December 31

The Revelation to John -- Triumph of Christ and His Church -- Revelation 19:1-21, 20:1-15, 21:1-8; Glory and Grandeur of Heaven -- Revelation 21:9-27, 22:1-5; Epilogue -- Revelation 22:6-21

Photograph of the actual morning star -- the star that signals the end of the night and ushers in the dawn.

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.  I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. [Revelation 22:16]

Jesus' last recorded words in the Bible.  He is the morning star -- It is the brilliant star (actually Venus) that appears to signal the end of night and the coming of morning.  Jesus has signaled the end of all that is dark and the dawn of a new day of light.  

I love Christ's close -- a rich symbol that encompasses our looking forward to the skies for His coming and the hope of heaven.  Christ is the morning star and we wait for him to signal the coming dawn.

I also can't help but think of Thoreau's last line in Walden, a literary allusion to this verse:  "The sun is but a morning star."

I feel that same sense of satisfaction and joy and hope in the completion of my first read through the Bible, cover to cover, in a year.  Somehow it made me feel like an insider.  A bit closer to God -- not in understanding Him, because now I think I have even more questions.  But closer in spirit and encompassed by His love.  I still hold that the Lord is alive in nature and the world around us and we can feel and know Him there.  But this does not replace the importance of scripture and His Word.  There are times to be in the Book and times to get up and look up and out and beyond the pages to see the Word, living and breathing and moving and at work in the world around us.

December 30

The Revelation to John -- Hope of the Faithful -- Revelation 14:1-13; Judgment Against Unrighteous -- Revelation 14:14-20, 15:1-8, 16:1-21; Special Judgment upon Babylon -- Revelation 17:1-18, 18:1-24, 19:1-5

The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more.... [Revelation 18:11]

Your merchants were the world's great men.  By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. [Revelation 18:23]

Interesting to be reading this during our current economic downturn that was essentially fueled by personal greed -- the greed of individuals and institutions and banks and the government's willingness to empower greed.  Instead of Babylon, it's the United States whose greed has lured the nations and our fall has led to the economic troubles of merchants everywhere.  

We heralded our bringing of the free economy to the world.  But now, in shame, teaching greed has led to everyone's misfortune and trouble.

Are we the modern Babylon?

December 29

The Revelation to John (continued) -- Wrath of God Against Evil -- Revelation 8:7-13, 9:1-21, 10:1-11, 11:1-14; Righteousness of God Seen in Coming of Christ -- Revelation 11:15-19; Opposition to Christ's Church -- Revelation 12:1-17, 13:1-18

I'm underlining very little here.  Just letting the dreamlike waves of scripture wash over me.  Here, picking up the name of an angel I'd never heard of before -- "Apollyon." [Revelation 9:11] Letting it wash over and hopefully soak in.  I can't always read scripture and assign precise meaning.  If I could, than I would know the mind of God and God would be as small and limited as my own mine.  Sometimes I can only read and trust the Holy Spirit to bring to me what I need.  

And there was war in heaven.  Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.  But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. [Revelation 12:7-8]

A battle in heaven?  How do I understand this?  A war in a place of peace and love?  A battle of spiritual beings.  How does that look and feel?  And where is God as Michael fights.  Did He avert His gaze as He did with His son on the cross because fighting was so offensive and even pornographic in heaven's peace?  The waring of angels.  Is it a physical battle or a fight for souls and spirit and mind? 

December 28

The Revelation to John (continued) -- Majesty and Centrality of God -- Revelation 4:1-11, 5:1-14; Destructiveness of Sin -- Revelation 6:1-17, 7:1-17, 8:1-6

...And He who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them.  Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.  The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  [Revelation 7:15-17]

There's my tent thing again.  This time, however, the tent symbolizes God's care and protection and not a symbol of our temporary dwelling on earth.  

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."  Amazing.  How intimate a portrait of God, the creator of the universe.  How much He cares for us.  How individual, how personal and how He touches us at our most vulnerable moments -- when life overwhelms and the tears come.

December 27

The Revelation to John -- Revelation 1:1-8; Origin and Purpose of Revelation -- Revelation 1:9-20; Letters to the Seven Churches -- Revelation 2:1-29, 3:1-22

Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy.... [Revelation 1:3]

I don't understand much of what I'm reading in Revelation -- what prophecy is fulfilled and what prophecy is yet to be fulfilled and what all of the symbolism means.  But I do understand this -- even in reading the words, I am blessed.  And I truly feel that.  Blessed.  Just in the reading.  It's difficult to explain.  There is an energy here, a positive hopefulness in the power of the Lamb and Lion and Morning Star and Angels.  While I might question the meaning, there is no questioning of the outcome.  God is in control.  Satan has and will be vanquished.  

December 26

First Letter by John -- 1 John 1:1-4; Walking in Light of Righteousness -- 1 John 1:5-10, 2:1-17; Warning about Antichrists -- 1 John 2:18-28; Living as Children of God -- 1 John 2:29, 3:1-24; Distinguishing Unbelievers from Believers -- 1 John 4:1-21, 5:1-12; Assurances in Christ -- 1 John 5:13-21

For everything in the world -- the cravings of the sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does -- comes not from the Father but from the world. [1 John 2:16]

What is the first question we [men specifically] typically ask someone when we meet them?  What do you do?  How do we measure a person's success?  To often, what we do and what we have define us in the eyes of people...in the eyes of the world.  That's why we miss that the carpenter who wanders with a group of fishermen is really the Christ.  Or that the homeless stranger we pass by is an angel...or, at the very list (really, at the very most), is a son of God.  What we have and what we do is not who and whose we are.  God knows our value.  Man's measure is wanting and flawed.  Forgive me Lord when I apply man's measure instead of yours. 

December 25

Letter to the Hebrews (continued) -- Exhortation to Continue Faith in Christ -- Hebrews 10:19-39; Examples of Great Faith -- Hebrews 11:1-40; A Call for Steadfast Faith -- Hebrews 12:1-29; Various Exhortations -- Hebrews 13:1-17; Closing Thoughts -- Hebrews 13:18-25

Here's a photo that came up from Flickr when I google-imaged "entertaining angels unaware."  It's an encouragement taped by someone to a public phone.  It included the encouragement to "Be careful how you treat people, you just might be entertaining angels unaware. You see, the person that you hate, or look down on, could be your blessing."

By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.  For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. [Hebrews 11:9-10]

There's that tent thing again that I'm so fond of.  Live in a tent for a week if you never have and then read the tent scriptures.  You'll have a whole new view after week.  It will give you a new perspective of how we should view our stay here in the body on earth.

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Eqypt and gave instructions about his bones. [Hebrews 11:22]

Ah, it's December and we've come full circle.  We're back to Joseph's bones.  

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. [Hebrews 13:2]

How do we entertain angels?  In church?  In Bible study?  In meditation on scripture?  No, by entertaining strangers...in benevolence.  We come in contact with angels in the field of service and not the sanctuary of religion.

December 24

Letter to the Hebrews (continued) -- Christ Superior to Priesthood -- Hebrews 6:13-20, 7:1-28; Superiority of Christ's Covenant and Sacrifice -- Hebrews 8:1-13, 9:1-28, 10:1-18

Melchizedek?  Who is this guy?  He's a priest or more precisely -- "This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High." [Hebrews 7:1]  Ok.  So this is a dispensation they didn't talk about in the Jewel Miller filmstrips. (Wow...I googled Jewel Miller filmstrips and there's no official site.  That's an opportunity for someone.)  Melchizedek is a priest of God...before the priesthood was even set up.  He was a priest before there were even Jews.  Once again, God can and does anything he wants to do.  We want to codify Him and He resists this.  That's why the Jews missed Christ.  He didn't fit.  They didn't see Him because He wasn't within their frame of reference or expectation.  

God is exceptional.

December 23

Letter to the Hebrews -- The Majesty of Christ -- Hebrews 1:1-14, 2:1-18; Christ Superior to Moses -- Hebrews 3:1-19; Christ Superior to Joshua -- Hebrews 4:1-13; Jesus as High Priest -- Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:1-10; Parenthetical Thoughts Regarding Readers -- Hebrews 5:11-16, 6:1-12

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? [Hebrews 1:14]

I like this.  Cool, comforting thought.  Wonder what my angel's name is?  I'll call him Elvis or just E for short.  Wonder what E. is up to?  I always joked that any angel that had to ride with Mariana (my wife) was probably a chain-smoker.  Can just see him shaking and lighting one up after a trip to the grocery store with the wife.

December 22

Second Letter by Peter -- 2 Peter 1:1-2; Value of True Knowledge -- 2 Peter 1:3-21; Danger of False Teachers -- 2 Peter 2:1-22; Regarding the Second Coming -- 2 Peter 3:1-18

I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.  And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. [2 Peter 1:13-15]

I think I've blogged about this before -- but I really appreciate the tent-of-this body concept.  A tent is a temporary dwelling.  Living in a tent you are intimately aware of the environment and changes in the weather.  Things you'd be insulated from in a more permanent dwelling.  Maybe if we truly viewed our earthly stay as a temporary dwelling, we'd be more aware of the evil in the world all around us instead of removed and distant.  You're not overly concerned with the appearance of your tent either.  It's merely a functional piece of equipment.  It's not who you are.  Who you are is what's protected inside the tent.  A tent will be blown away if it's not staked down.  Tents need anchors.  Also, living in a tent encourages you to simplify your life.  When you live in a tent, you don't fill it with a lot of stuff.  Because you realize you have to carry everything with you.  Stuff is just baggage.  So the less the better.  Carrying too much inhibits your ability to keep moving ahead.

This metaphor has sooooo many layers of meaning.

Something else interesting about this reading is the end of the verse:  "And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things."  Peter intends to watch and help them in the next life.  I've always imagined that when I die, I'd watch over and help out the ones I love.  Perhaps I can.  Lord willing.  I love this thought and hope.

December 21

First Letter by Peter -- 1 Peter 1:1-2; The Blessings of Redemption -- 1 Peter 1:3-25, 2:1-10; Glorifying God for Redemption -- 1 Peter 2:11-25, 3:1-12; Steadfastness in Persecution -- 1 Peter 3:13-22, 4:1-19, 5:1-11; Concluding Thoughts -- 1 Peter 5:12-14

"Even angels long to look into these things." [1 Peter 1:12]

Makes you wonder if the angels watch us like we watch television?  What do the angels know about the script ahead of time and how much do they sit and watch in wonder?  They know how the shows going to end, but it must be interesting to see the plot twists God introduces along the way.  Every once in awhile their Father calls them away from the TV.  "Hey, Michael, I've got something I want you to do.  Can you run down to earth for me?"  I wonder if in God's TV Guide our lives are marked drama, action or comedy?

"For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God." [1 Peter 2:19]

I can't help but think of Coach Don Meyer when I read this.  He was basketball coach at Lipscomb when I was there.  A December 15, 2008, Sports Illustrated article about him, titled The Game of His Life, had this to day about his recent near-fatal car accident:

A Blessing.  Even now, three months after the accident nearly claimed his life, Don Meyer calls it a blessing.  "You can't look at it any other way," he says.  It was a a blessing to crash into a semi that was carrying 90,000 pounds of grain while driving to a team retreat on Sept. 5.  It was a blessing to lose his left leg below the knee, to endure eight surgeries, to spend weeks in the hospital fighting pain so intense that he would croak church hymns as tears streamed down his face.  It was a blessing, Meyer says, and here's why:  If the wreck hadn't happened, if the doctors hadn't performed emergency surgery to remove his spleen and reattach his diaphragm, they wouldn't have discovered the cancer burrowing into his liver and small intestine until it was too late.

It was a blessing to survive, to know what he's facing and now, more than anything else, to coach again.  "I just wonder sometimes because I shouldn't be here," says Meyer, the coach at Division II Northern State in Aberdeen, S.D., the man who, with 898 career victories at week's end, needs just five wins to pass Bob knight as the alltime leader among NCAA men's basketball coaches.  "There's no realistic way I should be here right now, when you get down to it, unless there's something I've still got to do."

If you haven't read Meyer's story in SI, you can read it all here.  It's amazing how what most have perceived as tragedy God and Meyer are turning into a witness to the world on a national stage.

December 20

Letter by James -- James 1:1; Preparation for Oppression -- James 1:2-18; Consistency Between Faith and Conduct -- James 1:19-27; 2:1-26, 3:1-18; 4:1-12; Exhortations for Suffering Saints -- 4:13-17, 5:1-20; Letter by Jude -- Jude 1:1-25

I'm really struck by this notion of Jesus' brother.  Just think about it.  Growing up with Jesus.  Having him beat you at some kind of ancient Jewish kid's game -- kick ball or Yahtzee (that sounds sort of Jesus and ancient and like casting lots).  I bet Jesus won all the time and when  you did beat him you were always wondering if He let you win.  It blows my mind away when I think of it in real terms and not just as a story in the Bible.  Someone actually being a brother to the son of God.  There'd be resentment, too.  Jesus always doing things perfect.  Your mom, Mary, telling you to be more like your brother, Jesus.  Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.  

And then it hits me.  We are His brother.

I know scholars have difficulty determining just who wrote the book of James.  But I believe it was Christ's brother because of the language.  James just sounds like Jesus.  So much of what you read here sounds like the Sermon on the Mount.  So much of the New Testament outside of the gospel are about doctrine and the church.  James, like his brother Jesus, is more concerned about how we live.

Some really, really great stuff in this little book.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord...." [James 1:5-7]

This is why I think we see so few miracles today in America and in Middle Tennessee and the churches of Christ.  We do not believe in them.  We believe in miracles in the Bible and that God has the power to do miraculous things.  But, even when we pray for someone to be healed, it is typically a prayer for the doctor's skill rather than God's miraculous healing.  The exception to this seems to be when they are prayers for our loved ones.  At any rate, I don't know why we think that God has gotten out of the miracle business.  Because we don't see them?  Because sometimes God's answer is "No" to our requests for miracles?  I believe God can and does do whatever He wants.  Without a doubt.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." [James 1:27]

Don't get me started.  In brief:  one of the only scriptural reasons for collecting money in my reading of the Bible.  

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.  Mercy triumphs over judgement!" [James 2:12-13]

I try to be careful about judging someone else's religious beliefs and rejoice that they have them.  I try to preach only Christ and let the rest of the world sort through the instrumental music/hair covering/drinking/divorce issues.  I prefer in sermons we talk about what we do that isn't good rather than talk about what we've seen in other congregations.  Why?  Because I'm looking for a whole lot of mercy.

In Jude, I found the mention in the editor's notes that Jude includes references to "extrabiblical writings (the book of Enoch)" in his letter interesting.  I've always wondered if we've got it all, all of what God intended to be in the Bible.  And perhaps we had a book or two that He didn't intend to be there.  I mean how many classes are taught from or sermons preached from the Song of Solomon?

December 19

Second Letter to Timothy -- 2 Timothy 1:1-2; Exhortations to Timothy -- 2 Timothy 1:3-18, 2:1-26, 3:1-17, 4:1-8; Concluding Thoughts -- 4:9-22

"Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy." [2 Timothy 1:4]

"May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains." [2 Timothy 1:16]

This murderer of Christians now derives so much joy from his relationships with them.  He places so much importance on people.  He preaches love and avoiding "quarreling about words" and "godless chatter."  How often do our "doctrinal discussions" become "quarreling about words"?

"Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this."  [2 Timothy 2:7]

Rightly or wrongly, this is how I've approached my reading of the Bible through the year.  I've read, reflected and looked to the Lord for my insight.  Yes, there is a place for teachers.  I've spent a lifetime listening to them and still on every Sunday of my life.  But how much time have I given the Lord to give me his sermon, his insight?  Here is my resolution for the new year.  Listen less to man and more to the Lord in 2009.  

December 18

Letter to Titus -- Titus 1:1-4; Concerning Church Leaders -- Titus 1:5-2:1; Teaching Various Groups -- Titus 2:2-15; The Christian Life -- Titus 3:1-11; Concluding Thoughts -- Titus 3:12-15

Along with more about avoiding "foolish controversies" and "arguments and quarrels about the law," which echoes yesterday's reading, Paul talks about the real heart of doctrine -- how the gospel inspires us to do good.  And it is this good that will do far more to convince people of Whose we are than all of the arguments over what we believe.  You can argue with words and beliefs but you can't argue with service.  Which is why most members of the Church of Christ have great admiration for Mother Teresa.  

Writes Paul:  

"I want you to stress these things [doing good], so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.  But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law because these are unprofitable and useless." [Titus 3:8-9]

Having said all of this about avoiding quarrels about the law that Paul picks a lawyer out to mention in this letter:  "Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer..." [Titus 3:13]

December 17

First Letter to Timothy -- 1 Timothy 1:1-2; Instructions for the Church -- 1 Timothy 1:3-20, 2:1-15, 3:1-16, 4:1-5; Instructions to Timothy -- 1 Timothy 4:6-16, 5:1-16; Concerning Elders -- 1 Timothy 5:17-22; Advice to Timothy -- 1 Timothy 5:23-25; Instructions to Slaves -- 1 Timothy 6:1-2; Concerning Mercenary Teachers -- 1 Timothy 6:3-19; Concluding Remarks -- 1 Timothy 6:20-21

There is a good deal of talk here about "meaningless talk," "interest in controversies," "quarreling about words," and "godless chatter."  This theme can also be found in tomorrows reading of Paul's letter to Titus.  It might be an apt criticism of this blog where I've highlighted stories and text that seems to fly in the face of the status quo.  It is certainly not my intention.  But it is a part of our tradition in the churches of Christ.  What we honestly consider to be "rightly dividing the word of truth" and rejecting "false teaching" is often, in my estimation, "godless chatter" and "quarreling about words."  We think the excellence of doctrine and ability to follow the letter of the law will save us.  If we don't think this, well, we at least model in our actions this is what we believe.

But the real goal of sound doctrine is love.  Or as Paul begins his letter to Timothy:

"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.  These promote controversies rather than God's work -- which is by faith.  The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.  Some have wondered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.  they want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm."  [1 Timothy 1:3-7]

Do they "not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm" because all of their facts are wrong?  Or is it because there doctrine is a "clanging cymbal?"  It does not first and foremost honor the command to "love?"  Is their teaching and doctrine based on strictly "knowledge?"  Or does it come "from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith?"  I think we hold up substance too often in our doctrine without love.  It's not what's written in the book that matters.  It's what written on our heart.  

December 16

Letter to the Philippians -- Philippians 1:1-2; Reflections upon Imprisonment -- Philippians 1:3-26; Various Exhortations -- Philippians 1:27-30, 2:1-30, 3:1; Various Warnings -- Philippians 3:2-21, 4:1; Concluding Thoughts -- Philippians 4:2-23

Paul writes in this reading:  

"And this is my prayer:  that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ...." [Philippians 1:9-10]

Our knowledge and insight are to be based in love.  The three are intimately wrapped up together.  What would love combined with knowledge and insight mean for our thoughts and words on issues like divorce and homosexuality?  The Bible speaks plainly on these issues but do we speak to issues or do we speak to people.  I'm not saying that what we know about these issues is incorrect.  But we must love first and foremost before anyone will ever care or ask out of genuine interest what our stand is.  In advertising the first and foremost challenge is not communicating a message. The first and foremost challenge is breaking through all of the noise and getting people's attention.  That's true of God and Christ.  The first challenge is not preaching the message.  It's getting people's attention.  Hence miracles and selfless acts of service.

December 15

Letter to the Ephesians -- Ephesians 1:1-2 -- Revelation of God's Mystery -- Ephesians 1:3-23, 2:1-22, 3:1-21; Exhortation Regarding the Church -- Ephesians 4:1-16; Exhortation Regarding Personal Righteousness -- Ephesians 4:17-32, 5:1-20; Exhortation Regarding Relationships -- Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-9; Exhortation Regarding Relationship with God -- Ephesians 6:10-24

Ah, Jesus is not a big church.

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." [Ephesians 3:17-19]

What surpasses knowledge?  What is it that Paul prays for this congregation to have?  Great programs?  A great building?  A great preacher and song leader and worship service?  

"I pray that you, being rooted and established in a big church building, may have a powerful preacher, together with a large staff, that grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the sermon necessary to know the Truth that surpasses the Truth that the church down the street is preaching -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of self-satisfaction."  Ah, but that's not what it says.

To quote the Beatles, "All we need is love, love.  All we really need is love."

December 14

Letter to the Colossians -- Colossians 1:1-14; The Preeminence of Christ -- Colossians 1:15-29, 2:1-15; Carnality and Spirituality -- Colossians 2:16-23, 3:1-17; Christlikeness in Relationships -- Colossians 3:18-4:1; Concluding Thoughts -- 4:2-18; Letter to Philemon -- Philemon 1:1-25

"Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea and to Nympha and the church in her house."  [Colossians 4:15]

"To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home." [Philemon 1:2]

A memory I hold dear is church at my Grandmother Hughes' house.  I remember having church there and then after church the ladies gathering in the kitchen to make lunch.  The whole congregation -- just a handful of people -- sat down together and eat a meal together.  I only have a memory of going once but it is a powerful one.  We should try that North Boulevard -- try dividing up the congregation and have church in various homes.  Because there is something unique about having church at your home.  Not just a service with your family, but having others there.  It gives church less an air of intimacy, of being a part of our lives rather than a ritual that we go to a "church building" to perform.  It makes church feel like we're part of an outpost of Christians rather than the establishment.  

I think our massive church buildings and congregations have a tendency to insulate us from our personal relationship with God and the radical nature of Christianity.  We come together in these huge programmed, churches that have such a staid feel.

December 13

Voyage to Rome -- Acts 27:1-44, 28:1-15; House Arrest in Rome -- Acts 28:16-31

Paul's shipwreck on Malta commemorated with Malta stamp.

I guess they don't believe Paul when he says they'll be caught in a terrible storm, but they do put faith in what he tells them once the storm hits.  We're that way with God.  We don't always heed His warnings until we're suffering the consequences.  Then we ask Him to save us.  

And what faith in Paul it took to cut the ropes that held the lifeboats.  It's counterintuitive in the middle of a storm to let go of the one thing that logically might save you, but they do.  The centurion has his soldiers cut them to keep everyone on board.  They can only be saved together.  Paul says, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." [Acts:27:30-32]

Is this only because of the practical reason they need the crew to sail the ship?  Or is it because God wants us to work together to be saved?  They also one by one rid themselves of the things that the world holds dear in order to preserve their lives.  They through overboard the cargo -- the wealth of the ship.  It goes first.  Because it's really the most unnecessary of the things we carry, isn't it.  They've already cut the lifeboats free.  Then they through overboard the life-sustaining grain or food.  Now the anchors that keep them from dashing on the rocks.  Then the rudder that steers them.  They've given up all control over their direction.  

Is this just a dramatic metaphor of the only way we can survive the storms of life?

December 12

Paul Before Felix, Festus and Agrippa -- Acts 24:1-27, 25:1-27, 26:1-32

Paul before the rulers, witnessing to them as individuals and so, as we say, sowing the seeds of the kingdom.  Surely he could see the Lord's hand.  The irony of it all is expressed by Agrippa:

"Agrippa said to Festus, 'This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.'" [Acts 26:32]

Did Paul have an inkling of this?  Was his appeal to Caesar spoken in a rash moment, in fear of his life, in desperate move that at first saved but later condemned?  Did he ever realize he had sacrificed his freedom and eventually his life?  What dark journey of the soul did he take before he was able to write to the Philippians -- "Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.  As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ." [Philippians 1:12-13]

He will accomplish his heart's desire.  He will go to Rome.  How did he reconcile his prayer's answer?  We know how he reconciles it in his writings.  He is a step closer to heaven.  But how did his heart come to this place of piece.  I wonder.  I would have rethought, regretted and, perhaps, even renounced God's love in this answer.  How do I resolve to make His will, His gain enough?

December 11

Acts continued -- Paul's Arrest and Trial -- Acts 21:17-40, 22:1-30, 23:1-35

Ironically, Paul who preached living quiet lives in peace generates a whole lot of emotion and violent outrage with his views.  How much of an uproar and concern does his preaching produce?  Consider the Roman guard that travels with him to Caesarea for his transfer to Governor Felix:

"Then he [a Roman commander] called two of his centurions and ordered them, 'Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.  Provide mounts for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.'" [Acts 23:23-24]

That's 470 men...just to protect 1 soldier of the cross.

December 10

Acts continued -- Acts 20:3-38, 21:1-16

This pie chart is from urbanministry.org.  I don't know how accurate the percentages are but it has been my personal experience that the overall spirit and direction this graph implies is accurate.

It's poignant.  Paul knows through the Spirit of his impending imprisonment.  It's ironic.  He wants to go to Rome.  He's told the Christians there that he wants the opportunity to see them.  His imprisonment will be that opportunity.  Great sacrifice is required to accomplish great things.  

Passages I underlined:

"...We must help the weak remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" [Acts:20:35]

I wrestle with the subject of giving a good deal.  The giving stressed and commanded in the Bible is largely for the weak, widows, orphans and aliens.  What I struggle with is not giving so much as my responsibility in the stewardship of the resources I've been blessed with.  How is the money I give used?  How much am I responsible for how it is used?  If I give 10 percent to a church that only uses 20 percent or less of those funds to take care of the needs the Bible truly outlines as worthy of giving is that a responsible use of my resources?  Or is it better to ensure 80 percent or even 100 percent of the money goes directly to the need by giving to Christian orphanages and health organizations and relief?  I know those organizations have infrastructure costs, too.  But the percentages seem a whole lot better.  Would the Church be a charity worthy of our investment if we really analyzed what percentage of our giving actually met the needs outlined in the Bible.  I often cringe at the prayer before the offering when we mindlessly and ignorantly (innocently ignorant -- but that's my analysis and not necessarily the  truth) imply through how the prayer is offered that the money will help those in need.  Will it?  And how much of it?  

I find I give cheerfully if I give to those in need rather than have my resources applied to a church tax of overhead and infrastructure.  

The Lord has a whole lot of real estate in Rutherford County...but is that what He wants?

Another passage:

"Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.  He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied." [Acts 21:8-9]

Wow, how progressive for a Church of Christ.  Imagine.