Name: Chad
Scripture: Judges 15-17; Mark 13:32-14:11
He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out and took it and killed a thousand men with it[...]Then he became very thirsty[...]It came about when she pressed him daily with her words and urged him, that his soul was annoyed to death.
OAP: I started to write commentary about Mark, then I decided to read Judges. I enjoyed it much more. I needed this lightheartedness.
God, you can be ridiculous, I love it.
Wednesday, April 30
Tuesday, April 29
And then the Australians were like...
Name: Chad
Scripture: Judges 12-14; Mark 13:12-31
And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.
OAP: "On a long enough time line the survival rate for everyone is zero"-Fight Club
Apparently this works for spirituality too.
This whole chapter sucks. I already wrote in Matthew about the passing away of the generation and the implications there. But that is not what I care about, Mark 13:20 is the important one.
"There was a day when I died", nope. Just enough of you hung on so that it would come back up eventually.
I don't like this at all. We lose. That is the reading I am getting. If anyone else has any other way to see this, please share. I checked the translations and word choice. We don't win, we simply stall until we die. That's not even what bothers me, what bothers me is that eventually we would turn away again, maybe this is collectively and eventually no new people would be saved, but I simply assumed God was more relevant than that. But that is best case scenario, worst case is that it is individual. The effect is that I, Chad Houston, can't totally surrender. I can't die to myself individually on a daily basis forever. Possibly I may be able to do it for 60 years until I die, but if I simply were to keep going, on an infinite timeline there would be a point that I stop. That I stop loving God and return to loving myself. So would Benedict or Willard or Lewis. What does that say about the Kingdom, that even those who have seen it would eventually go back. What does that say about the Light?
Why tonight? What does this have to do with anything? Why are you telling me this now? It doesn't seem to be in any way constructive. Now I trust you, I would hopefully forever, but apparently not. If I would decide not to follow you eventually what does that say about us? I am here now, and have no plans on leaving, but honestly wtf?
Scripture: Judges 12-14; Mark 13:12-31
And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.
OAP: "On a long enough time line the survival rate for everyone is zero"-Fight Club
Apparently this works for spirituality too.
This whole chapter sucks. I already wrote in Matthew about the passing away of the generation and the implications there. But that is not what I care about, Mark 13:20 is the important one.
"There was a day when I died", nope. Just enough of you hung on so that it would come back up eventually.
I don't like this at all. We lose. That is the reading I am getting. If anyone else has any other way to see this, please share. I checked the translations and word choice. We don't win, we simply stall until we die. That's not even what bothers me, what bothers me is that eventually we would turn away again, maybe this is collectively and eventually no new people would be saved, but I simply assumed God was more relevant than that. But that is best case scenario, worst case is that it is individual. The effect is that I, Chad Houston, can't totally surrender. I can't die to myself individually on a daily basis forever. Possibly I may be able to do it for 60 years until I die, but if I simply were to keep going, on an infinite timeline there would be a point that I stop. That I stop loving God and return to loving myself. So would Benedict or Willard or Lewis. What does that say about the Kingdom, that even those who have seen it would eventually go back. What does that say about the Light?
Why tonight? What does this have to do with anything? Why are you telling me this now? It doesn't seem to be in any way constructive. Now I trust you, I would hopefully forever, but apparently not. If I would decide not to follow you eventually what does that say about us? I am here now, and have no plans on leaving, but honestly wtf?
Gulp.
Name: josh
Scripture: Mark 13:12-31
Scripture: Mark 13:12-31
"21At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. 23So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time."
OAP: Does this scare anyone else? Cause it scares the crap out of me. I don't have much time to write or explain cause im supposed to be analyzing some opera piece but yeah im afraid of falling into this sort of trap.
Prayer: God, i am gullible. Don't let me be deceived when the time comes
Monday, April 28
gwemah air
Name: Chad
Scripture: Judges 10-11; Mark 12:35-13:11
34Then Jephthah came to his home at(AI) Mizpah. And behold, his daughter came out to meet him(AJ) with tambourines and with dances. She was his only child; besides her he had neither son nor daughter. 35And as soon as he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, "Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low, and you have become the cause of great trouble to me. For I have opened my mouth to the LORD,(AK) and I cannot take back my vow." 36And she said to him, "My father, you have opened your mouth to the LORD; do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth, now that the LORD has avenged you on your enemies, on the Ammonites." 37So she said to her father, "Let this thing be done for me: leave me alone two months, that I may go up and down on the mountains and weep for my virginity, I and my companions." 38So he said, "Go." Then he sent her away for two months, and she departed, she and her companions, and wept for her virginity on the mountains. 39And at the end of two months, she returned to her father,(AL) who did with her according to his vow that he had made. She had never known a man, and it became a custom in Israel 40that the daughters of Israel went year by year to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in the year.
OAP: Human sacrifice, good times.
I glazed over the rest of Judges, if I even read it, but this one sticks out a bit. I can twist this and derive a few different things, make it applicable to my day to day life. People always try to twist this, I don't think I would "interpret" it to make it more acceptable, but rather just more relevant. Tonight I won't. I am going to accept this at face value. No unfolding.
God, I know people are going to read this. I don't want that to impact this prayer. It is funny though, at least a little bit. It is like the game Mike and I played, I think we are winning. This is interesting, but probably not terribly helpful to the guys, or interesting to them for that matter. I don't care.
Scripture: Judges 10-11; Mark 12:35-13:11
34Then Jephthah came to his home at(AI) Mizpah. And behold, his daughter came out to meet him(AJ) with tambourines and with dances. She was his only child; besides her he had neither son nor daughter. 35And as soon as he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, "Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low, and you have become the cause of great trouble to me. For I have opened my mouth to the LORD,(AK) and I cannot take back my vow." 36And she said to him, "My father, you have opened your mouth to the LORD; do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth, now that the LORD has avenged you on your enemies, on the Ammonites." 37So she said to her father, "Let this thing be done for me: leave me alone two months, that I may go up and down on the mountains and weep for my virginity, I and my companions." 38So he said, "Go." Then he sent her away for two months, and she departed, she and her companions, and wept for her virginity on the mountains. 39And at the end of two months, she returned to her father,(AL) who did with her according to his vow that he had made. She had never known a man, and it became a custom in Israel 40that the daughters of Israel went year by year to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in the year.
OAP: Human sacrifice, good times.
I glazed over the rest of Judges, if I even read it, but this one sticks out a bit. I can twist this and derive a few different things, make it applicable to my day to day life. People always try to twist this, I don't think I would "interpret" it to make it more acceptable, but rather just more relevant. Tonight I won't. I am going to accept this at face value. No unfolding.
God, I know people are going to read this. I don't want that to impact this prayer. It is funny though, at least a little bit. It is like the game Mike and I played, I think we are winning. This is interesting, but probably not terribly helpful to the guys, or interesting to them for that matter. I don't care.
Sunday, April 27
Yay showers
Name: Chad
Scripture: Mark 12:13-34 13
And they sent to him some of(B) the Pharisees and some of(C) the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14And they came and said to him, "Teacher,(D) we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For(E) you are not swayed by appearances,[a] but truly teach(F) the way of God.
OAP: God, is this the way you want me to be like you here? I want to learn your way, but I know this isn't the only way. Show me your way. That is the one I want.
Scripture: Mark 12:13-34 13
And they sent to him some of(B) the Pharisees and some of(C) the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14And they came and said to him, "Teacher,(D) we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For(E) you are not swayed by appearances,[a] but truly teach(F) the way of God.
OAP: God, is this the way you want me to be like you here? I want to learn your way, but I know this isn't the only way. Show me your way. That is the one I want.
Saturday, April 26
Backyard Baseball
Name: Scott
Scripture:Mark 11:24-25
OAP:
Scripture:Mark 11:24-25
"24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it is yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."
OAP:
The first half of this passage is good. Believe what you pray about. Hard, yes. At least lately I have been having trouble believing that God will answer my prayers. Which makes it a lot harder to pray.
Second half-ouch. Shot to my pride. We have to forgive others to be forgiven ourselves? It seems like it shouldn't be that hard. But it is! So how do I know if that I am actually being forgiven when I pray, because I could still be holding a grudge against someone that I am not thinking about.
God, I don't want to forgive others. I want to keep my grudges. I want my pride in tact. Kill it. Hit me upside the head, and sop up the toxic fluids.
Thursday, April 24
To Pat
Our father, who art in heaven
hallowed be thy name
thy kingdom come
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven
give us this day our daily bread
and forgives us our trespasses
as we forgive those that trespass against us
lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
We prayed this at a liturgy today, the school, holding hands together. It wasn't the first time, but I especially enjoyed it today.
I know all the proper responses now, after three years, there was a unity in it.
hallowed be thy name
thy kingdom come
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven
give us this day our daily bread
and forgives us our trespasses
as we forgive those that trespass against us
lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
We prayed this at a liturgy today, the school, holding hands together. It wasn't the first time, but I especially enjoyed it today.
I know all the proper responses now, after three years, there was a unity in it.
Enter the Child
Name: Scott
Scripture: Mark 10:15
OAP:
Scripture: Mark 10:15
"I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."
OAP:
I feel like this verse gives me permission to be silly. To run around and scrape my knees and jump over fences and pretend to be superheroes. To take things at face value, to take the fact that I am loved and just bask in it. To sit at the feet of the king and marvel. Sit and stare. A hug, maybe.
Jesus, help me to enjoy the simple things. Thank you for sky and trees and video games and gum and flowers and music and bubbles and good smells.
Wednesday, April 23
Ritz + PB + J = Party in my tummy!
Name: Josh
Scripture: Proverbs 16
"24Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
OAP: So my nose has been totally screwed up my whole life. I have this thing called a deviated septum that makes me able to only breathe out of one side of my nose, it switches between left and right nostrils every couple hours. Breaking it twice in sports didn't help. I've had 2 surgeries on it so far, one to fix a bad break and one to try and straighten my septum in hopes of fixing my ability to breathe. Unfortunately the second one, which i had done in december, was an epic fail and my breathing was never corrected. So right now im about to drive down to a hospital in gilroy for about the umpteenth time to get more xrays, and possibly schedule further surgery...Woohoo. Other people ive talked to with this problem have never gotten better after years of surgery and thousands of dollars and other crap so ive been really bitter about it. And stress from math finals and ap tests and football and life in general has been building up too, ive just been pretty grumpy lately. But like the proverb says, one person can come in and just change all that and heal the soul with a few caring words and empathy and compassion. And then it doesn't seem all that bad. I love it.
Prayer: Thank you God. Thank you so much
Scripture: Proverbs 16
"24Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
OAP: So my nose has been totally screwed up my whole life. I have this thing called a deviated septum that makes me able to only breathe out of one side of my nose, it switches between left and right nostrils every couple hours. Breaking it twice in sports didn't help. I've had 2 surgeries on it so far, one to fix a bad break and one to try and straighten my septum in hopes of fixing my ability to breathe. Unfortunately the second one, which i had done in december, was an epic fail and my breathing was never corrected. So right now im about to drive down to a hospital in gilroy for about the umpteenth time to get more xrays, and possibly schedule further surgery...Woohoo. Other people ive talked to with this problem have never gotten better after years of surgery and thousands of dollars and other crap so ive been really bitter about it. And stress from math finals and ap tests and football and life in general has been building up too, ive just been pretty grumpy lately. But like the proverb says, one person can come in and just change all that and heal the soul with a few caring words and empathy and compassion. And then it doesn't seem all that bad. I love it.
Prayer: Thank you God. Thank you so much
Tuesday, April 22
Truth: Understanding versus Knowing
Name: Chad
Scripture: Joshua 23-24; Mark 9:38-10:12
42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, [7] it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, [8] to the unquenchable fire. [9] 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. [10] 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another
OAP: This soap ends right before one of my favorite passages of scripture, Mark 10:15. Oh well, tomorrow night.
I am excited, today I crippled my will. I have been dealing with a small amount of not apathy. Constant and repetitive prayer, ala a month of seclusion, has been invaluable in accepting this caring yet putting it second, firmly behind God. I don't think I would have been able to do that before. My non apathy selfishness took a shot, but it was intentional. I became lame, in multiple meanings of the word, and am joyful in it. For the first time I embraced this "not apathy" in a way that didn't continue the rebellion, even though my personal will took a hit. Honestly, I am ecstatic, this means that passion won't always separate me from God, although I am still extremely wary. I thrive in apathy, it makes everything easier, I find it extremely easy to be "godly" when I don't care, now I get to care while I first serve the kingdom. I have been worried, as in my last post, that passion can always lead to sin. So therefore I didn't want passion, I wanted to stay in my apathy. I didn't want to care and became extremely scared when I did. By no means am I comfortable here, right now it kinda sucks. But through massive amounts of prayer God showed me when I needed to cut my hand off because it might be harmful, or atleast maim it a little bit, and I did, and it hurt. I don't mind at all, I am joyous, it is truly better to love God first and I experienced that today, above all else. I know that fully, atleast for tonight I know, but forgetfulness is ingrained in me.
God, take me back here eventually. I will forget how much better your kingdom is than mine no matter how much I try to imitate yours. It is, I can read that as many times as I want to in your word but it never strikes as true as I have discovered it today. I trust you.
Scripture: Joshua 23-24; Mark 9:38-10:12
42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, [7] it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, [8] to the unquenchable fire. [9] 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. [10] 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another
OAP: This soap ends right before one of my favorite passages of scripture, Mark 10:15. Oh well, tomorrow night.
I am excited, today I crippled my will. I have been dealing with a small amount of not apathy. Constant and repetitive prayer, ala a month of seclusion, has been invaluable in accepting this caring yet putting it second, firmly behind God. I don't think I would have been able to do that before. My non apathy selfishness took a shot, but it was intentional. I became lame, in multiple meanings of the word, and am joyful in it. For the first time I embraced this "not apathy" in a way that didn't continue the rebellion, even though my personal will took a hit. Honestly, I am ecstatic, this means that passion won't always separate me from God, although I am still extremely wary. I thrive in apathy, it makes everything easier, I find it extremely easy to be "godly" when I don't care, now I get to care while I first serve the kingdom. I have been worried, as in my last post, that passion can always lead to sin. So therefore I didn't want passion, I wanted to stay in my apathy. I didn't want to care and became extremely scared when I did. By no means am I comfortable here, right now it kinda sucks. But through massive amounts of prayer God showed me when I needed to cut my hand off because it might be harmful, or atleast maim it a little bit, and I did, and it hurt. I don't mind at all, I am joyous, it is truly better to love God first and I experienced that today, above all else. I know that fully, atleast for tonight I know, but forgetfulness is ingrained in me.
God, take me back here eventually. I will forget how much better your kingdom is than mine no matter how much I try to imitate yours. It is, I can read that as many times as I want to in your word but it never strikes as true as I have discovered it today. I trust you.
Monday, April 21
This post will make very little sense to anyone
Name: Chad
Scripture: A whole mess of them
OAP: Today I had one of those prayer time when I heard clear words and felt stupid and as though I was talking to myself. What should I read? James. What chapter? 3. Way to go Chad, you can name a book of the bible and pull out a random number, does James even have three chapters? Turns out this is the most convicting chapter in the bible for me...But I don't want to work with that tonight. Tonight I want to go on a Dr. Dalton induced bible study with justice. Here are some highlights. I find the one concerning sandals most interesting, James 5 is up there too.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that
I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you
and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and
holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days…”
Psalm 9:7-9 “But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne
for judgment. He judges the world with righteousness; he judges people with
equity. The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of
trouble.”
Isaiah 10:1-2 “Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and who write oppressive
decrees, depriving the needy of judgment and robbing my people’s poor of their
rights, making widows their plunder, and orphans their prey!”
Jeremiah 22:13-17 “Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and
his upper rooms by injustice; who makes his neighbors work for nothing, and
does not give them their wages; who says, ‘I will build myself a spacious house
with large upper rooms’, and who cuts out windows for it, paneling it with cedar,
and painting it vermilion. Are you a king because you compete in cedar? Did not
your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with
him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to
know me? says the Lord. But your eyes and heart are only on your dishonest gain,
for shedding innocent blood, and for practicing oppression and violence.”
Ezekiel 22:23-31 “The word of the Lord came to me…You are a land that is not
cleansed, not rained upon in the day of indignation. Its princes within it are like a
roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken
treasure and precious things; they have made many widows within it. Its priests
have done violence to my teaching and have profaned my holy things; they have
made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught
the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my
Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Its officials within it are like wolves
tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain. Its
prophets have smeared whitewash on their behalf, seeing false visions and
divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God’, when the Lord has not
spoken. The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery;
they have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the alien without
redress. And I sought for anyone among them who would repair the wall and
stand in the breach before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it;
but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them; I have
consumed them with the fire of my wrath; I have returned their conduct upon their
heads, says the Lord God.”
Amos 2:6-7 “Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of Israel, and for four,
I will not revoke the punishment; because they sell the righteous for silver, and
the needy for a pair of sandals—they who trample the head of the poor into the
dust of the earth, and push the afflicted out of the way…”
Amos 5:21-24 “I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your
solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted
animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will
not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and
righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
Micah 6:8 “…and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love
kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
James 5:1-4 “Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are
coming to you. Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth-eaten. You
gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will
eat up your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. Listen! The
wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry
out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You
have lived on the earth in luxury and pleasure…”
Colossians 3:12-14 “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one
another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as
the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves
with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is…righteousness and peace and joy in
the Holy Spirit.”
Galatians 5:22 “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Galatians 3:28 “…for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:5-11 “Let the same mind by in you that was in Christ Jesus, who
though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something
to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in
human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and
became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also
highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the
name of Jesus, every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.”
God, I do this as homework, reading your Word as if it were Zinn, skimming for information. I don't want intimacy tonight with you. Somehow I doubt that this is going to be the end of it tonight. I come to you reluctantly, even bitterly. Everything you have given me and done for me today/ever has been ridiculously amazing. I know that. Yet one thing can frustrate me to the point of ignoring that. I don't remember getting moody like this ever before. I think that it is the break in apathy. I know you warned me, hard, about this and yet I continued my constant petition. God, I will rejoice in this now. I am angry because I care. Now I care. At alot of levels this really sucks, I am not as effective right now, I probably won't be. I am giving up an ability to deal with anything so that I can understand passion at least a little bit. I think I am more breakable here, more vulnerable, more able to mess up. More human. Crap. Have I been trying to fix my own humanity? I don't think so, I have been living as you have allowed me. But I take pride in the apathy, it made me "better". What now? Don't waste this experience, It shall be interesting if nothing else. I don't want to hurt anyone, I used to be very good at that, now I am not so sure. Is it selfishness, is it passion? Is hurting people the result of passion? How cynical is that. This is new for me and I am scared. I want you, that is the goal. But as we are getting there in this experience, I am scared.
Scripture: A whole mess of them
OAP: Today I had one of those prayer time when I heard clear words and felt stupid and as though I was talking to myself. What should I read? James. What chapter? 3. Way to go Chad, you can name a book of the bible and pull out a random number, does James even have three chapters? Turns out this is the most convicting chapter in the bible for me...But I don't want to work with that tonight. Tonight I want to go on a Dr. Dalton induced bible study with justice. Here are some highlights. I find the one concerning sandals most interesting, James 5 is up there too.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that
I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you
and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and
holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days…”
Psalm 9:7-9 “But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne
for judgment. He judges the world with righteousness; he judges people with
equity. The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of
trouble.”
Isaiah 10:1-2 “Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and who write oppressive
decrees, depriving the needy of judgment and robbing my people’s poor of their
rights, making widows their plunder, and orphans their prey!”
Jeremiah 22:13-17 “Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and
his upper rooms by injustice; who makes his neighbors work for nothing, and
does not give them their wages; who says, ‘I will build myself a spacious house
with large upper rooms’, and who cuts out windows for it, paneling it with cedar,
and painting it vermilion. Are you a king because you compete in cedar? Did not
your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with
him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to
know me? says the Lord. But your eyes and heart are only on your dishonest gain,
for shedding innocent blood, and for practicing oppression and violence.”
Ezekiel 22:23-31 “The word of the Lord came to me…You are a land that is not
cleansed, not rained upon in the day of indignation. Its princes within it are like a
roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken
treasure and precious things; they have made many widows within it. Its priests
have done violence to my teaching and have profaned my holy things; they have
made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught
the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my
Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Its officials within it are like wolves
tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain. Its
prophets have smeared whitewash on their behalf, seeing false visions and
divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God’, when the Lord has not
spoken. The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery;
they have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the alien without
redress. And I sought for anyone among them who would repair the wall and
stand in the breach before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it;
but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them; I have
consumed them with the fire of my wrath; I have returned their conduct upon their
heads, says the Lord God.”
Amos 2:6-7 “Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of Israel, and for four,
I will not revoke the punishment; because they sell the righteous for silver, and
the needy for a pair of sandals—they who trample the head of the poor into the
dust of the earth, and push the afflicted out of the way…”
Amos 5:21-24 “I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your
solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted
animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will
not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and
righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
Micah 6:8 “…and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love
kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
James 5:1-4 “Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are
coming to you. Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth-eaten. You
gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will
eat up your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. Listen! The
wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry
out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You
have lived on the earth in luxury and pleasure…”
Colossians 3:12-14 “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one
another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as
the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves
with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is…righteousness and peace and joy in
the Holy Spirit.”
Galatians 5:22 “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Galatians 3:28 “…for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:5-11 “Let the same mind by in you that was in Christ Jesus, who
though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something
to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in
human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and
became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also
highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the
name of Jesus, every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.”
God, I do this as homework, reading your Word as if it were Zinn, skimming for information. I don't want intimacy tonight with you. Somehow I doubt that this is going to be the end of it tonight. I come to you reluctantly, even bitterly. Everything you have given me and done for me today/ever has been ridiculously amazing. I know that. Yet one thing can frustrate me to the point of ignoring that. I don't remember getting moody like this ever before. I think that it is the break in apathy. I know you warned me, hard, about this and yet I continued my constant petition. God, I will rejoice in this now. I am angry because I care. Now I care. At alot of levels this really sucks, I am not as effective right now, I probably won't be. I am giving up an ability to deal with anything so that I can understand passion at least a little bit. I think I am more breakable here, more vulnerable, more able to mess up. More human. Crap. Have I been trying to fix my own humanity? I don't think so, I have been living as you have allowed me. But I take pride in the apathy, it made me "better". What now? Don't waste this experience, It shall be interesting if nothing else. I don't want to hurt anyone, I used to be very good at that, now I am not so sure. Is it selfishness, is it passion? Is hurting people the result of passion? How cynical is that. This is new for me and I am scared. I want you, that is the goal. But as we are getting there in this experience, I am scared.
The Bob Loblaw Law Blog
Name: Scott
Scripture:Mark 9:24
OAP:
Scripture:Mark 9:24
"The father instantly cried out, 'I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!'"
OAP:
I do not trust you. I know your will is for my good, but I cannot see it. I am still worried. Scared. Nervous. Anxious. I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.
Sunday, April 20
Gah
Name: Chad
This was composed yesterday off line. Josh's house is mean and requires a password to get online.
I have been changed, that much is obvious to me. I am much more intentional with every one of my relationships, I don't understand them as mine any longer, but rather as an extension of God's. And that changes things alot. But for the first time ever I am confused about relationships. I have never had to be before, because they were for my benefit. I would be with people because they were a combination of being fun or interesting or attractive or hilarious or otherwise beneficial to me. This included lots of churchy things aswell, simply because part of what I enjoy is serving and doing good. Now I am torn. Almost all of my relationships translated over more or less smoothly. God was working through my faults and selfishness before and is continuing now that my intentions are more intentional. Almost all my relationships translated smoothly, but not all. I am wary, and I am confused.
I have been doing a lot of writing about broken allegory lately, each time it seems like man attempts to assume the place of God and the allegory betrays that. I don’t want to try take that place. I fear I may be trying to. It seems so obvious, there is brokenness and I hate it, I want to help, I pray, contemplate, consider. And it fits. I could do good, or atleast try earnestly with reasonable expectations. I want to shout out and everything seems to fit so perfectly. But it could be me being selfish, and that scares the hell out of me. If I am being selfish then I think I could do some serious damage, and as far as I can understand through all the means available to me I don’t think that this is my will (rather than God’s). But the inherent nature could very well blind me and is almost intrinsically linked with selfishness.
God, don’t let me mess up. I give you full reign to break me down if any of this is in opposition to any of your will. My first priority is the execution of your will. Don’t let me stand in the way. I would be so pissed if anyone else messed up in a way that I very well could. Please dear God don’t let me. I am listening.
This was composed yesterday off line. Josh's house is mean and requires a password to get online.
I have been changed, that much is obvious to me. I am much more intentional with every one of my relationships, I don't understand them as mine any longer, but rather as an extension of God's. And that changes things alot. But for the first time ever I am confused about relationships. I have never had to be before, because they were for my benefit. I would be with people because they were a combination of being fun or interesting or attractive or hilarious or otherwise beneficial to me. This included lots of churchy things aswell, simply because part of what I enjoy is serving and doing good. Now I am torn. Almost all of my relationships translated over more or less smoothly. God was working through my faults and selfishness before and is continuing now that my intentions are more intentional. Almost all my relationships translated smoothly, but not all. I am wary, and I am confused.
I have been doing a lot of writing about broken allegory lately, each time it seems like man attempts to assume the place of God and the allegory betrays that. I don’t want to try take that place. I fear I may be trying to. It seems so obvious, there is brokenness and I hate it, I want to help, I pray, contemplate, consider. And it fits. I could do good, or atleast try earnestly with reasonable expectations. I want to shout out and everything seems to fit so perfectly. But it could be me being selfish, and that scares the hell out of me. If I am being selfish then I think I could do some serious damage, and as far as I can understand through all the means available to me I don’t think that this is my will (rather than God’s). But the inherent nature could very well blind me and is almost intrinsically linked with selfishness.
God, don’t let me mess up. I give you full reign to break me down if any of this is in opposition to any of your will. My first priority is the execution of your will. Don’t let me stand in the way. I would be so pissed if anyone else messed up in a way that I very well could. Please dear God don’t let me. I am listening.
Saturday, April 19
Who doesn't love music?
Name: Andrew
Scripture: Psalm 47:6 (6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.)
OAP:The word praise is mentioned a lot throughout this one verse. I realize that David was very passionate about his Psalms. This one has the theme praise, these include prayer, builing up christian relationships and Worship. Worship seems important, because we get to use music to connect ourselves to God. I once heard that Music is the link from Heaven and Earth. music is so special, I am so glad we have it.
To me I thank God that he gives me motivation to sing everyday in room on my kaeroke machine. I usually sing praises to God because it help the holy spirit to flow around my body. I love music because I can express my self in a loud way to God. Prayer is like silent praise, but Music/ Worship is seems so much more fun because.... It is too complex to explain right now, it is just a feeling.
God please help me to sing louder and louder at church.... thanks for my voice... I wish that I had more time to.. If I did, then I would join the worship group... however I also wish I could get a few singing lessons, because I do need to tweak my voice a bit LoL. See ya later guys...
Scripture: Psalm 47:6 (6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.)
OAP:The word praise is mentioned a lot throughout this one verse. I realize that David was very passionate about his Psalms. This one has the theme praise, these include prayer, builing up christian relationships and Worship. Worship seems important, because we get to use music to connect ourselves to God. I once heard that Music is the link from Heaven and Earth. music is so special, I am so glad we have it.
To me I thank God that he gives me motivation to sing everyday in room on my kaeroke machine. I usually sing praises to God because it help the holy spirit to flow around my body. I love music because I can express my self in a loud way to God. Prayer is like silent praise, but Music/ Worship is seems so much more fun because.... It is too complex to explain right now, it is just a feeling.
God please help me to sing louder and louder at church.... thanks for my voice... I wish that I had more time to.. If I did, then I would join the worship group... however I also wish I could get a few singing lessons, because I do need to tweak my voice a bit LoL. See ya later guys...
Man-tub Friday
Name:Scott
Scripture: Mark 8:11-12
Scripture: Mark 8:11-12
"11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, 'Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.'"
OAP:
OAP:
I feel like the Pharisees lately. I have been asking God where I should go to school, what should I do with this, show me how to do that, etc. I am having a hard time trusting that He is working His plans.
God, help me to trust you and know that your plans are for good and not evil.
Thursday, April 17
*Insert any random angry noise here*
I came about 30 seconds away from posting a soap tonight. It was very deep and thoughtful and earnest. It was also selfish and manipulative. Kit said that he wondered if I was truly as good at manipulation as I would like to believe. Tonight I can answer that with a resounding yes.
I am sorry. I was going against exactly what I wanted to prevent. I was honest, but I was selfish. I want your will and nothing else. None of it mixed with mine.
I am sorry. I was going against exactly what I wanted to prevent. I was honest, but I was selfish. I want your will and nothing else. None of it mixed with mine.
There are dozens of us! Dozens!
Name:Scott
Scripture:Psalm 46
Scripture:Psalm 46
"1 God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times
of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into
the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the
waters surge!"
OAP:
Don't worry. He is with you. He'll take care of it.
Life happens. Roll with it. I am here. Trust me. Take my hand. Look. Isn't everything okay? I told you so. Still don't see? Check this out. What now? Bring on the pain. I am better than asprin.
God, I still don't trust you. I am scared. I am afraid. I am nervous. Help me to let go. I want to come undone. You will personally go ahead of me; you will neither fail nor abandon me. Thank you.
Name: Andrew Burriss
Scripture: Mark 7:1-23 (20He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' 21For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' ")
OAP:I really like this passage because it is not about what goes so much as what come out. This passage is talking about self-controll. We may hear something evil, but we have the choice to not say that evil to others. I wonder how people like myself can become better at self-control, and choose what things to say or what actions to use.
I can really apply this to my life. I always hear my or see evil everywhere, to reduce this I should hang out with some more christians.... anyways, I often loose my self control and choose to do evil.
God... Help me to choose the right way. I want to build up my self control so that I will make the right choices in the future when evil comes arouind the corner. Thanks for our connection group. I pray that all of us including me will rmember how important it is for us to meet with you and do our soaps daily. Thanks for this nice day, bless me at school tommorrow, and work right after school (as a lifeguard) I cannot stay quite, and I cannot stop saying thank you. Amen! Amen! Amen!
Three Amens is a charm... Peace out!
Scripture: Mark 7:1-23 (20He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' 21For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' ")
OAP:I really like this passage because it is not about what goes so much as what come out. This passage is talking about self-controll. We may hear something evil, but we have the choice to not say that evil to others. I wonder how people like myself can become better at self-control, and choose what things to say or what actions to use.
I can really apply this to my life. I always hear my or see evil everywhere, to reduce this I should hang out with some more christians.... anyways, I often loose my self control and choose to do evil.
God... Help me to choose the right way. I want to build up my self control so that I will make the right choices in the future when evil comes arouind the corner. Thanks for our connection group. I pray that all of us including me will rmember how important it is for us to meet with you and do our soaps daily. Thanks for this nice day, bless me at school tommorrow, and work right after school (as a lifeguard) I cannot stay quite, and I cannot stop saying thank you. Amen! Amen! Amen!
Three Amens is a charm... Peace out!
Compredolo
Name: Andrew Burriss
Scripture: Psalm 48: 14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
OAP:I see God being like a shepard to the world. He controls us and herds us in the right directions, so that we will be on the right path and not the wrong path.
I glad I am doing my soap onlne again. I turned inot a black sheep and strayed from the herd when lots of stress from work came into my life. I am so glad that I found this verse today because it proves to me that God will guide me to the end. SO.... Even if it means staying up late, waking up early or not playing any video games in a day, I should try to find some time by giving up either sleep or free time so that I can reflect my thoughts with you and with God on this Online soap activity.
Dear God, Help me to remember this day, because it is so important. This day has to do with accountability and My habits. I trust that you will give me time to talk to you in my already busy days in the future. If ijust stay a white sheep and don't wander or try to take an easy path than I should be Ok. Oh by the way, I should get an accountability partner to help me in this area. Thanks Chad, you helped change connection groups and make it more fun and a better place. You have givien our group peace.
Speaking of peace... I'm out... PEACE!
Scripture: Psalm 48: 14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
OAP:I see God being like a shepard to the world. He controls us and herds us in the right directions, so that we will be on the right path and not the wrong path.
I glad I am doing my soap onlne again. I turned inot a black sheep and strayed from the herd when lots of stress from work came into my life. I am so glad that I found this verse today because it proves to me that God will guide me to the end. SO.... Even if it means staying up late, waking up early or not playing any video games in a day, I should try to find some time by giving up either sleep or free time so that I can reflect my thoughts with you and with God on this Online soap activity.
Dear God, Help me to remember this day, because it is so important. This day has to do with accountability and My habits. I trust that you will give me time to talk to you in my already busy days in the future. If ijust stay a white sheep and don't wander or try to take an easy path than I should be Ok. Oh by the way, I should get an accountability partner to help me in this area. Thanks Chad, you helped change connection groups and make it more fun and a better place. You have givien our group peace.
Speaking of peace... I'm out... PEACE!
Wednesday, April 16
No comprendo
Name: Chad
Scripture: Joshua 11-12; Psalm 48; Mark 6:30-56
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
OAP: I seem to be the only one that thinks this is not outstanding. God can walk on water, I assumed it would come with the whole all powerful thing.
"And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them."
This however I do thing is outstanding, he meant to pass them by.
Really? Why? What could possibly make Jesus think that he could just walk by on the water and no one would give him a second glance. More than that, what possible means was he going to achieve by walking across the lake if they didn't see him? It makes no sense. The whole point seems to be so that we can refer back to Jesus walking on water, or maybe just to harden their hearts. But neither of these would have happened if he had done what he, Jesus, God, had meant to do. They were off alone in a boat in the middle of a lake, how did they get in the way of what God had meant to do? Isn't it perfectly reasonable to be terrified, which is the only reason I can think of that they diverted God's plan.
I haven't wrapped my head around this and I don't know what it means, but it seems worth understanding. I am going to tag this and maybe come back sometime later (although I doubt it, the thought is still nice)
Matt Henry says this " He would have passed by them, that is, he set his face and steered his course, as if he would have gone further, and took no notice of them; this he did, to awaken them to call to him. Note, Providence, when it is acting designedly and directly for the succour of God’s people, yet sometimes seems as if it were giving them the go-by, and regarded not their case. They thought that he would, but we may be sure that he would not, have passed by them. "
Matt Henry sounds as if he is scrambling.
The Greek says Jesus resolved or wished. This doesn't change anything for me, it is the same idea.
God, I have no idea how to work with this. Word study seems useless. Commentary seems useless. My thoughts seem useless. I am going to be content here. If you don't want me to understand then so be it. But I want to, because it doesn't fit. If it is what you want for me then please give me clarity. I don't like not understanding something that is so important
Scripture: Joshua 11-12; Psalm 48; Mark 6:30-56
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
OAP: I seem to be the only one that thinks this is not outstanding. God can walk on water, I assumed it would come with the whole all powerful thing.
"And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them."
This however I do thing is outstanding, he meant to pass them by.
Really? Why? What could possibly make Jesus think that he could just walk by on the water and no one would give him a second glance. More than that, what possible means was he going to achieve by walking across the lake if they didn't see him? It makes no sense. The whole point seems to be so that we can refer back to Jesus walking on water, or maybe just to harden their hearts. But neither of these would have happened if he had done what he, Jesus, God, had meant to do. They were off alone in a boat in the middle of a lake, how did they get in the way of what God had meant to do? Isn't it perfectly reasonable to be terrified, which is the only reason I can think of that they diverted God's plan.
I haven't wrapped my head around this and I don't know what it means, but it seems worth understanding. I am going to tag this and maybe come back sometime later (although I doubt it, the thought is still nice)
Matt Henry says this " He would have passed by them, that is, he set his face and steered his course, as if he would have gone further, and took no notice of them; this he did, to awaken them to call to him. Note, Providence, when it is acting designedly and directly for the succour of God’s people, yet sometimes seems as if it were giving them the go-by, and regarded not their case. They thought that he would, but we may be sure that he would not, have passed by them. "
Matt Henry sounds as if he is scrambling.
The Greek says Jesus resolved or wished. This doesn't change anything for me, it is the same idea.
God, I have no idea how to work with this. Word study seems useless. Commentary seems useless. My thoughts seem useless. I am going to be content here. If you don't want me to understand then so be it. But I want to, because it doesn't fit. If it is what you want for me then please give me clarity. I don't like not understanding something that is so important
Tuesday, April 15
Maybe The Message could have spun it
Name: Chad
Scripture: Joshua 9-10; Mark 6:1-29
He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed
And because of their unbelief, he couldn't do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.
et non poterat ibi virtutem ullam facere nisi paucos infirmos inpositis manibus curavit
OAP: Even the Greek makes it pretty clear, no translation gives any alternative. Jesus was not able. As in he did not have the power. As in he couldn't. Not able. God, not able.
Last night I completely focused on how God was so powerful that the demons begged him to not throw down and rather just send them into swine. How because of this, and our ability to act in the name and with the authority of Jesus, we win. But God was not able.
It is qualified, but that doesn't change the fact, non poterat. God works with us and through us. I try to be a perfect vessel yet because of my lack of trust, "small faith", belief that I could do it better than God, or just that God isn't going to do what I want. I can make God not able. I can stand in his way and impede the kingdom.
God, your will not mine. Your plan not mine. Your voice not mine. I am expendable. Thank you for letting me sometimes do your will. I want more of that, but honestly, it doesn't matter what I want. Its all for you. Break me.
Scripture: Joshua 9-10; Mark 6:1-29
He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed
And because of their unbelief, he couldn't do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.
et non poterat ibi virtutem ullam facere nisi paucos infirmos inpositis manibus curavit
OAP: Even the Greek makes it pretty clear, no translation gives any alternative. Jesus was not able. As in he did not have the power. As in he couldn't. Not able. God, not able.
Last night I completely focused on how God was so powerful that the demons begged him to not throw down and rather just send them into swine. How because of this, and our ability to act in the name and with the authority of Jesus, we win. But God was not able.
It is qualified, but that doesn't change the fact, non poterat. God works with us and through us. I try to be a perfect vessel yet because of my lack of trust, "small faith", belief that I could do it better than God, or just that God isn't going to do what I want. I can make God not able. I can stand in his way and impede the kingdom.
God, your will not mine. Your plan not mine. Your voice not mine. I am expendable. Thank you for letting me sometimes do your will. I want more of that, but honestly, it doesn't matter what I want. Its all for you. Break me.
Monday, April 14
We Win
Name: Chad
Scripture:
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"
9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
OAP: David Crowder seems appropriate
We’re gonna shout loud, loud
Until the walls come down
Shout loud, loud until the walls come down
Loud, until the walls come down
Cause we’ve already won and you don’t have a chance
Yeah we’ve already won and no, you don’t have a chance
Yeah it’s already done and you don’t have a chance
Because we’ve already won
We have already won
We’re gonna should loud, loud Until the final sound
Shout loud, loud, until the final sound
Loud until the final sound
This is for glory, His glory
We have already won!
(cue drumming on my laptop for five minutes)
It's over. Sin has lost its power, death has lost its sting. (more drumming).
They know it, we know it.
I will not be silent.
Scripture:
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"
9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
OAP: David Crowder seems appropriate
We’re gonna shout loud, loud
Until the walls come down
Shout loud, loud until the walls come down
Loud, until the walls come down
Cause we’ve already won and you don’t have a chance
Yeah we’ve already won and no, you don’t have a chance
Yeah it’s already done and you don’t have a chance
Because we’ve already won
We have already won
We’re gonna should loud, loud Until the final sound
Shout loud, loud, until the final sound
Loud until the final sound
This is for glory, His glory
We have already won!
(cue drumming on my laptop for five minutes)
It's over. Sin has lost its power, death has lost its sting. (more drumming).
They know it, we know it.
I will not be silent.
Because i have nothing better to do
Name: Josh
Scripture: Job 28
Scripture: Job 28
12"But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? 13Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living."
…
…
20"Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? 21It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air."
OAP: I don't get it. The schoolwork i'm supposed to be doing right now is mind bottling, relationships that used to come effortlessly are becoming confusing, I don't know what to do about college, careers, sports, love, anything... I've really been trying lately to hear from God, I want to know his will and plan for my life and follow it above all else. So i read and think and wait and listen and search and ask and wait and wait but keep coming up with little to nothing. And if i do "hear" any answers or guidance i can't tell if it's just my subconscious speaking or really from God. All discernment is concealed from me, all wisdom hidden away beyond comprehension. All i want is to please Him with my life and my decisions, but everything is fogged up and jumbled. I don't even know...
OAP: I don't get it. The schoolwork i'm supposed to be doing right now is mind bottling, relationships that used to come effortlessly are becoming confusing, I don't know what to do about college, careers, sports, love, anything... I've really been trying lately to hear from God, I want to know his will and plan for my life and follow it above all else. So i read and think and wait and listen and search and ask and wait and wait but keep coming up with little to nothing. And if i do "hear" any answers or guidance i can't tell if it's just my subconscious speaking or really from God. All discernment is concealed from me, all wisdom hidden away beyond comprehension. All i want is to please Him with my life and my decisions, but everything is fogged up and jumbled. I don't even know...
Prayer: God?
Sunday, April 13
As I was studying to be pope....
Name: Chad
Scripture: Joshua 1-3; Mark 4:10-34
10When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12so that," 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'[a]"
13Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14The farmer sows the word. 15Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."
OAP: I used this passage in a presentation last week. Last week I felt like I didn't really do soap, I just kinda read the bible and then complained about how tired I was. So I came into tonight thinking, "I am not going to talk about school". Well too bad, this is the reason that I love poetry and writing and English.
But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
Big red arrow pointed at that passage.
I love it.
I was reading some transcripts of conversations that Benedict XVI was having among children, the most striking fact was the constant use of parables, and then understanding on the part of the children. We are children, I can't understand through basic words what God is revealing to me. I can't understand if he just lays it all out, I am a child. But when I wrestle with it, when I work with it, it becomes not sentences and thoughts but it adds to my ideas, my self, and how I view anything.
Side note: also a strong passage suggesting a figurative interpretation of scripture
I love it, I love you.
Scripture: Joshua 1-3; Mark 4:10-34
10When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12so that," 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'[a]"
13Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14The farmer sows the word. 15Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."
OAP: I used this passage in a presentation last week. Last week I felt like I didn't really do soap, I just kinda read the bible and then complained about how tired I was. So I came into tonight thinking, "I am not going to talk about school". Well too bad, this is the reason that I love poetry and writing and English.
But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
Big red arrow pointed at that passage.
I love it.
I was reading some transcripts of conversations that Benedict XVI was having among children, the most striking fact was the constant use of parables, and then understanding on the part of the children. We are children, I can't understand through basic words what God is revealing to me. I can't understand if he just lays it all out, I am a child. But when I wrestle with it, when I work with it, it becomes not sentences and thoughts but it adds to my ideas, my self, and how I view anything.
Side note: also a strong passage suggesting a figurative interpretation of scripture
I love it, I love you.
Friday, April 11
10 more hours
Name: Chad
Scripture: Deut 33-34; Psalm 50; Mark 3:20-4:9
You give your mouth free rein for evil; you harness your tongue to deceit.
....
Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me; to the obedient I will show the salvation of God."
OAP: This past week, physically and mentally, has been the hardest I have experienced. I fully expect to slip into a coma like sleep state within the next 24 hours. I have decided what I want to do with my life. This, preferably with more sleep. I find God in poetry, in prose, in analysis and explication. I am happy here. I have been cranky for a while, but after I got a solid five hours of sleep last night (which was absolutely amazing) I can look at the time more clearly and know how content I am in it. How my thoughts and ideas blend into prayer and how God is worshiped just because it is natural.
Scripture: Deut 33-34; Psalm 50; Mark 3:20-4:9
You give your mouth free rein for evil; you harness your tongue to deceit.
....
Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me; to the obedient I will show the salvation of God."
OAP: This past week, physically and mentally, has been the hardest I have experienced. I fully expect to slip into a coma like sleep state within the next 24 hours. I have decided what I want to do with my life. This, preferably with more sleep. I find God in poetry, in prose, in analysis and explication. I am happy here. I have been cranky for a while, but after I got a solid five hours of sleep last night (which was absolutely amazing) I can look at the time more clearly and know how content I am in it. How my thoughts and ideas blend into prayer and how God is worshiped just because it is natural.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you n or abandon you.
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Wednesday, April 9
Some will seek forgiveness, others escape
Name: Scott
Scripture: Deuteronomy 29-30, Mark 2: 1-22
OAP:
Scripture: Deuteronomy 29-30, Mark 2: 1-22
OAP:
Deuteronomy was pretty heavy. "But to this day the Lord has not given you minds that understand, nor eyes that see, nor ears that hear! For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out. You ate no bread and drank you wine or other alcoholic drink, but he gave you food so you would know that he is the Lord your God."
I have gone through the whole of life up until this point with closed eyes and plugged ears and a wandering mind. I haven't been attentive to the grace and pity that is extended to me. I am taken care of, so that I will know that he is the Lord my God? But do I really know that? Sure, I know it, but what in my life can I point to saying, "That's why he's my God"?
"Therefore, obey the terms of this covenant so that you will prosper in everything you do."
I have been set up for a life of success. God has given me the resources, the talents, the mind, the people, the opportunities to make my life plentiful and meaningful. All I have to do is continue to seek the Kingdom and discover God. But I get so frustrated (angry) because I don't know how to do that! "Seek the Kingdom of God". Easier said than done.
"You remember how we lived in the land of Egypt and how we traveled through the lands of enemy nations as we left . . . I am making this covenant with you so that no one among you-- no man, woman, clan, or tribe-- will turn away from the Lord our God to worship these gods of other nations, and so that no root among you bears bitter and poisonous fruit."
Remember all those times when you messed up? Remember those times where I showed you things that made you cringe? Remember when you saw how rotten this world, these people, can be? I showed you those things so that you would be know not to make similar mistakes.
"The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all our heart and soul and so you may live!"
God, take me. Cut off the inedible parts of my heart. The extra. The unloving, judgmental, lusting, frightened, moldy parts. I am free from sin, so that I may live!
Which is easier to believe??
Name: Nate
Scripture: Mark 2:9 "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Arise, and take up your pallet and walk.'"
Scripture: Mark 2:9 "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Arise, and take up your pallet and walk.'"
OAP: Your friends want you (the paralytic healed)...so their de-roof someone's home, and lower you through the ceiling. Jesus, amazed at your belief in Him doesn't heal but instead forgives your sins.
Oh Boy Jesus...Thanks...I feel all warm and tingly inside? And this is my struggle. Which is more tangible? The miracle within, or the miracle of walking? I find the other one so much more dazzling? I know I'm depraved, but I don't think I know how much.
I don't think I fully get "how far short of God's glory" I am. I sell short what it means to be forgiven of my wrongs. To not have a record held against me...to have the slate wiped clean. And when I make light of this, it affects my outlook on a lot of other things. The importance of Jesus' words apart from what He did. The purpose of the bible and prayer apart from the practical. I am too satisfied with the tangible world.
God I have taken your many blessings in this life, and switched the order with the most important one of all...Your grace. I'm afraid the only way to get this reversed is to have everything tangible taken away. I don't want that. Is there another way? Does getting God and valuing the things He does require You to give up everything else? The more I think about it, the more I realize how much I want my comfort and the things I have around me...my computer to blog, my bed to sleep in, my house, and my wife...What would be left of me if these things were gone? Thank you for these blessings, forgive me for misplacing the forgiveness you give at the bottom of the pile.
Tuesday, April 8
Now?
Name: Chad
Scripture: Deuteronomy 28; Mark 1:21-45
OAP: I am just waiting for Josh to be free, otherwise I would not be doing this right now. There have been bursts of prayer today, but mainly I just stuck to my plan for the day. I prayed about it beforehand but never really reevaluated. I have learned recently that it is important to reevaluate and repetition.
I should do that.
I don't want to go to God because my experience is usually something that requires reading and writing and intensive thought. I have been doing that for the last 15 hours and many more before that. I need to clear my head and I don't think I trust God for that. I trust Josh for that.
This isn't complacency, it is my stream of consciousness confession, no edits.
Fine. I know.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 28; Mark 1:21-45
OAP: I am just waiting for Josh to be free, otherwise I would not be doing this right now. There have been bursts of prayer today, but mainly I just stuck to my plan for the day. I prayed about it beforehand but never really reevaluated. I have learned recently that it is important to reevaluate and repetition.
I should do that.
I don't want to go to God because my experience is usually something that requires reading and writing and intensive thought. I have been doing that for the last 15 hours and many more before that. I need to clear my head and I don't think I trust God for that. I trust Josh for that.
This isn't complacency, it is my stream of consciousness confession, no edits.
Fine. I know.
Monday, April 7
Four days, single digit sleep and it's not looking better
Name: Chad
Scripture: Deut 26-27; Psalm 49; Mark 1:1-20
But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labor. 7 Then we cried out to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. 8 So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. 9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; 10 and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, O LORD, have given me." Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him. 11 And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.
OAP:The sabbath is good, last night I started reading the soap and then remembered it was Sunday, so I stopped. Although I don't recommend not reading the bible, it was a blessing for me last night. Tonight however I am back to doing my usual work. I am trying to worship God through this time, that is this week, but it is hard. I am almost always annoyed when people say that they are not going to do something because of schoolwork. In my mind sleep is an extra that you get to throw in once you take care of business. I can't remember the last time that I didn't hang out with people because I had work to do. I will do that this week, and I can't stand it. I am not doing hard labor and I want to give my firstfruits to God, but don't I have to harvest them first?
God, protect me from trying to give to you. It is all yours. I can easily see myself forcing total surrender in my own power. I know how stupid that is, but it is a habit that I have ingrained in myself. I want what you want for me, nothing more.
Scripture: Deut 26-27; Psalm 49; Mark 1:1-20
But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labor. 7 Then we cried out to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. 8 So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. 9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; 10 and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, O LORD, have given me." Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him. 11 And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.
OAP:The sabbath is good, last night I started reading the soap and then remembered it was Sunday, so I stopped. Although I don't recommend not reading the bible, it was a blessing for me last night. Tonight however I am back to doing my usual work. I am trying to worship God through this time, that is this week, but it is hard. I am almost always annoyed when people say that they are not going to do something because of schoolwork. In my mind sleep is an extra that you get to throw in once you take care of business. I can't remember the last time that I didn't hang out with people because I had work to do. I will do that this week, and I can't stand it. I am not doing hard labor and I want to give my firstfruits to God, but don't I have to harvest them first?
God, protect me from trying to give to you. It is all yours. I can easily see myself forcing total surrender in my own power. I know how stupid that is, but it is a habit that I have ingrained in myself. I want what you want for me, nothing more.
Dahli Lama > Maria Shriver
Name: Josh
Scripture: Philemon 1
"7Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints"
...
Proverbs 11
Scripture: Philemon 1
"7Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints"
...
Proverbs 11
"25He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed"
OAP: How amazing is it when God is evident in our friendships? Eh? Anyone?...Beuller? Anyways, i had a really good talk with chad yesterday and another one with my asian music theory buddy tim today. Our conversation might not have been all that serious because we act like 6 year olds a majority of the time but i truly enjoyed their company. I give thanks to God for friends like these. It's been really cool for me, and i hope its been good to them too.
Prayer: Lord let those who bless me and build up my soul (whether or not they realize it) be anointed ten times over in return, they are your children and they are awesome. Thanks for pals and homies and buddies and mates :)
Prayer: Lord let those who bless me and build up my soul (whether or not they realize it) be anointed ten times over in return, they are your children and they are awesome. Thanks for pals and homies and buddies and mates :)
Sunday, April 6
Life is good...Wait...Yeah I lose
Name: Chad
Scripture: Deuteronomy 20-22; Acts 27:27-44
OAP: I haven't done soap in three days. Acts 27 is full of interesting things that I could explicate to no end. But I don't want to. Life is full, this next week will probably be my most challenging non-finals week of Bellarmine. I just got home, every night is full of friends and I can't imagine any night untill Friday to include more than two or three hours of sleep. I don't say this with any amount of pride but rather to highlight that every hour is full. This is how I love it. This past week has been amazing and next week should be even more so. For the past few days my days have included nothing but school, schoolwork, eating, sleep and friends. The one exception has been a few hours I took off to watch Forrest Gump. That's it. Any free time not with friends has been moved to sleep. This is my ideal life right now. Play hard and work harder. I love it.
Those last three days have included no soap. My body is tired and I am only going to be pushing more. Tomorrow however is interesting, tomorrow is Sunday. Sabbath. A reminder made for me. I don't do schoolwork on Sunday untill after 10pm. I won't be able to continue my schedule at least for one day.
After a month of putting my personal reflexive relationship with God before everything else I have shifted everything back to my relationship with God through people. Epic fail.
Somehow I thought if I did it for a month I would have it covered. I was changed in a good number of ways, but the stated purpose didn't stick well afterwords. But give me a week or two and I can ignore it for a while. Untill a day comes that God doesn't let me ignore.
God, it is yours. All of it. Thank you for the sabbath as a reminder, a grounding. These past few days have been unbelievable, they are yours. So is tomorrow, and the days after....
Scripture: Deuteronomy 20-22; Acts 27:27-44
OAP: I haven't done soap in three days. Acts 27 is full of interesting things that I could explicate to no end. But I don't want to. Life is full, this next week will probably be my most challenging non-finals week of Bellarmine. I just got home, every night is full of friends and I can't imagine any night untill Friday to include more than two or three hours of sleep. I don't say this with any amount of pride but rather to highlight that every hour is full. This is how I love it. This past week has been amazing and next week should be even more so. For the past few days my days have included nothing but school, schoolwork, eating, sleep and friends. The one exception has been a few hours I took off to watch Forrest Gump. That's it. Any free time not with friends has been moved to sleep. This is my ideal life right now. Play hard and work harder. I love it.
Those last three days have included no soap. My body is tired and I am only going to be pushing more. Tomorrow however is interesting, tomorrow is Sunday. Sabbath. A reminder made for me. I don't do schoolwork on Sunday untill after 10pm. I won't be able to continue my schedule at least for one day.
After a month of putting my personal reflexive relationship with God before everything else I have shifted everything back to my relationship with God through people. Epic fail.
Somehow I thought if I did it for a month I would have it covered. I was changed in a good number of ways, but the stated purpose didn't stick well afterwords. But give me a week or two and I can ignore it for a while. Untill a day comes that God doesn't let me ignore.
God, it is yours. All of it. Thank you for the sabbath as a reminder, a grounding. These past few days have been unbelievable, they are yours. So is tomorrow, and the days after....
Friday, April 4
frick on a stick
Name: Josh
Scripture: Proverbs 29
"11A fool gives full vent to his anger,
but a wise man keeps himself under control.
...
22An angry man stirs up dissension,
and a hot-tempered one commits many sins."
OAP: I had a really awesome day on the whole, but im so pissed off at myself and other people at the moment. It's not healthy and it makes me act without thinking, but i'm so angry. The more i try not to think about it, the more i try to rationalize or calm down, the more i focus on it and build it back up. Uggghhhhh i just want to sleep.
Prayer: Good give me peace and patience i'm acting like such a jerk right now.
Scripture: Proverbs 29
"11A fool gives full vent to his anger,
but a wise man keeps himself under control.
...
22An angry man stirs up dissension,
and a hot-tempered one commits many sins."
OAP: I had a really awesome day on the whole, but im so pissed off at myself and other people at the moment. It's not healthy and it makes me act without thinking, but i'm so angry. The more i try not to think about it, the more i try to rationalize or calm down, the more i focus on it and build it back up. Uggghhhhh i just want to sleep.
Prayer: Good give me peace and patience i'm acting like such a jerk right now.
Thursday, April 3
We can eliminate POVERTY...NOT!
Name: Nate
Scripture: Deuteronomy 15:11 "For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying 'You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in the land.'
Scripture: Deuteronomy 15:11 "For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying 'You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in the land.'
OAP: Can we really get rid of poor people? I think God is clear that is long as there is sin, there will be inequality in the distribution of wealth. He calls those that have to give to the have nots. He doesn't call actually, He commands it. He commands us to give without expecting anything in return. Not good feelings of self righteousness. Not that we gave to a good cause or helped someone else. But to give freely.
I have a VERY hard time giving freely. In fact, i've already blogged about this once. Which makes me wonder if I've made steps to do anything about it.
God, you are definitely convicting me about this. Convict me in those circumstances that come about. Teach me to give freely without expecting something in return. Whether it be money, time, relationship, etc. These are blessings from You. I pray I pass them on instead of keeping them for myself.
Wednesday, April 2
April Soap, now posted below archives
Name: Chad
Scripture: Deuteronomy 10-11; Psalm 43; Acts 24
10For the land that you are entering to take possession of it is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and irrigated it,[b] like a garden of vegetables. 11(O) But the land that you are going over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water by the rain from heaven, 12a land that the LORD your God cares for.(P) The eyes of the LORD your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.
OAP:
Egypt = You work the land to provide food
Promise land = God provides food
The contrast is praying to God for deliverance and actually trusting God to come through with it. When you are enslaved Egypt it is easy to cry out to God, but then things still have to get done. Here there is no longer a need to cry out for deliverance. The trust goes from "Why not it can't get much worse than this" surviving through their own power to a daily reliance from the beginning of the year to the end.
I like it.
God, I fail to see the current relevance. I read and understand but won't act differently because of it, at least not today.
Side note: April soap ------------------>
(scroll down, it's on the right)
for easy reference
Scripture: Deuteronomy 10-11; Psalm 43; Acts 24
10For the land that you are entering to take possession of it is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and irrigated it,[b] like a garden of vegetables. 11(O) But the land that you are going over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water by the rain from heaven, 12a land that the LORD your God cares for.(P) The eyes of the LORD your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.
OAP:
Egypt = You work the land to provide food
Promise land = God provides food
The contrast is praying to God for deliverance and actually trusting God to come through with it. When you are enslaved Egypt it is easy to cry out to God, but then things still have to get done. Here there is no longer a need to cry out for deliverance. The trust goes from "Why not it can't get much worse than this" surviving through their own power to a daily reliance from the beginning of the year to the end.
I like it.
God, I fail to see the current relevance. I read and understand but won't act differently because of it, at least not today.
Side note: April soap ------------------>
(scroll down, it's on the right)
for easy reference
Tuesday, April 1
But you already have the baby?
Name: Chad
Scripture: Deuteronomy 7-9; Acts 23:12-35
More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.
OAP: Seems out of character for priests....
It is combining the goodness of God (priestly things like fasting), and murder.
That's worthing playing with in my mind for a bit
God, I don't want to pervert your commandments and make them fit my agenda. I think I will need to be reminded of this in the future. I could easily become blind to this
Scripture: Deuteronomy 7-9; Acts 23:12-35
More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.
OAP: Seems out of character for priests....
It is combining the goodness of God (priestly things like fasting), and murder.
That's worthing playing with in my mind for a bit
God, I don't want to pervert your commandments and make them fit my agenda. I think I will need to be reminded of this in the future. I could easily become blind to this
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