Exactly what the title suggests.
It's been a long time. Too long.
But nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Cliches, smiches (said smeeshays because I can't do the thingys above the letters to make them sound different)
Onwards.
One of the accomplishments I longed to develop as a teenager was to ride my bike with no hands on the handlebars. I was able to accomplish this with no small degree of skill.
If I do say so myself.
Often riding many streets with my arms folded, balance intact.
I was reminded of this watching a cyclist ride along Margaret Street last week.
Keeping up with the traffic, cruising with grace and poise.
I was also reminded that when I used to do it, I did so in the absence of round abouts.
To his misfortune, this particular cyclist did not.
His balance didn't cope too well, I'm afraid to say, negotiating the slight bends :)
Deuteronomy 28
The difference between obeying and being disobedient.
The blessing versus the opposite of blessing.
But I don't believe the blessing is the biggest reason to obey God's commandments.
Why you are obedient comes into play.
The end result isn't a good enough reason.
It's some incentive for sure. But if it's the only one, the longevity of obedience could be questionable.
Obey God because we want to.
Not because we have to.
This would truly bring prosperity and reward.
Because it is then neither a task to be remembered or a penalty inducer if you have an "off" day.
A bit like blog writing ;)
A positive motivation outguns a negative one.
God has spelled it out, yet without a heart that pursues God, it will fail.
If you haven't seen my stuff before, have a look back through if you like.
It's mostly rubbish.
But there may be stuff of interest.
Maybe
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
180 A Tennis Ball (Deut 27)
So, I've had the new car for a little while now.
Everything's going well.
Super!
A few weeks ago I was going through the manuals. Mainly the one for the stereo. I just can't seem to change the clock. Grrr.
Anyway I discovered a receipt from a few years back.
$150 for the installation of a Pioneer Sound System.
Sweet! The stereo was installed by a professional.
Part two of this episode then jumps to me pulling the stereo out so I could check the speaker connections.
Oh it's not screwed in.
Odd.
Oh the bracket is wrapped in electrician's tape so it can jam into the hole.
Odder.
And what's this supporting the stereo and stop it falling onto the floor?
A tennis ball!
Cunningly sliced so that it is pinned between the stereo and the rear of the console.
Super odd.
Of course I could be leaping to huge jump in logic here, but............
Maybe, just maybe ingenuity has a price......
$150.
The receipt is from a business in Hobart. One which I will refrain from using.
Just in case.
Deuteronomy 27
How do you convey an important message to lots of people without the internet or sms or TV?
You don't do it all yourself.
Moses joins with first the elders of Israel and then with the priests to ensure the importance of the commandments is impressed upon the people.
The selection of uncarved rocks to build an altar, the reciting of God's law, the promise to fulfill that law, all adds up to something.
Something....
Something....
Something....
Hmmmmm.
Conditions of entry?
Knowing God and understanding some of God will get you to a point.
All that knowledge means diddly bubcus though, if you don't practice it.
The derge and drone of repetition will not bring change.
It may numb you to the consequences, but change comes through action.
Do what you say.
Do what is right.
Turn away from that which is not.
Love God.
Love your neighbour.
In the Old Testament, follow the law.
That's a start, at very least.
That's where the Israelites are at.
A start.
Everything's going well.
Super!
A few weeks ago I was going through the manuals. Mainly the one for the stereo. I just can't seem to change the clock. Grrr.
Anyway I discovered a receipt from a few years back.
$150 for the installation of a Pioneer Sound System.
Sweet! The stereo was installed by a professional.
Part two of this episode then jumps to me pulling the stereo out so I could check the speaker connections.
Oh it's not screwed in.
Odd.
Oh the bracket is wrapped in electrician's tape so it can jam into the hole.
Odder.
And what's this supporting the stereo and stop it falling onto the floor?
A tennis ball!
Cunningly sliced so that it is pinned between the stereo and the rear of the console.
Super odd.
Of course I could be leaping to huge jump in logic here, but............
Maybe, just maybe ingenuity has a price......
$150.
The receipt is from a business in Hobart. One which I will refrain from using.
Just in case.
Deuteronomy 27
How do you convey an important message to lots of people without the internet or sms or TV?
You don't do it all yourself.
Moses joins with first the elders of Israel and then with the priests to ensure the importance of the commandments is impressed upon the people.
The selection of uncarved rocks to build an altar, the reciting of God's law, the promise to fulfill that law, all adds up to something.
Something....
Something....
Something....
Hmmmmm.
Conditions of entry?
Knowing God and understanding some of God will get you to a point.
All that knowledge means diddly bubcus though, if you don't practice it.
The derge and drone of repetition will not bring change.
It may numb you to the consequences, but change comes through action.
Do what you say.
Do what is right.
Turn away from that which is not.
Love God.
Love your neighbour.
In the Old Testament, follow the law.
That's a start, at very least.
That's where the Israelites are at.
A start.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
179 Unreal Real Tears (Deut 26)
There are some times where it is natural to cry.
The loss of a loved one.
A grazed knee.
Getting busted off by the biggest fish you've ever hooked.
The final episode of M.A.S.H..
All understandably, moments when breaking down in a crescrendo of tears is forgiveable.
Not knowing how to build a table.
The inability to grasp the basic principles of using a map.
Not having any coconuts left.
Confusing gravy, sauce and jus.
All understandably, dubious moments of crisis, where tears making a difference is vastly unlikely.
Yet we have TV shows that do little other than induce these moments of hysteria.
Side note: Classic album. Google young'uns, google.
Another bout of tears tonight.
I'm sorry silly unreal Reality shows. I will be mocked no longer.....
Yes, it has taken me this long!
Until the next season of Survivor at least :D
Deuteronomy 26
Still not in Canaan yet.
*face palms*
26 chapters and they're still getting ready.
Almost now.
Almost.
Can't rush this stuff.
Nor should they.
Getting things right has a great reward.
v18-19 "And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments,
and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honour high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised."
God wants His people to be special.
To stand out.
Good things come hard.
Because good things are worth doing well.
If it was easy, questions about God's sovereignty could be raised.
Impossible feats occured.
And recognising God through sacrifice, cleanliness, obedience, separation and dedication seems a small price, standing on the border of this new land.
Sometimes patience can cost what God can offer.
Having to wait could mean taking second best if it comes by earlier.
If you had the two options to choose from at the start, and you would take the best then. Why differ based on the time or work involved?
If you know both outcomes in the first place.
Maybe that's the problem?
Knowing all the outcomes.
Maybe.
The loss of a loved one.
A grazed knee.
Getting busted off by the biggest fish you've ever hooked.
The final episode of M.A.S.H..
All understandably, moments when breaking down in a crescrendo of tears is forgiveable.
Not knowing how to build a table.
The inability to grasp the basic principles of using a map.
Not having any coconuts left.
Confusing gravy, sauce and jus.
All understandably, dubious moments of crisis, where tears making a difference is vastly unlikely.
Yet we have TV shows that do little other than induce these moments of hysteria.
Side note: Classic album. Google young'uns, google.
Another bout of tears tonight.
I'm sorry silly unreal Reality shows. I will be mocked no longer.....
Yes, it has taken me this long!
Until the next season of Survivor at least :D
Deuteronomy 26
Still not in Canaan yet.
*face palms*
26 chapters and they're still getting ready.
Almost now.
Almost.
Can't rush this stuff.
Nor should they.
Getting things right has a great reward.
v18-19 "And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments,
and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honour high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised."
God wants His people to be special.
To stand out.
Good things come hard.
Because good things are worth doing well.
If it was easy, questions about God's sovereignty could be raised.
Impossible feats occured.
And recognising God through sacrifice, cleanliness, obedience, separation and dedication seems a small price, standing on the border of this new land.
Sometimes patience can cost what God can offer.
Having to wait could mean taking second best if it comes by earlier.
If you had the two options to choose from at the start, and you would take the best then. Why differ based on the time or work involved?
If you know both outcomes in the first place.
Maybe that's the problem?
Knowing all the outcomes.
Maybe.
Monday, August 22, 2011
178 Learning Stuff Out (Deut 25)
I enjoy that I can sit down and watch a TV show with my son, and mercilessly shred it to pieces with rapier wit and buckets of super sarcasm.
It would appear the emotional attachment we share with crazy sit-coms or moving dramas is distinctly lacking.
Of course it could be some action movie. Same thing would happen.
This is a comfort for me.
A pain for Donna.
Luckily for her, the estrogen level missing in her male family members, is strong in our daughter.
As a family we can both cry and giggle uncontrollably at moving classics.
I am no longer allowed to watch "Anne of Green Gables" in mixed company.
(Not really a punishment.)
Guffaws and snide comments mingle easily with expressions of sincerity and concern.
Of course, timing is everything and there is a sure sign when we have crossed a line.
The look.
A withering glance that surely ends the entertainment value for 50% of our family.
The look that cannot be ignored.
We know it well.
And we respect its power.
Deuteronomy 25
I am continually intrigued by the interesting blend of instructions given in these books. In the space of three verses we jump from the beating of a guilty man.
To not stopping cattle feed while working.
To a brother wedding his dead brother's widow.
Without a breather.
And then there is the detail to cover all situations.
v11 ""When men fight with one another and the wife of the one draws near to rescue her husband from the hand of him who is beating him and puts out her hand and seizes him by the private parts,"
There are a lot of circumstances that need to happen to fulfill this criteria.
But, if they ever all occur, there is a penalty.
v12 "then you shall cut off her hand. Your eye shall have no pity."
So did it happen and a rule was needed?
Did it nearly happen, and so you know, you need to clear this sort of thing up "just in case"?
Or was the likelihood of this happening so great, a rule was needed to cover it?
With all things there is a line that when crossed, makes something right, wrong.
So let's make this line as obvious as possible.
Maybe the intent, in this case, is that inappropriate touching is wrong.
How wrong was it?
Well so wrong, that even the most justifiable reason for doing it, protecting your husband, incures a penalty that is severe. So any other reason certainly won't go unpunished.
Maybe?
Perhaps?
That sort of sounds reasonable.
In a really extreme way.
But they were extreme conditions.
Living in the time and place the Israelites did.
Where every other nation's perspective on right and wrong was blurry to say the least.
Strong definitions and clear boundaries were needed.
How do you know right and wrong, if you don't know what right and wrong is?
You are not going to find that out from your neighbours in this neck of the woods.
Enter, stage right, God.
With rules, laws and a willingness to show the difference.
Discipline when required.
Blessings when heeded.
Hard way to learn stuff.
Quick way to learn stuff.
It would appear the emotional attachment we share with crazy sit-coms or moving dramas is distinctly lacking.
Of course it could be some action movie. Same thing would happen.
This is a comfort for me.
A pain for Donna.
Luckily for her, the estrogen level missing in her male family members, is strong in our daughter.
As a family we can both cry and giggle uncontrollably at moving classics.
I am no longer allowed to watch "Anne of Green Gables" in mixed company.
(Not really a punishment.)
Guffaws and snide comments mingle easily with expressions of sincerity and concern.
Of course, timing is everything and there is a sure sign when we have crossed a line.
The look.
A withering glance that surely ends the entertainment value for 50% of our family.
The look that cannot be ignored.
We know it well.
And we respect its power.
Deuteronomy 25
I am continually intrigued by the interesting blend of instructions given in these books. In the space of three verses we jump from the beating of a guilty man.
To not stopping cattle feed while working.
To a brother wedding his dead brother's widow.
Without a breather.
And then there is the detail to cover all situations.
v11 ""When men fight with one another and the wife of the one draws near to rescue her husband from the hand of him who is beating him and puts out her hand and seizes him by the private parts,"
There are a lot of circumstances that need to happen to fulfill this criteria.
But, if they ever all occur, there is a penalty.
v12 "then you shall cut off her hand. Your eye shall have no pity."
So did it happen and a rule was needed?
Did it nearly happen, and so you know, you need to clear this sort of thing up "just in case"?
Or was the likelihood of this happening so great, a rule was needed to cover it?
With all things there is a line that when crossed, makes something right, wrong.
So let's make this line as obvious as possible.
Maybe the intent, in this case, is that inappropriate touching is wrong.
How wrong was it?
Well so wrong, that even the most justifiable reason for doing it, protecting your husband, incures a penalty that is severe. So any other reason certainly won't go unpunished.
Maybe?
Perhaps?
That sort of sounds reasonable.
In a really extreme way.
But they were extreme conditions.
Living in the time and place the Israelites did.
Where every other nation's perspective on right and wrong was blurry to say the least.
Strong definitions and clear boundaries were needed.
How do you know right and wrong, if you don't know what right and wrong is?
You are not going to find that out from your neighbours in this neck of the woods.
Enter, stage right, God.
With rules, laws and a willingness to show the difference.
Discipline when required.
Blessings when heeded.
Hard way to learn stuff.
Quick way to learn stuff.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
177 Hi Ho (Deut 24)
What has become of the english language today?
This morning, my first at work after a holiday, I posted on facebook a take on the 7 dwarves song about heading off to work.
"Hi ho, Hi ho it's off to work we go...."
I posted a rather humorous
"Hi ho, hi ho mutter mutter mumble yeah yeah....."
An illusion to the proposal of being miserable about having to go to work.
A classic, that had 184 people rolling with mirth at my amazing wit and repartee.
Yes I know.
It was pretty good.
If you need a moment to recover or wipe away tears, go ahead.
However it made me question the words in a slightly odd way.
Suddenly, "Hi ho" became less a whimsical lyric to a song and more a greeting to a woman of ill repute.
Or maybe it's just me.
Actually, the more I think about it, it's definitely just me.
I should really stop watching gangsta rap music videos.
Slightly inappropriate start tonight.
Hmmm.
That could be costly. But today has been one of many mistakes for me.
Deuteronomy 24
The importance of starting a marriage devoted to your new partner sneak into this chapter. The initial concerns for a marriage failing are somewhat addressed with the instruction for a man not to have to serve in the army or carry out public duty for a year after marrying. The foundations that are forged in this early stage is pivotal to creating a relationship that will last.
Part of this should have been created in the courtship. However there are some things that can't translate from courting to marrying.
I'm not sure of the timing for such things back then either.
Arranged marriages seemed apparent then.
Reason then to build on that early relationship development.
And reason now.
Time apart would not be helpful.
Time together would confirm and preserve the love and build the relationship.
It's an important time.
You have a new priority.
Someone else.
This morning, my first at work after a holiday, I posted on facebook a take on the 7 dwarves song about heading off to work.
"Hi ho, Hi ho it's off to work we go...."
I posted a rather humorous
"Hi ho, hi ho mutter mutter mumble yeah yeah....."
An illusion to the proposal of being miserable about having to go to work.
A classic, that had 184 people rolling with mirth at my amazing wit and repartee.
Yes I know.
It was pretty good.
If you need a moment to recover or wipe away tears, go ahead.
However it made me question the words in a slightly odd way.
Suddenly, "Hi ho" became less a whimsical lyric to a song and more a greeting to a woman of ill repute.
Or maybe it's just me.
Actually, the more I think about it, it's definitely just me.
I should really stop watching gangsta rap music videos.
Slightly inappropriate start tonight.
Hmmm.
That could be costly. But today has been one of many mistakes for me.
Deuteronomy 24
The importance of starting a marriage devoted to your new partner sneak into this chapter. The initial concerns for a marriage failing are somewhat addressed with the instruction for a man not to have to serve in the army or carry out public duty for a year after marrying. The foundations that are forged in this early stage is pivotal to creating a relationship that will last.
Part of this should have been created in the courtship. However there are some things that can't translate from courting to marrying.
I'm not sure of the timing for such things back then either.
Arranged marriages seemed apparent then.
Reason then to build on that early relationship development.
And reason now.
Time apart would not be helpful.
Time together would confirm and preserve the love and build the relationship.
It's an important time.
You have a new priority.
Someone else.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
176 Hello Again (Deut 23)
Well that was a longer break than I expected :(
Much has happened.
I now own a different car.
I am still trying to not own a ute.
Donna's been away and returned.
From the US of A. Impressive, no?
I still can't think very well.
I painted and redecorated our bedroom.
So now it's time to return to the blog, clear out the mind cobwebs and try and write something meaningful, interesting and hopefully succinct.
Deuteronomy 23
It's a chapter that starts with a slight case of wincing. So much so I had to read the first verse a few times. My eyes still water.
There is a time to reflect on history with neighbours.
The cursing of the Ammonites and Moabites.
Recognition of the Edomites and the Egyptians.
And instructions on keeping the camp holy.
It's a lot of work.
There's a lot to remember.
There's more about looking out for your neighbour and your family.
Some basics about not doing dumb things that others do.
Keep clean, pure and honour God.
It is again a case of remembering the entire journey from Egypt to Canaan.
Remembering God's grace and patience.
And being aware that there are pitfalls all around.
The easiest way to not be distracted, is to focus on doing the right thing.
And stay away from things that will distract.
They are called distractions for a good reason.
Since my last post, the anniversary for the blog passed.
So, now more than a year has gone by from when I was driving home and thought,
"I could do a blog on my Bible reading."
"How hard could it be?"
Little did I know. ;)
So the second year begins. Sure, it's a little late. But it has now begun.
How hard could it be?
Let the good times roll......
Much has happened.
I now own a different car.
I am still trying to not own a ute.
Donna's been away and returned.
From the US of A. Impressive, no?
I still can't think very well.
I painted and redecorated our bedroom.
So now it's time to return to the blog, clear out the mind cobwebs and try and write something meaningful, interesting and hopefully succinct.
Deuteronomy 23
It's a chapter that starts with a slight case of wincing. So much so I had to read the first verse a few times. My eyes still water.
There is a time to reflect on history with neighbours.
The cursing of the Ammonites and Moabites.
Recognition of the Edomites and the Egyptians.
And instructions on keeping the camp holy.
It's a lot of work.
There's a lot to remember.
There's more about looking out for your neighbour and your family.
Some basics about not doing dumb things that others do.
Keep clean, pure and honour God.
It is again a case of remembering the entire journey from Egypt to Canaan.
Remembering God's grace and patience.
And being aware that there are pitfalls all around.
The easiest way to not be distracted, is to focus on doing the right thing.
And stay away from things that will distract.
They are called distractions for a good reason.
Since my last post, the anniversary for the blog passed.
So, now more than a year has gone by from when I was driving home and thought,
"I could do a blog on my Bible reading."
"How hard could it be?"
Little did I know. ;)
So the second year begins. Sure, it's a little late. But it has now begun.
How hard could it be?
Let the good times roll......
Thursday, July 7, 2011
175 Consideration (Deut 22)
Some chairs are dangerous to sit in.
It's true.
I sat in a really soft, plush one today.
I nearly fell asleep.
In front of my boss and colleagues.
It was a close call.
Who knows what ridicule I may have been subjected to?
Be warned.
Comfy chairs and lots of heating can be lethal.
Especially after masses of food.
Loads of food.
Mainly healthy.
But some definitely not.
Heh heh heh.
You heard it here first folks.
Deuteronomy 22
The chapter starts out with a series of scenarios where it is good to be considerate towards your neighbour.
If only we would all think about how to treat others well......
Courtesy seems such a stretch today.
A society enraptured with thoughts of self and "me" and now.
It's a sad thing.
And here I am caught up in my own busyness and guilty of the same.
It's an easy thing to justify.
A harder thing to change.
But it's so worthwhile, I just can't not try to try harder.
There can be a personal cost.
Of providing shelter and feed for lost livestock.
Of going without, for the sake of a bird's life.
Of extra work to prevent an accident, however unlikely.
Yet if we are looking out for each other, it means someone is looking out for you.
And what is it costing them to do so?
It's true.
I sat in a really soft, plush one today.
I nearly fell asleep.
In front of my boss and colleagues.
It was a close call.
Who knows what ridicule I may have been subjected to?
Be warned.
Comfy chairs and lots of heating can be lethal.
Especially after masses of food.
Loads of food.
Mainly healthy.
But some definitely not.
Heh heh heh.
You heard it here first folks.
Deuteronomy 22
The chapter starts out with a series of scenarios where it is good to be considerate towards your neighbour.
If only we would all think about how to treat others well......
Courtesy seems such a stretch today.
A society enraptured with thoughts of self and "me" and now.
It's a sad thing.
And here I am caught up in my own busyness and guilty of the same.
It's an easy thing to justify.
A harder thing to change.
But it's so worthwhile, I just can't not try to try harder.
There can be a personal cost.
Of providing shelter and feed for lost livestock.
Of going without, for the sake of a bird's life.
Of extra work to prevent an accident, however unlikely.
Yet if we are looking out for each other, it means someone is looking out for you.
And what is it costing them to do so?
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
174 Making Things Right (Deut 21)
I knew I left my sunglasses somewhere.
When it's dark and raining you don't tend to need them.
3 days later when I need them.
Well................
I'm sure I had them at home.
I'm sure I'm sure.
But they're not where they should be.
Of course or I wouldn't be typing this.
It would be,
"I knew I left my sunglasses somewhere.
Oh, there they are."
Done.
But they weren't there.
And they weren't there.
So maybe I left them at work.
That's fine, I need them for work.
Nope.
Not there either.
Church?
Dropped in after scorching my retinas in the sunshine coming home.
Nope.
Nada.
In the end I discovered I should always start looking with my flytying gear.
At home.
Deuteronomy 21
As a nation, Israel are finding their way.
The problem with letting the worst of human nature take any hold, is that it can distract from not just being God's chosen people, but the very fabric that binds them together as that nation can be torn apart.
Murder.
Lust.
Rebellion.
These can not just destroy an individual. But corrupt the nation.
Evil was needed to be purged from within the people.
The answers?
Atonement.
Self control.
Correction. (Actually quite severe correction)
The blood of an innocent for the blood of an innocent.
The strength to wait in the passion of duty.
Discipline for the young.
Some of these things I understand. Yet the heavy cost stuns me somewhat.
Context here is valuable. And I will probably never really "get it".
While understanding the need to discipline an unruly child, getting to the point of stoning them to death seems a somewhat harsh version of the "naughty corner".
Yet I've never been in the situation described.
A harsh law for a harsh land.
v21 "So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear. "
When it's dark and raining you don't tend to need them.
3 days later when I need them.
Well................
I'm sure I had them at home.
I'm sure I'm sure.
But they're not where they should be.
Of course or I wouldn't be typing this.
It would be,
"I knew I left my sunglasses somewhere.
Oh, there they are."
Done.
But they weren't there.
And they weren't there.
So maybe I left them at work.
That's fine, I need them for work.
Nope.
Not there either.
Church?
Dropped in after scorching my retinas in the sunshine coming home.
Nope.
Nada.
In the end I discovered I should always start looking with my flytying gear.
At home.
Deuteronomy 21
As a nation, Israel are finding their way.
The problem with letting the worst of human nature take any hold, is that it can distract from not just being God's chosen people, but the very fabric that binds them together as that nation can be torn apart.
Murder.
Lust.
Rebellion.
These can not just destroy an individual. But corrupt the nation.
Evil was needed to be purged from within the people.
The answers?
Atonement.
Self control.
Correction. (Actually quite severe correction)
The blood of an innocent for the blood of an innocent.
The strength to wait in the passion of duty.
Discipline for the young.
Some of these things I understand. Yet the heavy cost stuns me somewhat.
Context here is valuable. And I will probably never really "get it".
While understanding the need to discipline an unruly child, getting to the point of stoning them to death seems a somewhat harsh version of the "naughty corner".
Yet I've never been in the situation described.
A harsh law for a harsh land.
v21 "So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear. "
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
173 God is Big (Deut 20)
I had an incredible sleep last night.
I didn't go to bed super early. It was after 10.
But I zonked out pretty much straight away.
Can't remember a thing except for a mysterious noise around 2.
Possibly a toad under the bed.
And then my alarm at 6:25.
Why 6:25?
I'm not really sure.
6:15 is a tad early.
6:30 a bit late.
And I just plain don't like 6:20 for no particular reason.
Deuteronomy 20
The Israelites are nearly there.
So nearly.
They've made the journey.
Twice.
They checked out the land.
They know there are obstacles.
Big obstacles.
Probably called Bubba and Tiny.
They've had the low down on how to behave. Multiple times.
Now it's time.
Really.
It's time.
The big guys are still there.
There are a lot of them.
God's assurance here is simple.
I'm bigger.
I was bigger before, but you missed it.
I'm bigger now, and you'll need Me.
You can't and won't do it by yourself.
Don't go by what you see.
My promises are true and unbreakable.
I will be with you and you don't need to fear or panic or be filled with dread.
Oh and don't cut down any trees.
We'll need them later.
I didn't go to bed super early. It was after 10.
But I zonked out pretty much straight away.
Can't remember a thing except for a mysterious noise around 2.
Possibly a toad under the bed.
And then my alarm at 6:25.
Why 6:25?
I'm not really sure.
6:15 is a tad early.
6:30 a bit late.
And I just plain don't like 6:20 for no particular reason.
Deuteronomy 20
The Israelites are nearly there.
So nearly.
They've made the journey.
Twice.
They checked out the land.
They know there are obstacles.
Big obstacles.
Probably called Bubba and Tiny.
They've had the low down on how to behave. Multiple times.
Now it's time.
Really.
It's time.
The big guys are still there.
There are a lot of them.
God's assurance here is simple.
I'm bigger.
I was bigger before, but you missed it.
I'm bigger now, and you'll need Me.
You can't and won't do it by yourself.
Don't go by what you see.
My promises are true and unbreakable.
I will be with you and you don't need to fear or panic or be filled with dread.
Oh and don't cut down any trees.
We'll need them later.
Monday, July 4, 2011
172 Bye Bye Ute, Almost (Deut 19)
Excitement rained down over the weekend.
Followed by rain, raining down today.
After many years of great and loyal service, the ute mentioned in previous posts, has it's days numbered.
It will be shortly replaced by a new 15 year old young upstart.
You notice I call it an it.
Not a she.
Not a he.
It is a car after all.
No attachment at all.
Emotions? Bah!!
My wonderful dad in law has been brilliant in doing some running around for me.
He and Brett collected the new beast last Saturday afternoon.
I will collect it this Friday.
As calm as I am on the exterior, my inner me is a tad exhilarated.
Bouncy even.
But I have to remain indifferent to the whole process.
My persona demands it.
But I keep looking at the photos in the internet ad that haven't been removed.
I keep thinking of where I can take my new friend fishing.
I keep researching trailers because, well, because I'll need one.
The final days with my ute will go quickly.
I will rejoice to see the end of it.
But inside a bit of me will be sad.
The bit of me that worries each morning whether the ute will start or not.
It just won't know what to do now.......
Perhaps worry about where to go fishing next.
Roll on August.
Deuteronomy 19
The cities of safety.
3 cities set aside for the "manslayer".
The example given is that of a man blissfully hacking away at a tree with his axe and a friend.
"Oopsy"
Axe strikes friend, rendering him dead.
An accident.
No intent.
The usual penalty for killing someone was death.
But in the case of an accident, such as the example, a man can flee to the safe city and if he makes it, he can live there safely.
The flip of this though, is that if you "lay in wait" for your neighbour and kill him on purpose, then watch out.
A penalty against the crime must be paid.
And that penalty is final.
God shows that the people of Israel are cherished.
He does not want to lose one, particularly to such a heinous act.
Hence the swift, complete punishment.
Yet here He also continues to show His grace.
Stuff happens.
Accidents occur.
Safety is provided.
A way out, if you will.
For those who need it.
And those who need it, need to do something about it.
They need to act.
They have to get to the city.
Lest innocent blood be shed twice.
God's protection will grow as their territory grows.
Longer distances meant more cities.
Protection required fairness.
And it would appear that God had thought of everything.
Again.
Funny that.
Followed by rain, raining down today.
After many years of great and loyal service, the ute mentioned in previous posts, has it's days numbered.
It will be shortly replaced by a new 15 year old young upstart.
You notice I call it an it.
Not a she.
Not a he.
It is a car after all.
No attachment at all.
Emotions? Bah!!
My wonderful dad in law has been brilliant in doing some running around for me.
He and Brett collected the new beast last Saturday afternoon.
I will collect it this Friday.
As calm as I am on the exterior, my inner me is a tad exhilarated.
Bouncy even.
But I have to remain indifferent to the whole process.
My persona demands it.
But I keep looking at the photos in the internet ad that haven't been removed.
I keep thinking of where I can take my new friend fishing.
I keep researching trailers because, well, because I'll need one.
The final days with my ute will go quickly.
I will rejoice to see the end of it.
But inside a bit of me will be sad.
The bit of me that worries each morning whether the ute will start or not.
It just won't know what to do now.......
Perhaps worry about where to go fishing next.
Roll on August.
Deuteronomy 19
The cities of safety.
3 cities set aside for the "manslayer".
The example given is that of a man blissfully hacking away at a tree with his axe and a friend.
"Oopsy"
Axe strikes friend, rendering him dead.
An accident.
No intent.
The usual penalty for killing someone was death.
But in the case of an accident, such as the example, a man can flee to the safe city and if he makes it, he can live there safely.
The flip of this though, is that if you "lay in wait" for your neighbour and kill him on purpose, then watch out.
A penalty against the crime must be paid.
And that penalty is final.
God shows that the people of Israel are cherished.
He does not want to lose one, particularly to such a heinous act.
Hence the swift, complete punishment.
Yet here He also continues to show His grace.
Stuff happens.
Accidents occur.
Safety is provided.
A way out, if you will.
For those who need it.
And those who need it, need to do something about it.
They need to act.
They have to get to the city.
Lest innocent blood be shed twice.
God's protection will grow as their territory grows.
Longer distances meant more cities.
Protection required fairness.
And it would appear that God had thought of everything.
Again.
Funny that.
Friday, June 17, 2011
171 Gotta Keep 'em Separated (Deut 18)
Wow!
5 in a row.
That hasn't happened for such a long embarassing time.
What a great week.
Deuteronomy 18
God is continuing to prepare the people for practices they will encounter when they meet the people already in Canaan.
Generations of Godlessness have led to barbaric practices.
Sacrificing children!
How do you get to the point where you think it's ok to burn your child to death to have a successful harvest?
How do you arrive to the conclusion that by cutting yourself, you make a difference to the weather?
Separated from God will lead you along this path.
Separation from God for long enough, will lead to even bigger abominations than these.
The thing is, that even close to the presence of God, people made poor decisions.
For those absent from God's correction, guidance and love, the destination is evil and painful.
Hence God's desire to ensure the people are aware of His boundaries.
This is what is right.
This is what should be done.
This isn't.
This definitely isn't.
Whoa, just don't go there at all!!!
The need for God's people, to be so aware is because they are going to be living amongst it all.
And they are called to not be a part of it.
God has laid out the plan for them to always be aware.
They can't handle His voice.
He provides an alternative.
He provides a system of checks and balances.
Knowledge is powerful.
Knowledge on what is right and what is wrong is priceless.
The strength and deciveness to act on that is more than priceless - pricelesser.
5 in a row.
That hasn't happened for such a long embarassing time.
What a great week.
Deuteronomy 18
God is continuing to prepare the people for practices they will encounter when they meet the people already in Canaan.
Generations of Godlessness have led to barbaric practices.
Sacrificing children!
How do you get to the point where you think it's ok to burn your child to death to have a successful harvest?
How do you arrive to the conclusion that by cutting yourself, you make a difference to the weather?
Separated from God will lead you along this path.
Separation from God for long enough, will lead to even bigger abominations than these.
The thing is, that even close to the presence of God, people made poor decisions.
For those absent from God's correction, guidance and love, the destination is evil and painful.
Hence God's desire to ensure the people are aware of His boundaries.
This is what is right.
This is what should be done.
This isn't.
This definitely isn't.
Whoa, just don't go there at all!!!
The need for God's people, to be so aware is because they are going to be living amongst it all.
And they are called to not be a part of it.
God has laid out the plan for them to always be aware.
They can't handle His voice.
He provides an alternative.
He provides a system of checks and balances.
Knowledge is powerful.
Knowledge on what is right and what is wrong is priceless.
The strength and deciveness to act on that is more than priceless - pricelesser.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
170 Defender From Bears (Deut 17)
I may have mentioned our dog before.
Biggins.
A spaniel named after some river in England.
The TV channels just changed to a documentary on Polar Bears.
Curious, Biggins has a look.
Then decides this bear is up to no good and has a go at it.
Literally and totally.
The bear wanders along the ice flow and Biggs slowly gives ground.
Barking.
And barking.
And determined to get his point across.
Until..........
Ad break.
Where did it go?
Behind the tellie?
Under the pot next to the TV?
Spins around having a look.
Spins again. Just in case.
He decides he's boss of everything and saved us all from a certain death.
Curls up on his mat.
Snoring is soon heard.
So much for the danger.
;)
Deuteronomy 17
Who would have thunk that Egypt was famous for its supply of horses?
The Nile? Sure.
Pyramids? Check.
The Sphinx? Yep.
Papyrus? Uh huh.
Crocodiles? Ok.
Death by hippo? Possibly.
Horses? I don't think so.
But it was so.
I guess the army pursued the Israelites with chariots, pulled by....
Horses.
They were the advanced nation of the day, so there you go.
It's an interesting slant on things, given the chapter starts by reminding the people about the importance of the purity of their offerings.
No blemishes.
No defects.
No one should worship other gods or idols.
Again purity before God.
No defilement.
And so we come to obedience and the law.
The aspect and importance of being true is carried through.
No arguments.
No appeal.
No turning aside from the decision.
And then the spiel about kings and horses and not returning to Egypt or having people from other nations ruling them.
But as I type, I realise, the theme is carried on.
This is a newly born nation.
The importance of keeping along the path already started by God is imperative.
A leader with other influences could undo all the work started.
A leader without a knowledge of history could repeat the same mistakes.
A leader with a focus on himself rather than God is doomed. And likely to take others with him.
It's almost as if God is aware that Israel would seek a leader. They would seek to be like other nations. The warning is there from the start.
All knowing.
All seeing.
Always preparing.
Biggins.
A spaniel named after some river in England.
The TV channels just changed to a documentary on Polar Bears.
Curious, Biggins has a look.
Then decides this bear is up to no good and has a go at it.
Literally and totally.
The bear wanders along the ice flow and Biggs slowly gives ground.
Barking.
And barking.
And determined to get his point across.
Until..........
Ad break.
Where did it go?
Behind the tellie?
Under the pot next to the TV?
Spins around having a look.
Spins again. Just in case.
He decides he's boss of everything and saved us all from a certain death.
Curls up on his mat.
Snoring is soon heard.
So much for the danger.
;)
Deuteronomy 17
Who would have thunk that Egypt was famous for its supply of horses?
The Nile? Sure.
Pyramids? Check.
The Sphinx? Yep.
Papyrus? Uh huh.
Crocodiles? Ok.
Death by hippo? Possibly.
Horses? I don't think so.
But it was so.
I guess the army pursued the Israelites with chariots, pulled by....
Horses.
They were the advanced nation of the day, so there you go.
It's an interesting slant on things, given the chapter starts by reminding the people about the importance of the purity of their offerings.
No blemishes.
No defects.
No one should worship other gods or idols.
Again purity before God.
No defilement.
And so we come to obedience and the law.
The aspect and importance of being true is carried through.
No arguments.
No appeal.
No turning aside from the decision.
And then the spiel about kings and horses and not returning to Egypt or having people from other nations ruling them.
But as I type, I realise, the theme is carried on.
This is a newly born nation.
The importance of keeping along the path already started by God is imperative.
A leader with other influences could undo all the work started.
A leader without a knowledge of history could repeat the same mistakes.
A leader with a focus on himself rather than God is doomed. And likely to take others with him.
It's almost as if God is aware that Israel would seek a leader. They would seek to be like other nations. The warning is there from the start.
All knowing.
All seeing.
Always preparing.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
169 Flow (Deut 16)
Something I learned from my earlier dietary experiment was,
That when I don't want to do something, I should.
Today I've sort of dallied around.
Distracted by facebook and some Ninja Parachute game on my iPod.
Tea was fantastic and TV held my interest longer than normal.
In the past two months, that would have been enough to call off the blog.
Such a far cry from when I started.
So I gave myself a dead arm and dragged myself back to the keyboard.
I feel ok now.
It's what I should be doing and the words are flowing.
Unfortunately, thanks to a lovely thai red curry chicken dish for lunch, that is not all.
:D
Deuteronomy 16
Solemnity in rememberance.
Feasting in anticipation.
Unity as a nation.
Separation from all others.
Hope for the future.
Justice for all.
Inheritance to follow.
And you shall have no other gods before God.
And I don't think I can add to that.
Really.
The best lessons are often the simplest.
Not that I'm any sort of teacher.
Which reminds me.
I just got "tagged" on facebook in my Grade 7 class photo.
The memories that came from that one photo.
Faces became names.
The banter in the comments gave further flashbacks.
The only real event I can remember from that year in school though, was on an Outward Bound camping trip.
Our teacher slashed an inflatible raft open with her knife when she thought a student was trapped underneath it after a capsize.
He wasn't.
Oh and I got really badly homesick after three days.
I cried.
That when I don't want to do something, I should.
Today I've sort of dallied around.
Distracted by facebook and some Ninja Parachute game on my iPod.
Tea was fantastic and TV held my interest longer than normal.
In the past two months, that would have been enough to call off the blog.
Such a far cry from when I started.
So I gave myself a dead arm and dragged myself back to the keyboard.
I feel ok now.
It's what I should be doing and the words are flowing.
Unfortunately, thanks to a lovely thai red curry chicken dish for lunch, that is not all.
:D
Deuteronomy 16
Solemnity in rememberance.
Feasting in anticipation.
Unity as a nation.
Separation from all others.
Hope for the future.
Justice for all.
Inheritance to follow.
And you shall have no other gods before God.
And I don't think I can add to that.
Really.
The best lessons are often the simplest.
Not that I'm any sort of teacher.
Which reminds me.
I just got "tagged" on facebook in my Grade 7 class photo.
The memories that came from that one photo.
Faces became names.
The banter in the comments gave further flashbacks.
The only real event I can remember from that year in school though, was on an Outward Bound camping trip.
Our teacher slashed an inflatible raft open with her knife when she thought a student was trapped underneath it after a capsize.
He wasn't.
Oh and I got really badly homesick after three days.
I cried.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
168 Left Hand Right Hand (Deut 15)
I discovered an interesting phenomenon today.
While I was cruisin' into work in the ute, the temp was a crisp 2 or 3 degrees.
For some obscure reason, I noticed the fingers on my left hand were quite warm, while those on my right, were bitterly cold.
Now in a normal car you could put that down to the heater blowing nice warm air onto my hand via the vent.
But as I said, this is in the ute.
Not only does it take for me to get into town for the heater to start generating warm air, but if I don't have the vents directed towards the windscreen, the condensation that has crept in through the busted seals will continue to fog up my view and I won't get into town let alone get warm.
The only thing I could put it down to is an accident I had as a work experience kid during my high school years, where I put a glass pipette through some nerves in my right hand.
Maybe, just maybe there's a link.
Or maybe not.
For the moment I'm just enjoying the weirdness.
And trying to get warm.
Deuteronomy 15
Something a bit different here.
For the moment at least, people are implored upon to look after those less fortunate than themselves.
Through God's blessings, they shall be in an enviable position.
To rule over, but not be ruled.
To lend, but not borrow.
Yet an observation that remains until today.
There shall always be poor among you.
For many, many reasons this is true. No matter what system in place.
The difference is how we treat those less fortunate than ourselves.
In a position to make a difference in other people's lives, do we do our best?
Our hearts should be soft and we should take advantage of God's blessing to pass that blessing on to others.
Being indifferent is too easy and helps no one.
Including ourselves.
While I was cruisin' into work in the ute, the temp was a crisp 2 or 3 degrees.
For some obscure reason, I noticed the fingers on my left hand were quite warm, while those on my right, were bitterly cold.
Now in a normal car you could put that down to the heater blowing nice warm air onto my hand via the vent.
But as I said, this is in the ute.
Not only does it take for me to get into town for the heater to start generating warm air, but if I don't have the vents directed towards the windscreen, the condensation that has crept in through the busted seals will continue to fog up my view and I won't get into town let alone get warm.
The only thing I could put it down to is an accident I had as a work experience kid during my high school years, where I put a glass pipette through some nerves in my right hand.
Maybe, just maybe there's a link.
Or maybe not.
For the moment I'm just enjoying the weirdness.
And trying to get warm.
Deuteronomy 15
Something a bit different here.
For the moment at least, people are implored upon to look after those less fortunate than themselves.
Through God's blessings, they shall be in an enviable position.
To rule over, but not be ruled.
To lend, but not borrow.
Yet an observation that remains until today.
There shall always be poor among you.
For many, many reasons this is true. No matter what system in place.
The difference is how we treat those less fortunate than ourselves.
In a position to make a difference in other people's lives, do we do our best?
Our hearts should be soft and we should take advantage of God's blessing to pass that blessing on to others.
Being indifferent is too easy and helps no one.
Including ourselves.
Monday, June 13, 2011
167 Struggling with Repetition (Deut 14)
Deuteronomy 14
I am getting nowhere with Deuteronomy.
It's not that I'm finding it hard going.
Alright!
Yes I am...
It has been a slog and I think I've run the risk of trying my own patience let alone anyone else who may be trying to follow this blog.
Sigh.
Its sometimes seemingly repetitive nature mixed with my infrequency of getting any sort of text output is causing my brain to become confused.
Not a hard task, but as I strive for consistent and quality with each post, my deliberations have produced the exact opposite.
Poor, sporadic work.
And it has meant reading and rereading and rereading the same passages.
Well, that's my rant over.
On with the food restrictions. Heh heh.
Again, what is the confusing bats for birds?
v18 "...the stork, the heron of any kind; the hoopoe and the bat."
As much as hare or camel would not bother me either way, eat or don't. The sound of not been allowed to eat rock badger would be the cause of a mild controlled celebration in the back of my tent.
But what's with the importance of not eating some things and eating others?
As with the last few chapters and also in particular with verse 2, Israel is a nation set apart.
There are sensible health and cultural reasons for not eating some of the animals listed.
But more importantly,
v2 "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."
The fact that these people are called to be holy and need to follow all the laws of God is critical. There are strong obligations to follow ALL the directions given by God and at the end of the day I'm sure there was not really too much of a problem giving up eating winged insects or vulture.
I guess there is in some ways more importance in the fact that the list is as comprehensive as it is.
God is a god of the small detail as well as the big picture.
There is no ambiguity.
No doubts about what you can and cannot eat.
Clear.
As.
Day.
Which makes it all straight forward.
Of course this is easy to say a few thousand years later after just munching down on some eggplant and fetta pizza followed by fresh fruit salad and ice cream.
Of course if you read the first verse you would realise this chapter isn't just about food.
Behaviour is also addressed.
v1 "You are the sons of the LORD your God. You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead."
Hence the lack of any of evidence of Israelite emos.
I am getting nowhere with Deuteronomy.
It's not that I'm finding it hard going.
Alright!
Yes I am...
It has been a slog and I think I've run the risk of trying my own patience let alone anyone else who may be trying to follow this blog.
Sigh.
Its sometimes seemingly repetitive nature mixed with my infrequency of getting any sort of text output is causing my brain to become confused.
Not a hard task, but as I strive for consistent and quality with each post, my deliberations have produced the exact opposite.
Poor, sporadic work.
And it has meant reading and rereading and rereading the same passages.
Well, that's my rant over.
On with the food restrictions. Heh heh.
Again, what is the confusing bats for birds?
v18 "...the stork, the heron of any kind; the hoopoe and the bat."
As much as hare or camel would not bother me either way, eat or don't. The sound of not been allowed to eat rock badger would be the cause of a mild controlled celebration in the back of my tent.
But what's with the importance of not eating some things and eating others?
As with the last few chapters and also in particular with verse 2, Israel is a nation set apart.
There are sensible health and cultural reasons for not eating some of the animals listed.
But more importantly,
v2 "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."
The fact that these people are called to be holy and need to follow all the laws of God is critical. There are strong obligations to follow ALL the directions given by God and at the end of the day I'm sure there was not really too much of a problem giving up eating winged insects or vulture.
I guess there is in some ways more importance in the fact that the list is as comprehensive as it is.
God is a god of the small detail as well as the big picture.
There is no ambiguity.
No doubts about what you can and cannot eat.
Clear.
As.
Day.
Which makes it all straight forward.
Of course this is easy to say a few thousand years later after just munching down on some eggplant and fetta pizza followed by fresh fruit salad and ice cream.
Of course if you read the first verse you would realise this chapter isn't just about food.
Behaviour is also addressed.
v1 "You are the sons of the LORD your God. You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead."
Hence the lack of any of evidence of Israelite emos.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
166 A Walk in the Rain (Deut 13)
Well I find myself at the computer with some time and some headspace.
It's been a while.
For those of you who access this from a mobile, you may notice a change as I try something different. Let me know what you think. If it's totally sucky, I'll drop it. If it works ok, I may drop it because I'm like that. I think it works ok. But then, I think the whole Steve's Blog thing is ok.
The other day it rained a fair bit. All day.
Now normally I'm prepared for that. I have waterproof jackets. And more importantly I have two umbrellas.
My brain bit is the thing that lets me down somewhat.
The night before, there was some drizzle. Very light drizzle.
I had to pick up our car from the mechanic which involved a walk.
So as I considered picking up my umbrella and carrying it all of 3 blocks, my thoughts jumped between the sensible idea of taking it and.......well I'm not sure.
Possibly, don't take it.
You won't need it.
Even if it does rain, I'll be in my office. I won't get wet.
It's so far to have to carry such a heavy thing as an umbrella.
I wonder what's for tea.
It won't rain.
So, it rains.
I woke up thinking, "It's raining." I'm pretty smart in the morning.
"My umbrella is at work."
"No worries."
Half way into work I realised what I had forgotten.
The walk from the car to my office.
About 800 metres.
Doh!
But then, my spot is taken by some uncaring, thoughtless person who wakes up earlier than me on rainy days.
My back up spot is a block away and ummmmmm yeah, it's also gone.
So I end up a further 2 blocks away with no umbrella.
Why is it when you walk in the rain it appears you are able to avoid all the rain drops until you get to a dry spot and discover the fallacy in that thinking?
I got soaked.
This was made worse when I stepped out to cross the road, only to discover the gutter was blocked with leaves, creating a pool of ankle deep water just where I was about to step.
How did I know the depth of the pool?
Think about it :(
Deuteronomy 13
How important is it to be able to discern right from wrong?
Then and now, people come up with compelling, persuasive ideas that are claimed to be from God.
What they say can sound reasonable.
It could be right. It could be a message from God, for us, for now.
Or it might not!
But how do you know?
How do I know?
The appeal in this chapter is not just to look out for people who will lead others astray.
It is also to be able to know those who are right from those who are not.
This is about you.
It's about me.
A part of my journey to get through the bible from start to finish, is to become more familiar with God's word.
To know it, remember it and try to understand it better.
I figure if I can do that, I will be better equipped to know the real prophet, the real message from God.
AND I will know which ideas to be wary of.
At the end of the day, I am accountable for what I decide to believe.
Me.
Not my mum.
Not my wife.
Not my pastor.
Me.
If I think it's from God, there is no better way to know, than to compare it to God's Word. I can take time. I can take advice. And I need to.
God is consistent. If it don't line up, watch out.
The price in Deuteronomy for leading others stray was stoning.
The price now for being lead astray is higher.
Don't jump on board the latest , greatest teachings without considering why.
Test everything.
Make sure, you're sure.
It's been a while.
For those of you who access this from a mobile, you may notice a change as I try something different. Let me know what you think. If it's totally sucky, I'll drop it. If it works ok, I may drop it because I'm like that. I think it works ok. But then, I think the whole Steve's Blog thing is ok.
The other day it rained a fair bit. All day.
Now normally I'm prepared for that. I have waterproof jackets. And more importantly I have two umbrellas.
My brain bit is the thing that lets me down somewhat.
The night before, there was some drizzle. Very light drizzle.
I had to pick up our car from the mechanic which involved a walk.
So as I considered picking up my umbrella and carrying it all of 3 blocks, my thoughts jumped between the sensible idea of taking it and.......well I'm not sure.
Possibly, don't take it.
You won't need it.
Even if it does rain, I'll be in my office. I won't get wet.
It's so far to have to carry such a heavy thing as an umbrella.
I wonder what's for tea.
It won't rain.
So, it rains.
I woke up thinking, "It's raining." I'm pretty smart in the morning.
"My umbrella is at work."
"No worries."
Half way into work I realised what I had forgotten.
The walk from the car to my office.
About 800 metres.
Doh!
But then, my spot is taken by some uncaring, thoughtless person who wakes up earlier than me on rainy days.
My back up spot is a block away and ummmmmm yeah, it's also gone.
So I end up a further 2 blocks away with no umbrella.
Why is it when you walk in the rain it appears you are able to avoid all the rain drops until you get to a dry spot and discover the fallacy in that thinking?
I got soaked.
This was made worse when I stepped out to cross the road, only to discover the gutter was blocked with leaves, creating a pool of ankle deep water just where I was about to step.
How did I know the depth of the pool?
Think about it :(
Deuteronomy 13
How important is it to be able to discern right from wrong?
Then and now, people come up with compelling, persuasive ideas that are claimed to be from God.
What they say can sound reasonable.
It could be right. It could be a message from God, for us, for now.
Or it might not!
But how do you know?
How do I know?
The appeal in this chapter is not just to look out for people who will lead others astray.
It is also to be able to know those who are right from those who are not.
This is about you.
It's about me.
A part of my journey to get through the bible from start to finish, is to become more familiar with God's word.
To know it, remember it and try to understand it better.
I figure if I can do that, I will be better equipped to know the real prophet, the real message from God.
AND I will know which ideas to be wary of.
At the end of the day, I am accountable for what I decide to believe.
Me.
Not my mum.
Not my wife.
Not my pastor.
Me.
If I think it's from God, there is no better way to know, than to compare it to God's Word. I can take time. I can take advice. And I need to.
God is consistent. If it don't line up, watch out.
The price in Deuteronomy for leading others stray was stoning.
The price now for being lead astray is higher.
Don't jump on board the latest , greatest teachings without considering why.
Test everything.
Make sure, you're sure.
Monday, May 30, 2011
165 All Is Good Again (Deut 12)
Yesterday was the final day of the diet.
So today I had a coffee in the morning.
I ate a bit of meat with my lunch.
And we had a salmon that my dad caught for tea.
I also laughed alot and the whole world seemer a brighter place to live.
Maybe that was the coffee....
I guess the whole two weeks weren't too bad.
I was never like REALLY hungry.
I tried different sorts of food.
Vegetables and stuff.
Lost some weight, learnt some bits and pieces(oooo pie hmmmmm), supported Donna.
Now, to create the perfect eye fillet dinner to make up for lost time.
Maybe Saturday night.
Oo and I'm just having another coffee.
Grand.
Deuteronomy 12
Ironic that I write about "craving meat" on the day that I finish craving for meat.
God is careful to show that there is one way to worship Him and it's not the same way as other nations worship their gods.
He has set His people apart and now they must choose to worship Him in a unique way.
To honour Him.
To recognise Him.
For others to realise there is one true god, God.
Yes, it may mean more work.
Yes, it may not be convenient.
But then, He has rescued them from Egypt and brought them to this place.
He has prepared the location and the way.
He is a jealous God and determined to not let the Israelites forget His provision.
A right time.
A right place.
A right way.
Our mind is a fickle thing.
Prone to distraction, justification and exaggeration.
To stay the course is often a hard thing.
The end rewards can be significant and the cost for not getting there can be equally high.
Knowing God is key, because He knows us.
Strengths and weaknesses.
And He only asks what He knows we can achieve.
He knows.
So today I had a coffee in the morning.
I ate a bit of meat with my lunch.
And we had a salmon that my dad caught for tea.
I also laughed alot and the whole world seemer a brighter place to live.
Maybe that was the coffee....
I guess the whole two weeks weren't too bad.
I was never like REALLY hungry.
I tried different sorts of food.
Vegetables and stuff.
Lost some weight, learnt some bits and pieces(oooo pie hmmmmm), supported Donna.
Now, to create the perfect eye fillet dinner to make up for lost time.
Maybe Saturday night.
Oo and I'm just having another coffee.
Grand.
Deuteronomy 12
Ironic that I write about "craving meat" on the day that I finish craving for meat.
God is careful to show that there is one way to worship Him and it's not the same way as other nations worship their gods.
He has set His people apart and now they must choose to worship Him in a unique way.
To honour Him.
To recognise Him.
For others to realise there is one true god, God.
Yes, it may mean more work.
Yes, it may not be convenient.
But then, He has rescued them from Egypt and brought them to this place.
He has prepared the location and the way.
He is a jealous God and determined to not let the Israelites forget His provision.
A right time.
A right place.
A right way.
Our mind is a fickle thing.
Prone to distraction, justification and exaggeration.
To stay the course is often a hard thing.
The end rewards can be significant and the cost for not getting there can be equally high.
Knowing God is key, because He knows us.
Strengths and weaknesses.
And He only asks what He knows we can achieve.
He knows.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
164 The Panic Child (Deut 11)
Brooke was outstanding today.
Long story short.
She entered into a piano duet competition at the behest of a friend.
She was really talked into it.
Tried to pull out.
But then talked into it again.
It was not beyond her, but she doesn't cope too well in pressure situations.
She practiced hard.
She practiced long.
She went into panic mode last night.
She re-visited panic mode this morning.
She sucked it all in.
And went to the competition.
I spoke to her this afternoon.
Apparently it was "fun".
Yes, fun.
The "I can't do it"s and the "It's too hard"s became fun.
And she received a highly commended.
She's pretty good.
But then again, so is my other kid.
The calm one.
Deuteronomy 11
I am going to make a fairly large assumption here and it may sound weird.
Given how verse 10 and 11 read, I am guessing there wasn't much rain in Egypt.
To grow anything, the people were dependent on the flooding of the Nile.
They had to organise some way of trapping the water, distributing the water and making effective use of the water.
It was hard work.
It was unreliable.
Canaan will offer another blessing from God.
Rain.
Less work.
Now most people I know would cherish less work.
Or more time.
Does less work = more time?
Perhaps time that could be used for other things.
It's another little, finer detail that shows the quality of God's provision.
The little things matter.
And God is aware of the little things that make a difference.
Then.
And now.
Long story short.
She entered into a piano duet competition at the behest of a friend.
She was really talked into it.
Tried to pull out.
But then talked into it again.
It was not beyond her, but she doesn't cope too well in pressure situations.
She practiced hard.
She practiced long.
She went into panic mode last night.
She re-visited panic mode this morning.
She sucked it all in.
And went to the competition.
I spoke to her this afternoon.
Apparently it was "fun".
Yes, fun.
The "I can't do it"s and the "It's too hard"s became fun.
And she received a highly commended.
She's pretty good.
But then again, so is my other kid.
The calm one.
Deuteronomy 11
I am going to make a fairly large assumption here and it may sound weird.
Given how verse 10 and 11 read, I am guessing there wasn't much rain in Egypt.
To grow anything, the people were dependent on the flooding of the Nile.
They had to organise some way of trapping the water, distributing the water and making effective use of the water.
It was hard work.
It was unreliable.
Canaan will offer another blessing from God.
Rain.
Less work.
Now most people I know would cherish less work.
Or more time.
Does less work = more time?
Perhaps time that could be used for other things.
It's another little, finer detail that shows the quality of God's provision.
The little things matter.
And God is aware of the little things that make a difference.
Then.
And now.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
163 Again and Again, Over and Over (Deut 10)
So apologies first.
Sorry.
Explanations next.
I decided to support the lovely Donna undergo a dietry experiment for 2 weeks starting on Monday.
Which is a lovely noble gesture, but as it involves no meat or coffee among others things, I have had trouble concentrating.
Not that I'm a picture of stoic focus at the best of times, but my head this last 3 days has been a bit more "floatier" than normal.
Anyhow, I now have sort of regained my powers of thought-controlling and will attempt to continue this odyssey.
Ooooh look shiny, shiny....................
Sorry.
Back to the real stuff.
But, it is so shiny and sparkly......
And I adore watermelon.
Deuteronomy 10
v12-13 "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?"
At the end of the day, God's desire for His people is a simple one.
One that any father would expect of their children.
Honour, respect, appreciation and obedience.
The thought that continues to echo along the deep chasm of Deuteronomy is that God does care and provide for, guide and love His people.
The examples are many and I feel I keep repeating the same thoughts with each chapter.
God has shown through the course of 40 years, that He has chosen them above all other people.
They are special and have been treated in a special way.
They are set apart.
They are different.
Because......
They serve a God who is special. Unique.
He is living and like no other.
He has done so much to demonstrate this.
Over and over again.
Sorry.
Explanations next.
I decided to support the lovely Donna undergo a dietry experiment for 2 weeks starting on Monday.
Which is a lovely noble gesture, but as it involves no meat or coffee among others things, I have had trouble concentrating.
Not that I'm a picture of stoic focus at the best of times, but my head this last 3 days has been a bit more "floatier" than normal.
Anyhow, I now have sort of regained my powers of thought-controlling and will attempt to continue this odyssey.
Ooooh look shiny, shiny....................
Sorry.
Back to the real stuff.
But, it is so shiny and sparkly......
And I adore watermelon.
Deuteronomy 10
v12-13 "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?"
At the end of the day, God's desire for His people is a simple one.
One that any father would expect of their children.
Honour, respect, appreciation and obedience.
The thought that continues to echo along the deep chasm of Deuteronomy is that God does care and provide for, guide and love His people.
The examples are many and I feel I keep repeating the same thoughts with each chapter.
God has shown through the course of 40 years, that He has chosen them above all other people.
They are special and have been treated in a special way.
They are set apart.
They are different.
Because......
They serve a God who is special. Unique.
He is living and like no other.
He has done so much to demonstrate this.
Over and over again.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
162 It's Not All About You (Deut 9)
I like to spend time with Donna.
She is good company.
She thinks about a lot of interesting things that she likes to talk about.
I like to listen.
She is very inspiring.
And funny.
And every now and then she says something incredibly hilarious.
Even without knowing.
She often has me in tears.
She knows me exceptionally well.
Which is nice.
Perfect.
My other half makes me whole.
Deuteronomy 9
There are times when stuff is not all about you.
It's generally all about me.
Kidding ;)
Moses explains to the people that it's nothing they have done to deserve the Promised Land.
In fact, if it was, they would have not just received nada, but God would have destroyed them.
"They are a stubborn people."
A people who at least twice frustrated God so much, He was ready to be done with them.
If it wasn't for the persuasive nature of Moses, they would have been wiped out.
There is a not so gentle reminder in verse 5.
" Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out from before you, and that he may confirm the word that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."
We are not central to the workings of everything in the universe.
Really.
I know it's hard to come to grips with that.
Especially for such a dashing personality as me.
Things happen without us.
Even sometimes despite us.
I know I over analyse things, particularly when things go wrong.
What did I do?
What could have I done?
Why?
Why?
Why?
This clarification from Moses shows that this is true also when things go well.
Canaan was a gift.
A good thing.
A sign of God keeping His promise to others (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob)through and despite this stubborn, wicked people.
She is good company.
She thinks about a lot of interesting things that she likes to talk about.
I like to listen.
She is very inspiring.
And funny.
And every now and then she says something incredibly hilarious.
Even without knowing.
She often has me in tears.
She knows me exceptionally well.
Which is nice.
Perfect.
My other half makes me whole.
Deuteronomy 9
There are times when stuff is not all about you.
It's generally all about me.
Kidding ;)
Moses explains to the people that it's nothing they have done to deserve the Promised Land.
In fact, if it was, they would have not just received nada, but God would have destroyed them.
"They are a stubborn people."
A people who at least twice frustrated God so much, He was ready to be done with them.
If it wasn't for the persuasive nature of Moses, they would have been wiped out.
There is a not so gentle reminder in verse 5.
" Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out from before you, and that he may confirm the word that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."
We are not central to the workings of everything in the universe.
Really.
I know it's hard to come to grips with that.
Especially for such a dashing personality as me.
Things happen without us.
Even sometimes despite us.
I know I over analyse things, particularly when things go wrong.
What did I do?
What could have I done?
Why?
Why?
Why?
This clarification from Moses shows that this is true also when things go well.
Canaan was a gift.
A good thing.
A sign of God keeping His promise to others (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob)through and despite this stubborn, wicked people.
Monday, May 9, 2011
161 Know God (Deut 8)
I made a passing comment today about being so cold, my back was sore.
It was. Right down the bottom towards my.....well yeah y'know.
Was I seeking sympathy?
No.
Was I looking for ideas re treatment?
No.
It was a comment giving a metaphorical (in a literal sort of metaphorical way) description on the current state of the temperature, or lack of degrees, from my point of view.
I was cold.
How cold?
So cold my back is sore.
Fullstop.
Change topic.
Keep watching TV.
Say nothing.
Then, I would be fine. Too easy. Instead, what happened?
Not one, but two.
Two.
TWO!!!!
Statements relating to my increasing frailty through the gaining of years.
"Sounds like an old man thing to say."
And I heard a giggle behind the smile.
"Poor old thing."
Indeed!
During this time of year, there are warnings about getting flu and recommendations on getting vaccinated.
These generally apply to two specific groups.
The elderly or the very young.
Why do I automatically get grouped with the old with this comment about the cold?
Surely there is just as much chance (50/50), of being young.
I know many young people who complain.
I absolutely believe I have a greater likelihood of being a "poor young man" than a "poor old man".
Hmmph!
It was so unjust.
And if the TV volume was lower I could have heard what else was being said.
They just don't make those tellie things like they used to.
I remember when............
Deuteronomy 8
God provided so adequately through the period of wandering.
v4 "Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years."
I can't imagine walking in the harsh environment without some sort of foot problem.
The consequences were brought about by poor decision making. Yet through the punishment, God's provision and love continued. The same as when you discipline your child. Despite the cliche, it often does hurt you, the parent, more than the child.
It hurts because you care.
It hurts because sometimes in the eye's of the child it seems unfair.
It hurts because you've been in the same place before.
Empathy hurts.
v5 "Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you."
God keeps everything in perspective as well.
He is well aware of the problem of pride.
He was there at Babel.
He was there with Esau.
He was there with Ishamael.
Know God.
Know what He has done.
Know His love.
Know his grace.
It was. Right down the bottom towards my.....well yeah y'know.
Was I seeking sympathy?
No.
Was I looking for ideas re treatment?
No.
It was a comment giving a metaphorical (in a literal sort of metaphorical way) description on the current state of the temperature, or lack of degrees, from my point of view.
I was cold.
How cold?
So cold my back is sore.
Fullstop.
Change topic.
Keep watching TV.
Say nothing.
Then, I would be fine. Too easy. Instead, what happened?
Not one, but two.
Two.
TWO!!!!
Statements relating to my increasing frailty through the gaining of years.
"Sounds like an old man thing to say."
And I heard a giggle behind the smile.
"Poor old thing."
Indeed!
During this time of year, there are warnings about getting flu and recommendations on getting vaccinated.
These generally apply to two specific groups.
The elderly or the very young.
Why do I automatically get grouped with the old with this comment about the cold?
Surely there is just as much chance (50/50), of being young.
I know many young people who complain.
I absolutely believe I have a greater likelihood of being a "poor young man" than a "poor old man".
Hmmph!
It was so unjust.
And if the TV volume was lower I could have heard what else was being said.
They just don't make those tellie things like they used to.
I remember when............
Deuteronomy 8
God provided so adequately through the period of wandering.
v4 "Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years."
I can't imagine walking in the harsh environment without some sort of foot problem.
The consequences were brought about by poor decision making. Yet through the punishment, God's provision and love continued. The same as when you discipline your child. Despite the cliche, it often does hurt you, the parent, more than the child.
It hurts because you care.
It hurts because sometimes in the eye's of the child it seems unfair.
It hurts because you've been in the same place before.
Empathy hurts.
v5 "Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you."
God keeps everything in perspective as well.
He is well aware of the problem of pride.
He was there at Babel.
He was there with Esau.
He was there with Ishamael.
Know God.
Know what He has done.
Know His love.
Know his grace.
Friday, May 6, 2011
160 Seeking Sympathy (Deut 7)
Why does pain inside your head hurt sooooooooooooo much?
I mean in comparison to pain anywhere else.
Is it because it's closer to your mouth, so the cries and groans and moans come out quicker?
Is it because your brain is closer and so the feeling of pain has less distance to travel?
I get lots of bumps, bruises and cuts and seem to shrug them off quite easily.
But one little toothache, ulcer or earache and I'm a mess.
I have a tiny earache at present.
Actually it's not little.
It's huge.
And I'm not prone to exaggerate pain.
I am male after all.
It is enough pain to stun a wild elephant. As opposed to a regular elephant.
Not just stun it, but reduce it to tears and snivelling pleas for panadol.
Still.
You'd think after a week and a bit with it, I'd be a tad more pro-active in getting it treated.
Sigh.
I am definitely male.
Stubborn.
Sookie.
Seeking sympathy.
Deuteronomy 7
v13-15 " He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.
You shall be blessed above all peoples. There shall not be male or female barren among you or among your livestock.
And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you knew, will he inflict on you, but he will lay them on all who hate you. "
A wonderful, wonderful promise.
With a caveat.
v12 "And because you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers."
God promises again that He is "for" His people.
They will take over the land He has chosen.
They will defeat 7 nations stronger than themselves.
God loves the underdog.
They were chosen because they were they fewest among the nations.
If all the feats god has already performed are not enough to defeat those occupying Canaan, He will send hornets to finish the job.
Hornets.
Creativity at its best.
Who would have thunk it?
Hornets.
Why hornets?
Because there is no way in the wide, weird world that a swarm of hornets could normally help destroy an entire nation of people.
It would point to God's hand helping His people.
Along with all the other signs, wonders and impossible things that were witnessed.
I mean in comparison to pain anywhere else.
Is it because it's closer to your mouth, so the cries and groans and moans come out quicker?
Is it because your brain is closer and so the feeling of pain has less distance to travel?
I get lots of bumps, bruises and cuts and seem to shrug them off quite easily.
But one little toothache, ulcer or earache and I'm a mess.
I have a tiny earache at present.
Actually it's not little.
It's huge.
And I'm not prone to exaggerate pain.
I am male after all.
It is enough pain to stun a wild elephant. As opposed to a regular elephant.
Not just stun it, but reduce it to tears and snivelling pleas for panadol.
Still.
You'd think after a week and a bit with it, I'd be a tad more pro-active in getting it treated.
Sigh.
I am definitely male.
Stubborn.
Sookie.
Seeking sympathy.
Deuteronomy 7
v13-15 " He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.
You shall be blessed above all peoples. There shall not be male or female barren among you or among your livestock.
And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you knew, will he inflict on you, but he will lay them on all who hate you. "
A wonderful, wonderful promise.
With a caveat.
v12 "And because you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers."
God promises again that He is "for" His people.
They will take over the land He has chosen.
They will defeat 7 nations stronger than themselves.
God loves the underdog.
They were chosen because they were they fewest among the nations.
If all the feats god has already performed are not enough to defeat those occupying Canaan, He will send hornets to finish the job.
Hornets.
Creativity at its best.
Who would have thunk it?
Hornets.
Why hornets?
Because there is no way in the wide, weird world that a swarm of hornets could normally help destroy an entire nation of people.
It would point to God's hand helping His people.
Along with all the other signs, wonders and impossible things that were witnessed.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
159 Hacker (Deut 6)
Last night I hacked into Donna's facebook page.
Hmmmm.
When I say "hacked" I don't wish to draw out some expectation of vast computer wizardry.
That would be improper.
And not totally accurate.
She left her phone laying around and her account open.
Heh heh!
Luckily my vast array of 'skillz' enabled me to bypass the tricky slide to unlock code.
And I was in.
I left a fantastically amusing status update and covered my tracks.
Not too long later, a tock over 5 minutes, my ruse was discovered, deleted and I was in a world of pain.
I think I cracked a rib laughing.
I bought flowers and chocolate and ice-cream home today.
Purely co-incidental.
Purely a good husbandy thing to do.
For a small donation to my favourite charity, the content of the "hack" could be left discretely in a plain envelope on a park bench of the enquirers choice.
Deuteronomy 6
As a parent, I'm meant to set a good example for my kids.
Not an easy task for me in regards to appropriate humour, table manners and bodily noises.
But there are some things that I think I do ok.
I love my wife and kids.
AND I show and tell them.
I work hard.
I respect my parents and others in authority.
I read the Bible.
I go to church.
I try my hardest to provide as many options for my family.
I try and help others.
I encourage my kids to make good choices and do the right thing.
This is what God beseeches the Israelites to do.
Tell their children the whole story.
Explain the journey.
Be open about the history of redemption.
Speak of the people's mistakes and God's mercy.
What we do and say will impact on others.
Some spend more time with us than others, so the results are more ingrained.
Perhaps this is something we could consider more often.
Hmmmm.
When I say "hacked" I don't wish to draw out some expectation of vast computer wizardry.
That would be improper.
And not totally accurate.
She left her phone laying around and her account open.
Heh heh!
Luckily my vast array of 'skillz' enabled me to bypass the tricky slide to unlock code.
And I was in.
I left a fantastically amusing status update and covered my tracks.
Not too long later, a tock over 5 minutes, my ruse was discovered, deleted and I was in a world of pain.
I think I cracked a rib laughing.
I bought flowers and chocolate and ice-cream home today.
Purely co-incidental.
Purely a good husbandy thing to do.
For a small donation to my favourite charity, the content of the "hack" could be left discretely in a plain envelope on a park bench of the enquirers choice.
Deuteronomy 6
As a parent, I'm meant to set a good example for my kids.
Not an easy task for me in regards to appropriate humour, table manners and bodily noises.
But there are some things that I think I do ok.
I love my wife and kids.
AND I show and tell them.
I work hard.
I respect my parents and others in authority.
I read the Bible.
I go to church.
I try my hardest to provide as many options for my family.
I try and help others.
I encourage my kids to make good choices and do the right thing.
This is what God beseeches the Israelites to do.
Tell their children the whole story.
Explain the journey.
Be open about the history of redemption.
Speak of the people's mistakes and God's mercy.
What we do and say will impact on others.
Some spend more time with us than others, so the results are more ingrained.
Perhaps this is something we could consider more often.
Monday, May 2, 2011
158 God's Voice (Deut 5)
I'm sitting here typing this wearing a sheepskin lined hooded jumper.
One moment I'm too hot.
The next too cool.
Hang on. I'm never "too cool"!
Heh heh.
.....too cold.
It has nothing to do with saving power.
Or reducing green house gas output.
Or even saving money.
I'm doing my bit to prolong summer. (This makes no sense at all re-reading it. It's cold and I'm wearing a jumper. How exactly is THAT summer. Dummy.)
Although it would be only prolonged in my mind. (Maybe that makes sense. Nope. The stretch is too great. Still a dummy.)
And it would appear that I am failing. (Totally)
Off it goes again.
Maybe I should just turn on the heat pump and be done with it.
Deuteronomy 5
I doubt if I heard the spoken word of God, I would forget it.
I also reckon I would remember what was said.
In detail.
The voice from fire, that when finished, made me glad to be still alive would have a lasting consequence.
There is also the whisper in the breeze, but that's another story ;)
When I was younger, I was pretty sure I heard God tell me something.
Audibly.
Not long after, upon reflection, I'm fairly certain it was my emotions getting out of hand.
It was certainly nothing like what the Israelites heard.
It didn't take long for me to forget what was "said".
There was no lasting impact.
It just wasn't God.
I'm a goose!
Important stuff needs to be remembered.
Was there anything more important than the 10 commandments?
Probably not.
Did the Israelites need reminding of where they had come from?
Probably.
The other thing is that they didn't just hear God's voice, they recognised it to be God's voice.
They knew who had led them.
They knew who had been there.
Who had been with them.
Who they had upset.
God's lament
v29 "Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments..."
One moment I'm too hot.
The next too cool.
Hang on. I'm never "too cool"!
Heh heh.
.....too cold.
It has nothing to do with saving power.
Or reducing green house gas output.
Or even saving money.
I'm doing my bit to prolong summer. (This makes no sense at all re-reading it. It's cold and I'm wearing a jumper. How exactly is THAT summer. Dummy.)
Although it would be only prolonged in my mind. (Maybe that makes sense. Nope. The stretch is too great. Still a dummy.)
And it would appear that I am failing. (Totally)
Off it goes again.
Maybe I should just turn on the heat pump and be done with it.
Deuteronomy 5
I doubt if I heard the spoken word of God, I would forget it.
I also reckon I would remember what was said.
In detail.
The voice from fire, that when finished, made me glad to be still alive would have a lasting consequence.
There is also the whisper in the breeze, but that's another story ;)
When I was younger, I was pretty sure I heard God tell me something.
Audibly.
Not long after, upon reflection, I'm fairly certain it was my emotions getting out of hand.
It was certainly nothing like what the Israelites heard.
It didn't take long for me to forget what was "said".
There was no lasting impact.
It just wasn't God.
I'm a goose!
Important stuff needs to be remembered.
Was there anything more important than the 10 commandments?
Probably not.
Did the Israelites need reminding of where they had come from?
Probably.
The other thing is that they didn't just hear God's voice, they recognised it to be God's voice.
They knew who had led them.
They knew who had been there.
Who had been with them.
Who they had upset.
God's lament
v29 "Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments..."
Thursday, April 28, 2011
157 Nothing or Nobody Else (Deut 4)
Waders.
Distractions.
Blog.
Distractions.
Football.
Distractions.
Sleep.
Not likely.
Head space.
Diminishing.
Love Thursdays.
Oh and I should squeeze family in there as well.
But mainly, distractions.
Oh and I measured up another section of the fence that never ends this afternoon.
Not sure why.
I guess it'll come in handy one day.
As long as I don't lose the measurements.
Onwards........
Deuteronomy 4
This is a "full" chapter. There is so much good in it, I'm struggolling where to start.
And how to spell "struggling".
The wilderness years are encapsulated in this one passage of chapter 4
v32-35 For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of.
Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live?
Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.
Remember God because God remembers you.
Keep God's commandments to prolong your days.
Follow the laws and statutes to remain set apart.
Others will recognise the work of God in you and through you.
Pretty simple.
And above all God will never leave you or forget you and if you do stray and then wish to come back to Him, He will accept you.
He is merciful.
I think the call to not be distracted by things around the people is sound.
When things seem to go wrong, a penchant to hold onto the ways of the tribes around them was strong.
Wow, inadvertent poetry.
The warning is clear, there is nothing in the natural that could do what the people of Israel have seen God do.
Nothing else could deliver them.
Nothing else could win battles for them.
Nothing else could impart wisdom and mercy.
Nothing else could speak to them the way God did.
Nothing.
Not bird.
Not animal.
Not plant.
Not heavenly body.
'Nuff Said.
For now ;)
Distractions.
Blog.
Distractions.
Football.
Distractions.
Sleep.
Not likely.
Head space.
Diminishing.
Love Thursdays.
Oh and I should squeeze family in there as well.
But mainly, distractions.
Oh and I measured up another section of the fence that never ends this afternoon.
Not sure why.
I guess it'll come in handy one day.
As long as I don't lose the measurements.
Onwards........
Deuteronomy 4
This is a "full" chapter. There is so much good in it, I'm struggolling where to start.
And how to spell "struggling".
The wilderness years are encapsulated in this one passage of chapter 4
v32-35 For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of.
Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live?
Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.
Remember God because God remembers you.
Keep God's commandments to prolong your days.
Follow the laws and statutes to remain set apart.
Others will recognise the work of God in you and through you.
Pretty simple.
And above all God will never leave you or forget you and if you do stray and then wish to come back to Him, He will accept you.
He is merciful.
I think the call to not be distracted by things around the people is sound.
When things seem to go wrong, a penchant to hold onto the ways of the tribes around them was strong.
Wow, inadvertent poetry.
The warning is clear, there is nothing in the natural that could do what the people of Israel have seen God do.
Nothing else could deliver them.
Nothing else could win battles for them.
Nothing else could impart wisdom and mercy.
Nothing else could speak to them the way God did.
Nothing.
Not bird.
Not animal.
Not plant.
Not heavenly body.
'Nuff Said.
For now ;)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
156 The Wrong Side of the Jordan (Deut 3)
Wheeling and dealing in high finances this evening.
A joy to speak to a normal, helpful bank dude at 8:30 at night.
It's a situation that raises annoyances.
Well one anyway.
I might lose the ute.
The "might" bit is the only annoyance in that sentence.
And when I say "lose", I mean "replace".
I've enjoyed it.
I've nearly run it to the ground.
But jolly, I'll be glad to see the end of it.
Sort of.
There you have it, all sentimental me.
Deuteronomy 3
Twice God says "Do not fear" in this chapter.
Once a recap.
The first time was when Israel came up against a man whose bed was made of iron and over 4 metres long.
Og was a monster of a man.
A big man.
A tad bigger than Daniel Boone.
Who was a man.
A big man.
Yet God enabled him, his fortified cities and his armies to be wiped out.
Completely.
His call to "not fear" was justifiably demonstrated.
Despite the odds.
The second time, God tells Moses to tell Joshua "Do not fear".
But He also expands this. This reason for a lack of fear.
God is fighting the battles for him.
History showed this to be true.
Yet I guess it's easy to tell someone to not be afraid.
Our senses, particularly sight will tend to get in the way of our anti-fear mechanisms.
We need to know, however that God doesn't change.
God keeps His word.
He can do, what our eyes and mind say can't be done.
He has already done it.
He will do it again.
Moses knew this.
He gazes one last time at the land he can only see, but never enter.
He encourages and brings strength to Joshua.
He has known what was required to lead.
He has known that faith was needed.
He knew wisdom would be required.
He knew that Joshua will need to know all this also.
I don't think you can teach that.
You experience it and it grows within you. Faith that is.
You need to be open to it.
Otherwise it makes no sense and what could happen, doesn't.
Moses learns this on the wrong side of the Jordan.
At least that what my muddled mind perceives this evening.
I'll probably re-read this tomorrow and slap my head and long for a rewrite.
The fogs of slumber can often distort the mind.
And so it is this evening.
A joy to speak to a normal, helpful bank dude at 8:30 at night.
It's a situation that raises annoyances.
Well one anyway.
I might lose the ute.
The "might" bit is the only annoyance in that sentence.
And when I say "lose", I mean "replace".
I've enjoyed it.
I've nearly run it to the ground.
But jolly, I'll be glad to see the end of it.
Sort of.
There you have it, all sentimental me.
Deuteronomy 3
Twice God says "Do not fear" in this chapter.
Once a recap.
The first time was when Israel came up against a man whose bed was made of iron and over 4 metres long.
Og was a monster of a man.
A big man.
A tad bigger than Daniel Boone.
Who was a man.
A big man.
Yet God enabled him, his fortified cities and his armies to be wiped out.
Completely.
His call to "not fear" was justifiably demonstrated.
Despite the odds.
The second time, God tells Moses to tell Joshua "Do not fear".
But He also expands this. This reason for a lack of fear.
God is fighting the battles for him.
History showed this to be true.
Yet I guess it's easy to tell someone to not be afraid.
Our senses, particularly sight will tend to get in the way of our anti-fear mechanisms.
We need to know, however that God doesn't change.
God keeps His word.
He can do, what our eyes and mind say can't be done.
He has already done it.
He will do it again.
Moses knew this.
He gazes one last time at the land he can only see, but never enter.
He encourages and brings strength to Joshua.
He has known what was required to lead.
He has known that faith was needed.
He knew wisdom would be required.
He knew that Joshua will need to know all this also.
I don't think you can teach that.
You experience it and it grows within you. Faith that is.
You need to be open to it.
Otherwise it makes no sense and what could happen, doesn't.
Moses learns this on the wrong side of the Jordan.
At least that what my muddled mind perceives this evening.
I'll probably re-read this tomorrow and slap my head and long for a rewrite.
The fogs of slumber can often distort the mind.
And so it is this evening.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
155 5 P's (Deut 2)
I've been suffering chronic pain in my mouth for about a week now.
My bottom lip is sore, to be precise.
It seems you can't put on your seat belt on while sneezing without risk.
Sigh.
At it's worst, it is quite swollen and difficult to smile or talk.
At it's best, it is quite swollen and difficult to smile or talk.
I just have to keep licking it to prevent stickage.
And with that amount of too much info, let's delve into.......
Deuteronomy 2
A short account of the long stay in the wilderness.
Not my line.
I borrowed it from a commentary.
:)
Yet very apt.
We still aren't at the point of crossing into Canaan.
It is recognised though, that God has never forsaken His people.
Ever.
Throughout the entire journey.
He has provided.
He has prospered.
He has protected.
He has punished.
He has persevered.
Ooooo, I spy a 5 point "P" sermon there.
But He has never left.
My bottom lip is sore, to be precise.
It seems you can't put on your seat belt on while sneezing without risk.
Sigh.
At it's worst, it is quite swollen and difficult to smile or talk.
At it's best, it is quite swollen and difficult to smile or talk.
I just have to keep licking it to prevent stickage.
And with that amount of too much info, let's delve into.......
Deuteronomy 2
A short account of the long stay in the wilderness.
Not my line.
I borrowed it from a commentary.
:)
Yet very apt.
We still aren't at the point of crossing into Canaan.
It is recognised though, that God has never forsaken His people.
Ever.
Throughout the entire journey.
He has provided.
He has prospered.
He has protected.
He has punished.
He has persevered.
Ooooo, I spy a 5 point "P" sermon there.
But He has never left.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
154 An Early Mistake (Deut 1)
Well I find myself at work at an unexpected time.
It's now 1:45AM and I'm here by my own forgetfulness.
I took a call during a staff meeting this afternoon.
The worker filling in for the worker on holidays and who is supposed to be working now, called me saying they were ill. Could I get a replacement?
Sure no bother.
Nothing simpler.
I returned to the meeting....................
At ten past midnight, my phone rings.
Never good to see work's name appear on the screen.
"What could the problem be?" I wondered as my deep, deep sleep was disturbed.
Actually "disturbed" is a rather simple way of describing the bone jarring eruption of vibrating hell that shattered the best sleep I'd discovered for over a week.
Sigh.
"Hi Steve, sorry to wake you. But............."
As soon as the worker's name was mentioned my memory decided "now" would be a good time to work.
And so without making a long story any longer,
I find myself at work at an unexpected time.
Deuteronomy 1
Ok so Moses is doing a recap.
I detect he's trying to make a point.
Wandering around for 40 years may not have been enough for the Israelites to get that they had stuffed up.
Moses says it all again.
I guess there's wisdom in that.
The inhabitants now are the same inhabitants that inhabittated the land back then.
It's a not too subtle reminder about what happened before and what to expect this time.
There will be an abundance of good fruits.
But there will also be the big guys waiting for them.
This time though, remember how the Lord carried His people through the wilderness.
Remember how He delivered them from Egypt.
Trust in God.
Take what appears to be untakeable.
This time.
There are times when it's easy to trust in God.
There are times when it's not quite so easy.
The trick is to understand that when it's not easy, that's actually the most important time to.
Mostly it's easy when we can see what's up ahead.
Real trust is about not knowing what's going to happen.
We can make assumptions based on history or our own calculations, but trusting God is about accepting that whatever happens, will happen.
And you will be okay.
How many times has something happened and then later you have an
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh, I get it" moment?
I think that "trust" is also a deliberate act. You consciously make a decision to do something when you aren't sure of the end result.
I think that's right.
My eyes and mind are both a bit blurry at the moment.
Oh and I am working and not just doing this blog.
I just need focus on something or else I'll fall asle....e...............p
It's now 1:45AM and I'm here by my own forgetfulness.
I took a call during a staff meeting this afternoon.
The worker filling in for the worker on holidays and who is supposed to be working now, called me saying they were ill. Could I get a replacement?
Sure no bother.
Nothing simpler.
I returned to the meeting....................
At ten past midnight, my phone rings.
Never good to see work's name appear on the screen.
"What could the problem be?" I wondered as my deep, deep sleep was disturbed.
Actually "disturbed" is a rather simple way of describing the bone jarring eruption of vibrating hell that shattered the best sleep I'd discovered for over a week.
Sigh.
"Hi Steve, sorry to wake you. But............."
As soon as the worker's name was mentioned my memory decided "now" would be a good time to work.
And so without making a long story any longer,
I find myself at work at an unexpected time.
Deuteronomy 1
Ok so Moses is doing a recap.
I detect he's trying to make a point.
Wandering around for 40 years may not have been enough for the Israelites to get that they had stuffed up.
Moses says it all again.
I guess there's wisdom in that.
The inhabitants now are the same inhabitants that inhabittated the land back then.
It's a not too subtle reminder about what happened before and what to expect this time.
There will be an abundance of good fruits.
But there will also be the big guys waiting for them.
This time though, remember how the Lord carried His people through the wilderness.
Remember how He delivered them from Egypt.
Trust in God.
Take what appears to be untakeable.
This time.
There are times when it's easy to trust in God.
There are times when it's not quite so easy.
The trick is to understand that when it's not easy, that's actually the most important time to.
Mostly it's easy when we can see what's up ahead.
Real trust is about not knowing what's going to happen.
We can make assumptions based on history or our own calculations, but trusting God is about accepting that whatever happens, will happen.
And you will be okay.
How many times has something happened and then later you have an
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh, I get it" moment?
I think that "trust" is also a deliberate act. You consciously make a decision to do something when you aren't sure of the end result.
I think that's right.
My eyes and mind are both a bit blurry at the moment.
Oh and I am working and not just doing this blog.
I just need focus on something or else I'll fall asle....e...............p
Monday, April 11, 2011
153 It Just Makes Sense (Num 36)
And on the Monday, Steve sat down after work.
And it was late.
For there had been much running around.
And he stretched forth his right hand and picked up a coffee.
And the coffee did flow down the throat of Steve.
Yea, and it was good.
And he satteth on the left side of Donna.
And it was good.
And Steve did declare, it was good.
For it was good.
And so nearly ended the night of the Monday.
Until Steve remembered he hadn't blogged.
And so Steve blogged.
And it was ordinary.
But in a good way.
;)
Numbers 36
Well the end of another book.
Numbers, for the challenged amongst you.
Canaan has been entered.
A promise fulfilled.
Yet it leaves an empty feeling somehow.
Joshua and Caleb remain of the horde who left Egypt 40 years before.
2 and a bit tribes have chosen not to remain in the promised land.
This staggered me.
Not accepting what God offered. Which was the best.
But there you go.
And now there is a final tricky bit to sort.
And it is sorted well.
God is big enough to cover all eventualities.
Even the highly unlikely and improbable ones.
The solution is easy, direct and followable.
It just makes sense.
I can imagine the trepidation the leaders had in coming forward and putting forth their dilemma.
How long had they stewed?
As soon as the decree to the allocation of land?
Throughout the journey every little detail was covered by God.
The intricacy in the design of the tabernacle. Covered.
The make up of each implement. Covered.
Food? Tick.
Water? Tick.
Safety? Tick.
Why was there doubt?
We are fallible.
We need security.
We long for acknowledgment.
And we yearn for acceptance.
God knew all the time.
And when the question was asked, there was an answer.
Sensible.
Reassuring.
Right.
And it was late.
For there had been much running around.
And he stretched forth his right hand and picked up a coffee.
And the coffee did flow down the throat of Steve.
Yea, and it was good.
And he satteth on the left side of Donna.
And it was good.
And Steve did declare, it was good.
For it was good.
And so nearly ended the night of the Monday.
Until Steve remembered he hadn't blogged.
And so Steve blogged.
And it was ordinary.
But in a good way.
;)
Numbers 36
Well the end of another book.
Numbers, for the challenged amongst you.
Canaan has been entered.
A promise fulfilled.
Yet it leaves an empty feeling somehow.
Joshua and Caleb remain of the horde who left Egypt 40 years before.
2 and a bit tribes have chosen not to remain in the promised land.
This staggered me.
Not accepting what God offered. Which was the best.
But there you go.
And now there is a final tricky bit to sort.
And it is sorted well.
God is big enough to cover all eventualities.
Even the highly unlikely and improbable ones.
The solution is easy, direct and followable.
It just makes sense.
I can imagine the trepidation the leaders had in coming forward and putting forth their dilemma.
How long had they stewed?
As soon as the decree to the allocation of land?
Throughout the journey every little detail was covered by God.
The intricacy in the design of the tabernacle. Covered.
The make up of each implement. Covered.
Food? Tick.
Water? Tick.
Safety? Tick.
Why was there doubt?
We are fallible.
We need security.
We long for acknowledgment.
And we yearn for acceptance.
God knew all the time.
And when the question was asked, there was an answer.
Sensible.
Reassuring.
Right.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
152 Safe Cities (Num 35)
The other day I was boasting about my dexterous abilities brought about by fishing exploits.
It may have been a bit much too soon.
I seem to neglected another trait I have picked up from buddy Michael.
He is so focused on fishing that he tends to fall down a lot.
Very a lot.
He is so intent on the water he just doesn't see rocks, holes, stumps, branches, other rocks.........
Actually if it wasn't for his amazing recovery skills, he would fall more.
It's pretty funny to see.
He's a big lad, so he falls big.
I do too.
But not for those reasons.
I just tend to be a tad "un-co".
Anyway my trait.
I park my car and walk a few blocks to work.
I put my bag on my shoulder.
Plug my earphones in, and away I walk.
Now when I get to work, if I want to keep listening to the music or podcast I take my bag off and keep listening.
Which does mean a little organising prior to getting to work.
If I have my bag on over the earphone lead, it's easy to just take off.
But if the headphone lead is over the bag strap, then I can't just take the bag off without untangling my way through straps, leads, sunglasses and anything else.
Sounds hard.
So here I was walking to work, bag balanced on one shoulder, iPod playing and concentrating on untangling the earphone lead (which I can do) and banged straight into a parking sign.
Fine.
No one saw me.
No embarrassment.
Almost.
Except there was a guy walking his dog coming the other way.
He smiled.
We said "g'day".
I had earphones in by this stage but I swear as we passed I heard a sniggering.
Maybe the dog had gas or something.
My focus can sometimes cause pain.
Or lack of focus.
Numbers 35
When we do something wrong there is a price.
Whether we intentionally do wrong or not.
There is a price.
The price can be large.
It can be small.
There is a price.
It can be paid immediately or later.
There is a price.
Sometimes the longer the delay, the more the price increases.
The greater the number of ways it is extracted.
Yet it will always be paid.
Coming into Canaan, if you killed someone on purpose, in anger or by laying in wait, you could expect to be put to death by a relative of the deceased.
The people were coming into their own land now.
They were going to settle.
Stability was needed.
Structure and very, very clear boundaries are going to be needed.
There is a recognition though, that stuff happens.
Accidents occur.
Consequences still follow.
Restitution is still required.
Enter the cities of refuge.
Living in a strange town, away from family and never able to leave is a hefty price.
Living, I guess is the key here.
Not ideal, but not dead.
For a mistake or error you would live with forever anyway.
A place to live, run by Levites.
A place of good law and knowledge of God.
A hope of redemption.
Just don't leave.
It may have been a bit much too soon.
I seem to neglected another trait I have picked up from buddy Michael.
He is so focused on fishing that he tends to fall down a lot.
Very a lot.
He is so intent on the water he just doesn't see rocks, holes, stumps, branches, other rocks.........
Actually if it wasn't for his amazing recovery skills, he would fall more.
It's pretty funny to see.
He's a big lad, so he falls big.
I do too.
But not for those reasons.
I just tend to be a tad "un-co".
Anyway my trait.
I park my car and walk a few blocks to work.
I put my bag on my shoulder.
Plug my earphones in, and away I walk.
Now when I get to work, if I want to keep listening to the music or podcast I take my bag off and keep listening.
Which does mean a little organising prior to getting to work.
If I have my bag on over the earphone lead, it's easy to just take off.
But if the headphone lead is over the bag strap, then I can't just take the bag off without untangling my way through straps, leads, sunglasses and anything else.
Sounds hard.
So here I was walking to work, bag balanced on one shoulder, iPod playing and concentrating on untangling the earphone lead (which I can do) and banged straight into a parking sign.
Fine.
No one saw me.
No embarrassment.
Almost.
Except there was a guy walking his dog coming the other way.
He smiled.
We said "g'day".
I had earphones in by this stage but I swear as we passed I heard a sniggering.
Maybe the dog had gas or something.
My focus can sometimes cause pain.
Or lack of focus.
Numbers 35
When we do something wrong there is a price.
Whether we intentionally do wrong or not.
There is a price.
The price can be large.
It can be small.
There is a price.
It can be paid immediately or later.
There is a price.
Sometimes the longer the delay, the more the price increases.
The greater the number of ways it is extracted.
Yet it will always be paid.
Coming into Canaan, if you killed someone on purpose, in anger or by laying in wait, you could expect to be put to death by a relative of the deceased.
The people were coming into their own land now.
They were going to settle.
Stability was needed.
Structure and very, very clear boundaries are going to be needed.
There is a recognition though, that stuff happens.
Accidents occur.
Consequences still follow.
Restitution is still required.
Enter the cities of refuge.
Living in a strange town, away from family and never able to leave is a hefty price.
Living, I guess is the key here.
Not ideal, but not dead.
For a mistake or error you would live with forever anyway.
A place to live, run by Levites.
A place of good law and knowledge of God.
A hope of redemption.
Just don't leave.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
151 Nostagiacally Spontaneous Awkward (Num 34)
Last night after demolishing a vanilla square I decided to check out a few retro video clips.
Relive the glorious era of '80's pop.
Fueled, probably over-fueled with sugar I dredged my memory for hits of the past.
Then I hit gold.
Pure gold.
The unadulterated madness of well, Madness.
Catchy blend of happiness, outrageous English accents and brass.
I enjoyed them and felt the compulsive need to share my relived joy with the world of facebook.
Now I never share video clips on facebook.
The practice is fraught with peril.
You need to make sure, well I do, of anything that could be interpreted controversial.
But where was the harm is posting some fun-loving poms singing about living in a fun house?
I guess the bit where it's a song about buying condoms to use for the first time.
Doh!
I blame poor memory and a low speaker volume.
Thanks Jeffrey for subtly pointing it out.
But let that be a warning to you all kids, late nights, sugar and the interwebs don't mix well.
And I will not post on facebook after 9pm again.
I have a strong suspicion I have said this before.
Numbers 34
It's all set up.
It's a done deal.
The vagueries are finished, with a clear definition of boundaries.
The land is divided and Joshua and other leaders head off to mark out the allocations.
But wait.
There are still people living there.
That could be awkward.
"Mum what's that weird guy doing with the theodolite?"
"That's one of those Israelite guys. Backward sheep herders! Everybody knows using a kinematic GPS is best for total precision. Pass the grapes, son."
"Oo, he just ran his Gunter's chain right through Uncle Jehosphat's pomegranate grove. He won't be happy."
"Better get ya father, boy. Battle's about to be brewing."
Just as a slight footnote, the above reads funnier if you incorporate a cockney or outrageous ocker accent.
Totally inaccurate but try it for kicks.
You know you want to.
No-one will hear.
Even better, while doing it, look at your reflection in the monitor or phone screen.
You crack me up.
Things are going to get interesting real soon.
More than watching yourself speak cockney into the monitor.
;)
Relive the glorious era of '80's pop.
Fueled, probably over-fueled with sugar I dredged my memory for hits of the past.
Then I hit gold.
Pure gold.
The unadulterated madness of well, Madness.
Catchy blend of happiness, outrageous English accents and brass.
I enjoyed them and felt the compulsive need to share my relived joy with the world of facebook.
Now I never share video clips on facebook.
The practice is fraught with peril.
You need to make sure, well I do, of anything that could be interpreted controversial.
But where was the harm is posting some fun-loving poms singing about living in a fun house?
I guess the bit where it's a song about buying condoms to use for the first time.
Doh!
I blame poor memory and a low speaker volume.
Thanks Jeffrey for subtly pointing it out.
But let that be a warning to you all kids, late nights, sugar and the interwebs don't mix well.
And I will not post on facebook after 9pm again.
I have a strong suspicion I have said this before.
Numbers 34
It's all set up.
It's a done deal.
The vagueries are finished, with a clear definition of boundaries.
The land is divided and Joshua and other leaders head off to mark out the allocations.
But wait.
There are still people living there.
That could be awkward.
"Mum what's that weird guy doing with the theodolite?"
"That's one of those Israelite guys. Backward sheep herders! Everybody knows using a kinematic GPS is best for total precision. Pass the grapes, son."
"Oo, he just ran his Gunter's chain right through Uncle Jehosphat's pomegranate grove. He won't be happy."
"Better get ya father, boy. Battle's about to be brewing."
Just as a slight footnote, the above reads funnier if you incorporate a cockney or outrageous ocker accent.
Totally inaccurate but try it for kicks.
You know you want to.
No-one will hear.
Even better, while doing it, look at your reflection in the monitor or phone screen.
You crack me up.
Things are going to get interesting real soon.
More than watching yourself speak cockney into the monitor.
;)
Monday, April 4, 2011
150 Why Always 10? (Num 33)
A nice relaxing evening with daylight savings slowly taking effect.
It felt like 10 at 7.
It still feels like 10 and it's 8.
Why does it always feel like 10pm?
What will it feel like at 10?
I'm really, really hoping I won't know as I'll be asleep.
Why did I wake up earlier than normal this morning when I turned the clocks back on the weekend?
Shouldn't I struggle and wake up later than it really is?
I don't mind that I don't, but my head is not figuring this out.
This is rhetorical quizzing by the way.
Answer or don't, I'll still ponder the weird way my body works just the same.
:)
Numbers 33
The whole journey is chronicled in this chapter.
Each camping place.
It's quite remarkable.
45(I hope I counted correctly) locations.
Just before the Jordan River, God spells it out again.
Take the land.
Deal with the inhabitants.
Totally.
The people and their "gods".
Or you will have never ending problems.
Like barbs in the eye.
Oochie wa wa.
Barbs in the eye sounds decidedly unpleasant.
But I guess God has a strong point to make.
This is the new generation.
The gen Y'ers of the day.
We've already seen they think they know it all.
They don't.
And Moses' time is running out.
It will fall to Joshua.
Strong leadership.
Strong character.
He'll need both.
Heaps.
On the plus side. God is showing the people He has been with them all the way.
From the outset God has guided.
Day one, while the Egyptians buried their firstborn to now, where the Israelites are about to bury their leader and last of the generation that began the journey.
Sure there has been flashes of anger and annoyance.
But in the end, they are standing on the Jordan River, just about to step into the fulfillment of God's initial promise.
Ten out of the 12 will take the inheritance promised.
2 will do okay.
God will remain God.
He knows it has only just begun.
It felt like 10 at 7.
It still feels like 10 and it's 8.
Why does it always feel like 10pm?
What will it feel like at 10?
I'm really, really hoping I won't know as I'll be asleep.
Why did I wake up earlier than normal this morning when I turned the clocks back on the weekend?
Shouldn't I struggle and wake up later than it really is?
I don't mind that I don't, but my head is not figuring this out.
This is rhetorical quizzing by the way.
Answer or don't, I'll still ponder the weird way my body works just the same.
:)
Numbers 33
The whole journey is chronicled in this chapter.
Each camping place.
It's quite remarkable.
45(I hope I counted correctly) locations.
Just before the Jordan River, God spells it out again.
Take the land.
Deal with the inhabitants.
Totally.
The people and their "gods".
Or you will have never ending problems.
Like barbs in the eye.
Oochie wa wa.
Barbs in the eye sounds decidedly unpleasant.
But I guess God has a strong point to make.
This is the new generation.
The gen Y'ers of the day.
We've already seen they think they know it all.
They don't.
And Moses' time is running out.
It will fall to Joshua.
Strong leadership.
Strong character.
He'll need both.
Heaps.
On the plus side. God is showing the people He has been with them all the way.
From the outset God has guided.
Day one, while the Egyptians buried their firstborn to now, where the Israelites are about to bury their leader and last of the generation that began the journey.
Sure there has been flashes of anger and annoyance.
But in the end, they are standing on the Jordan River, just about to step into the fulfillment of God's initial promise.
Ten out of the 12 will take the inheritance promised.
2 will do okay.
God will remain God.
He knows it has only just begun.
Friday, April 1, 2011
149 Today is a Good Day (Num 32)
Today was a good, good day.
I enjoyed it.
I am looking forward to another good day tomorrow.
And that happening is in no doubt at all.
Numbers 32
The tribes of Reuben and Gad had a very great number of livestock.
Well after last chapter, no joke Freddy.
At first I thought the request to stay on the opposite side of the river was reasonable.
It looked ok.
In the end they would still fight for the land, yet not move in.
Seems fine.
But then I realised.
They forgot the story that got them into the trouble in the first place and wander around the wilderness for 40 years.
They were rejecting the land God was offering them.
They were saying they knew better than God.
Because no matter how good the land they wanted was, it was no land flowing with milk and honey.
There were no bunches of grapes that took two men to carry.
God had said "I'll give you the best."
They were willing to take something less than that.
The second generation made a worse mistake than the first.
Kids, huh?
Why the rush?
Why not wait a little while longer after waiting 40 years?
Still scared of giants?
Still no trust in God's word?
Don't know, but I think years later when they compared what they got and what they could have had they would be spewing.
I enjoyed it.
I am looking forward to another good day tomorrow.
And that happening is in no doubt at all.
Numbers 32
The tribes of Reuben and Gad had a very great number of livestock.
Well after last chapter, no joke Freddy.
At first I thought the request to stay on the opposite side of the river was reasonable.
It looked ok.
In the end they would still fight for the land, yet not move in.
Seems fine.
But then I realised.
They forgot the story that got them into the trouble in the first place and wander around the wilderness for 40 years.
They were rejecting the land God was offering them.
They were saying they knew better than God.
Because no matter how good the land they wanted was, it was no land flowing with milk and honey.
There were no bunches of grapes that took two men to carry.
God had said "I'll give you the best."
They were willing to take something less than that.
The second generation made a worse mistake than the first.
Kids, huh?
Why the rush?
Why not wait a little while longer after waiting 40 years?
Still scared of giants?
Still no trust in God's word?
Don't know, but I think years later when they compared what they got and what they could have had they would be spewing.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
148 Increased Repertoire (Num 31)
Since starting to fish I have learnt so much.
I CAN walk for longer than 20 minutes.
I CAN carry more than 20kg on my back.
I CAN talk to people I have never met and fit in ok.
I CAN tie things on the back of a trailer and they won't fall off.
My knots WILL hold.
I DO have better hand eye co-ordination than I thought.
Camping isn't so bad.
We do live in a beautiful place.
Oh, and I CAN catch fish.
Many fish.
Today I realised the most important lesson I have learned in all of this.
Through the journey of back casts going into trees, flies getting wrapped around the rodand myself, getting hooked up on snags and every dandelion head along the river bank, even that single one all by itself in a field on nothing else sticking up, I discovered an element of skill has appeared in my repertoire.
I suddenly have this ability to untangle my headphone lead when the mornings are so cold I can't feel my fingers.
It's a gift, I try not to talk about it much.
So I won't.
Numbers 31
Israel launches an attack on Midian.
12 000 soldiers PLUS Phinehas the son of Eleazar.
There is a point to him being added especially.
God is represented and at the forefront of battle.
Men being men I guess, they failed to remember old lessons in the face of a pretty girl.
Or thousands of pretty girls even.
v16 "Behold, these (the women), on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the LORD."
They didn't get it. They didn't learn.
I'm not sure of the time frame, but it wasn't long.
And instead of wiping out the entire nation, they kept some trophies.
Inappropriate trophies at that.
The cleansing process interests me.
All metals pass through fire.
Anything that can't be burned passed through water.
In either case emerging clean. Pure.
When you don't know what something was used for, it is best to clean it before using it. Eliminate the risk of infection.
Physical or spiritual.
God can put us through stuff that seems hard and sometimes it hurts.
What comes out on the other side though is precious, fine, usable and pleasing in God's eyes.
The questions about the numbers of animals used in sacrificing are sort of answered in this passage.
In all over 800 000 animals are taken as bounty.
800 000.
That's a lot of extra poop to avoid while walking.
My understanding would be that if the people didn't have the means to look after this quantity of livestock, they wouldn't take them.
If the sheer scale of the size of the new herd was unimaginable or impractical, then the animals would have been slaghtered or left alone.
My suspicion is that this number of animals was a drop in the ocean compared to what the Israelites had and were used to looking after.
We're talking about a nation of herdsmen.
They probably didn't even notice the difference.
Except for the piles of poop.
I guess these were a people used to looking where they walked.
I CAN walk for longer than 20 minutes.
I CAN carry more than 20kg on my back.
I CAN talk to people I have never met and fit in ok.
I CAN tie things on the back of a trailer and they won't fall off.
My knots WILL hold.
I DO have better hand eye co-ordination than I thought.
Camping isn't so bad.
We do live in a beautiful place.
Oh, and I CAN catch fish.
Many fish.
Today I realised the most important lesson I have learned in all of this.
Through the journey of back casts going into trees, flies getting wrapped around the rodand myself, getting hooked up on snags and every dandelion head along the river bank, even that single one all by itself in a field on nothing else sticking up, I discovered an element of skill has appeared in my repertoire.
I suddenly have this ability to untangle my headphone lead when the mornings are so cold I can't feel my fingers.
It's a gift, I try not to talk about it much.
So I won't.
Numbers 31
Israel launches an attack on Midian.
12 000 soldiers PLUS Phinehas the son of Eleazar.
There is a point to him being added especially.
God is represented and at the forefront of battle.
Men being men I guess, they failed to remember old lessons in the face of a pretty girl.
Or thousands of pretty girls even.
v16 "Behold, these (the women), on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the LORD."
They didn't get it. They didn't learn.
I'm not sure of the time frame, but it wasn't long.
And instead of wiping out the entire nation, they kept some trophies.
Inappropriate trophies at that.
The cleansing process interests me.
All metals pass through fire.
Anything that can't be burned passed through water.
In either case emerging clean. Pure.
When you don't know what something was used for, it is best to clean it before using it. Eliminate the risk of infection.
Physical or spiritual.
God can put us through stuff that seems hard and sometimes it hurts.
What comes out on the other side though is precious, fine, usable and pleasing in God's eyes.
The questions about the numbers of animals used in sacrificing are sort of answered in this passage.
In all over 800 000 animals are taken as bounty.
800 000.
That's a lot of extra poop to avoid while walking.
My understanding would be that if the people didn't have the means to look after this quantity of livestock, they wouldn't take them.
If the sheer scale of the size of the new herd was unimaginable or impractical, then the animals would have been slaghtered or left alone.
My suspicion is that this number of animals was a drop in the ocean compared to what the Israelites had and were used to looking after.
We're talking about a nation of herdsmen.
They probably didn't even notice the difference.
Except for the piles of poop.
I guess these were a people used to looking where they walked.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
147 Crickity Neck (Num 30)
I did something odd late yesterday that I have regretted today.
I turned around in the car.
Coming out of a driveway, inexplicably I decided to check for oncoming traffic.
What was I thinking?
When I got home, my neck and shoulder just felt odd.
So I did the natural thing.
I tried to twist it further than I normally would.
Because everyone knows that's what makes things better.
For some reason this time, it didn't work.
In fact, horror upon horrors, it made it worse.
Who would have thunk it?
This morning I could hardly lift my head.
My angelic wife provided a hot pack which felt like absolute heaven on earth.
Explaining her angelic nature I guess.
By this afternoon I could get out of bed and wander.
And as I sit here reliving my day I feel almost normal.
Whatever that means.
A little more on the hot pack.
It may have been slightly late last night when Donna caringly offered to get me a hot pack.
I must have missed something though because she said she would get one from the freezer and then defrost it for me.
My head couldn't compute this info and I instead burst into laughter.
I knew it should make sense.
I couldn't work it out.
Then I hurt all night.
It was still funny.
Numbers 30
We take pride in the thought that our word means something.
When we have nothing else, the hope is what we say can be relied on.
A promise is a powerful thing.
If you keep it, the rewards can be lifelong.
Break it, and it's extremely hard to make it right again.
Ever.
Even if you don't break your word again.
Do we take it seriously when we promise something to our family, our friends or ourselves?
It's easy to get caught up in the semantics of what is a promise and what isn't.
Remind you of political spin from a few years ago.
Core and non-core promises.
It shouldn't matter though what sort of spin we put on things.
If you say something, honour it.
No matter what the cost is, it can't be bigger than the cost of not honouring your word.
Know your heart in this and don't get wrapped up in the games of linguistic gymnastics.
Don't give your word or promise or whatever lightly.
They are a valuable commodity.
How others will look at you is in the balance.
I turned around in the car.
Coming out of a driveway, inexplicably I decided to check for oncoming traffic.
What was I thinking?
When I got home, my neck and shoulder just felt odd.
So I did the natural thing.
I tried to twist it further than I normally would.
Because everyone knows that's what makes things better.
For some reason this time, it didn't work.
In fact, horror upon horrors, it made it worse.
Who would have thunk it?
This morning I could hardly lift my head.
My angelic wife provided a hot pack which felt like absolute heaven on earth.
Explaining her angelic nature I guess.
By this afternoon I could get out of bed and wander.
And as I sit here reliving my day I feel almost normal.
Whatever that means.
A little more on the hot pack.
It may have been slightly late last night when Donna caringly offered to get me a hot pack.
I must have missed something though because she said she would get one from the freezer and then defrost it for me.
My head couldn't compute this info and I instead burst into laughter.
I knew it should make sense.
I couldn't work it out.
Then I hurt all night.
It was still funny.
Numbers 30
We take pride in the thought that our word means something.
When we have nothing else, the hope is what we say can be relied on.
A promise is a powerful thing.
If you keep it, the rewards can be lifelong.
Break it, and it's extremely hard to make it right again.
Ever.
Even if you don't break your word again.
Do we take it seriously when we promise something to our family, our friends or ourselves?
It's easy to get caught up in the semantics of what is a promise and what isn't.
Remind you of political spin from a few years ago.
Core and non-core promises.
It shouldn't matter though what sort of spin we put on things.
If you say something, honour it.
No matter what the cost is, it can't be bigger than the cost of not honouring your word.
Know your heart in this and don't get wrapped up in the games of linguistic gymnastics.
Don't give your word or promise or whatever lightly.
They are a valuable commodity.
How others will look at you is in the balance.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
146 It All Happens In the Seventh Month (Num 29)
I love a meeting that doesn't quite fit with what I'm expecting.
In particular when they are shorter.
Fewer people attend than first anticipated.
The schedule gets cut back.
I get to chat to those I haven't for a while.
Today, I had one of those type of meetings.
Brilliant.
My desk celebrated by not groaning too loudly under my unorganised mess.
I could sort stuff.
Sort of.
And, as I sorted, my security monitor let me see a client change his clothes in the courtyard.
By change, I mean really change.
Not just socks and shoes.
Everything.
Shirt.
Vest.
Pants.
Jocks.
Jocks again. (Who knows?)
Everything.
Painfully slowly.
And he kept turning around and around.
Eeeeeeeuuuuuuwwwwww :p
Maybe meetings run long for a reason.
Numbers 29
There seem to be more ceremonies in the seventh month than in any other.
A month of solemness and remembrance.
Yet with much feasting.
Sort of like how accountants commemorate the seventh month today.
On top of all the other sacrificing that would occur.
There's a few more.
And the odd feast or three.
I actually can't recall if accountants still sacrifice stuff, so maybe the analogy ends with having a busy seventh month.
Perhaps.
It's another opportunity to see how important the number 7 is.
7 is God's number.
7 is the day of rest.
7 is holy.
This seventh month is a holy month.
This was the month to concentrate more on God and what He had done.
A time to seek forgiveness.
A time to give thanks.
Again a lot of detail if given on how to go about this.
I can't imagine how good Moses's memory must have been.
My guess is, very good!
I also struggle to comprehend the vast quantity of livestock required to keep up with this all.
My guess here is also, very vast!
In particular when they are shorter.
Fewer people attend than first anticipated.
The schedule gets cut back.
I get to chat to those I haven't for a while.
Today, I had one of those type of meetings.
Brilliant.
My desk celebrated by not groaning too loudly under my unorganised mess.
I could sort stuff.
Sort of.
And, as I sorted, my security monitor let me see a client change his clothes in the courtyard.
By change, I mean really change.
Not just socks and shoes.
Everything.
Shirt.
Vest.
Pants.
Jocks.
Jocks again. (Who knows?)
Everything.
Painfully slowly.
And he kept turning around and around.
Eeeeeeeuuuuuuwwwwww :p
Maybe meetings run long for a reason.
Numbers 29
There seem to be more ceremonies in the seventh month than in any other.
A month of solemness and remembrance.
Yet with much feasting.
Sort of like how accountants commemorate the seventh month today.
On top of all the other sacrificing that would occur.
There's a few more.
And the odd feast or three.
I actually can't recall if accountants still sacrifice stuff, so maybe the analogy ends with having a busy seventh month.
Perhaps.
It's another opportunity to see how important the number 7 is.
7 is God's number.
7 is the day of rest.
7 is holy.
This seventh month is a holy month.
This was the month to concentrate more on God and what He had done.
A time to seek forgiveness.
A time to give thanks.
Again a lot of detail if given on how to go about this.
I can't imagine how good Moses's memory must have been.
My guess is, very good!
I also struggle to comprehend the vast quantity of livestock required to keep up with this all.
My guess here is also, very vast!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
145 A Stressful Task (Num 28)
I was so totally stressed at lunchtime today.
I had been placed in a situation totally new and totally foreign to me.
I needed to make decisions quickly.
Important decisions.
I had limited information and a tight deadline.
My stress levels were impairing my judgment and I kept flip flopping on the decisions I had already made.
It was doing my head in.
Finally.
After lengthy deliberations and some heartache.
I emerged satisfied with the outcome.
I could breathe.
I relaxed.
I had just finalised my first AFL Dream team selection.
Golly that was a task.
Numbers 28
Each day begins and ends with a sacrifice to God.
Another way of reminding the people of Him, His promises and what He has already done.
A pleasant sacrifice.
A sweetness.
Good memories.
Good thoughts.
Hope for the day ahead.
Thanks for the day gone.
And hope for tomorrow.
And a recognition of God being on top of things.
A celebration of freedom.
For a new generation, a real reminder of things experienced by their parents.
A reminder not to forgot from the lessons already learned.
Hard lessons.
And a sight of God's grace.
His love in their redemption from slavery.
And a chance at independence and a place to call home.
I had been placed in a situation totally new and totally foreign to me.
I needed to make decisions quickly.
Important decisions.
I had limited information and a tight deadline.
My stress levels were impairing my judgment and I kept flip flopping on the decisions I had already made.
It was doing my head in.
Finally.
After lengthy deliberations and some heartache.
I emerged satisfied with the outcome.
I could breathe.
I relaxed.
I had just finalised my first AFL Dream team selection.
Golly that was a task.
Numbers 28
Each day begins and ends with a sacrifice to God.
Another way of reminding the people of Him, His promises and what He has already done.
A pleasant sacrifice.
A sweetness.
Good memories.
Good thoughts.
Hope for the day ahead.
Thanks for the day gone.
And hope for tomorrow.
And a recognition of God being on top of things.
A celebration of freedom.
For a new generation, a real reminder of things experienced by their parents.
A reminder not to forgot from the lessons already learned.
Hard lessons.
And a sight of God's grace.
His love in their redemption from slavery.
And a chance at independence and a place to call home.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
144 Character to Lead (Num 27)
It's been a long hard week.
Just a brevity of output tonight.
Enjoy whichever day this finds you.
Cherish those around you, who contribute to making you who you are.
Even those that you struggle with play a part.
Which part and how that turns out, defines who you are.
It's better when I'm random and cheery.
Numbers 27
Joshua was known by God as "a man in whom is the Spirit." (v18)
This set him apart.
On the outside, he was ridiculed because of his stance for taking the land of Canaan by the other spies.
He and Caleb stood firm.
Moses saw the difference.
God saw the difference.
When it came to select a leader amongst the people, Joshua was a stand out.
Character stood out.
Joshua was strong enough to stand up for what was right.
He stayed away from the things that caused so many to fall.
He spoke out against things that were wrong.
He had respect for Moses.
He didn't grumble or complain.
He stood alongside his leader and was a leader.
So much so, that he is singled out seemingly to have the Spirit of God within him.
Chicken and egg time.
Which came first?
The character and faith or the Spirit of God?
How long was Joshua groomed by Moses? A while.
He was with Moses early on. I'm sure he's mentioned in Exodus.
Yep. Chapter 33 with the writing of the 10 commandments.
Something rubbed off.
Something lasting.
Something that Joshua would need as a leader.
Yet without Joshua's character and strength I doubt it would have lasted.
Just a brevity of output tonight.
Enjoy whichever day this finds you.
Cherish those around you, who contribute to making you who you are.
Even those that you struggle with play a part.
Which part and how that turns out, defines who you are.
It's better when I'm random and cheery.
Numbers 27
Joshua was known by God as "a man in whom is the Spirit." (v18)
This set him apart.
On the outside, he was ridiculed because of his stance for taking the land of Canaan by the other spies.
He and Caleb stood firm.
Moses saw the difference.
God saw the difference.
When it came to select a leader amongst the people, Joshua was a stand out.
Character stood out.
Joshua was strong enough to stand up for what was right.
He stayed away from the things that caused so many to fall.
He spoke out against things that were wrong.
He had respect for Moses.
He didn't grumble or complain.
He stood alongside his leader and was a leader.
So much so, that he is singled out seemingly to have the Spirit of God within him.
Chicken and egg time.
Which came first?
The character and faith or the Spirit of God?
How long was Joshua groomed by Moses? A while.
He was with Moses early on. I'm sure he's mentioned in Exodus.
Yep. Chapter 33 with the writing of the 10 commandments.
Something rubbed off.
Something lasting.
Something that Joshua would need as a leader.
Yet without Joshua's character and strength I doubt it would have lasted.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
143 Running Low (Num 26)
I'm living on the edge a little this week with the ute.
While I was away fishing, we drove from Coffs Harbour to Dorrigo and beyond each day.
A round trip of a minimum of 180 kilometres.
After 3 days of this combined with an initial drive from Sydney, my companion had decided to get petrol after fishing.
Rather than before.
No drama really, except for the fact that we had a brilliant day fishing.
We fished until almost 7pm.
There was a couple of towns between us and Coffs.
But would any have open service stations after 7 on a Sunday night?
The answer was a definitive NO.
Now I have let my car run quite low on petrol before.
I have run out stopping at a bowser.
My friend's car was new.
Less than 10000 clicks on the clock.
He had never seen the needle move so close to empty.
Now we had a warning light on and 80 k's to where we knew a 24 hour stop was.
I was fine.
He wasn't.
We did hills at 70.
We coasted down the other side.
All the time he watches his fuel economy gauge and stressing.
Any way a 90 minute journey turned into a tick over 2 hours and we arrived at the petrol station.
He filled up.
Phew!
Except we still had over 10 litres in the tank.
It wasn't even close. :D
Back to my original point.
My ute is currently on empty.
Since before work yesterday!
I should be ok.
I think.
I'll find out tomorrow.
Money in the bank after lunch.
So it will be a careful drive in to work tomorrow morning.
And around the block to the petrol station.
I'll be fine.
Numbers 26
Will Numbers ever finish?
This book has just gone on and on and on and...........
Disruptions haven't helped.
Delays have been unavoidable.
But cracky Jim jolly!
And there's still 10 chapters after this!!!!!
I think if I had sons back then, I would call one Term and the other Meteor.
Then there would be clans of Termites and Meteorites.
Pick the favourite out of those two.
And then maybe Vegem.
Followed by the twins Marm and Prom.
Only those under 20 were listed to receive land once it was distributed.
The sentence from all the muttering and murmuring earlier has been set.
Joshua, Caleb, some Levites and "the kids" get to split up the promised land.
That would be shattering for me.
Survived the snakes.
Survived the wilderness to this point.
Survived the romps with the Midianite women.
Actually I wonder how many had survived to this point.
Not many?
Any?
None entered into Canaan.
But how many learned the final price to their disobedience?
And how hard would it have been to see and to hear it?
A strong case to learn from the mistakes of others.
While I was away fishing, we drove from Coffs Harbour to Dorrigo and beyond each day.
A round trip of a minimum of 180 kilometres.
After 3 days of this combined with an initial drive from Sydney, my companion had decided to get petrol after fishing.
Rather than before.
No drama really, except for the fact that we had a brilliant day fishing.
We fished until almost 7pm.
There was a couple of towns between us and Coffs.
But would any have open service stations after 7 on a Sunday night?
The answer was a definitive NO.
Now I have let my car run quite low on petrol before.
I have run out stopping at a bowser.
My friend's car was new.
Less than 10000 clicks on the clock.
He had never seen the needle move so close to empty.
Now we had a warning light on and 80 k's to where we knew a 24 hour stop was.
I was fine.
He wasn't.
We did hills at 70.
We coasted down the other side.
All the time he watches his fuel economy gauge and stressing.
Any way a 90 minute journey turned into a tick over 2 hours and we arrived at the petrol station.
He filled up.
Phew!
Except we still had over 10 litres in the tank.
It wasn't even close. :D
Back to my original point.
My ute is currently on empty.
Since before work yesterday!
I should be ok.
I think.
I'll find out tomorrow.
Money in the bank after lunch.
So it will be a careful drive in to work tomorrow morning.
And around the block to the petrol station.
I'll be fine.
Numbers 26
Will Numbers ever finish?
This book has just gone on and on and on and...........
Disruptions haven't helped.
Delays have been unavoidable.
But cracky Jim jolly!
And there's still 10 chapters after this!!!!!
I think if I had sons back then, I would call one Term and the other Meteor.
Then there would be clans of Termites and Meteorites.
Pick the favourite out of those two.
And then maybe Vegem.
Followed by the twins Marm and Prom.
Only those under 20 were listed to receive land once it was distributed.
The sentence from all the muttering and murmuring earlier has been set.
Joshua, Caleb, some Levites and "the kids" get to split up the promised land.
That would be shattering for me.
Survived the snakes.
Survived the wilderness to this point.
Survived the romps with the Midianite women.
Actually I wonder how many had survived to this point.
Not many?
Any?
None entered into Canaan.
But how many learned the final price to their disobedience?
And how hard would it have been to see and to hear it?
A strong case to learn from the mistakes of others.
Monday, March 21, 2011
142 To Do or Not To Do(Num 25)
Just before I start, I don't think I've had a title with so many o's in it.
Something for those of you who care about that sort of stuff.
Well it didn't quite work out as I expected.
Laggy, slow wifi with full days and late nights conspired against any blogging.
So it's back to the keyboard with a vengeance in the hope of something half decent being created.
Tough ask, I know.
But this challenge has never been easy.
I have a notorious short attention span.
A history of incomplete tasks.
Yet, somehow I keep at it.
Kudos to me.
One thing I did learn, or at least reaffirm, about my family.
The smiles are never bigger, than those that arrive with me carrying a bag of Krispy Kreme donuts.
I'm sure I was missed.
But maybe a little forgotten in the rush for sugary treasures.
Numbers 25
Distracted by the women of Moab, Israel stumble.
Badly.
To extraordinary levels.
24 000 pay the price for this show of undisciplined lust in the face of God.
Earlier, just after coming out of Egypt, God warned the people about the temptations of the people they would come across.
He told them to refrain.
To keep apart.
They didn't.
24 000 died.
One man gained favour with God with his display of distaste, of anger, of jealousy for God.
Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the one lone voice against the horde of partakers.
One voice can make a stand.
With a big enough spear.
And a righteous anger.
Without his actions, more would have been lost.
Possibly all.
I guess when you see something that is wrong.
Very wrong.
You have a choice to make.
Many saw what was happening, but only one acted against it.
There's a risk about the cost in becoming involved.
But perhaps a bigger risk in doing nothing.
Something for those of you who care about that sort of stuff.
Well it didn't quite work out as I expected.
Laggy, slow wifi with full days and late nights conspired against any blogging.
So it's back to the keyboard with a vengeance in the hope of something half decent being created.
Tough ask, I know.
But this challenge has never been easy.
I have a notorious short attention span.
A history of incomplete tasks.
Yet, somehow I keep at it.
Kudos to me.
One thing I did learn, or at least reaffirm, about my family.
The smiles are never bigger, than those that arrive with me carrying a bag of Krispy Kreme donuts.
I'm sure I was missed.
But maybe a little forgotten in the rush for sugary treasures.
Numbers 25
Distracted by the women of Moab, Israel stumble.
Badly.
To extraordinary levels.
24 000 pay the price for this show of undisciplined lust in the face of God.
Earlier, just after coming out of Egypt, God warned the people about the temptations of the people they would come across.
He told them to refrain.
To keep apart.
They didn't.
24 000 died.
One man gained favour with God with his display of distaste, of anger, of jealousy for God.
Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the one lone voice against the horde of partakers.
One voice can make a stand.
With a big enough spear.
And a righteous anger.
Without his actions, more would have been lost.
Possibly all.
I guess when you see something that is wrong.
Very wrong.
You have a choice to make.
Many saw what was happening, but only one acted against it.
There's a risk about the cost in becoming involved.
But perhaps a bigger risk in doing nothing.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
141 Not Totally Not Fun (Num 24)
Rainy afternoons at work are not totally not fun.
I started to think they were bad.
Dullish perhaps.
But then, I think I changed my mind.
I can't rememeber.
This morning started fine.
Cloudy. Yet not cold.
And not as warm as yesterday.
It started raining just before lunch.
Then stopped,
It started again about an hour before finish time.
I could concentrate better.
I got a heap done.
Everyone seemed a bit more relaxed.
I think.
I may have to reassess my opinions.
But I think rain and cooler than warm, but warmer than cool temperatures, work for me.
Too warm = a bit oppressive.
Too cool = all productivity goes into keeping warm.
Maybe.
Today anyway, it felt ok.
As far as I recall anyway.
Numbers 24
Ok, so Balaam has done away with any showmanship this time and gets straight to the point with Balak.
For the third time, he blesses Israel.
Quite eloquently in fact.
And then he lays the facts out to Balak.
Maybe he's getting tired of the same request over and over and over.
Balak gets angry at the refusal to curse.
"How angry?" I hear you ask.
So angry he smites his hands together.
Oo-er.
That's angry.
Better watch out.
I wonder if that's angrier than a foot stamp.
Or a fiesty glare.
Or a rude word.
The ending is quick.
Balak goes home.
Balaam goes home.
Israel get lost going home.
Heh heh.
See what I did there?
Sometimes it takes a while for us to realise that even when God hears our requests, He may not agree with them.
He certainly won't cower to them.
He will do what He wills as He wills when He wills.
Moses could get Him to change His mind.
Balaam could not.
Moses requests echoed God's original plans and promises.
Balaam's was on the basis of a scared prince and was the opposite of God's plan.
Where do our requests to Him really fit?
And do we feel like smiting our hands when it doesn't work our way?
Probably not the best way to deal with it.
I started to think they were bad.
Dullish perhaps.
But then, I think I changed my mind.
I can't rememeber.
This morning started fine.
Cloudy. Yet not cold.
And not as warm as yesterday.
It started raining just before lunch.
Then stopped,
It started again about an hour before finish time.
I could concentrate better.
I got a heap done.
Everyone seemed a bit more relaxed.
I think.
I may have to reassess my opinions.
But I think rain and cooler than warm, but warmer than cool temperatures, work for me.
Too warm = a bit oppressive.
Too cool = all productivity goes into keeping warm.
Maybe.
Today anyway, it felt ok.
As far as I recall anyway.
Numbers 24
Ok, so Balaam has done away with any showmanship this time and gets straight to the point with Balak.
For the third time, he blesses Israel.
Quite eloquently in fact.
And then he lays the facts out to Balak.
Maybe he's getting tired of the same request over and over and over.
Balak gets angry at the refusal to curse.
"How angry?" I hear you ask.
So angry he smites his hands together.
Oo-er.
That's angry.
Better watch out.
I wonder if that's angrier than a foot stamp.
Or a fiesty glare.
Or a rude word.
The ending is quick.
Balak goes home.
Balaam goes home.
Israel get lost going home.
Heh heh.
See what I did there?
Sometimes it takes a while for us to realise that even when God hears our requests, He may not agree with them.
He certainly won't cower to them.
He will do what He wills as He wills when He wills.
Moses could get Him to change His mind.
Balaam could not.
Moses requests echoed God's original plans and promises.
Balaam's was on the basis of a scared prince and was the opposite of God's plan.
Where do our requests to Him really fit?
And do we feel like smiting our hands when it doesn't work our way?
Probably not the best way to deal with it.
140 Looming Challenges (Num 23)
Another fishing trip looms.
As well as the adventure of fishing new waters.
Possibly even salty waters.
A new challenge calls me.
"Blog using your iPod."
Hmmmm.
It sounds feasible. It sounds possible.
It sounds hard.
I'm predicting some short entries come Wednesday.
We'll see.
Actually, I am worried my eyesight may be affected.
It's a teeny tiny screen.
Will my chunky fingers deal with the lack of a keyboard?
Of course.
The joys of WiFi and wireless internet thingys scattered countrywide.
Numbers 23
Well the delay was longer than I expected.
Sorry to those with fingernails chewed off to the elbow.
The climax is still a bit on the "anti" side of things at this point.
It's as if Balaam is playing with Balak here.
v3 "Perhaps the Lord will come to meet me"
It's a bit funny.
Make these altars.
Get this stuff ready.
And then PERHAPS!!
There is a difference here between a curse and a CURSE.
I'm sure if Balak just wanted Balaam to say bad things about the Israelites, then he may have been happy.
If it was just words to give him some confidence in his upcoming confrontations, that may have been suffice.
He recognises though, that there is real power in God.
He recognises that a curse will really come to pass if it comes from God.
He does however, get the process muddled up.
God will curse those who warrant it and then he will let them know via a prophet or whoever.
The prophet doesn't tell God what to do.
Balaam has no control except as a mouthpiece.
Balaam knows this.
Balak doesn't.
Balak's faith in the prophet is misguided and fruitless.
Hence his annoyance.
Lack of comprehension leads to frustration.
Obviously he is used to getting his way.
All the time!!
He could have built a thousand altars.
He could have sacrificed a gazillion cattle and God would not pander to his desire to see Israel cursed.
But he tries again.
And again.
To change the mind of God.
He must have some wealth and heaps of spare time.
He should find a hobby.
The comfort here is for the Israelites.
God is still with them.
Despite the anger at their moaning and muttering and complaining, they are still His people.
He still has a plan for them.
He still has love for them.
His grace continues.
As a nation, they will still receive His promise and blessing.
There's reassurance for us in that as well.
:D
As well as the adventure of fishing new waters.
Possibly even salty waters.
A new challenge calls me.
"Blog using your iPod."
Hmmmm.
It sounds feasible. It sounds possible.
It sounds hard.
I'm predicting some short entries come Wednesday.
We'll see.
Actually, I am worried my eyesight may be affected.
It's a teeny tiny screen.
Will my chunky fingers deal with the lack of a keyboard?
Of course.
The joys of WiFi and wireless internet thingys scattered countrywide.
Numbers 23
Well the delay was longer than I expected.
Sorry to those with fingernails chewed off to the elbow.
The climax is still a bit on the "anti" side of things at this point.
It's as if Balaam is playing with Balak here.
v3 "Perhaps the Lord will come to meet me"
It's a bit funny.
Make these altars.
Get this stuff ready.
And then PERHAPS!!
There is a difference here between a curse and a CURSE.
I'm sure if Balak just wanted Balaam to say bad things about the Israelites, then he may have been happy.
If it was just words to give him some confidence in his upcoming confrontations, that may have been suffice.
He recognises though, that there is real power in God.
He recognises that a curse will really come to pass if it comes from God.
He does however, get the process muddled up.
God will curse those who warrant it and then he will let them know via a prophet or whoever.
The prophet doesn't tell God what to do.
Balaam has no control except as a mouthpiece.
Balaam knows this.
Balak doesn't.
Balak's faith in the prophet is misguided and fruitless.
Hence his annoyance.
Lack of comprehension leads to frustration.
Obviously he is used to getting his way.
All the time!!
He could have built a thousand altars.
He could have sacrificed a gazillion cattle and God would not pander to his desire to see Israel cursed.
But he tries again.
And again.
To change the mind of God.
He must have some wealth and heaps of spare time.
He should find a hobby.
The comfort here is for the Israelites.
God is still with them.
Despite the anger at their moaning and muttering and complaining, they are still His people.
He still has a plan for them.
He still has love for them.
His grace continues.
As a nation, they will still receive His promise and blessing.
There's reassurance for us in that as well.
:D
Friday, March 4, 2011
139 Scary (Num 22)
Every now and then I get a supreme feeling of forgetting something.
The other day it happened.
I was pretty sure I had stuff on every night that week.
It was just going to be one of those weeks.
Not sure how it happens, but it just does.
I had nothing in my diary.
Which is not that unusual.
There was nothing on the calender in the kitchen.
Which is unusual if there is something on.
And then the clincher was when I got home.
Donna's second words after "Hi honey. How was your day?"
were
"What have we got on tonight?"
Aaaarrrrrrr!
She's the one I was hoping would know.
She always does.
Looking in the fridge, we both hoped it wasn't someone coming for tea.
Anyway we spent the night waiting for a phone call asking where we were.
Or a knock at the door.
Neither came.
Phew.
Numbers 22
Love this description.
v4 "This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field."
The reputation of a mighty nation had preceded the Israelites.
And it was scary to some.
Very scary.
Scary enough to lead to desperate measures such as those carried out by Balak.
Balaam's position here confuses me a bit.
He's some sort of diviner or sooth-sayer, yet speaks to God.
And God comes to talk with him.
His insight has obviously been accurate in the past.
Perhaps he was a prophet that got lured by self importance and greed and went off by himself.
Balak expected to have to pay handsomely for his service.
Hmmmm.
He has also seen God work before.
He's aware of the signs and wonders.
Obviously I guess because he's not phased in having a converation with a donkey.
Shrek has changed this story for me forever though.
I keep seeing Balaam traveling along and the donkey going
"Are we there yet?"
No.
"Are we there yet?"
No
"Are we there yet?"
No
"Are we there yet?"
No
"Are we there yet?"
Doooooonnnnnnnn-kkkkkeeyyyyy!!!!!
"Can we have waffles?"
Aaaaaaaarrrgggghhhhhhh!
Although I can't see Balaam making candles out of ear wax.
At the end of the day, whatever Balaam's motives or past or occupation, he recognises that you don't mess with God (eventually).
Despite the riches on offer.
Or the prestige.
Or the pressure from a son of Zippor.
You don't defy God's will.
He did.
And if it wasn't for his donkey and its annoying clicking mouth noises, he would have died.
The tension is tangible here folks.
Is it to be a curse?
Is it to be a blessing?
Will he realise his long lost uncle is really his father who regrets never telling him the sad story of his twin sister he never knew he had?
What is he going to say?
Oh no.
It's the end of the chapter.
A slow fade as they stand on the hill gazing out at the camp of Israel.
"God has said.................................."
The other day it happened.
I was pretty sure I had stuff on every night that week.
It was just going to be one of those weeks.
Not sure how it happens, but it just does.
I had nothing in my diary.
Which is not that unusual.
There was nothing on the calender in the kitchen.
Which is unusual if there is something on.
And then the clincher was when I got home.
Donna's second words after "Hi honey. How was your day?"
were
"What have we got on tonight?"
Aaaarrrrrrr!
She's the one I was hoping would know.
She always does.
Looking in the fridge, we both hoped it wasn't someone coming for tea.
Anyway we spent the night waiting for a phone call asking where we were.
Or a knock at the door.
Neither came.
Phew.
Numbers 22
Love this description.
v4 "This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field."
The reputation of a mighty nation had preceded the Israelites.
And it was scary to some.
Very scary.
Scary enough to lead to desperate measures such as those carried out by Balak.
Balaam's position here confuses me a bit.
He's some sort of diviner or sooth-sayer, yet speaks to God.
And God comes to talk with him.
His insight has obviously been accurate in the past.
Perhaps he was a prophet that got lured by self importance and greed and went off by himself.
Balak expected to have to pay handsomely for his service.
Hmmmm.
He has also seen God work before.
He's aware of the signs and wonders.
Obviously I guess because he's not phased in having a converation with a donkey.
Shrek has changed this story for me forever though.
I keep seeing Balaam traveling along and the donkey going
"Are we there yet?"
No.
"Are we there yet?"
No
"Are we there yet?"
No
"Are we there yet?"
No
"Are we there yet?"
Doooooonnnnnnnn-kkkkkeeyyyyy!!!!!
"Can we have waffles?"
Aaaaaaaarrrgggghhhhhhh!
Although I can't see Balaam making candles out of ear wax.
At the end of the day, whatever Balaam's motives or past or occupation, he recognises that you don't mess with God (eventually).
Despite the riches on offer.
Or the prestige.
Or the pressure from a son of Zippor.
You don't defy God's will.
He did.
And if it wasn't for his donkey and its annoying clicking mouth noises, he would have died.
The tension is tangible here folks.
Is it to be a curse?
Is it to be a blessing?
Will he realise his long lost uncle is really his father who regrets never telling him the sad story of his twin sister he never knew he had?
What is he going to say?
Oh no.
It's the end of the chapter.
A slow fade as they stand on the hill gazing out at the camp of Israel.
"God has said.................................."
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
138 Fiery Snakes (Num 21)
I am not one who indulges in desserts.
I have a teeny tiny sweet tooth stuck right at the back of my mouth.
It stays pretty quiet.
Which is fine.
Occasionally if the mood strikes I'll eat some chocolate.
The mood rarely strikes.
Chocolate can last me weeks. If I can hide it from the family.
But I'm more a lollies type of guy.
In fact I'm more a chips type of guy.
Savoury rocks!
It took Donna a while to get used to me not having dessert.
She likes them.
Heaps.
She also cooks them.
Quite often in fact.
Superbly so.
So well that sometimes, actually most times, I don't mind going out of my way to eat them.
The point?
Nothing really.
Just a good opportunity to extol the virtues of my cute wife.
The beating I receive now will be worth it.
Numbers 21
Another bumpy start for the Israelites.
God delivers them in battle from the hands of Arad.
Despite this, the complaints continue.
v5 "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food."
Ok, so again the problem isn't "no food".
It's "we don't like what we have" food that's the problem.
That seems to be a recurring theme as well.
Complain about something, but really it's still about looking back with rose-coloured spectacley doovers.
I get the concerns for lack of water.
But how often has God provided already?
Learn something here. PLEASE! (They won't.)
Ask.
Don't whinge.
It would be like walking in the desert with a million 4 year olds.
Cor!!!!
Punishment by fiery snakes.
That would almost be worth complaining about stuff to see.
Were there little fires everywhere?
Getting bitten by a snake must hurt.
How much would it hurt if it was with fangs on fire?
See, God likes detail.
"Why those baby Israelites. Moan moan. Whine whine. I'll show them.
I'll send snakes at 'em. And and lots of 'em.
And I'm so mad I'll make them on fire as well.
And then I'll give Chinese arm burns.
Yeah that'll show 'em."
.................................
"Ok got carried away.
No arm burns.
This time!!!!"
Then we see the redemption of the Israelites.
Those bitten could look to the bronze likeness and be healed.
Mounted on a pole and set up in camp.
Those who wanted to be saved needed to look up. They needed to do something to be made whole.
Now I'm guessing there may have been some Israelites who didn't complain.
Who must have thought they did nothing wrong.
But snakes are no discerners of people.
If you were close, you got bit.
If you got bit, it didn't matter if you complained or not, you died.
Unless you looked up.
That's all.
See the bronze serpent and you lived.
Again the Israelites are refused passage through land.
Despite asking nicely.
Someone must have heard they could get grumpy a bit.
I have a teeny tiny sweet tooth stuck right at the back of my mouth.
It stays pretty quiet.
Which is fine.
Occasionally if the mood strikes I'll eat some chocolate.
The mood rarely strikes.
Chocolate can last me weeks. If I can hide it from the family.
But I'm more a lollies type of guy.
In fact I'm more a chips type of guy.
Savoury rocks!
It took Donna a while to get used to me not having dessert.
She likes them.
Heaps.
She also cooks them.
Quite often in fact.
Superbly so.
So well that sometimes, actually most times, I don't mind going out of my way to eat them.
The point?
Nothing really.
Just a good opportunity to extol the virtues of my cute wife.
The beating I receive now will be worth it.
Numbers 21
Another bumpy start for the Israelites.
God delivers them in battle from the hands of Arad.
Despite this, the complaints continue.
v5 "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food."
Ok, so again the problem isn't "no food".
It's "we don't like what we have" food that's the problem.
That seems to be a recurring theme as well.
Complain about something, but really it's still about looking back with rose-coloured spectacley doovers.
I get the concerns for lack of water.
But how often has God provided already?
Learn something here. PLEASE! (They won't.)
Ask.
Don't whinge.
It would be like walking in the desert with a million 4 year olds.
Cor!!!!
Punishment by fiery snakes.
That would almost be worth complaining about stuff to see.
Were there little fires everywhere?
Getting bitten by a snake must hurt.
How much would it hurt if it was with fangs on fire?
See, God likes detail.
"Why those baby Israelites. Moan moan. Whine whine. I'll show them.
I'll send snakes at 'em. And and lots of 'em.
And I'm so mad I'll make them on fire as well.
And then I'll give Chinese arm burns.
Yeah that'll show 'em."
.................................
"Ok got carried away.
No arm burns.
This time!!!!"
Then we see the redemption of the Israelites.
Those bitten could look to the bronze likeness and be healed.
Mounted on a pole and set up in camp.
Those who wanted to be saved needed to look up. They needed to do something to be made whole.
Now I'm guessing there may have been some Israelites who didn't complain.
Who must have thought they did nothing wrong.
But snakes are no discerners of people.
If you were close, you got bit.
If you got bit, it didn't matter if you complained or not, you died.
Unless you looked up.
That's all.
See the bronze serpent and you lived.
Again the Israelites are refused passage through land.
Despite asking nicely.
Someone must have heard they could get grumpy a bit.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
137 New Pants (Num 20)
I went out to buy some clothes today.
Nothing too special.
Stuff for fishing really.
This place I sometimes frequent had a sale on.
Beauty!
I found a shirt.
Tried it on. I never try stuff on.
But I did.
Fits ok.
Half price.
Nice.
Ooo! Look shorts.
The lady was busy so I just held them up and asked if I could go back to the change room.
Sure. No worries.
I try them on and I'm glad I did. They're my size but just don't feel right.
I go and grab a bigger size. Grrrrrrrr. More exercise needed. Mutter mutter.
And yes, I did put my trousers back on before getting the other shorts.
Try the bigger ones and they're better, but not quite.
I just don't understand.
I go one more size up. Surely not.
They fit....ish.
Right colour.
Half price.
What the hey, I'll get them.
I put them on the counter. The lady looks at me a bit funny.
"You do realise these are ladies pants."
My worst clothes shopping fear, acted out in real life.
"I'll just take the shirt then thanks."
I breathe deeply.
And then I die.
It was a nice shop. I think I'll miss it a bit.
Numbers 20
When you look back at something, you tend to see the things that were best about it.
Particularly when things aren't too great where you are presently.
But you forget about the worse bits.
The bits you hated.
The bits you wished would end.
They've finished. You've gone past them.
They are the first things you forget.
The Israelites are like that here.
No water. Want to return to Egypt.
Yet the first thing they crave is pomegranates, grapes, figs and grain.
Oh yeah and water!
Water was not the issue.
Things were hard for them.
But harder than Egypt?
In Egypt they were distant from God.
In Egypt they were slaves.
In Egypt they had no future.
Suddenly they have freedom to choose.
Oopsy, a problem.
The problem is that sometimes you make the wrong choice.
They are learning how to deal with that.
Not in the promised land.
In the desert.
Where they have to rely on God. Trust Him.
They don't. Yet.
This time Moses pays a price.
I find it interesting that both Miriam and Aaron die in the one chapter.
Don't know why.
It's just one of those intriguing little things that happen.
Nothing too special.
Stuff for fishing really.
This place I sometimes frequent had a sale on.
Beauty!
I found a shirt.
Tried it on. I never try stuff on.
But I did.
Fits ok.
Half price.
Nice.
Ooo! Look shorts.
The lady was busy so I just held them up and asked if I could go back to the change room.
Sure. No worries.
I try them on and I'm glad I did. They're my size but just don't feel right.
I go and grab a bigger size. Grrrrrrrr. More exercise needed. Mutter mutter.
And yes, I did put my trousers back on before getting the other shorts.
Try the bigger ones and they're better, but not quite.
I just don't understand.
I go one more size up. Surely not.
They fit....ish.
Right colour.
Half price.
What the hey, I'll get them.
I put them on the counter. The lady looks at me a bit funny.
"You do realise these are ladies pants."
My worst clothes shopping fear, acted out in real life.
"I'll just take the shirt then thanks."
I breathe deeply.
And then I die.
It was a nice shop. I think I'll miss it a bit.
Numbers 20
When you look back at something, you tend to see the things that were best about it.
Particularly when things aren't too great where you are presently.
But you forget about the worse bits.
The bits you hated.
The bits you wished would end.
They've finished. You've gone past them.
They are the first things you forget.
The Israelites are like that here.
No water. Want to return to Egypt.
Yet the first thing they crave is pomegranates, grapes, figs and grain.
Oh yeah and water!
Water was not the issue.
Things were hard for them.
But harder than Egypt?
In Egypt they were distant from God.
In Egypt they were slaves.
In Egypt they had no future.
Suddenly they have freedom to choose.
Oopsy, a problem.
The problem is that sometimes you make the wrong choice.
They are learning how to deal with that.
Not in the promised land.
In the desert.
Where they have to rely on God. Trust Him.
They don't. Yet.
This time Moses pays a price.
I find it interesting that both Miriam and Aaron die in the one chapter.
Don't know why.
It's just one of those intriguing little things that happen.
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