It's 11 weeks until I travel across the world to a country I've never seen, and only read and heard about. Part of me can't believe it's so soon, while the other still wonders partially if it really does exist.
but it reminds me of how similar we all are; just as people in Maine are similar to people from Alaska and California and Florida. But in the same way we are no different than those in Europe, or Italy, or even Haiti. Like the paper I am writing now, the people 500 years ago are no different than those living today or the cavemen that the Gieko commercials are imitating.
Why do we seem so different? Why do we feel so strange or disconnected with them?
I think we are just unsure what to make of their customs, their beliefs, and their language. We think they are different or wrong in some way when in fact how do we not know we are the ones that are wrong?
This reminds me of something we talked about in bible class today. The gentiles were not being accepted by the Jews in the early Christian church because the Jews wanted them to be Jews first then Christian just as they had (acts 15). Well Christ died not just for the Jews but for the gentiles as well. Just as in Psalms 72 and Amos 9:11-15 it talks about the Davidic kingdom ruling the world or bringing back god's greatness on the earth. It is a vision of the best possible scenario.
It makes me see through the history of Isreal how taking advice from the outside world and trying to use it to better our own selves or societies just ends in making things worse. Instead we should listen for God and and read his word and not take things at face value. Just as Israel wanted a King so too do we long for our king. But we must remember the differences in perspective. The Israelite King was one to help shine it's light through the nations and failed. we wait for our king who is the light, but we must all help share the light for there is no glory in being alone!
Showing posts with label listen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label listen. Show all posts
Monday, November 2, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Living MY Life
Life is distracting. Life for many is all about what is going on around them; who is wearing what, what the next scandal is, or what is the best way to wear my hair. Life lived in such a way leads to never becoming one's self. Without living your life you never have a life, and without having a life how does one expect to feel satisfied?
These past few months I have been caught up in the game of Life. I've lived focusing on school, or the next event, or that one girl that keeps sitting beside me. It has been an exciting adventure and I have learned and accomplished much, but at what cost? I seem to have put many things on hold and have bypassed many things.
I have learned a lot this past year one of which is to look back on the past and learn, and not give in to the same things that you had before. One great example is the bible. It is a text of repeated blunders. From the beginning it is a story or overcoming and learning. As the story progresses it continues to reflect upon itself. It even points out continued faults of God's people repeated generation after generation for thousands of years.
Just like god's people thousands of years ago we continue to fall into these same mistakes just as we ourselves fall into the same things over and over. Whether they are temptations or sins, or just putting things off until another time. We are human, we make mistakes; but our goal is to learn, to adapt, and to put into practice what we have learned.
I have learned a lot this past year, but the most important thing is to live my life; to chase YOUR goals; and to learn from your mistakes. Without taking a chance on yourself and giving yourself a shot, you will never be completely satisfied. You will always wonder and wish, but you will only be able to act for so long; so stop, think, and reach for your goals.
These past few months I have been caught up in the game of Life. I've lived focusing on school, or the next event, or that one girl that keeps sitting beside me. It has been an exciting adventure and I have learned and accomplished much, but at what cost? I seem to have put many things on hold and have bypassed many things.
I have learned a lot this past year one of which is to look back on the past and learn, and not give in to the same things that you had before. One great example is the bible. It is a text of repeated blunders. From the beginning it is a story or overcoming and learning. As the story progresses it continues to reflect upon itself. It even points out continued faults of God's people repeated generation after generation for thousands of years.
Just like god's people thousands of years ago we continue to fall into these same mistakes just as we ourselves fall into the same things over and over. Whether they are temptations or sins, or just putting things off until another time. We are human, we make mistakes; but our goal is to learn, to adapt, and to put into practice what we have learned.
I have learned a lot this past year, but the most important thing is to live my life; to chase YOUR goals; and to learn from your mistakes. Without taking a chance on yourself and giving yourself a shot, you will never be completely satisfied. You will always wonder and wish, but you will only be able to act for so long; so stop, think, and reach for your goals.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The Cleansing
“The priest is to take some blood of the guilt offering and put it on the lobe of the right ear of the to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot.”
Leviticus 14:14 NIV
(Also see) Leviticus 8: 23,24
But before both of these:
“Slaughter it, take some of the blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hand, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then sprinkle blood against the altar on all sides.”
Exodus 29:20 NIV
But why the right ear, thumb and ear lobe? What does that mean? Have you ever truly looked at the text, wondering? Well don’t stop their dig deeper.
What is this passage for? It is located in the section of consecrating the priest of Israel.
What can we understand about the specific body parts…
The notes located at the bottom of the passage of my NIV study bible say this:
29:20 right ears. Symbolizing sensitivity to God and his word. Right hands…. Right feet. Symbolizing a life of service to others on God’s behalf.
What is the ear used for? Listening. What has God called us to do?
“He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.’”
Exodus 15:26 NIV
“Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’”
Mark 9:7 NIV
We are called to just be doers of the earth, but to listen to the voice of God, no matter how soft the whisper. WE need to tear the distractions away from our lives and take a moment to listen. Which is one reason I believe he created the Sabbath for the Israelites. They have little to do but to listen and think and ponder, something we do not do enough of in our fast paced society.
Last of all he puts blood on the feet., or the big toe. Once again, yes serving, but what else. The Foot is used for what? Well walking and holding us up. Jesus tells us in the Great Commission to:
“(16) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. (17) When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (18) Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:16-20 NIV
We are called to walk, to reach others, to teach and preach the name of Jesus to the world. Now today you do not necessarily have to walk, but back then to get anywhere or talk to anyone you had to walk and use you feet.
The foot is also used to hold us up. I do not know if you’ve ever thought about that. But foot is a solid foundation and a limb that keeps us upright just like God keeps the world upright. He keeps things going, and also gave us something to stand on: the Word of God and his Son Jesus.
So what about the Hand? The notes say service as well. Yes the foot and hand do many of the same things. They help reach people and hold us up and all that, But the hands do something even greater.
Have you ever meet an animated talker? The one who talks, but has to move their arms to tell the story? Or a deaf person who uses sign language? Or maybe a couple that holds hands? There are numerous examples of this, but the hand is a tool for communication. We help communicate and do things with our hands, and God calls us to do that in a Godly manner.
So what doe that all mean to us? Well this was what was done to cleanse, the body to be clean before God. That is what many of the rules in the books of Moses are for. The rules are for safety, health and to keep the body clean of pure, before God.
But we also need to be clean before God. Now we don’t go through this elaborate ritual to accomplish it, but we can focus on the elements and keep them in mind.
The ear – listen for/to God
Hand – Godly and serving in our communications
Feet – serving others by reaching out, going places, taking that extra effort
Leviticus 14:14 NIV
(Also see) Leviticus 8: 23,24
But before both of these:
“Slaughter it, take some of the blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hand, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then sprinkle blood against the altar on all sides.”
Exodus 29:20 NIV
But why the right ear, thumb and ear lobe? What does that mean? Have you ever truly looked at the text, wondering? Well don’t stop their dig deeper.
What is this passage for? It is located in the section of consecrating the priest of Israel.
What can we understand about the specific body parts…
The notes located at the bottom of the passage of my NIV study bible say this:
29:20 right ears. Symbolizing sensitivity to God and his word. Right hands…. Right feet. Symbolizing a life of service to others on God’s behalf.
But is that right that’s on person’s interpretation. What do I believe? I think that is right, but I think we may be able to take it even another step farther.
What is the ear used for? Listening. What has God called us to do?
“He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.’”
Exodus 15:26 NIV
“Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’”
Mark 9:7 NIV
We are called to just be doers of the earth, but to listen to the voice of God, no matter how soft the whisper. WE need to tear the distractions away from our lives and take a moment to listen. Which is one reason I believe he created the Sabbath for the Israelites. They have little to do but to listen and think and ponder, something we do not do enough of in our fast paced society.
Last of all he puts blood on the feet., or the big toe. Once again, yes serving, but what else. The Foot is used for what? Well walking and holding us up. Jesus tells us in the Great Commission to:
“(16) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. (17) When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (18) Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:16-20 NIV
We are called to walk, to reach others, to teach and preach the name of Jesus to the world. Now today you do not necessarily have to walk, but back then to get anywhere or talk to anyone you had to walk and use you feet.
The foot is also used to hold us up. I do not know if you’ve ever thought about that. But foot is a solid foundation and a limb that keeps us upright just like God keeps the world upright. He keeps things going, and also gave us something to stand on: the Word of God and his Son Jesus.
So what about the Hand? The notes say service as well. Yes the foot and hand do many of the same things. They help reach people and hold us up and all that, But the hands do something even greater.
Have you ever meet an animated talker? The one who talks, but has to move their arms to tell the story? Or a deaf person who uses sign language? Or maybe a couple that holds hands? There are numerous examples of this, but the hand is a tool for communication. We help communicate and do things with our hands, and God calls us to do that in a Godly manner.
So what doe that all mean to us? Well this was what was done to cleanse, the body to be clean before God. That is what many of the rules in the books of Moses are for. The rules are for safety, health and to keep the body clean of pure, before God.
But we also need to be clean before God. Now we don’t go through this elaborate ritual to accomplish it, but we can focus on the elements and keep them in mind.
The ear – listen for/to God
Hand – Godly and serving in our communications
Feet – serving others by reaching out, going places, taking that extra effort
And by doing these things we will cleanse ourselves, before God. And it will help us to stop think, reflect, and separate ourselves from the world.
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