Peter Guirguis, a former atheist, gives his take on the newly discovered Higgs Boson particle, sometimes referred to as the God particle, and what it has to do with scripture.
Interesting read.
Will the Recently Found Higgs Boson (God Particle) Bring Atheists and Agnostics to Believe in God?.
4th of July and the Space Time Continuum
I thank God we’re living in this precise spot in the space-time continuum. Do you ever think about that? You could have been born a peasant in Europe during the dark ages. Or you could have been born a slave to a cruel plantation owner in the late 1700’s. Or, perhaps worst of all, in our present time, you could even have to live in Cleveland.
But by God’s grace most of you reading this blog live in the the United States, the greatest nation in the most amazing time in the history of the world.
Happy Independence Day!
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Galatians 5:13
Opening the Casket on Abortion by Scott Klusendorf — Posted on Justin Taylor’s blog, Between Two Worlds.
This is a powerful blog post written by Scott Klusendorf. It’s about Emmett Till, a 14 year old African American youth from Chicago. While visiting Money, Mississippi, Emmett made the mistake of flirting with a young woman who was white and married. The year was 1955, and it didn’t take long for some locals to take matters into their own hands. At 2 AM the next morning they pulled Emmett from the house he was staying and killed him. They also beat his face beyond recognition. (Read Klusendorf’s article here)
Emmett was shipped back to his mother in a coffin. What happened next turned out to be a big part of the beginning of the civil rights movement. Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till, insisted on an open casket funeral service.
After telling Emmett’s story, the author of this blog post, Scott Klusendorf, goes on to say, we, as Christians, need to open the casket on abortion.
What happened to Emmett Till wasn’t right. It was dark. It was horrible. Emmett didn’t break any laws. And at 14, Emmett had very limited capability to defend himself, or to run, or even to gather friends and family to help him.
Unborn children don’t have limited capability to do such things — they have no capability. They have no means of defending themselves. They have no voice to cry out with for help. And they’re completely innocent.
I’m with Klusendorf. It’s time to take the casket off of abortion.
We need to share the visual devastation of abortion in a way that transcends the Christian world view.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
Proverbs 31:8
Joseph betrayed by his brothers.
After revisiting a summary of chapter 36 of Genesis, we’ll look at why Joseph shared the bad report of his brothers to his father, and how it speaks of Jesus.
Genesis chapter 36 was devoted to Esau’s descendants. Beginning in Genesis chapter 37 and on throughout the Old Testament we’re given an account of Jacob’s descendants. That’s quite a disparity. So why does Jacob get all the ink? Well Esau was a great man of worldly talents, but represents the flesh, that part of you, of me, of every person which desires my own way, that part which wants to live for me, that part which wants to live without interference from God. Jacob represents the Spirit, and while God acknowledges the flesh, He’s primarily interested in the things of the Spirit because those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.(Romans 8:8)
Genesis 37:1-4:
In the first four verses of Genesis 37 we see Jacob is still living in the land of Canaan, in the same area where his father Isaac lived.
Jacob’s son Joseph is seventeen now. One time, while tending the flocks with his brothers, he brought back a bad report about them to his father.
Israel (Jacob’s new name given to him by God in Genesis chapter 35) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he was born to him in his old age. He made a special coat for Joseph. A coat that may have been distinguished by many colors, length of the hem, and size of the sleeves. When his brothers saw he was their father’s favorite, they envied him, to the point where they couldn’t speak a kind word to him.
At first glance we might think of Joseph as a sort of teacher’s pet and a snitch. But there could be another explanation. Keeping in mind Joseph is a picture of Jesus, I think it’s more likely he simply prioritized his relationship with his father above his brothers.
I think Joseph was about his father’s business, even as Jesus said to His earthly parents, “…I must be about my Father’s business.” (Luke 2:49 KJV)
Joseph simply desired to honor his father even as Jesus stated, in John 8:49, “…I honor my Father…”
Joseph strove to do what pleased his father. Even as Jesus, speaking of His Father, said, “…I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:29)
Joseph, like Jesus, was fiercely loyal and devoted to his father, and he had the spine and the spirit to back it up with his behavior, even at the expense of his reputation with his older brothers.
Like Joseph, Jesus was his Father’s favorite. When Jesus was transfigured, His Father said to Jesus’ disciples, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” By the way, When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. (Matthew 17:5-6)
And, Joseph’s coat and assignments given him by his father speak of his authority. Jesus too was given authority from His Father, for Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power… (John 13:3)
Finally, Joseph’s brothers envied him and hated him for his strong connection with his father, and the authority given him by his father, and the favor he enjoyed with his father, even as Jesus’ brothers envied Him and hated Him for precisely the same reasons.
What a powerful picture.
As Jesus said, the Old Testament scriptures “testify about me.” (John 5:39-40, John 5:45-46)
Your Life:
So what does this have to do with how you live your life?
Well, let me tell you a story about a different Joseph. His last name is Tson and he’s from Romania.
While under arrest his Romanian interrogator threatened to kill him because he refused to stop teaching people about Jesus Christ. Joseph Tson responded to his interrogator, “Sir… Your supreme weapon is killiing. My supreme weapon is dying. …I will actually rejoice in this supreme victory if you kill me.” (see previous post: Pastor Offers to Die)
I think both Joseph of the Bible, and Joseph Tson, as well as Jesus’ behavior all speak of the type of love they had for their respective Fathers/father. The kind of love where they could care less what others might think of them. The kind of love where they were unafraid and unashamed of the opinions of others.
This type of love obviously pleases the Father.
I don’t know about you, but I can stand to learn from their example. I need to live a life more abandoned to God the Father. And I think I might find an intriguing dynamic will occur as a result.
An interesting thing happened to Joseph Tson after he offered his life to his interrogator. They became afraid they would create a martyr if they killed him. So they didn’t. Tson said, “I remembered how for many years, I had been afraid of dying. I had kept a low profile. Because I wanted badly to live, I had wasted my life in inactivity. But now that I had placed my life on the altar and decided I was ready to die for the gospel, they were telling me they would not kill me! I could go wherever I wanted in the country and preach whatever I wanted, knowing I was safe. As long as I tried to save my life, I was losing it. Now that I was willing to lose it, I found it.”
I think you and I often try to save our lives, our social lives. We often choose to give more weight, usually much more weight, to what our friends and family think, and not nearly enough consideration to what God the Father thinks. We live our lives afraid of dying, socially. We live our lives afraid of dying, of embarrassment.
I believe the Father wants us to live like Joseph lived, like Joseph Tson lived, and like Jesus lived. We need to live for God the Father without regard for the opinions of our friends, and brothers, and sisters, and others.
We need to live for Him.
And when we do, ultimately, we’ll find the same freedom the two Josephs and Jesus found.
There’s freedom to be found in abandoning yourself to God.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…
Fear of man will prove to be a snare…
References:
Randy Alcorn, Josef Tson: What His Suffering for Christ in Communist Romania Taught Him, and Can Teach Us, Eternal Perspective Ministries, June 24, 2022
Walton, Matthews, Chavalas, (2000) IVP Bible Background Commentary, Old Testament
Image via Lawrence OP – Creative Commons
The Mentor Leader by Tony Dungy
Two of the greatest influences in our lives will be the people we associate with and the books or other media we read or watch. So choose wisely.
-Tony Dungy
If you dream of becoming great someday, you’d be wise to read Dungy’s book, The Mentor Leader.
Other than the Bible itself, this is the best book on leadership I’ve ever read. Dungy’s most popular book was Quiet Strength, and it might be more entertaining than The Mentor Leader. But if you’re looking for the best possible information on how to be the best possible leader, The Mentor Leader is the better book.
Many authors and speakers talk about the value of mentoring and growing leaders but what makes this book different is the practical “how to” information that Dungy provides. Another interesting difference is Dungy’s frankness concerning his own weaknesses. He talks openly about mistakes he’s made and conflicts he’s experienced with players.
“Mentor leadership is all about shaping, nurturing, empowering, and growing. It’s all about relationships, integrity, and perpetual learning. Success is measured in changed lives, strong character, and eternal values.” (Dungy)
According to Dungy, the model for such leadership is Jesus Christ.
The irony concerning such leadership is, the organization wins when this approach is taken.
The Indianapolis Colts under his leadership are proof.
I highly recommend it.
Like you, I’ve been forgiven much. Like you I’ve been shown amazing grace. Yet I still find myself criticizing others and struggling to forgive at times.
With that in mind, I find these words from Jesus to be sobering.
“Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.
But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.
“But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.
“His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.
“When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.
“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”
Lord have mercy on us. Bless us with great ability to show grace. Bless us with an ability to forgive.
In Jesus’ name.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
-Sir Winston Churchill
Success isn’t final. If you’re at the top of the mountain right now, there’s one thing guaranteed — you won’t be there forever. It’s just a matter of time before you come down off that peak. And if you’re in the valley of failure right now, the same can be said. It’s just a matter of time before you move up out of that valley.
So don’t rest on your laurels. And don’t falter in your failure.
Keep moving forward.
Don’t give up.
Keep your eyes on God, He’s much bigger than both your successes and your failures.
Never, ever give up.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
Yea, I know, your mom and dad told you that if you put your mind to it, you could do anything you wanted to in life. Well, I wanted to be a pro football player, then a pro basketball player, then a pro tennis player, I practiced hard, but, guess what? I’m still waiting for the NBA to call. Sometimes it’s true, sometimes if you work hard enough you really can live your dream. But the reality for most of us is that we’ll probably have to settle for something less than our dream. And that’s OK. The important thing is to not despise the day of the small thing. (Zechariah 4:10) Jesus said,
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…
Luke 16:10
The scriptures are full of examples of people working faithfully in the day of the small thing, usually for a very long time, I’m talking years and years, but then ultimately they receive their reward. So whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. (Colossians 3:23)
If you can be trusted with very little, if you do well in the day of the small thing, who knows what might happen down the line.
Martin Guitar Builder at Work
Young man: “What’s the big deal? This is good enough.”
Old man: “Better to apologize once for cost and time, rather than apologize forever for quality.”
…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
References:
Jesus died in your place, on the cross, defeating your sin.
Jesus then defeated death, and rose again.
And from the moment Jesus saves you… The Father looks at you, as if you lived Jesus’ life.
Because the Father looked at Jesus, on the cross, as if He, had lived your life.
1 Cor. 15:3-4 & Romans 3:23-26
Ryan Sample
Pastor of Lakeside Family Church
Whether you’re a dove or a hawk, this article, by a man whose son served as a medic in Iraq, is an important read.
What stays with you latest and deepest? of curious panics,
Of hard-fought engagements or sieges tremendous what deepest remains?
–Walt Whitman, “The Wound Dresser”
Mama’s Bible
Best story of this type that I’ve ever seen. Thank you Susan for sending this to me.
MAMA’S BIBLE
Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors
and lawyers.
One evening, they chatted after having dinner together. They
discussed the 95th birthday gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who moved
to Florida .
The first said, “You know I had a big house built for Mama.”
The second said, “And I had a large theater built in the house.”
The third said, “And I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her.”
The fourth said, “You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know
she can’t read anymore because she can’t see very well. I met this
preacher who told me about a parrot who could recite the entire Bible. It took
ten preachers almost 8 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute
$50,000 a year for five years to the church, but it was worth it.
Mama only has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it.”
The other brothers were impressed. After the celebration Mama sent out
her “Thank You” notes.
She wrote: Milton , the house you built is so huge that I live in only one
room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway.”
“Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home; I have my groceries
delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks.”
“Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound and it can
hold 50 people, but all of my friends are dead, I’ve lost my hearing,
and I’m nearly blind. I’ll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the
same.”
“Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give
a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you so much.”
Love, Mama
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Posted on February 16, 2012 by Kurt Bennett
Bible Commentary, Uncategorized
Christian Humor, funny story, humor, Mama's Bible