Original Post Date: Friday, August 15, 2008
Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. Genesis 2:19-20a
There are two incidents in Scripture where God brings all the animals to one man - once to Adam so he could name them and once to Noah to save them from the Flood. Both of these events depict a unique partnership between God and man.
God is an artist. For six days He molded and crafted each animal, plant and land formation. Yet, when the masterpiece was finished, He passed the privilege of naming it to Adam. It was an intentional and meaningful gesture. In effect, God wanted Adam to know that the earth was created for him and his descendents. It was Adam's doman - he was to have authority over it and responsibility for it. God was establishing a collaboration between Himself as the Creator/Sustainer and man as the caretaker that would continue until the end of time.
It is the sole privilege of the artist to name his work. God took that privilege and gave it away - to a man who had no privilege, no rank, no reputation and no authority. That one gift instantly granted Adam all of those things. Suddenly, he had the privilege of being God's partner, the rank of dominance over creation, the reputation as The One Who Names and the authority to determine Earth's fate.
As a descendent of Adam, I have often struggled with pride and arrogance. It is due time that I took a step back and realized that any right I think I have is a privilege that God has placed in the palm of my hand.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
THE FIRST MARRIAGE
Original Post Date: Friday, August 1, 2008
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him..." But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 2:18, 20b-25
Connection - this is the word I think of when I think about marriage. Adam and Eve were connected physically because God used Adam's rib when He created Eve. They were connected emotionally because they were the only two of their kind. They were connected mentally because they were the only creatures that God had created with higher levels of intelligence.
There are frequent moments in my own marriage when it seems like we're the only two people in the world, that we share thoughts that no one else can understand and that we cherish an emotional bond that no other human on the face of the earth can give us. This is how marriage should be.
In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul compares marriage to the relationship between Jesus and the Church. The husband should emulate the role of Christ and the wife the role of the church. Jesus is the head of the church and loves the church, so should the husband be responsible for his wife and love her. The church should submit to Christ as Lord and Master, so should the wife respect the wisdom of her husband and allow him to protect and provide for her as God has created him to do.
I have known many couples that had trouble in their marriage over the years. Most of the time, the problems come when either the husband or the wife has stepped outside of their God-given role. Wives sometimes fight against their husbands' need to be in charge. Husbands sometimes defer to their wives and don't take the responsibility for their family as God has intended them to.
While I was listening to a sermon recently, the pastor talked about worship and how offensive it is to God when we try to usurp His power and authority. We think of the land as OUR property even though Psalm 24 says that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it. We want to get credit and recognition for our talents and skills, even though Romans 12 says that we each have different gifts according to the grace that God has given us. It is human nature to try to rob each other of our power, our influence and our control of things. This is often the root of discord between spouses as well.
Jesus said that He is "in us" in the same way that the Father was in Him. Jesus, the Spirit, the Father and the Church - together in miraculous unity. This is the same intimacy that God desires for marriage. God, the husband and the wife should be in union with one another - knowing each other's thoughts, desires and needs - giving each other respect and support.
There is no one on earth who knows me as well as my husband does. In the same way, there is no one on earth who knows either me or my husband the way that God knows us. It is my prayer that Ernie and I will make knowing God in a unique and special way as high of a priority as God has made it His priority to know every aspect of us.
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him..." But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 2:18, 20b-25
Connection - this is the word I think of when I think about marriage. Adam and Eve were connected physically because God used Adam's rib when He created Eve. They were connected emotionally because they were the only two of their kind. They were connected mentally because they were the only creatures that God had created with higher levels of intelligence.
There are frequent moments in my own marriage when it seems like we're the only two people in the world, that we share thoughts that no one else can understand and that we cherish an emotional bond that no other human on the face of the earth can give us. This is how marriage should be.
In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul compares marriage to the relationship between Jesus and the Church. The husband should emulate the role of Christ and the wife the role of the church. Jesus is the head of the church and loves the church, so should the husband be responsible for his wife and love her. The church should submit to Christ as Lord and Master, so should the wife respect the wisdom of her husband and allow him to protect and provide for her as God has created him to do.
I have known many couples that had trouble in their marriage over the years. Most of the time, the problems come when either the husband or the wife has stepped outside of their God-given role. Wives sometimes fight against their husbands' need to be in charge. Husbands sometimes defer to their wives and don't take the responsibility for their family as God has intended them to.
While I was listening to a sermon recently, the pastor talked about worship and how offensive it is to God when we try to usurp His power and authority. We think of the land as OUR property even though Psalm 24 says that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it. We want to get credit and recognition for our talents and skills, even though Romans 12 says that we each have different gifts according to the grace that God has given us. It is human nature to try to rob each other of our power, our influence and our control of things. This is often the root of discord between spouses as well.
Jesus said that He is "in us" in the same way that the Father was in Him. Jesus, the Spirit, the Father and the Church - together in miraculous unity. This is the same intimacy that God desires for marriage. God, the husband and the wife should be in union with one another - knowing each other's thoughts, desires and needs - giving each other respect and support.
There is no one on earth who knows me as well as my husband does. In the same way, there is no one on earth who knows either me or my husband the way that God knows us. It is my prayer that Ernie and I will make knowing God in a unique and special way as high of a priority as God has made it His priority to know every aspect of us.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground - trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil...The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." Genesis 2:8, 9, 15-17
The first man heard from God's own lips the first commandment, the first warning, the first indication that all things in Creation are not free and pure. I wonder what the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil looked like. Was it scary looking or attractive? The tree was not yet cursed, so it couldn't have had blight or blemished fruit. Perhaps it looked nearly identical to the Tree of Life. Often the paths between good and evil are very hard to discern for us today and it could have been the same for Adam.
What must it have been like for Adam to try and imagine a thing such as death when he had no experience to base it on? How can one imagine consequences if he has never been disciplined? It could appear to our modern minds that God was being unfair. We know that God often tests us, but why? Why would He invite temptation into His perfect world?
What benefit is there to be had by allowing Adam free will? Well, let's think about this for a minute. If a man buys a slave woman to take as his wife, she will resent him and true love will be less likelky to grow. However, if a man meets a woman who is free and she chooses him, true love abounds.
There is something precious about the love between God and a person who gives their love to God freely. That love is deep, powerful and dynamic. Life's irritations, frustrations, disappointments, tragedies and pain cannot break it. At times the flame of love may grow dim. Doubts and discouragement often force us to re-evaluate our reasons for loving God and decide whether it's worth the consequences - that is, restrictions from things that God has determined are not good for us, commandments to not do things that would harm others and personal experience of the battle between good and evil.
The first man heard from God's own lips the first commandment, the first warning, the first indication that all things in Creation are not free and pure. I wonder what the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil looked like. Was it scary looking or attractive? The tree was not yet cursed, so it couldn't have had blight or blemished fruit. Perhaps it looked nearly identical to the Tree of Life. Often the paths between good and evil are very hard to discern for us today and it could have been the same for Adam.
What must it have been like for Adam to try and imagine a thing such as death when he had no experience to base it on? How can one imagine consequences if he has never been disciplined? It could appear to our modern minds that God was being unfair. We know that God often tests us, but why? Why would He invite temptation into His perfect world?
What benefit is there to be had by allowing Adam free will? Well, let's think about this for a minute. If a man buys a slave woman to take as his wife, she will resent him and true love will be less likelky to grow. However, if a man meets a woman who is free and she chooses him, true love abounds.
There is something precious about the love between God and a person who gives their love to God freely. That love is deep, powerful and dynamic. Life's irritations, frustrations, disappointments, tragedies and pain cannot break it. At times the flame of love may grow dim. Doubts and discouragement often force us to re-evaluate our reasons for loving God and decide whether it's worth the consequences - that is, restrictions from things that God has determined are not good for us, commandments to not do things that would harm others and personal experience of the battle between good and evil.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
THE BREATH OF LIFE
Original Post Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2008
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens - and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground - the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:4-7
Man was sculpted by God's own hand. But a sculpture is not alive. A sculpture can be beautiful and captivating, but it cannot talk, reason or love. God wanted a companion not a decoration for his courtyard.
Every single one of us was formed by God's hand (Jer. 1:5). Not one of us takes our first breath or last except by God's will.
Two of my brothers were stillborn. My mother still grieves for them, yet knows that somehow God's wisdom prevailed. He did not breathe into their nostrils the breath of life. He did not entrust them with the opportunity to live and grow and make their mark in the world. When I think of my brothers, I am convicted that I've not done more with this gift, this privilege we call life.
Life is a series of stolen moments. If we don't cherish them while they're here, they are gone forever. And, at the moment when God chooses, our breath stops and the book of life closes. Nothing therein can be added or changed. One chance, one privilege, one life.
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens - and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground - the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:4-7
Man was sculpted by God's own hand. But a sculpture is not alive. A sculpture can be beautiful and captivating, but it cannot talk, reason or love. God wanted a companion not a decoration for his courtyard.
Every single one of us was formed by God's hand (Jer. 1:5). Not one of us takes our first breath or last except by God's will.
Two of my brothers were stillborn. My mother still grieves for them, yet knows that somehow God's wisdom prevailed. He did not breathe into their nostrils the breath of life. He did not entrust them with the opportunity to live and grow and make their mark in the world. When I think of my brothers, I am convicted that I've not done more with this gift, this privilege we call life.
Life is a series of stolen moments. If we don't cherish them while they're here, they are gone forever. And, at the moment when God chooses, our breath stops and the book of life closes. Nothing therein can be added or changed. One chance, one privilege, one life.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
ACCOMPLISHMENT & BEAUTY
Original Post Date: Friday, July 11, 2008
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 1:31-2:3Accomplishment is one of the abilities and emotions that we inherited when we were created in God's image. The Creator, like an artist, takes a step back from the completed masterpiece we call Earth and breathes a sigh of satisfaction. "This is good - very good."
Like a toymaker testing a new wind up toy he has just finished, God takes a day to stop His work and enjoy the scenery. The birds are soaring above the trees, riding the thermals. The caterpillar is inching along a tree branch, dreaming of the day it will take its own flight as a butterfly. Adam sits on the soft grass and gazes into the eyes of the most beautiful creature he has yet seen in the most glorious paradise that ever existed.
Peace and beauty abound.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
EVERY LIVING THING EATS PLANTS
Original Post Date: July 3, 2008
Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground - everything that has the breath of life in it - I give every green plant for food." And it was so. Genesis 1:29-30
Isn't it strange to think that humans were created to be vegetarians and all the animals were created to be herbivores? Scripture tells us that it wasn't until after the Flood that humans and some animals began to eat meat. Until then, animals were not afraid of humans and, I suspect, weren't afraid of each other.
The issue of fear with animals has been a heartbreaking topic for me. I am a huge animal lover. I want to pet them, hold them and share in the goodness God put inside of them. This fear that God put in them after the Flood keeps me from being able to do that.
I come from a family of hunters. I would imaging that my dad and brother are very grateful that they didn't live in the pre-Flood era. What sport would there have been for men before there was hunting and fishing? Perhaps they had games to keep them busy - football anyone?
Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground - everything that has the breath of life in it - I give every green plant for food." And it was so. Genesis 1:29-30
Isn't it strange to think that humans were created to be vegetarians and all the animals were created to be herbivores? Scripture tells us that it wasn't until after the Flood that humans and some animals began to eat meat. Until then, animals were not afraid of humans and, I suspect, weren't afraid of each other.
The issue of fear with animals has been a heartbreaking topic for me. I am a huge animal lover. I want to pet them, hold them and share in the goodness God put inside of them. This fear that God put in them after the Flood keeps me from being able to do that.
I come from a family of hunters. I would imaging that my dad and brother are very grateful that they didn't live in the pre-Flood era. What sport would there have been for men before there was hunting and fishing? Perhaps they had games to keep them busy - football anyone?
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
A Word About Diversity
Original Post Date: June 24, 2008
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
Throughout the Creation account, Scripture tells us how God created various kinds of creatures. He not only created two birds, but many kinds of birds. Not just two fish, but many kinds of fish. But when He created mankind, He only made two - male and female.
The Bible does not indicate that the various ethnicities were created at the beginning. Only one race was created - the human race. So, how did the various races form?
We see here in Genesis 1 that God instructed the first man and woman to multiply and fill the earth. We know from Genesis 11 that the people did not do this, but rather clustered in one place. Because of their disobedience, God confused their languages and scattered them. Was this the beginning of cultures? If so, does this make cultural and racial differences a result of sin or of natural selection? The Bible doesn't say.
What I think we can gather from Scripture is that God views all people, regardless of race, as sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. We are equal in our status, in our sin and in our opportunity for salvation.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
Throughout the Creation account, Scripture tells us how God created various kinds of creatures. He not only created two birds, but many kinds of birds. Not just two fish, but many kinds of fish. But when He created mankind, He only made two - male and female.
The Bible does not indicate that the various ethnicities were created at the beginning. Only one race was created - the human race. So, how did the various races form?
We see here in Genesis 1 that God instructed the first man and woman to multiply and fill the earth. We know from Genesis 11 that the people did not do this, but rather clustered in one place. Because of their disobedience, God confused their languages and scattered them. Was this the beginning of cultures? If so, does this make cultural and racial differences a result of sin or of natural selection? The Bible doesn't say.
What I think we can gather from Scripture is that God views all people, regardless of race, as sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. We are equal in our status, in our sin and in our opportunity for salvation.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
A WORD ABOUT DOMINION
Original Post Date: Friday, June 20, 2008
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Genesis 1:26-28
From the moment God created us, we were in control of the earth. We were created to rule. It had to be so. Because God rules, the people created in His likeness had to be given a realm to rule too. And what, specifically, is our domain as God describes it? Fish, birds and land animals.
As I sit here, my pet dove is pruning her feathers and my dog is begging for the crumbs from my breakfast. I am their master. They know it and I know it. It was ordained from the beginning. As their master, it is my responsibility to make sure they’re taken care of.
God wants mankind to do that for all the animals, not just our pets. Sometimes we do well, like when we set apart nature reserves or make a species endangered. Other times we don’t do so well, like when our urban sprawl encroaches animal habitats.
How well we rule will be a testimony to God of our faithfulness to the responsibility He gave us. May each of us do our best to care and influence those in power to care more about the world of our dominion.
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Genesis 1:26-28
From the moment God created us, we were in control of the earth. We were created to rule. It had to be so. Because God rules, the people created in His likeness had to be given a realm to rule too. And what, specifically, is our domain as God describes it? Fish, birds and land animals.
As I sit here, my pet dove is pruning her feathers and my dog is begging for the crumbs from my breakfast. I am their master. They know it and I know it. It was ordained from the beginning. As their master, it is my responsibility to make sure they’re taken care of.
God wants mankind to do that for all the animals, not just our pets. Sometimes we do well, like when we set apart nature reserves or make a species endangered. Other times we don’t do so well, like when our urban sprawl encroaches animal habitats.
How well we rule will be a testimony to God of our faithfulness to the responsibility He gave us. May each of us do our best to care and influence those in power to care more about the world of our dominion.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
To my writing group friends:
You'll be happy to hear that I actually posted on Yahoo! the review of Barcelona restaurant that I wrote at group on Monday night. Here's the link...
Yahoo! Local - Barcelona Restaurant & Bar
http://local.yahoo.com/info-15439369-barcelona-restaurant-bar-columbus
I received another e-mail encouraging me to consider turning STICK TOGETHER LIKE GLUE into a book rather than a blog series. I'm getting excited about trying to write a chapter or two and see how it goes.
Thanks for all your encouragement and for letting God work in and through your writing to bless people's lives.
You'll be happy to hear that I actually posted on Yahoo! the review of Barcelona restaurant that I wrote at group on Monday night. Here's the link...
Yahoo! Local - Barcelona Restaurant & Bar
http://local.yahoo.com/info-15439369-barcelona-restaurant-bar-columbus
I received another e-mail encouraging me to consider turning STICK TOGETHER LIKE GLUE into a book rather than a blog series. I'm getting excited about trying to write a chapter or two and see how it goes.
Thanks for all your encouragement and for letting God work in and through your writing to bless people's lives.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
LAND ANIMALS
Original Post Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:24-25
Listen to how God categorizes this day’s creation: livestock, creatures that move along the ground and wild animals. From the very beginning, some animals were destined to be domestic. Farming and grazing were ordained before the Fall of Man.
This brings up a good question, however. We know from the biblical account of Creation and the Flood that mankind did not eat meat until after the Flood (Gen. 1:30, 9:3). If this is the case, why would God have ordained the keeping of livestock when He created animals? I believe it was for the benefit of animal byproducts. Wool, milk and horns could be utilized in various ways. Then, when an animal died, their hide could be used for clothing and their bones to fashion tools. Besides, the animal feces could be used as fertilizer to aid in growing the plants that humans did eat at the time.
The old saying, “Waste not, want not,” probably played a major role in human survival during this time. It’s too bad that we’ve lost that cultural value here in America.
And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:24-25
Listen to how God categorizes this day’s creation: livestock, creatures that move along the ground and wild animals. From the very beginning, some animals were destined to be domestic. Farming and grazing were ordained before the Fall of Man.
This brings up a good question, however. We know from the biblical account of Creation and the Flood that mankind did not eat meat until after the Flood (Gen. 1:30, 9:3). If this is the case, why would God have ordained the keeping of livestock when He created animals? I believe it was for the benefit of animal byproducts. Wool, milk and horns could be utilized in various ways. Then, when an animal died, their hide could be used for clothing and their bones to fashion tools. Besides, the animal feces could be used as fertilizer to aid in growing the plants that humans did eat at the time.
The old saying, “Waste not, want not,” probably played a major role in human survival during this time. It’s too bad that we’ve lost that cultural value here in America.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
THE FISH AND THE BIRDS
Original Post Date: Monday, May 2, 2008
And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day. Genesis 1:20-23
For those of us who grew up with Star Trek, space is the final frontier. Yet, our oceans are virtually unknown to us. One time, my uncle was watching a nature program on TV while I was visiting his house. They were showing some beautifully colored fish that live deep in the ocean. I commented about how cool it was that God had given the fish bright coloring even though they lived in the ocean and were never seen. My uncle replied, “I’m seeing them.”
King Solomon was renowned for his great wisdom. Scripture tells us that much of what he learned and told others was about the plants, fish, birds and reptiles (I Kings 4:33). I believe that one of the keys to understanding who God is starts with knowing His creation.
This year, I’m going to watch more nature shows. It’s hard sometimes to overlook the references to evolution on these shows, but I’ll try to approach them by asking myself what this animal or plant tells me about God.
And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day. Genesis 1:20-23
For those of us who grew up with Star Trek, space is the final frontier. Yet, our oceans are virtually unknown to us. One time, my uncle was watching a nature program on TV while I was visiting his house. They were showing some beautifully colored fish that live deep in the ocean. I commented about how cool it was that God had given the fish bright coloring even though they lived in the ocean and were never seen. My uncle replied, “I’m seeing them.”
King Solomon was renowned for his great wisdom. Scripture tells us that much of what he learned and told others was about the plants, fish, birds and reptiles (I Kings 4:33). I believe that one of the keys to understanding who God is starts with knowing His creation.
This year, I’m going to watch more nature shows. It’s hard sometimes to overlook the references to evolution on these shows, but I’ll try to approach them by asking myself what this animal or plant tells me about God.
Monday, April 27, 2009
THE HEAVENLY BODIES
Original Post Date - Wednesday, May 28, 2008
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-19
These verses have been the center of controversy for generations. The account of the creation of the sun and moon are preceded in Scripture by the creation of light. Does this mean there was another source of light?
In the Book of Revelation it says that God’s presence will be our light in the eternal Kingdom and we won’t need the sun. Could it have been that when the Spirit of God hovered over the earth that the sheer presence of the Divine brought light to the planet?
Some scholars have also argued that the sequence of Creation in Scripture doesn’t mean that the sun wasn’t created before light. Hebrew writings are often not chronological. We see this in the Gospels. Some of the gospel writers were concerned about grouping the events of Jesus’ life by topic more than in giving an accurate timeline of when things happened.
The sun, moon and stars are our constant companions. They remind us of the greatness of our God. They are essential to the balance of the earth – the sun providing light and energy and the moon providing light and the ocean tides. The stars, consequently, leave us in suspense of how great God really is.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-19
These verses have been the center of controversy for generations. The account of the creation of the sun and moon are preceded in Scripture by the creation of light. Does this mean there was another source of light?
In the Book of Revelation it says that God’s presence will be our light in the eternal Kingdom and we won’t need the sun. Could it have been that when the Spirit of God hovered over the earth that the sheer presence of the Divine brought light to the planet?
Some scholars have also argued that the sequence of Creation in Scripture doesn’t mean that the sun wasn’t created before light. Hebrew writings are often not chronological. We see this in the Gospels. Some of the gospel writers were concerned about grouping the events of Jesus’ life by topic more than in giving an accurate timeline of when things happened.
The sun, moon and stars are our constant companions. They remind us of the greatness of our God. They are essential to the balance of the earth – the sun providing light and energy and the moon providing light and the ocean tides. The stars, consequently, leave us in suspense of how great God really is.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
THERE IS NO LIFE WITHOUT PLANTS
Original Post Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seeds in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plangs bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the third day. Genesis 1:11-13
Plants - we'd be in serious trouble without them. We eat them. They are used to build our homes. They feed our livestock. Even in the ocean and desert, they are essential to life. They had to be created before animals or the animals couldn't have survived. In one day, the earth went from a void to a beautiful garden.
Plans are very resilient. As soon as humans vacate a spot, plants grow almost immediately. They grow up through concrete, literally marking their turf. They are survivors - coming fully back to life after along winter and breaking into our water pipes when we've stolen all the ground water. They're bold - showing up when they're not wanted and stealing the show when they are wanted. Sometimes they require the help of animals to pollinate them or expand their territory, but mostly they'd be just as content if we weren't here.
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seeds in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plangs bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the third day. Genesis 1:11-13
Plants - we'd be in serious trouble without them. We eat them. They are used to build our homes. They feed our livestock. Even in the ocean and desert, they are essential to life. They had to be created before animals or the animals couldn't have survived. In one day, the earth went from a void to a beautiful garden.
Plans are very resilient. As soon as humans vacate a spot, plants grow almost immediately. They grow up through concrete, literally marking their turf. They are survivors - coming fully back to life after along winter and breaking into our water pipes when we've stolen all the ground water. They're bold - showing up when they're not wanted and stealing the show when they are wanted. Sometimes they require the help of animals to pollinate them or expand their territory, but mostly they'd be just as content if we weren't here.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
GATHERING OF THE WATERS
Originally Posted - Thursday, April 3, 2008
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning – the second day. And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "Land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:6-10
Water is an essential element for all life. The verses above indicate that there was water already on the earth when God began His creation. Water alone distinguishes our planet from all the others in our solar system.
It is no wonder that water is used symbolically so much in the Bible. Baptism, the rite of passage for a new believer, uses water as a symbol of cleansing and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel, water is used as a symbol of God’s presence, sustainment and blessing as it flows out from the throne of God. Jesus Himself used water as a symbol of humility and service when He washed the disciples’ feet and as a symbol for eternal life in his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.
Water, just like God, has mysterious beginnings and is essential to survival. It’s in everything and affects everything.
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning – the second day. And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "Land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:6-10
Water is an essential element for all life. The verses above indicate that there was water already on the earth when God began His creation. Water alone distinguishes our planet from all the others in our solar system.
It is no wonder that water is used symbolically so much in the Bible. Baptism, the rite of passage for a new believer, uses water as a symbol of cleansing and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel, water is used as a symbol of God’s presence, sustainment and blessing as it flows out from the throne of God. Jesus Himself used water as a symbol of humility and service when He washed the disciples’ feet and as a symbol for eternal life in his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.
Water, just like God, has mysterious beginnings and is essential to survival. It’s in everything and affects everything.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
IT ALL BEGINS WITH LIGHT AND DARKNESS
Originally Posted - Saturday, March 15, 2008
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1:2-5
When God created the light, He called it good. The Scripture doesn’t say that He created the darkness. Where did it come from? Some say that when Satan fell from God’s favor before the beginning of time, that he was cast down to the earth and banished from Heaven. Could it be that Satan’s presence here brought the darkness? But if God knew Satan was here, then why would He choose this planet to create a paradise? Perhaps it was the sheer desolation of this place that stirred the heart of restoration within the Creator.
It is interesting to me that God did not choose to eliminate darkness when He created light. Rather, He used it for His purposes – as a time when Creation can rest. He balanced it with the light so that it didn’t dominate the planet as it had done before. This concept of balance in Creation is a key belief in American Indian spirituality. When the balance is compromised, then the earth reacts in order to gain a balanced state again. The dark-dominated fall/winter is pushed out by a light-dominated spring/summer and visa versa.
In Asian culture, a similar belief exists called Yin and Yang. The Yin/Yang theory goes one step further and says that good and evil must also coexist in balance. Can we as believers in Christ open our minds to consider this? There is strong evidence in Scripture of the importance of balance in life. Ecclesiastes 3 is full of statements supporting a balanced approach in everything.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
If there is a time for everything done on the earth, is it possible that it could include allowing a time and place for evil to exist? Only God truly knows. God could easily stamp out the evil on the earth today. It is His love for those who are evil that curbs His wrath. As His followers, it is our role to help Him to promote the good in this world. Whether the purpose of that good is to balance evil or to eradicate it is something I’m going to leave up to Him
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1:2-5
When God created the light, He called it good. The Scripture doesn’t say that He created the darkness. Where did it come from? Some say that when Satan fell from God’s favor before the beginning of time, that he was cast down to the earth and banished from Heaven. Could it be that Satan’s presence here brought the darkness? But if God knew Satan was here, then why would He choose this planet to create a paradise? Perhaps it was the sheer desolation of this place that stirred the heart of restoration within the Creator.
It is interesting to me that God did not choose to eliminate darkness when He created light. Rather, He used it for His purposes – as a time when Creation can rest. He balanced it with the light so that it didn’t dominate the planet as it had done before. This concept of balance in Creation is a key belief in American Indian spirituality. When the balance is compromised, then the earth reacts in order to gain a balanced state again. The dark-dominated fall/winter is pushed out by a light-dominated spring/summer and visa versa.
In Asian culture, a similar belief exists called Yin and Yang. The Yin/Yang theory goes one step further and says that good and evil must also coexist in balance. Can we as believers in Christ open our minds to consider this? There is strong evidence in Scripture of the importance of balance in life. Ecclesiastes 3 is full of statements supporting a balanced approach in everything.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
If there is a time for everything done on the earth, is it possible that it could include allowing a time and place for evil to exist? Only God truly knows. God could easily stamp out the evil on the earth today. It is His love for those who are evil that curbs His wrath. As His followers, it is our role to help Him to promote the good in this world. Whether the purpose of that good is to balance evil or to eradicate it is something I’m going to leave up to Him
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
NEW BEGINNINGS: REFLECTIONS ON CREATION
Original Post Date: Sunday, March 9, 2008
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
In the past few months, I have had a crisis of faith. I've found myself questioning the things I've been taught as true. I've been frustrated by the corruption of men and the injustice that people have to endure in their lives. Part of this has been precipitated by struggles that individuals in my family have faced in the last year. Another cause has been a major change in my perspectives about church in general and the American church specifically. But that is the topic of an article to be written another day.
Suffice to say that I've found myself needing a fresh start spiritually. In my prayer time, God has shown me that this faith crisis has resulted in me being a completely open slate to Him. I'm ready to hear and see new things. I'm ready for my vision and my worldview to be blown wide open. I want to learn things from God that I've never known before: who He is, what's important to Him, how He works, and what He wants from me.
When one wants a fresh start in life, it's always good to start at the beginning. The Creation account in Genesis seemed a good place to start for a devotional study during this season of my life. Perhaps in the pages of Moses' account, I will find new insight and renewed understanding of myself and the world I live in.
It is comforting to know that our God is the King of fresh starts, insight and understanding. Proverbs 9:10 says "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." I believe I've come to the right place for my new journey. Join me over the next few weeks as we explore how all this began.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
In the past few months, I have had a crisis of faith. I've found myself questioning the things I've been taught as true. I've been frustrated by the corruption of men and the injustice that people have to endure in their lives. Part of this has been precipitated by struggles that individuals in my family have faced in the last year. Another cause has been a major change in my perspectives about church in general and the American church specifically. But that is the topic of an article to be written another day.
Suffice to say that I've found myself needing a fresh start spiritually. In my prayer time, God has shown me that this faith crisis has resulted in me being a completely open slate to Him. I'm ready to hear and see new things. I'm ready for my vision and my worldview to be blown wide open. I want to learn things from God that I've never known before: who He is, what's important to Him, how He works, and what He wants from me.
When one wants a fresh start in life, it's always good to start at the beginning. The Creation account in Genesis seemed a good place to start for a devotional study during this season of my life. Perhaps in the pages of Moses' account, I will find new insight and renewed understanding of myself and the world I live in.
It is comforting to know that our God is the King of fresh starts, insight and understanding. Proverbs 9:10 says "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." I believe I've come to the right place for my new journey. Join me over the next few weeks as we explore how all this began.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
For My Writing Group Friends
Contemporary life has too many portals, it seems. Last week I went to see the movie He's Just Not That Into You and one of the women characters was complaining that there were too many techological sources of relationship rejections. If a guy seems to have blown you off, you find yourself checking e-mail, networking website, text messages, voice mail, answering machine, etc. to see if he's called.
I already post blog entries on three networking sites: Facebook, Yahoo! 360 and Plaxo. To create this blog site seems a bit redundant. However, I just found out on Monday that all my new creative writing group friends are on here. It is in honor of them that I have set myself up with an account.
Since most of my new friends have not known me until now, I am going to re-post entry by entry last year's blog series entitled Ramblings on How We Got Here. It was my first visit to the writers' group that finally pushed me over the edge to compile this blog series into a book and have it printed. Nearly 100 copies of the book have been given out to friends and family across the globe.
To all my new writer's group friends, I hope you'll enjoy the blog and I look forward to reading all of yours.
I already post blog entries on three networking sites: Facebook, Yahoo! 360 and Plaxo. To create this blog site seems a bit redundant. However, I just found out on Monday that all my new creative writing group friends are on here. It is in honor of them that I have set myself up with an account.
Since most of my new friends have not known me until now, I am going to re-post entry by entry last year's blog series entitled Ramblings on How We Got Here. It was my first visit to the writers' group that finally pushed me over the edge to compile this blog series into a book and have it printed. Nearly 100 copies of the book have been given out to friends and family across the globe.
To all my new writer's group friends, I hope you'll enjoy the blog and I look forward to reading all of yours.
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