Women in the Biblical Church.

In our Sunday School class, we decided to take a class where we discuss divisive issues and discuss them and in doing so trying to learn spiritual truths.  We chose a book call "A Charitable Discourse: Talking about things that divide us. By Dan Boone who is the president of Trevecca Nazarene University.

I read through the passages and have to admit that I was angered.  Which is good since this is a study to get us to think.  I was angered because it seems like the Biblical writers were specifically prohibiting women from service in the Church and blaming the Original Sin upon Eve.

The essential question, I believe, is does the Bible representing both cultural and spiritual truths?  Is there a separation that we, as modern Christians, should ignore as cultural truths as irrelevant and rather cling to the spiritual truths?  And if we should ignore the cultural truth, do we distinguish one truth from the other?  Do spiritual truths suffer because of unclear separation, if any?

There is little doubt, I believe, that culturally it was a male dominated society.  A patriarchy which actively subdued and subordinated women by denying them basic education, a social voice and a means to become better than they were.  Without a doubt, we should consider them a dictatorial regime and a fear monger.  But did the early church promote this bullying tactic or simply realized that they had an more important message that needed to be expressed first?

First the sadness of this episode should be expressed.  Roughly half of the people are women and half men.  And obviously there has been a very small percentage of people through out history that were involved in making significant achievement.  By relegating women, half the potential geniuses, to noneducational and basic servant-hood, your yield is immediately halved.  How many advances would have taken place, if not for the short-sighted, if any, advantages of a patriarchy mindset?

Lets start with the beginning.  The story of the Garden of Eden.  Eve has been characterized, by the patriarchy establishment (remember, he who wins the war writes the history book.  Or in this case he who is taught to read/write writes the history books), as described in Dr. Boone's book as "As a result, women were viewed like Eve before the serpent—gullible." (Boone, Dan 2011, Kindle Location 854).  However, I think a closer look at Genesis Chapters 2 and 3 is needed.  What we find is this.

• God gave the command to Adam (Genesis 2:16-17)
• God created Eve (Genesis 2:21-22)
• Sometime Adam tells command to Eve
• Eve argues with serpent and quotes commandment (Genesis 3:2-5)
• Eve believes the serpent and decides to become a goddess. (Genesis 3:6)
• Eve gives the fruit to her husband and he eats it WITHOUT argument. (Genesis 3:6)

Dr. Boone's, and the patriarchy, description that Eve was gullible seems to fly in the face of the very words written in the Bible.  For if any was gullible, it was Adam.  He made no argument, he was obviously aware of the command since he transmitted it to Eve.  If the Bible said at least that Adam responded with "No!  God said we shouldn't." or "Oh yes, I want to be like God too!" then his part would have been active, but it wasn't.  Yes, Eve was deceived but Adam was stupid, mute, and obedient to her rather than to God.  It seems clear that Eve was the one making the decisions in the Garden. 

Following that, we have the punishments.  The punishments were meant to turn nature from being a supporter of human-kind to an adversary.  The punishments 1) eat by the sweat of your brow, 2) child birth would be painful, and 3) woman would desire men and men will lord over women.  If the punishments were meant to change the situation, and it was natural for men to lord over women, then #3 wouldn't have needed to be said because it would be redundant.  However, it was explicitly mentioned giving it statement relevance.  So clearly it was not the intent, but for the curse and therefore unnatural, for men to lord over women. Perhaps it also says that women, or at least Eve, were designed to be better leaders since God would be aware of his creations actions and correct it if it was outside his will.

So, the world, being cursed, finds itself at the time of Christ, in a predicament of the natural course of affairs .  I don't find, however, Dr. Boone's conclusions that Paul was the radical feminist convincing. I admit that perhaps I am to close to a modern way of thinking about women's rights, but a person who wishes to change the culture and right the wrong about women should set forth a longer term plan.  Paul, at least in the translations that I can see, uses absolute statements such as "I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent." (Boone, D., 2011, Kindle Location 846-847.)  For Dr. Boone further elaborates the word "authority" as "In other literature of the time, the word for authority meant 'to murder, to assassinate, or to destroy.'” (Boone, D. 2011. Kindle Location 863)  This would indicates that Dr. Boone believes that these passages would say Paul does give a man the right "to murder, assassinate, or destroy another man" which seems counter to Christian beliefs.  In addition, if this were truly about women being uneducated or steeped in the pagan priestess ways, why not make the statement "no one without proper training" or "outside the faith and learned".  Or once women learn, then they can teach.

Paul also exhibits this absolutism against women when he says "As in all the churches of the saints, women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church" (1 Cor. 14:33-35. NIV)  Again, Dr. Boone tries to placate by stating that this is only dealing with disruptive behavior.  I can see that especially when reading the Message paraphrase.  But the sad truth is that this passages, among others, has used as proof of the rightness of the subjugation of women and harms us all.

The last thing that Dr. Boone states seems to give the church and these passages credit for changing the world towards a more freedom oriented and equal rights.  Yes, we have equal rights and there were a great many church goers who marched and lead the cause towards equal rights.  But just as many and more so throughout history have used these passages for the subjection of women.  Either the Bible translators or writers themselves didn't seem to create a path to bring about equality of race, creed, gender...  but our Lord Jesus, did create a vision that is seemly more gender-agnostic.  Perhaps we can attribute that it takes Jesus to lift himself out of culture and create a vision that stretches beyond today.

Again, what a great tragic commentary that so muchbrilliance was snuffed out of relevance simply because of her gender or his color.

Trip to the Dr.

Get this. I call the Dr. to setup an appointment. I said I have tw o things that I want to do. One is get a refill for my Stratera (ADD medication) which I let lapse and the Dr in Ohio won't write me a script unless I come back in. The second topic is that I told her that I need help with depression. I called a couple of different Dr. and they were all too busy and could schedule me some time in the future. So, I got this Dr who after I told them they said, Can you come now? Which I responded with "Sure." So, I rushed over there by using my GPS because I couldn't find this stupid place. (only 3m from work) get up there. And I wait for like 10 minutes or so and had to fill out this form of say 20 or 30 questions for depression. They hid it under my insurance forms so I wouldn't be embarrassed, I guess. So, It takes me 10-15 min to fill this out. Mind you, they said "please rush over." I turn everything in and 5-10 min later they call me into "examination room." So, the nurse took my blood pressure and such (which was pretty good) and asked me "So what brings you to see the Dr. today." And I repeat myself that I have some depression and need to get a refill on my ADD medication. She looked inquisitively at me and asks "Did you get this filled here?" to which I replied. "No. I'm a new patient." Apparently I have another form to fill out to scientifically diagnose if I have ADD. Now, the depression form had, if I remember correctly, 20 or 30 questions. The ADD one... 4. I guess they don't think that ADD people can stay focused enough for a exhaustive diagnostic test. So, after rushing over there, I have spent 30 minutes, taken two diagnostically relevant tests, had my BP checked and the nurse informs me they might not have time to do evaluate both tests. How long does it take to evaluate a 4 question test, I am unsure yet I had plenty of time to consider how these tests would be scored because I wanted another 20 minutes. Apparently there must be something in the way you made your check marks that would indicate your mind's wander-lust. Perhaps they have to measure angles or length of the stem. I could see the length of the stem being very relevant because from the bottom V to the top of the stem, I could lose focus and only mark it half way up. Meanwhile, while I contemplated the various procedures for adding up a 4 question test, the nurse came in 6-8 times. Mind you never once to gather further history or probe deeper into the reasons the tips of my check marks were slightly askew, but rather I must have been in the supply room/examination room. Nothing like raising a depressed person's self-worth by putting him into the room that houses your cotton-balls, band-aids and tongue depressors.

So, the Dr. comes in after about 20 minutes of waiting. And she asks me "So what brings you here today?" I wonder to myself, "Don't you all share notes? Isn't that what the 'Chart' is all about?" Then I figure what what she is doing. Again, I believe its another clever test to see if I can remember what I did 20 minutes and 40 minutes ago. I am not sure that Gregory House could have developed a better solution. She told me that my depression score was "pretty high." Yet she started off with the ADD. I figured that she wanted to start there since a 4 question test should be quick. So, I repeat myself glad that I finally was able to get these little issues taken care of. So, we talked about the ADD first. I told her that I was on Stertera and it was working wonders for me. I explain that I just moved here and my prescription (also known as Rx) had expired. She then told me that several ADD medication were legal narcotics. I waited because I was sure that an important lesson was forthcoming, but I was mistaken. For she followed it up with "but Stertera isn't one of them." Again, a gap in the conversation to which I filled after a few curious seconds with "do you think that I should switch?" I wasn't sure her motive, but I know that Medical degrees are expensive so I wanted to make sure that I got full use out of insurance companies money and my co-pay. Which she responded with "No." in a nonchalant manner. To which she told me "I believe we have some samples." I told her that I appreciate it, but I had a good insurance policy, so save them for someone who really needs them. She said she would return in a moment, and I figured that it was to get the calculation of the 20-30 question depression test. I assumed that if a 4 question ADD questionnaire took that long, then their best computers much has been evaluating my calculating my depression score.

And she came back in and was writing somethings down and a moment later a nurse came in holding a long document written on both sides. This reminded me somewhat of the PF-16 that they made us take when we came to orientation to get a sense of our personalities so that Bud Harmon had a reason to keep his job besides kicking the butts of college freshman. I have to say that I was quite nervous for I was sure that my 20-30 question test and handwriting analysis produced a very precise answer to how best to treat my depression. I was mistaken for this was the drug sheet for Stertera. Which my Dr learned that they produced a 20, 25, 40, 50, 60,70,80 and 100 mG dosage and most people took them twice a day. I said I took 80 once a day. After much convincing, she believed me. This achievement was followed by her motioning for me to follow her while she rummage through another closet to find the samples that I said I didn't really need. Again, my purpose being to get something to help with the depression. We go back into the office where she told me that the depression test takes some time to evaluate so I would have to make a follow-up appointment.

Stunned, I just nodded. She handed me the script and left. I went to the receptionist to whom I say, "The Dr. wanted me to setup another appointment." She said, "would early morning work better? 8:45 on the 1st?" "Lovely" I responded.

So, the night before my appointment, I emailed people at work to let them know that I would be in late for this new diagnostic test would take forever, I was sure. I get up, and leave the house about 8:30 and was in the waiting room around 8:50. Not bad for me. Now, my Dr shares the office space with another practice, but they don't share administrative staff. There are two windows. 1 for the practice and the other
for my dr. Now there is already a small crowd in the office. and they all went to the other window. I was excited for I figured that I would be seen quickly this time. I stood at that window and apparently there is a one-way glass wall that I can see the other drs administrative staff, but they can't see the patients of my Dr For I stood there for what seemed like 3 or 4 minutes, grant it they did have a couple of their own patients to attend. Finally the lighting must have improved for her to see me because she motioned me to come over to her window and asked slightly gruffly if she could help me. I told her that I had an appointment to which she inquired about the purpose of the appointment to which my response was a quieted "depression" that apparently was too quite for she asked me to speak up. After obeying her request, she informed me that my dr wasn't in this morning. I was unsure if she would have been in if a different illness presented itself that morning that perhaps my dr would have been there. Since I wasn't leaving, she stood up and after a few huffs, walk to the hall way and petitioned another, apparently my drs assistant, to come hither for one of "your patients" was at her window.

"I am afraid that it is impossible that we gave you an appointment for today, Sir. The dr. is not in today." was her greeting. My response, while not emily post, was certainly one of frustration and confusion and reiterated that today was the 1st and I had an appointment at 8:45. (by now it was 9am) After several attempts to magically change my mind, she looked up my appointment and indeed it was on the 4th. My mood was frustration. but by the time I went down to the car, I reasoned that it was not unreasonable for me to forget a particular date. So, I figured that I error-ed when I hear it.

That evening, I arrived home and saw that I put the appointment card on my dresser. I felt a little dread as I picked it up for I knew that I must have made a mistake and foolishly forgot the date, but discovered that indeed my card said the 1st at 8:45.

It was a good thing that I wasn't suicidal.

Home Alone again

I'm home alone again.

Its hard when your use to hearing all the voices that sound the place when you have your almost 3yr old daughter, separate spouse and parents. Don't get me wrong, it was wonderful and tiring.

Last week, I went to the Dr. and got a subscription for Stratera. I think its helping. My Nurse Practioner said that it has an anti-depressant in it. I hoped that was part of the reason things look a little brighter. But to be honest, it was more seeing Averi's face and hearing her call back when I gave my whistle.

It is sad when they go. I don't do alone very well. Even when I was feeling sufficated by Carrie, at least I wasn't alone.

The hardest part was the last day or so I felt that Averi was more distant. Almost like she knew that she was leaving and putting a wall up between us for protection. I am sure that I am reading into things. But the feelings are there.

Since no one really reads this, its safe to say things or so I think. I asked Barbara if she would be willing to help me out and teach a class for a half day. I understand she is busy. But I felt as if she didn't want to do it because of me. There might be truth to that. I'm never as secure in my evaluations of motive as Dr. House seems to be. I suppose I shouldn't be suprised.

Averi's BDay party for PA is Sunday. I have to decide if I am going up there on Saturday or not. I need to work on her video.

Well, off to bed I go.

Love Scenes

I try not to watch too much TV. But when your alone a lot, having sound radiating through the house is sometimes needed. Sometimes you just need to hear another voice to give you an illusion that your live in a normal place.

but you don't.

Being separated is hard. But lately it just seems that I cheer for the anti-climax. What I mean is this. Most movies are broken up into three acts. Status Quo is established, then broken, Act 2 is the search for loss Status Quo and then Act 3 is New Status Quo is formed.

This is no where more evident than in Movies and TV Shows where people fall in love, break up and then get back together. What is especially painful is when I see the love in their eyes. I know their acting, but it happens in real life too. You see a couple holding hands or kissing. It hurts to watch, but as a moth to a flame, I keep doing it.

I not sure if the hard part is that I lost someone who wanted to give that to me and I discard it for my "controlled fantasy" or knowing that I probably will never see that look again. Perhaps its both.

Against All Hope

Tonight I had a crisis of the heart and soul.

I was laying in my bed and I drempt about how I remembered all of the saints that I have know. And how their prayers sounded. Particularly Francis Collins and Shirley Ritchy-Grace. I can hear how the tamber of their voice and the ernestness of their prayers.

When I awoke, I felt alone in my darkened room. Alone in my darkened life. I felt that there was a nothing and nobody around including God. Where was he. How did he allow the things of my life to occur.

Slowly, I starting to think of all of the times that I prayed to him. The times that I felt his presence. Why weren't they comforting me? Were they all an illusion? Something that was a temporary fixation or defensive mechanism to protect me from my own mortality.

I called out in the darkness. Not sure if anyone was listening. Perhaps my neighbor, but was God listening? Was He there to hear my calls?

I kept asking him for a sign. To call my name or to place something on top of the doubt so that I know it was him. For He placed something in the mist of my turmoil so that I could feel his presence. At this time in my life, I had so many forced pushing down on me. I felt my soul was this whirlwind of stress, doubt, fear, trebidation. This whirlwind was going faster. My friend Ernesto prayed over me and with me. We each were on our hands and knees. Tears falling. Praying Psalms 32... "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against himn and in whose spirit there is no deceit"

We played this game Cranium, I think, which has an hourglass of sand to kept track of a turn. When the sand ran out, the turn was over. My point is not to make some out of the piece other than to say in my minds eye, there was something about that size in the midst of this storm of uncertainty. I could feel the storm ranging, but there was peace the size of the game piece in heart of the storm. For I knew at that point, He placed this calm in the middle of my soul as a testimet to His Power and more importantly to His existance.

So, tonight I tried to recall that peace. To bring it back and place in the hold. My mind raced as to what does it mean? Why wouldn't God do this for me? Does He really exist? Doubt crept back in.

I started crying out louder to him. Begging him to call out to me as I laid in my bed. Waves of uncertainty washed over my soul again. Could all of this been just some deliusion? Something to keep me away from the truth that I am a mortal? That at some day I will Die? Or that father will die or my mother? Or my wife or my daughter? Perhaps sooner than me? Am I worm food or eternal?

Laying there, I didn't know. God wasn't answering me. He didn't bring a bright light and shine it on me as he did Saul who became Paul. He didn't cure my overweightness or make me attractive or even called out my name. I kept remembering Revelation 3:20 "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in an sup with him and he with Me." So I call out, Speak so that I can hear you. Knock already. But nothing. No sound other than the spinning of the overhead fan and the light blinking from the smoke detector indicating the battery needed changing. but, Where is God? He said he would knock! He said he would speak so I can hear his voice? Am I deaf now? Have I fallen so far that I can't hear the voice?

I jumped out of my bed and I got on my hands and knees. Tears again falling. Where was God? I am not dead, why isn't He coming? Why isn't he lighting up the sky with the multitude of Angels brighting it up so that even those whose eyes are covered can see? Where is my Jesus? My God, have thou forsaken me? Are you even able to forsake? Are you even real?

In the midst of the shroud of doubt and dismay, I wondered if I was an athest. Someone who finally came to the realization the there is no God.


one verse, however, did light up my night, but no in the sense of a coming Jesus. No one else saw this light in this room for I was alone.

"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed" Romans 4:18

Nothing prevailed me to believe at that moment in Jesus Christ. No hope of his existance was afforded me. Nothing was there. Jesus and God didn't come.

Yet, in this hopelessness, hope came.

For before, I counted on God as a Crutch, something to grab a hold of to steady myself. It was easy when I lost the presure to slip back because he existed to bring peace to the situation, not peace to me.

I dug into the word to try to find something solid to put my foot upon. To build upon my rock. But I didn't find it. For I could see how they were words of men. And I knew that words were only breaths. They could be noble, inspiring, awesome, but again just breath against the coldness of reality.

It wasn't until I realized that it is "against all hope" Nothing can be said definitely about God's existence. No fact can be made. No proof can be reasoned. Simply, against all hope.

But in my hopelessness, I believe. In my doubt is the only place I can find certainty, not of the doubt, but of the hope. "Abraham in hope believed." For anything else, I am believe in what I see or feel or psychologically imagine.

"Against all hope, Jeff in hope believes"

I am not saying that God was not part of those experiences that I have needed and wanted. That he hasn't called my name. That he hasn't held me, for in believe, in hope, that he has.

For there is no floor, no rock in litature, or bible study or history that can support my weight. It can be reasoned away. Therefore, God had to show me that it is in my choice against the hope that became the floor to support me.

Perhaps, gentle reader, this make no sense. That's ok. It will someday. Against All hope, I in hope believe.

September 8

Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

or

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Psalm 1

Philemon 1-21

Luke 14:25-33

The Scripture, Observation and Naming [SON] are the goal.

Jeremiah 18:1-11

18:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:

18:2 "Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words."

18:3 So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel.

18:4 The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.

18:5 Then the word of the LORD came to me:

18:6 Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the Potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

18:7 At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it,

18:8 but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it.

18:9 And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it,

18:10 but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it.

18:11 Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the LORD: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

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Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

139:1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me.

139:2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.

139:3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

139:4 Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely.

139:5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.

139:13 For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.

139:15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

139:16 Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.

139:17 How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

139:18 I try to count them--they are more than the sand; I come to the end--I am still with you.

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Deuteronomy 30:15-20

30:15 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity.

30:16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.

30:17 But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them,

30:18 I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

30:19 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,

30:20 loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the LORD swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

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Psalm 1

1:1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;

1:2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night.

1:3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

1:4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

1:5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

1:6 for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

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Philemon 1-21

1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker,

1:2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:4 When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God

1:5 because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus.

1:6 I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ.

1:7 I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

1:8 For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty,

1:9 yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love--and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.

1:10 I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.

1:11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me.

1:12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.

1:13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel;

1:14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced.

1:15 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever,

1:16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother--especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

1:17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

1:18 If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.

1:19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self.

1:20 Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ.

1:21 Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

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Luke 14:25-33

14:25 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them,

14:26 "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.

14:27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?

14:29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him,

14:30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'

14:31 Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand?

14:32 If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace.

14:33 So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.

Observation

Jeremiah 18:1-11

The Israelites were being wicked. God was telling them that he built them up and he can destroy them. Reminds me of Bill Cosby saying "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out." God was trying to warn them that there is a way to keep his wrath away and that is to turn from their wicked ways.

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

God knows our ways. Even before we do it, he is cognitive of what we are going to do and why we are going to do it. There is nothing that we can hide from him. "you are aquatinted with my path"

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

God is warning the Israelites to follow his way or they won't succeed.

Psalm 1

to receive true blessing, then one needs to follow the ways of God. For to be wicked, means that you will not succeed.

Philemon 1:1-21>

Paul write this to letter and asks Philemon to take in Onesimus. Apparently, there seems to be a reason why Philemon would have considered him "useless" before. Paul indicates that he could have ordered Philemon to take him, but rather asks him to accept him. He indicates that Philemon owns him his very life, but he would instead asks Philemon to charge any wrong doing on Paul.

To me this seems to indicated that Paul won't force him. He doesn't want him to do something out of duty, but rather because he loves him.

Luke 14:25-33

Christ is showing the crowds that they need to determine if following him is really worth the cost. There is a cost and that is to carry the cross and follow him. He has to hate his father, mother, wife, brother sisters and even life. For what will a man choose over Christ and following him? What is his true god? Are these things or his treasures on either worth more? Why start it, if you are unwilling to finish it.

Overview

These passages at first seem to jell that there is a cost to pay if you aren't Christ's follower. But I believe thinking through the whole thing makes me think that perhaps there is cost either way. We need to choose and to follow through with our choices. The choice with Christ gives you strength and allows you to carry on. They are solidly footed and sure. But also, we need to understand that God knows the choice we made. But he doesn't want us to simply pick His way without understanding. He wants people who have thought through what it means to be a disciple of His.

Naming

The Power is mine, but the consequences are His.

September 2, 2007

Lectionary for the week
Scriptures:
Jeremiah 2:4-13

2:4 Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel.

2:5 Thus says the LORD: What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves?

2:6 They did not say, "Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?"

2:7 I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things. But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.

2:8 The priests did not say, "Where is the LORD?" Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit.

2:9 Therefore once more I accuse you, says the LORD, and I accuse your children's children.

2:10 Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing.

2:11 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit.

2:12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the LORD,

2:13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water.

Psalm 81:1, 10-16

81:1 Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob.

81:10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

81:11 "But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me.

81:12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.

81:13 O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!

81:14 Then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their foes.

81:15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their doom would last forever.

81:16 I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."

Proverbs 25:6-7

25:6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great;

25:7 for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

Psalm 112

112:1 Praise the LORD! Happy are those who fear the LORD, who greatly delight in his commandments.

112:2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

112:3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.

112:4 They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.

112:5 It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.

112:6 For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.

112:7 They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the LORD.

112:8 Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

112:9 They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.

112:10 The wicked see it and are angry; they gnash their teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

13:1 Let mutual love continue.

13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

13:3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.

13:4 Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.

13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

13:6 So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"

13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

13:15 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.

13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Luke 14:1, 7-14

14:1 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.

14:7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable.

14:8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host;

14:9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place.

14:10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.

14:11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

14:12 He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid.

14:13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.

14:14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Observations:

Jeremiah
God is upset with the Israelites due to the way they ignore him. That he gave them all that they needed, yet they try to get their own way. But they way they are getting are fruitless. They don't realize that it is all a mirage. The gods they worship are not real gods and the holes they dug have no water.

Psalms
Similar theme as Jeremiah. God wants to fulfill their needs, but the people look away to their own devices and means. God allows this to happen.

Proverbs
Standing about your station will get you pushed down and shown for whom you really are. If you stand lower than you out, somebody will invite you upwards.

Psalm
The righteous are of their right mind. The have a glory in their actions and will be exalted long after they are dead.

Hebrews
Be humble and good. Let people honor God by your testimony.

Luke
You really don't decide where your place in life. Your host, Jesus, will ultimately decide that. But it is better to assume that you are lower and therefore be risen up rather than higher and be put down.

Overall
We really don't have the ability inside of us to be higher than we ought. In fact, left to our own devices will attempt to worship our own gods and not realize what God has in mind for us. The act of "building your own god" is making You the creator and as such being higher than you out really to stand. We are not the creator, but rather the created.


Naming:
Know your place and like it!

or

You ain't all that and a bag of chips!