I have conducted a little experiment and discovered that some of those who have been invited may not have received their invitations because their e-mail accounts may have diverted the e-mail from Blogger to their spam account (or in some cases, it may have been blow away altogether).
Especially those with AOL accounts should look in their spam folder. We're trying to get everyone connected!
23 April, 2005
Following God's passion
From Aram Balak has brought me,
The king of Moab from the eastern mountains:
Come, curse Jacob for me,
Come, be incensed at Israel!
How can I curse whom God has not cursed?
How can I be incensed if God is not incensed?
Numbers 23:7-8
The king of Moab from the eastern mountains:
Come, curse Jacob for me,
Come, be incensed at Israel!
How can I curse whom God has not cursed?
How can I be incensed if God is not incensed?
Numbers 23:7-8
Passion, emotion, and the spirit
"It is as nonbiblical to separate emotion or passion from spirit as it is to disparage emotion or passion. The disparagement of emotion was made possible by ascribing to the rational faculty a power of sovereignty over the objects of its comprehension, thought be the active, moving principle, and the objects of knowledge the passive, inert material of comprehension. However, the act of thinking of an object is in itself an act of being moved by the object. In thinking we do not create an object; we are challenged by it . . . .
Emotion is inseparable from being filled with the spirit, which is above all a state of being moved. Often the spirit releases passion, an excessive discharge of nervous energy, enhanced vitality, increased inner strength, increased motor activity, a drive.
While spirit includes passion or emotion, it must not be reduced to either. Spirit implies the sense of sharing a supreme superindividual power, will, or wisdom."
Abraham J. Heschel, The Prophets (New York: HarperCollins, 1962), 405.
Emotion is inseparable from being filled with the spirit, which is above all a state of being moved. Often the spirit releases passion, an excessive discharge of nervous energy, enhanced vitality, increased inner strength, increased motor activity, a drive.
While spirit includes passion or emotion, it must not be reduced to either. Spirit implies the sense of sharing a supreme superindividual power, will, or wisdom."
Abraham J. Heschel, The Prophets (New York: HarperCollins, 1962), 405.
Passion of God in the OT
Consider these words of Abraham Heschel, a Jewish scholar, about the God of the prophets as compared to Greek gods:
"The God of the philosophers is like the Greek ananke, unknown and indifferent to man; He thinks, but does not speak; He is conscious of Himself, but oblivious of the world; while the God of Israel is a God Who loves, and God Who is known to, and concerned with, man. He not only rules the world in the majesty of His might and wisdom, but reacts intimately to the events of history. He does not judge men's deeds impassively and with aloofness; His judgment is imbued with the attitude of One to Whom those actions are of the most intimate and profound concern. God does not stand outside the range of human suffering and sorrow. He is personally involved in, even stirred by, the conduct and fate of man.
Pathos denotes, not an idea of goodness, but a living care; not an immutable example, but an outgoing challenge, a dynamic relation between God and man; not mere feeling or passive affection, but an act or attitude composed of various spiritual elements; no mere contemplative survey of the world, but a passionate summons."
Abraham J. Heschel, The Prophets (New York: HarperCollins, 1962), 289.
"The God of the philosophers is like the Greek ananke, unknown and indifferent to man; He thinks, but does not speak; He is conscious of Himself, but oblivious of the world; while the God of Israel is a God Who loves, and God Who is known to, and concerned with, man. He not only rules the world in the majesty of His might and wisdom, but reacts intimately to the events of history. He does not judge men's deeds impassively and with aloofness; His judgment is imbued with the attitude of One to Whom those actions are of the most intimate and profound concern. God does not stand outside the range of human suffering and sorrow. He is personally involved in, even stirred by, the conduct and fate of man.
Pathos denotes, not an idea of goodness, but a living care; not an immutable example, but an outgoing challenge, a dynamic relation between God and man; not mere feeling or passive affection, but an act or attitude composed of various spiritual elements; no mere contemplative survey of the world, but a passionate summons."
Abraham J. Heschel, The Prophets (New York: HarperCollins, 1962), 289.
22 April, 2005
Tentative Curriculum for Saturday
This is the tentative Curriculum for Saturday. Notice that the "thought" is a quote from the Blog. Several quotes are included in the final curriculum. Thank you for the direction. Keep it going.
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be…
Saturday- Dare to Be “One” (Unity)
Flagpole Devotional: Dare To Be “One”
Scripture: Joshua 24, Psalm 133:1, John 17:20-23, Romans 15:5-6, Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 3:12-14
Thoughts: Nothing spurs humanity to courage more than the realization that we are not in this alone. We draw strength from each other, and we fear disappointing each other and that urges us on. But our baptism marks us as a people set apart, a people with our story. Let us draw courage from each other, and from the memory that we stand with every other person who has ever obeyed God in this way (including Jesus, the Christ).
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be…
Saturday- Dare to Be “One” (Unity)
Flagpole Devotional: Dare To Be “One”
Scripture: Joshua 24, Psalm 133:1, John 17:20-23, Romans 15:5-6, Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 3:12-14
Thoughts: Nothing spurs humanity to courage more than the realization that we are not in this alone. We draw strength from each other, and we fear disappointing each other and that urges us on. But our baptism marks us as a people set apart, a people with our story. Let us draw courage from each other, and from the memory that we stand with every other person who has ever obeyed God in this way (including Jesus, the Christ).
Tentative Curriculum for Friday
This is Friday's Tentative Curriculum. It is a bit more indepth than the previous days because I have begun to "flesh it out" beginning with Saturday and working back to Monday. I realize this has the the appearance of an elephant at first. Please remember that a bite at a time is appropriate. Thank you for your input and challenging thoughts. Remember you are "world famous".
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be…
Friday- Dare To Be Gentle
Memory Opportunity:
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Joshua 23:14-15 God’s Gentleness-Keeping Promises
"Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.
Joshua 24:14-15, 24
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."
Quiet Time: Gentle Courage and Passion
Scripture: Joshua 23:14-15, 24:14-15, 24, I Peter 3:13-17
Thoughts: Our response to God’s gentleness is to mimic His gentleness in our life toward ourselves and others; to glorify God (Build Him up in the hearts and minds of ourselves and others).
Define: Gentle
Flagpole Devotional: Courageous and Passionate Gentleness
Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Ephesians 4:1-2
Thoughts: Courage is necessary to passionately pursue the gentle lifestyle of “The Gentle Jesus”.
Define: Gentle
Class: Dare To Be Gentle
Scripture: Joshua 20-23, I Corinthians 16:13-14, Ephesians 4:1-2, Matthew 11:29-30, II Corinthians 10:1-6, Galatians 5:23, Philippians 4:4-5, I Timothy 6:11-12, I Peter 3:13-17, I Kings 19:11-13, Proverbs 15:1, 25:15, Matthew 11:28-30, I Thessalonians 2:6-9, I Timothy 3:1-7, I Peter 3:1-6, I Thessalonians 4:11-12
Thoughts:
Objectives:
-Define: Gentle, (Quiet)
-Objectives
-Application: Sarah’s Story (Genesis 11-12, 16-21, 23-25, Romans 9, Hebrews 11, I Peter 3)
Morning Assembly: Letters to Lu-Jo About Jesus, The Gentle
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-26
Thoughts: The gentleness of Jesus is a goal of those on the journey to Christian maturity as manifest in on of the descriptions of Spiritual fruit.
Let's Talk: Sensitive
Scripture: I Thessalonians 2:6-9
Thoughts: Gentleness is likened to a mother’s care and concern. The real sensitivity of a Christian is the care and concern for souls through one’s emotional, physical and intellectual sensitivity.
Evening Assembly: Beach Breakfast
Scripture: John 21
Thoughts: Jesus defines gentleness in the place of justified revenge. The empowering nature of gentleness is manifest in gentle forgiveness, an example CHRIST-oneness.
Flagpole Devotional: Softly and Tenderly
Scripture: I Kings 19:11-13, I Thessalonians 4:11-12
Thoughts: God manifests Himself in many ways. He most often allows the manner of His presentation to be determined by the actions of the people he is attempting to discipline (guide). When given the opportunity to “be Himself”, he shows up as a “gentle whisper”. The power of God is absolutely soft and tender. Our lives should reflect His example in a quiet lifestyle.
Leadership Training: Steel and Velvet
Scripture: Proverbs 15:1, 25:15, II Corinthians 10:1-6
Thoughts: To be strong and gentle simultaneously is a Christian attribute in contrast to the ways of popular society.
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be…
Friday- Dare To Be Gentle
Memory Opportunity:
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Joshua 23:14-15 God’s Gentleness-Keeping Promises
"Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.
Joshua 24:14-15, 24
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."
Quiet Time: Gentle Courage and Passion
Scripture: Joshua 23:14-15, 24:14-15, 24, I Peter 3:13-17
Thoughts: Our response to God’s gentleness is to mimic His gentleness in our life toward ourselves and others; to glorify God (Build Him up in the hearts and minds of ourselves and others).
Define: Gentle
Flagpole Devotional: Courageous and Passionate Gentleness
Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Ephesians 4:1-2
Thoughts: Courage is necessary to passionately pursue the gentle lifestyle of “The Gentle Jesus”.
Define: Gentle
Class: Dare To Be Gentle
Scripture: Joshua 20-23, I Corinthians 16:13-14, Ephesians 4:1-2, Matthew 11:29-30, II Corinthians 10:1-6, Galatians 5:23, Philippians 4:4-5, I Timothy 6:11-12, I Peter 3:13-17, I Kings 19:11-13, Proverbs 15:1, 25:15, Matthew 11:28-30, I Thessalonians 2:6-9, I Timothy 3:1-7, I Peter 3:1-6, I Thessalonians 4:11-12
Thoughts:
Objectives:
-Define: Gentle, (Quiet)
-Objectives
-Application: Sarah’s Story (Genesis 11-12, 16-21, 23-25, Romans 9, Hebrews 11, I Peter 3)
Morning Assembly: Letters to Lu-Jo About Jesus, The Gentle
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-26
Thoughts: The gentleness of Jesus is a goal of those on the journey to Christian maturity as manifest in on of the descriptions of Spiritual fruit.
Let's Talk: Sensitive
Scripture: I Thessalonians 2:6-9
Thoughts: Gentleness is likened to a mother’s care and concern. The real sensitivity of a Christian is the care and concern for souls through one’s emotional, physical and intellectual sensitivity.
Evening Assembly: Beach Breakfast
Scripture: John 21
Thoughts: Jesus defines gentleness in the place of justified revenge. The empowering nature of gentleness is manifest in gentle forgiveness, an example CHRIST-oneness.
Flagpole Devotional: Softly and Tenderly
Scripture: I Kings 19:11-13, I Thessalonians 4:11-12
Thoughts: God manifests Himself in many ways. He most often allows the manner of His presentation to be determined by the actions of the people he is attempting to discipline (guide). When given the opportunity to “be Himself”, he shows up as a “gentle whisper”. The power of God is absolutely soft and tender. Our lives should reflect His example in a quiet lifestyle.
Leadership Training: Steel and Velvet
Scripture: Proverbs 15:1, 25:15, II Corinthians 10:1-6
Thoughts: To be strong and gentle simultaneously is a Christian attribute in contrast to the ways of popular society.
Archiving
The blog has gotten large enough now that I have archived it. The main page of the blog has the last 12 days of dialogue. You can access the days previous to that by going to the archives via the links on the left side of the page.
Quote for the day . . .
"A man [or woman] without passion is only a latent force, only a possiblity, like a stone waiting for the blow from the iron to give forth sparks." - Henri Frederic Amiel
21 April, 2005
Just checking in...
Guys,
I have just been reading through what the curriculum is shaping up to be. It looks good to me.
I know I am getting excited about what God will do through us this year at camp.
Steve,
Have you thought about teaching assignments yet? And, or other staff placements?
Just curious where you were at this point in all of this.
Ron,
You asked somewhere in one of these posts or a comment somewhere, about if you were doing flag pole in the evening again. A couple of my teens commented last year about evening flag pole devotional and the guy who spoke, as being awesome. Thought that might help. It's amazing how our words impact our younger listeners. Sometimes when I wonder if they are getting it, one of them will mention something I said weeks or even months ago, and they recall it with such clarity, and I am reminded of the power of the words, and the power of the lives we live.
Steve and Ron, and the Lu Jo staffers (world famous to be correct)
I do really appreciate what you both do for the kingdom, and especially for your love for kids. It is contagious!
I have just been reading through what the curriculum is shaping up to be. It looks good to me.
I know I am getting excited about what God will do through us this year at camp.
Steve,
Have you thought about teaching assignments yet? And, or other staff placements?
Just curious where you were at this point in all of this.
Ron,
You asked somewhere in one of these posts or a comment somewhere, about if you were doing flag pole in the evening again. A couple of my teens commented last year about evening flag pole devotional and the guy who spoke, as being awesome. Thought that might help. It's amazing how our words impact our younger listeners. Sometimes when I wonder if they are getting it, one of them will mention something I said weeks or even months ago, and they recall it with such clarity, and I am reminded of the power of the words, and the power of the lives we live.
Steve and Ron, and the Lu Jo staffers (world famous to be correct)
I do really appreciate what you both do for the kingdom, and especially for your love for kids. It is contagious!
Evening flagpole
Here's a summary of what we have for the evening flagpole for Dare to Be.
Sunday Josh 1.16-18 "Ya gotta wanna" Courage motivated by passion
Monday "Random acts of kindness" Believe and stay the course
Tuesday "You, not me" Humble
Wednesday "Can't help the love" Compassion
Thursday "Wait on the Lord" Patience
Friday "Softly and tenderly" Gentleness
This is just a different way of organizing what Steve has laid out so that it's easier to check the direction of it. Is there an intended progression? I'm trying to look at this not so much linearly, but trying at least to leave a way for the person leading the flagpole to connect the dots at the end.
Sunday Josh 1.16-18 "Ya gotta wanna" Courage motivated by passion
Monday "Random acts of kindness" Believe and stay the course
Tuesday "You, not me" Humble
Wednesday "Can't help the love" Compassion
Thursday "Wait on the Lord" Patience
Friday "Softly and tenderly" Gentleness
This is just a different way of organizing what Steve has laid out so that it's easier to check the direction of it. Is there an intended progression? I'm trying to look at this not so much linearly, but trying at least to leave a way for the person leading the flagpole to connect the dots at the end.
Is anyone out there and Thursday's tentative curriculum
Is anyone out there? Not much comment in the last few hours. We are posting the daily tentative curriculum as each day arrives. This is Thursday's tentative curriculum. Hopefully at the beginning of next week the curriculum will be to the point of proofing and publishing.
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be..
Thursday- Dare To Be Patient
Memory Opportunity:
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Joshua 14:7-9, 11, 14 Patience
Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.
Joshua 24:14-15, 24
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."
Quiet Time: Patient Courage and Passion
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Patience
Flagpole Devotional: Courageous, Passionate Patience
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Patience
Class: Dare To Be Patient
Scripture: Joshua 13-19, Psalm 27:13-14, Jeremiah 1:17-19, II Samuel 7:27-28, James 5:7-10, I Peter 3:8-9, Proverbs 14:29, 15:18, 16:32, Matthew 18:21-35, Romans 12:12, I Corinthians 13:4, II Corinthians 1:3-7, Ephesians 4:2, I Thessalonians 5:12-14, II Peter 3:9, 14-15, Proverbs 19:11, Proverbs 25:15, Ecclesiastes 7:8, Romans 2:1-4, Galatians 5:22, Colossians 1:9-14, I Timothy 1:15-17, II Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 6:9-12, I Corinthians 4:18-21,
Thoughts: Depend on God leading to courage leading to obedience leading to inheritance.Or depend on self leading to discouragement leading to disobedience leading to death. People still have the same choice today.
Objectives:
-Define: Patience, Trust
-Objectives
-Application: Hannah’s Story (I Samuel 1-2)
Morning Assembly: Letters To Lu-Jo About Jesus, The Patient
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Let's Talk: Self-Control
Thoughts:
Evening Assembly: Not Yet
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Flagpole Devotional: Wait On The Lord
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Leadership Training: Give IT Time
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be..
Thursday- Dare To Be Patient
Memory Opportunity:
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Joshua 14:7-9, 11, 14 Patience
Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.
Joshua 24:14-15, 24
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."
Quiet Time: Patient Courage and Passion
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Patience
Flagpole Devotional: Courageous, Passionate Patience
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Patience
Class: Dare To Be Patient
Scripture: Joshua 13-19, Psalm 27:13-14, Jeremiah 1:17-19, II Samuel 7:27-28, James 5:7-10, I Peter 3:8-9, Proverbs 14:29, 15:18, 16:32, Matthew 18:21-35, Romans 12:12, I Corinthians 13:4, II Corinthians 1:3-7, Ephesians 4:2, I Thessalonians 5:12-14, II Peter 3:9, 14-15, Proverbs 19:11, Proverbs 25:15, Ecclesiastes 7:8, Romans 2:1-4, Galatians 5:22, Colossians 1:9-14, I Timothy 1:15-17, II Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 6:9-12, I Corinthians 4:18-21,
Thoughts: Depend on God leading to courage leading to obedience leading to inheritance.Or depend on self leading to discouragement leading to disobedience leading to death. People still have the same choice today.
Objectives:
-Define: Patience, Trust
-Objectives
-Application: Hannah’s Story (I Samuel 1-2)
Morning Assembly: Letters To Lu-Jo About Jesus, The Patient
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Let's Talk: Self-Control
Thoughts:
Evening Assembly: Not Yet
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Flagpole Devotional: Wait On The Lord
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Leadership Training: Give IT Time
Scripture:
Thoughts:
20 April, 2005
Wednesday's Curriculum
This is Wednesday's tentative curriculum and scriptures to date.
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be..
Wednesday- Dare To Be Compassionate
Memory Opportunity:
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Joshua 10:13-14 Compassion(God’s)
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!
Joshua 24:14-15, 24
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."
Quiet Time: Compassionate Courage
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Compassion
Flagpole Devotional: Courageous Compassion
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Compassion
Class: Dare To Be Compassionate
Scripture: Joshua 9-11, I Corinthians 15:58, I Peter 3:8-9, I Kings 3:16-27, Matthew 9:35-38, 14:12-14, 15:32-39, 30:29-34, Mark1:40-45, Luke 15:11-32, II Corinthians 1:3-7, Philippians 2:1-4, Jonah, Ephesians 4:32,
Thoughts:
Objectives:
-Define: Compassion
-Objectives
-Application: Naomi’s Story (The Book of Ruth)
Morning Assembly: Letters to Lu-Jo About Jesus, The Compassionate
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Let's Talk: Soft-Hearted
Thoughts:
Evening Assembly: Gotta Act
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Flagpole Devotional: Can’t Help The Love
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Leadership Training: Encompassing Passion
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be..
Wednesday- Dare To Be Compassionate
Memory Opportunity:
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Joshua 10:13-14 Compassion(God’s)
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!
Joshua 24:14-15, 24
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."
Quiet Time: Compassionate Courage
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Compassion
Flagpole Devotional: Courageous Compassion
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Compassion
Class: Dare To Be Compassionate
Scripture: Joshua 9-11, I Corinthians 15:58, I Peter 3:8-9, I Kings 3:16-27, Matthew 9:35-38, 14:12-14, 15:32-39, 30:29-34, Mark1:40-45, Luke 15:11-32, II Corinthians 1:3-7, Philippians 2:1-4, Jonah, Ephesians 4:32,
Thoughts:
Objectives:
-Define: Compassion
-Objectives
-Application: Naomi’s Story (The Book of Ruth)
Morning Assembly: Letters to Lu-Jo About Jesus, The Compassionate
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Let's Talk: Soft-Hearted
Thoughts:
Evening Assembly: Gotta Act
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Flagpole Devotional: Can’t Help The Love
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Leadership Training: Encompassing Passion
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Tuesday's Tentative Curriculum
Here are the present thoughts and scriptures to this date for Tuesday's curriculum.
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be…
Tuesday- Dare To Be Humble
Memory Opportunity:
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Joshua 5:13-15 Humility
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
"Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"
The commander of the LORD's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
Joshua 24:14-15, 24
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."
Quiet Time: Humble Courage and Passion
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Humility
Flagpole Devotional: Courageous, Passionate Humility
Scripture: Joshua 5-8
Thoughts:
Define: Humility
Class: Dare To Be Humble
Scripture: Joshua 5-8, Mark 9:35, Luke 22:42, John 6:38, Revelation 2:26, Exodus 10:3-4, Numbers 12:3, Deuteronomy 8, Matthew 11:29-30, Ephesians 4:1-2, James 4:4-10, I Peter 5:5-7, Acts 20:17-20, Philippians 2:1-4, Titus 3:1-2, James 3:13, Proverbs 11:2
Thoughts:
Objectives:
-Define: Humility
-Objectives
-Application: Mary’s Story (Matthew 1, Mark 15, 16, Luke 1, 2, 24, Acts 1)
Morning Assembly: Letters to Lu-Jo About Jesus, The Humble
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Let's Talk: Selfless
Thoughts:
Evening Assembly: After You
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Flagpole Devotional: You, Not Me
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Leadership Training: It’s Not About Me
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be…
Tuesday- Dare To Be Humble
Memory Opportunity:
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Joshua 5:13-15 Humility
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
"Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"
The commander of the LORD's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
Joshua 24:14-15, 24
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."
Quiet Time: Humble Courage and Passion
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Humility
Flagpole Devotional: Courageous, Passionate Humility
Scripture: Joshua 5-8
Thoughts:
Define: Humility
Class: Dare To Be Humble
Scripture: Joshua 5-8, Mark 9:35, Luke 22:42, John 6:38, Revelation 2:26, Exodus 10:3-4, Numbers 12:3, Deuteronomy 8, Matthew 11:29-30, Ephesians 4:1-2, James 4:4-10, I Peter 5:5-7, Acts 20:17-20, Philippians 2:1-4, Titus 3:1-2, James 3:13, Proverbs 11:2
Thoughts:
Objectives:
-Define: Humility
-Objectives
-Application: Mary’s Story (Matthew 1, Mark 15, 16, Luke 1, 2, 24, Acts 1)
Morning Assembly: Letters to Lu-Jo About Jesus, The Humble
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Let's Talk: Selfless
Thoughts:
Evening Assembly: After You
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Flagpole Devotional: You, Not Me
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Leadership Training: It’s Not About Me
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Dean on passion (again)
"God's passion is not synonymous with human passion--divine freedom allows God to choose a pathos that lies beyond either the incapacity for suffering or fateful subjection to it. This 'third form of suffering,' observes Richard Bauckham, is the 'voluntary laying oneself open to another and allowing oneself to be intimately affected by him, that is to say, the suffering of passionate love.'
The church, therefore, came to teach many passions. The suffering Passion of Christ inspires a life of passion for Christ, by which the disordered passion (or desires or appetites) of being human become realigned with the holy passion (or self-giving love) of God. To simplify, we can think of 'passion' . . . as loving something enough to suffer for it. The 'suffering' implied here is the willingness to place that which we love on Abraham's altar, our willing surrender of ego in actions that give witness (marturia) to the self-giving love of God. 'Dying to self" in the biblical sense restores one's true identity as God's beloved . . . .
Human passion, in other words, is imprinted with the divine passion even when human desires run amuck. While 'the passions' (plural) have historically described uncoverted human desires or appetites, passion (singular) reflects a deep yearning to love and be loved authentically, a universal human longing to be united with the One who makes 'something out of nothing'--whose love can negate adolescents' overwhelming sense of negation. Passion also impels young people, often in ways that go unrecognized to keep looking for 'true love' even when human love fails them. Since adolescents seek a caliber of love no human can possibly sustain without disappointment, the discovery of the one Love who really is worthy of sacrifice . . . is a discovery that reorders the self.
Passion, then, is not primarily about suffering, but about love--the love God gives and the love God longs to have returned."
Kenda Creasy Dean, Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004), 20.
The church, therefore, came to teach many passions. The suffering Passion of Christ inspires a life of passion for Christ, by which the disordered passion (or desires or appetites) of being human become realigned with the holy passion (or self-giving love) of God. To simplify, we can think of 'passion' . . . as loving something enough to suffer for it. The 'suffering' implied here is the willingness to place that which we love on Abraham's altar, our willing surrender of ego in actions that give witness (marturia) to the self-giving love of God. 'Dying to self" in the biblical sense restores one's true identity as God's beloved . . . .
Human passion, in other words, is imprinted with the divine passion even when human desires run amuck. While 'the passions' (plural) have historically described uncoverted human desires or appetites, passion (singular) reflects a deep yearning to love and be loved authentically, a universal human longing to be united with the One who makes 'something out of nothing'--whose love can negate adolescents' overwhelming sense of negation. Passion also impels young people, often in ways that go unrecognized to keep looking for 'true love' even when human love fails them. Since adolescents seek a caliber of love no human can possibly sustain without disappointment, the discovery of the one Love who really is worthy of sacrifice . . . is a discovery that reorders the self.
Passion, then, is not primarily about suffering, but about love--the love God gives and the love God longs to have returned."
Kenda Creasy Dean, Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004), 20.
Passion and the person
As we discuss passion, I think that it is really important to have a proper view of how that connects to being a person. Greek thought, and most Western thought since then, has been dualist, that is, humans have a body and a soul, and those entities, though connected, exist and behave in two different worlds, the physical and spiritual (see attached comment about Plato). The problem with this is that passion typically gets assigned to the physical part of humanity, and thus is looked down on by Christian and non-Christian alike. In Hellenistic societies, passion was considered to be so low that they believed that their gods (little g) were impassible, that is, these gods did not experience any passions. Some in the church after the third century began to believe that our God was impassible also (I have attached to this post a rather lengthy comment that responds to this line of thought). We in the church have largely bought into the Greek (Hellenistic) way of thinking without noting that the Bible has a different perspective.
In the Bible, the body and the spirit are together, a soul. God breathed his spirit into Adam and he became a soul. The body is affected by the spirit and the spirit by the body. At first, this may seem like a distinction without a difference, but to me, this means that not only did God make our passions, he created them with a noble purpose. God expects us to direct them into channels that drive us to him (instead of the opposite).
Thus, the godly thing to do is not to suppress our passion, but to direct or redirect it into ways and uses that glorify God.
In the Bible, the body and the spirit are together, a soul. God breathed his spirit into Adam and he became a soul. The body is affected by the spirit and the spirit by the body. At first, this may seem like a distinction without a difference, but to me, this means that not only did God make our passions, he created them with a noble purpose. God expects us to direct them into channels that drive us to him (instead of the opposite).
Thus, the godly thing to do is not to suppress our passion, but to direct or redirect it into ways and uses that glorify God.
19 April, 2005
Monday's Tentative Curriculum
This is Monday's proposed set of lessons. Please note the list of scriptures in the Class section. These will be attached to the various topics in Monday's different sessions after the blog discussion ends. Please edit and add.
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be…
Monday- Dare To Be Kind, Faithful
Memory Opportunity:
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Joshua 4:23-24 Kindness (God’s)
The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."
Joshua 24:14-15, 24
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."
Quiet Time: Kind, Faithful Courage and Passion
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Kindness, Faithful, Faith
Flagpole Devotional: Courageous, Passionate Kindness and Faithfulness
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Kindness, Faithful, Faith
Class: Dare To Be Kind, Faithful
Scripture: Joshua 2-4, I Corinthians 13:4, II Corinthians 2:5-11, Exodus 14:13, Titus 3:3-8, Acts 27:3, 28:1-6, Romans 2:1-4, 11:17-24, Acts 4:8-12, 14:14-18, Proverbs 28:8, Ephesians 4:32, I Thessalonians 5:12-15, II Timothy 2:22-26, Titus 2:3-5
Thoughts: God doesn't judge on what you did in the past, your nationality, or how pretty or ugly you are. He wants our present faith and obedience so that we can "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." The effect of courageous faith changes not just the story of the life of that person who dares to believe, but their passion can have a tranforming effect on the destiny of an entire clan.
Objectives:
-Define: Kindness, Faithful, Faith
-Objectives
-Application: Ruth’s Story (The Book of Ruth)
Morning Assembly: Letters To Lu-Jo About Jesus, The Kind and Faithful
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Let's Talk: Sweetness
Thoughts:
Evening Assembly: A Cup of Water
Scripture: Mark 9:41, I Corinthians 3:13, John 13:2-17
Thoughts: Kindness is exemplified by the position of one’s heart at the time of demonstration, not the gift or any circumstances surrounding it. Our success in life is determined by the courage of our resolve and our passion to be kind to all of God’s creation (people, animal, nature)
Flagpole Devotional: RAK, You Gotta Believe and Stay the Course
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Leadership Training: Courageous RAK (Random Acts of Kindness)
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be…
Monday- Dare To Be Kind, Faithful
Memory Opportunity:
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Joshua 4:23-24 Kindness (God’s)
The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."
Joshua 24:14-15, 24
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."
Quiet Time: Kind, Faithful Courage and Passion
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Kindness, Faithful, Faith
Flagpole Devotional: Courageous, Passionate Kindness and Faithfulness
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Define: Kindness, Faithful, Faith
Class: Dare To Be Kind, Faithful
Scripture: Joshua 2-4, I Corinthians 13:4, II Corinthians 2:5-11, Exodus 14:13, Titus 3:3-8, Acts 27:3, 28:1-6, Romans 2:1-4, 11:17-24, Acts 4:8-12, 14:14-18, Proverbs 28:8, Ephesians 4:32, I Thessalonians 5:12-15, II Timothy 2:22-26, Titus 2:3-5
Thoughts: God doesn't judge on what you did in the past, your nationality, or how pretty or ugly you are. He wants our present faith and obedience so that we can "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." The effect of courageous faith changes not just the story of the life of that person who dares to believe, but their passion can have a tranforming effect on the destiny of an entire clan.
Objectives:
-Define: Kindness, Faithful, Faith
-Objectives
-Application: Ruth’s Story (The Book of Ruth)
Morning Assembly: Letters To Lu-Jo About Jesus, The Kind and Faithful
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Let's Talk: Sweetness
Thoughts:
Evening Assembly: A Cup of Water
Scripture: Mark 9:41, I Corinthians 3:13, John 13:2-17
Thoughts: Kindness is exemplified by the position of one’s heart at the time of demonstration, not the gift or any circumstances surrounding it. Our success in life is determined by the courage of our resolve and our passion to be kind to all of God’s creation (people, animal, nature)
Flagpole Devotional: RAK, You Gotta Believe and Stay the Course
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Leadership Training: Courageous RAK (Random Acts of Kindness)
Scripture:
Thoughts:
Dean on passion
"From the dawn of time, people have described passion in terms of fire to distinguish it from cuddly sentimentalism. Passion devastates. It is 'to die for.' And it is not to be denied--which is precisely why it leads us to God. Most of us spend our lives looking for ways to rekindle the passion of youth: the burning desire to be engulfed by love, to be ignited by a purpose, to radiate light because the love of another shines within us." (xiv)
"Adolescents are searching for something, for someone, 'to die for,' to use Erik Erikson's haunting phrase: a cause worthy of their suffering , a love worthy of a life-time and not just a Sunday night. In short, they are seaching for passion, even--maybe especially--in church. Teenagers will not settle for a God who asks for anything less. If we are honest, neither will we." (2)
"It is an obvious question: If adolescents and Christianity are both so full of passion, then why aren't young people flocking to church? Maybe it is because the church, like the greeting card industry, has largely sanitized love of suffering, leaving Christianity with a mealy-mouthed niceness that fails to ring true to young people who know in their bones that love and heartache go together. Or maybe it is because the church . . . has not been completely forthcoming about sacrificial love where teenagers are concerned, oblivious to the connection between the passion of youth and the passion of faith." (4-5)
"If adolescents search for something and someone to whom they can pledge their troth, the object of this devotion must be worthy of their lives, nothing less. Passion asks something of young people; in fact, it asks everything of them. This does not mean that youth invest their passions wisely. On the contrary, inexperience is an investor's worst enemy, and most of us have some notoriously bad investments in our emotional portfolio, especially during adolescence." (6)
Kenda Creasy Dean, Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004)
"Adolescents are searching for something, for someone, 'to die for,' to use Erik Erikson's haunting phrase: a cause worthy of their suffering , a love worthy of a life-time and not just a Sunday night. In short, they are seaching for passion, even--maybe especially--in church. Teenagers will not settle for a God who asks for anything less. If we are honest, neither will we." (2)
"It is an obvious question: If adolescents and Christianity are both so full of passion, then why aren't young people flocking to church? Maybe it is because the church, like the greeting card industry, has largely sanitized love of suffering, leaving Christianity with a mealy-mouthed niceness that fails to ring true to young people who know in their bones that love and heartache go together. Or maybe it is because the church . . . has not been completely forthcoming about sacrificial love where teenagers are concerned, oblivious to the connection between the passion of youth and the passion of faith." (4-5)
"If adolescents search for something and someone to whom they can pledge their troth, the object of this devotion must be worthy of their lives, nothing less. Passion asks something of young people; in fact, it asks everything of them. This does not mean that youth invest their passions wisely. On the contrary, inexperience is an investor's worst enemy, and most of us have some notoriously bad investments in our emotional portfolio, especially during adolescence." (6)
Kenda Creasy Dean, Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004)
Quote for the day . . .
"What we label courage is a strong emotional commitment--and the key word is emotional--to some ideas. Those ideas could be called a vision for where we're trying to drive the enterprise [or they could be called passion], they could be called values for what we think is important to life, they could be called principles of what is right and wrong. When people don't just have an intellectual sense that these are logically good, but are deeply committed to them, they're developing courage. When you run up against barriers that keep you from those ideals, the stronger your commitment, the more likely you are to take action consistent with those ideals. Even if it's against your your short-term best interests. And other people will look at that and say, 'Wow, that's courageous.'" - John Kotter
18 April, 2005
A Reflection
On Saturday I was able to sit and study the blog and the Bible as I was prompted. I began my review of the blog at the top, the most recent postings and proceeded down to the earliest postings. As I got to the bottom I reread the original posting by Ron and was reminded that the blog could viewed by many, but only commented on and enriched by few. Those few, you, the staff of Peak Week, my dear friends. We have been given a little corner of the e-world to be solely ours, and God's. I was moved to emotion as I began to believe that this was a special place, "holy ground". Thank you, Lord for giving us the place and time to be closer to each other and you in this amazing way. May we use this gift to bring each other and our daily contacts in closer contact with the God of Creation, the Saviour of our Souls and the Guiding Spirit.
Sunday - tentative curriculum
We are posting the tentative curriculum for Sunday of Peak Week. This is tentative. We will be keeping the Bolg going until the end of this week, Saturday, April 23. Please, please participate with us. Give us your ideas. This curriculum is fluid and evolving as God directs us. Please join us.
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be…
Sunday- Dare To Be God’s Chosen
Memory Opportunity:
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Joshua 1:16-18 Passionate Courage
Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only be strong and courageous!"
Quiet Time: Passion and Courage
Scriptures: Joshua 1
Thoughts: Passion to do what God asks one to do and Courage to be what God asks one to do. Obey and Trust…There is no other way.
Define: Passion, Courage
Evening Assembly: 2nd Mile
Scripture: Joshua 1, Matthew 5:41
Thoughts: When called to will I “Step up or Join up”, will I “Step up to the plate or Join the crowd”. Recognize that being “called” is a moment-by-moment occurrence. Character is developed on a moment-by-moment basis.
Flagpole Devotional: Passionate Courage
Scripture: Joshua 1:16-18, Colossians 3:12-14
Thoughts: “Ya Gotta Wanna”. The motivation of courage is passion. Fortresses are what people trust in when they don't trust quite enough in God. His people are, when they behave as courageously as he would have them behave, marching at the gates of their enemies.
Define: Passion, Courage
Leadership Training: Courageous Passion
Scripture: Joshua 1:16-18, Colossians 3:12-14
Thoughts: One must have courage to do what one has to do (passion). God has demonstrated a habit of developing passionate and courageous leadership by placing young people, in the role of a servant, with passionate and courageous people.
Week’s Theme: Dare To Be…
Sunday- Dare To Be God’s Chosen
Memory Opportunity:
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Joshua 1:16-18 Passionate Courage
Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only be strong and courageous!"
Quiet Time: Passion and Courage
Scriptures: Joshua 1
Thoughts: Passion to do what God asks one to do and Courage to be what God asks one to do. Obey and Trust…There is no other way.
Define: Passion, Courage
Evening Assembly: 2nd Mile
Scripture: Joshua 1, Matthew 5:41
Thoughts: When called to will I “Step up or Join up”, will I “Step up to the plate or Join the crowd”. Recognize that being “called” is a moment-by-moment occurrence. Character is developed on a moment-by-moment basis.
Flagpole Devotional: Passionate Courage
Scripture: Joshua 1:16-18, Colossians 3:12-14
Thoughts: “Ya Gotta Wanna”. The motivation of courage is passion. Fortresses are what people trust in when they don't trust quite enough in God. His people are, when they behave as courageously as he would have them behave, marching at the gates of their enemies.
Define: Passion, Courage
Leadership Training: Courageous Passion
Scripture: Joshua 1:16-18, Colossians 3:12-14
Thoughts: One must have courage to do what one has to do (passion). God has demonstrated a habit of developing passionate and courageous leadership by placing young people, in the role of a servant, with passionate and courageous people.
Seven days at Jericho
Thirteen laps. One circuit of Jericho per day for six days, and then, on day seven, seven trips around the city. Seven priests. Seven shofar. The city fell, and the Israelites claimed the first piece of their promise.
Have you ever wondered where the Sabbath fit in all of this? Wasn't the seventh day supposed to be a day of rest? Why was the longest hike (seven laps) on the seventh day?
Many scholars feel that the acts of Israel and the writer of Joshua are emphasizing that the promised land was the land of rest for the Israelites. The number seven emphasizes both a completeness on heaven and earth, and it signifies the day of rest as well. Here, that land of rest, that day of rest, follows a lifetime of courageously patient persistence.
And we get mad when we can't change the church to conform to our vision in one week.
Have you ever wondered where the Sabbath fit in all of this? Wasn't the seventh day supposed to be a day of rest? Why was the longest hike (seven laps) on the seventh day?
Many scholars feel that the acts of Israel and the writer of Joshua are emphasizing that the promised land was the land of rest for the Israelites. The number seven emphasizes both a completeness on heaven and earth, and it signifies the day of rest as well. Here, that land of rest, that day of rest, follows a lifetime of courageously patient persistence.
And we get mad when we can't change the church to conform to our vision in one week.
Quote for the day . . .
"Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount." - Clare Boothe Luce
17 April, 2005
Prerequisite to patience
God knows that Joshua was a patient man. For 38 years he waited for a promise to be fulfilled that, if fairness to an individual were more important than justice to a people, he deserved to receive after his first excursion into Canaan. Yet he waited, patiently serving Moses, patiently caring for the people whose faithlessness had blockaded his blessing, patiently waiting for God's good time.
And when that time came, he faithfully and courageously sought God's will. Until Joshua 7. Without waiting for word from God, Joshua sent spies up to Ai, and then began the attack based on their witness. Disaster follows. Achan is responsible for his own death, and the deaths of his family, but it may be that as a leader Joshua shares in the responsibility of the deaths of the 36 lost in the first attack on Ai. Perhaps if the Lord had been approached in advance, the sin of Achan could have been discovered without such a great cost [It's so easy to question the decisions of a leader after the fact, isn't it?]
Patience is an important part of courageous leadership. Sometimes a person's passion for a cause drives them to so relentlessly pursue their objectives that they fail to correctly assess and patiently cope with obstacles blocking that pursuit. Sometimes we just flat out want God to do things on our timetable and not his. As antithetical as passion and patience seem to be on the surface, one without the other either goes nowhere at all or ends in a dramatic crash. "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than a man who takes a city" (Prov 16.32).
Steve's selection of a key text for the week highlights patience as a component of courage (Col 3:12-14). "Clothe yourselves with . . . patience." [See also today's "Quote for the day . . ."] But just as passion cannot stand long without patience, patience is dependent on one more virtue.
You cannot have patience without trust. I can wait upon the Lord because I can trust him to keep his promises. I may not understand his timing, I may not understand the path, and I certainly may not understand the obstacles, but still I can be patient because of trust. When I become impatient with God, isn't that a sign that I have stopped trusting in him and have elevated my wisdom and desires above his faithfulness?
We can't be patient with people without trust either. I can be patient with Judy to put dinner on the table at camp, because I trust her to finish a wonderful meal at the right time. I can be patient listening to one of Steve's lessons because I trust that, just as there is something in it for the fourth grader, there is something in it for me as well. I can be patient with the kids, because I can trust that God is active in their lives as well. And if I can't yet trust a person, I can trust that God will help me deal with them.
So when we find ourselves being impatient, it may be important to understand what is irritating us, but there is something more important. The key is to understand who it is that we are not trusting. When we discover than, we are on the path to peace.
And when that time came, he faithfully and courageously sought God's will. Until Joshua 7. Without waiting for word from God, Joshua sent spies up to Ai, and then began the attack based on their witness. Disaster follows. Achan is responsible for his own death, and the deaths of his family, but it may be that as a leader Joshua shares in the responsibility of the deaths of the 36 lost in the first attack on Ai. Perhaps if the Lord had been approached in advance, the sin of Achan could have been discovered without such a great cost [It's so easy to question the decisions of a leader after the fact, isn't it?]
Patience is an important part of courageous leadership. Sometimes a person's passion for a cause drives them to so relentlessly pursue their objectives that they fail to correctly assess and patiently cope with obstacles blocking that pursuit. Sometimes we just flat out want God to do things on our timetable and not his. As antithetical as passion and patience seem to be on the surface, one without the other either goes nowhere at all or ends in a dramatic crash. "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than a man who takes a city" (Prov 16.32).
Steve's selection of a key text for the week highlights patience as a component of courage (Col 3:12-14). "Clothe yourselves with . . . patience." [See also today's "Quote for the day . . ."] But just as passion cannot stand long without patience, patience is dependent on one more virtue.
You cannot have patience without trust. I can wait upon the Lord because I can trust him to keep his promises. I may not understand his timing, I may not understand the path, and I certainly may not understand the obstacles, but still I can be patient because of trust. When I become impatient with God, isn't that a sign that I have stopped trusting in him and have elevated my wisdom and desires above his faithfulness?
We can't be patient with people without trust either. I can be patient with Judy to put dinner on the table at camp, because I trust her to finish a wonderful meal at the right time. I can be patient listening to one of Steve's lessons because I trust that, just as there is something in it for the fourth grader, there is something in it for me as well. I can be patient with the kids, because I can trust that God is active in their lives as well. And if I can't yet trust a person, I can trust that God will help me deal with them.
So when we find ourselves being impatient, it may be important to understand what is irritating us, but there is something more important. The key is to understand who it is that we are not trusting. When we discover than, we are on the path to peace.
Rock piles
Everywhere you turn in the book of Joshua, there are rocks. Sometimes they are single stones, sometimes they are stacked with a particular number, sometimes they are just a massive pile of rocks.
Twelve stones are brought from the bed of the Jordan to serve as a memorial of the crossing of the twelve tribes (Josh 4). Knives are made from stone to make the people holy and one (Josh 5.2-8). This caused the reproach of Egypt to be rolled away like a stone (Josh 5.9). Jericho (Josh 6) fell into a heap of stones [except the stones of Rahab's house remained standing, the original witness protection plan]. When Achan erred, he was stoned and buried under a pile of stones (Josh 7) so that his error would not quickly be forgotten. When Ai fell (Josh 8), not only was it left as a heap of burnt rocks, its king was buried under a pile of rocks (Josh 8.29). Then, on top of Mount Ebal, an altar of uncut stones is built to worship God, and Joshua copies the Book of the Law onto stones (Josh 8.30-35). When the five kings of the Amorites come against Israel, God makes even water into rocks, and more Amorites die from hailstones than from the sword (Josh 10.5-11). When those kings hide in a cave, they are trapped inside with rocks, and after their deaths, that same cave is made into a tomb sealed with those rocks (Josh 10.16-27). A stone memorializing Bohan, son of Reuben, is made into a boundary marker (Josh 15.6; 18.17) and a silent reminder of a promise fulfilled.
Surely this has the least curious of us asking, "Why all of these rocks?" It might just be that the promised land has lots of rocks, and although that is true, it does not explain why the writer of this story bothered to tell us about them. Why all of these rocks?
The answer comes at the end of the book and the end of the life of Joshua. Joshua sets up a large stone near an oak near the holy place of the Lord (Josh 24.26). He then says, "See . . . this stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the Lord has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God." You have all heard the expressions: "If these walls could talk . . ." or "If these rocks could speak . . . ." For the people of God, all of nature stands as a witness to the acts of God through his people, and their own acts of wilfulness.
Not far from Lu-Jo stands a rock, a stone not likely to be moved by the hands of men. It stands as a witness to the lives of a father and his son and their God, and their relationship with one another. Its testimony would help you understand how close these three have become because of the events that happened in its presence some time ago. Triumph. Disaster. Pain. Hope. Fear. Courage. Power. Exhaustion. Salvation. And every time that this father and son return with their God, that stone's testimony is heard again in all three hearts.
What testimony will the rocks and trees at Lu-Jo give about our time there? God only knows now, but if we are truly passionate about our children and our God, now is the time for us to think and plan and prepare for those moments so that we can have some assurance that God will be glorified by that testimony.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb 12.1,2
Twelve stones are brought from the bed of the Jordan to serve as a memorial of the crossing of the twelve tribes (Josh 4). Knives are made from stone to make the people holy and one (Josh 5.2-8). This caused the reproach of Egypt to be rolled away like a stone (Josh 5.9). Jericho (Josh 6) fell into a heap of stones [except the stones of Rahab's house remained standing, the original witness protection plan]. When Achan erred, he was stoned and buried under a pile of stones (Josh 7) so that his error would not quickly be forgotten. When Ai fell (Josh 8), not only was it left as a heap of burnt rocks, its king was buried under a pile of rocks (Josh 8.29). Then, on top of Mount Ebal, an altar of uncut stones is built to worship God, and Joshua copies the Book of the Law onto stones (Josh 8.30-35). When the five kings of the Amorites come against Israel, God makes even water into rocks, and more Amorites die from hailstones than from the sword (Josh 10.5-11). When those kings hide in a cave, they are trapped inside with rocks, and after their deaths, that same cave is made into a tomb sealed with those rocks (Josh 10.16-27). A stone memorializing Bohan, son of Reuben, is made into a boundary marker (Josh 15.6; 18.17) and a silent reminder of a promise fulfilled.
Surely this has the least curious of us asking, "Why all of these rocks?" It might just be that the promised land has lots of rocks, and although that is true, it does not explain why the writer of this story bothered to tell us about them. Why all of these rocks?
The answer comes at the end of the book and the end of the life of Joshua. Joshua sets up a large stone near an oak near the holy place of the Lord (Josh 24.26). He then says, "See . . . this stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the Lord has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God." You have all heard the expressions: "If these walls could talk . . ." or "If these rocks could speak . . . ." For the people of God, all of nature stands as a witness to the acts of God through his people, and their own acts of wilfulness.
Not far from Lu-Jo stands a rock, a stone not likely to be moved by the hands of men. It stands as a witness to the lives of a father and his son and their God, and their relationship with one another. Its testimony would help you understand how close these three have become because of the events that happened in its presence some time ago. Triumph. Disaster. Pain. Hope. Fear. Courage. Power. Exhaustion. Salvation. And every time that this father and son return with their God, that stone's testimony is heard again in all three hearts.
What testimony will the rocks and trees at Lu-Jo give about our time there? God only knows now, but if we are truly passionate about our children and our God, now is the time for us to think and plan and prepare for those moments so that we can have some assurance that God will be glorified by that testimony.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb 12.1,2
Quote for the day . . .
"Courage is the capacity to wait until you've learned as much as you can and then take action. You're never sure of the results until you do it. You're still not going to know everything. You have to take gambles and learn more. Queen Elizabeth I wanted to put off most decisions as long as she could. She didn't make a decision until she had to." - Warren Bennis
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