(Originally Written June 2, 2008 in the Journal)
Lord forgive me of my sins. Do not hold them against me, but forgive me and show mercy on your servant. Today she moved out. Lord be with her and keep her from sin and draw her close to you. Do not destroy us utterly for you have united us. Is the righteous God, the Lord of lords, who is blameless and pure going to rip apart what He has united? Would He that does that which is perfect undo what He has done? Surely not. The Lord is everlasting and unchanging. Yahweh was, is and will be perfect and is the perfecter of all things. May you guard our hearts all evil and wickedness and restore joy and love to this relationship. I will follow you Lord all the days of my life. Deliver my bride to me once again Lord, I beg of you.
Notes on Early Christian Writings
Ignatius' Epistle to The Magnesians
We can only come to the presence of God in Jesus Christ by enduring in Christ all the indignities of this world while yet eluding their clutches.
You ought to obey the bishop, despite his lack of years because he is appointed by God. Do not obey him with mere lip service, but serve him as you serve the Father.
We obey bishops not because they are bishops and seen, but because of the unseen, the Holy Father, whom which knows all our secrets.
"We ought not just to have the name of Christians, but to be so in reality" (Early Christian Writings, 71).
There are two types of coins in circulation. One leads to life, the other leads to death. We must spend what we earn. If you earn the coins of God you will spend them on life; but, if you earn the coins of the world you wills surely spend them on death.
"Unless we are ready and willing to die in conformity with His passion, His life is not in us" (Early Christian Writings, 72).
(Warning against the Judaizing Heresy) The old practice of Judaism show a lack of faith in Jesus Christ. Their prophets were under grace because they were in tune with Christ.
Change from the old, which has grown stale and sour to the new, which is Christ.
Christianity ought not look to Judaism, but Judaism to Christianity.
Be submissive to one another.
Ignatius' Epistle to the Trallians
Ignatius yearns for martyrdom though he is doubtful of his worthiness. He prays for humility.
He warns them to guard against heresy, especially Docetism.
Ignatius' Epistle to the Romans
He encourages the Romans not to interfere with his sentence. "Suffer me to be a libation poured out to God, while there is still an altar ready for me" (Early Christian Writings, 85-86).
Good does not lie in what our eyes can see but in Christ Jesus.
"Christianity lies in achieving greatness in the face of a world's hatred" (Early Christian Writings, 86).
Do not have Christ upon your lips with the world in your heart.
Christ is the faithful mouthpiece by which the Father's words of truth find utterance.
Ignatius' Epistle to the Philadelphians
He encourages the Philadelphians to follow their bishop like sheep to guard against heresy.
"Those who wander in outlandish byways of doctrine must forfeit all part in the Lord's passion" (Early Christian Writings, 94). Ignatius places heavy emphasis on doctrine, but also on practicing what that doctrine is. To him, empty words or lip-service is as deadly as the heresy itself.
God does not dwell where there is disunity or bad blood.
Christ is the doorstep to the Father.
Ignatius' Epistle to the Smyraneans
He calls the Church of Smyrna to be unified in Christ: Jews and Gentiles alike.
He warns against Docetic beliefs. He implores them to acknowledge the flesh and blood birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. He claims that if what Christ did was merely an illusion than his own claims must be illusionary as well.
Christ gives us strength.
He urges them to pray for those who have fallen prey to Doceticism so that they can have a better frame of mind to accept Christ Jesus.
Faith and love are everything; they must come before all.
Endure all things for Christ's sake and you will attain to Him in the end.
Ignatius' Epistle to Polycarp
There is no more important task to the bishops than unity.
Spend time in constant prayer, begging for wisdom.
"The heavier the labor, the richer the reward" (Early Christian Writings, 109).
The mark of a champion is to be able to stand in the face of punishment and still come off victorious. It is our duty to accept trails of all kinds if we are to be accepted by the Lord.
The honor God should be the aim in everything you do.
"A Christian, after all is not his own master; he puts his time at God's disposal" (Early Christian Writings, 111).
Monday, June 2, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Brief Notes on Ignatius of Antioch (A)
(Originally Written June 1, 2008 in the Journal)
Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius was the third bishop of Antioch. He wrote seven letters on the way to his martyrdom in Rome. Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, preserved the letters of Ignatius and spread them through the Church. Ignatius' letter to the Romans was the most widely known letter of his to the early church. The other six were to fight against Jewish heresy and the heresy of Docetism, which denies the trueness of Christ's humanity. Ignatius focuses heavily on martyrdom, drawing from the book of the Maccabees, which was included in the Septuagint. Ignatius has Gnostic tones, but heavily denies the Docetism that is used in Gnostic teaching. Ignatius attacks the Judaizing of Christianity.
Ignatius' Epistle to the Ephesians
Ignatius looks forward to his martyrdom in Rome for "the name and the Hope we all share". He states, "trusting through your prayers to be granted an encounter with the wild beasts at Rome - a boon that will enable me to become a true disciple" (Early Christian Writings, 61).
He tells the Ephesians that because Jesus Christ has granted such glory to them they must in turn give glory to Christ.
He tells them to be sanctified by submitting to their bishop and clergy. He tells them that this submission is not an order because he does not have the authority. He claims his lack of authority is on account of him being a beginner in being a disciple.
We can have no life apart from Christ.
Christ represents the mind of the Father. The bishops represent the mind of Christ. The bishops are sent by God. Our actions to them are actions to God himself.
He warns them to guard against heresy.
Carnal men are incapable of acting spiritually. Likewise, spiritual men are incapable of acting carnally.
We must pray for mankind unceasingly so that repentance can lead them to God.
We can show the unbelieving crowd their error by repaying malice with kindness. They will know our brotherhood by our forbearance.
Corporate faith causes Satan's interference to crumble.
Life begins with faith and ends in love.
We must practice what we profess if we are to instruct others.
The cross offends the unbelievers, but is salvation and eternal life to us.
Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius was the third bishop of Antioch. He wrote seven letters on the way to his martyrdom in Rome. Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, preserved the letters of Ignatius and spread them through the Church. Ignatius' letter to the Romans was the most widely known letter of his to the early church. The other six were to fight against Jewish heresy and the heresy of Docetism, which denies the trueness of Christ's humanity. Ignatius focuses heavily on martyrdom, drawing from the book of the Maccabees, which was included in the Septuagint. Ignatius has Gnostic tones, but heavily denies the Docetism that is used in Gnostic teaching. Ignatius attacks the Judaizing of Christianity.
Ignatius' Epistle to the Ephesians
Ignatius looks forward to his martyrdom in Rome for "the name and the Hope we all share". He states, "trusting through your prayers to be granted an encounter with the wild beasts at Rome - a boon that will enable me to become a true disciple" (Early Christian Writings, 61).
He tells the Ephesians that because Jesus Christ has granted such glory to them they must in turn give glory to Christ.
He tells them to be sanctified by submitting to their bishop and clergy. He tells them that this submission is not an order because he does not have the authority. He claims his lack of authority is on account of him being a beginner in being a disciple.
We can have no life apart from Christ.
Christ represents the mind of the Father. The bishops represent the mind of Christ. The bishops are sent by God. Our actions to them are actions to God himself.
He warns them to guard against heresy.
Carnal men are incapable of acting spiritually. Likewise, spiritual men are incapable of acting carnally.
We must pray for mankind unceasingly so that repentance can lead them to God.
We can show the unbelieving crowd their error by repaying malice with kindness. They will know our brotherhood by our forbearance.
Corporate faith causes Satan's interference to crumble.
Life begins with faith and ends in love.
We must practice what we profess if we are to instruct others.
The cross offends the unbelievers, but is salvation and eternal life to us.
Brief Notes on Clement of Rome (B)
(Originally Written June 1, 2008 in the Journal)
Why do I turn my back on you Lord? Why do I fall so easily to temptation? I am dedicated. I give my all, but I fall so easily to the temptations. Lord forgive me for my weakness. I do not know what to do. I give this to you. Teach me to be chaste and strong in you. I disgust myself we these ways. Lord forgive this wicked sinner and cleanse him from his vile nature.
Notes on Early Christian Writings
I Clement (continued)
Clement admonishes the Corinthians for removing the bishops and deacons of their church because they were appointed by the apostles or other wise men who were appointed by Christ who was appointed by God. Thus, all those appointed were appointed by God.
He says to them it was wrong to persecute righteous men because in the Scriptures, only the wicked persecute the righteous.
He admonishes them for quarreling and extols them to become united again.
We must seek to better the community of Christ before we better ourselves and if we come to be looked upon in high esteem we must be ever the more humble.
Without love, Christianity is impossible. The perfection of love is beyond words. Let us pray to be found faultless in love.
Let us pray for those who have fallen from grace that they may be given unselfishness to submit to the Lord.
Remind them that "happy is the man the Lord reproves...for though he inflicts pain, yet afterwards he makes whole again" (Early Christian Writings, 46).
We find mercy through his holy correction.
Make us clean oh Lord with the cleansing of thy truth.
Jesus Christ is the High Priest and the Guardian of our souls.
"It is a moral duty for us to bow the head and take our seat on the stool of submission" (Early Christian Writings, 49).
Why do I turn my back on you Lord? Why do I fall so easily to temptation? I am dedicated. I give my all, but I fall so easily to the temptations. Lord forgive me for my weakness. I do not know what to do. I give this to you. Teach me to be chaste and strong in you. I disgust myself we these ways. Lord forgive this wicked sinner and cleanse him from his vile nature.
Notes on Early Christian Writings
I Clement (continued)
Clement admonishes the Corinthians for removing the bishops and deacons of their church because they were appointed by the apostles or other wise men who were appointed by Christ who was appointed by God. Thus, all those appointed were appointed by God.
He says to them it was wrong to persecute righteous men because in the Scriptures, only the wicked persecute the righteous.
He admonishes them for quarreling and extols them to become united again.
We must seek to better the community of Christ before we better ourselves and if we come to be looked upon in high esteem we must be ever the more humble.
Without love, Christianity is impossible. The perfection of love is beyond words. Let us pray to be found faultless in love.
Let us pray for those who have fallen from grace that they may be given unselfishness to submit to the Lord.
Remind them that "happy is the man the Lord reproves...for though he inflicts pain, yet afterwards he makes whole again" (Early Christian Writings, 46).
We find mercy through his holy correction.
Make us clean oh Lord with the cleansing of thy truth.
Jesus Christ is the High Priest and the Guardian of our souls.
"It is a moral duty for us to bow the head and take our seat on the stool of submission" (Early Christian Writings, 49).
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Brief Notes on Clement of Rome (A)
(Originally Written May 31, 2008 in the Journal)
Praise the Lord for today because this is the day that the Lord has made. May all of heaven and earth proclaim your holy name and may your glory be acknowledged throughout all time! There is no God but the one true God, the God of Jacob! Praise the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Praise you for the beauty of the earth, the birds of the sky and the fish of the deep. Praise you for all things good and praise you for even the troubles that have befallen me because they have drawn me nearer to you.
I was thinking on the words of Rob Bell in Velvet Elvis. He talked of faith like a trampoline vs. faith like a wall. When you have faith like a trampoline then doctrine is the springs that propel you upwards toward God. When you have faith like a wall each doctrine fits in a certain place and if you remove one, the wall starts to crumble. He talked of a man who said if you deny the literal seven day creation you deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This seems false and destructive. But, I believe doctrine is vital to Christianity.
To deny the literalism of creation is not to deny the resurrection of Christ. But to deny the validity of any passage of the Bible is to reject the Word of God. You cannot deny any part of the Bible as valid and be Christian. A passage may be taken as poetic or figurative or literal, but it is valid always. You cannot make piecemeal of the Scriptures. Doctrine is man's interpretation of Scriptures and thus, fallible, where the Scriptures are not. But the Lord has endowed us with reason and we must make proper use of it.
Thank you Lord for today! I picked up the Penguin Classics Early Christian Writings today and will be reading it in conjunction with Bible readings.
Notes on Early Christian Writings
Clement of Rome
Clement seems to have been the fourth bishop of Rome, following Peter, Linus and Anencletus. The date of Clement's epistle to the Corinthians seems to have been written around 96 A.D. The letter shows Clement's extensive knowledge of the Scriptures, which as a Gentile, meant the Septuagint. He also shows a strong familiarity of the books that became the New Testament. He writes of harmony and draws also on Stoic Philosophy. While he combines the Hebrew Scriptures with Stoic philosophy, he subordinates Stoic Philosophy to Christian vision. Clement also uses strong Trinitarian language, much stronger than found in the New Testament.
1 Clement
Clement praises the Corinthian church for how they used to act. "Always you were ready for any deed of goodness...whatever you did was done in fear of God" (Early Christian Writings, 24).
The Clement extols them for having fallen back to their evil ways. They have traded folly for wisdom. "All have fallen back into the horrid sin of envy - the sin that brought death into the world" (Early Christian Writings, 24).
He encourages them to turn from envy and follow the examples of Peter and Paul. He reminds them that many of the elect have been tormented by envy and had to fight it unto their very deaths. He warns them that envy has ruined marriages and overthrown cities and nations. He tells them to turn from envy and reflect on the preciousness of the Blood of Christ, which is an outpouring of salvation and has opened grace of repentance to mankind.
The Lord always opens up the chance for man to repent. It is never too late.
The Lord never forsakes those who place their hope in Him, but puts pain and penalty on those who rebel against Him.
He calls on them to be humble and show forgiveness.
"Christ belongs to the lowly of heart" (Early Christian Writings, 29).
He tells them that humility is always found in the great men of God: in Elisha, in Elijah, in Job, in Ezekiel, in David and even in Christ, all of whom had reason to be proud.
He encourages them to aim to achieve the tranquility of which we were made to be in. He states even nature operates in harmony with itself: night and day, the seasons. These fulfill God's plans for them.
He tells them to respect those who God has set over them. He says to teach the children in Christian thought.
He reminds them that mercy will be shown to those who set their hopes on the Lord.
He warns them not to doubt the resurrection because there is evidence of the resurrection all around them.
He tells them that, "untruth is the only thing that is impossible to God" (Early Christian Writings, 34).
He reminds them that there is nothing that the Lord does not see or hear.
He calls on the Corinthians to give up everything that is opposed to God because they are God's chosen portion.
He reminds them that God rewards faith and that they are justified by faith.
He tells us that though we are justified by faith we ought to strive to good works because the Lord himself delights in working.
The Lord has mad man in His own image and blessed him, commanding man to increase and multiply.
We must put forth all our effort into the work of righteousness.
We must wait in patience for the Lord and He will bestow the greatness and beauty of His gifts upon us.
Men who do things that are detestable are held in detestation by the Lord. Not only this, but men who consent to these things are held in detestation.
Praise the Lord for today because this is the day that the Lord has made. May all of heaven and earth proclaim your holy name and may your glory be acknowledged throughout all time! There is no God but the one true God, the God of Jacob! Praise the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Praise you for the beauty of the earth, the birds of the sky and the fish of the deep. Praise you for all things good and praise you for even the troubles that have befallen me because they have drawn me nearer to you.
I was thinking on the words of Rob Bell in Velvet Elvis. He talked of faith like a trampoline vs. faith like a wall. When you have faith like a trampoline then doctrine is the springs that propel you upwards toward God. When you have faith like a wall each doctrine fits in a certain place and if you remove one, the wall starts to crumble. He talked of a man who said if you deny the literal seven day creation you deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This seems false and destructive. But, I believe doctrine is vital to Christianity.
To deny the literalism of creation is not to deny the resurrection of Christ. But to deny the validity of any passage of the Bible is to reject the Word of God. You cannot deny any part of the Bible as valid and be Christian. A passage may be taken as poetic or figurative or literal, but it is valid always. You cannot make piecemeal of the Scriptures. Doctrine is man's interpretation of Scriptures and thus, fallible, where the Scriptures are not. But the Lord has endowed us with reason and we must make proper use of it.
Thank you Lord for today! I picked up the Penguin Classics Early Christian Writings today and will be reading it in conjunction with Bible readings.
Notes on Early Christian Writings
Clement of Rome
Clement seems to have been the fourth bishop of Rome, following Peter, Linus and Anencletus. The date of Clement's epistle to the Corinthians seems to have been written around 96 A.D. The letter shows Clement's extensive knowledge of the Scriptures, which as a Gentile, meant the Septuagint. He also shows a strong familiarity of the books that became the New Testament. He writes of harmony and draws also on Stoic Philosophy. While he combines the Hebrew Scriptures with Stoic philosophy, he subordinates Stoic Philosophy to Christian vision. Clement also uses strong Trinitarian language, much stronger than found in the New Testament.
1 Clement
Clement praises the Corinthian church for how they used to act. "Always you were ready for any deed of goodness...whatever you did was done in fear of God" (Early Christian Writings, 24).
The Clement extols them for having fallen back to their evil ways. They have traded folly for wisdom. "All have fallen back into the horrid sin of envy - the sin that brought death into the world" (Early Christian Writings, 24).
He encourages them to turn from envy and follow the examples of Peter and Paul. He reminds them that many of the elect have been tormented by envy and had to fight it unto their very deaths. He warns them that envy has ruined marriages and overthrown cities and nations. He tells them to turn from envy and reflect on the preciousness of the Blood of Christ, which is an outpouring of salvation and has opened grace of repentance to mankind.
The Lord always opens up the chance for man to repent. It is never too late.
The Lord never forsakes those who place their hope in Him, but puts pain and penalty on those who rebel against Him.
He calls on them to be humble and show forgiveness.
"Christ belongs to the lowly of heart" (Early Christian Writings, 29).
He tells them that humility is always found in the great men of God: in Elisha, in Elijah, in Job, in Ezekiel, in David and even in Christ, all of whom had reason to be proud.
He encourages them to aim to achieve the tranquility of which we were made to be in. He states even nature operates in harmony with itself: night and day, the seasons. These fulfill God's plans for them.
He tells them to respect those who God has set over them. He says to teach the children in Christian thought.
He reminds them that mercy will be shown to those who set their hopes on the Lord.
He warns them not to doubt the resurrection because there is evidence of the resurrection all around them.
He tells them that, "untruth is the only thing that is impossible to God" (Early Christian Writings, 34).
He reminds them that there is nothing that the Lord does not see or hear.
He calls on the Corinthians to give up everything that is opposed to God because they are God's chosen portion.
He reminds them that God rewards faith and that they are justified by faith.
He tells us that though we are justified by faith we ought to strive to good works because the Lord himself delights in working.
The Lord has mad man in His own image and blessed him, commanding man to increase and multiply.
We must put forth all our effort into the work of righteousness.
We must wait in patience for the Lord and He will bestow the greatness and beauty of His gifts upon us.
Men who do things that are detestable are held in detestation by the Lord. Not only this, but men who consent to these things are held in detestation.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Brief Notes on I Kings 1-8
(Originally Written May 30, 2008 in the Journal)
Notes on I Kings
Chapter 1
David was old and his son Adonijah was rallying to be king, but Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and the army did not support him. David announced however that Solomon would be king because he had sworn an oath to make Bathsheba's offspring the king. Adonijah fled in terror, but King Solomon spared him.
Chapter 2
David instructed Solomon in his last words. David died and had reigned 40 years over Israel. Solomon had his brother Adonijah put to death because he asked for one of David's concubines. Solomon then deposed Abiathar the priest for siding with Adonijah, thus fulfilling the prophecy that the house of Eli wo8uld be removed from the priesthood for the wickedness of Eli's sons and Eli's reluctance to admonish them.
Solomon then had Abner killed for the murder of the generals of Israel and Judah. David had promised Abner he would not be punished while he was still alive, but Solomon fulfilled the avengement of innocent blood. Solomon then told Shimei that he must stay in Jerusalem for cursing David. When Shimei left he was put to death.
Chapter 3
Solomon married the daughter of Pharaoh to ally himself with Egypt.
The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and granted him a request. Solomon asked for an understanding heart to distinguish right from wrong. The Lord gave it to him and also riches and glory and said he would give him long life as well, if Solomon obeyed the Lord.
Two women came before the king arguing over a live child and a dead child. Both said the live one was theirs. Solomon proposed to have the child cut in two and give half to each. The child's real mother begged Solomon to give the child to the other woman to spare its life, but Solomon gave it to her because he knew she was the mother.
Chapter 4
Solomon split the nation into 12 parts for administrative purposes.
Chapter 5
Solomon grew famous and men from all over came to hear him speak. Solomon had lumber imported from Lebanon to build the Temple of the Lord.
Chapter 6
Solomon built the temple and filled it with gold. It took seven years to build the temple.
Chapter 7
It took 13 years to build Solomon's palace. Solomon had the temple's interior decked out in bronze and gold. He also brought in items David had collected for it.
Chapter 8
The temple was consecrated and the ark was brought in. The Lord came to the Temple. Solomon then prayed.
Lord, I ask you to do as Solomon asked. Lord, I have sinned and turned away from you. But I come now before you humble and contrite. I am broken and praise your name for that brokenness. Lord grant my prayer. Do not turn away from me. Save my marriage. Restore my wife to me. I will praise your name forever and forever regardless, but do not let this pain rest permanently on my heart. Do not shame me so severely. Look on me with kindness and restore her to me. Lord I ask for so much and offer so little. I offer you all I have though. Please, I beg of you, answer this prayer.
Notes on I Kings
Chapter 1
David was old and his son Adonijah was rallying to be king, but Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and the army did not support him. David announced however that Solomon would be king because he had sworn an oath to make Bathsheba's offspring the king. Adonijah fled in terror, but King Solomon spared him.
Chapter 2
David instructed Solomon in his last words. David died and had reigned 40 years over Israel. Solomon had his brother Adonijah put to death because he asked for one of David's concubines. Solomon then deposed Abiathar the priest for siding with Adonijah, thus fulfilling the prophecy that the house of Eli wo8uld be removed from the priesthood for the wickedness of Eli's sons and Eli's reluctance to admonish them.
Solomon then had Abner killed for the murder of the generals of Israel and Judah. David had promised Abner he would not be punished while he was still alive, but Solomon fulfilled the avengement of innocent blood. Solomon then told Shimei that he must stay in Jerusalem for cursing David. When Shimei left he was put to death.
Chapter 3
Solomon married the daughter of Pharaoh to ally himself with Egypt.
The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and granted him a request. Solomon asked for an understanding heart to distinguish right from wrong. The Lord gave it to him and also riches and glory and said he would give him long life as well, if Solomon obeyed the Lord.
Two women came before the king arguing over a live child and a dead child. Both said the live one was theirs. Solomon proposed to have the child cut in two and give half to each. The child's real mother begged Solomon to give the child to the other woman to spare its life, but Solomon gave it to her because he knew she was the mother.
Chapter 4
Solomon split the nation into 12 parts for administrative purposes.
Chapter 5
Solomon grew famous and men from all over came to hear him speak. Solomon had lumber imported from Lebanon to build the Temple of the Lord.
Chapter 6
Solomon built the temple and filled it with gold. It took seven years to build the temple.
Chapter 7
It took 13 years to build Solomon's palace. Solomon had the temple's interior decked out in bronze and gold. He also brought in items David had collected for it.
Chapter 8
The temple was consecrated and the ark was brought in. The Lord came to the Temple. Solomon then prayed.
Lord, I ask you to do as Solomon asked. Lord, I have sinned and turned away from you. But I come now before you humble and contrite. I am broken and praise your name for that brokenness. Lord grant my prayer. Do not turn away from me. Save my marriage. Restore my wife to me. I will praise your name forever and forever regardless, but do not let this pain rest permanently on my heart. Do not shame me so severely. Look on me with kindness and restore her to me. Lord I ask for so much and offer so little. I offer you all I have though. Please, I beg of you, answer this prayer.
Brief Notes on II Samuel 21-24
(Originally Written May 30, 2008 in the Journal)
Notes on II Samuel
Chapter 21
The Gibeonites were given seven of the descendants of Saul to atone for Saul breaking covenant with them. These descendants were dismembered before the Lord by the Gibeonites. David then gathered the bones of Saul and Jonathan and the dismembered descendants of Saul and buried them. God then lifted the famine from the land.
The Philistines did battle again with the Israelites and the Israelites defeated them, killing four of the Rephaim.
Chapter 22
David sings a song of thanksgiving to the Lord.
Chapter 23
A list of David's most acclaimed warriors.
Chapter 24
David took a census. There were 800,000 men in Israel and 500,000 in Judah.
David asked for forgiveness for this act because only God should know the number, not men. The Lord gave David three choices for his consequences through the prophet Gad. 1) Three years of famine. 2) Three months of fleeing from an enemy. 3) Three days of pestilence. David chose the pestilence. 70,000 men died of the pestilence and as it was about to strike Jerusalem, God commanded the angel bringing it to stop. David then went and built an altar to the Lord and offered a holocaust and the Lord removed the plague from Israel.
Notes on II Samuel
Chapter 21
The Gibeonites were given seven of the descendants of Saul to atone for Saul breaking covenant with them. These descendants were dismembered before the Lord by the Gibeonites. David then gathered the bones of Saul and Jonathan and the dismembered descendants of Saul and buried them. God then lifted the famine from the land.
The Philistines did battle again with the Israelites and the Israelites defeated them, killing four of the Rephaim.
Chapter 22
David sings a song of thanksgiving to the Lord.
Chapter 23
A list of David's most acclaimed warriors.
Chapter 24
David took a census. There were 800,000 men in Israel and 500,000 in Judah.
David asked for forgiveness for this act because only God should know the number, not men. The Lord gave David three choices for his consequences through the prophet Gad. 1) Three years of famine. 2) Three months of fleeing from an enemy. 3) Three days of pestilence. David chose the pestilence. 70,000 men died of the pestilence and as it was about to strike Jerusalem, God commanded the angel bringing it to stop. David then went and built an altar to the Lord and offered a holocaust and the Lord removed the plague from Israel.
Brief Notes on Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell
(Originally Written May 30, 2008 in the Journal)
So I purchased Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell to give to her for her birthday am reading it first. In part two he talks about the Bible. He states, "We have to embrace the Bible as the wild, uncensored, passionate account of people experiencing the living God. Doubting the one true God. Wrestling with, arguing with, getting angry with, reconciling with, loving, worshipping, thanking, following the one who gives us everything". That is an amazing description of the Bible.
He talks about how the Bible is open-ended. It is truth, but leads to more questions than answers. The truth leads to ... more truth. We limp in life because we wrestle with God. To wrestle with God is to experience Him. God is always present. We are the ones who need to show up.
Ancient rabbis taught that God first separated the light from the darkness and the rest of Scriptures is God teaching man to separate the light from darkness, the wrong from the right.
No amount of success can heal a person's soul, it makes it worse.
How do I kill this super-husband ego? How do I get back to being the fundamental, plain old Chris? What am I capable of that God has chosen me? I am being remade. How do I bring Heaven here?
Lord show me the path; show me the way. Heal my soul and teach me to serve. Teach me to sacrifice. Let the old die and the new find life in me. I take this suffering and thank you for it. Have mercy on me Lord for I am weak. Show me to be all that you have in store for me. Help me to achieve the goals you have for me. Teach me to be a man of God. Show me the narrow path and I will follow it, straying neither to the left nor the right.
Lord restore her to her self. Restore her to her potential. Do not turn her over to sin or abandon her in her time of need. Stretch out your hand and heal her. Soothe her anger and rage. Soften her heart to you and to me. Do not bring ruin upon this marriage. Do not bring destruction upon us. If I have found favor with the Lord may He bless me with a renewed wife and a restored marriage.
Lord walk me through this hard time. Be gentle with me as I am frail. My flesh is weak and my soul is bruised. Bring peace to me so I may spread the good news. Lord, teach me with your Word. Hear my prayers and do not abandon me.
So I purchased Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell to give to her for her birthday am reading it first. In part two he talks about the Bible. He states, "We have to embrace the Bible as the wild, uncensored, passionate account of people experiencing the living God. Doubting the one true God. Wrestling with, arguing with, getting angry with, reconciling with, loving, worshipping, thanking, following the one who gives us everything". That is an amazing description of the Bible.
He talks about how the Bible is open-ended. It is truth, but leads to more questions than answers. The truth leads to ... more truth. We limp in life because we wrestle with God. To wrestle with God is to experience Him. God is always present. We are the ones who need to show up.
Ancient rabbis taught that God first separated the light from the darkness and the rest of Scriptures is God teaching man to separate the light from darkness, the wrong from the right.
No amount of success can heal a person's soul, it makes it worse.
How do I kill this super-husband ego? How do I get back to being the fundamental, plain old Chris? What am I capable of that God has chosen me? I am being remade. How do I bring Heaven here?
Lord show me the path; show me the way. Heal my soul and teach me to serve. Teach me to sacrifice. Let the old die and the new find life in me. I take this suffering and thank you for it. Have mercy on me Lord for I am weak. Show me to be all that you have in store for me. Help me to achieve the goals you have for me. Teach me to be a man of God. Show me the narrow path and I will follow it, straying neither to the left nor the right.
Lord restore her to her self. Restore her to her potential. Do not turn her over to sin or abandon her in her time of need. Stretch out your hand and heal her. Soothe her anger and rage. Soften her heart to you and to me. Do not bring ruin upon this marriage. Do not bring destruction upon us. If I have found favor with the Lord may He bless me with a renewed wife and a restored marriage.
Lord walk me through this hard time. Be gentle with me as I am frail. My flesh is weak and my soul is bruised. Bring peace to me so I may spread the good news. Lord, teach me with your Word. Hear my prayers and do not abandon me.
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