school is in session.

I have been slowed, by school, in my blogging , but not in thought. However, sharing in my thoughts takes time which I don't have when I must read 254 pages, books in 2 days and write reports. I know that I am not alone in my work load and do not share to entice pity or inspire awe. I simply offer an excuse for lack of visitation to my digital journal of thoughts. It has been an interesting life for the last 4 weeks and more stressful than I care to talk about, but in the midst of it I have been challenged to respond how my beliefs would recommend. I have not been completely successful which I would not expect of myself but the occasion to fit beliefs into situations has been invaluable. I see myself with some blocks and a ball with cut-outs trying desperately to make it all work. I have every confidence in my Father to help me find the right fit but the realization of how my beliefs actually are utilized is becoming enjoyable in a scholastic methodology. That is to say, I am not always happy in the occasion but gaining a sense of contentment that only is found in one's favorite things such as a nice pour-over. I have had two today, as I read my book which is about interpretation. Such a fun topic and motivational... but that is for another time as I am just stopping by to deposit a couple thoughts and say hi


A.

some thoughts on John the Baptist

Some text from a sermon series I wrote, I thought I would share. If this goes well I might share more of it. 

John the Baptist, A Man Born with a Destiny

             John the Baptist was a man who lived at the same time as Jesus. He had a ministry that preceded Jesus’ ministry. John the Baptist had disciples, crowds of people that followed him around and a message about repentance. What makes John so remarkable though, is that his birth was foretold, his ministry announced and Jesus called him the greatest person every born (Matt 11:11). John was a man born with a destiny (John 1:6).

            This brings up the questions, what is a destiny? And do I have a destiny?  A destiny is often thought to be something uncontrollable, a simple plan that life will follow automatically. However, destiny can be more closely represented by the truth that God knows all of us (Luke 12:6-7) and wants to participate in our lives (Eph 3:20). We all have a destiny.

The Revelation: A delivered message

            John the Baptist was the son of a Priest named Zacharias, who received a message from God. The story is told in Luke 1:8-25 and it begins with a revelation in the form of a delivered message. Zacharias had been chosen at this occasion to be the priest going into the Temple to offer incense. He was chosen by casting lots according to the customs of the priesthood, this is interesting because of what happens to him. When destiny is involved considering the source of the message is important. The scripture says that an angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias while he was in the temple (1:11). This verse makes it clear that the Lord has a message for Zacharias.

            The message from God is delivered by an angel. God wanted Zacharias to hear his message so He sent an angel. There are only a few accounts of angelic messages in scripture so the importance of the message is implied. The Gospel of Luke shows the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus with their similar birth announcements and how John would be part of the larger salvation scheme.[1] As the message was delivered the destiny began on earth, the destiny must have been prepared before the message could be delivered.

            The message was delivered to Zacharias the priest but why Zacharias? Who was this man that he should receive this message? The priesthood was not open to anyone, only descendants of Aaron from the tribe of Levi were allowed.[2]  Zacharias was following in the family business; he had accepted the responsibility to serve the community. Also, Luke’s retelling of the message reveals that Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were seeking God about having children (Luke 1:13). Zacharias was a man following and seeking after God and he received a message from God.

            Zacharias received a message that his wife would have a son and he would be called John.  This wasn’t all though, John was to be great in the sight of the Lord, filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb, and would bring people back to God (Luke 1:13-16). What a message, what a destiny. Is there a message for us about our destiny? There might not be an angelic visitation but God has left messages for us that pertain to destiny. The scriptures tell us that God knows every hair on our head (Luke 12:7), and Paul wrote that God is offering eternal life to anyone willing to accept it (Rom 6:23). These scriptures show that God has a general plan for everyone and even that God knows us all as individuals. God is with us, directing our steps, and caring for us.[3]

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[1] Paul W. Hollenbach, “John the Baptist” The Anchor Bible Dictionary: Volume 3  Freedman, David Noel. (New York, NY: Doubleday, 1992),889.

[2] John Phillips, Exploring People of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2007), 60.

[3] Andrew B. Davidson, The Called of God  Edited by J.A. Patterson  (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1902), 231.

love, sleep and a picture

I am not one to wake up early or often loose sleep but I find myself awake this early morning and pondering a scripture and that I am suppose to have pictures in my blogs. I have lost sleep before because of caffeine from late evening pour-overs but that isn't this level of awake. I have lain awake pondering life's trouble on occasion but that isn't the case this night either. I am just awake with my thoughts and they turn to love, perfect love. Love that is God, Love that removes fear, fear that is the concern of punishment. 1 John 4:18 is my pondering. I do not presume to in two hours of alertness lay claim to a deep understanding of this love but I have come to believe that this scripture does concern the promise of eternal relationship with God, and also must be active from the moment of belief in God and His salvation. Simply meaning that even in our physical existence His love removes the fear of punishment or payment associated with missing the mark. There are many commentaries and thoughts on this scripture. I have read several in the last hour which I would recommend for they are "good reading". While this scripture and its meaning concern sin and judgement my pondering has taken me more from the receiving side of this idea to the activity of love. God loves perfectly which removes the fear of judgement and punishment but do I continue in that perfect love. 1 John 4 talks of God's love but also specifies that I should love, with perfect love being the benchmark most likely. Now I understand enough not to think I have to love as good as God. However, my encouragement and my challenge to myself is to attempt reciprocating perfect love back to God and then further passing it on to everyone I am in relationship with. I don't want my relationships to be governed by others fearing my judgement or punishment. This is a principle of a matter not the equating of my relationships with God's relationship to humanity. I am sure that God is highlighting an aspect of His Father heart to me and I will continue to ponder this scripture but now it is almost time for morning coffee...

Good day,

know what?

Well, I have had an interesting week full of mishaps and good news but those are the details that brought my thoughts around to the ideology that is "know thyself". The history of that statement is long and complex which is worth some study. However, I am not going there today. I began to wonder why I would want to know myself and I realize that knowing oneself does bring a sense of control but not self control. I tend to believe the Bible and the Scriptures say things about man such as "For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery..." its in Mark 7.  So on one hand knowing myself can bring focus to what comes naturally from my heart which is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). This thought of knowing a deceitful heart is not pleasant to me. I think that I would rather know God who does not lie. Also I/humanity is created in the image of God so by knowing God one can know how humanity should be. It is an interesting thought and I thought I would share it. I have decided to continue with the ideology of "know God".  I have been working on that ideology for awhile and against the other I find the knowledge of God more appealing and satisfying. If anyone is interested in that, as well, and has no idea where to start I would suggest the Gospel of John found in the Bible. I also do not claim to be finished in my knowledge or even finished digesting this thought process but I wanted to blog to assist in unscrambling my egg which has been flipped once or twice this week.   As always these are my thoughts and pondering and I hope you enjoy them

A