When 8:00pm rolls around

I have the pleasure of teaching our church's 2nd-5th graders on Wednesday nights. I will say that most nights the conversations are engaging, thought provoking, and get my theological wheels turning as they ask questions about sin, hell, election (yes, they have asked), and God's judgment.

However, this past Wednesday was NOT one of these nights. We have been discussing the life of Jesus, and this week was discussing his trials with Pilate and Herod. I had already read the passage, but I guess as I was teaching on it I had some major thoughts cross my mind as the kids were highly distracted and talking to each other. I was only looking at the Jesus aspect of the passage: Jesus says I am Christ, not King of Jews. Jesus is mocked. Jesus shows mercy by healing an ear. Jesus endures a rough crowd.

Leading up to this passage, Jesus is betrayed by Judas, he heals a chief priest's ear, he is mocked by the chief priest, Peter denies him, and then this passage:

Luke 23

Jesus Before Pilate

 ¹ Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. ²And they began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king." ³ And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And he answered him,  "You have said so." ⁴Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no guilt in this man." ⁵But they were urgent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place."

Jesus Before Herod

 ⁶When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. ⁷And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. ⁸When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. ⁹So?, he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. ¹⁰The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. ¹²And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. ¹³Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, ¹⁴and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. ¹⁵Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. ¹⁶ I will therefore punish and release him."

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

 ¹⁸ But they all cried out together, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas"— ¹⁹a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. ²⁰Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, ²¹but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!" ²²A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him." ²³But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. ²⁴So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. ²⁵He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

Key things to think about when reading this from a human stand point, and not from looking at Jesus' actions here because we already should have it in our minds that He was quiet, He suffered, and He was going to be put to the death by the divine plan of God.

 However, let's look at the people. You know the ones that have the sinful nature just like us and the ones that wanted control over the situation.

1) Their first complaint was that he was misleading to the nation, well this could stand to be true for those that did not believe in His majesty. So, for giggles we will say that from their perception they felt that he was misleading.

2) The second complaint was that he was forbidding the people to give tribute to Caesar. Now, this is just ridiculous. How can one man stop an entire nation from giving to Caesar. It seems nice to blame someone else so that you don't get in trouble for not following law. (Strictly looking at the human side)

3) Yea, He did claim to be Christ, there is no beating around the bush on that truth.

4) Herod and Pilate become friends over their agreement not to charge Jesus with a crime. This just seems interesting to me. Was this the only time they had to act on something together that they agreed on? What were there spiritual thoughts on Jesus?

5) Pilate makes it clear that he and Herod do not think Jesus is deserving of death. *More to this*

6) They want a murderer and rebel against the law to be released in trade for Jesus. *More to this*

7) Here again, Pilate makes it clear he find no fault in Jesus to be put to death. This is something that people talk about, but let's look at this: You think you see a guy commit a crime today, you turn him in, and the judge looks at the facts, talks to the guy, and tells you I find no fault in him. You get made, but ultimately the law freed him, the law freed him. *Keep on cruisin' here with #8*

8) The people prevailed! So... this guy that is there to give judgment is not agreed with. The people think they know better than the law, and there we have the death of Christ. Our sinful nature is in such dire need to be in control and give judgment that we gave judgment on the one true judge. Through God's divine plan, he used our sinful nature to convict Christ.

How many times do we try to take things into our own hands? How many times have we thought we can handle this on my own? We know what is right, what is wrong. We can decide what is just and fair. Can we decide what is just and fair? After reading this I have to say NO! We think it fair that we live in an air conditioned home. We think it is not fair to see children die from cancer or AIDS. We think God must have gotten something right, something wrong.

We still play the same games the people that put Christ to death did. We don't really care about what is fair, what we care about is what makes our life easier. For them it was putting Jesus to die because he was bringing conviction and change into their hearts. It's not fair that I can't sell and make the temple unholy, it's not fair that He's telling me I won't go to Heaven... But it's fair to kill Him so I don't have to hear these things and I can do what I want.

The kids weren't into that part of the conversation, but I was stuck on it. I still am. Are you? What is just and fair? I don't know. I can't continue to claim that I do because only ONE can say what it is just and fair.

Because if I think I know what is just and fair I think may have just sentenced my Savior to death! No words to follow that thought...

Reflection over Genesis 18-19: Prime Example of Hospitality and more

I have decided to read the Bible cover-to-cover for the first time with a Hermeneutic stand point. I have read it before, read, move on, read, move one, so on. However, I decided that I didn't really like that approach because let's face it I was reading it like I did my Literature curriculum. I did daily Bible reads and would heavily focus on those things, but never did that for the Bible in its' entirety. As I've been doing this starting with Genesis, I have also been stuck on what I posted about previously Romans 12:9-21.

I posted about hospitality, and how that was something I was wanting to work on. Well, here comes the passage of Genesis 18-19.

Genesis 18
 ¹And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. ²He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth ³and said, "O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. ⁴Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, ⁵while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on— since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." ⁶And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes." ⁷And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. ⁸Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
 ⁹They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "She is in the tent." ¹⁰The LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. ¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?" ¹³The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." ¹⁵But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh." "After I am worn out, and
 ¹⁶Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. ¹⁷The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, ¹⁸seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? ¹⁹For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him." ²⁰Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, ²¹ I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know."

Abraham Intercedes for Sodom

 ²² So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. ²³Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? ²⁴Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? ²⁵Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" ²⁶And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake." ²⁷Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. ²⁸Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." ²⁹Again he spoke to him and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it." ³⁰Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." ³¹He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it." ³²Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." ³³And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

Genesis 19

God Rescues Lot 

¹The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth ²and said, "My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way." They said, "No; we will spend the night in the town square." ³But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. ⁴But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. ⁵ And they called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them." ⁶Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, ⁷and said, "I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. ⁸ Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof." ⁹But they said, "Stand back!" And they said, "This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them." Then they pressed hard against the man Lot, and drew near to break the door down. ¹⁰But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. ¹¹And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door. 

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The first thing that I got from all of this was, "wow, why did I never pick up on the fact that God just visited Abraham in a form of man?" I think every time I read it, I thought, "Abraham was visited by three guys and oh look now God is talking to him. On I go." So, then the thoughts roll God and two angels, not the Trinity because in 19 it says two angels went to Sodom after the Lord mentioned going with them. After talking with him, he probed God the Father or God the Son. I go with God the Son. His mannerism in the way He talks with Abraham in their conversation with over Sarah and Sodom. Also, the fact is that Abraham could look at the Lord, yet with Moses we know that He couldn't look at the God the Father. So, God the Son also known as the pre-incarnate Christ. 

However, this was not my final gain from this passage. As I went to bed thinking about the passage it hit me; Abraham's desire for hospitality. 1) He did know it was Christ that visited which showed his zeal. 2) He seemed to be waiting for them as he was outside his tent. 

My thoughts on hospitality is that we are to commune with the lowly (not saying that Christ is in this passage just reflection). So, if we commune with Christ; Surely, we should commune with the lowly.  Be ready for the visit, be ready to be hospitable! Greet your visitor with excitement (Abraham went running to his guests). He offered food, drink, and comfort, and they accepted it graciously. Abraham sat with them until they finished eating and he held conversation with them. 

Then we get the interesting conversation with Abraham and God about Sodom. Here is where we see the love that God has for mankind. Now, in chapter 19 another scene of hospitality with Lot and the two angels. He takes them, almost gets killed for taking care of these two angels, and he offers his daughters for trade. I do not think this means for me upright and trade my boys (for those literal folk), but rather the importance that comes with housing a guest. You take care of your guests. As always, God takes care of His people.

Side-note on all this: God does not tolerate wickedness but rejoices in righteousness. This was a fun passage to probe.

The Attribute of Hospitality

Reson and I had the privilege this Friday to house the Christian hip-hop artist Manafest. All of the youth groups in our area pitched in to help bring him to our town. This is the second time we have had Chris in the area, but this time we had the honor of having his band with him. It was a great time to get know these guys who truly love God. Chris is a meek man that has a wonderful heart. Travis is a ball of energy and fun to be around (they all were). Mike is one that seems quiet, but a great guy to sit and talk to. If you are looking for an alternative to the bad messages that hip-hip in the secular world offers, I highly recommend these guys.

All this to say that the bible passage that I have been stuck on lately has been Romans 12:9-21

Marks of the True Christian

 ⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." ²⁰To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I look at it everyday, and think what can I do to make this list a reality. One that I want to show more (and not just with our youth group but with others) is "seek to show hospitality."


How often do we do that? Do we shut our homes off to people? Do we only open them to people we know and like? Will we open them up to people we really aren't sure about?

Do you have the marks of a Christian? If so, are you missing some of them? How can you make them apart of your life?

Every waking moment

11) The human tongue and body to adapt to new flavors (for dad).
12) The dim lamp in the living room that gives fresh light to the darkness. It is a remembrance of of God's light in the darkness.
13) God's love expands beyond the sacrificing of a lamb, but the sacrificing of His Son.
14) The touch of my son rubbing my hair in the morning to wake me up.
15) Our human ability to forgive. The power is greater than we deserve.

Sleepless Peace

I'm not sure that this has happened to me before: a sleepless peace. I am unable to sleep, and yet my heart has a resonated peace. My father is in a hospital bed less than a block away from my hotel room, peace. My mother sleeping next to him in a chair, peace. My wonderful husband snoring softly next to me, peace. My sons asleep in an unfamiliar environment, peace.

My morning began reading through the first 12 chapters of Genesis, testing my knowledge, my thoughts, my hermeneutics. I was piecing together words, moments, God... peace. It was the phone call at around noon that shock that peace. My mom on the other line sounding fresh from a good cry. Dad was being taken to the hospital, turns out his heart was in worse shape than expected... peace in dad's voice.

I put the boys down for their nap, making phone calls outside the front door. Warmth from the sun as I figure out my plan for the evening, praying with a dear friend, talking to dad, tears-peace. What is it about that voice that brings peace. My dad, my father.

What is it about this moment right now: the silence in a hotel bathroom that brings peace. My Father, my Dad. He is so good. I don't deserve this peace, and yet His grace, His mercy pours it upon my soul that I can breathe and lay in an unfamiliar bed with blessed assurance. Peace. How people live without it is beyond my comprehension. It's there if we simple grasp it, yet so often times we don't.

Peace... Joy... Yes, joy knowing that my dad is safe. Joy knowing that this peace can only come from the One. I can't give it to myself because I have no power and no control for what tomorrow brings, but knowing that He is in control, peace.

Thanksgiving for so much more than I can remember to be thankful for. So because I sit looking at chipped paint on a bathroom door I give thanks.

Rusted metal on hinges, thanks.

The sound of the neighboring room's TV, thanks.

Wedding ring sitting on the bars of soap, thanks.

Internet access through a non wireless source, thanks.

The hospital room number faded in my skin, thanks.

It's this life that we look at so one-sided, we miss these things. We are so caught up in the world of me, we miss it. He is there, and we miss Him.

Sad.

Oh, but when we choose to SEE... peace, joy, thanks. Prayers from people that are your brothers and sisters in Christ, JOY! THANKS! PEACE!

When I talked with Luk this afternoon about his Papa's surgery, he asked, "Does he have Jesus in his heart?" JOY! THANKS! If we all had the mind of a four year old, we would ask that wouldn't we!? Shouldn't we!? We would ask if those that we surround ourselves with had Christ in his or her lives, but we don't.

Sad.

My son asked the right question. It is not one to get offended by, but one that we should turn and ask those that we say we love (which IS all mankind). Smart boy! Foolish mom.

Thanksgiving for my dad's salvation. Thanksgiving for my son's question. Thanksgiving that God deems me worthy of sanctification. Thanks. Do you have it? Even in the midst of uncertainty, do you have sleepless peace or sleepless gut-wrenching worry?

One Thousand Gifts

6) My dad lying a hospital bed hooked up to monitors, breathing in oxygen, smiling as he sees his grandchildren walk into his room.

7) My mom and her hug of pure beauty. No one else has it.

8) The smell of hand sanitizers as it clears the hands (do you smell it? the aroma of Christ washing over you.)

9) My husbands soft snores. How blessed I am to spend another year with you. Happy Birthday!

10) Sleepless peace and resting in the promise from my Father.

One Thousand Gifts

I have been reading this book for quite some time, but I haven't really been listing my thanks physically. They have just been in my thoughts and mind. Savoring them, my thanksgivings.

I decided it was tie to share them from time to time. We have become a society of selfishness and really a large group of ungrateful creations. So... I begin chronically my inner thoughts on thanks with you. Yes, it's Tuesday, but I'm making up for Monday.



1) Photos that capture the very essence of my life. The grins, the tears, and the adventures that God has planned for us.

2) Reading the book of Romans and feeling the convictions of "Marks of a True Christian."

3) Logan and his death defying scream. He is human; he is alive; he is my son; he is a bearer of God's image.

4) Luk's love. Sure, he's four and can be temper tantrum addict, but his love is true. It is genuine.

5) Reson's smell. It is his presence in my life everyday.

Jumbled

Before I start I want to say that they word I am about to use in the next sentence will make my husband really happy. If he can use it everyday, or in most sentences he would. It's funny his love for the word.

I wish that I had clear SUMMATION of my thoughts. It's been all these jumbled up thoughts that have not really come together. Reson and I went to the Youth Summit that is held by Student Leadership University in Orlando. Day 1 was... convicting... I felt inadequate. Day 2 was uplifting with wonderful resources. The car ride home was really time for Reson and I to check ourselves.

It was mentally draining (in a good way).

Again, my thoughts are jumbled up, and I don't have a direct closing for them all, yet.

Stay tuned for the update and clarity.