"By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." - Ex 13:21-22 (NIV)
When the Exodus began, God gave his people a tangible vision of his presence (although he chose not to reveal himself as he really is). This continued all the way through the wilderness wanderings and all the way up to Moses' parting from his people:
"Then the LORD appeared at the Tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the Tent." - Deut 31:15-16 (NIV)
This was not a small matter to the Israelites, because centuries later, it still remained a symbol of God's compassion for his people:
"Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take." - Neh 9:19-21
What is remarkable to me is that you don't read about the pillar in the story of Joshua. When did the pillar of cloud leave? When God makes his exit, it is frequently a big deal (just look at his exit in Ezek 10 or Acts 1). But the scriptures never tell us when the cloud of pillar left. Don't you imagine that God's people had to wonder where God was? Don't you think that their children would be asking about it? This is similar to the problem mentioned by Jason in his post, Where is God? I personally think that the pillar may have ceased to appear when the manna and quail stopped. After that, God's providence through the land became the symbol of his continual presence.
I believe that since then God has required incrementally more faith of his people. It was easier for those who had seen the mighty acts of God in the wilderness and the taking of Canaan than it would be for those who came later. The prophets, despite the things that they heard and saw looked forward to the things that would happen in the time of the Messiah: "For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." (Luke 10.24 (NIV) And finally, Jesus made it clear that "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." - John 20:29 (NIV)
Yet, at the same time, God has given his written word as evidence and the Spirit as a Comforter to allow us to maintain a faith that glorify him as surely (if not as largely) as Joshua's did. God grant us a childlike faith in his presence: simple, loving, and dependent.
14 May, 2005
Why Aggies, Ron?
After my previous posting, Aggies cross the Brazos, a few of you might be wondering what was on my mind. As usual, I had more than one reason for what I wrote, a couple of which might be obvious:
1. I was exercising my sense of humor.
2. I was having a little fun with Nathan.
I hope that no one was offended by my word play, because I assure you that my love for the Word is profound. But I had a couple of other motives for the post which might not be as obvious at first.
3. I wanted to demonstrate to some of you who were not as familiar with blogging what you could do with a blog. Sometimes a posting can't contain everything, so we can refer (with links) to other sites that have the information.
4. I hoped to show some of you who aren't as familiar with the Internet how much you could find out on it in one hour. A couple of the traditions in the posting I knew from a visit I had with Nathan at College Station a year ago. But the rest I found out by doing searches on Google, one of the best search engines (an Internet research librarian that moves at the speed of light) out there. I honestly did all of the research in less than one hour, and then wrote the story in about as much time.
5. I wanted to show us all the challenge that language and symbols in the biblical text present to every reader. The story about the Aggies deliberately shifts the language, metaphors, and the story connections so as to make it less recognizable to those who do not understand the traditions of Texas A&M. The concept of "Twelfth Man", though it originated at A&M, has now become nearly universally well known in sports. But other words such as "maroon out" have a very specific meaning in the A&M context that are meaningless elsewhere. When we look at the biblical text, we need to be alert for those words, and how those words keep occurring (or stop occurring).
Sometimes words that appear to be innocent, like "march to the Brazos", appear to be merely a description of action. But to an Aggie, and especially to one from the Corps of Cadets, this has a very specific meaning. The biblical text is full of these as well. When the text refers to the "two men who had spied out the land", it not only referred to the two who had met Rahab, but is deliberately echoing the brave and similar endeavors of Joshua and Caleb nearly 40 years earlier.
Every book in the Bible is inspired. As God inspired the human writers of each book, he had them speak his thoughts in their own voice and in their own words. Just look at the places where Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John choose to tell the stories using different words (where Mark says "kingdom of God", Matthew more frequently says "kingdom of heaven"). If we can understand why these words were chosen, we understand the story at a totally different level.
When they wrote, they made every word count. In our time paper is cheap, and the Internet allows writing to not even waste that consumable resource. But in ancient times, writing was expensive. Every word used was necessary to tell the story. What's an example from Joshua?
Let's pick the example of Rahab. At the end of the story of Jericho's fall, the text simply says, "But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho-and she lives among the Israelites to this day." Josh 6:25 (NIV) But buried in the text a little bit earlier is the comment, "They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel." Josh 6:23 (NIV) Why outside? I'm not going to answer that question for you, but I'll give you a hint: look for the word "outside" in some of the earlier books in the OT. This will show you the significance of one little word.
But there is the importance of making connections as well. How does Rahab connect with the rest of the salvation story? If you don't know, study it out; I assure you that you will find her connection to be significant.
You might ask, "Ron, are you trying to teach us how to read?" No, obviously you already know how to do that. What I am trying to do, though, is to help train you to read closely. This will allow you to find a richness in the Bible that will refresh your love and regard for it. God bless you all as you live in the story that continues from his Word.
1. I was exercising my sense of humor.
2. I was having a little fun with Nathan.
I hope that no one was offended by my word play, because I assure you that my love for the Word is profound. But I had a couple of other motives for the post which might not be as obvious at first.
3. I wanted to demonstrate to some of you who were not as familiar with blogging what you could do with a blog. Sometimes a posting can't contain everything, so we can refer (with links) to other sites that have the information.
4. I hoped to show some of you who aren't as familiar with the Internet how much you could find out on it in one hour. A couple of the traditions in the posting I knew from a visit I had with Nathan at College Station a year ago. But the rest I found out by doing searches on Google, one of the best search engines (an Internet research librarian that moves at the speed of light) out there. I honestly did all of the research in less than one hour, and then wrote the story in about as much time.
5. I wanted to show us all the challenge that language and symbols in the biblical text present to every reader. The story about the Aggies deliberately shifts the language, metaphors, and the story connections so as to make it less recognizable to those who do not understand the traditions of Texas A&M. The concept of "Twelfth Man", though it originated at A&M, has now become nearly universally well known in sports. But other words such as "maroon out" have a very specific meaning in the A&M context that are meaningless elsewhere. When we look at the biblical text, we need to be alert for those words, and how those words keep occurring (or stop occurring).
Sometimes words that appear to be innocent, like "march to the Brazos", appear to be merely a description of action. But to an Aggie, and especially to one from the Corps of Cadets, this has a very specific meaning. The biblical text is full of these as well. When the text refers to the "two men who had spied out the land", it not only referred to the two who had met Rahab, but is deliberately echoing the brave and similar endeavors of Joshua and Caleb nearly 40 years earlier.
Every book in the Bible is inspired. As God inspired the human writers of each book, he had them speak his thoughts in their own voice and in their own words. Just look at the places where Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John choose to tell the stories using different words (where Mark says "kingdom of God", Matthew more frequently says "kingdom of heaven"). If we can understand why these words were chosen, we understand the story at a totally different level.
When they wrote, they made every word count. In our time paper is cheap, and the Internet allows writing to not even waste that consumable resource. But in ancient times, writing was expensive. Every word used was necessary to tell the story. What's an example from Joshua?
Let's pick the example of Rahab. At the end of the story of Jericho's fall, the text simply says, "But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho-and she lives among the Israelites to this day." Josh 6:25 (NIV) But buried in the text a little bit earlier is the comment, "They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel." Josh 6:23 (NIV) Why outside? I'm not going to answer that question for you, but I'll give you a hint: look for the word "outside" in some of the earlier books in the OT. This will show you the significance of one little word.
But there is the importance of making connections as well. How does Rahab connect with the rest of the salvation story? If you don't know, study it out; I assure you that you will find her connection to be significant.
You might ask, "Ron, are you trying to teach us how to read?" No, obviously you already know how to do that. What I am trying to do, though, is to help train you to read closely. This will allow you to find a richness in the Bible that will refresh your love and regard for it. God bless you all as you live in the story that continues from his Word.
Quote for the day . . .
"I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all." - Leo Rosten
13 May, 2005
The Aggies cross the Brazos
[It has come to my attention that we may have been somewhat ethnically oppressive on this blog, so I have decided to select a minority group (Aggies) and tell the story from their perspective. This is sort of like The Message, but on the Aggie level.]
And it came to pass in those days that the Aggies had finished their long Elephant Walk through the wilderness and came to the Brazos. After preaching a really long sermon, Moses climbed a nearby mountain (nearly as high as Kyle Field) and disappeared. From 10:00 that evening until the next morning, not a sound was heard but that of Silver Taps.
The next morning, Joshua talked with the Head Coach, and the Head Coach said, "Hullaballo, Caneck! Caneck, Joshua. Hullabaloo Caneck!" [The precise meaning of the Aggie dialect in English is not entirely clear.] And Joshua went out to the people, and the people said, "Hullaballo, Caneck! Caneck, Joshua." And Joshua said, "Go." And so the Aggies went and began their March to the Brazos.
While they crossed the river, each of the 11 guys on the team picked up a rock from the river bed and put his number on it. They made a dog pile with the rocks so that they could remember which side of the river they were on. The Twelfth Man showed up with a rock, too, so they let him put it on top of the pile. The Aggies then made camp in Gilgal [some authorities think that this may have been College Station].
That night, when one of the cadets went into his tent, he found Reveille in his bed. Perfectly well aware that no good Aggie would make her move, he went to find another place to sleep. As he crossed the camp on the newly-built sidewalks, he saw two figures walking on the grass. Absolutely infuriated, he went after them to get their names. But as he got closer, he saw that these were no Aggies; these were spies from Austin [some translators render this as "Jericho"]. Then it happened. The two spies actually stepped off the grass and onto the A&M seal. The cadet fainted.
When he awoke, the spies were gone. He promptly reported the incident to Joshua, and the entire Aggie camp surged into an uproar. They engineered a Bonfire so that once again there was a pillar of fire by night and a column of smoke by day over the entire Aggie camp. Then Joshua dispatched spies to Austin (Jericho).
When the spies arrived at Austin, they went to Rahab's house [this part of the report is unclear]. The walls were all made of buff-colored brick and stone, the roofs were tiled with clay, and the banners were all burnt orange. Rahab explained that the people here called themselves "Longhorns". The spies promised Rahab that if she could get them out of Austin safely, they would keep her and her family safe. But she had to be certain to stay inside, and hang a cord of maroon out of her window [some ancient manuscripts read "scarlet"]. The spies returned to camp where they reported to Joshua that the people of Austin were melting in fear because of them.
The Aggies marched against Austin. On the first day, they marched around the city once. The people in the city laughed, because they thought that the Aggies were clueless about how to have a tailgate party. On the second day, the Aggies did the same thing again. Some of the people in the city thought about throwing a bomb at the Aggies, but everyone knows that no Longhorn can make a decent pass. This went on for six days. On the seventh day, the Aggies marched around the city seven times. This made thirteen trips around Austin, once for every time the Aggies ever actually beat the Longhorns.
After the last circuit, Joshua commanded the Aggie Band to play the Aggie War Hymn. When that was done, all of the Aggies let out a big "Whoooop," and the walls of Austin fell. And the Aggies went back to their camp in College Station, taking Rahab and her family with them. And Rahab stayed in Bryan.
Chigaroo-garem,
Chigaroo-garem, Nate.
P.S. - Yes, I know the actual record, Nate: A&M vs UT: 34W-72L-5T
And it came to pass in those days that the Aggies had finished their long Elephant Walk through the wilderness and came to the Brazos. After preaching a really long sermon, Moses climbed a nearby mountain (nearly as high as Kyle Field) and disappeared. From 10:00 that evening until the next morning, not a sound was heard but that of Silver Taps.
The next morning, Joshua talked with the Head Coach, and the Head Coach said, "Hullaballo, Caneck! Caneck, Joshua. Hullabaloo Caneck!" [The precise meaning of the Aggie dialect in English is not entirely clear.] And Joshua went out to the people, and the people said, "Hullaballo, Caneck! Caneck, Joshua." And Joshua said, "Go." And so the Aggies went and began their March to the Brazos.
While they crossed the river, each of the 11 guys on the team picked up a rock from the river bed and put his number on it. They made a dog pile with the rocks so that they could remember which side of the river they were on. The Twelfth Man showed up with a rock, too, so they let him put it on top of the pile. The Aggies then made camp in Gilgal [some authorities think that this may have been College Station].
That night, when one of the cadets went into his tent, he found Reveille in his bed. Perfectly well aware that no good Aggie would make her move, he went to find another place to sleep. As he crossed the camp on the newly-built sidewalks, he saw two figures walking on the grass. Absolutely infuriated, he went after them to get their names. But as he got closer, he saw that these were no Aggies; these were spies from Austin [some translators render this as "Jericho"]. Then it happened. The two spies actually stepped off the grass and onto the A&M seal. The cadet fainted.
When he awoke, the spies were gone. He promptly reported the incident to Joshua, and the entire Aggie camp surged into an uproar. They engineered a Bonfire so that once again there was a pillar of fire by night and a column of smoke by day over the entire Aggie camp. Then Joshua dispatched spies to Austin (Jericho).
When the spies arrived at Austin, they went to Rahab's house [this part of the report is unclear]. The walls were all made of buff-colored brick and stone, the roofs were tiled with clay, and the banners were all burnt orange. Rahab explained that the people here called themselves "Longhorns". The spies promised Rahab that if she could get them out of Austin safely, they would keep her and her family safe. But she had to be certain to stay inside, and hang a cord of maroon out of her window [some ancient manuscripts read "scarlet"]. The spies returned to camp where they reported to Joshua that the people of Austin were melting in fear because of them.
The Aggies marched against Austin. On the first day, they marched around the city once. The people in the city laughed, because they thought that the Aggies were clueless about how to have a tailgate party. On the second day, the Aggies did the same thing again. Some of the people in the city thought about throwing a bomb at the Aggies, but everyone knows that no Longhorn can make a decent pass. This went on for six days. On the seventh day, the Aggies marched around the city seven times. This made thirteen trips around Austin, once for every time the Aggies ever actually beat the Longhorns.
After the last circuit, Joshua commanded the Aggie Band to play the Aggie War Hymn. When that was done, all of the Aggies let out a big "Whoooop," and the walls of Austin fell. And the Aggies went back to their camp in College Station, taking Rahab and her family with them. And Rahab stayed in Bryan.
Chigaroo-garem,
Chigaroo-garem, Nate.
P.S. - Yes, I know the actual record, Nate: A&M vs UT: 34W-72L-5T
Quote for the day . . .
"Instead of pointing a finger, try reaching out a hand . . ." - Sign in front of the Hollis Church of Christ
Are we a people of complaining or compassion?
Are we a people of complaining or compassion?
12 May, 2005
11 May, 2005
Courage = fear + going anyway
"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared." -- Eddie Rickenbacker, Bits & Pieces, April 29, 1993, p. 12.
One of my all time favorite films was one of the early NFL greatest hits vidoes. I know, it's cheesy, but as an impressionable adolescent who loved football, this video was better than Nintendo! Anyway, the above qoute was echoed by one of the great linebackers interviewed for the film. He said something to effect that those who are the most courageous are the one's who are afraid, but go anyway. I love that.
How true for our story. God asks us to do a many scary thing for him. Those of us who have answered God's call, though scared, learned something through our faith/border line crazy trust in God's providence.
I can't help but wonder at the beginning of the book of Joshua, how scared and overwhelmed our hero must have felt. I think it must be similar to a new and almost too big to handle opportunity comes our way.
For Jen and I, it was/ is being parents, and then of course moving to Oklahoma. While we not may not have to cross the Jordan during flood stage, we learned to lean on God and His promises through this ordeal.
How comforting for Joshua to have God tell him numerous times, "be strong and courageous." I am sure Joshau was afraid, but he was afraid and carried on anyway.
One of my all time favorite films was one of the early NFL greatest hits vidoes. I know, it's cheesy, but as an impressionable adolescent who loved football, this video was better than Nintendo! Anyway, the above qoute was echoed by one of the great linebackers interviewed for the film. He said something to effect that those who are the most courageous are the one's who are afraid, but go anyway. I love that.
How true for our story. God asks us to do a many scary thing for him. Those of us who have answered God's call, though scared, learned something through our faith/border line crazy trust in God's providence.
I can't help but wonder at the beginning of the book of Joshua, how scared and overwhelmed our hero must have felt. I think it must be similar to a new and almost too big to handle opportunity comes our way.
For Jen and I, it was/ is being parents, and then of course moving to Oklahoma. While we not may not have to cross the Jordan during flood stage, we learned to lean on God and His promises through this ordeal.
How comforting for Joshua to have God tell him numerous times, "be strong and courageous." I am sure Joshau was afraid, but he was afraid and carried on anyway.
This could be said of Joshua, can it be said of me?
"I have but one passion; it is He, He only."
Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf.
Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf.
For returning bloggers . . .
For those of you who are returning to the blog, be sure and visit Ropes Course, Phase II if you haven't already done so.
Humility or humiliation
Adoni-Zedek. Offended and troubled by the defection of the Gibeonites to the Israelite camp, the king of Jerusalem gathers four other Canaanite kings, marches to the gates of Gibeon, and begins a siege (why attack the Gibeonites instead of the Israelites?). The Gibeonites call Joshua to come from Gilgal to help them out, and one of the most famous battles in history ensues.
Not only is it a bad day at black rock for Adoni-Zedek, God holds the sun still at Joshua's request so as to make it the longest bad day ever. Adoni-Zedek and the four kings hide out in a cave, which the Israelites seal with rocks until the battle is over and the combined Canaanite forces are wiped out. Instead of waiting for the kings to starve to death in the cave, Joshua sends for the five kings and has them brought before his army. He has his commanders put their feet on the necks of the kings (the acme of insult in the ancient world), beheads them, hangs their bodies on five trees for a day, and then buries them in a cave. What a humiliating way to end someone's life!
Why is the humiliation so significant? Those of you with study Bibles will find a notation that Adoni-Zedek means "Lord of Righteousness", or "My Lord of Righteousness". That's a fair understanding of the Hebrew. Now, although "Lord" is a title that is often used of kings in the OT (especially of David), there is a hint that this is a divine title. Adoni is also a title that is used for God. Remember that the predecessor of Adoni-Zedek only called himself Melchizedek, which means "king of righteousness" (this is the king of Salem who blessed Abram, Gen 14.18). But here, the current king of Jerusalem (Salem) is no longer content with merely being a king, but must title himself "LORD". How proud can you get?
Can you imagine the affront to his power to have one of his neighbors choose to make a deal with the enemy? If no Godfather would put up with that kind of nonsense, then you can bet that no god (little g) would tolerate it either. Besides which, the turf the Israelites possess plus Gibeon cuts Canaan in half. So, pride offended, Adoni-Zedek acts.
But God, the Father of all humanity, reduces this proud man to the status of a humiliated man suffering a humiliating death. The Gibeonites, though many and strong, humbled themselves and survived. But a proud ruler exalted himself in front of the people of God and found humiliation instead of glory.
Just before the end, Moses warned Pharaoh to humble himself before God (Ex 10.3). Aid comes to Daniel because he humbles himself (Dan 10.12). And both James and Peter counsel us to humble ourselves before God so that he can exalt us (James 4.10, 1 Pet 5.6). So will we actively humble ourselves, or passively suffer humiliation?
P.S. - There is going to be a "Lord of Righteousness" who will rule over Jerusalem and every other place, but he doesn't appear in this part of the story. When he does appear, not only will he be a better king - he will be a better priest as well (Heb 7). This Adoni-Zedek will deliver his people to glory, not to death. Oddly enough, this mighty king knows more about humility than any other leader humanity has ever known.
Not only is it a bad day at black rock for Adoni-Zedek, God holds the sun still at Joshua's request so as to make it the longest bad day ever. Adoni-Zedek and the four kings hide out in a cave, which the Israelites seal with rocks until the battle is over and the combined Canaanite forces are wiped out. Instead of waiting for the kings to starve to death in the cave, Joshua sends for the five kings and has them brought before his army. He has his commanders put their feet on the necks of the kings (the acme of insult in the ancient world), beheads them, hangs their bodies on five trees for a day, and then buries them in a cave. What a humiliating way to end someone's life!
Why is the humiliation so significant? Those of you with study Bibles will find a notation that Adoni-Zedek means "Lord of Righteousness", or "My Lord of Righteousness". That's a fair understanding of the Hebrew. Now, although "Lord" is a title that is often used of kings in the OT (especially of David), there is a hint that this is a divine title. Adoni is also a title that is used for God. Remember that the predecessor of Adoni-Zedek only called himself Melchizedek, which means "king of righteousness" (this is the king of Salem who blessed Abram, Gen 14.18). But here, the current king of Jerusalem (Salem) is no longer content with merely being a king, but must title himself "LORD". How proud can you get?
Can you imagine the affront to his power to have one of his neighbors choose to make a deal with the enemy? If no Godfather would put up with that kind of nonsense, then you can bet that no god (little g) would tolerate it either. Besides which, the turf the Israelites possess plus Gibeon cuts Canaan in half. So, pride offended, Adoni-Zedek acts.
But God, the Father of all humanity, reduces this proud man to the status of a humiliated man suffering a humiliating death. The Gibeonites, though many and strong, humbled themselves and survived. But a proud ruler exalted himself in front of the people of God and found humiliation instead of glory.
Just before the end, Moses warned Pharaoh to humble himself before God (Ex 10.3). Aid comes to Daniel because he humbles himself (Dan 10.12). And both James and Peter counsel us to humble ourselves before God so that he can exalt us (James 4.10, 1 Pet 5.6). So will we actively humble ourselves, or passively suffer humiliation?
P.S. - There is going to be a "Lord of Righteousness" who will rule over Jerusalem and every other place, but he doesn't appear in this part of the story. When he does appear, not only will he be a better king - he will be a better priest as well (Heb 7). This Adoni-Zedek will deliver his people to glory, not to death. Oddly enough, this mighty king knows more about humility than any other leader humanity has ever known.
We're Back
We are back. The little computer has been to visit Dell. We are back and work, somewhat. We hav alot of reading and laughing to do. Ya'll are great, a huge encouragement. Keep it going! We will be making staff assignments shortly. How's that for being a politician? Most everyone has checked in. We will be inviting all staff to join us shortly. Our hope is that this will enrich all involved. We will be attempting to "blog-savvy" those of us who are not. Your comments are wonderful and inspiring. Take courage the journey is close to fruition.
Quote for the day . . .
To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself. - Soren Kierkegaard
10 May, 2005
For such a time as this...
I was reading a historical survey of the Old Testament, and something caught my attention. I knew it all along, but the actual re-reading it, or seeing it again astounded me. The author of this overview mentioned the historical situation of the time of the Jordan crossing and the conquest of Canaan, and how all around Canaan there were many tribal, and national squabbles going on, that Israel was pretty much able to advnace through the region with little or no mention of Egypt, for Egypt was busy with affairs of her own. The thought that nailed me between the eyes was the notion that all of this occured happened according to God's plan. It was his timing of the historical situation all around Israel, that assured them their reception of the promise.
Our God is Lord of time and the rise and fall of nations.
Our God is Lord of time and the rise and fall of nations.
A monologue
Ron: So, has the blog gotten kinda quiet, or is it me?
Ron: Oh, I think they left when I wasn't looking; all except David.
Ron: What's David doing?
Ron: He's still with you, he's just typing his next posting.
Ron: Is the post that long?
Ron: No, his typing is that slow.
Ron: At least he's still hangin' in.
Ron: Yep. So what do you think is happening?
Ron: I'm not sure; maybe it's me.
Ron: Could be; I warned you about those arcane references to Greek Mythology . . .
Ron: So you think they're bored?
Ron: Out of their gourd.
Ron: Maybe it's because you take up all of the space with your posts.
Ron: It's the Internet, dude; there's an unlimited amount of space.
Ron: Yeah, but there's not an unlimited amount of time to read.
Ron: So you're saying . . .
Ron: If they take the time to actually read everything you write . . .
Ron: Then they don't have time to write anything themselves?
Ron: Got it in one, ace.
Ron: Wow. So right now . . .
Ron: The longer this goes on, the longer it will be before some one responds.
Ron: Wow. Talk about a Catch-22. Hey, wait a minute . . .
Ron: What?
Ron: Maybe it's not the length of my posts, maybe it's because they think you're being a know-it-all.
Ron: Me?
Ron: Yep, it wouldn't be the first time.
Ron: But I don't know it all!
Ron: You're tellin' me.
Ron: Well, it's about time you listened to somebody . . .
Ron: That's the whole point! I really want to listen, to know what they think!
Ron: Maybe they're not through thinking yet.
Ron: Maybe they don't know that the rest of us want to know what they think.
Ron: Well, write this down and then they will.
Ron: OK, but won't it make them think you're goin' crazy?
Ron: They're pretty tolerant; they've already known that for a while.
Ron: Oh, I think they left when I wasn't looking; all except David.
Ron: What's David doing?
Ron: He's still with you, he's just typing his next posting.
Ron: Is the post that long?
Ron: No, his typing is that slow.
Ron: At least he's still hangin' in.
Ron: Yep. So what do you think is happening?
Ron: I'm not sure; maybe it's me.
Ron: Could be; I warned you about those arcane references to Greek Mythology . . .
Ron: So you think they're bored?
Ron: Out of their gourd.
Ron: Maybe it's because you take up all of the space with your posts.
Ron: It's the Internet, dude; there's an unlimited amount of space.
Ron: Yeah, but there's not an unlimited amount of time to read.
Ron: So you're saying . . .
Ron: If they take the time to actually read everything you write . . .
Ron: Then they don't have time to write anything themselves?
Ron: Got it in one, ace.
Ron: Wow. So right now . . .
Ron: The longer this goes on, the longer it will be before some one responds.
Ron: Wow. Talk about a Catch-22. Hey, wait a minute . . .
Ron: What?
Ron: Maybe it's not the length of my posts, maybe it's because they think you're being a know-it-all.
Ron: Me?
Ron: Yep, it wouldn't be the first time.
Ron: But I don't know it all!
Ron: You're tellin' me.
Ron: Well, it's about time you listened to somebody . . .
Ron: That's the whole point! I really want to listen, to know what they think!
Ron: Maybe they're not through thinking yet.
Ron: Maybe they don't know that the rest of us want to know what they think.
Ron: Well, write this down and then they will.
Ron: OK, but won't it make them think you're goin' crazy?
Ron: They're pretty tolerant; they've already known that for a while.
Quote for the day . . .
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. - The Dalai Lama
09 May, 2005
Kindness in Joshua
David has noted that "it seems a somewhat strange combination of the book of Joshua with being kind, humble, patient, compassionate, and gentle. But I remember the words of James Cail from way back: 'people tend to behave the way they believe their God would'." (For the complete text, see A little . . ..)
I agree with David; at first Joshua's story seems disconnected from kindness, but a look at the larger story reveals God's kindness. When the Israelites were in Egypt, there were the haves and the have nots. The Egyptians had; the Israelites had not. Oppression was the rule of the day. But an ancient proverb reveals the heart and the behavior of God:
Chapters 13-21 of Joshua reveal that God's plan was for the land to be divided by tribes and by family. When you couple this with the knowledge that the laws for ownership of land and indebtedness specified in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy (i.e., Lev 27.14-25; Num 36.5-9; Deut 15) did not ever allow any family to permanently lose their land, you see the kind hand of God protecting people from falling permanently into poverty and need. Oppression was against the law. Instead, there is the Levitical imperative (19.18) to "love your neighbor as yourself." In this nation, blessings were to be found in behaving kindly (as God would), and curses come to those who are unkind or oppressive. How does that connect with Joshua?
According to Josh 8.30-35, The Israelites stood on Mount Gerazim and Mount Ebal and did what "Moses had commanded." What was that? The people recited the blessings and curses listed in Deut 27.12-26, half speaking the curses, half speaking the blessings. Read them and see the curses for those who are unkind, who are oppressive. Here is effectively their "Declaration of Dependence" on God and his kindness, and their agreement to be kind themselves or else face the consequences. It is the covenant to be a different and "kinder" nation than the world had yet known.
If people "tend to behave the way they believe their God would," God would have us (and Cail would, too) see God and his behavior as it truly is: kind.
I agree with David; at first Joshua's story seems disconnected from kindness, but a look at the larger story reveals God's kindness. When the Israelites were in Egypt, there were the haves and the have nots. The Egyptians had; the Israelites had not. Oppression was the rule of the day. But an ancient proverb reveals the heart and the behavior of God:
"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,So after God removes his people from oppression, he creates a nation patterned after his values. He creates the "gentler and kinder" country of its day: Israel. How is this so?
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Prov 14:31 (NIV)
Chapters 13-21 of Joshua reveal that God's plan was for the land to be divided by tribes and by family. When you couple this with the knowledge that the laws for ownership of land and indebtedness specified in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy (i.e., Lev 27.14-25; Num 36.5-9; Deut 15) did not ever allow any family to permanently lose their land, you see the kind hand of God protecting people from falling permanently into poverty and need. Oppression was against the law. Instead, there is the Levitical imperative (19.18) to "love your neighbor as yourself." In this nation, blessings were to be found in behaving kindly (as God would), and curses come to those who are unkind or oppressive. How does that connect with Joshua?
According to Josh 8.30-35, The Israelites stood on Mount Gerazim and Mount Ebal and did what "Moses had commanded." What was that? The people recited the blessings and curses listed in Deut 27.12-26, half speaking the curses, half speaking the blessings. Read them and see the curses for those who are unkind, who are oppressive. Here is effectively their "Declaration of Dependence" on God and his kindness, and their agreement to be kind themselves or else face the consequences. It is the covenant to be a different and "kinder" nation than the world had yet known.
If people "tend to behave the way they believe their God would," God would have us (and Cail would, too) see God and his behavior as it truly is: kind.
Quote for the day . . .
"In this age, which believes that there is a short cut to everything, the greatest lesson to be learned is that the most difficult way is, in the long run, the easiest." - Henry Miller, The Books in My Life
08 May, 2005
Ropes course, Phase II
Friday and Saturday, Ben Bruner and Nathan Gatewood began Phase II of the Ropes course (challenge course) at Lu-Jo. In the original dream for the Ropes course, the plan was for this to occur in several phases. Last year, they (and those who helped them physically and financially) were able to complete 11 elements (including 3 portable elements). This year, they are working toward 7 new permanent elements; one of those was finished yesterday, and four others had a substantial amount of the base work done for them. One big tree which was becoming a potential safety issue was proactively taken out. Two elements require some additional clearing and construction in the coming month. Ben and Nathan have received some donations of materials (and hauling), and have negotiated some additional gifts. New gravel will be needed to re-dress the areas around the existing elements, and for placement around the new elements.
Besides the new elements, their vision for the ropes course area includes the construction of a bridge that will better connect the wall (and the new elements which are adjacent to it) to the northern area of the course.
These young men have followed their dream and their passion. They have crossed the river (Pecan Creek) and have taken the land, building, with surprisingly little money, a course that is becoming one of the premiere low challenge courses anywhere. All for the glory of God. This course will have a powerful impact on Peak Week again this year. Now, though, to finish the dream, they're going to need some additional funding. They're going to need about $2,500 for the gravel (it's a special kind of gravel so the kids don't get hurt). An additional $500 would fund the bridge as well.
Let's all be prayerful that God will continue to provide what they need for this great tool for working with young people. If you have any questions about their work, contact them by e-mail:
Ben Bruner
Nathan Gatewood
Besides the new elements, their vision for the ropes course area includes the construction of a bridge that will better connect the wall (and the new elements which are adjacent to it) to the northern area of the course.
These young men have followed their dream and their passion. They have crossed the river (Pecan Creek) and have taken the land, building, with surprisingly little money, a course that is becoming one of the premiere low challenge courses anywhere. All for the glory of God. This course will have a powerful impact on Peak Week again this year. Now, though, to finish the dream, they're going to need some additional funding. They're going to need about $2,500 for the gravel (it's a special kind of gravel so the kids don't get hurt). An additional $500 would fund the bridge as well.
Let's all be prayerful that God will continue to provide what they need for this great tool for working with young people. If you have any questions about their work, contact them by e-mail:
Ben Bruner
Nathan Gatewood
Quote for the day . . .
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." - Mark Twain
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