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.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
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......
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