We spent our Teaching Time unpacking the tremendous declaration of God's glory and the proclamation of the name HWHY. This week we looked at God as gracious. Let's review our Scripture: Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." Exodus 34.5-7 (NIV)
Now let's remember the scaffolding we are using in this proclamation of His Name: Moses saw God's glory (heard the proclamation and saw God's real Presence) then he returned down the mountain. The people below saw a glow on his face -- a sort of residual Glory. So each week we will look at the Glory contained in the declaration and then look for ways we might Glow with a reflection of God's character in our daily lives in the following week (and beyond.)
The Glory of "the...gracious God..."
The fact that God is gracious means at least three things. He shows favor, grants blessings with no cost and gives gifts. He shows favor. Who do you call when you need a favor? Only someone with whom you have a vital relationship will "do you a favor." The favor of God is similar. Because of His tremendous love for you and me, God sits on the edge of His throne waiting for our request. He longs to bless us with the things that will make our lives holy and whole. But some things will never be ours experiencially until we ask. The gracious God shows favor.
Our gracious God also grants blessing. While I was in college I became very aware of the difference between a grant and a loan. Both may have conditions (ranking in graduating class, certain score on a test, GPA and so on.) But loans must be repaid to the one lending the money (plus interest for the privilege of using the lender's money a while.) Grants, however, did not have to be repaid. Our gracious God stand ready to supply our needs. He blesses us without any expectation we will repay Him. He knows we never could. Part of His grace is pouring into our lives these things we could never have on our own or repay once we are granted them.
We might have to meet conditional criteria, though. He blesses us with many things but allows us to enter into partnership with Him in these blessings. We might disqualify ourselves from the grant of a beautiful day in which to enjoy the outdoors by sitting in our rooms, blogging or surfing the internet. We might disqualify ourselves from the long life God grants to those who honor their parents by disrespect, disobedience and literally cut our life short. The gracious God grants blessings.
Not only does the gracious God show favor and grant blessing, He also gives gifts. Gifts are undeserved and unearned. Even when it's a holiday or special occasion, gifts are not required. They are free expressions of the giver's love, appreciate or affection. Our gracious God gives things undeserved and often un-asked-for. These gifts form the most precious facet of His gracious nature. Just think, "God loved the world of people so much that He GAVE His One and Only Son..." John 3.16 Our very relationship to God through Jesus is a gift. Can't be earned or worked for, just received with gratitude. God sends sunny days on the "good, the bad and the ugly." It rains on my garden if I'm a good boy or bad boy. The gracious God gives gifts.
The Glow of "the...gracious God's" People
Now that we, like Moses, have seen some of the glory of the Gracious God, others should be able to see the glow of Him in us and our living. Colossians 3.5-14 forms the basis for the Wesleyan-Arminian view that salvation is more than just fire insurance for eternity, but that it is the grace of God changing us in the present world. We ...have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
We are to ...put on...compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Last week we were to imulate the compassion of our God. This week we are to clothe ourselves with kindness which is a practical expression of being gracious.
Being gracious means putting others at ease. Treating them like guests. Seeing to their needs first. Smoothing over the awkward or even embarassing moments between us. Gracious people help others feel as if they are welcome, that they belong, that they have something to contribute.
Some examples of being gracious might be yielding right-of-way to someone in traffic jams, waiting quietly as someone violates the 20 items or less lane at the store or sitting with a guest at Worship.
One of the most convicting phrases in the entire Bible comes from Colossians 1.10 live a life worthy of the Lord... If our God is the Gracious God, we must be a gracious people. It must be one of the characteristics that sets us apart from the herd. We must glow with the glory of our Gracious God in our kind interactions with all we meet in the course of our day.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Who Is Like Our God? Summer Series
We began a new Summer Teaching Series. It attempts to unfold the declaration of God about Himself in Exodus 34.5-7. We are trying to spend a week with each concept. While we talk about God in general terms, I have never preached a series on His character specifically. We are looking to take "Eight-weeks to proclaim the Name of God, to expand our understanding of Him,
to be shaped into His Image."
In order to scaffold this exposition, we will use the narrative surrounding the proclamation of the name, HWHY (LORD). First Moses was exposed to the Glory of God and heard the proclamation. Then he returned from the mountain to the people gathered below. His face glowed from the exposure to God's Glory and he put on a veil. So we will spend our time looking first at THE GLORY and the specific characteristic for the week. Then we will look at how that characteristic of our God might GLOW or reflect in our living for the week. We need to "be holy, for God is holy." "Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away...And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3.12 & 18 (NIV)
Judaism calls this proclamation of the name, HWHY, the "Thirteen Attributes of Mercy." It is to the character of God found in this declaration they appeal for forgiveness. We have reduced the discussion to 9 weeks, not 13.
More posts will follow...
to be shaped into His Image."
In order to scaffold this exposition, we will use the narrative surrounding the proclamation of the name, HWHY (LORD). First Moses was exposed to the Glory of God and heard the proclamation. Then he returned from the mountain to the people gathered below. His face glowed from the exposure to God's Glory and he put on a veil. So we will spend our time looking first at THE GLORY and the specific characteristic for the week. Then we will look at how that characteristic of our God might GLOW or reflect in our living for the week. We need to "be holy, for God is holy." "Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away...And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3.12 & 18 (NIV)
Judaism calls this proclamation of the name, HWHY, the "Thirteen Attributes of Mercy." It is to the character of God found in this declaration they appeal for forgiveness. We have reduced the discussion to 9 weeks, not 13.
More posts will follow...
Burn, Baby, Burn
We are campers. Even in the pre-kid days, Lisa and I would spend as much time tent camping as we could. We have been known to spend a week or two in May camping by night and going to work straight from the tent!
Lisa's family camped practically every state park in WV. Lisa's dad has all types of Coleman cook gear.
I spent a lot of time in a tent as a kid. We boys lived in the woods and thrived on building fires there.
We recently bought a fire "pit" and put it in our back yard. There we burn a little fire just for the atmosphere of camping. The past few evenings we have gathered wood, carefully started and tended our fire.
Simple pleasures are the best!
Lisa's family camped practically every state park in WV. Lisa's dad has all types of Coleman cook gear.
I spent a lot of time in a tent as a kid. We boys lived in the woods and thrived on building fires there.
We recently bought a fire "pit" and put it in our back yard. There we burn a little fire just for the atmosphere of camping. The past few evenings we have gathered wood, carefully started and tended our fire.
Simple pleasures are the best!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
How Does Your OBAMA Garden Grow?
We planted an Obama garden to help us during these economic hard times. There is a recession on and I've got to do for me and mine...
Well, the 8 cabbages are heading in the right direction. 2 of 6 peppers have pooped out. 2.267 rows of carrots are doing fine, the rest never even started. Tiny tomatoes are trepadaciously trying out on our four plants. The green beans are running up their strings. The onions (that's pronounced on-yons) are green and growing. Four rows of corn are popping up nicely. The strawberry and cantelope are living but not budding, yet.
The grape is even leafing out better than it has since I transferred it from Grandpa Andy's.
We water them, train or tie them to supports, weed them and hoe around them frequently. Whenever I do I think of my Papa (pronounced on Blue Creek "Pop-All") and pray that somehow his work ethic, humility, patience and gentleness that must reside in my DNA would rise up. I am all too aware of my impatience, self-importance, sterness and idleness these days.
Like my little garden, my heart and mind seem more suited for wild, uninvited growth. Without daily tending, my life is reclaimed by wilderness from which God has cleared me. In this fallen place, brush and bad grow with less effort than vineyards and virtue. Both my heart and the very ground I walk on cry out for the deliverance to come at His Appearing.
The ground or the gardener are not as good as Grandpa's, but all in all, things are looking up in our little, square-foot Obama garden...
Well, the 8 cabbages are heading in the right direction. 2 of 6 peppers have pooped out. 2.267 rows of carrots are doing fine, the rest never even started. Tiny tomatoes are trepadaciously trying out on our four plants. The green beans are running up their strings. The onions (that's pronounced on-yons) are green and growing. Four rows of corn are popping up nicely. The strawberry and cantelope are living but not budding, yet.
The grape is even leafing out better than it has since I transferred it from Grandpa Andy's.
We water them, train or tie them to supports, weed them and hoe around them frequently. Whenever I do I think of my Papa (pronounced on Blue Creek "Pop-All") and pray that somehow his work ethic, humility, patience and gentleness that must reside in my DNA would rise up. I am all too aware of my impatience, self-importance, sterness and idleness these days.
Like my little garden, my heart and mind seem more suited for wild, uninvited growth. Without daily tending, my life is reclaimed by wilderness from which God has cleared me. In this fallen place, brush and bad grow with less effort than vineyards and virtue. Both my heart and the very ground I walk on cry out for the deliverance to come at His Appearing.
The ground or the gardener are not as good as Grandpa's, but all in all, things are looking up in our little, square-foot Obama garden...
Might as Well Be Walkin' on the Sun...
I am a fair-skinned fella. I have always wished for a bronze tone (and muscular build, too, now that I think about it.) I just burn and peel back to the pale me. I guess the freckles multiply but that doesn't really count.
I went to a tanning bed ONCE because my DW said a few minutes in there would build up a base and I wouldn't burn so easy. I lay in this coffin of a thing for the minumum time possible. Next morning -- BURNED.
One family vacation to the Pocano Mountain (not exactly the tropical destination) I burned the tops of my feet so badly I could not walk for three days. When I could, piercing pain shot up and down my legs. At Gettysburg, I literally crawled along Little Round Top to get to the position from which Chamberlain launched his famous fixed-bayonett charge that drove the Alabama boys back and saved the Union line from being flanked.
So every time I go into the light I must wear heavy sun-screen or layers of clothing.
Yesterday our little fam took a trip to the local public pool. I applied number 50 sunblock a full twenty minutes before exposure. Then reapplied 20 minutes BEFORE the bottle said it was necessary. I stayed in the shade when I could sneak away from my tots who wanted Poppa to play with them in the BIG pool. We were there only a few hours.
But even on the ride home I could feel the burn.
My shoulders are deep pink with a motling of yellowish splotches. The strap for the acoustic and the bass hurt this morning in Worship. I am burned!!!!
I might as well be walking on the sun...
I went to a tanning bed ONCE because my DW said a few minutes in there would build up a base and I wouldn't burn so easy. I lay in this coffin of a thing for the minumum time possible. Next morning -- BURNED.
One family vacation to the Pocano Mountain (not exactly the tropical destination) I burned the tops of my feet so badly I could not walk for three days. When I could, piercing pain shot up and down my legs. At Gettysburg, I literally crawled along Little Round Top to get to the position from which Chamberlain launched his famous fixed-bayonett charge that drove the Alabama boys back and saved the Union line from being flanked.
So every time I go into the light I must wear heavy sun-screen or layers of clothing.
Yesterday our little fam took a trip to the local public pool. I applied number 50 sunblock a full twenty minutes before exposure. Then reapplied 20 minutes BEFORE the bottle said it was necessary. I stayed in the shade when I could sneak away from my tots who wanted Poppa to play with them in the BIG pool. We were there only a few hours.
But even on the ride home I could feel the burn.
My shoulders are deep pink with a motling of yellowish splotches. The strap for the acoustic and the bass hurt this morning in Worship. I am burned!!!!
I might as well be walking on the sun...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Daddy Daycare
This summer I am watching our kids.
First, it's because I don't have school obligations. I finally got my certification classes! Yeh!
Second, along with starting an Obama garden, we are trying to deal with the financial situation by reducing all our debts and obligations. We will save a lot by not sending them to daycare for June, July and most of August, A LOT!
Third, I love my kids and spending time with them.
So last week we began our adventures in babysitting. Let me say at the onset that I do not multi-task. Like most men, I pigeon hole life. One thing at a time is my modus operandi.
We will work out our rhythm and things will be great. Just whisper a prayer for my patience and theirs, too.
First, it's because I don't have school obligations. I finally got my certification classes! Yeh!
Second, along with starting an Obama garden, we are trying to deal with the financial situation by reducing all our debts and obligations. We will save a lot by not sending them to daycare for June, July and most of August, A LOT!
Third, I love my kids and spending time with them.
So last week we began our adventures in babysitting. Let me say at the onset that I do not multi-task. Like most men, I pigeon hole life. One thing at a time is my modus operandi.
We will work out our rhythm and things will be great. Just whisper a prayer for my patience and theirs, too.
Whoa Momma! It's Father's Day
What an unbelievable day!
First, I got a super T-shirt, two books, 2 packs of IBC Root Beer, 3 pair of Scooby Doo boxers from my amazing E and G (with the help of Momma.) E couldn't stop telling me the secret Momma had in the van so I actually got these gifts a few days early.
Then, Momma made sure I got to sleep in til 7:30 Saturday morning!
Then Sunday afternoon Momma made the best meal I have ever eaten--in my life! She grilled a summer medley of veggies and a special salmon. She grilled it on a cedar plant, with lemon and dill. It was tender, moist and smoked! Then to top it off, she grilled some thick slices of sesame-seeded bread! The meal could not have been better at the Tide-Water!
I am definitely blessed beyond measure! I thank E and G for making me a Dad and Lisa for making me a whole man!
First, I got a super T-shirt, two books, 2 packs of IBC Root Beer, 3 pair of Scooby Doo boxers from my amazing E and G (with the help of Momma.) E couldn't stop telling me the secret Momma had in the van so I actually got these gifts a few days early.
Then, Momma made sure I got to sleep in til 7:30 Saturday morning!
Then Sunday afternoon Momma made the best meal I have ever eaten--in my life! She grilled a summer medley of veggies and a special salmon. She grilled it on a cedar plant, with lemon and dill. It was tender, moist and smoked! Then to top it off, she grilled some thick slices of sesame-seeded bread! The meal could not have been better at the Tide-Water!
I am definitely blessed beyond measure! I thank E and G for making me a Dad and Lisa for making me a whole man!
Monday, June 08, 2009
Trinity Sunday
Worship at Faith on Trinity Sunday 2009
Worship Is Preparing:
Welcome/Greetings
Invocation
Worship Is Praise/Song:
Isaiah 6.1-3
"Open the Eyes of My Heart"
"Our God Saves"
"We Give You Glory"
Worship Is Giving:
Giving our Substance: "How Great Is Our God"
This Week's Opportunities to Give Service (Announcements)
Worship Is Prayer:
Isaiah 6.4-8
"Take Me In (Holy of Holies)"
C.A.S.T. Our Cares on Him
Worship Is Hearing the Word:
Genesis 1.1-2, 26-27
Romans 8.12-27
Matthew 3.13-17
"Holy Trinity" Teaching Time
Worship Is Lifestyle:
"He Knows My Name"
Benediction
Worship Is Preparing:
Welcome/Greetings
Invocation
Worship Is Praise/Song:
Isaiah 6.1-3
"Open the Eyes of My Heart"
"Our God Saves"
"We Give You Glory"
Worship Is Giving:
Giving our Substance: "How Great Is Our God"
This Week's Opportunities to Give Service (Announcements)
Worship Is Prayer:
Isaiah 6.4-8
"Take Me In (Holy of Holies)"
C.A.S.T. Our Cares on Him
Worship Is Hearing the Word:
Genesis 1.1-2, 26-27
Romans 8.12-27
Matthew 3.13-17
"Holy Trinity" Teaching Time
Worship Is Lifestyle:
"He Knows My Name"
Benediction
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Still the One!
May 25, 1994...
...FIFTEEN years ago today...
I became the husband of Lisa Renee. It seems like just yesterday I was standing on a folding chair hanging strands of white lights in a tent and eating a JR's cream-filled powered donut.
I really didn't comprehend what was about to happen to me. The shared joy and sorrow, the shared comfort and pain, the shared life. It is definitely the best part of my life having shared it with Lisa. We have wept at the gravesides of a niece and dear friends, wept with frustration and resignation during the infertility years (especially Mother's and Father's days), wept with fear and pride 9-11-01, wept with joy at the miracle birth of Eli and Jillian, wept at the bottom of emotional talks in the van in a parking lot.
We have held each other in passion's fire, the cold of disappointment and when we didn't know what else to do.
She is my joy, my love, my soul-mate, my life partner. Her beauty, wisdom and imagination endear her to me. I cherish our talks, walking and holding her hand and her smile.
She asked me recently, "Where will we be in 15 years?" I don't know what the world will be like, but if I'm alive I will be with her.
She's still the one!
...FIFTEEN years ago today...
I became the husband of Lisa Renee. It seems like just yesterday I was standing on a folding chair hanging strands of white lights in a tent and eating a JR's cream-filled powered donut.
I really didn't comprehend what was about to happen to me. The shared joy and sorrow, the shared comfort and pain, the shared life. It is definitely the best part of my life having shared it with Lisa. We have wept at the gravesides of a niece and dear friends, wept with frustration and resignation during the infertility years (especially Mother's and Father's days), wept with fear and pride 9-11-01, wept with joy at the miracle birth of Eli and Jillian, wept at the bottom of emotional talks in the van in a parking lot.
We have held each other in passion's fire, the cold of disappointment and when we didn't know what else to do.
She is my joy, my love, my soul-mate, my life partner. Her beauty, wisdom and imagination endear her to me. I cherish our talks, walking and holding her hand and her smile.
She asked me recently, "Where will we be in 15 years?" I don't know what the world will be like, but if I'm alive I will be with her.
She's still the one!
Monday, May 04, 2009
A Biblical Worldview
Wow! What an awesome Day of Learning at Vinton Wesleyan Church!
We feasted on the simple, yet profound, truth that a Biblical worldview gives the only satisfactory answer to the question of meaning: who am I ? why am I here? It all centered around the imago dei. Being human only has meaning in the context of this image.
Dr. Ury beautifully and passionately declared needed holiness/Wesleyan message of restoring the imago dei through the life and work of Jesus Christ. He rightly pointed to the beginning of theology as Genesis 1 & 2 , not Genesis 3. To start at 3 is to only offer forgiveness and covering for sin, whereas a Gospel that begins in 1 & 2 offers restoration of the imago dei as discussed in Colossians and others.
He skillfully delt with the practical issues of human sexuality and the redefinition of marriage by stating it is the essence of human existance to be male and female. Even homosexual relationships fall into the male/female roles. Reality cannot be denied. Genesis 1 & 2 are reality.
It was a wonderfully challenging day! I'm certain more blogging and preaching will follow.
We feasted on the simple, yet profound, truth that a Biblical worldview gives the only satisfactory answer to the question of meaning: who am I ? why am I here? It all centered around the imago dei. Being human only has meaning in the context of this image.
Dr. Ury beautifully and passionately declared needed holiness/Wesleyan message of restoring the imago dei through the life and work of Jesus Christ. He rightly pointed to the beginning of theology as Genesis 1 & 2 , not Genesis 3. To start at 3 is to only offer forgiveness and covering for sin, whereas a Gospel that begins in 1 & 2 offers restoration of the imago dei as discussed in Colossians and others.
He skillfully delt with the practical issues of human sexuality and the redefinition of marriage by stating it is the essence of human existance to be male and female. Even homosexual relationships fall into the male/female roles. Reality cannot be denied. Genesis 1 & 2 are reality.
It was a wonderfully challenging day! I'm certain more blogging and preaching will follow.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
The Derby
It was a Kentucky Derby weekend. I was driving toward the center of the state where the bluegrass grows. I was driving a borrowed, two-tone Ford station wagon. I was thrilled!
It was the first time I went to date my Lisa. I showed up in a shirt and tie for the Friday Formal dinner at Kentucky Mountain Bible College. Looking at the pictures now, I looked like such a geeky little boy. She looked as beautiful as anyone ever could.
So every Derby weekend I get a little spark of romance warming my heart. And I look at my Lisa, who still eats Friday dinner with me and smile with contentment. Life is full and so is my heart.
It was the first time I went to date my Lisa. I showed up in a shirt and tie for the Friday Formal dinner at Kentucky Mountain Bible College. Looking at the pictures now, I looked like such a geeky little boy. She looked as beautiful as anyone ever could.
So every Derby weekend I get a little spark of romance warming my heart. And I look at my Lisa, who still eats Friday dinner with me and smile with contentment. Life is full and so is my heart.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Mission Completion
I have posted at least once for every day of this month. I did it!!!
I am supprised at the various depth of insight, lengths and topics of this month. It was a good discipline to exercise.
So check in in May and let's ee if I'm as prolific.
I am supprised at the various depth of insight, lengths and topics of this month. It was a good discipline to exercise.
So check in in May and let's ee if I'm as prolific.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Momma is Coming! Momma is Coming!
Tonight my love will return to me. She has been gone on a business trip to CA. We have made it, but missed her terribly. I am so glad she will be home tonight.
More details to come...
More details to come...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
On My Own
Today Lois had to return to OH and I was left with the kiddos alone.
The pickup from school was smooth. We played and watched Scooby Doo and Wikitiki (a parting gift from Mommaw.) Then we ate her delicious baked spagetti and bathed.
Bedtime was ok.
E woke first and moved into bed with me. Then sister did, too.
We woke, enjoyed another treat from Momma and got off to school well. It was raining lightly.
The pickup from school was smooth. We played and watched Scooby Doo and Wikitiki (a parting gift from Mommaw.) Then we ate her delicious baked spagetti and bathed.
Bedtime was ok.
E woke first and moved into bed with me. Then sister did, too.
We woke, enjoyed another treat from Momma and got off to school well. It was raining lightly.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Just 'Cause I Promised...
I am posting right now just cause I promised to blog every day this month.
But just now a thought has come to me. Why is it that we capitalize I? Why not capitalize You and leave i miniscule? Do we really need to do so?
We no longer capitalize divine pronounds. So why do we still capitalize the self?
But just now a thought has come to me. Why is it that we capitalize I? Why not capitalize You and leave i miniscule? Do we really need to do so?
We no longer capitalize divine pronounds. So why do we still capitalize the self?
Sunday, April 26, 2009
She's Leavin' on a Jetplane...
Lis leaves today for a FOUR-DAY trip to CA! Ugh!
I tried to put a few little notes in her stuff -- in her purse, carryon bag and etc. She caught me once. Then she emptied her purse to clean it out!!!!! Then at 4am her suitcase broke and she had to empty it out too!!!!!! She is impossible to suprise!
I REALLY miss my girl when she has to be away. I honestly mark my days by the time I get to go home and see her (and the kiddos, too.) I don't function well when she's gone. I don't sleep.
I love my wife totally!
I tried to put a few little notes in her stuff -- in her purse, carryon bag and etc. She caught me once. Then she emptied her purse to clean it out!!!!! Then at 4am her suitcase broke and she had to empty it out too!!!!!! She is impossible to suprise!
I REALLY miss my girl when she has to be away. I honestly mark my days by the time I get to go home and see her (and the kiddos, too.) I don't function well when she's gone. I don't sleep.
I love my wife totally!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
That's Ridiculous!
Mommaw is coming to our house! We are very excited! It will be great fun!
When E woke up he started asking, "When's Mommaw coming?" All day at sporatic intervals he asked, "When's Mommaw getting here."
Finally, around bathtime we got a call from Mommaw that she was leaving OH. E reacted to the news by saying, "That's just E-diculous!" and frowning.
When E woke up he started asking, "When's Mommaw coming?" All day at sporatic intervals he asked, "When's Mommaw getting here."
Finally, around bathtime we got a call from Mommaw that she was leaving OH. E reacted to the news by saying, "That's just E-diculous!" and frowning.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Ah, ---day!
Thank You God that it is Friday! Well, I'm not so sure about the Friday part (see below) but thank you God it is the last day of the school week.
I am seriously grateful for the end of this week. I have had ALC duty from Gehenna (reference to the smoldering/burning trash heap outside Jerusalem in the Henna Valley) this week. I have put down two minor revolts in class and just today I confiscated 3 phones in various stages of texting and other use. Ugh! How I miss teaching when I'm at school...
On the daily work board in my room, I post the day of the week, the date, the Related Arts (RA) schedule and the start-up work (called for some unknown reason The Sponge) for my classes. In April I started posting the day information in English and Spanish because I have several students who are studying Spanish. This week I added a German rendering of the information. One of my students, of Middle Eastern descent, adds the Arabic some days.
I am becoming morally outraged that our days are named after pagan gods. Even Sun-day and Mo[o]nday pay homage to the two main lights in the day and night sky that were once worshipped in idolatry but are just the creations of the One-True God. I do not like taking the name of false gods on my lips to distinguish one day from another. Tew's-day is Old English (OE) for Mar's-day [god-of-war-day], Woden's-day (OE) for Jupiter's-day [king-of-gods-day,] Thors-day [lightning/thunder-god's-day,] Frigg's-day (OE) for Venus-day [goddess-of-love-beauty-sex-day] and Saturn-day [father-of-king-of-gods-day.] Pt-u-ee!
Yes, I know another theory holds they were named after certain celestial bodies. But the names have idolatrous origins even when attached to planets. But these orbiting objects were said to rule those days! And the practice of using celestial bodies to plan and schedule is divination, another abominable act according to faith and Scripture.
I do like Sabbado [Sabbath] for the last day of the week (Genesis 1) and Domingo [Lord's Day] for the first day of the week (Revelation 1.10.) They obviously express a Christian world-view. I can even tolerate the German numeric Mittwoch (mid-week) for Wednesday. The Hebrew for the other days of the week simply counts them. I think this is a good alternative.
Lord's Day/First-day, Second-day, Third-day, Mid-week/Fourth-day, Fifth-day, Sixth-day and, finally, Sabbath/Seventh-day.
It REALLY is a small thing, but it REALLY does vex my soul and chap my hide...
I am seriously grateful for the end of this week. I have had ALC duty from Gehenna (reference to the smoldering/burning trash heap outside Jerusalem in the Henna Valley) this week. I have put down two minor revolts in class and just today I confiscated 3 phones in various stages of texting and other use. Ugh! How I miss teaching when I'm at school...
On the daily work board in my room, I post the day of the week, the date, the Related Arts (RA) schedule and the start-up work (called for some unknown reason The Sponge) for my classes. In April I started posting the day information in English and Spanish because I have several students who are studying Spanish. This week I added a German rendering of the information. One of my students, of Middle Eastern descent, adds the Arabic some days.
I am becoming morally outraged that our days are named after pagan gods. Even Sun-day and Mo[o]nday pay homage to the two main lights in the day and night sky that were once worshipped in idolatry but are just the creations of the One-True God. I do not like taking the name of false gods on my lips to distinguish one day from another. Tew's-day is Old English (OE) for Mar's-day [god-of-war-day], Woden's-day (OE) for Jupiter's-day [king-of-gods-day,] Thors-day [lightning/thunder-god's-day,] Frigg's-day (OE) for Venus-day [goddess-of-love-beauty-sex-day] and Saturn-day [father-of-king-of-gods-day.] Pt-u-ee!
Yes, I know another theory holds they were named after certain celestial bodies. But the names have idolatrous origins even when attached to planets. But these orbiting objects were said to rule those days! And the practice of using celestial bodies to plan and schedule is divination, another abominable act according to faith and Scripture.
I do like Sabbado [Sabbath] for the last day of the week (Genesis 1) and Domingo [Lord's Day] for the first day of the week (Revelation 1.10.) They obviously express a Christian world-view. I can even tolerate the German numeric Mittwoch (mid-week) for Wednesday. The Hebrew for the other days of the week simply counts them. I think this is a good alternative.
Lord's Day/First-day, Second-day, Third-day, Mid-week/Fourth-day, Fifth-day, Sixth-day and, finally, Sabbath/Seventh-day.
It REALLY is a small thing, but it REALLY does vex my soul and chap my hide...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Lost
Lisa and I are huge fans of LOST. We especially like the mental puzzle it presents with its treatment of the time-space continuum. This season has been very enjoyable. It continues to deal with the themes of determinism/free-will and parent/child relationships.
The key development of this season seems to be the idea that within determined history (what pagans call Fate, neo-pagans call evolutionary randomness and Christians call Providence) humans have a choice (what we all call "Free Will") about who they will be in that determined history. This is a significant idea worthy of some reflection.
Determinism and free will are polar-opposite philosophies of history. Determinists believe that everything is "determined" by an outside force. That's-just-the-way-it[humanity]-is explains why events happen and people act the way they do. The individual can do NOTHING to alter their determined actions or their determined destinies.
Religious determinists attribute the role of determiner to the Fates (pagan goddesses who wove human history) or to God's Sovereignty (Christianity.) Reformed [Calvinist] theology rests on a foundation of a determinist regard of history as the sole choice of God's Absolute --Unconditional, Irresistable, Irrevocable -- Sovereign-Self.
Secular determinists attribute the controling force of history to genetics and evolutionary factors. People act only as their DNA predetermines they will. Human choice is an illusion in the midst of evolutionary selection.
Free-will proponents believe everything is the result of individual choices. American civic religion preaches this dogma -- "You can be anything you want to be." "Your only limited by your imagination." Everything is up for grabs.
Free-will thinking is obviously humanistic. No outside force can thwart the will of the individual. Human beings have all the answers, we just need time to work them out. We may have flawed characters, but in time we will self-actualize.
I belong to a unique branch of the Christian Vine, a singular part of the Body of Christ. We Wesleyans hold a view of human existence and history that believes strongly in the Providence of a Sovereign God. He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live [Acts 17.26 NIV] Even when evil is prominant and His law is being violated, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [Romans 8.28]
Yet we also hear the witness of Scripture telling us that we have a choice in our actions and our destinies. We are challenged to choose. To return to Acts 17, he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. God allows us to choose to look for him and the outcome of our search is left in doubt.
So I am facinated by the current suggestion of the events of LOST that the events of our lives might be firmly pre-determined, "Whatever will happen, will happen" but we must choose who we will be in those pre-determined events...
The key development of this season seems to be the idea that within determined history (what pagans call Fate, neo-pagans call evolutionary randomness and Christians call Providence) humans have a choice (what we all call "Free Will") about who they will be in that determined history. This is a significant idea worthy of some reflection.
Determinism and free will are polar-opposite philosophies of history. Determinists believe that everything is "determined" by an outside force. That's-just-the-way-it[humanity]-is explains why events happen and people act the way they do. The individual can do NOTHING to alter their determined actions or their determined destinies.
Religious determinists attribute the role of determiner to the Fates (pagan goddesses who wove human history) or to God's Sovereignty (Christianity.) Reformed [Calvinist] theology rests on a foundation of a determinist regard of history as the sole choice of God's Absolute --Unconditional, Irresistable, Irrevocable -- Sovereign-Self.
Secular determinists attribute the controling force of history to genetics and evolutionary factors. People act only as their DNA predetermines they will. Human choice is an illusion in the midst of evolutionary selection.
Free-will proponents believe everything is the result of individual choices. American civic religion preaches this dogma -- "You can be anything you want to be." "Your only limited by your imagination." Everything is up for grabs.
Free-will thinking is obviously humanistic. No outside force can thwart the will of the individual. Human beings have all the answers, we just need time to work them out. We may have flawed characters, but in time we will self-actualize.
I belong to a unique branch of the Christian Vine, a singular part of the Body of Christ. We Wesleyans hold a view of human existence and history that believes strongly in the Providence of a Sovereign God. He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live [Acts 17.26 NIV] Even when evil is prominant and His law is being violated, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [Romans 8.28]
Yet we also hear the witness of Scripture telling us that we have a choice in our actions and our destinies. We are challenged to choose. To return to Acts 17, he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. God allows us to choose to look for him and the outcome of our search is left in doubt.
So I am facinated by the current suggestion of the events of LOST that the events of our lives might be firmly pre-determined, "Whatever will happen, will happen" but we must choose who we will be in those pre-determined events...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Gift
Lis is under a lot of pressure right now with work and other responsibilities and her impending trip to CA. So much so that I think she really just wanted to come home from work and crash in the bed to recharge her batteries. Then Eli had a plan.
Let's go to Bob Evan's. So we did.
When we arrived we were seated near two very young parents and a VERY young baby. Lisa engaged them in conversation to learn the baby was only a week old and they were just venturing out for the first time as a family.
While we were entertaining our kids waiting on our meals, she slips me a note written on the back of a paper placemat: Let's pay for their dinner.
So at an appropriate moment, I excused myself from our table and went to find their waitress. She gave me their ticket. I payed for it and returned to our table.
Later when the lady asked for her ticket the waitress informed her that an anonymous person had paid for their meal. She seemed shocked.
I know Lisa is stressed right now. I know she has a lot on her mind. But I wish you could have seen the sparkle in her eyes as she hatched up this plan and saw it executed. She was beautiful and peaceful and happy.
Seconds later the moment passed as the realities of life with us and the responsibilities crept back into her consciousness.
She is a wonderful woman and I know this season of pressure will pass. Even in it, she has such a beautiful spirit and generous heart. It is that inner glow that makes me fall in love with her over and over and over and over...
Let's go to Bob Evan's. So we did.
When we arrived we were seated near two very young parents and a VERY young baby. Lisa engaged them in conversation to learn the baby was only a week old and they were just venturing out for the first time as a family.
While we were entertaining our kids waiting on our meals, she slips me a note written on the back of a paper placemat: Let's pay for their dinner.
So at an appropriate moment, I excused myself from our table and went to find their waitress. She gave me their ticket. I payed for it and returned to our table.
Later when the lady asked for her ticket the waitress informed her that an anonymous person had paid for their meal. She seemed shocked.
I know Lisa is stressed right now. I know she has a lot on her mind. But I wish you could have seen the sparkle in her eyes as she hatched up this plan and saw it executed. She was beautiful and peaceful and happy.
Seconds later the moment passed as the realities of life with us and the responsibilities crept back into her consciousness.
She is a wonderful woman and I know this season of pressure will pass. Even in it, she has such a beautiful spirit and generous heart. It is that inner glow that makes me fall in love with her over and over and over and over...
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