May 2010
Monthly Archive
Fri 28 May 2010
Remember the last time someone close to you slighted you in some way and it really did not matter? Now try to remember the last time someone slighted you and it just “burned you up.”
What was the difference?
As I’ve looked at this – the key differentiator seems to be ‘me.’ Many times I’ve asked myself, “Self, why is this such a big deal? Why do you have to hang on to it like it’s life or death?” Yet, at other times I find it so easy to let major infractions ‘to me’ slide right off my back and not give them a second thought.
Did you ever wonder why dating and those first few months (or years for some) of marriage were so easy? It’s because our gas tank is nearly full. When I am running on fumes (when my needs are not being adequately met) I am gasping for anything I can get; there is nothing to give. I consume it all. Fill me to overflowing and soon you find I can’t give enough.
People don’t have an insatiable appetite for self, they have an insatiable appetite to have unrealized needs met.
Finding and filling these needs is the maintenance in any relationship.
Tue 25 May 2010
Lost is done. My first impressions after two days of mulling… not sure.
The brilliant writers of an awesome TV show did their best. And they succeeded in a beautiful symmetry in the series. Obviously (based on the series conclusion) the focus of the series was the characters understanding their interdependency. This was handled well. I have no complaints here.
I never watched the show for the characters. The characters moved the story but I watched for the story-telling. The story behind the characters is lukewarm in its conclusion. Lukewarm because it is incomplete. At this point too many “red herrings” were presented and never closed. This is the point in which I am unsure. Due to the brilliance of the writers these story elements could have been addressed and I simply missed them. This is what I hope as I ponder the past 4½ years (I was pulled into the story half way through the 2nd season).
Here is a list of issues that were major enough red herrings as to require an answer:
- The “numbers” were significant, at least to Dharma – why would Dharma broadcast via radio transmission
- Going back a step – the radio signals were broadcast earlier than Dharma (70′s), again WHY would someone broadcast these numbers
- If Jacob did not allow anyone to leave the island – why leave a loophole wherein, Dharma, Michael & Walt or even Ben could leave?
- Ben has been to Tunisia and elsewhere by previous turning of the Donkey Wheel, as can be noted by various passports and currencies. 1) How did he get back to the island, 2) why when he turned the wheel did the island not go wonky in time like when John turned the wheel
- When the island disappeared where did it go. If it simple went to another time, then theoretically it went to the future in which it was sunk – but then it never sunk.
- Why did Dr, Chang keep changing his name?
- Did the man in black (MIB) take the form of black horses?
- How did the drug running plane get to the island from Africa?
- Was Hurley’s friend Dave really in Hurley’s mind?
More to be added to this list as this is a quick recap of 6 years in my head. And please notice I am not asking why Dharma is still dropping shipments years after they have had no contact with the island… and who is Dharma anyway?
Fri 21 May 2010
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
“Called Saints”
Date: 23May10
Required Resources: Whiteboard
Introduction
Review:
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¿: Why did Paul write the letter?
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Homework review:
- What title did you come up with for this section?
- The scriptures often talk about saints. What is a saint?
WHITEBOARD: define Saint [set apart one, most holy thing]
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The Text
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Scripture
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Observation
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1 Cor 1:1-3
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SALUTATION FROM PAUL TO THE CHURCH IN CORINTH
¿: Describe how you would write a letter of reprimand
Paul’s salutation & thankfulness for the saints is foundational to this letter to a church in crisis. “You are saints – live a life on par with who you are”
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v1
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Ü Ancient letter writing: customary to begin with writer’s name, then recipients
Ü Paul founded the church
¿: Why did Paul begin with “called… by will of God?”
WHITEBOARD: define Apostle [one sent forth as a messenger. In its strictest sense one sent specifically by Jesus – in its broadest sense anyone sent by God]
Paul was sent by Jesus (not his choosing) = > the message was God’s message (sent one =>road to Damascus. Acts 9:1-21)
Ü References to apostles in NT
*there is some dogmatism that the office of apostle required a direct calling of Christ, this may be true BUT the NT usage does not always support this
- Acts 14:14 – “a… Barnabas and Paul”
[Barnabas not 1 of 12 cf. Acts 4:36]
- Ro 16:7 – “Andronicus and Junias, […]. They are outstanding among the a..”
- 2 Cor 12:12 – “signs that mark an a…”
- Gal 1:19 – “other a…, only James”
[James not 1 or 12; cf. 1 Cor 15:7 – “then he appeared to James]
- Eph 4:11 – “gave some to be a…, some to be prophets”
- 1 Thes 2:6 – “as a… of Christ” [reference 1 Thes 1:1 – Paul, Silas & Timothy]
- Heb 3:1 – “Jesus, the a…”
- Rev 2:2 – “tested those who claim to be a…”
¿: Why did Paul even mention he was an apostle?
1) His authority to write the letter
A) Some did not follow his teaching (divisions in church)
B) His special relationship to the church
2) Paul’s special relationship as God’s appointed messenger
Ü Not from or through men
Ü Sosthenes – letters usually not coauthored – possibly a scribe; or he concurred with what Paul had to say; or possibly from Acts 18:12-17.
Note: Sosthenes is NOT “his disciple” or “his follower” – He is a colleague, his brother, his equal.
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v2
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WHITEBOARD: define Sanctified [set apart for special use]
Ü “called to be holy” (NIV) [saints] cf. KJV, NASB
lit. “called [to be] saints” = consecrated, saints
[hag’ ee os Grk] = “MOST HOLY THING”; xlated “saints” in other translations.
Rom 1:7 uses same Greek word and translates as “saint”(NIV)
Ü set apart ones –Holy(NIV); Holy and set apart for God => must therefore live for God not like those they were called from
the church belongs to God, not man
Ü Their class = “called [to be] saints” – in a class conscious society this identity was theirs – not because of good deeds but wholly because of the work of Christ
¿: What was the basis of their identity as a saint?
¿: Who is/are called [to be] saints?
¿: Do you feel like a saint?
EXPRESS: <each and everyone is a SAINT!>
Ü To understand this position should mean to live out of that identity.
In practice they were gross sinners, but positionally they were pure saints
Remembering our position can compel us to improve our practice.
¿: What did Paul have in common with the church? [both called]
CALLED = invited or more strongly appointed
“together with all those everywhere” = Unity of all believers
There is no place on Earth too immoral for an assembly to belong to God
Jesus Christ is Lord = all should be done as acknowledgement of this truth
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v3
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WHITEBOARD: define Grace [favor – no merit, hence no obligation]
define Peace [fruit of above favor]
Grace = standard greeting
Peace = Jewish greeting
Grace & Peace: only through the grace of God can we have peace
Jesus divinity is declared
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1 Cor 1:4-9
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PAUL’S JOY
Expressed in past, present & future benefits to the body
past = grace
present = giftedness
future = assurance of Christ in all His glory
“you” referenced in these verses applies to the church as a whole. No one received ALL gifts but as a whole they received all gifts
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v4
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¿: What were Paul’s feelings toward the church at Corinth?
¿: How did the church wound Paul?
This must have been a tough letter for Paul, yet he finds promise
Thanksgiving – Paul could see God was at work. We should remember – it’s not up to us to determine how God is working, the results are God’s
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v5
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“enriched” = made very wealthy GRK
¿: What did Paul mean by “rich in every way?”
¿: Do we have good health? Do we earn enough money to meet our needs? Are all our friendships as strong as they could be? [2 Pet 1:3 “pertaining to life & godliness”]
Ü Speech & knowledge – hint at later themes
Isthmisian Games included speech contests. Knowledge was associated w/philosophical wisdom and ability to speak extemporaneously on any subject
=> Corinthians had come to excel at these gifts because they mattered most.
Gifts of oratory – also was the cause of division
Apollos was a gifted orator (Acts 18:24-28)
Paul was not so smooth with words (1 Cor 2:1-2)
Now Paul expresses thanks for their gifts – later he will address abuses of the same gifts
¿: Can a gift be a weakness?
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v6
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¿: How was it confirmed? [Manifest gifts in the body were given as confirmation]
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v7
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¿: How could Paul say this to such an immature church?
They must have lacked something [refers to God’s provision, not their use of it]
The body does not lack => If God creates the local body will it be lacking?
¿: Referring to “eagerly wait,” what does eagerly imply? [action]
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v8
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“He will… had they arrived?
¿: If v3-7 says they have it all, how can they not have arrived? Do they need more?
A church with all these problems would stand before God blameless
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v9
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God called Paul (v1), God called the church to be Holy (v2) – separated, call into fellowship (v9)
God has called the church into fellowship with Jesus. Can’t have fellowship w/Jesus if relationships w/men are struggling. – Sets stage for barriers to harmony
“God… faithful” (NIV) compare to other xlations [“faithful is God” Grk – greater emphasis]
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Note: Jesus mentioned 9x (plus pronouns He/Him) in 9 verses.
¿: What is the significance of this emphasis?
Saints = identity of Jesus Christ. Paul was telling them they are saints.
Paul was emphasizing Christ and His power.
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Conclusion
Personal Application:
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As a Christian one of our strongest rebukes we can have when we sin is to be reminded of WHO THE FATHER is.
¿: What specific thing can you do (or stop doing) this week to better demonstrate who you are – your sainthood?
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Homework:
Wed 19 May 2010
Last week I speculated that I was generally unhappy with Lost and it’s series wrap-up. With only ONE more episode left (2½ hours!) I may have spoken too soon. We’ll see.
I was pleased with last nights episode. It was what I have come to expect – by giving me something I couldn’t expect; something compelling and interesting.
Four days and counting.
Fri 14 May 2010
An Introduction to 1 Corinthians.
In preparation for opening up a new book to study…
Thu 13 May 2010
Lost. Deep down I hope I’m not the one that lost something here. I mean there are 3½ hours of air time (including significant commercial interruption) and, until this season, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what comes next. Sure there were up and down episodes over the seasons, but without a doubt, this season is not equal to it’s predecessors. I hope I am wrong.
The following Lost blog, which I have monitored closely over the last several years pretty sums up my feeling about this weeks episode.
I understand why this episode was produced. It’s half origin story and half mythological brain dump. And there were some interesting bits, no doubt there. But let me sum my opinion up this way: If “Lost” had focused on Jacob, MIB and their wacky “Mother” from the very beginning, I never would have watched this show. I just don’t care about these characters and their deep psychological scars. For six years we’ve watched a fantastic ensemble of great actors playing great characters battling with their own Big Problems. The Jacob-MIB-Mother trio felt like window dressing. And is it just me, or was the acting a little meh?
That said, I’ll give the writers credit for revealing Jacob to be the island’s Norman Bates. Discovering that for many years he was a naive and gullible pawn in his crazy adopted mother’s machinations … well, that just wasn’t expected.
Filmfodder.com
Please give me the brilliant writing that I have learned to expect over the past 5 years (I came to the island late). Please do not disappoint with one of those endings that answer your questions but leaves you saying “that was lame.” Please tell me I am wrong.
In the words of Captain John Miller (Saving Private Ryan), “Earn it.”
Tue 11 May 2010
God is moving me to a new place. I know this song has been out for more than 9 months now. This is the time I was meant to hear it.
Powerful for where I’m headed.
Where’s that? If you had to ask, then you didn’t listen to the song.
I’m am learning not to ask.
Fri 7 May 2010
Job, A Man Blessed
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Job’s intercession for his friends
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Job 42
7 After the LORD had spoken these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My anger is stirred up against you and your two friends, because you have not spoken about me what is right, as my servant Job has.
8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job will intercede for you, and I will respect him, so that I do not deal with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken about me what is right, as my servant Job has.”
9 So they went, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, and did just as the LORD had told them; and the LORD had respect for Job.
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- God told the three friends who were “defending God” that they were in the wrong. They had spoken wrongly about God and the ways of God.
Q: Have you ever told someone “how it is” and what God wants of them? Might you have been wrong? –or been guilty of putting words in God’s mouth?
v7 & 8 – “You have not spoken about me what is right…” (2x)
Q: Why do you think Elihu is not included?
Job’s friends are not recorded as having prayed (made intercession) for him – now Job must interceded for his “comforters”
*The difference between what they said and what Job said, therefore, has to do with truth. Job was honest, spoke the truth, poured out his complaints, but never blasphemed God. For his words God said he told the truth. He did so with incomplete understanding, and with all the impatience and frustration one might expect. Now the friends, however, did not tell what was right about God. They were not honest; rather, they were self-righteous and condescending. They were saying what they thought should be said, but it was wrong. (NET – study note)
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Job, a man blessed
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10 So the LORD restored what Job had lost after he prayed for his friends, and the LORD doubled all that had belonged to Job.
11 So they came to him, all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and they dined with him in his house. They comforted him and consoled him for all the trouble the LORD had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.
12 So the LORD blessed the second part of Job’s life more than the first. He had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.
13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters.
14 The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-Happuch.
15 Nowhere in all the land could women be found who were as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance alongside their brothers.
16 After this Job lived 140 years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation.
17 And so Job died, old and full of days.
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Q: What do you make of the fact that Job repented, then was blessed by God? Doesn’t this say that Job’s friends were right all along?
v10 – lit. “he returned the captivity of Job” (See KJV
Daughters
- Jemimah = “dove”
- Keziah = “cinnamon perfume”
- Keren-Happach = “horn of eye paint”
Jewish tradition says that Job was 70 years old when these trials began and that his life was also blessed double in that he lived 140 more years.
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Q: Did Job curse God as satan said?
Q: Did God truly know Job’s character? Did Job?
Q: What good came out of Job’s suffering?
Man’s relationship with God is not an arrangement in which God is obligated to reward man for every good act. Instead man is to trust God, worship Him regardless of his circumstances, and rely on the perfection of His character even when God’s ways are not fully understood.
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“Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org All rights reserved.”
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Q: What things going on right now do you have a difficult time believing God can use for good?
Below is a screenplay which follows the flow of Job. This is a fun activity for a group wanting to understand a summary of what transpired.
Sat 1 May 2010
Today heralds the 4th year of this blog!
Before I look at blog milestone statistics I’d like to take a few lines to compare my blog against the development of a typical 4 year old child.
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A Four Year Old Child
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This Four Year Old web log
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Requires 1,700 calories daily
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Creating a post can burn more than 1,700 calories
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Can walk in straight line (on tape or chalk)
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A few series of posts followed their theme
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Hops on one foot
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Did you see the posts on marriage?
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Jumps over 6″ objects with both feet together
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Some posts were created with both hands tied behind back
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Reproduces some shapes and letters
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Old posts have been copied and updated
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Becomes more accurate at hitting nails w/hammer
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Some posts nailed it
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Can run on a circle
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Many posts chase their tails
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Delights in creating silly language
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There have been a few words coined
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Understands the sequence of daily events
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All posts are chronological
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Very good storytellers
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You got me there… maybe next year
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Now that the fun is over…
In the last 365 days I have read 7 books! We won’t mention the one book was started 3½ years ago.
I have posted 111 articles, some good, some bad and most ho-hum.
I added the jeep-o-meter.
In the life of this blog:
- Served 28,148 visitors
- Killed 25,083 pieces of spam
