Friday 30 July 2010

Bible Thought for Today: Acts 18

Today I almost got lost in the text, I thought I might write about the fact that Paul had a job to pay for his preaching so what do we want from our preachers today. I thought maybe I might write about Priscilla and Aquila who were both leaders in the church ha there is a woman leading. But then I got to the final portion and came across Apollos. 

Apollos was a good speaker, he was one of those people that are able to construct a point in such a way that all people understood what he was saying. You know he was a great orator able to capture the imagination but had the knowledge to back up his points. There was however a small problem Apollos did not study hard enough and wasn't up to speed on current theology so when Priscilla and Aquila saw this they approached him and schooled him on what he should be teaching. 

Apollos could have reacted in so many different ways. But instead of doing what so many people do when they get corrected which is get mad. Apollos just used it to become even better. As I sit and think about this story it makes me wonder how we react to constructive criticism? I can honestly say I am the last in the queue for taking it well but it is a necessary part of life. I have always wanted to be one of those people that take criticism with grace but too often it makes me defensive. So today my prayer is personal and simple God give me the grace of Apollos to accept constructive criticism that will come my way. 

Thursday 29 July 2010

Bible Thought for Today: Acts 17

For the past few days I have been trying to write this bible thought unsuccessfully. Everyday I read a little more of the text and then get distracted with life and no work gets done. So far the baby has been an excuse, watching a movie, doing some counselling and all sorts of other things but I can avoid it no longer. Sometimes when you read the bible it seems that all they do is be a good witness for God. In the case of the disciples it often seems like all they do is preach. Let me tell you this chapter is no exception.

In Acts 17 Paul and Silas visit Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Areopagus. In each of these places they head straight for a temple or meeting place and start preaching. Each of these places has something to teach us about sharing the message but what struck me was what would life be like if we did that. So here is my average day and let's see how it might change.

Wake up and meet neighbours on stairs, show genuine interest in them and remind them that God loves them. Go out to the shops and speak to the sales assistant show genuine interest and tell them God loves them. Meet up with family make sure they remember God loves them. Oh I forgot public transport, speak to the person next to me and tell them God loves them. Wow that really is a different day to my normal one.

I love God and I think I share the love of God as much as possible but do I spell it out to people? No often I am reluctant to mention the specifics because I don't want them to get offended or upset or whatever. However is that all that God requires? Yesterday my husband and I were discussing what we would like to pass onto our son and one of things we would like to pass on is the respect for human life. For him to be a generous person to notice those who are not in a good situation and to give what he can to help and more than that we would like him to treat all people with respect. But as i sit and think about it I guess as a Christian there is more to being a good person than just being nice for us it is the desire to see everyone we meet in heaven.

The challenge for me now is how to incorporate that into my life. In a way I have it a little easier and harder because as a pastor it is my job so I have a natural source of conversation. The other side of that is that people naturally switch off because they expect it and they don't want to hear it because they think well it's her job so she has to do. So each of us face the same challenge how do we share the Good News with all that we meet so that if it were possible everyone would be saved? Easy answer is we remember that mission and never forget it.

Saturday 24 July 2010

Cupcakes and Fairy Cakes

I love thinking of fun sabbath activities because not only does it keep me creative but it gives me great ideas for spending time with my family and friends. You see the main point of sabbath is to honour the creator by taking rest from work and enjoy the company of God and our friends and family. To be honest it's great and I feel like it should be celebrated every single week. 

So this week I am going to follow fashion. In the UK at the moment the cupcake craze is going strong. Bakeries have popped up all over the place offering brightly coloured, sparkly, yummy cupcakes. So this weeks activities centres on these locally little delights. Are you ready for a cupcake party?

Here is what you need:
A person who knows how to bake (be inclusive ask a senior member of the church or family to join your party)

Cupcake ingredients or a cheats mix pack - make sure you have lots because you will want lots of cupcakes

Cupcake foils or cases
Baking trays
Kitchen
Toppings galore

Lots of people this is an all age activity so the more the merrier

Cupcake Party
The idea is simple make the cupcakes together. While they are in the oven have fun discussing a bible text or actually ask everyone how they are and expect them to answer truthfully. You might be surprised at what you find out if you expect someone to say more than fine or ok. 

When the cupcakes are ready decorate to your hearts content. The only limitation is your imagination. Now you have two choices here eat the cakes yourself and enjoy the fellowship with your friends and family. Option two give the cupcakes to people less well off than yourself.  Either find homeless people or if there are families in your church that are struggling give them the cupcakes. These small acts of kindness will go along way especially since you took the time to make them special yourself. It's a good lesson for little children, although you might want to keep one back for them to enjoy after the good deed ;0)

Well I thunk I am going to try and do this next week as I am hungry just writing about these yummy little cakes. Ok that's it I am off to bake! 

Friday 23 July 2010

Why can't we keep quiet?

When you ask your girlfriend how church was do you receive this response:

"Yeah it was good but when I was leaving this woman said something rude about the way I was dressed!"

Unfortunately all to often I hear something similar each week from a variety of friends or young people who have been at church. Some person thought they have a right to tell someone in the most negative way about what they are wearing and normally in front of others to ensure that there is maximum embarrassment caused. The reasons people give for this are shocking.

"It is my duty as a Christian to tell these young people or women about their clothes because I am my brothers keeper after all." 

"Well I say it like this because it's cultural we just say it how it is and since I am my brothers keeper then I should tell them."

These are just a few of the excuses I hear for bad behaviour. I have a number of problems with people who think it is ok to have a go at someone for their wardrobe choice. 

Firstly the fact that it is done in a way that is an accusation. I understand the modesty argument and I have been to various churches where I have almost fainted at what some men and women were wearing. However unless they were exposing themselves I have felt no need to approach these people. On one occasion a young lady was sitting with her legs open and did not realise that you could see up her skirt so I politely pointed out to her that she was exposing herself. Another time a friend of mine was in the habit of wearing tight trousers. So one day while we were out during the week I asked him about this to which he replied he was finding it difficult to find trousers that fit his thighs and with money tight that was making it difficult. I don't think it ever bothered me again and when he got some funds his trousers were upgraded. To me there are reasons for the way people  dress and to simply accuse them of indecency is not a fair reflection. In addition modesty may stay the same but fashions change. What was fashionable in one generation is not necessarily going to work forever.  

Second clothes are subjective. The elusive modesty argument is true we should as Christians be modest not for the sake of others but for God. How would God have us be? That really is the question that each of us must answer, do we honour God with all we do? That is a hard mindset to be in 24/7 but it is what we should all be striving for. Therefore the attitude that you can tell me off for my clothes seems positively outdated instead you should be encouraging me to understand that God is a part of my whole life not just my sabbath morning. 

I guess my final grievance with this type of behaviour is that people have to be at war when they go to church. Why should I wake up in the morning in the mood for a nice bright pink summer dress only to realise that when I get to church I better have a matching pink sword and shield. It drives me to distraction that people think they need to say anything on a day of a rest. I come to church to have some fellowship with other Christians and to worship God. I do not go to church to have a confrontation with other people. If you feel that strongly about what I was wearing give me a call on Tuesday, oh you would need my number for that wouldn't you!

I think clothes are an emotive issue and the way we dress reflects not only who we are but also has an affect on those around us. It is naive for us to believe that our clothes, the way we dress and present ourselves does not have an impact on anyone else we are after all visual creatures. But while we should remember our modesty in clothes maybe it's about time we remembered our modesty in speech and instead of having a go at people we should try building relationships with them. 

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Friends are for Life?

Friends are in your life for a season, reason, or lifetime. 

Most days I think I understand this but lately it really has had me thinking. I have had friends for a season, people whom I loved as my friends very much while we worked together or were studying together but when one or other of us move on then the friendship fizzles. When I see them it's great and we have amazing friendship chemistry and catch up is awesome but they aren't necessarily that close. They would be counted as friends and I consider them part of my friendship circle even though I don't see them regularly. 

There are some friends for a reason and I know these are harder to pick out. People who I never really talk to but were there for a purpose at that time. To me these are all the good people I know. The people who make good decisions and choose against the odds to do what's right and therefore have earned the badge friend. For me I guess they are still in the friendship circle but I understand that these are not people I see hardly ever although they are still very precious people. 

Then there are my lifetime friends now these I love and understand fully. They are people who for whatever reason become a part of your soul. I am convinced that there is something spiritual about friendship. I know you think i am crazy but think about your circle of best friends (I believe there is always a circle never just one). Think about how you met, how you have stayed in touch through the years, it's amazing isn't it? I have friends from childhood, from college, from work, from all sorts of places that no matter what we are friends and I trust them. 

But then there seems to be a mysterious fourth category that have been playing on my mind recently quite a lot. They are people who are part of the lifetime circle who one day just walk away no explanation. Now I could just let it go and for the most part I had but recently they have been playing on my mind a huge amount. What would make someone who is your best friend (I know it seems like a childish term but it best describes the relationship) just stop returning your calls and move out of your life. It's really strange if it was a guy I was dating then I would not have a problem see ya later your gone. But because it's a friend there's a connection in my soul that just hasn't let them go. Do I sound strange? Maybe I do but my friends are important to me and are like family I guess, so they each have a place in my heart. 

I have been asked questions by those that know of these missing friends all sorts of questions about my behaviour, views and generally what happened. I have examined all of those things and have come up empty so what now? I guess I should just let them go to my scrapbooks and remember the good times but I am finding that really difficult because I miss my friend. What to do, well for now I will pray about it some more and hope that one day the opportunity presents itself to resolve my unanswered questions until then I will cherish the fiends I have. 

I Miss Home: London

Yesterday I went on an innocent visit to London, I visited with my mum and then went out to shoot some photos with my husband. After we finished with my mum we headed for St Paul's and as we walked around I was beginning to remember the London I loved. Have you ever been away from home for a while and when you get back to visit it doesn't feel like home anymore? Well that was me, every time I visited London recently I just ended up frustrated and didn't enjoy the visit. It was frustrating as it is my home city and I loved and missed it often.  

In the past year we have had so much upheaval and as we have moved all over and lived with boxes and still live with boxes home seems a distant memory. It used to be that whenever I went back to London I would immediately feel centred again but in the past few months that has not been the case. It is quite unnerving. But yesterday as we walked over Millennium Bridge and I stopped to look out, the wind picked up and as I looked across the Thames to Tower Bridge I felt at peace.  

Who knew that something so simple would be so liberating. I am not sure how you reconnect with yourself after a time of difficulty but for me that was the moment. Don't get me wrong I am shattered after yesterday but it was very rewarding. I am not really sure why I am telling you this but I guess I am just sharing with you my most awesome moment. I even have a picture that I will try and work out how to post with this. I hope that if you ever have a moment and need to find yourself that you can have a Millennium Bridge that you can go to. 

Monday 19 July 2010

Bible Thought for Today: Acts 16

A call from Macedonia. A number of years ago I was involved with an outreach programme at a church and the pastor wanted to inspire the people to action preached this sermon. I have to say it worked a treat as over three years later I still remember that this was preached. I will be honest and say I don't remember everything that was said but the general gist is there. 

So here I am reading about Paul's call to Macedonia and I wonder how many times have I ignored my own call. When God has instructed me to go somewhere do I go? Going at God's word is not easy sometimes it flies in the face of everything you want to do. 

Recently my family have had an awful lot of upheaval and at each stage I wanted to do the complete opposite of what I was being asked to do. In the end through gritted teeth I did as I was told. If I am really honest at the end of the process I harboured a lot of resentment that I had to do something that God had asked me too. I worked through the issues and now am ok with everything but it was a hard road to follow. 

Paul is quite the opposite when God calls him to go somewhere no matter his plans or what he wanted off he jumps and hops to it. I would drag my feet and ask why among other questions. But here is my lesson going as asked seemed to work for Paul, it was hassle and stress free. Maybe if I did that more often instead of arguing for ages with God the whole process would be more pain free. 

Friday 16 July 2010

The Book of Eli

I had the opportunity today to watch a film that I can honestly say passed me by when it was released. The Book of Eli was released at the beginning of the year but as I had just had the baby my usual film buff moves missed this one altogether. I will be honest and say that the apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic genres are not usually my cup of tea but I have definitely made an exception for this film. 

I really don't want to spoil it for you but I do want to share my thoughts. The only way I can do this is to share some of the questions and thoughts it left me with. 

Firstly why do all post-apocalyptic movies depict the people as completely devoid of a moral compass. It really is quite scary and in this movie it is actually quite gross what the people do. But it always seems to me that if you strip the people back they have two choices live in cooperation or kill everyone around, I am concerned that we imply that people will always plump for the latter of those statements. 

A world without God is a scary place. In the film the people blame God for everything that happened and burned everything that reminded them of God. This lead to a world that I cannot even begin to describe how bleak it is. If you watch for yourself it really does raise the question what is a world without God? 

The bible is full of power and in the hands of the wrong man it can be manipulated for evil. In the hands of a misguided man it's real purpose can be forgotten. The importance of the bible cannot be underestimated and the film highlights it in a sensitive way. 

Is the film a preachy film that rams religion down your throat? No it is not and maybe that's what made me love it. The viewer can make up their own mind and come to their own conclusion. The film prompts thought and discussion and for that reason I think it's a good film. 

Sabbath Activities: Art

Creative arts are good fun, messy but fun. If you are feeling like having some art in your life might be fun then this might be the activity for you.

What is needed
Paper or canvas
Paints
A favourite bible text
A little imagination and a lot of fun

This works for children, adults, art pros and first timers. The idea is simple take a big piece of paper or canvas and either paint an image inspired from your text or your text itself. If you are working with a group of people make it more interesting by having each person contribute a small part of the image. It will add to the image to see each persons part add to the whole. If you have children it might be an idea if they are small to draw an outline of something really big they can have fun colouring.

Simple ideas to get you started

Text: The Lord is my Shepherd
Image: little children sitting with lambs

Text: Noah's Ark
Image: have each person contribute their favourite animals as an image

Text: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Image: clouds casting a shad own on the earth or over a person

Have fun and if you do get a chance take a picture of your artwork and post it on the page I would love to see how it goes.
Blessings

Thursday 15 July 2010

Bad Advertising

I can confess that I love fashion to the point that I have the most awesome scrapbooks that I have made out of cuttings fro magazines with the most amazing dresses among other items :0) So it's no surprise that I have a magazine I love and today my husband bought me a copy as a treat and I was delighted as I looked through page after page of fashion. Well eventually I came to the end and then to my horror there was an advert that made me so mad. I was so mad that I immediately wrote the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) about how deeply offensive I found this advert. 

Antonio Federici an ice cream manufacturer have created an advertising campaign full of double entendre. The strap line says "ice cream is our religion". The advert depicts two male priests intimately close looking like they will kiss and the words across their body are "we believe in SALIVATION". I cannot tell you on how many levels this advert offended me. It really almost ruined something that was a treat for me. But in usual fashion wasn't about to let it go unchecked so off I toddled to the ASA website and made my complaint to have the advert removed. 

I was later discussing my annoyance with my husband and we again noted that our society talks about protecting the rights of religious groups but that generally means everyone but Christians. I guess the other annoying thing we discussed was the fact that many Christians let insults to our faith go unchecked. My husband pointed it out that as we have so many denominations we sometimes are so divided that we don't see that it affects us as well. 

Personally I cannot see things I feel are wrong without opening my mouth. It often gets me into trouble but injustice is not right and don't feel we should condone it so for better or worse I will always stand up when I can. I am not sure my one complaint will do anything about these adverts but at least I am trying. I am going to pray on what else I can do. I am considering contacting the company themselves hmmm maybe that's what I will do tomorrow. 

Wednesday 14 July 2010

Jewellery

I was recently asked by a friend if I could write a blog about jewellery. Apparently there was an after church discussion that had lead to this request of me. I did not want to ask to many details in case as per normal I was disappointed in some Christians yet again. Therefore I set about on a journey of discovery for myself on a topic that I find rather personal and also rather irritating.

To give you some background about my position and let you know my bias here goes. I am from a strong Christian family. Both my great grandparents were pastors and leaders in the church in Barbados. They were deeply committed Christians and raised my mother likewise. My mum always told me that how her grandparents were not into excessive jewellery but as a fashion loving young person my mother did not hold the same position. While growing up my family attended most denominations in the Christian faith and in the end settled on one that happened not to wear jewellery.

Jewellery is not the centre of my life but I happen to be a jewellery designer and make and used to sell my pieces. But this posed a problem for the church I attended and I spent far to much time with people confronting me about the one ring I chose to wear. It was an on going issue as I did not agree that it was a biblical mandate that we don't wear jewellery. There maybe many mandates about our life from the bible but I didn't believe jewellery was one of them. The texts that were used I felt they were inappropriate and misused. However when I got called into ministry I stripped all of it off and boxed it all up and gave up my work. So being asked about jewellery was an issue that I never really dealt with properly.

So first I looked up which churches do not wear jewellery and it was a minority that I could find. There are some Pentecostal churches that do not wear jewellery, the Amish, some Quakers and Seventh-day Adventists. For the Amish and Quakers it is a way of life, the Amish make everything they wear and each piece has significance. For the Quakers it is a lifestyle choice not a denominational mandate they wear cheap or fair traded clothes and simplify their lifestyle including jewellery. For some Pentecostal and the Adventists it is a biblical decision not to wear jewellery.

The difficulty I have is that within each of these faiths (Pentecostal and Adventist) there is no consistency. Yes the belief is stated in their doctrine but Not all people in their churches agree with the theological point that jewellery should not be worn. Some people are at the highest levels of the church in respected positions that disagree. So what do we do with the information? This is where the difficulty lies for me.

I believe wholeheartedly in modesty which some people use as a argument for no jewellery but I think that's a misinterpretation. Modesty can be applied to jewellery as well so no over the top stuff. See simple. But if you go a church that has a no jewellery policy I guess you have two options sign up to the policy and be respectful of the wishes of the church body by staying quiet whether you agree or not. Or option two wear your jewellery and deal with the fact that there will be people who find it wrong.

If you wonder what my personal opinion is then that's easy I am a jewellery designer and am hoping that like Paul this work will finance my ministry. When speaking in churches that have a no jewellery policy then respectfully I will remove mine but in my personal life I have no issue with jewellery. But if you want to know more then there are a few websites below you can check out to make up your own mind.

http://www.isitso.org/guide/sdajewel.html

http://biblicalresearch.gc.adventist.org/documents/weddingband.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/seventhdayadventist_1.shtml

http://www.scottseverance.us/ministry/jewelry.html

http://www.adventistreview.org/2000-1551/story5-1.html

http://www.adventistreview.org/2000-1551/story5-2.html

http://www.adventistreview.org/2000-1551/story5.html

Bible Thought for Today: Acts 15:36-41

Short tempered. 
We have just discovered that our precious little angel of 6 months has a little temper on him. To be honest it's not surprising as my husband turned to me and said do you think a temper can be inherited? Food for thought really. 

Being short tempered, hot headed, unforgiving or quick to anger are not character traits that are positively thought of. However there are many people who carry these traits and the disciples are not exclusive of this. 

James and John were known as the sons of thunder (Mark 3:17)
Peter was notorious for his quick temper and even caused Jesus to tell him get the behind me Satan (Matthew 16)

Paul the apostle was no exception of this. This passage is one example of Paul's short nature with people. We aren't told all the details but we do know that while Paul preached forgiveness and love he often found it difficult to execute it. John Mark had made a mistake, was weak some might say or alternatively we would say he was young. Barnabas wanted to give him a chance and continue to train John Mark but not Paul. Paul may have been given a second chance by Barnabas but he was not prepared to do the same. It just reminds me that God can change our nature but we have to remember we are human and sometimes we fail. 

Those traits that we struggle with can be changed by God in a twinkling of an eye but that is not always the case and we have to be careful about our own behaviour. If Paul who we look up to as this amazing preacher can struggle with his own behaviour then how much more can we. As I look at my son and realise the struggle he has ahead of him the same one I did I pray that he will find strength in God to be the best person he can be.   

Tuesday 13 July 2010

Bible Thought for Today: Acts 15:1-36

I love this text, in fact I could shout about this text from the roof tops repeatedly. In truth I would preach on this every other Sabbath if I could. It really is a powerful text. Unfortunately I have heard many bad sermons on this text and by bad I mean with poor theology or poor interpretation however you want to put it. 

The text tells how the disciples make the transition from an exclusively Jewish faith to one inclusive of all people. It gives us a real insight into how the early church worked in resolving the deep theological questions. Here we find a solution that leads to harmony but is clear and decisive. The conclusion of the matter that the salvation of the people is most important and the honour of God. So all the guidelines that honour God stay along with the people and anything considered not necessary for that can be left. This leaves a major question for the church today as it undertakes many what seem to be life changing decisions. 

When I read this text I find it so easy to say ah ha I know what to do. But when I really think about it I remember that as an individual dealing with God it can be easy to talk to him about stuff and reconcile where to go but when we live in community it can be difficult. Recently I was asked to write a blog about jewellery and I am working on it but this is one issue that for some churches pose a real problem. It may seem trivial to others but it speaks to the issue of modesty and therefore can be a real problem. 

For a number of years I attended a church that had a policy of no jewellery. As I only joined and had never experienced it anywhere else I found it a difficult rule especially being a jewellery designer. In fact let's be honest I managed it periodically and this has followed me around for a while. It never ceased to amaze me how upset people would get over a ring or a bracelet but there it was. Then they would quote texts that say well if it offends your brother take it off. It used to make me so mad because they were offending me by being rude to me constantly but yet I was the person that had to change. 

It never ceases to amaze me how people get consumed with rules. It is what happened to the Jewish people and they had to change to move forward in their faith to Christianity. What about us today? There are definitely guidelines and rules that God has but are we so hung up on power that we force everyone to follow what we want instead of remembering it is what God wants that is important. Sometimes in being righteously indignant over things we forget that we should be a mirror of Christ not just of a judge. Maybe when we read this text instead of being elated that circumcision is out and we don't have to be bound by that or thinking oh how exciting there are still rules how about we look at the principle that God is the one who needs to be honoured and anything that doesn't do that should take a back seat in our life including our behaviour to others.   

The Ugly Side of Beauty

I watched Channel 4's show The Ugly Side of Beauty. The show is there to investigate the cosmetic surgery industry and looking at the real side of the industry. As the show unfolded they gave the stats for how much surgery goes wrong, how dangerous it can be and basically how the industry is poorly regulated. What caught my attention was not so much the industry and the lack of care etc but what surprised me was the volume of women unhappy with themselves and seeking to fix this through plastic surgery. This is not a problem exclusive to women but it is a large problem for women. 

The part that made me the most sad was the teenagers. The presenter went into a group of teens and asked how many wanted plastic surgery and all the girls put their hands up. Summed up by one young lady who said she wanted it for herself to make her feel better about herself. I cannot tell you how my heart sunk. I have had the privilege of working with young people for over a decade and there is nothing sadder than having young people with no sense of identity and seeking it in all the wrong places. 

The presenter of the show said to one woman there is nothing wrong with wanting plastic surgery but.... I guess that really does put it into perspective. My mum always told me that not everything we want is good for us. But I am guessing not everyones mother told them that. 

I really don't know what to say about the sad state of a world that judges us only it seems by our outward appearance. It has turned our youth into people without a sense of identity or purpose or long sight. It seems that they are only interested in the here and now and that can lead to dangerous consequences for the rest of their lives. For me personally I will work wherever I can to help young people to realise their value and place their energies in something at will bring lasting joy. Too many times I have seen the pain of this lifestyle in people of my own age group if we can help those younger than us not experience this then we should do everything to stop it. 

What a weekend

I am back to work after an eventful weekend and instead of starting work promptly I tidy the room like a crazy person cause my mind doesn't work if it's messy. My lovely husband says I am Monica from Friends. I do not agree but it is true that if the house is untidy then I cannot function. My brain mulls over and over the different ways of tiding it all up until it's done. It might sound crazy but there it is I am a sort of neat freak. 

Right then back to the weekend on Friday my family and I joined other students in making the journey to University of Wales, Lampeter for graduation. Leading up to graduation I was not really excited at all. Normally if anything is happening I get so excited and start acting like a five year old leading up to the event. I get silly excited and you know what I enjoy it but somehow graduation had lost the sparkle and I was not excited. It had been a long time coming and I had been through a lot to get there, so excitement should have followed but instead there was nothing. 

When we got to The university I went upstairs received my gown then was sent next door to have someone help me with it. As the lady helped me with my gown she said oh my you have a masters. I suddenly turned and looked at this woman I had never met before and it was like ding there it was. I started squealing with delight I have my MA. I was so excited and almost ran (I was wearing 5inch heels), downstairs to my family where I continued to act like a crazy person with excitement. It was finally all over, the handwork, the heartache, the pain and the years of study, I had my MA in theology. 

I Think sometimes when you work really hard for something and it's been a long time coming when you finally get it you can find it really difficult to comprehend. That was definitely true of me. But I have official documents and letters and pictures to say that I have my MA in theology. Woo hoo!!!!

As a treat for graduation my husband took me out on the Saturday evening to see Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals. Let me say that all day long I jumped up and down like a loony tunes with excitement and it didn't disappoint at all. I loved loved loved it. Then the next day it was off to College to finish the graduation celebrations with a graduation ceremony at the College I attended. It was super duper fun and this time I was prepared for the excitement. To be honest while I feel elated that I have my MA it's not for the reason of having a masters but more for the fact that despite my circumstances over the past few years. Despite all the trouble and pain we have been through we have something to show for it. The hard work was worth something. When I tell my son about what we went through I can show him what we achieved also. So I am very pleased. 

Now to put it all to good use and continue to build the online/Internet pastor work. Here goes... 

Thursday 8 July 2010

Bible Thought for Today: Acts 14

It is fitting that this morning I start the bible thought and half way through there Paul is stoned. The people leave him for dead but against all odds the disciples gather him up and the next day he is preaching the Word. This week it has come to light that there will be a stoning happening of a woman who has been found guilty of committing adultery

Today it has been revealed that Iran have lifted the death sentence against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and will not be stoning her although there is some speculation that they will find another way to exact the death penalty for now it has been lifted after pressure from the international community.

At first this seems like good news this woman's human rights will not be violated and she will not suffer for a crime that in the West would only merit a divorce a most. But I have a number of questions what about all the women we don't hear about. Somehow Sakineh has come to the public attention but what about all those that have not. Second if she really did com mitt adultery and I am not convinced that she did because after 99 lashes you might be about ready to confess to anything just to get them to stop where is the man she did it with? It all seems a bit dubious to me.

But this is the first time that I have come close to hearing anything that resembles what Paul would have been through. It seems hard for me to fathom that this is what should happen. We live in such a different time from a time when stoning should be accepted or do we?

Recently a number of churches have pledged to giving attention to equal rights for women and seeking to end violence against women and children. I guess I sit reading that text wondering what I can do in the light of what happened with Sakineh.

Wednesday 7 July 2010

Day 11: Flakey

I am having one of those days after typing a semi descent entry for today my lovely little thing deleted it by accident and so here I am typing again. Today's bible reading is a bit intense so I will have to give it some thought and a little research and try again tomorrow. The reading is below as always if you have any contributions let me know, they are all welcome.  

But here is a thought I watched a film called Pastors Kid and let me tell you I was discussing loudly with the tv all the way through. I am not sure I would recommend anyone watching it or not as the case maybe but it did make me think that there are a lot of people who make some really poor choices especially with the opposite sex. I am sure we all know people have done that and dare I say that includes ourselves. I do wonder though how much our lives would be better if we learned from others mistakes instead of trying to repeat them ourselves. There might be a lot of mileage in that. 

Ok my thought for today try not to make every mistake myself and learn from others. This might be hard ;0) 


Get reading
Pastor Purple: Day 11: God Answers Job http://pastorpurple.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-11-god-answers-job_07.html?spref=tw

Day 11: God Answers Job

Elihu's observes the power of God
Job 37:1-13
 1 "At this my heart pounds 
       and leaps from its place.
 2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, 
       to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
 3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven 
       and sends it to the ends of the earth.
 4 After that comes the sound of his roar; 
       he thunders with his majestic voice. 
       When his voice resounds, 
       he holds nothing back.
 5 God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; 
       he does great things beyond our understanding.
 6 He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' 
       and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'
 7 So that all men he has made may know his work, 
       he stops every man from his labor. [a]
 8 The animals take cover; 
       they remain in their dens.
 9 The tempest comes out from its chamber, 
       the cold from the driving winds.
 10 The breath of God produces ice, 
       and the broad waters become frozen.
 11 He loads the clouds with moisture; 
       he scatters his lightning through them.
 12 At his direction they swirl around 
       over the face of the whole earth 
       to do whatever he commands them.
 13 He brings the clouds to punish men, 
       or to water his earth [b] and show his love.

Job required to explain the works of nature
Job 37:14-20
 14 "Listen to this, Job; 
       stop and consider God's wonders.
 15 Do you know how God controls the clouds 
       and makes his lightning flash?
 16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, 
       those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?
 17 You who swelter in your clothes 
       when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
 18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, 
       hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
 19 "Tell us what we should say to him; 
       we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
 20 Should he be told that I want to speak? 
       Would any man ask to be swallowed up?

God is great and is to be feared
Job 37:21-24
 21 Now no one can look at the sun, 
       bright as it is in the skies 
       after the wind has swept them clean.
 22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; 
       God comes in awesome majesty.
 23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; 
       in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
 24 Therefore, men revere him, 
       for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart? 

Discourse with Jehovah: God calls upon Job to answer
Job 38:1-3
 1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
 2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel 
       with words without knowledge?
 3 Brace yourself like a man; 
       I will question you, 
       and you shall answer me.

God questions Job
Jib 38:4-41
 4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? 
       Tell me, if you understand.
 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! 
       Who stretched a measuring line across it?
 6 On what were its footings set, 
       or who laid its cornerstone-
 7 while the morning stars sang together 
       and all the angels [a] shouted for joy?
 8 "Who shut up the sea behind doors 
       when it burst forth from the womb,
 9 when I made the clouds its garment 
       and wrapped it in thick darkness,
 10 when I fixed limits for it 
       and set its doors and bars in place,
 11 when I said, 'This far you may come and no farther; 
       here is where your proud waves halt'?
 12 "Have you ever given orders to the morning, 
       or shown the dawn its place,
 13 that it might take the earth by the edges 
       and shake the wicked out of it?
 14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; 
       its features stand out like those of a garment.
 15 The wicked are denied their light, 
       and their upraised arm is broken.
 16 "Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea 
       or walked in the recesses of the deep?
 17 Have the gates of death been shown to you? 
       Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death [b] ?
 18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? 
       Tell me, if you know all this.
 19 "What is the way to the abode of light? 
       And where does darkness reside?
 20 Can you take them to their places? 
       Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
 21 Surely you know, for you were already born! 
       You have lived so many years!
 22 "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow 
       or seen the storehouses of the hail,
 23 which I reserve for times of trouble, 
       for days of war and battle?
 24 What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, 
       or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?
 25 Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, 
       and a path for the thunderstorm,
 26 to water a land where no man lives, 
       a desert with no one in it,
 27 to satisfy a desolate wasteland 
       and make it sprout with grass?
 28 Does the rain have a father? 
       Who fathers the drops of dew?
 29 From whose womb comes the ice? 
       Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens
 30 when the waters become hard as stone, 
       when the surface of the deep is frozen?
 31 "Can you bind the beautiful [c] Pleiades? 
       Can you loose the cords of Orion?
 32 Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons [d] 
       or lead out the Bear [e] with its cubs?
 33 Do you know the laws of the heavens? 
       Can you set up God's [f] dominion over the earth?
 34 "Can you raise your voice to the clouds 
       and cover yourself with a flood of water?
 35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? 
       Do they report to you, 'Here we are'?
 36 Who endowed the heart [g] with wisdom 
       or gave understanding to the mind [h] ?
 37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? 
       Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens
 38 when the dust becomes hard 
       and the clods of earth stick together?
 39 "Do you hunt the prey for the lioness 
       and satisfy the hunger of the lions
 40 when they crouch in their dens 
       or lie in wait in a thicket?
 41 Who provides food for the raven 
       when its young cry out to God 
       and wander about for lack of food?

God inquiries of Job concerning several birds and animals 
Job 39
 1 "Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? 
       Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?
 2 Do you count the months till they bear? 
       Do you know the time they give birth?
 3 They crouch down and bring forth their young; 
       their labor pains are ended.
 4 Their young thrive and grow strong in the wilds; 
       they leave and do not return.
 5 "Who let the wild donkey go free? 
       Who untied his ropes?
 6 I gave him the wasteland as his home, 
       the salt flats as his habitat.
 7 He laughs at the commotion in the town; 
       he does not hear a driver's shout.
 8 He ranges the hills for his pasture 
       and searches for any green thing.
 9 "Will the wild ox consent to serve you? 
       Will he stay by your manger at night?
 10 Can you hold him to the furrow with a harness? 
       Will he till the valleys behind you?
 11 Will you rely on him for his great strength? 
       Will you leave your heavy work to him?
 12 Can you trust him to bring in your grain 
       and gather it to your threshing floor?
 13 "The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, 
       but they cannot compare with the pinions and feathers of the stork.
 14 She lays her eggs on the ground 
       and lets them warm in the sand,
 15 unmindful that a foot may crush them, 
       that some wild animal may trample them.
 16 She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers; 
       she cares not that her labor was in vain,
 17 for God did not endow her with wisdom 
       or give her a share of good sense.
 18 Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, 
       she laughs at horse and rider.
 19 "Do you give the horse his strength 
       or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?
 20 Do you make him leap like a locust, 
       striking terror with his proud snorting?
 21 He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, 
       and charges into the fray.
 22 He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; 
       he does not shy away from the sword.
 23 The quiver rattles against his side, 
       along with the flashing spear and lance.
 24 In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; 
       he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.
 25 At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, 'Aha!' 
       He catches the scent of battle from afar, 
       the shout of commanders and the battle cry.
 26 "Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom 
       and spread his wings toward the south?
 27 Does the eagle soar at your command 
       and build his nest on high?
 28 He dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; 
       a rocky crag is his stronghold.
 29 From there he seeks out his food; 
       his eyes detect it from afar.
 30 His young ones feast on blood, 
       and where the slain are, there is he."

Job humbles himself before God
Job 40:1-5
 1 The LORD said to Job:
 2 "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? 
       Let him who accuses God answer him!"
 3 Then Job answered the LORD :
 4 "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? 
       I put my hand over my mouth.
 5 I spoke once, but I have no answer— 
       twice, but I will say no more."

The Lord reasons with Job
Job 40:6-14
 6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:
 7 "Brace yourself like a man; 
       I will question you, 
       and you shall answer me.
 8 "Would you discredit my justice? 
       Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
 9 Do you have an arm like God's, 
       and can your voice thunder like his?
 10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, 
       and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
 11 Unleash the fury of your wrath, 
       look at every proud man and bring him low,
 12 look at every proud man and humble him, 
       crush the wicked where they stand.
 13 Bury them all in the dust together; 
       shroud their faces in the grave.
 14 Then I myself will admit to you 
       that your own right hand can save you.

God's power shown
Job 40:15-41:34
 15 "Look at the behemoth, [a] 
       which I made along with you 
       and which feeds on grass like an ox.
 16 What strength he has in his loins, 
       what power in the muscles of his belly!
 17 His tail [b] sways like a cedar; 
       the sinews of his thighs are close-knit.
 18 His bones are tubes of bronze, 
       his limbs like rods of iron.
 19 He ranks first among the works of God, 
       yet his Maker can approach him with his sword.
 20 The hills bring him their produce, 
       and all the wild animals play nearby.
 21 Under the lotus plants he lies, 
       hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
 22 The lotuses conceal him in their shadow; 
       the poplars by the stream surround him.
 23 When the river rages, he is not alarmed; 
       he is secure, though the Jordan should surge against his mouth.
 24 Can anyone capture him by the eyes, [c] 
       or trap him and pierce his nose?
Job 41
 1 "Can you pull in the leviathan [a] with a fishhook 
       or tie down his tongue with a rope?
 2 Can you put a cord through his nose 
       or pierce his jaw with a hook?
 3 Will he keep begging you for mercy? 
       Will he speak to you with gentle words?
 4 Will he make an agreement with you 
       for you to take him as your slave for life?
 5 Can you make a pet of him like a bird 
       or put him on a leash for your girls?
 6 Will traders barter for him? 
       Will they divide him up among the merchants?
 7 Can you fill his hide with harpoons 
       or his head with fishing spears?
 8 If you lay a hand on him, 
       you will remember the struggle and never do it again!
 9 Any hope of subduing him is false; 
       the mere sight of him is overpowering.
 10 No one is fierce enough to rouse him. 
       Who then is able to stand against me?
 11 Who has a claim against me that I must pay? 
       Everything under heaven belongs to me.
 12 "I will not fail to speak of his limbs, 
       his strength and his graceful form.
 13 Who can strip off his outer coat? 
       Who would approach him with a bridle?
 14 Who dares open the doors of his mouth, 
       ringed about with his fearsome teeth?
 15 His back has [b] rows of shields 
       tightly sealed together;
 16 each is so close to the next 
       that no air can pass between.
 17 They are joined fast to one another; 
       they cling together and cannot be parted.
 18 His snorting throws out flashes of light; 
       his eyes are like the rays of dawn.
 19 Firebrands stream from his mouth; 
       sparks of fire shoot out.
 20 Smoke pours from his nostrils 
       as from a boiling pot over a fire of reeds.
 21 His breath sets coals ablaze, 
       and flames dart from his mouth.
 22 Strength resides in his neck; 
       dismay goes before him.
 23 The folds of his flesh are tightly joined; 
       they are firm and immovable.
 24 His chest is hard as rock, 
       hard as a lower millstone.
 25 When he rises up, the mighty are terrified; 
       they retreat before his thrashing.
 26 The sword that reaches him has no effect, 
       nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.
 27 Iron he treats like straw 
       and bronze like rotten wood.
 28 Arrows do not make him flee; 
       slingstones are like chaff to him.
 29 A club seems to him but a piece of straw; 
       he laughs at the rattling of the lance.
 30 His undersides are jagged potsherds, 
       leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
 31 He makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron 
       and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.
 32 Behind him he leaves a glistening wake; 
       one would think the deep had white hair.
 33 Nothing on earth is his equal— 
       a creature without fear.
 34 He looks down on all that are haughty; 
       he is king over all that are proud."

Discourse with Jehovah continued: Job humbly submits to God
Job 42:1-6
 1 Then Job replied to the LORD :
 2 "I know that you can do all things; 
       no plan of yours can be thwarted.
 3 You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' 
       Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, 
       things too wonderful for me to know.
 4 "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; 
       I will question you, 
       and you shall answer me.'
 5 My ears had heard of you 
       but now my eyes have seen you.
 6 Therefore I despise myself 
       and repent in dust and ashes."

He intercedes for his friends
Job 42:7-10
 7 After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job's prayer.
 10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. 

His renewed prosperity
Job 42:11-17
11 All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver [a] and a gold ring.
 12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. 15 Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.
 16 After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. 17 And so he died, old and full of years.


Biblegateway.com 
New International Version

Day 11: God Answers Job

Elihu's observes the power of God
Job 37:1-13
 1 "At this my heart pounds 
       and leaps from its place.
 2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, 
       to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
 3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven 
       and sends it to the ends of the earth.
 4 After that comes the sound of his roar; 
       he thunders with his majestic voice. 
       When his voice resounds, 
       he holds nothing back.
 5 God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; 
       he does great things beyond our understanding.
 6 He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' 
       and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'
 7 So that all men he has made may know his work, 
       he stops every man from his labor. [a]
 8 The animals take cover; 
       they remain in their dens.
 9 The tempest comes out from its chamber, 
       the cold from the driving winds.
 10 The breath of God produces ice, 
       and the broad waters become frozen.
 11 He loads the clouds with moisture; 
       he scatters his lightning through them.
 12 At his direction they swirl around 
       over the face of the whole earth 
       to do whatever he commands them.
 13 He brings the clouds to punish men, 
       or to water his earth [b] and show his love.

Job required to explain the works of nature
Job 37:14-20
 14 "Listen to this, Job; 
       stop and consider God's wonders.
 15 Do you know how God controls the clouds 
       and makes his lightning flash?
 16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, 
       those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?
 17 You who swelter in your clothes 
       when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
 18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, 
       hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
 19 "Tell us what we should say to him; 
       we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
 20 Should he be told that I want to speak? 
       Would any man ask to be swallowed up?

God is great and is to be feared
Job 37:21-24
 21 Now no one can look at the sun, 
       bright as it is in the skies 
       after the wind has swept them clean.
 22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; 
       God comes in awesome majesty.
 23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; 
       in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
 24 Therefore, men revere him, 
       for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart? 

Discourse with Jehovah: God calls upon Job to answer
Job 38:1-3
 1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
 2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel 
       with words without knowledge?
 3 Brace yourself like a man; 
       I will question you, 
       and you shall answer me.

God questions Job
Jib 38:4-41
 4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? 
       Tell me, if you understand.
 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! 
       Who stretched a measuring line across it?
 6 On what were its footings set, 
       or who laid its cornerstone-
 7 while the morning stars sang together 
       and all the angels [a] shouted for joy?
 8 "Who shut up the sea behind doors 
       when it burst forth from the womb,
 9 when I made the clouds its garment 
       and wrapped it in thick darkness,
 10 when I fixed limits for it 
       and set its doors and bars in place,
 11 when I said, 'This far you may come and no farther; 
       here is where your proud waves halt'?
 12 "Have you ever given orders to the morning, 
       or shown the dawn its place,
 13 that it might take the earth by the edges 
       and shake the wicked out of it?
 14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; 
       its features stand out like those of a garment.
 15 The wicked are denied their light, 
       and their upraised arm is broken.
 16 "Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea 
       or walked in the recesses of the deep?
 17 Have the gates of death been shown to you? 
       Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death [b] ?
 18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? 
       Tell me, if you know all this.
 19 "What is the way to the abode of light? 
       And where does darkness reside?
 20 Can you take them to their places? 
       Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
 21 Surely you know, for you were already born! 
       You have lived so many years!
 22 "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow 
       or seen the storehouses of the hail,
 23 which I reserve for times of trouble, 
       for days of war and battle?
 24 What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, 
       or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?
 25 Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, 
       and a path for the thunderstorm,
 26 to water a land where no man lives, 
       a desert with no one in it,
 27 to satisfy a desolate wasteland 
       and make it sprout with grass?
 28 Does the rain have a father? 
       Who fathers the drops of dew?
 29 From whose womb comes the ice? 
       Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens
 30 when the waters become hard as stone, 
       when the surface of the deep is frozen?
 31 "Can you bind the beautiful [c] Pleiades? 
       Can you loose the cords of Orion?
 32 Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons [d] 
       or lead out the Bear [e] with its cubs?
 33 Do you know the laws of the heavens? 
       Can you set up God's [f] dominion over the earth?
 34 "Can you raise your voice to the clouds 
       and cover yourself with a flood of water?
 35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? 
       Do they report to you, 'Here we are'?
 36 Who endowed the heart [g] with wisdom 
       or gave understanding to the mind [h] ?
 37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? 
       Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens
 38 when the dust becomes hard 
       and the clods of earth stick together?
 39 "Do you hunt the prey for the lioness 
       and satisfy the hunger of the lions
 40 when they crouch in their dens 
       or lie in wait in a thicket?
 41 Who provides food for the raven 
       when its young cry out to God 
       and wander about for lack of food?

God inquiries of Job concerning several birds and animals 
Job 39
 1 "Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? 
       Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?
 2 Do you count the months till they bear? 
       Do you know the time they give birth?
 3 They crouch down and bring forth their young; 
       their labor pains are ended.
 4 Their young thrive and grow strong in the wilds; 
       they leave and do not return.
 5 "Who let the wild donkey go free? 
       Who untied his ropes?
 6 I gave him the wasteland as his home, 
       the salt flats as his habitat.
 7 He laughs at the commotion in the town; 
       he does not hear a driver's shout.
 8 He ranges the hills for his pasture 
       and searches for any green thing.
 9 "Will the wild ox consent to serve you? 
       Will he stay by your manger at night?
 10 Can you hold him to the furrow with a harness? 
       Will he till the valleys behind you?
 11 Will you rely on him for his great strength? 
       Will you leave your heavy work to him?
 12 Can you trust him to bring in your grain 
       and gather it to your threshing floor?
 13 "The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, 
       but they cannot compare with the pinions and feathers of the stork.
 14 She lays her eggs on the ground 
       and lets them warm in the sand,
 15 unmindful that a foot may crush them, 
       that some wild animal may trample them.
 16 She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers; 
       she cares not that her labor was in vain,
 17 for God did not endow her with wisdom 
       or give her a share of good sense.
 18 Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, 
       she laughs at horse and rider.
 19 "Do you give the horse his strength 
       or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?
 20 Do you make him leap like a locust, 
       striking terror with his proud snorting?
 21 He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, 
       and charges into the fray.
 22 He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; 
       he does not shy away from the sword.
 23 The quiver rattles against his side, 
       along with the flashing spear and lance.
 24 In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; 
       he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.
 25 At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, 'Aha!' 
       He catches the scent of battle from afar, 
       the shout of commanders and the battle cry.
 26 "Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom 
       and spread his wings toward the south?
 27 Does the eagle soar at your command 
       and build his nest on high?
 28 He dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; 
       a rocky crag is his stronghold.
 29 From there he seeks out his food; 
       his eyes detect it from afar.
 30 His young ones feast on blood, 
       and where the slain are, there is he."

Job humbles himself before God
Job 40:1-5
 1 The LORD said to Job:
 2 "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? 
       Let him who accuses God answer him!"
 3 Then Job answered the LORD :
 4 "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? 
       I put my hand over my mouth.
 5 I spoke once, but I have no answer— 
       twice, but I will say no more."

The Lord reasons with Job
Job 40:6-14
 6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:
 7 "Brace yourself like a man; 
       I will question you, 
       and you shall answer me.
 8 "Would you discredit my justice? 
       Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
 9 Do you have an arm like God's, 
       and can your voice thunder like his?
 10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, 
       and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
 11 Unleash the fury of your wrath, 
       look at every proud man and bring him low,
 12 look at every proud man and humble him, 
       crush the wicked where they stand.
 13 Bury them all in the dust together; 
       shroud their faces in the grave.
 14 Then I myself will admit to you 
       that your own right hand can save you.

God's power shown
Job 40:15-41:34
 15 "Look at the behemoth, [a] 
       which I made along with you 
       and which feeds on grass like an ox.
 16 What strength he has in his loins, 
       what power in the muscles of his belly!
 17 His tail [b] sways like a cedar; 
       the sinews of his thighs are close-knit.
 18 His bones are tubes of bronze, 
       his limbs like rods of iron.
 19 He ranks first among the works of God, 
       yet his Maker can approach him with his sword.
 20 The hills bring him their produce, 
       and all the wild animals play nearby.
 21 Under the lotus plants he lies, 
       hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
 22 The lotuses conceal him in their shadow; 
       the poplars by the stream surround him.
 23 When the river rages, he is not alarmed; 
       he is secure, though the Jordan should surge against his mouth.
 24 Can anyone capture him by the eyes, [c] 
       or trap him and pierce his nose?
Job 41
 1 "Can you pull in the leviathan [a] with a fishhook 
       or tie down his tongue with a rope?
 2 Can you put a cord through his nose 
       or pierce his jaw with a hook?
 3 Will he keep begging you for mercy? 
       Will he speak to you with gentle words?
 4 Will he make an agreement with you 
       for you to take him as your slave for life?
 5 Can you make a pet of him like a bird 
       or put him on a leash for your girls?
 6 Will traders barter for him? 
       Will they divide him up among the merchants?
 7 Can you fill his hide with harpoons 
       or his head with fishing spears?
 8 If you lay a hand on him, 
       you will remember the struggle and never do it again!
 9 Any hope of subduing him is false; 
       the mere sight of him is overpowering.
 10 No one is fierce enough to rouse him. 
       Who then is able to stand against me?
 11 Who has a claim against me that I must pay? 
       Everything under heaven belongs to me.
 12 "I will not fail to speak of his limbs, 
       his strength and his graceful form.
 13 Who can strip off his outer coat? 
       Who would approach him with a bridle?
 14 Who dares open the doors of his mouth, 
       ringed about with his fearsome teeth?
 15 His back has [b] rows of shields 
       tightly sealed together;
 16 each is so close to the next 
       that no air can pass between.
 17 They are joined fast to one another; 
       they cling together and cannot be parted.
 18 His snorting throws out flashes of light; 
       his eyes are like the rays of dawn.
 19 Firebrands stream from his mouth; 
       sparks of fire shoot out.
 20 Smoke pours from his nostrils 
       as from a boiling pot over a fire of reeds.
 21 His breath sets coals ablaze, 
       and flames dart from his mouth.
 22 Strength resides in his neck; 
       dismay goes before him.
 23 The folds of his flesh are tightly joined; 
       they are firm and immovable.
 24 His chest is hard as rock, 
       hard as a lower millstone.
 25 When he rises up, the mighty are terrified; 
       they retreat before his thrashing.
 26 The sword that reaches him has no effect, 
       nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.
 27 Iron he treats like straw 
       and bronze like rotten wood.
 28 Arrows do not make him flee; 
       slingstones are like chaff to him.
 29 A club seems to him but a piece of straw; 
       he laughs at the rattling of the lance.
 30 His undersides are jagged potsherds, 
       leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
 31 He makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron 
       and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.
 32 Behind him he leaves a glistening wake; 
       one would think the deep had white hair.
 33 Nothing on earth is his equal— 
       a creature without fear.
 34 He looks down on all that are haughty; 
       he is king over all that are proud."

Discourse with Jehovah continued: Job humbly submits to God
Job 42:1-6
 1 Then Job replied to the LORD :
 2 "I know that you can do all things; 
       no plan of yours can be thwarted.
 3 You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' 
       Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, 
       things too wonderful for me to know.
 4 "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; 
       I will question you, 
       and you shall answer me.'
 5 My ears had heard of you 
       but now my eyes have seen you.
 6 Therefore I despise myself 
       and repent in dust and ashes."

He intercedes for his friends
Job 42:7-10
 7 After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job's prayer.
 10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. 

His renewed prosperity
Job 42:11-17
11 All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver [a] and a gold ring.
 12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. 15 Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.
 16 After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. 17 And so he died, old and full of years.


Biblegateway.com 
New International Version

Bible Thought for Today: Acts 13:44-52

"But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium." Acts 13:51

When I grew up it didn't seem to matter which church or denomination they were this text was a favourite amongst some people. I remember it didn't matter what the situation the appropriate response could be well just shake the dust from your feet and leave them people.

So I would have a rough time at school and they would say don't worry dear at the end of the school year just dust your foot and leave dem people.
If someone disagreed with someone else. Don't worry dear just dust your foot and leave dem people dem will soon see.

I never really understood what that was about and it always seemed so final. But here are the disciples doing it. The difference however is quite marked. You see the disciples were preaching the gospel and had reached the people. The stubborn Jewish leaders who were not interested had done their worse and still had not succeeded. So the disciples shook the dust off their work was complete the Holy Spirit was working and they were free to move on.

What are we like? Do we use the phrase all to readily to wipe people off and move on like all those people when I was growing up or are we working hard on Gods mission and only when we have come to the end of our task and God instructs are we dusting off our feet. I don't know maybe the older I get the more forgiving I become. Or maybe it's the more mistakes I make the more forgiving I become but I am not ready to dust my feet off to anyone unless so instructed by God.

Tuesday 6 July 2010

Day 10: Choice

This is the part of Job that sits uncomfortably with me. In my life I have cried out to God on numerous occasions why me? Lord I am a good person, why do you allow this to happen to me? How could you let someone do this to me? What did I do to deserve this situation? Maybe we have all been there but each time I am unfortunate to hear that because there is sin in the world then there will be pain. Because you have the power to choose then there will be pain. 

If someone has caused me pain. I often cry out why. But they have the same right that I do to decide. That means if they decide to inflict pain on me they can. I am no more able to take away their power of choice than my own choice no matter how much I think they should be forced him to behave.

Each time a physical disease or death come to me or someone I love. I cry out why? But should it be that the only people to get sick are those that are evil. Who determines who is evil. And just cause someone behaves evil today does that mean they will be evil tomorrow? I know there are some days that I wish would be wiped from my life because of what I had done. If i am judged only on those things would I be considered evil. Our bodies are dying because there is sin, all of our bodies and there is nothing I can do about that. 

When there are natural disasters and I cry out to God why? Then I have to face up to the fact that each day we treat our planet worse. We abuse the wildlife, countryside and landscapes. What God gave us to look after we have destroyed and still continue to do. So when it breaks down what do we expect that it only hits the unjust. 

Suffering and pain are hard to bear. Each day people deal with things that I can only imagine make them want to give up. Each day people wake up with suffering that is immeasurable and there is no easy answer. There is no magic pill we can swallow to make it better. Each day there are crimes committed that cause me to want the death penalty re-instituted. But each day I choose to trust God. It is not easy and it takes time but God has proved to me daily that He is trustworthy.

How is God trustworthy? Well he has been with me through all that I have faced. He has never left me alone to deal with anything that this world has to bring. Through the good and the bad God has stood with me and given me the strength to go on and more than that has helped not to allow things to destroy me. It is not easy to face the world and all of the negative but with God I am thankful to say there is positive and this I can always stand on.  

To reads today's bible reading check out the blog 
Pastor Purple: Day 10: Elihu's Perspective http://pastorpurple.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-10-elihus-perspective.html?spref=tw

Day 10: Elihu's Perspective

Job declares his uprightness, integrity and mercy
Job 31:1-23
 1 "I made a covenant with my eyes 
       not to look lustfully at a girl.
 2 For what is man's lot from God above, 
       his heritage from the Almighty on high?
 3 Is it not ruin for the wicked, 
       disaster for those who do wrong?
 4 Does he not see my ways 
       and count my every step?
 5 "If I have walked in falsehood 
       or my foot has hurried after deceit-
 6 let God weigh me in honest scales 
       and he will know that I am blameless-
 7 if my steps have turned from the path, 
       if my heart has been led by my eyes, 
       or if my hands have been defiled,
 8 then may others eat what I have sown, 
       and may my crops be uprooted.
 9 "If my heart has been enticed by a woman, 
       or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door,
 10 then may my wife grind another man's grain, 
       and may other men sleep with her.
 11 For that would have been shameful, 
       a sin to be judged.
 12 It is a fire that burns to Destruction [a] ; 
       it would have uprooted my harvest.
 13 "If I have denied justice to my menservants and maidservants 
       when they had a grievance against me,
 14 what will I do when God confronts me? 
       What will I answer when called to account?
 15 Did not he who made me in the womb make them? 
       Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?
 16 "If I have denied the desires of the poor 
       or let the eyes of the widow grow weary,
 17 if I have kept my bread to myself, 
       not sharing it with the fatherless-
 18 but from my youth I reared him as would a father, 
       and from my birth I guided the widow-
 19 if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, 
       or a needy man without a garment,
 20 and his heart did not bless me 
       for warming him with the fleece from my sheep,
 21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, 
       knowing that I had influence in court,
 22 then let my arm fall from the shoulder, 
       let it be broken off at the joint.
 23 For I dreaded destruction from God, 
       and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.

Job not guilty of covetousness, idolatry or hypocrisy
Job 31:24-40
 24 "If I have put my trust in gold 
       or said to pure gold, 'You are my security,'
 25 if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, 
       the fortune my hands had gained,
 26 if I have regarded the sun in its radiance 
       or the moon moving in splendor,
 27 so that my heart was secretly enticed 
       and my hand offered them a kiss of homage,
 28 then these also would be sins to be judged, 
       for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.
 29 "If I have rejoiced at my enemy's misfortune 
       or gloated over the trouble that came to him-
 30 I have not allowed my mouth to sin 
       by invoking a curse against his life-
 31 if the men of my household have never said, 
       'Who has not had his fill of Job's meat?'-
 32 but no stranger had to spend the night in the street, 
       for my door was always open to the traveler-
 33 if I have concealed my sin as men do, [b] 
       by hiding my guilt in my heart
 34 because I so feared the crowd 
       and so dreaded the contempt of the clans 
       that I kept silent and would not go outside
 35 ("Oh, that I had someone to hear me! 
       I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; 
       let my accuser put his indictment in writing.
 36 Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, 
       I would put it on like a crown.
 37 I would give him an account of my every step; 
       like a prince I would approach him.)-
 38 "if my land cries out against me 
       and all its furrows are wet with tears,
 39 if I have devoured its yield without payment 
       or broken the spirit of its tenants,
 40 then let briers come up instead of wheat 
       and weeds instead of barley." 
      The words of Job are ended.

Elihu is displeased at the dispute
Job 32:1-5
 1 So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. 3 He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. [a] 4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he. 5 But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

He reproves Job and his friends
Job 32:6-14
 6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: 
       "I am young in years, 
       and you are old; 
       that is why I was fearful, 
       not daring to tell you what I know.
 7 I thought, 'Age should speak; 
       advanced years should teach wisdom.'
 8 But it is the spirit [b] in a man, 
       the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
 9 It is not only the old [c] who are wise, 
       not only the aged who understand what is right.
 10 "Therefore I say: Listen to me; 
       I too will tell you what I know.
 11 I waited while you spoke, 
       I listened to your reasoning; 
       while you were searching for words,
 12 I gave you my full attention. 
       But not one of you has proved Job wrong; 
       none of you has answered his arguments.
 13 Do not say, 'We have found wisdom; 
       let God refute him, not man.'
 14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me, 
       and I will not answer him with your arguments.

He speaks without partiality
Job 32:15-22
 15 "They are dismayed and have no more to say; 
       words have failed them.
 16 Must I wait, now that they are silent, 
       now that they stand there with no reply?
 17 I too will have my say; 
       I too will tell what I know.
 18 For I am full of words, 
       and the spirit within me compels me;
 19 inside I am like bottled-up wine, 
       like new wineskins ready to burst.
 20 I must speak and find relief; 
       I must open my lips and reply.
 21 I will show partiality to no one, 
       nor will I flatter any man;
 22 for if I were skilled in flattery, 
       my Maker would soon take me away.

Elihu offers to reason with Job and entreats his attention
Job 331-33
 1 "But now, Job, listen to my words; 
       pay attention to everything I say.
 2 I am about to open my mouth; 
       my words are on the tip of my tongue.
 3 My words come from an upright heart; 
       my lips sincerely speak what I know.
 4 The Spirit of God has made me; 
       the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
 5 Answer me then, if you can; 
       prepare yourself and confront me.
 6 I am just like you before God; 
       I too have been taken from clay.
 7 No fear of me should alarm you, 
       nor should my hand be heavy upon you.
 8 "But you have said in my hearing— 
       I heard the very words-
 9 'I am pure and without sin; 
       I am clean and free from guilt.
 10 Yet God has found fault with me; 
       he considers me his enemy.
 11 He fastens my feet in shackles; 
       he keeps close watch on all my paths.'
 12 "But I tell you, in this you are not right, 
       for God is greater than man.
 13 Why do you complain to him 
       that he answers none of man's words [a] ?
 14 For God does speak—now one way, now another— 
       though man may not perceive it.
 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, 
       when deep sleep falls on men 
       as they slumber in their beds,
 16 he may speak in their ears 
       and terrify them with warnings,
 17 to turn man from wrongdoing 
       and keep him from pride,
 18 to preserve his soul from the pit, [b] 
       his life from perishing by the sword. [c]
 19 Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain 
       with constant distress in his bones,
 20 so that his very being finds food repulsive 
       and his soul loathes the choicest meal.
 21 His flesh wastes away to nothing, 
       and his bones, once hidden, now stick out.
 22 His soul draws near to the pit, [d] 
       and his life to the messengers of death. [e]
 23 "Yet if there is an angel on his side 
       as a mediator, one out of a thousand, 
       to tell a man what is right for him,
 24 to be gracious to him and say, 
       'Spare him from going down to the pit [f] ; 
       I have found a ransom for him'-
 25 then his flesh is renewed like a child's; 
       it is restored as in the days of his youth.
 26 He prays to God and finds favor with him, 
       he sees God's face and shouts for joy; 
       he is restored by God to his righteous state.
 27 Then he comes to men and says, 
       'I sinned, and perverted what was right, 
       but I did not get what I deserved.
 28 He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, [g] 
       and I will live to enjoy the light.'
 29 "God does all these things to a man— 
       twice, even three times-
 30 to turn back his soul from the pit, [h] 
       that the light of life may shine on him.
 31 "Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; 
       be silent, and I will speak.
 32 If you have anything to say, answer me; 
       speak up, for I want you to be cleared.
 33 But if not, then listen to me; 
       be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."

Elihu accuses Job of charging God with injustice and reproves him
Job 34
 1 Then Elihu said:
 2 "Hear my words, you wise men; 
       listen to me, you men of learning.
 3 For the ear tests words 
       as the tongue tastes food.
 4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; 
       let us learn together what is good.
 5 "Job says, 'I am innocent, 
       but God denies me justice.
 6 Although I am right, 
       I am considered a liar; 
       although I am guiltless, 
       his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.'
 7 What man is like Job, 
       who drinks scorn like water?
 8 He keeps company with evildoers; 
       he associates with wicked men.
 9 For he says, 'It profits a man nothing 
       when he tries to please God.'
 10 "So listen to me, you men of understanding. 
       Far be it from God to do evil, 
       from the Almighty to do wrong.
 11 He repays a man for what he has done; 
       he brings upon him what his conduct deserves.
 12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, 
       that the Almighty would pervert justice.
 13 Who appointed him over the earth? 
       Who put him in charge of the whole world?
 14 If it were his intention 
       and he withdrew his spirit [a] and breath,
 15 all mankind would perish together 
       and man would return to the dust.
 16 "If you have understanding, hear this; 
       listen to what I say.
 17 Can he who hates justice govern? 
       Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
 18 Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' 
       and to nobles, 'You are wicked,'
 19 who shows no partiality to princes 
       and does not favor the rich over the poor, 
       for they are all the work of his hands?
 20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; 
       the people are shaken and they pass away; 
       the mighty are removed without human hand.
 21 "His eyes are on the ways of men; 
       he sees their every step.
 22 There is no dark place, no deep shadow, 
       where evildoers can hide.
 23 God has no need to examine men further, 
       that they should come before him for judgment.
 24 Without inquiry he shatters the mighty 
       and sets up others in their place.
 25 Because he takes note of their deeds, 
       he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
 26 He punishes them for their wickedness 
       where everyone can see them,
 27 because they turned from following him 
       and had no regard for any of his ways.
 28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, 
       so that he heard the cry of the needy.
 29 But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? 
       If he hides his face, who can see him? 
       Yet he is over man and nation alike,
 30 to keep a godless man from ruling, 
       from laying snares for the people.
 31 "Suppose a man says to God, 
       'I am guilty but will offend no more.
 32 Teach me what I cannot see; 
       if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.'
 33 Should God then reward you on your terms, 
       when you refuse to repent? 
       You must decide, not I; 
       so tell me what you know.
 34 "Men of understanding declare, 
       wise men who hear me say to me,
 35 'Job speaks without knowledge; 
       his words lack insight.'
 36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost 
       for answering like a wicked man!
 37 To his sin he adds rebellion; 
       scornfully he claps his hands among us 
       and multiplies his words against God."

Elihu speaks of man's conduct and reproves Job's impatience
Job 35:1-16
 1 Then Elihu said:
 2 "Do you think this is just? 
       You say, 'I will be cleared by God. [a] '
 3 Yet you ask him, 'What profit is it to me, [b] 
       and what do I gain by not sinning?'
 4 "I would like to reply to you 
       and to your friends with you.
 5 Look up at the heavens and see; 
       gaze at the clouds so high above you.
 6 If you sin, how does that affect him? 
       If your sins are many, what does that do to him?
 7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him, 
       or what does he receive from your hand?
 8 Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, 
       and your righteousness only the sons of men.
 9 "Men cry out under a load of oppression; 
       they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful.
 10 But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, 
       who gives songs in the night,
 11 who teaches more to us than to [c] the beasts of the earth 
       and makes us wiser than [d] the birds of the air?'
 12 He does not answer when men cry out 
       because of the arrogance of the wicked.
 13 Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; 
       the Almighty pays no attention to it.
 14 How much less, then, will he listen 
       when you say that you do not see him, 
       that your case is before him 
       and you must wait for him,
 15 and further, that his anger never punishes 
       and he does not take the least notice of wickedness. [e]
 16 So Job opens his mouth with empty talk; 
       without knowledge he multiplies words."

Elihu desires Job's attention and counsels him
Job 36:1-33
 1 Elihu continued:
 2 "Bear with me a little longer and I will show you 
       that there is more to be said in God's behalf.
 3 I get my knowledge from afar; 
       I will ascribe justice to my Maker.
 4 Be assured that my words are not false; 
       one perfect in knowledge is with you.
 5 "God is mighty, but does not despise men; 
       he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.
 6 He does not keep the wicked alive 
       but gives the afflicted their rights.
 7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; 
       he enthrones them with kings 
       and exalts them forever.
 8 But if men are bound in chains, 
       held fast by cords of affliction,
 9 he tells them what they have done— 
       that they have sinned arrogantly.
 10 He makes them listen to correction 
       and commands them to repent of their evil.
 11 If they obey and serve him, 
       they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity 
       and their years in contentment.
 12 But if they do not listen, 
       they will perish by the sword [a] 
       and die without knowledge.
 13 "The godless in heart harbor resentment; 
       even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.
 14 They die in their youth, 
       among male prostitutes of the shrines.
 15 But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; 
       he speaks to them in their affliction.
 16 "He is wooing you from the jaws of distress 
       to a spacious place free from restriction, 
       to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.
 17 But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; 
       judgment and justice have taken hold of you.
 18 Be careful that no one entices you by riches; 
       do not let a large bribe turn you aside.
 19 Would your wealth 
       or even all your mighty efforts 
       sustain you so you would not be in distress?
 20 Do not long for the night, 
       to drag people away from their homes. [b]
 21 Beware of turning to evil, 
       which you seem to prefer to affliction.
 22 "God is exalted in his power. 
       Who is a teacher like him?
 23 Who has prescribed his ways for him, 
       or said to him, 'You have done wrong'?
 24 Remember to extol his work, 
       which men have praised in song.
 25 All mankind has seen it; 
       men gaze on it from afar.
 26 How great is God—beyond our understanding! 
       The number of his years is past finding out.
 27 "He draws up the drops of water, 
       which distill as rain to the streams [c] ;
 28 the clouds pour down their moisture 
       and abundant showers fall on mankind.
 29 Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, 
       how he thunders from his pavilion?
 30 See how he scatters his lightning about him, 
       bathing the depths of the sea.
 31 This is the way he governs [d] the nations 
       and provides food in abundance.
 32 He fills his hands with lightning 
       and commands it to strike its mark.
 33 His thunder announces the coming storm; 
       even the cattle make known its approach. [e]


Biblegateway.com 
New International Version

Bible Thought For Today: Acts 13:4-12

This is fast becoming my favourite story. Paul and Barnabas are due to meet the Governor but in doing so meet a sorcerer who is advising the Governor badly. As soon as they come into contact with Paul spots that he is a fake and causes him to go blamed. The Governor becomes a Christian at seeing what has happened.

I wonder how much the Governor knew about this man, this sorcerer. The text says that the Governor was a an intelligent man but still he had a sorcerer as an advisor. It does make you wonder about today's society. I know people with degrees on degrees but still they can't make it through the day without consulting an astrologer.

Today I watched on a regular chat show where one of the women explained that as she was walking down the road in New York she was approached by a psychic. This psychic told her that really she was a lost soul from the 16th century that had died young and that's why she can't find love today. Well I almost fell off my chair laughing and the audience initially gave a little chuckle but then they rationalised this talking about her life how she had not found love and the fact she was a little eccentric. All of a sudden there were stories being shared about their own experiences with psychics. These are so called rational, intelligent women who are successful in their careers and have families and great celebrity lives.

It seems that today while the world and especially some of the scientific community call Christians crazy for their beliefs. It makes me wonder how all of these other somewhat questionable practices are so accepted in main stream society. If the intelligent are deceived from Jesus time to now don't we have to be extra careful. Thankfully the story ends well and only the sorcerer is penalised for his actions and the Governor has an opportunity to meet Jesus.

Maybe I love the story because it is so simple and the dodgy person who claims to have sight his sight is taken from him. Simple justice but more than that someone actually gets to see the person for what they really are a fraud. But here came a really scary thought for me. Who do I have around me, advising me? Are they trustworthy, honest, and God fearing? Well now that is something I need to pray about.