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:)
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Perversity of Language or Perversity of the Heart?
The background of this entry is based on a couple of brief conversations I've had concerning the big "Christian" faux pas of dropping the "f" bomb. Among my circle of friends it is not uncommon for any of us to use this word in our conversation. It's usage is used mainly as an adjective, not an angry rhetorical remark meant to demean someone.
I was raised in fairly conservative home, where that type of language was rarely heard. Growing up it always puzzled why some words like "fuck", "shit", "damn" were condemned, but if you said "Gosh darn it" or "jiminy christmas" it was seemingly ok(in my house even these euphemisms were frowned on, but didn't quite elicit the beating as dropping one of George Carlin's 7 dirty words). I know that if my parent's said not to say these words it was a sin because I was disobeying my parent's rules. Now that I am a parent and not under the rule of mom and dad is it still a sin for me to use any of these words? In order to better answer this question I will consult a little used text in America to find these answers, the Bible.
Matthew 15:17 states, ".Do you no know whatever goes into mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?" The Greek for expelled is into the latrine, so would it make a difference if the verse used expelled into the shitter. After all the use of word shit is traced back to the Old Norse word "skita" meaning to defecate from which we derive the word feces. Used in it's context the word shit has no inherently evil usage.
If I were to use the phrase absofuckinlutely or my personal favorite wtf or what the fuck, are these words the vulgar things spoke of in the Bible or is it just a image created by our culture that makes it bad.
James 3 speaks of controlling the tongue throughout the whole chapter it is said to be of deadly poison, an object that is can both bless and curse. Too many times people take the liberty of saying that the word "curse" in the Bible is the same as a "curse" word in our culture today. When in fact to curse someone in the Bible would be to slander, speak ill will, or be vile in your mannerisms toward someone. In fact, the only specific type of language that is frowned upon is taking the lord's name in vain and taking an oath by heaven (Matthew 5:33-34).
Where the Bible speaks on vulgar language it is speaking of the language that defiles a man.
Language was meant to be used to glorify God not to tear down the images of God. Which is why vulgar language is not to be used as it tears the man created in God's image.
Contextually, theses words can either be sin or no sin. When used to degrade people or rip them apart it doesn't matter whether we call someone an stupid idiot or dumb son of a bitch they are both sin. It is very difficult for me believe if I drop the "f" bomb in the presence of friends who aren't offended that I have committed an evil, reprehensible sin.
Finally, this subject wasn't meant to be an exegetical argument for the justification of using any type of language at any time. It is merely to point out uses of words aren't evil, it is the intent of the heart when using the words that make it evil.
I was raised in fairly conservative home, where that type of language was rarely heard. Growing up it always puzzled why some words like "fuck", "shit", "damn" were condemned, but if you said "Gosh darn it" or "jiminy christmas" it was seemingly ok(in my house even these euphemisms were frowned on, but didn't quite elicit the beating as dropping one of George Carlin's 7 dirty words). I know that if my parent's said not to say these words it was a sin because I was disobeying my parent's rules. Now that I am a parent and not under the rule of mom and dad is it still a sin for me to use any of these words? In order to better answer this question I will consult a little used text in America to find these answers, the Bible.
Matthew 15:17 states, ".Do you no know whatever goes into mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?" The Greek for expelled is into the latrine, so would it make a difference if the verse used expelled into the shitter. After all the use of word shit is traced back to the Old Norse word "skita" meaning to defecate from which we derive the word feces. Used in it's context the word shit has no inherently evil usage.
If I were to use the phrase absofuckinlutely or my personal favorite wtf or what the fuck, are these words the vulgar things spoke of in the Bible or is it just a image created by our culture that makes it bad.
James 3 speaks of controlling the tongue throughout the whole chapter it is said to be of deadly poison, an object that is can both bless and curse. Too many times people take the liberty of saying that the word "curse" in the Bible is the same as a "curse" word in our culture today. When in fact to curse someone in the Bible would be to slander, speak ill will, or be vile in your mannerisms toward someone. In fact, the only specific type of language that is frowned upon is taking the lord's name in vain and taking an oath by heaven (Matthew 5:33-34).
Where the Bible speaks on vulgar language it is speaking of the language that defiles a man.
Language was meant to be used to glorify God not to tear down the images of God. Which is why vulgar language is not to be used as it tears the man created in God's image.
Contextually, theses words can either be sin or no sin. When used to degrade people or rip them apart it doesn't matter whether we call someone an stupid idiot or dumb son of a bitch they are both sin. It is very difficult for me believe if I drop the "f" bomb in the presence of friends who aren't offended that I have committed an evil, reprehensible sin.
Finally, this subject wasn't meant to be an exegetical argument for the justification of using any type of language at any time. It is merely to point out uses of words aren't evil, it is the intent of the heart when using the words that make it evil.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Compassion of Jesus or F$#^ the sinner?
I had originally intended to blog on different subject for my initial post, but instead my noggin was off in a different direction. So, I will blog on some recent events that occurred in my former 'hood.
The headlines scream everyday death, destruction, and debauchery. In the past day a family of
6 was killed on X-mas eve in Carnation, WA, in Pakistan a former PM and 20 others were blasted into eternity by a Jesus-starved homicide bomber. When I read these headlines two things came to mind...1. "I'm sure glad I don't live near any Islamitics 2. How can anybody kill a family of 6, including a 6 yr old and 3 yr old?" Having kids myself, I thought if anybody did that to my family I would probably jump into the lunatic fringe and beat them to death and probably enjoy it. Then rationality set in and I thought to myself by being angry would I not be giving a foothold to Satan in my life?
Too often as Christians, our first reaction to anything grievous and perverted is to think or say "Wtf I hope they burn in hell? Alas, this completely contrary to what the Bible teaches. I know I'm guilty of doing exactly what I'm writing about...so this is a lesson for you as well for me.
Within the Bible are many examples of what Jesus did...which is the complete opposite of what we do...for the sake of time and fact I'm tired and starting to see things I will keep it like fruit of the loom...brief.
Instead, of whining and complaining, Jesus knew they needed salvation, so he too it upon himself to speak to them. It didn't matter if they were sinners or saints, Jesus treated them all equally.
With the prostitute he didn't run away from because he afraid he would contract an std, instead he lovingly spoke with her.
Finally, as Christians we can do one of two things we can say "F*&% the sinner" or we can follow the example of Jesus and seek to help the lost. We must always remember all of us are depraved sinners, not just a select few. Everybody needs prayer, not just friends and family. The next time you're skimming the paper and you come across tragedy don't just pray for the afflicted...Pray for afflictor...They need Jesus, too.
I'll leave with a final verse that should remind to act accordingly as a Christian.
The headlines scream everyday death, destruction, and debauchery. In the past day a family of
6 was killed on X-mas eve in Carnation, WA, in Pakistan a former PM and 20 others were blasted into eternity by a Jesus-starved homicide bomber. When I read these headlines two things came to mind...1. "I'm sure glad I don't live near any Islamitics 2. How can anybody kill a family of 6, including a 6 yr old and 3 yr old?" Having kids myself, I thought if anybody did that to my family I would probably jump into the lunatic fringe and beat them to death and probably enjoy it. Then rationality set in and I thought to myself by being angry would I not be giving a foothold to Satan in my life?
Too often as Christians, our first reaction to anything grievous and perverted is to think or say "Wtf I hope they burn in hell? Alas, this completely contrary to what the Bible teaches. I know I'm guilty of doing exactly what I'm writing about...so this is a lesson for you as well for me.
Within the Bible are many examples of what Jesus did...which is the complete opposite of what we do...for the sake of time and fact I'm tired and starting to see things I will keep it like fruit of the loom...brief.
Mark 6:34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Instead, of whining and complaining, Jesus knew they needed salvation, so he too it upon himself to speak to them. It didn't matter if they were sinners or saints, Jesus treated them all equally.
Luke 7:48, 50 [48] Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." [50] Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace.
With the prostitute he didn't run away from because he afraid he would contract an std, instead he lovingly spoke with her.
Finally, as Christians we can do one of two things we can say "F*&% the sinner" or we can follow the example of Jesus and seek to help the lost. We must always remember all of us are depraved sinners, not just a select few. Everybody needs prayer, not just friends and family. The next time you're skimming the paper and you come across tragedy don't just pray for the afflicted...Pray for afflictor...They need Jesus, too.
I'll leave with a final verse that should remind to act accordingly as a Christian.
1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did
Thursday, December 27, 2007
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