After Abraham dies Isaac and Ishmael together bury him along side Rachel in the grave purchased from the “sons of Heth”. The Bible then records how God kept the promise to bless both Ishmael and Isaac. Both are given children and land and possessions. Both are blessed because God promised they would be blessed.

However, being blessed does not mean that there are no longer any problems. Rebekah and God talk about how her two children will struggle with one another. They are a blessing, but they will also be a source of conflict.

In our lives God’s blessing does not mean that we will no longer be in conflict. Conflict is an ongoing part of life. We are blessed in, around, and through conflict. It is a good thing to remember that God’s blessing is upon us even as we go through extreme conflict.

Eulogia (a blessing) may speak of the consecrated bread used in the Eucharist.  To subscribe to this podcast please go to iTunes and subscribe to “The Koine Greek Word of the Day Podcast”.

It’s okay not to marry.  The American Christian culture for one reason or another has pressured its young adults into feeling that marriage is a requirement; that if you do not marry and have babies you have failed.  Jesus and Paul, however, both say that it is okay not to marry;  in fact they both say that it is good or better for some to not marry.

I was called to marry.  I married young and well; however I had many friends who married young and poorly.  It would have been better for them to wait.  If God is not calling you to marry, don’t.  If God has not yet placed you into a position to marry, that’s okay.

When I was pastoring there were many Sunday mornings when I understood the benefits of priests being celibate.  When you have a spouse, and especially when you have children, there are times when you are not able to focus on what God is calling you to do as you could when you were single or childless.  There were Saturday nights when I was up from 1-4am cleaning up various bodily fluids and comforting sick children.  I know I was not fully focused on God as I led worship the next day.

There have been times when I would have engaged in a ministry, but the responsibilities to my wife and children precluded my availability.  Singleness is a blessing.  Childlessness is a blessing.  Marriage is a blessing.  Children are a blessing.  No matter where you are rejoice in your blessing and listen to God’s leading in your life.