Look Up...Be Amazed

Do you ever stop and look up? At a sky filled with brilliant stars from horizon to horizon? The star-filled sky is amazing tonight. It makes one certain of a creator, one who created the heavens and each individual, beautiful star. This amazes me. I love looking at the stars on a clear cool night. To take a few moments to enjoy God's breath-taking creation. I love the silhouette of the Ponderosa pine trees against the star-filled sky. What a joy it is to know this Creator, the one who made it all.

Tragic Accident

Musician Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter killed in accident

Lawnscaping in the Rockies

Hard to believe this was the scene here in Colorado Springs just a few short weeks ago. From one extreme to the next as we are expecting recording breaking heat over the next couple of days.

Bloggle your mind...

If you haven't been over to "Mind Bloggling" lately you should check it out. Among a wide array of posts are some topics that might perk your perusing senses. Check out the latest FRAC podcast and the most recent post on Revelation.

Romans 12: An overview-part three

We continue reading in verse 17b “be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” If it is possible live in harmony with those around you. Don’t let little squabbles come up between brethren. Honoring others needs ahead of your own is the main idea being communicated here.

And Paul continues by saying: “don’t take revenge, my friends but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: it is mine to avenge: I will repay says the Lord.” It is almost as if Paul is saying, look you will have disagreements with others, both Christians and non-Christians, such is the nature of life; but try to live at peace with them. If that fails then don’t take revenge, let God take care of that. Paul then uses an exact quote from Deuteronomy 32:35: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay.” We see the interpretation of this passage in the NT to re-enforce what we have examined in verses 14, and 17. Chiefly, not repaying evil for evil. The context of Deuteronomy 32 is the lament of Moses shortly before he dies. He uses verse 35 in the context of the Lord judging his people (v36).

So in summary of this short quote it is being used in similar contexts in both the Old and New Testaments. Both passages refer to leaving room for God’s judgment. The main difference is to whom the judgment is being directed towards. In the Deuteronomy passage God’s judgment is being promised towards the Israelites, while in the Romans passage it is more of a general promise.

Moo states: “It is not our job to execute justice on evil people; that is God’s prerogative, and he will visit his wrath on such people when he deems it right to do so.”

Are you a Democrat, Republican, or a Southern Republican?

Here is a little test that will help you decide.

Question:
You are walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children. Suddenly, an Islamic terrorist with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, praises Allah, raises the knife, and charges.

You are carrying a Glock .40, and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family.

What do you do???

Democrat's Answer:

That's not enough information to answer the question!

Does the man look poor or oppressed?

Can we pass a law to help people in his situation?

Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack?

Could we run away?

What does PETA think?

Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the gun out of his

hand?

What does the law say about this situation?

Does the Glock have an appropriate safety built into it???

Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what sort of message does this send to society and my chidren?

Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content to just wound me?

If I were to grab his knees an hold on, could my family get away while he kills me?

Should I call 911?

Why is this street so deserted? We need to raise taxes, have a paint and weeding day to make this street happier and healthier so it would discourage this behavior.

This is all so confusing!!! I need to debate this with a few friends and my psychiatrist for a few days and come to a consensus.

Republican's Answer:

…..BANG!

Southern Republican's Answer:

….BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

Click…(sounds of reloading)

….BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

Daughter:

Nice grouping Daddy!!! Were those the Winchester Silver Tips???

In case you haven't seen this...

Romans 12: An overview-part two

Verses four through eight which speak about the use of spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are compared to the many parts in the human body. In the same way there are many parts of a human body each serving its purpose, there are many spiritual gifts within the body of Christ each serving in a unique way. Verses four and five illustrate this: “just as each of us has one body with many members and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” We who are believers belong to this body; the body of Christ. Paul goes on to state that whatever our gift(s) might be, one ought to use them for the edification of the church whether it be teaching, encouraging or showing mercy.

Continuing on in verses 9-21 we read an array of specific instructions on loving those around us; not only our brethren but our enemies as well. Paul speaks of Christian relationships along with our treatment of non-Christians.

We read in verse 10: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Or in other words love others with such a passion that you put their needs ahead of your own. Not only those we want to love, but as verse 14 states: “bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” This language is similar to that used in Matthew 5:10 where Jesus taught: “blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Combining these two verses we learn that part of being blessed is being persecuted and in response we need to bless those who are persecuting us.

Imagine this. Being insulted at work for believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, being scorned and ridiculed for believing in this “fairy tale.” We are commanded to turn around and bless those who are insulting us. Perhaps buying them lunch or saying a kind word in return. Loving our enemies is not easy, yet in verse 17 we read: “do not repay anyone evil for evil.” It appears as if the issue of dealing with conflict within the church in Rome and conflict with those outside of the church was a topic of concern to Paul.

Romans 12: An overview-part one

Romans chapter 12 begins with a shift to a new topic. Previously, in chapters 9-11, Paul has been explaining the future of Israel. The twelfth chapter transitions: “therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.” This sets the context for the chapter, which is, offering your lives as living sacrifices. “In view of God’s mercy” refers to the mercies previously written in chapters 1-11.

Verses two and three follow with instructions about how we renew our mind. Once we have renewed our mind we will be able to test and approve what the will of God is; but verse three says to not to let this transformation make us proud or conceited. Understanding verse two is crucial to this entire chapter that Paul writes. The key word here is transformation, as this vein is carried throughout the text. Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds; followed by the rest of chapter 12 which gives us specific ways and specific instances to practice this transforming.

As one reads this entire passage it is important to think with this lens of transformation on your mind. In verse 18 of chapter 12 Paul says: “If it is possible as far as it depends on you live at peace with everyone.” This is not our natural inclination. Our natural tendency is to disagree with others because of our pride; however we are called to be transformed in all things. I believe all that is written throughout the remainder of this wonderful letter to the church in Rome, can be tied back to the theme of renewing your thinking, which leads to a transformation of your actions. Douglas Moo concurs in his commentary of Romans: “We are, then, to view vv. 9-21 as a further elaboration of that “good” which the person who is being transformed by the renewing of the mind approves of (v.2)”