A little thought about the tower of babel.
Adam and Eve were directed to rule over the earth and to fill it.
Genesis 1:28 (ESV)
And God blessed them. And God said to them,(A) "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
When Adam and Eve were in the garden there was peace and contentment. When the fall came there was banishment. Banishment from the place of peace, contentment, unity, relationship, unity:
Genesis 3:23 (NIV)
So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.
When Cain sinned he was banished from his relationships and became a "restless wanderer"
Genesis 4:12 (NIV)
When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."
Noah's descendants were to rule the earth.
Genesis 9:7 (NIV)
As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."
God's directive - increase upon the earth and fill it (increase upon it as the NIV says).
Genesis 11:1-9 (NIV)
1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As men moved eastward, [a] they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.
3 They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 6 The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."
8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel [c] —because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
God said spread out. They stayed put. God spread them out.
Dependence on God is the only way.
1 Samuel 8:7
And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.
Interesting to me that the more rural communities tend to be more independent. The larger more urban areas tend to have a larger we can solve it together attitude.
Red States and Blue States. I am for social justice. I hate oppression. I hate injustice. I hate prejudice, racism, poverty, sickness, intolerance, slavery and all of the rest. This world / Christ's Church is to move wholeheartedly against all of these.
The question: Where is the source of the answer. The answer is not in small government, large government, personal responsibility or socialism. The answer is not in Washington, the Major, the City Council or the Justice of the Peace.
Do we look to ourselves for the answer or do we write His word deeply on our hearts and let His spirit lead us. Are you hoping in the next election or are you renewing your heart (Romans 12:1), loving your neighbor and pointing Him to the great healer?
Deuteronomy 11:19
Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Revelation 21:16
The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia (8.7 stadia to the mile) in length, and as wide and high as it is long.
The new Jerusalem will be the new Tower of Babel - 1379 miles wide, deep and high.
A Tower we can live in without trying to fix it on our own. We will live under purity, truth, righteousness and above all His Kingship.
Until that time comes spread it out and try not to decide too much on your own.
Come quickly lord Jesus.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Problem of Pain
satan - son of the morning, couldn't have had a better deal, yet he and a third or the angels weren't content. Not sure what happened. Some say they saw that God's creation of women was exceedingly perfect and they rebelled. Regardless they didn't find their contentment in Him.
And that is where sin starts. Being discontent. Not finding your job and peace in Him alone. Taking your eyes off of Him. Allowing all of the junk in this world distract you and scare you. He is quite clear, be anxious for nothing.
Luke 10:18
He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Adam and Eve - couldn't have had a better deal. Perfect garden. They were King and Queen and they were made and allowed to rule. In the cool of each day they walked with God and shared their excitement and wonder at God's creation. Like a small child in a toy store. There was peace and harmony. The Lamb and the Lion lay down together.
Thinking time had passed and there was routine, familiarity and boredom. Wandering around sniffing that rotten fruit. Looking at it. They saw it was "pleasing to look at". Why were they there looking at it. You don't stay away from the buffet by getting in the line. They decided that God was not enough, that they needed one more thing.
That's the whole story. The moment we decide we are unhappy, worried, discontent and not filled with Him we die, we sin. Certainly we are in a fallen world and (Rom 8) the whole creation groans as in the pains of childbirth ... and not only so, but we ourselves who have the first fruits of the spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body...
Are you content in Him? Is He enough or do you need just one more thing? One more bill paid? One more dollar? A job? A relationship? Another rescue?
Trust and Obey. Deny yourself. Keep your on Him. As my dad used to say, "Greg, keep your eye on the ball".
A difference between them and us. They didn't have pain before their fall. I know God hates pain. I know God shares our pain, all of it, for all people, for all time, condensed into a constant present reality for Him. I agonize over all of the pain in my world and over all that I am presented with. I am overwhelmed and grieving, but I see the least little smidgen of the death brought on by sin.
God knew the pain would come as horrific as has been, is and will be, it is not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.
I wonder if He knew we would fall if not allowed to sin and realize the pain. In our home we have small children and the familiar phrase "the stove is hot", "that electric plus is hot" is required training. While I would do anything to keep my three sons from pain, from the mistakes I made and the pain I endured, I know deep in my heart that they will have to have the pain, in order to learn.
Wonder if God knows that without the pain we too will one day rebel once we finally make it to the New Jerusalem.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
And that is where sin starts. Being discontent. Not finding your job and peace in Him alone. Taking your eyes off of Him. Allowing all of the junk in this world distract you and scare you. He is quite clear, be anxious for nothing.
Luke 10:18
He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Adam and Eve - couldn't have had a better deal. Perfect garden. They were King and Queen and they were made and allowed to rule. In the cool of each day they walked with God and shared their excitement and wonder at God's creation. Like a small child in a toy store. There was peace and harmony. The Lamb and the Lion lay down together.
Thinking time had passed and there was routine, familiarity and boredom. Wandering around sniffing that rotten fruit. Looking at it. They saw it was "pleasing to look at". Why were they there looking at it. You don't stay away from the buffet by getting in the line. They decided that God was not enough, that they needed one more thing.
That's the whole story. The moment we decide we are unhappy, worried, discontent and not filled with Him we die, we sin. Certainly we are in a fallen world and (Rom 8) the whole creation groans as in the pains of childbirth ... and not only so, but we ourselves who have the first fruits of the spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body...
Are you content in Him? Is He enough or do you need just one more thing? One more bill paid? One more dollar? A job? A relationship? Another rescue?
Trust and Obey. Deny yourself. Keep your on Him. As my dad used to say, "Greg, keep your eye on the ball".
A difference between them and us. They didn't have pain before their fall. I know God hates pain. I know God shares our pain, all of it, for all people, for all time, condensed into a constant present reality for Him. I agonize over all of the pain in my world and over all that I am presented with. I am overwhelmed and grieving, but I see the least little smidgen of the death brought on by sin.
God knew the pain would come as horrific as has been, is and will be, it is not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.
I wonder if He knew we would fall if not allowed to sin and realize the pain. In our home we have small children and the familiar phrase "the stove is hot", "that electric plus is hot" is required training. While I would do anything to keep my three sons from pain, from the mistakes I made and the pain I endured, I know deep in my heart that they will have to have the pain, in order to learn.
Wonder if God knows that without the pain we too will one day rebel once we finally make it to the New Jerusalem.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Fear
I am struck at how much of my life has been about fear. Each valley, dark and fearful. Each mountain top reflecting on the unshakable, completely reliable, unwavering, constant, immovable faithfulness of our God. Wondering why I doubted. Realizing at the end of the day God is always the same and all I have left is the image of who I was in the journey. Crying, scared, worried, anxious and on it goes. Full of darkness and death.
He never changes. He is always faithful. He is the same yesterday today and forever. He is all powerful. He is all knowing. He is everywhere. He is not surprised. He knew before He spoke the world into existence exactly what would happen and chose us anyway. He knew the pain and counted it worthwhile for an eternity in relationship with us. He also knew the pain we would encounter would be exceedingly worthwhile - Rom 8 ...I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us... (see the previous post)
Some years ago my wife and I had experienced some years of infertility. Through many tears, some surgeries and waiting, God moved. He waited as long as it took for us to let go. We must be content in Him and Him alone. Until we released the anxiety, it would never happen. When we came to the end of ourselves, He quickly opened the door.
Later, more infertility. Doctor - door closed, no more. Disturbed. We let go. God opened a new door, through foster/adoption.
Fear (back again). Horror stories from CPS, badly damaged and wounded children. how could we say no to a child. How could we possible say yes. What about our busy lives and mostly what about the welfare of our young child. And the big one that is classic, but what is I get attached and the child is removed. I couldn't handle that.
A few weeks ago we were ask to counsel people who were considering foster care or adoption. That same old fear question kept coming up, but what if I get attached?
Interestingly foster care is virtually free. 126,000 orphans in the foster care system today in the U.S. who are ready to be adopted. No tenuous uncertainty about their biological families. They are in need of a home today. Confusion on the number of churches in the U.S. If each church in America were good for between 2 and 4 orphans, close it down, shows over, no orphans in the United States of America. Church where are you. What happened to James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion is this that we care for the widows and orphans.
Like so many jobs, the care of our most vulnerable has been outsourced and not even to the church, it is largely run be the secular government. We pull into our rear driveways, push the garage door button, slip inside, by ourselves, consume ourselves with ourselves and a few guilty people write a few checks to help to soothe the spirit inside them that is screaming for life and purpose.
Again all of this is fear speaking. Fear is bad. You might go so far as to call it sin. Jesus told us now to be anxious-Matthew 6. Philippians 4 - do not be anxious... Jesus certainly wrestled in the garden, perhaps Fear=Sin is too strong, don't know, but it is not God's plan.
Why do we make decisions based on fear? Fear comes from ourselves. Faith comes from Him. Making decisions from fear brings death and more fear.
Beloved preacher Lynn talked to us once about a large Pink Elephant. He went on for some time to describe this creature and we were instructed rigorously not to forget. He transition to another topic for a few minutes about something else and then abruptly ask us if we had remembered. Remember what? We had all forgotten.
What ever your vice, you won't solve be gazing intently at it. You won't loose weight riveted on the glass case at the donut shop. You won't put down the bottle be staring at a six pack.
You must replace the one with another.
Matthew 12:43-45
Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it.
"Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order.
"Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation."
Don't consume yourself with your concerns and obsessions, focus on Him alone. Before you can think a thought when you first wake up until the last thought at night, give it to Him. What does He want. How can you get yourself out of the way and let Him bring you Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control.
It is as simple as this Trust and Obey. If you have a hard decision, don't obsess. Slow down. Give Him time to respond. Put many faithful people in your world. Don't be cut off and in isolation. Read His word. When you rise up, when you lie down and when you go about your day. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Have fun.
Greg
He never changes. He is always faithful. He is the same yesterday today and forever. He is all powerful. He is all knowing. He is everywhere. He is not surprised. He knew before He spoke the world into existence exactly what would happen and chose us anyway. He knew the pain and counted it worthwhile for an eternity in relationship with us. He also knew the pain we would encounter would be exceedingly worthwhile - Rom 8 ...I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us... (see the previous post)
Some years ago my wife and I had experienced some years of infertility. Through many tears, some surgeries and waiting, God moved. He waited as long as it took for us to let go. We must be content in Him and Him alone. Until we released the anxiety, it would never happen. When we came to the end of ourselves, He quickly opened the door.
Later, more infertility. Doctor - door closed, no more. Disturbed. We let go. God opened a new door, through foster/adoption.
Fear (back again). Horror stories from CPS, badly damaged and wounded children. how could we say no to a child. How could we possible say yes. What about our busy lives and mostly what about the welfare of our young child. And the big one that is classic, but what is I get attached and the child is removed. I couldn't handle that.
A few weeks ago we were ask to counsel people who were considering foster care or adoption. That same old fear question kept coming up, but what if I get attached?
Interestingly foster care is virtually free. 126,000 orphans in the foster care system today in the U.S. who are ready to be adopted. No tenuous uncertainty about their biological families. They are in need of a home today. Confusion on the number of churches in the U.S. If each church in America were good for between 2 and 4 orphans, close it down, shows over, no orphans in the United States of America. Church where are you. What happened to James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion is this that we care for the widows and orphans.
Like so many jobs, the care of our most vulnerable has been outsourced and not even to the church, it is largely run be the secular government. We pull into our rear driveways, push the garage door button, slip inside, by ourselves, consume ourselves with ourselves and a few guilty people write a few checks to help to soothe the spirit inside them that is screaming for life and purpose.
Again all of this is fear speaking. Fear is bad. You might go so far as to call it sin. Jesus told us now to be anxious-Matthew 6. Philippians 4 - do not be anxious... Jesus certainly wrestled in the garden, perhaps Fear=Sin is too strong, don't know, but it is not God's plan.
Why do we make decisions based on fear? Fear comes from ourselves. Faith comes from Him. Making decisions from fear brings death and more fear.
Beloved preacher Lynn talked to us once about a large Pink Elephant. He went on for some time to describe this creature and we were instructed rigorously not to forget. He transition to another topic for a few minutes about something else and then abruptly ask us if we had remembered. Remember what? We had all forgotten.
What ever your vice, you won't solve be gazing intently at it. You won't loose weight riveted on the glass case at the donut shop. You won't put down the bottle be staring at a six pack.
You must replace the one with another.
Matthew 12:43-45
Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it.
"Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order.
"Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation."
Don't consume yourself with your concerns and obsessions, focus on Him alone. Before you can think a thought when you first wake up until the last thought at night, give it to Him. What does He want. How can you get yourself out of the way and let Him bring you Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control.
It is as simple as this Trust and Obey. If you have a hard decision, don't obsess. Slow down. Give Him time to respond. Put many faithful people in your world. Don't be cut off and in isolation. Read His word. When you rise up, when you lie down and when you go about your day. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Have fun.
Greg
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