Tag: Genesis

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Happy Earth Day

It’s Earth Day, and to celebrate when I went to start my post this morning I received this message

 Error establishing a database connection

Yes, its Earth day, so my database server decided to save energy and not run! Its finally back up, and I am able to post away!

 That’s one way to celebrate this sort of crazy holiday, a holiday I think we should all get behind, however, I may have a little different take then some people on how to approach it.  No chaining my self to a tree, however, I do think we should consider the trees we have.  For me this is a day to honor the Creator and to be in awe of the wonders he gave  us to manage

  26-28 God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
      reflecting our nature
   So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
      the birds in the air, the cattle,
   And, yes, Earth itself,
      and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
   God created human beings;
      he created them godlike,
   Reflecting God’s nature.
      He created them male and female.
   God blessed them:
      “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
   Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
      for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”

 29-30 Then God said, “I’ve given you
      every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth
   And every kind of fruit-bearing tree,
      given them to you for food.
   To all animals and all birds,
      everything that moves and breathes,
   I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.”
      And there it was.

 31 God looked over everything he had made;
      it was so good, so very good!
   It was evening, it was morning—
   Day Six.  Gen 1:26-31 The Message (MSG)

What is so great is that today, like every day creation screams out praising to the creator.  Last night, I was considering my finger nails, and what a marvelous thing they are. (No I did not get a manicure!)  In the simplicity and in the grandeur, it all declares the glory of the Master.

  1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
       the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

 2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
       night after night they display knowledge.

 3 There is no speech or language
       where their voice is not heard.  

 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
       their words to the ends of the world.
       In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, Psalm 19:1-4 New International Version (NIV)

So today, remember the Creator as you consider the trees, and the resources we have been pleased to have and to use.  Go over to this site (http://www.crazylovebook.com/videos_awe.html) and check out this video from Francis Chan.  I think that will give you an appreciation for the greatness of this creation we live in and the greatness of the Creator as well.

 1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
       the world, and all who live in it; Psalm 24

 Happy Earth Day, now go play in the yard!

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Corner Sermon

Last night as I was coming home from the boy’s soccer practice, I exited the interstate and crested the hill to shock.  There in front of me at the intersection ahead where no cars, a red light and a beggar standing on the left hand side of the road.  This is a one way street and I was about to turn left, so I quickly understood that I would be the only one at the intersection and I would be waiting at the light right next to him.

“Oh No, I can’t believe this!”, I said out loud as I slowed my vehicle waiting anxiously for the light to change to green so I could zoom past without a care.  However, that was not my destiny for this day.  As I came to a stop, I was ear to ear with this man.  He was not four feet from me.  I am sure I could have reached out and touched his shoulder from my driving position.

So, there I sat, for what seemed like minutes, but what was really only 20-30 seconds.  I stared awkwardly straight ahead while he stood holding his sign, staring nervously the other direction.   What was his situation?  What where his needs?  I don’t know.  I looked at the empty bags on the floorboard that contained the remnants of my dinner, and thought about the items I had just purchased in my truck bed, but I took no action. I will add here, not to excuse myself but to set up the situation, this corner seems to be a professional corner.  Its one that is usually occupied by the sign holders.  However, this guy was not in the worn patch that is there, he was almost of the road.  But either way, this man has stuck with me all night.  Could I have helped him?  I don’t know.  Would a few loose coins, or a few dollars helped him?  I don’t know.  However, the part that has stuck with me is that whether I could have met his needs or not, he still is a person – made in God’s image, and I ignored him.  Its bothered me more that I judged him and didn’t even acknowledge that a person was standing right outside my car.  Had this been the Chick-fil-a cow and those idiotic Liberty Tax Dancers, or a dude holding a furniture store going out of business sign, I would have waved and watched their antics.  But since I felt this guy needed something from me, or was an inconvenience to me or something like that, I screened him and acted like he was not there.  EPIC FAIL!

42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42 NIV

So, my encouragement to you today, is to remember that all of us are made in God’s image and all of us are important and just people with problems.   I am not suggesting that I would have unloaded my wallet on this guy if I was back there again, but I may have at least made eye contact and treated him with respect.  The only way I could imagine that I might be better then him is the blood of Jesus and I did nothing to earn that gift.

27 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 (New International Version)

Think about how you are looking at the people around you today!

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Ashes, Weight, and Forgiveness

Its Ash Wednesday, a day that starts the traditional period of fasting called Lent that leads up to one of my favorites days  – Easter Sunday.  ( its not just Sunday, on which we remember Christ, but its the actual time of the year – around Passover that the event took place – bonus).

Anyway, I am not a big fan of some of these more traditional “Christian” observances, as to me it can complicate the true simplicity of the message.  However, this day has to do with repentance, and repentance leads to transformation and change – which I am a BIG fan of.

So, today as you “buffet your spiritual body”, maybe its time to repent, or to be broken by some of your deeds or thoughts, and then use today as a marker day to move forward, a new.  All of this things can be forgiven and you can be made new – the power of the sacrifice of Christ.

I love the song Forgiven by Sanctus Real,  in it says

I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been, ’cause I’m forgiven.

Maybe today is that day for you.  The day to let go of the weight that holds you back, that holds you down, repent and move forward.  Its amazing how much better it is.

Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.
—Genesis 3:19
Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.
—Mark 1:15
Repent, and hear the good news.
—Mark 1:15
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The Glory of Presidents Day

Today is President’s Day as you all know – a day that we stop and remember those Presidents of the past and provide them with the honor and glory due them.   The honor of the Office of President or the POTUS, as we like to say, is incredible.  I am alway impressed ( and bored) when I go to the Hall of Presidents at Disney World.  It’s impressive because you can see – by the wonder and magic of Disney’s animatronics- all of the presidents lined up together have a gay old time. (Bored, because they actually speak, but its a great place for a rest, and a bit of air conditioning if its hot outside).   Ok, seriously,  the POTUS is in a position to be hailed and given glory, but despite all the greatness of any of these men, they are made or broken by the men around them.  The people, the judges, the men in Congress and the press, can help or hurt the legacy that any of these men have left behind. 

But consider for a moment the POTU ( thats the President of the Universe).  The POTU, or God, has made everything.  His glory is completely his.

 11“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
   for you created all things,
      and by your will they were created
      and have their being.”  – Revelation 4:11

And the best part is that he made you, and passed that glory on to you

 26 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.”

 27 So God created man in his own image,
       in the image of God he created him;
       male and female he created them. – Gen 1:26-27

Stop and think about that.  God is so glorious, and he made us.  So today remember you favorite past president for their accomplishments – whether it be Reagan and the Wall, Carter and inflation, Lincoln and slavery, FDR and The NewDeal,  Wilson, Washington, Kennedy, Clinton, Taft, Cleveland, Adams(squared), Bush(squared), McKinley, Jefferson, and so on.  Give them their due!  Thank God for them, Praise them, but also remember God put them in power and he made you! 

“You make everthing glorious, and I am yours. So what does that make me?” – David Crowder Band

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Going Green for God

Over the last 12 years or so, I have really begun to hate politics.  There’s too much judging, criticism and hate going on, and so I have unfortunately turned away from that spectrum for a little while – or at least turned away from engaging in much rhetoric about it.  (Outside of a little fun on FaceBook provoking of my favorite political college student, who shall stay unnamed.)  Anyway, this is a bit of walking on the edge for me, a slight advance into a topic that could turn very political.

Last week, the man we refer to as Pope Benedict XVI gave his usual and customary New Years Mass speech.  During this talk, the head of the Catholic Church stated:

“Nevertheless, in this moment, I would like to underline the importance of the choices of individuals, families and local administrations in preserving the environment,”

and

“An objective shared by all, an indispensable condition for peace, is that of overseeing the earth’s natural resources with justice and wisdom.”

Well, this has troubled me a little bit over the past few days because the headlines and the new bits say “Pope Urges Lifestyle Changes to Save Planet”.  Hm.  I have always been a conservationist.  I agree with the Pope.  I have thought for years that Christians should be leading the charge to take care of the planet.  You see, its our charge and responsibility.  God created the Earth and gave “dominion” to man –

26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26, New Century Version)

God has asked us, no charged us with taking care of the world he has created.  So we should be going green for God.  Taking care of the planet, wisely using its resources, recycling, watching our consumption – these are Godly principles – all in the same vein as the message we are given to take care of our bodies, the temple of God.

18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (New International Version)

The beef I have here, however, is the apparent lack of trust or faith in God, when we as men think we can change our behavior and “save the planet”.  Its God’s planet.  The whole notion that we can destroy it or save it seems a little off base for me.  ( Now, I think we can make it a terrible place to live, or we can make it a great place to live, by our actions)  It sort of reminds me of the Tower of Babel.

So consider this.  I think we should jump in the bandwagon and Go Green for God, because He (not via the Pope) asked us to, not in a last ditch effort to save the planet.

Go Green!  Thoughts?