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Commandment Series: The Fourth

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“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8

There’s an epidemic in the world, especially in the United States, of sleep deprivation and stress. Since our early years as a nation, we’ve prided ourselves on being workaholics, pulling ourselves up with our bootstraps, and standing on our own no matter the costs.

Now, we wonder why heart disease is the number 1 killer of Americans.

Many nowadays speak about being always “too busy” as if they were bragging. If someone asks how we’re doing, we say “fine.” If someone asks what we’ve been up to, we answer “busy as always.”

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

“And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:2-3

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31

“The Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will give rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

How many times and ways does God have to tell you to be still (not incessantly busy) and rest for awhile before you’ll listen?

It isn’t a weakness to need rest, it is a gift given to us by God from the dawn of time.

“By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven.” Genesis 2:2-4

Rest is good for you mentally, physically, and spiritually, and God set aside a whole day of it every week just for us. God never really needed to rest; he’s omnipotent after all. However, he was setting a precedent for his creation.

Please look at what others say:

“The biological and chemical factors that trigger mental health issues also could influence heart disease. ‘The head-heart connection should be on everyone’s radar,’ said Barry Jacobs, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist and director of “Behavioral Sciences at the Crozer-Keystone Family Medicine Residency Program in Springfield, Pa. ‘It’s not just being unhappy. It’s having biochemical changes that predispose people to have other health problems, including heart problems'” (American Heart Association)

“Our society is suffering from sleep deprivation and suffering the consequences with mental health issues (anxiety/depression/mood disorders), physical health issues (heart disease, diabetes, obesity), addictions, relationship problems.” (CDC and WEBMD)

“There are data showing that working overtime is associated with problems such as high blood pressure, depression and obesity.” In a 1960 study, 2% sample slept less than 6 hours per night. In 2004, that figure was up to 30%. (Psychology Today)

There’s evidence that religious rituals are “conducive to better mental health… reduce anxiety and uncertainty.” The Sabbath gives “freedom from mundane and practice concerns” centering on survival. The “Sabbath provides opportunities to rest from both physical and mental stresses.” (Research Gate)

Rest = better health. Sabbath = rest. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. So, why did God mandate this rest instead of leaving it as an option? Because we have a difficult time stopping, slowing down, and saying no. We have authority figures who can control us into not resting (i.e. bosses, parents when we are children, etc). Not to mention the fact that we ourselves are over others that need rest as well: other people, animals, even the plants in our backyard.

“At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.” Matthew 12:1-14

So, what is going on in the above verse? Everything needs rest, but humans should be top priority. First, when Jesus says that He is the “Lord of the Sabbath,” He is essentially saying that He is master of that day. The only one who can be master of a commandment is the one who created it… He declared He was God (one of many times He did this).

When he mentions the temple bread, he is comparing his disciples breaking the sacredness of the Sabbath to David’s men breaking the sacredness of the temple. Both sets of men had physical needs that outweighed, and therefore, were exceptions to the law. He brings up how the priests are the only ones allowed to do their job on the Sabbath (that’s how they “desecrate” the temple) as the Pharisees would have agreed that they are allowed to do so. Jesus states “something greater than the temple is here.” Again, declaring His mastery over the temple. The only one greater than the temple is… God.

He is basically saying that He’s the one who made the laws, and they are acting as if they know better how to keep them. Then, He heals a man, not a man about to die from wounds or illness, not a man who can’t wait until the next day for healing. He heals a man with a somewhat minor disfigurement because “it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

“It is not the greatness of the priests which justified their violation of the Fourth Commandment—it was the greatness of the temple, the greatness of the cause or the work in which the were engaged..Verse 7 strikes at the heart of the problem of His adversaries: they have focused on the mechanical, ritualistic, aspects of the Sabbath, and in so doing they have failed to meet its essence, which is mercy and compassion. They have lingered long over the letter of the Law, but they have missed its spirit.” (Bible Org)

We were not made to observe the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made to heal us, refocus us, center us back onto the spiritual relationship with God after a long week of survival, to gather us from our corners of the world and bring the followers together for simple human interaction without pretense for commerce or goal-setting.

“Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27

Why would you deny such a huge gift from God?

“Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. … And a certain man was there, who had been thirty-eight years in his sickness. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your pallet, and walk.” And immediately the man became well, and took up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. Therefore the Jews were saying to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Take up your pallet and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your pallet, and walk’?” But he who was healed did not know who it was; for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may befall you.” The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. And for this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” For this cause therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God” John 5:2, 5-18

They hated Jesus because He was repeatedly declaring Himself God and denouncing their ways. He didn’t find the nit-picking rules that the Pharisees set up to be correct. Instead of just telling them to not follow those legalistic ways, He showed them by action how actually follow the Sabbath. Picking up pallets or plucking a single ear of corn was not breaking the God-given conditions of Sabbath . Mercy and compassion is following the Sabbath. Taking care of your physical needs is following the Sabbath. Gathering with others for worship and connection definitely is following the Sabbath.

So, how do we interpret what He means when He says that God the Father and Himself are working on the Sabbath? Well, you could take this many ways, and I encourage you to always ask God for guidance. However, the way I personally take it is that Jesus was saying God never needs rest. The Sabbath was made for the Creation not the Creator. However, Jesus wasn’t actually breaking the Sabbath, either. He was breaking man-made rules, not God’s laws. Yet, according to the Pharisee rules, God was breaking those man-made rules of Sabbath-keeping, and therefore, if we’re using the Pharisee’s viewpoint of “work”, God is always working on the Sabbath.

There’s a lot to be learned from Sabbath-keeping. You learn the world does not revolve around you, and it will continue spinning whether you’re checking off lists or not. You learn how deep a need we all have for rest, peace, and communion. You learn to stop and smell the roses without worrying about how much their worth or where you might plant them next on your property. You learn how stopping the rat-race on a regular basis helps to re-center your life on God. You learn how to be child again, free from obligations and stress, at least for a day.

If you haven’t ever observed the Sabbath before, it may be difficult at first. When a person’s been spinning for awhile, they can be a bit dizzy when they step down from the ride. However, when you finally learn how to rest, truly rest, you learn a bit about God’s promise for peace and restoration. It’s like a glimpse of heaven here on earth.

Sabbath: you don’t just want rest, you need it. Be still.

Sources other than Bible:
https://bible.org/seriespage/16-sabbath-controversy-gospels
http://www.theheartfoundation.org/heart-disease-facts/heart-disease-statistics/
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/StressManagement/HowDoesStressAffectYou/Stress-and-Heart-Health_UCM_437370_Article.jsp#.WWZcGdIUmHs
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250919744_The_Mental_Health_Benefits_and_Costs_of_Sabbath_Observance_Among_Orthodox_Jews
https://www.sabbathtruth.com/faq/advanced-topics/rest-in-god-keeping-the-sabbath-holy
https://www.cdc.gov/features/dssleep/
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/toll-of-sleep-loss-in-america
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sleepless-in-america/201001/are-we-really-getting-less-sleep-we-did-in-1975

Commandment Series: The Second

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“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6

Are you burdened with the weight of carrying gods, or is your God carrying you?

The second commandment is very close to the first (not placing any other gods above Yahweh), so much so, one wonders why they are always deemed separate commands. It seems oddly specific, and in the ancient world, perhaps not a strange thing to ask as many pagan gods had followers dedicating idols to their worship. In this day and time, however, you might wonder how the second commandment affects you.

In the prior post about the first commandment, we clarified that “gods” can be anything you serve other than Yahweh: wealth, pride, electronics, even other people, etc. We must place God above everything else in our life, and He will provide. The second commandment tells us not to set up idols of our “gods.” Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m not making clay representations of my iPhone and bowing down to it. So, what gives? How do we know what an idol is in modern times?

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.” Romans 1:20-23

Like the wind, we may not see our invisible God, but He always moving the world around us. No one is excused from not knowing He exists because, as the author proclaims, He is always around us in everything we perceive. Yet, perhaps out of ignorance on how to connect with a God of His glory, people began to worship the creation instead of the creator.

“‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26-27

The problem is, we are putting above us things that we were supposed to subdue. In other words, we forget that we are made higher than everything else on Earth (except angels Hebrews 2:7). We are the children of God! Yet, we “worship” everything that should be in submission to us and forget to submit ourselves to God.

One source below states, “An idol is anything we depend upon to meet the deep needs of the heart—love, security, worth, or significance. When we seek to find identity and security in something besides God, we have made it an idol. John Calvin said, “The human heart is an idol factory.” We often search for peace or identity through relationships, substances, money, or entertainment. Addictions are forms of idolatry, as are a host of other worldly enticements that cannot ultimately satisfy. When we give ourselves to the pursuit of manmade gods, we are breaking the second commandment.”

I’m going to go one step further. Consider this verse.

“Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God! I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are continually before me. I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine and all its fullness. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” Psalm 50:7-15

The ancient gods, as well as the new, survive on sacrifice. We must give up something of ourselves or our resources in order to keep them alive for worship. Idolatry is all about greed and selfishness. We give something: we get something. If the “gods” are not satisfied with our offerings, we are punished or ignored. They are selfish, and their followers worship them just to receive things. They need their followers almost more than their followers need them.

Yahweh is quite different. HE sacrificed for US. He needs nothing from us, but He wants us all the same. God is all about selfless love in everything He’s done, and He expects us to be the same. He rains blessings on the good and bad. As a father, He may discipline us, but it has nothing with what He can gain from us.

“Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low. Their idols are on beasts, on livestock. Your loads are more burdensome than their reports. They stoop, they bow down together, and they are not able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go off into captivity. “Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all you remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld from before your birth, and who have been carried from the womb. Even until your old age, I am the one, and I’ll carry you even until your gray hairs come. It is I who have created, and I who will carry, and it is I who will bear and save. To whom will you compare me, count me equal, or liken me, so that I may be compared? Those who pour out gold in a purse, weigh silver in a balance, hire a goldsmith in order to make a god, and then they bow down and even worship it. And they lift it on their shoulders, carry it, set it up in its place, and there it stands. It cannot move from that spot. One may even call to it, but it cannot answer nor save him from his distress.” Isaiah 46:1-7

Are you carrying your gods? Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to keep up with the demands of daily life? Are you constantly worried about the future and what it brings? Are you giving up money, time, relationships, or health just to be able to keep your “gods” alive? If you are sacrificing ANYTHING, make sure you are sacrificing for Yahweh, and even then make sure it’s out of love; otherwise, even God doesn’t want it. Find what or who you’re sacrificing for because that’s your “god.” The one true God doesn’t require sacrifice to keep His blessings or love flowing. He won’t drain you. He fills you up. He carries you through life. You’ll never need to carry Him.

Let’s use my phone addiction as an example. I give it my time and attention. In return it gives me entertainment and a sense of social connection. If I fail to give it time, attention, battery charge, it fails to serve me in return. That’s because it’s fallible and a creation, not a creator. My phone should be serving me when and where I need it, without sacrificing my precious time or attention that would be better given to my family. I just need to make sure that I am in charge, not vice versa.

That show “Hoarders” is an extreme example, but those people sacrifice a lot to hold onto their things. They give up a clean home, relationships, health, their sanity. In return, they expect to hold onto what those things symbolize, like memories, the love of family members who gave them the things, or even protection from the world beyond their home as if their things are a hedge around them. They are never truly satisfied. They should be in charge. Their possessions should not be possessing them.

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” Acts 17:24-25

You’ll know you’ve built an idol when something or someone in your life requires you to “feed” it in order to keep it in your life, and it’s draining you dry. God made everything and is in control of everything. He’s got you; just let Him do His thing in your life. Let go and let God provide what you need.

Sources other than Bible: gotquestions.org/second-commandment, discovertheword.org

Commandment Series: The First

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For the next ten weeks, I’ll be focusing on each of the ten commandments. These laws may exist in the Old Testament, but Jesus brings them forward, saying, “”Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17 In fact, Jesus makes a point of elucidating each commandment so that we can all fully understand the meaning behind it.

This week is about the First Commandment.

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:2-3

Your first thought may be to consider this an ancient problem. I mean, how hard is it to avoid pagan gods? In some parts of the world, it’s harder than others, but the fact is, you don’t need a golden idol in order to place other gods before Yahweh.

In both B.C. and A.D. times, there’ve been plenty of gods to worship. Many are gods of the water, trees, farming, war, fertility, destruction, creation, fishermen, feasts, etc. etc. If you can think of, well anything, there was or is a god for it. Crazy thing is, nowadays, we don’t usually call them gods in the Western world. So, it can be quite shocking when you realize you’ve been placing a “god” before your real Father.

Take for instance my addiction to my smartphone. There’s no doubt to me it’s an addiction, and I know I’m not alone in this. Some of you are glued to your T.V., your games, your hobbies, your career, your money, or even your pride. Oh, but it’s not harming anyone, least of all angering God, right? That’s a good question.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

Anytime you see your “worldly worship” come before your prayer time with God or serving God in anyway, the First Commandment comes into play. If your phone interferes with family time, if your T.V. shows are glorifying evil, if your hobbies and career keep you in a cycle of greed, if you don’t trust God with your money situation or refuse to spend any to help others, or if you are ever worried about what others think or say about you, you are placing other “gods” before Yahweh. We all have at some point.

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5

Ya know, if you didn’t believe me before. It’s right there in writing.

How about this?

“No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24

If you serve another “god,” you’re not loving God completely. You can’t follow God if you’re walking in the opposite direction.

Another one of my favorite verses is this, so I’m posting the whole thing.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifespan?

And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans pursue all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34

Worry is another problem for me. When we worry, we’re acting as if the world is more powerful than God. We worship at the altar of anxiety and sacrifice it our wasted time. We are placing worry and the problems of this world above God. Yet, He is clear on what we can do instead. We should “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” In other words, place God first, love Him, trust Him. He’s stronger than all feelings, problems, and “gods.” He shall provide.

When changing a habit or stuck mindset, we shouldn’t just focus on the negative, we must focus on the positive. So, we know what NOT to do in order to “have no other gods before” Yahweh, so what SHOULD we do?

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.” Matthew 22:36-38

My all-time favorite verse. This is the first commandment, to love God with all your being and might. If you put Him first in your life, think of every action, thought, and word as if you are representing your God (because you are!). If you do everything out of your abundant love for Him, you’ll be on the correct path.

You won’t be perfect at this because none of us are. However, by choosing God as your master, you WILL be cutting the strings the world uses to make you its puppet, even if you stumble a little when you’re free.

Next week is the Second Commandment, which is closely related to this one but not exactly the same.

אָמֵן Amen

Father’s Day with God

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Tomorrow is Father’s Day, which depending on who you are and what your relationship is with your own father, may conjure up a lot of mixed feelings. Although I’ve personally been blessed with a loving relationship with my dad, not everyone has. There are people with rocky connections, others who have lost their dads, and still others who don’t even know who that man might be. Where ever you may fall in this continuum, God has a message for you.

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'” Romans 8:15

The Greek word for “adoption to sonship” is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture. That means you are utterly His child in every way. This isn’t limited to males, just to be clear. It could just as well say “daughtership,” but in the time the Bible was written, that wouldn’t have given the child heirship to the father’s legacy. This means everyone, male and female, inherits the Kingdom of God as His children. He loves you too much to give you any less.

“Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:1-7

God, the Father, sent His only begotten Son to die for us so we could claim Him as our dad, too. There are many instances of God being referred to as a father, such as when Jesus was alone and afraid the day before His crucifixion.

“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36

One source states “Abba is a transliteration of the Aramaic used to address God in a relation of personal intimacy. It is a term expressing warm affection and filial confidence.” Consider when Jesus spoke of asking for what you need from God:

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:10

However, God is not a gender and can not be limited to being a father only. He is also referred to as a mother of His children.

“But Zion said, ‘The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.'” Isaiah 49:14-16

How about when Jesus speaks of all the times He’s sent people to guide us, and we weren’t listening?

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. ” Luke 13:34

The image of a father traditionally holds him to be the strength and backbone of a family while the mother is typically shown to be the nurturing and comforting one. While us humans fail in many ways, even in parenting, God never fails, and He could be looked at for parenting advice. See how He corrects, guides, and comforts us? He uses few words and lots of love. My favorite verse comparing God to a parent is the parable of the Prodigal Son.

“Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:11-24

Notice that the one son was allowed the freedom to mess up. When he returned, it wasn’t really because he felt guilty about doing wrong (at least from what we’re told). He was just tired of being alone, starving, and uncomfortable. He realized his father’s house was amazing, and he’d taken that life for granted.

When he returned, he did what many of us do when dreading a conversation. He prepared his words carefully. However, his father didn’t hear a word of what his son had prepared. He never thought twice about why his son had returned. He didn’t care. He was just too overjoyed that he’d returned safely, and he ran to his son, embraced him with affection and instant forgiveness.

That father is God and that son is you, His child.

So, however Father’s Day makes you feel this year and whatever relationship (or lack thereof) you may have with your earthly father, God is the truest father, and He is yours. He runs to you daily, embracing you, being your strength, your comfort, and all He wants in return is love. And if your earthly father is no longer in this world, remember God is His father too, and believe me, He’s giving him affection and joy as we speak.

May you all have a good Father’s Day, and don’t forget to send a Happy Father’s Day to your Father, God.

Sources other than Bible: biblegateway, biblestudytools

Sitting at the Feet of God

/ EloquentMuse / 1 Comment

Have you ever been hanging out with a loved one or visiting a friend, and suddenly, they’re on their phones engrossed in whatever is on the screen? If it happened only occasionally, it might not be a big deal, but it probably gets aggravating if it happens often, almost as if they’d rather be somewhere else or with someone else. There’s a disconnect despite the fact you’re sitting in the same room.

Okay, here’s another scenario. You show up with chicken fried rice for dinner, and your spouse gets upset because they’d rather have Lo Mein tonight. You’ll probably end up saying that they could’ve told you earlier, right? You can’t exactly read minds.

However, it brings up an important point about relationships: Communication is super important, and since we’re made in God’s image, you should know it’s important to Him too. Although God can totally read your mind, He wants you to reach out to Him, to ask Him if you want or need something. It’s not a guarantee you’ll get it (God actually does know better than you about what you need), but it IS a guarantee you’ll get closer to Him.

Everyone knows about prayer, but what is prayer exactly? Also, is whispering words to the heavens the only form of communication with God?

The best way to answer “God questions” is to look to the Bible; it is one of God’s many ways of communicating with us. I’ve found many holy people in that book who’ve prayed; in fact, it seems to be the most favored way of speaking with God. They’ve joyfully shouted, sobbed, wailed, ranted in anger, whispered in fear, and questioned God’s motives with great trepidation. One thing I’ve noticed is that they poured their hearts out to God, even if what was on their hearts was morally unstable. They communicated to God, and you know what? Without fail, God communicated right back: not necessarily right away.

What do you do if you have a problem in any relationship? You should be bringing it up with the other party, right? Same deal with God. Look no further than the book of Job or several instances when Moses spoke with God in the desert.

There are times when we don’t know what to pray, but we still long to connect to God.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.” Romans 8:26

Yes, prayer with words isn’t the only way to speak with God.

“And David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.” 2 Samuel 6:14-15

“Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing. Miriam answered them, “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; The horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea.” Exodus 15:20-21

“And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, and said to Moses, ‘The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.'” Exodus 36:4-5

These are a few of the many examples of how people “spoke” with God. Dance, song (which oftentimes served as storytelling as well), using our skills to serve, or giving as much of ourselves and our resources as we can in order to praise our Creator. See, God doesn’t always speak with us in words. He isn’t limited in this way, and we must keep not only our ears but our eyes, minds, and hands open to “hear” Him because He is a multi-sensory experience. So are we.

Every time you meditate on His word, you are communicating with God. Every time you create something in order to praise Him, serve Him, or help others with your work, you are communicating with God. Every time you meet with His other followers to worship Him and help each other walk His path, you are communicating with God. Those moments when you’re in the car singing a praise song, you are communicating with God. Even thoughtfully cleaning your house and cooking meals to serve your family, taking care of your children, and raising them in His ways are many other ways to “speak” with God.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

When you mindfully do things which you know will please God, you are praying without words.

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” Matthew 6:7

You don’t have to know all the right things to say. In fact, you don’t have to “say” anything at all. Make sure you take the time to be truly alone with Him when you can.

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

The times when God have spoken with me are innumerable. He comes to me mostly in my quiet moments, not because He can’t communicate in a crowd, but rather because I’m less likely pay attention when He does. His words may come in the form of music, a gentle breeze, a bird landing nearby, a commercial, a photo, a simple word whispered in my mind, etc.. He knows the right way to communicate with me so I will understand.

“‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” Jeremiah 33:3

One of my favorite ways to pray is to just sit in silence and pay attention to the here and now. Sometimes, my mind feels like it’s running constantly with too many thoughts scrambling around. I like to think I’m just hanging out with God in comfortable silence. Sometimes, I think of something to say to Him during our moment; sometimes, He speaks to me. Most of the time, it’s just peaceful quality time with someone I love.

Bottom line is there’s no excuse to not communicate and spend time with God. There’s no wrong or right way to do it. He longs to hear from you even if it’s just a reiteration of your day. Worship and prayer go hand-in-hand, and if you do everything with Him in mind, you are spending time with one another and communicating your love for Him. Believe me, if you pay attention, you’ll see He’s always communicating His love to you.

Anxiety & Depression: It’s Ok to NOT Be Ok

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34

In the ebb and flow of life, there are times and situations where we all fall into despair or pull our hair in anxiety. It’s a normal reaction to the darkness of the world. This is not our final destination, this is not our true home, and we are surviving in the acidic environment of humanity’s many downfalls. The above verse helped me through many times and continues to do so, which is why I posted it in its entirety.

There are also those of us who have “imbalances” in our body chemistry that causes higher levels of worry, fear, and depression even during times of relative calm. I firmly believe that these are the attributes of those people with higher levels of empathy and soulful connection to others in ways we don’t yet understand.

Either because of circumstances or the make of their bodies, there have been innumerable Biblical characters who’ve shared in their fair share of the darkest valleys. Every time, there’s been a repeated message from God.

Elijah:

“He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough Lord, he said. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.'” 1 Kings 19:4

He ran away from Jezebel and her threats of death, tired and afraid for his life. Though he fled despite God’s instructions, God showed up with a gentle heart. He first sent an angel who laid down sustenance for him. This is when God tells him to wait for him on the mountain.

“Then, a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?'” 1Kings 19:11-13

God was in the soft whisper, always by Elijah’s side no matter what his state of mind.

Jonah:

“Now O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live…I am angry enough to die.” Jonah 4:3-9

Instead of rejoicing at the people’s turn around at his prophecy, he despaired that he would no longer be considered a true prophet since his prophecy didn’t come true. Despite his obstinate behavior, God showed up with a gentle heart.

“There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant.” Jonah 4:5-6

God also used the plant to give Jonah a message on anger, but He’d stayed by Jonah’s side through the good and bad times.

Moses:

He killed an Egyptian without due process and fled for his life for forty years. When God showed up in a burning bush, Moses seemed to find himself unworthy based on past failures, and God never stated he was worthy. This is important to remember.

“But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Exodus 4:1-14

It was through Moses’ weaknesses not his strengths, that God would show His grace and power. Again, after the Israelites were wailing over their hunger, Moses stated:

“I am not able to bear all these people alone. The burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now if I have found favor in Your sight and do not let me see my wretchedness!” Numbers 11:10-15

These are the words of a man in despair. Yet, God showed up with a gentle heart.

“I will take some of the power of the spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.” Numbers 11:17

Moses is still ranting and ruminating on his problems when God cuts in.

“Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” Numbers 11:23

So, He got a little snarky with Moses (which is hilarious to me), but He was always there for Moses and ready to lift his troubles. All Moses had to do was ask. What’s equally memorable about this and the others who yell and rave at God is that He is always listening with patience and never do I find Him getting angry just because they are upset. He understands and wants them to pour their heart out, even if it’s anger toward Him.

Job:

Ah, yes, good ol’ Job. We can’t speak on anxiety and depression without mentioning him.

“Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?” Job 3:11

“I have no peace, no quietness, I have no rest, but only turmoil.” Job 3:26

“I loathe my very life, therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in then bitterness of my soul.” Job 10:1

“Terrors overwhelm me… my life ebbs away, days of suffering grip me. Night pierces my bones, my gnawing pains never rest.” Job 30:15-17

His book is a plethora of depression and anxiety and no wonder as everything and everyone had been taken from him, except his wife. Yet, he blames God for all this. God shows up in full effect, and honestly, you need to read the full reply to understand how awesome it really is.

” Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
‘Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?

…Surely you know, for you were already born!
You have lived so many years!

…Who has a claim against me that I must pay?
Everything under heaven belongs to me.'” Job 38-44

Yet, He, again, shows up with a gentle yet stern heart. He sets the record straight and good thing, since He’s the only One who can set Job’s life right again, which He certainly does.

David:

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11

David lost both of his sons, Saul was forever chasing him, and he had guilt of sin that tormented him. He asks a controversial question, “Why have you forgotten (or forsaken) me?” (Psalm 42:9).

Again, God steps in with a gentle heart. The fact is, God considered David a “man after my own heart.” Do you really think He forsook him? God says, “My love will never be taken away from him.” (2 Samuel 7:15)

God established David as king of Israel and promised him that his kingdom would endure forever. (Some claim Queen Elizabeth and her family are direct descendants of David, but that is a controversial subject.) Point is, God would not only be by David’s side forever but also by all of his descendants.

Jesus:

Yep, Jesus.

David’s Psalm 42 is nearly identical to Psalm 22 that was spoken by Jesus on the cross.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Psalm 22:1

This is said by Jesus while in agony on the cross; dying for our sins, He stood for all of us sinners feeling lost and abandoned. There is an answer to that question.

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Just because you can’t see God in the darkness doesn’t mean He isn’t there. In fact, Jesus says this:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

In Isaiah’s prophecy of Jesus, he is described as “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Is. 53:3

The night before He was captured, when no one else but Him knew what the next day would entail, Jesus was understandably upset.

“‘My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death, remain here and keep watch.’ and He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying ‘Abba, Father! All things are possible for You, remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.’ then, an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:41-44

What’s sad is that although He’d been there for us all through our tribulations again and again, as documented in the Bible, His disciples could not even keep their eyes open to comfort Him in His distress. Yet, He wasn’t alone. The Father and the angels He sent were there for Him.

Here are some other times God reminds us that He will always be there, even through our darkest days:

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

God reminds us that through doing our purpose in life, loving and caring for others, our spirits will lift as well:

“’Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday… then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.’ The mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 58:1-14

Please remember, dear soul, whatever you’re going through that God is with you even if you can’t see Him. Forget that old saying, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” It’s a lie. God never tests you nor gives you evil, but the dark world will definitely give you more than you can handle alone. That is when you need to lean on the One who can handle anything. Give it to HIM. In the same way God wanted to show His grace and power through Moses’ weaknesses, He wants to show the same through yours. Don’t hold the world on your shoulders. You weren’t made that way. God made the world, however, so He can lift your worries while sustaining you in ways you never knew you needed. Be still and listen to that gentle whisper because there is God, forever by your side.

Feminist Christian: An Oxymoron?

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment

You’ve possibly read the book “The Handmaiden’s Tale” or even watched the new show. It’s a sci-fi dystopian story about a futuristic U.S. which has become an overwhelmingly patriarchal society, deeming women as basically objects for procreation. It’s pretty disturbing, to say the least. The worst part of it isn’t really the men who carry out this crushing oppression, but the women who subject their own gender to those demeaning roles.

Watching the show (it’s been a while since I’ve read the book), I noticed how the camera would pan to things like churches or religious objects. It made me think, what does God have to do with misogynists? Do people think being a feminist Christian is an oxymoron?

Of course people think this of religion. Many people have not represented God very well in this aspect as they succumb to corruption and power-hungry domination.

It’s sad that people think of God as a misogynist because who said God was male? The Bible uses male pronouns as a way to indicate power and authority. The world is patriarchal. Language has adapted to that.

I personally don’t believe he’s either gender. He’s a being above procreation and so has no need for Earthly gender. Why would He hate or denigrate females? Ok, let’s look at the moment of creation, when humans were created.

“The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

Let’s look at the Hebrew meanings of the words translated as helper and suitable, shall we?

Helper: Azar = help, further, ally, support, protect, restrain

Suitable: Nagad = in front of, in sight of, opposite to, comparable to as in mate

He needed a being “comparable” or equal to man. So, he created a woman. That’s right. The above verse is basically stating that women are equal to men. Notice also that he says it’s not good for men to be alone. That’s because we are made to be supported, love, and in community with others, just as God is in the Trinity. We are made in His image, after all. Together, men and women share life together.

So, equal means the same, right? Why not just make another man or something? Okay, no. Notice one way to translate the Hebrew word for “suitable” is “opposite to.” Another good word might be complementary. The strengths and weaknesses of each offset the strengths and weaknesses of the other. Women are physically weaker (generally) but mental gymnasts (multi-tasking and high pain tolerance for the win!). Men are mental marathoners (singular focus) with low pain tolerance (generally) but more physical prowess. There’s a lot more to our complementary features, and they differ from individual to individual.

So, they were equal companions, though different, in the Garden of Eden until everything fell apart. There are hints that their relationship was never the same either. Notice what God says as he throws them out of Eden:

“The LORD God said to the serpent,
‘Because you have done this,
Cursed are you more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you will go,
And dust you will eat
All the days of your life;
And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel.'”

This is BIG. The serpent is representative of evil and the fruits of evil. Although he harms Eve’s children (that is all of us), her seed will harm him. Yes, that would be Jesus. Please note that, although much of the Bible focuses on the male lineage and how father begat son, God focuses on Eve here. She is the beginning of the end for Satan, and Mary, another female, will physically bring that Hope into the world.

“To the woman He said,
‘I will greatly multiply
Your pain in childbirth,
In pain you will bring forth children;
Yet your desire will be for your husband,
And he will rule over you.'”

So, it seems that Adam’s authority over Eve wasn’t truly fleshed out in the garden. Now, women will be more focused on serving their husbands, and husbands will naturally stand in the dominant role. (Side note: Check out my last post on Marriage to read how marriage reflects the Trinity.)

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’;
Cursed is the ground because of you;
In toil you will eat of it
All the days of your life.
“Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you;
And you will eat the plants of the field;
By the sweat of your face
You will eat bread,
Till you return to the ground,
Because from it you were taken;
For you are dust,
And to dust you shall return.’
Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.” Genesis 3:14-20

Now, men are the breadwinners for the household, which has held historically true. Adam was to give name to every being on Earth. So, he names her Eve, which is “khav-vaw” in Hebrew: life-giver. This has a double meaning that honors her and the hope she holds within her. She gives birth to the nations, sure. However, I believe he was also focused on the fact that she is the first of a line that leads directly to the true Life-Giver, Jesus. They were thrown out and are in the depths of despair, so it is at this moment Adam holds onto the hope God has given them: “…her seed; He shall bruise you (Satan) on the head.” God will turn their evil back to good again one day.

As time passed, there were many more notable females born to bear God’s legacy. Most of them, just like the men of the Bible, serve as examples of what God and His people stand for, but let’s look at the strongest women.

Ruth displayed a love and loyalty to her mother-in-law after their husbands’ deaths. She stated, “For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” Ruth 1:16-17 This is a great example of how one can follow the unity of the Trinity even outside of marriage. Through her actions, she shows the loyalty and permanence that God also has for us, and she is brave though she doesn’t know where life may lead them next.

As mentioned in the post about submission, Esther, wife of King Ahasuerus and queen of Persia, secretly lived as a Jewish woman in a pagan court. When her blood-hungry husband was going to kill her people, she risked death by approaching him to fight for their lives. (Esther 4-5)

Hagar, an Egyptian servant, was neglected and abused for jealousy’s sake. Although she was abandoned to the wilderness just as she needed support the most, soon after having her son, Hagar held onto her faith and love of God, and He pulled her and her child through those difficult circumstances. (Genesis 16-21)

Mary Magdalene is a popular name; and although people state she was a prostitute, it never states that anywhere in the Bible. She was, however, financially secure and somewhat independent for her time period, and after Jesus had delivered her from possession of demons, Mary made sure to financially support Him and His ministry. She is also a main witnesses to Jesus as she was present during the crucifixion, burial, empty tomb, and Jesus, risen again from the grave. Her importance is undeniable. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

I believe Martha and Mary perfectly show two types of female disciples. Jesus visited them and their brother Lazarus in Bethany. They were both very faithful, but they were very different women. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to converse, just like the other male disciples, while Martha scurried around serving them dinner and making Him comfortable. They were both serving Him in different ways, and Jesus expressed his joy in them both. Some of us just aren’t domestic, and that’s ok. (Luke, John)

There are some verses people like to pull out in order to “prove” that the Bible is misogynist, but here’s a couple big ones:

“But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” 1 Timothy 2:12

“As in all the congregations of the saints, women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.” 1 Corinthians 14: 33-35

Yikes. But, wait. What about these verses?

“He (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” Acts 18:26

If it isn’t clear enough, Priscilla is a female, and she taught Apollos along with her husband Aquila. Unconventionally, in a culture where men are in a place of authority, Priscilla’s name is mentioned before her husband’s. This may mean nothing or everything, but some sources state this means she was the more prominent teacher. Paul was very confident of the couple’s teaching capabilities as stated in 1 Cor. 16:19. He names them both as church leaders in Ephesus.

“I commend to your our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worth of his people and to give her any help she may need from you for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me .” Roman 16:1-2

Pheobe was in an important position of her church, and some believe she served in the same capacity as Paul, Apollos, Tychicus, and many others also mentioned in the Bible. The word “benefactor” is also translated as “presiding officer” in some Bibles.

How about Deborah, a prophetess, military warrior, and judge who held the greatest authority in Israel during her time. Plus, as one source states, “She is also one of the few judges of whom the Bible reports no failures.”* (Judges 4,5) She was not the only prophetess in the old or new testament. Consider Miriam who was sent alongside Moses and Aaron before the Pharaoh (Micah 6:4), Huldah (2 Kings 22 & 2 Chronicles 34) who fearlessly gives a grim prophesy to a king of whom she unceremoniously refers as “the man” instead of his title (“Tell the man who sent you to me”), Isaiah’s wife who gives birth to a son with an extra long name (Isaiah 8:3; Seriously, look it up.), Anna who bears witness to the baby Jesus, joyfully telling everyone of His birth (Luke 2:36-38), and the daughters of Phillip (Acts 21:8-9). A prophet or prophetess was not simply a “foreteller” as many think of them. They are people who speaks God’s truth to others, typically serving as both teacher and revelator with their especially close relationship to the Creator.

There are many mentions of females in leadership or teaching positions of churches and synagogues in the New Testament. It’s likely they allowed women to serve in those positions because of Jesus’ attitude toward female disciples. See the many instances female disciples are spoken as following Jesus throughout Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Some travelled with Jesus and some stayed behind in their homes but still served Him. There were many names unmentioned, but here are those who were: Mary Magdelene, Mary Salome, Mary and Martha (What’s up with all the Marys?), The Three Marys (ha!), Joanna, Susanna, Priscilla, Tabitha, Lydia, Phoebe, Junia, Trypehna, Julia, Nympha, and Apphia. Many unnamed women also received the Holy Spirit during the Pentecost. Discipleship, if you’re unaware, is a student position that eventually leads to teaching. These females spread the gospel through TEACHING.

So, whatever that first verse meant (and there are many who disagree), it did NOT mean that ALL women couldn’t teach. Consider it may have had something to do with the place or circumstances of which we are unaware. If the author had something against all women teaching the gospel, it sure doesn’t mesh with the rest of their teachings. It’s important to understand that the Bible was written in a time of extreme patriarchy where people, even women, were less likely to listen to a female (who generally had no formal education like her male peers). They were called to not even give the appearance of wrong-doing so that others would be more likely to listen to God’s message through them. The females within the Bible and those who weren’t, whether teacher, deacon, prophetess, or simple disciple, sometimes had to fight twice as hard against the unholy culture of their time in order to be God’s light in the world.

If you ever hear that the Bible, God, or Christianity is misogynist or against females in any way, understand that the WORLD is against God and will lie in many ways to turn you against Him. Do not let them make you underestimate your place in God’s will or undermine the power He has placed within you. You are the hope of the world. Women, be the light and love, and shine bright.

Sources besides the Bible:
http://newlife.id.au/equality-and-gender-issues/did-priscilla-teach-apollos/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_disciples_of_Jesus

http://newlife.id.au/equality-and-gender-issues/did-priscilla-teach-apollos/

Holy Spirit – Part I Old Testament

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The holy spirit didn’t just pop into existence in the New Testament. It’s been around since the beginning.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:1-2

So, wait, what was the holy spirit doing floating over the barren earth? God was preparing to bring life to his creations! His spirit was present before even mankind. Would you stop at this point for a moment and contemplate this?

The holy spirit in Hebrew is Ruach (breath/wind) Hakodesh (divine inspiration). However, it is also described later as an individual sentient being. A being that existed, along with God (the father) and the Word (the son), before the creation of humanity. God, His truth, His love, and His ways have been around before us. Let’s remember that. God’s holy spirit is Truth no matter what our opinion is; it exists with or without us. However, He’d rather have us with Him.

“Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7

Now, the Hebrew word for breath used here was nashamah, which can mean breath or spirit (Strong’s Concordance). Take a look at just one verse (of many) which speaks of the holy spirit as giving life:

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” John 6:63

It’s not coincidence that God also “breathed” a life-giving spirit into humanity. You didn’t think this was just about a physical breath? One idea is that everyone was guided by God’s holy spirit in the beginning. Now, after the fall from Eden, we must be re-born into the spirit to welcome His breath back into our lives. We are literally dead and without breath before we follow God.

Many times, the old testament brings up the subject of the Holy Spirit.

When the world became corrupt just before the Great Flood:

“Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years” Genesis 6:3

When God was preparing His people to create a glorious tabernacle as a sign of their relationship:

“I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.” Exodus 31:3

When God led Moses and His people through the desert for forty years:

“You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.” Nehemiah 9:20; also 9:30

When Job and his friends were contemplating Job’s downfall in life:

“But it is the Spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.” Job 32:8

When people made music:

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” Psalm 139:7

When God promised his downtrodden people that their lives would improve:

“For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear’” Haggai 2:4-5

What are the characteristics of the holy spirit? Well, one thing we can look at is the physical aspect. What the Spirit looks like can be summed up with its name. It is a divine wind, and like any wind, it is a movement that you can feel but can not see. You can see it sway the trees, and when it’s whipped up into a fury, it can pull up houses. However, you can not see it, only what it does and how it feels caressing your cheek.

As far as its other various and complex characteristics, it is referred to in the Bible as the:

Counselor

Teacher

Spirit of truth

Spirit of holiness

Spirit of life

Spirit of glory

Eternal spirit

Spirit of wisdom & understanding

Spirit of grace & supplication

Spirit of son-ship *

Spirit of judgment & fire

Spirit of God/the Lord

When we walk in the guidance of the holy spirit, we can be assured we are living in Truth, not hiding in the darkness of secrets but living in Love of God and others, fully brave, knowing that we are meant for much more than just the day-to-day worries. As children of God (Spirit of Son-ship), we know we are children of the one, true King and are therefore also royalty; therefore, we know we should act accordingly.

This post will be only Part 1. Next week, we’ll go into the Holy Spirit within the New Testament.

*”The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (Abba is the Hebrew equivalent of Da-Da, a child’s way of referring to their father with affection.)

Diving Into the Depths

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The Bible is the Word of God and is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16) to be read under the guidance of the holy spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). The holy book is pretty large (not larger than the Harry Potter series though), and it can be hard to read (if you read the archaic versions). Plus, it can be dull, depending on your taste in storytelling. However, it is the single most influential book in the world, giving birth to religions, innumerable historical events, works of art, and forever imprinting on the minds and spirits of humanity the world over.

Maybe it’d be important to fully read it?

Although I’d referred to and read through much of the Bible from an early age, I’d never completely digested the entire work until I was in my twenties. I’m an English literature major, and the one book all English literature points to – I hadn’t fully read. Add in the fact that I’m a Christian who hadn’t read the entire book on which my faith was based. It made no sense. I read it from front to back, and when I closed Revelations, it was like a spark of joy was in my heart and not just because now I could say I read it. It is a book of hope and love, spanning thousands of years, a story of God’s journey into humanity’s hearts.

I’m not a clergywoman nor have I been to seminary school, but through life experience and studying the Bible since my childhood, I’ve developed some skills – a very particular set of skills… 😉 Some of these skills, I actually picked up while developing my degree in analyzing literature.

When reading the Bible, as with any document, it’s important to understand and keep in mind the speaker, the audience (for whom the speaker intended to impart the information), the time period, the context, and whether the work is literal or symbolic.

Consider the source. The speakers within the Bible were people (imagine that!) with points of view and a different world in which they lived. Remember another post where I said Christianity has open-handed and close-handed issues? Some issues are mandatory for salvation and to be considered a Christian (i.e. Jesus died for our sins). Some issues are gray areas in which opinions may differ (i.e. Christmas should be celebrated). The speakers within the various Biblical books may speak on both types of issues. You need to know (or discover) which is God-mandated and which is opinion. The world in which these speakers lived was so utterly different from our own, from the government systems to the clothes on their backs. Another point about speakers: sometimes, they get it wrong. For example, check out the book of Job and his desperate, confused friends (possibly the most emo book of the Bible, besides Ecclesiastes). Keep in mind the source.

It’s not always about you. Paul wrote many letters to the churches of his time, and they are all necessary to read in order to understand the fundamentals of our beliefs. However, much of what he wrote was to church leaders and concerned the running and organization of physical churches. Unless you are involved in that arena, you’re not his audience. Also, Numbers is mostly a list of names of whom begat whom. It’s a good reference for historians and genealogists but a terribly boring story.

Times are a’changin. Biblical and Rabbinic ideas have generally been at odds with the popular viewpoints of the world since always (source: the entire Bible/Torah/History books and how many deaths, tortures, and general ostracism was faced by believers). It’s a book of rebels and resistance, but it’s also a guidebook on how to be true to God’s principles while living in a dark world, whatever that dark world looked like in that era. Some of what is asked may simply be about not causing weaker believers to stumble in their faith, which differed from time period to time period. See Romans 14:13-23.

Context is of utmost importance. If you randomly pull a verse from the Bible, you may come up with an incorrect conclusion on the main idea it was meant to convey. How about the phrase “Money is the root of all evil.” Nope! That was taken out of context. Here’s the real verse:

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” 1 Timothy 6:10

Ah, well, that’s a different beast, you see? There is also a time when Paul stated the following:

“I’m telling those who are single and widows that it’s good for them to stay single like me.” 1 Corinthians 7:8

Is he telling you to be alone all your life or become a monk? Read on.

“Nevertheless, each person should live the kind of life that the Lord assigned when he called each one.” 1 Corinthians 7:17

Please don’t stop at one sentence, even if books, articles, or posts like this one is referencing only one. We can’t plop the whole book into the middle of our work. Read the whole paragraph or book. Ideally, read the whole Bible.

Much of the literal vs. symbolic is up for debate. Sometimes, God is riding on a cloud (“the Lord is riding on a swift cloud” Isaiah 19:1) when maybe He wasn’t literally. Does God riding on a cloud change something about your faith or the foundations of your beliefs? If not, have a hardy discussion, but in the end, shake hands and enjoy the Bible for what it is: a work of art manifested by Truth. Some of the Bible has poetry and song, utilizing imagery to convey a message. It’s based in truth, but it’s not always literal – unless you think it is, and we can agree to disagree but still love the same God.

These were just some ideas of things to keep in mind when reading the Bible because you’re totally reading it, aren’t you? Just remember, the Bible is not a single, huge book. It is made up of many books, many writers, many time periods, and the works range from poetry, to records of engineering plans, to genealogical lists, to songs (of romantic love to Godly praise), to short stories, to annals of history, to letters (of friendship, guidance, and journal-type), to prophecies, to records of wise sayings. In a way, it’s both a love letter from God to us and from us to God. Don’t complain that you’re not hearing from God lately; He wrote you a love letter that transcends time and space.

Will you read it?

What Miracles?

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The Bible is full of miracles from the creation of the world to the parting of the Red Sea to the Resurrection of Jesus and all the crazy healings done by disciples. Makes the present reality seem a bit dull and empty, doesn’t it?

I’m going to make a bet with you: The vast majority of the people during Biblical times never saw those miracles, experienced them, nor understood that what they were part of was magical, massive, and world-changing. If you personally experienced God’s curses on the Egyptians, walked through the parted Red Sea, were guided by a fire through the desert, and also understood that what you were living was a piece of God’s epic story, would you have made a golden calf and worshipped it the next day?

They were blind, and in many ways, most of us still are.

If you walked with Jesus, would you still doubt in miracles? Surely, you’ve heard of the multiplying of the loaves and fishes. There were four-thousand people waiting to listen to Jesus’ teachings, but they had only seven loaves of bread and a few fish. Somehow, all the people in the crowd ate and were full. There was even seven baskets of leftovers! This was the second time something like this happened. Immediately after seeing this inexplicable miracle, the disciples followed Jesus into a boat:

“So they began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread.

Aware of their conversation, Jesus asked them, “Why are you debating about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Do you have such hard hearts? ‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?”

“Twelve,” they answered.

“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?”

“Seven,” they said.

Then He asked them, “Do you still not understand?'” Mark 8:16-21

Do you understand? Do you have eyes to see and ears to hear? Are you sure you’re not missing the miracles going on around you?

There exists a sect which doesn’t believe in medicine. They will go so far as allow loved ones to die from completely preventable deaths because they feel if God wanted them to live, He would heal them. I personally feel that God makes everything, including the medicines that can so miraculously save your life! Here’s a story I once heard:

There once was a very religious man, and one day the rains became so heavy and long, it began to flood. The authorities called for an evacuation, and most of the residents left. However, this man refused. He said that “God will save me with a miracle.”

The waters rose so high he was forced to sit on his roof. It was then that a raft floated by with a neighbor inside. “Come get into my raft as there’s plenty of room!” He said. The man refused. He said that “God will save me with a miracle.”

So, the neighbor went away. The waters rose so he barely had enough room to keep himself dry. A rescue boat came up with workers inside. “Come get into this boat!” The man refused. He said “God will save me with a miracle.”

After some convincing, the workers went away. The waters rose so high, he was floating with only his head above. A helicopter appeared in the sky. They let down a long rope ladder and called out to him. “We’re here to save you. Get inside!” The man still refused. He said that “God will save me with a miracle.”

The helicopter insisted many times, but seeing that they could not get him up the ladder, they left to find more willing survivors. The waters rose so high, the man did not have the strength to fight the tides or keep himself afloat. As the sun fell beneath the horizon, the man dropped down into the water and drowned. When he died, the man’s soul went straight to the pearly gates where he met God.

Despite his original faith, he was now very angry. “I was a devout follower, and you never saved me with a miracle! You abandoned me!” God shook His head sadly. “I sent four miracles! First, you were warned with an evacuation, next I sent a raft, then a boat, and lastly, a helicopter!”

It’s a miracle, not only that you woke up this morning, but that you exist at all. All of the factors that must come together just so you can be born, breathe, have a heartbeat, and even think are innumerable. When God shaped the sky and set the sun a certain distance from Earth, when He then formed plants and animals for the ecosystem and to sustain us, when He knitted your atoms with DNA specifying the shape of your hips, the color of your eyes, and the personality your soul would hold, He performed miracles beyond our imagining.

If you were able to ask a fish what water is, they probably would say “What is water? Where?” It is so intrinsic to their lives that they may not even notice it anymore. It isn’t that there aren’t miracles anymore or that they are small, maybe it’s because they are so commonplace and numerous that we forget to open our eyes and ears.

What miracles have you experienced? What epic, world-changing miracle are you a part of at this very moment?