Mark 8:22-Mark 12: 27
2 Samuel 20-24
1 Kings 1-3
Hosea 1:1-7:2
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
2 Samuel 13-19
Chapter 13 is the story of lust, rape, and revenge. Often David's response to others is perplexing. He does nothing to a son, Amnon, who has raped a half sister, Tamar. It is Absalon another son who seeks revenge and has Amnon murdered. Absalon flees in fear of David's reaction.
In chapter 14 David is tricked into allowing Absalom to return to Jerusalem. (reminds me of David being tricked into seeking forgiveness after having Bathsheba's husband Uriah killed). After two more years David forgives Absalom.
David finds himself in conflict, he leaves Jerusalem, but difficulties follow him. His reign is being tested by Absalon and others. David's past must be faced head on. David's army and Absalon's army face each other in battle. Absalom's hair is caught in a branch and David's leader Joab with others kill him. When David hears his grief is great. Maybe if David's love for his daughter had been as deep and he had shown concern for her while providing consequences to Amnon for his actions, David would not have lost two sons.
The Bible is filled with stories that cause us to ponder family relations, loyalty, sin and repentence, actions and consequences. David's story is not a simple one nor often one not to be admired, but God used David to do great things. There is hope for all of us.
In chapter 14 David is tricked into allowing Absalom to return to Jerusalem. (reminds me of David being tricked into seeking forgiveness after having Bathsheba's husband Uriah killed). After two more years David forgives Absalom.
David finds himself in conflict, he leaves Jerusalem, but difficulties follow him. His reign is being tested by Absalon and others. David's past must be faced head on. David's army and Absalon's army face each other in battle. Absalom's hair is caught in a branch and David's leader Joab with others kill him. When David hears his grief is great. Maybe if David's love for his daughter had been as deep and he had shown concern for her while providing consequences to Amnon for his actions, David would not have lost two sons.
The Bible is filled with stories that cause us to ponder family relations, loyalty, sin and repentence, actions and consequences. David's story is not a simple one nor often one not to be admired, but God used David to do great things. There is hope for all of us.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Mark and Daniel
Mark 5:1-8:21
Jesus heals a man of demons. I wonder what the demons are we have. Not little creatures but anything which prevents us from being close to God and from being the whole person God would have us be. To what do we surrender our lives rather than giving our lives to God?
When the women with the hemorrhages touched Jesus' cloak not only is she physically healed but Mark states that Jesus was "aware that power have gone forth from him." I remember this phrase when I think of ministers and care givers. Caring for others, ministering to others does require power. Jesus recognized this and often went off to pray by himself to be renewed. Those of us with jobs that require us to give of body, mind, and spirit for others, need to go off by ourselves to pray and be renewed. We can not give what we do not have.
In Nazareth, even Jesus is rejected. We who fear rejection will never be all that God wants us to be if we give into the fear of rejection. How interesting that in Mark, Jesus sends out the twelve right after he has been rejected. Maybe there is a lesson for us to learn, that rejection is part of sharing the good news.
Feeding the five thousand is truly a story of faith and doubt. Send them away to get food is the disciples first thought, but Jesus says you feed them. But we don't have enough money is their second thought and Jesus says what do you have. Jesus takes what they have, blesses it and then gives it to the disciples to share with the people. It was sufficient with leftovers. I wonder how many of us react the same way, I don't have enough money to share, I don't have enough......... to share, but when willing to share God provides enough for the recipient and us. If only we believe and respond, God provides all things.
Jesus scolds the Pharisees about making decisions of faith based on what is convenient or good for them. How often do we in this modern age do the same? We have opportunities that we choose over God and the church. We don't seek justice if it doesn't directly hurt us. Have Christians become the Pharisees of this age?
We also read the feeding of the four thousand. How interesting first the disciples' faith is tested with fellow Jews and now with non-Jews. The stories are similar with excuses, blessing, and then the disciples having to distribute, to share with others. Jesus often teaches be example as well as words. Not surprising the disciples often need more than one try to understand.
Do we believe God is able or do we need more experiences or teachings to accept all that God can do?
Daniel
The second half of Daniel is a collection of apocalyptic visions. Apocalyptic ism is a belief in two ages, the present and the time to come. In the future time God will intervene in history and overcome all evil. Then God will reign in the perfect, eternal time. The books of Daniel and Revelation are literary styles with apocalyptic visions. Because this style includes visions and a specific theological lens, it is open for interpretation. I recommend using a Bible with commentary, but remember the commentary is an interpretation, God can speak to each of us through this living word. As an example my commentary says that the traditional interpretation of Daniel 7:13-14 was a reference to the Messiah, but now scholars think it is referring either to the Jews or an angel. When I read those words I can see a vision for the people at the time and I can see a vision of Christ. What do you see?
In chapter 9 Daniel prays for and about the people. Confession and supplication. "We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of your great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and act and do not delay!" 9: 18b-19
These are words we should all confess. We do not pray because of who we are, but because of who God is.
Daniel concludes with a belief in the resurrection.
Jesus heals a man of demons. I wonder what the demons are we have. Not little creatures but anything which prevents us from being close to God and from being the whole person God would have us be. To what do we surrender our lives rather than giving our lives to God?
When the women with the hemorrhages touched Jesus' cloak not only is she physically healed but Mark states that Jesus was "aware that power have gone forth from him." I remember this phrase when I think of ministers and care givers. Caring for others, ministering to others does require power. Jesus recognized this and often went off to pray by himself to be renewed. Those of us with jobs that require us to give of body, mind, and spirit for others, need to go off by ourselves to pray and be renewed. We can not give what we do not have.
In Nazareth, even Jesus is rejected. We who fear rejection will never be all that God wants us to be if we give into the fear of rejection. How interesting that in Mark, Jesus sends out the twelve right after he has been rejected. Maybe there is a lesson for us to learn, that rejection is part of sharing the good news.
Feeding the five thousand is truly a story of faith and doubt. Send them away to get food is the disciples first thought, but Jesus says you feed them. But we don't have enough money is their second thought and Jesus says what do you have. Jesus takes what they have, blesses it and then gives it to the disciples to share with the people. It was sufficient with leftovers. I wonder how many of us react the same way, I don't have enough money to share, I don't have enough......... to share, but when willing to share God provides enough for the recipient and us. If only we believe and respond, God provides all things.
Jesus scolds the Pharisees about making decisions of faith based on what is convenient or good for them. How often do we in this modern age do the same? We have opportunities that we choose over God and the church. We don't seek justice if it doesn't directly hurt us. Have Christians become the Pharisees of this age?
We also read the feeding of the four thousand. How interesting first the disciples' faith is tested with fellow Jews and now with non-Jews. The stories are similar with excuses, blessing, and then the disciples having to distribute, to share with others. Jesus often teaches be example as well as words. Not surprising the disciples often need more than one try to understand.
Do we believe God is able or do we need more experiences or teachings to accept all that God can do?
Daniel
The second half of Daniel is a collection of apocalyptic visions. Apocalyptic ism is a belief in two ages, the present and the time to come. In the future time God will intervene in history and overcome all evil. Then God will reign in the perfect, eternal time. The books of Daniel and Revelation are literary styles with apocalyptic visions. Because this style includes visions and a specific theological lens, it is open for interpretation. I recommend using a Bible with commentary, but remember the commentary is an interpretation, God can speak to each of us through this living word. As an example my commentary says that the traditional interpretation of Daniel 7:13-14 was a reference to the Messiah, but now scholars think it is referring either to the Jews or an angel. When I read those words I can see a vision for the people at the time and I can see a vision of Christ. What do you see?
In chapter 9 Daniel prays for and about the people. Confession and supplication. "We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of your great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and act and do not delay!" 9: 18b-19
These are words we should all confess. We do not pray because of who we are, but because of who God is.
Daniel concludes with a belief in the resurrection.
readings for June 20-26 and June 27-July 3
Mark 5:1-8:21; 2 Samuel 13-19; Daniel 7-12
Mark 8:22-12:44; 2 Samuel 20-24 and 1 Kings 1-3; Hosea 1:1- 7:2
Mark 8:22-12:44; 2 Samuel 20-24 and 1 Kings 1-3; Hosea 1:1- 7:2
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Psalm 66-72
Just a few of the verses that spoke to me. I think it is good when the Psalmist starts with personal concern, but always ends with praise for and trust in God. When we can surrender to God this way, it fills our lives with joy. When we have eyes to see all that God is doing, it fill our lips with praise.
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise. Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!" 66.1-2a
Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me. 66.20
Let the peoples praise you, O God, let all the peoples praise you. 67. 3 and 5
Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God gives the desolate a home to live in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a parched land. 68.5-6
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. 68.19
But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. With your faithful help rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. 69. 13-14
I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. Let the oppressed see it and be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. 69. 30-32
Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great." 70.4
Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth. 71.4-5
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and amen 72. 18-19
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise. Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!" 66.1-2a
Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me. 66.20
Let the peoples praise you, O God, let all the peoples praise you. 67. 3 and 5
Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God gives the desolate a home to live in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a parched land. 68.5-6
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. 68.19
But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. With your faithful help rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. 69. 13-14
I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. Let the oppressed see it and be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. 69. 30-32
Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great." 70.4
Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth. 71.4-5
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and amen 72. 18-19
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)