There is so much I could say about this video...
When I received it, the message subject was, "prison break - smart dog!" "Prison break is so negative. The optimist in me sees, determination, courage, ingenuity...
What do you see?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
One Year Bible reading - Update
I believe that I mentioned earlier that I began a One Year Bible reading plan the first of the year. This morning, I want to reflect a bit on the Old Testament portion. Keep in mind, I am not a theologian, a biblical scholar or any sort of authority on the subject. I'll admit, that I haven't even done any independent research on what I am about to say. These are simply MY thoughts.
I am now a couple of chapters into Leviticus. How many of you have read Leviticus? From the intro in the NLT version that I am reading, it is essentially the "Priest's Manual" for the Levites.
The books I have read so far, Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus have all been written by Moses. One observation I have made is how the "style" has changed. What I mean specifically is the level of repetition has increased as we move along.
In the book of Genesis, Moses tells God's story of creation. Genesis is essentially the historical accounting of the beginning and a description of the lineage of the human race. Very little repetition.
Exodus, is largely autobiographical. It covers the bulk of Moses' live and focuses on how God saves the Hebrew people from Pharaoh and leads them out of Egypt. We start to see some repetition here. Indirectly, in how God deals with Pharaoh and his instruction to Moses for doing so. We really start to see it a the end of the chapter, when God is providing Moses with plans for the tabernacle.
By the time we get to Leviticus, we are into full "Lather, Rinse, Repeat" mode! The reason for various offerings and the manner in which they are done is described in detail... over an over. Why is that?
Historians tell us that written language was rare in ancient times. Most stories were spoken from one person to another. Apparently they were spoken in considerable detail and with minimal variation or embellishment. Back then, when it came to history class, students were good listeners with equally good memories. If you think about Genesis, some of that had to be reveal or inspired to Moses. There is no way that the story of creation or the Garden of Eden could be passed down from generation to generation. But certainly, everything from Noah on was probably "known" to Moses by historical "retelling."
So, if folks could remember a "good story" why all of the repetition in some and not others? I suppose in today's times we would attribute the repetition to some aged infirmity. I don't know the amount of time between the three books, but certainly, by the time that Leviticus was written, Moses was an old man. Do you think that he repeated himself because he forgot what he said? Remember, is was in the parchment days... He didn't just do Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V to move his words around.
Perhaps it was something really important! Perhaps God REALLY wanted to deal with this Sin issue. The reason that the Priests, the Tabernacle and the offerings were necessary in the first place. Maybe there was nothing more important to God than to try and redeem His people, who through their own free will had chosen to leave Him.
I don't think that God intended Leviticus to be a cure for insomnia. I really do think that he wanted us to understand that the wages of sin are death! In this case it was the substitutionary death of various animals, depending on the sin. I know many people gloss over the book of Leviticus but I would encourage you to "dig in." Read each and every word. Let it sink in. Understand WHY all of this was necessary. Imagine all of the BLOOD (I will try to cover that tomorrow). Leviticus is in the Bible for a reason...
I am now a couple of chapters into Leviticus. How many of you have read Leviticus? From the intro in the NLT version that I am reading, it is essentially the "Priest's Manual" for the Levites.
The books I have read so far, Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus have all been written by Moses. One observation I have made is how the "style" has changed. What I mean specifically is the level of repetition has increased as we move along.
In the book of Genesis, Moses tells God's story of creation. Genesis is essentially the historical accounting of the beginning and a description of the lineage of the human race. Very little repetition.
Exodus, is largely autobiographical. It covers the bulk of Moses' live and focuses on how God saves the Hebrew people from Pharaoh and leads them out of Egypt. We start to see some repetition here. Indirectly, in how God deals with Pharaoh and his instruction to Moses for doing so. We really start to see it a the end of the chapter, when God is providing Moses with plans for the tabernacle.
By the time we get to Leviticus, we are into full "Lather, Rinse, Repeat" mode! The reason for various offerings and the manner in which they are done is described in detail... over an over. Why is that?
Historians tell us that written language was rare in ancient times. Most stories were spoken from one person to another. Apparently they were spoken in considerable detail and with minimal variation or embellishment. Back then, when it came to history class, students were good listeners with equally good memories. If you think about Genesis, some of that had to be reveal or inspired to Moses. There is no way that the story of creation or the Garden of Eden could be passed down from generation to generation. But certainly, everything from Noah on was probably "known" to Moses by historical "retelling."
So, if folks could remember a "good story" why all of the repetition in some and not others? I suppose in today's times we would attribute the repetition to some aged infirmity. I don't know the amount of time between the three books, but certainly, by the time that Leviticus was written, Moses was an old man. Do you think that he repeated himself because he forgot what he said? Remember, is was in the parchment days... He didn't just do Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V to move his words around.
Perhaps it was something really important! Perhaps God REALLY wanted to deal with this Sin issue. The reason that the Priests, the Tabernacle and the offerings were necessary in the first place. Maybe there was nothing more important to God than to try and redeem His people, who through their own free will had chosen to leave Him.
I don't think that God intended Leviticus to be a cure for insomnia. I really do think that he wanted us to understand that the wages of sin are death! In this case it was the substitutionary death of various animals, depending on the sin. I know many people gloss over the book of Leviticus but I would encourage you to "dig in." Read each and every word. Let it sink in. Understand WHY all of this was necessary. Imagine all of the BLOOD (I will try to cover that tomorrow). Leviticus is in the Bible for a reason...
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
THOSE BORN 1920-1979
The content below is from an email that has been around the block a couple of times. I think that is is worth one more lap...
I know that the economy is taking its toll on many. Not just here but around the world. Is it any wonder? Just look at what we have done! This small bit of satire only reveals part of the mess we have created.
In the US, our sense of entitlement and self-indulgence has driven us to a point of near collapse. Perhaps it is time to return to a life that was just a bit less complicated?
THOSE BORN 1920-1979
READ TO THE BOTTOM FOR QUOTE OF THE MONTH BY JAY LENO. IF YOU DON'T READ ANYTHING ELSE---VERY WELL STATED
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As infants &children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day.And we were OK.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chat rooms......
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good .
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!
The quote of the month is by Jay Leno :
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
I can't speak for the rest of the world as I've only seen but a small part of it. I can say that I have been to all 50 states and in the past 47 years we have done more than try to "...take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance." As a country, we have quite effectively taken God out of our lives. In his place we have put two thing, Us and our Stuff. We have made ourselves Lord of our individual lives and we worship "Stuff." Very sad indeed
I am currently on a one year Bible plan. I am just into Leviticus and Mark, but I know how the story ends! God wins! Each time I read the Old Testament, I am reminded how much we are like the people of Israel. They were God's chosen people. He wanted to prosper them! We wanted the Best for them! He wanted them to be a shining light for the rest of the world to see
Does any of that sound familiar for us Americans? Did God want the best for us? Did he want to prosper us? Did he want the US to be a shining light for the rest of the world?
Do you know what happened to the ancient Hebrews? When they honored God and worshiped him with all their hearts, he protected them and delivered them. Unfortunately, that never lasted long. They would always stray. They would ignore their God and worship lesser gods. Each time that would happen they would face calamity! It happened a lot! It was not uncommon for the people of Israel to spend 400 years in captivity. Their doing... God's punishment for their disobedience
Does any of that sound familiar for us Americans? Are there any lessons to be learn? Are we prepared for 400 years of captivity? I don't know about you, "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD" Josh 24:15
I know that the economy is taking its toll on many. Not just here but around the world. Is it any wonder? Just look at what we have done! This small bit of satire only reveals part of the mess we have created.
In the US, our sense of entitlement and self-indulgence has driven us to a point of near collapse. Perhaps it is time to return to a life that was just a bit less complicated?
These phrases state the "obvious." For "my opinion" on the less obvious, read to the very bottom.
THOSE BORN 1920-1979
READ TO THE BOTTOM FOR QUOTE OF THE MONTH BY JAY LENO. IF YOU DON'T READ ANYTHING ELSE---VERY WELL STATED
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As infants &children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day.And we were OK.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chat rooms......
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good .
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!
The quote of the month is by Jay Leno :
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
I can't speak for the rest of the world as I've only seen but a small part of it. I can say that I have been to all 50 states and in the past 47 years we have done more than try to "...take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance." As a country, we have quite effectively taken God out of our lives. In his place we have put two thing, Us and our Stuff. We have made ourselves Lord of our individual lives and we worship "Stuff." Very sad indeed
I am currently on a one year Bible plan. I am just into Leviticus and Mark, but I know how the story ends! God wins! Each time I read the Old Testament, I am reminded how much we are like the people of Israel. They were God's chosen people. He wanted to prosper them! We wanted the Best for them! He wanted them to be a shining light for the rest of the world to see
Does any of that sound familiar for us Americans? Did God want the best for us? Did he want to prosper us? Did he want the US to be a shining light for the rest of the world?
Do you know what happened to the ancient Hebrews? When they honored God and worshiped him with all their hearts, he protected them and delivered them. Unfortunately, that never lasted long. They would always stray. They would ignore their God and worship lesser gods. Each time that would happen they would face calamity! It happened a lot! It was not uncommon for the people of Israel to spend 400 years in captivity. Their doing... God's punishment for their disobedience
Does any of that sound familiar for us Americans? Are there any lessons to be learn? Are we prepared for 400 years of captivity? I don't know about you, "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD" Josh 24:15
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