Because I could not stop for Death by Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.

We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labor, and my leisure too,
For his civility.

We passed the school where children played
At wrestling in a ring;
We passed the fields of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.

We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling of the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.

Since then ’t is centuries; but each
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses’ heads
Were toward eternity.

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Exodus 32 –Excuses are stupid

There are a lot of interesting things going on in the story of the golden calf.

First, I find it interesting that only a few verses before God instructed Moses that Bezalel would be his craftsman. But, while Moses is on the mountain the people ask Aaron to craft an image of worship for them. The people asked the wrong person to be the craftsman for the community. When we don’t listen to God; we don’t select the right people.

Second, Moses asks God not to destroy the people, then, once Moses saw for himself what the people were doing; Aaron has to talk Moses out of destroying the people. Moses and God shared the same anger over what the people were doing.

Finally, and this is the one most people pick up on, Aaron says “I threw [the gold] into the fire, and out came this calf.” Whenever we do what we knew we were not supposed to do, we have a tendency to try to disassociate ourselves from our actions. The blame shifting is strikingly similar to Adam and Eve after they ate the front. I think the take away from this is that God already knows when we messed up; be a man (or woman) and admit it and ask for forgiveness.

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Exodus 31 – God’s training program

“I have called by name Bezalel…I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for setting, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship.”

Someday I’m going to write a novel based on the life of Bezalel. Think about this guy. He spent all his life in Egypt, probably working as a slave apprentice to a jeweler of some kind. He probably made fancy artifacts for the pharaoh’s house; possibly he made idols for the Egyptians to worship. For years he learned the skills of metal and gem craft, of carpentry and craftsmanship. Then the Israelites are released and are wandering in the desert. This guy is out of a job. He has few marketable skills in the desert. He probably feels a sad that all that he has learned is now worthless. Then suddenly God says, “wait, all those years you spent learning how to make idols and baubles for the king; those were just practice to learn how to make the furniture for my house. This is going to take all the skills you learned, and all the talent I gave you.”

What has God been preparing you for? You’ll probably never know until it happens.

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The Frogs Desiring a King by Aesop

The Frogs were living as happy as could be in a marshy swamp that just suited them; they went splashing about caring for nobody and nobody troubling with them. But some of them thought that this was not right, that they should have a king and a proper constitution, so they determined to send up a petition to Jove to give them what they wanted. “Mighty Jove,” they cried, “send unto us a king that will rule over us and keep us in order.” Jove laughed at their croaking, and threw down into the swamp a huge Log, which came down with a splash into the swamp. The Frogs were frightened out of their lives by the commotion made in their midst, and all rushed to the bank to look at the horrible monster; but after a time, seeing that it did not move, one or two of the boldest of them ventured out towards the Log, and even dared to touch it; still it did not move. Then the greatest hero of the Frogs jumped upon the Log and commenced dancing up and down upon it, thereupon all the Frogs came and did the same; and for some time the Frogs went about their business every day without taking the slightest notice of their new King Log lying in their midst. But this did not suit them, so they sent another petition to Jove, and said to him, “We want a real king; one that will really rule over us.” Now this made Jove angry, so he sent among them a big Stork that soon set to work gobbling them all up. Then the Frogs repented when too late. Better no rule than cruel rule.

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Exodus 30 – To whom the Lord speaks

I know people who really get excited about these chapters in Exodus where God is instructing Moses. They like to picture what God is instructing Moses to make. They like to build models and contemplate the spiritual significance of the metals used and the different spices which create various fragrances. I am not one of those people. So my commentary on this chapter is a little shorter than normal.

In my quick count there are four times instances in this chapter of something along the lines of “the Lord spoke to Moses, saying…” As I read that phrase over and over I was struck by how dependent the people were on Moses and the priests to live in community with God.

We are not dependent on our pastors to live in community with God. We have been enabled to have a direct relationship with God through Jesus. This passage reminded me of how great a blessing that is.

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Friendly Theology – Barclay’s Catechism Chapter 1 (Part 2)

CHAP. I. (cont.)

Of GOD, and the true and Saving Knowledge of Him.

Q. What are they that bear Record in Heaven?

A. There are Three that bear Record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these Three are One [1 John 5:7].

Q. How cometh any man to know God the Father according to Christ’s words?

A. All things are delivered to me of my Father; and no man knows who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him [Luke 10:22; Matt. 11:27].

Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me [John 14:6].

Q. By whom, and after what manner doth the Son reveal this knowledge?

A. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, neither have entered into the Heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him; But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the Spirit of a man, which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now, we have received not the Spirit of the World, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God [1 Cor. 2:9-12].

Barclay concludes his chapter on the true and saving knowledge of God by defining God as the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost. He then adds that knowledge of God was revealed to humanity in the person of the Son, that is the Word, Jesus Christ.

God is ultimately revealed to each person by the Holy Spirit. All those who are receptive to the Holy Spirit working in them know something of God. The Spirit of God is a gift freely given and not something that any of use earn. All knowledge we have of God is revealed to us through the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.

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Exodus 29 – Multi-sensory offerings to God

“You shall offer up in smoke the whole ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering to the Lord: it is a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the Lord…You shall take them from their hands, and offer them up in smoke on the altar on the burnt offering for a soothing aroma before the Lord; it is an offering by fire to the Lord…The other lamb you shall offer at twilight, and shall offer with it the same grain offering and the same drink offering as in the morning, for a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the Lord.”

God seems to be a multi-sensory God. How are these offerings a soothing aroma to God? Does this mean that God is pleased because he likes the smells of burning grain and flesh or is the aroma pleasing to God because it represents the people being obedient to God?

In addition to smell, God is pleased with the sounds of our words when we offer them up as an offering to God. God is pleased when he sees our time and effort up offered as an offering. God is pleased when he tastes our cooking offered to someone in need as an offering to God. God is pleased when he touches us and we respond in worship. God is pleased

When we give the best we have to offer in worship of God, God is please.

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A Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all
who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body
may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Weekly Meanderings

I want to make a quick comment reminding everyone that just because I post something in the meanderings does not mean I agree with it; rather, it means I think the link is of interest or has something to add to the conversation of life.  That being said, here’s some stuff I came across this week…

Have a great weekend!

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Exodus 28 – Rep. Aaron (P-Jud)

It is remarkable all the symbolism used in the clothing of the priests to express that they are representatives of all the tribes of Israel. Two jewels are engraved with their names. Twelve different gem stones are mounted on the breast piece. The priests are acting as representatives for all the people.

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The Daffodils by William Wordsworth

I wander’d lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch’d in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:—
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company!
I gazed, and gazed, but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

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Exodus 27 – Purposed for God

I have a problem with replica tabernacles built as attractions. If an individual or group wants to spend time and energy reconstructing a replica of the tabernacle as an act of devotion or worship; I am totally fine with that. I imagine it could be an incredibly moving and worthwhile experience that could bring you closer to God. My problem is when the individual or group starts saying, “come look what we built.”

In everything we do we need to express our respect for God. We need to be careful not to blaspheme a holy God with our actions, with our attitudes, and with our words. A replica tabernacle used as a tourist attraction takes a thing purposed for God’s use and subverts it to human use. At the very lease it seems disrespectful. Of course, I may just be getting old and crotchety.

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Exodus 26 – God’s hotel room

Why does God go into such detail about how the tabernacle should be made? Because God is creating a resting place on earth. The tabernacle is to be God’s temporary earthly home.

Over the years there have been many times when I have left home for a few days and lived out of a hotel room. If I am going to be at that hotel room for more than a couple nights, the very first thing I do is arrange it the way I want it. I put my clothes where I can find them, I put my toilettes on the sink, I lay my books out on a shelf. If I am going to have to live in this temporary residence for a while I am going to make it as close to home as possible.

I suspect God is doing the same thing with the tabernacle. It was never God’s intention that this be a permanent home; but God is going to have the divine temporary resting place established according to God’s liking.

Where does God reside on earth today? In the hearts of all those who have turned to Jesus Christ. What does this say about our hearts?

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Pulh (gate) The Koine Greek Word of the Day Podcast

Pulh (gate) refers to either a literal or metaphorical entryway.  To subscribe to this podcast please go to iTunes and subscribe to “The Koine Greek Word of the Day Podcast”.

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The Street That Got Mislaid by Patrick Waddington

(note: For a while I’ve been posting a poem on Thursdays.  This week I will begin posting a short story on Tuesdays.  Enjoy.)

Marc Girondin had worked in the filing section of the city hall’s engineering department for so long that the city was laid out in his mind like a map, full of names and places, intersecting streets and streets that led nowhere, blind alleys and winding lanes.

In all Montreal no one possessed such knowledge; a dozen policemen and taxi drivers together could not rival him. That is not to say that he actually knew the streets whose names he could recite like a series of incantations, for he did little walking. He knew simply of their existence, where they were, and in what relation they stood to others.

But it was enough to make him a specialist. He was undisputed expert of the filing cabinets where all the particulars of all the streets from Abbott to Zotique were indexed, back, forward and across. Those aristocrats, the engineers, the inspectors of water mains and the like, all came to him when they wanted some little particular, some detail, in a hurry They might despise him as a lowly clerk, but they needed him all the same.

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Exodus 25 – Co-creators

God gives Moses instructions on how to be a co-creator. God created the first tabernacle when he created the world. That tabernacle was good and perfect, but human desire to be as great as God brought uncleanness to the tabernacle. Now God has invited Moses and the nation of Israel to be co-creators in building a new tabernacle. This tabernacle is not as great as the first; really this is just a starter kit for a nation learning how to be co-creators with God.

We are also called to be co-creators with God. We, with God, are called to go into the world and share the good news of Jesus Christ, heal the sick, and care for the needy. We are co-creating a new world. A world which recognizes God. We have moved beyond the starter kit and God is using us to co-recreate the world.

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Festus (Portius Festus) The Koine Greek Word of the Day Podcast

Festus (Portius Festus) the proconsul of Palestine during the time of Paul.  To subscribe to this podcast please go to iTunes and subscribe to “The Koine Greek Word of the Day Podcast”.

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Friendly Theology – Barclay’s Catechism Chapter 1 (Part 1)

CHAP. I.

Of GOD, and the true and Saving Knowledge of Him.

Q. Seeing it is a thing unquestioned by all sorts of Christians, that the height of Happiness consisteth in coming to know and enjoy Eternal Life, what is it in the Sense and Judgment of Christ?

A. This is Life Eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent [John 17:3].

Q. How doth God reveal this knowledge?

A. For God, who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness, hath shined in our Hearts, to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ [2 Cor. 4:6].

Q. How many Gods are there?

A. One God [Eph. 4:6].

We know, that an Idol is nothing in the World, and that there is none other God but one. But to us there is but one God [1 Cor. 8:4,6].

Q. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit [John 4:24].

Q. Among all the Blessed, Glorious and Divine Excellencies of God, which are ascribed and given to him in the Scriptures; what is that which is most needful for us to take notice of, as being the Message which the Apostles recorded in special manner to declare of him now under the Gospel?

How is Barclay using the term “Happiness” in his first question? Is it pleasure, satisfaction and joy? Or is it some other meaning that I am missing? Is the height of Christian Happiness (pleasure, satisfaction, joy) coming to know and enjoy Eternal Life? Barclay says yes and then goes on to define this Eternal Life which is enjoyed as knowing Jesus Christ.

I would differ in the nuance of this question but not in the big picture. I would argue that the height of Christian Happiness is the relationship with Jesus Christ and the by-product is Eternal Life (rather than the other way around). I think we wind up in the same place; just with a slight difference on emphasis.

In the second question Barclay makes the fairly radical assertion that God reveals knowledge of Jesus Christ directly to the human heart. This idea that God speaks directly to the pre-regenerate heart is a major distinctive of Quaker theology and a prime bone of contention when engaging in dialogue with other Christian denominations. The idea that God speaks directly to our hearts, before we turn to God, is radical and wonderful.

In the fifth and final question Barclay states that the greatest and most defining attribute of God is that God is perfect light in whom there is no darkness. Barclay argues that the most important thing for us to realize about God is that God is the perfect beacon of light which illuminates all of creation and which we are called to turn toward.

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Exodus 24 – Persons of influence

I accidentally did chapter 24 last Friday, so here are a few thoughts on chapter 23.

“You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. They shall not live in your land, because they will make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

Hanging out with godless people is dangerous. They will influence us. They will change us. But at the same time, we will influence and change them. We are all called to minister to those who do not have a relationship with God, but be sure you are spending adequate time with those who do have a relationship with God. Be aware of who you are allowing yourself to be influenced by.

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Anastasis (resurrection) The Koine Greek Word of the Day Podcast

Anastasis (resurrection) refers to a change in status from being dead to being alive.  To subscribe to this podcast please go to iTunes and subscribe to “The Koine Greek Word of the Day Podcast”.

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