While I have a few minutes in this chaotic world I will scribble, not really scribble since I am technically typing, down some thoughts on the "American" prophet Jonah. I use the term "American" because I believe it aptly fits Christians in America today. For a little more on that description I shall digress into the whale story. Though it's not really a whale story, but a story on the eternal grace, mercy, providence of God.
Jonah was called to preach to Nineveh, instead he tucked his tails between his legs, hopped on a boat, and made a vain attempt to flee 2500 miles to Tarshish, which is located in now modern day Spain. What happened in this attempted Houdini act is what I find similar to the Christians in cities all around us today. God calls us on a mission...we think think were hearing voices in our head...God gives us mercy by saving us in spite of ourselves...God provided a Big Fish(also a good movie) to keep Jonah on his mission...then we finally do get around to accomplishing the mission God sent us on,then we whine and complain, because we think God's mission wasn't what we had in mind...Jonah, after saving Nineveh from certain doom, seemingly sits on a hill overlooking Nineveh waiting for Sodom and Gomorrah part II(if anything he should have known that sequels aren't as good as the original). Instead of being thankful that many more came to know God, Jonah was ticked off that he didn't get a good fireworks display.
Don't be that dude who is on mission for God and himself. Only God know his divine plan. It is not up to us to decide whether certain acts of God of unjust or unjust. It is only our mission to follow God's will for our life, and be thankful that He was gracious enough to include us in on just a infinitesimal part of his Divine Plan.
Some random thoughts...if Hillary loses the nomination will she explode? Is it ironic that after the 'Skins beat the cowboys by 21, and thought Sean Taylor was with them(he's wore number 21), that they turn around and lose to the mighty, Super Bowl worthy Seahawks by....21? "It's a little to ironic, yeah, I really do think!"
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Psalm 137:8-9 and other thoughts
While shooting the proverbial bull with a dude from church, he brought up Psalm 137:8-9 and asked me for my thoughts on the text(our topic of conversation revolved around whether or not man is justified in asking for the wrath of God on subjects that piss us off.) The text of this passage states:
Upon the first reading of this I thought, somebody must have been taking a few too many nips out of the new wine when he decided to scribble this psalm down. Since all scripture is inspired by God I thought I would take a closer look at this to determine contextually how this fits.
Thankfully, Al Gore's beautiful invention of the internet has allowed me to research this more thoroughly.
First and foremost, this verse was a prophecy that was later fulfilled in Isaiah 13:16 where it states,
Second, in a historic context, this was the way wars were fought back in the day. The old saying goes "Kick ass and takes names." Back then I believe that saying would fall under the category of " kick ass and don't take any names or women or children..." It was simply the way babylonians fought. In light of this, it was in the Psalmist's vision that what was exacted on them(Israel), was exactly what was going to be exacted on Babylon.
Last, this verse doesn't say to pray to God for the destruction of our enemies, as this psalm was a prophetic psalm. What it does show is that God's justice endures forever, and He does not forget those who have defiled His Name.
My next thought is quick one...I will blog on it later but due to the scourge of ADHD that plagues our society I will be brief.
I was flipping through Jonah the other day...I couldn't help but think how many of us are called on a mission and we duck and run. Here's a newsflash: every Christian is on a mission from God for Jesus. Whether you are old or young, rich or poor you are on mission....I'll expand on this later, but for now enjoy the day or night.
One more thought... is it fair to say that Hosea was a Pimp for Jesus:)
O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed,
blessed shall he be who repays you
with what you have done to us!
Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones
and dashes them against the rock.
Upon the first reading of this I thought, somebody must have been taking a few too many nips out of the new wine when he decided to scribble this psalm down. Since all scripture is inspired by God I thought I would take a closer look at this to determine contextually how this fits.
Thankfully, Al Gore's beautiful invention of the internet has allowed me to research this more thoroughly.
First and foremost, this verse was a prophecy that was later fulfilled in Isaiah 13:16 where it states,
"There in infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes, their houses will be plundered and wives ravished."
Second, in a historic context, this was the way wars were fought back in the day. The old saying goes "Kick ass and takes names." Back then I believe that saying would fall under the category of " kick ass and don't take any names or women or children..." It was simply the way babylonians fought. In light of this, it was in the Psalmist's vision that what was exacted on them(Israel), was exactly what was going to be exacted on Babylon.
Last, this verse doesn't say to pray to God for the destruction of our enemies, as this psalm was a prophetic psalm. What it does show is that God's justice endures forever, and He does not forget those who have defiled His Name.
My next thought is quick one...I will blog on it later but due to the scourge of ADHD that plagues our society I will be brief.
I was flipping through Jonah the other day...I couldn't help but think how many of us are called on a mission and we duck and run. Here's a newsflash: every Christian is on a mission from God for Jesus. Whether you are old or young, rich or poor you are on mission....I'll expand on this later, but for now enjoy the day or night.
One more thought... is it fair to say that Hosea was a Pimp for Jesus:)
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