD, may I be satisfied with manna and hope as I travel outside the comfort zone.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Part 1 of 4: OT <> NT
Point #1: When someone claims to have a revelation from God, a major way to check whether or not it is really from God is by checking whether or not it lines up with or contradicts scripture. So IF the apostles claimed to have revelation from God that some commandments were done away with, then there must be Old Testament scripture to support that claim. So if there is no such supporting scripture, then either the apostles were wrong or they didn’t make that claim.
I see three options. 1) Find Old Testament scripture that supports the abolishing of God’s commands. Or 2) Throw out the New Testament. Or 3) Change your interpretation of the New Testament so that it agrees with the Old.
We can agree that 2 isn’t really an option. As far as I know, no one can do 1. I and a few other people have done 3.
Point #2: As far as I know Christians are not all in agreement regarding how old testament commandments do or do not apply to Christians.
One approach is to divide the commandments into categories. The most well known division is the threefold division of Moral, Judicial, and Ceremonial. And the explanation is that Christians are only required to follow the moral commands. Besides the fact that the idea of two out of three categories of commandments being removed cannot be supported biblically, the whole division into categories is not biblical. This approach is also inconsistent in its categorization. If the categorization were consistent, tithing and not worshiping idols would fall under the Ceremonial category and would not be binding.
Another categorization is into the two groups of cultural commands and universal commands. This also falls apart, because to impose such designations would be arbitrary and subjective.
One view is that none of the commands should be followed except for those re-commanded in the new testament. But, this is not actually practiced. For example, there is no command in the new testament telling believers to tithe after the crucifixion, neither is bestiality mentioned as a sin in the new testament.
Others would say that Christians should follow all of the commands except those that (according to their interpretation) the new testament says are no longer binding. But there are commands that Christians don’t follow that aren’t even mentioned in the new testament. For example, Leviticus 19:32 says to rise in the presence of the elderly. Do Christians obey that command? (Had you even heard of that command?) Did the apostles say that command was repealed?
Do you prefer a consistent Bible and God’s rules or an inconsistent Bible and men’s rules?
I see three options. 1) Find Old Testament scripture that supports the abolishing of God’s commands. Or 2) Throw out the New Testament. Or 3) Change your interpretation of the New Testament so that it agrees with the Old.
We can agree that 2 isn’t really an option. As far as I know, no one can do 1. I and a few other people have done 3.
Point #2: As far as I know Christians are not all in agreement regarding how old testament commandments do or do not apply to Christians.
One approach is to divide the commandments into categories. The most well known division is the threefold division of Moral, Judicial, and Ceremonial. And the explanation is that Christians are only required to follow the moral commands. Besides the fact that the idea of two out of three categories of commandments being removed cannot be supported biblically, the whole division into categories is not biblical. This approach is also inconsistent in its categorization. If the categorization were consistent, tithing and not worshiping idols would fall under the Ceremonial category and would not be binding.
Another categorization is into the two groups of cultural commands and universal commands. This also falls apart, because to impose such designations would be arbitrary and subjective.
One view is that none of the commands should be followed except for those re-commanded in the new testament. But, this is not actually practiced. For example, there is no command in the new testament telling believers to tithe after the crucifixion, neither is bestiality mentioned as a sin in the new testament.
Others would say that Christians should follow all of the commands except those that (according to their interpretation) the new testament says are no longer binding. But there are commands that Christians don’t follow that aren’t even mentioned in the new testament. For example, Leviticus 19:32 says to rise in the presence of the elderly. Do Christians obey that command? (Had you even heard of that command?) Did the apostles say that command was repealed?
Do you prefer a consistent Bible and God’s rules or an inconsistent Bible and men’s rules?
Monday, January 10, 2005
Update
I'm working on a few posts about the Old Testament commandments and whatnot. I think I need to kind of explain and defend what I believe. I really want to get back to writing about other stuff.
News: I have a job. I'm going to be a cashier at Central Market. It might be a good source for some stories or random thoughts.
I've been sick the past few days, but tonight I'm feeling better.
Today I saw all three of my roomates. One (Justin) has been here with me the whole break. Another (Ben) has been in Texas, but in a different town. He works at Central Market, so I saw him there today. He will be back on campus in a week. The other roomate (Phil) just got back tonight.
News: I have a job. I'm going to be a cashier at Central Market. It might be a good source for some stories or random thoughts.
I've been sick the past few days, but tonight I'm feeling better.
Today I saw all three of my roomates. One (Justin) has been here with me the whole break. Another (Ben) has been in Texas, but in a different town. He works at Central Market, so I saw him there today. He will be back on campus in a week. The other roomate (Phil) just got back tonight.
Friday, January 07, 2005
175
A question to ask ourselves every once in while:
Self, do you love God or do you just love your idea of God, and can you tell the difference?
Self, do you love God or do you just love your idea of God, and can you tell the difference?
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