For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Why do think Paul describes the Exodus as he does?
How do those who experienced the Exodus serve as an example for us?
What did they do?
Why is it dangerous to think "you are standing firm"?
How is God faithful in temptation?
Sunday, March 01, 2009
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I have created a new web album. It is about my smoking adventure this past weekend.
You can see (it's not that exciting) by clicking here. Then click "slideshow."
Is it Monday again? Already?
We had a great weekend. Luke came home, and then Lester and Maddie came home. Luke had not been home in 7 weeks, and Lester and Maddie had not been home since a couple days after Christmas. it was so nice to have everyone together.
I thought our combined adult Bible class got off to a good start yesterday. Someone counted and said the total was 75. I know several who will be there were sick, so perhaps it will grow.
I was encouraged to see so much interest in "Learning Our Story 2009." I remember when I taught this in 2002 that it was really well received.
We are going to change the course just a little this time, and I am excited about that. We are going to try figure out how to do some intergenerational story telling. We are also planning a video presentation of the old building, which is located east on Main Street about a half mile away.
Here's some running news for you.
[Hey, it's my blog - I can talk about it if I want! ha ha. Just skip this part if you don't like running.]
You know I am training for the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon? It evidently is the world's largest half marathon; about 35,000 participate in it.
To get into one of the top 3 start gates, which puts you ahead of most of the 35,000, which means you can actually run without lots of people in your way, you have to have a qualifying time in another race. Saturday's 10K in Bedford was a qualifying race. I had to run it in 48:00 minutes or better to get into starting gate 3. Guess what my time was? 47:56. Hey, 4 seconds to spare!
Actually I didn't know, due to watch ignorance on my part, what my accumlated time was (until I finished). I was looking at my mile splits along the way and really thought I was not going to make it. The wind was so brutal the last half of the run that I felt like I was going backwards.
Anyway, that time is nothing to write home about (blogging is not writing home), but it did the job for this old man.
Our text this week is interesting. It feels a little weird and good to be back in the New Testament. I really enjoyed the little journey through the Old Testament, however. I especially enjoyed the last couple of weeks in Isaiah.
What do you think we need to do, as far as sermons/Life Groups, after Easter? Our Exodus series ends on Easter Sunday.
Last week I told you about M at the gym - the guy who hesitantly revealed he used to be in ministry.
Is it my imagination, or did really become fairly vulgar today when he talked to me? I think he is testing me and/or trying to show me how far he has come.
Hmmmm.
The story will continue...
Don't you think our passage this week is paralleling baptism and the Lord's Supper with the crossing of the Red Sea and the God's provision of manna and water in the desert?
What's Paul's point?
OK, it's March. I am ready for winter to be over. This 10 degree stuff is not fun.
A year ago today I was on my way home from Istanbul. Here's an exciting excerpt from my post about coming back home.
Getting to New York was quite a long journey. Security was really tight in Istanbul. I arrived at the airport and immediately all of my bags were screened. Then I checked in and checked my bags. Passed passport control without incident; I picked the slow line of course. Next was the typical security clearance before heading to the gate. This is never easy with my computer and all the other stuff I carry with me, but I went through just fine. “Ah, I am finished with security!” This was the foolish thought I had.
When I arrived at gate 223 I saw that people were lined up for yet another security check. First I was quizzed about everything that I had done since I had cleared the last security check point. I made it through this first obstacle without incident. Next was the metal detector deal; off comes the belt, shoes, vest, and out comes the computer, etc. I make it through the metal detector, but they wanted me to boot up my computer. OK. It was a little inconvenient but not a problem. I thought I was finally finished. Wrong again.
Next I went to a cold steel table where a guy with gloves went through every compartment and pocket of my computer backpack and the other bag I was carrying on. This took about 5 minutes. I was very cooperative, thinking, “This is OK; just about done.” Zipped everything up and smiled at the security official. He smiled and said, “Come with me.” He said something in his Turkish tinted thick English about, “body search.” Gulp.
He led me to a private area of the gate and pointed to a door. The door opened. There stood this big burly beastly bulging Turkish man with rubber gloves. With a very slight sadistic smile he pointed my way into the room. At this point I didn’t know what was coming next! Much to my relief he gave me a pretty aggressive “frisk.” Whew! I left room and made no further eye contact with anyone.
Did you know that we "spring forward" on Sunday?
In 2009, daylight time begins on March 8 and ends on November 1.
Well, I watched Intervention last night. Interesting. To say the least. It's almost too much emotion/stimulation for me before I acquire my much needed beauty sleep.
There are so many thoughts that come to mind about flirting with things that can lead to addictions and about hypocrisy on the part of those who intervene. Last night, for example, alcoholic parents are a part of an intervention for a girl who was an alcoholic. Her first comment, "Why should I change when you have the same problem and are not willing to change?" Good question.
I'll probably watch it again.
Happy Square Root Day
Gladys Dunn recently moved into a retirement community in a small town. One beautiful Sunday morning she walked down the street to a church not far from her apartment. Gladys was in awe of the big beautiful church building as she stepped inside to attend the worship service. Gladys however, wasn't too impressed with the sermon. She thought it was kind of boring and, as she looked around the church, she noticed that many of the members were nodding off. When the preacher finished his sermon he encouraged the congregation to greet those sitting close by. Gladys turned toward the man sitting on her left. He, too, had fallen asleep and was yawning and stretching trying to wake up. He smiled at her, and Gladys returned the smile. She politely offered her hand and said, "I'm Gladys Dunn." "You and me both!" the man replied.
Good Joke!
Just when we think we have something whipped and get so proud of ourselves the devil lands on our shoulder and throws another barb of temptation at us and we fall again. Part of our humanity. Pride goes before a fall is pretty true. It should keep us humble knowing that we never are in a battle for life but that we have an Advocate who helps us overcome and after alot of practice avoiding the wrong things we do get stronger. But we cannot let our guard down because he is a roaring lion still wandering the earth. Sherron
Well, my computer basically crashed yesterday, so I'm kinda in a tough spot. I, like most people, am too dependent on my computer, but I'm not sure what to do about it. I am using a back-up machine today, but I don't have access to any files, emails, etc. that need attention. So if you feel neglected from me this is why.
When we go to Honduras, I am leaving my computer at home. I think I will really enjoy 12 days of no computing.
Today will be filled with conversations with Todd (working on my computer), attempts at sermon prep, attempts at class prep, etc.
Yes, I would love some cheese with my whine.
Hey, on the up side, it's going to be very warm today. I am now ready for spring.
Getting by on the old back-up computer so far...
You should read 1 Corithians 8-10 to really understand our passage this week. Paul is addressing arrogance that leads to a misunderstanding and misuse of Christian freedom. It has to do with eating meat offered to idols.
All that is pretty foreign to us, but the principles that Paul presents are not. And I think our passage, 10:1-13, is a call to humble imagination.
"Just because you experience baptism and take the Lord's Supper, don't think you are automatically ok with God. Look at Israel. They were baptized and they communed--all of them--but God was displeased with most of them."
Why? Because they could not imagine the freedom that God provided for them. They misunderstood and misused. Look at the passage.
They serve as examples for us. Paul says this twice. He also says that we don't have to fall to the same temptation. There is an escape, a way out. What is it?
Went to the jail at 7 this morning to see a young man I've not met before. His grandmother wanted me to go. I was pleasantly surprised by his receptivity. He'll be out soon, and I really think we will spend a little time together, working on a few things.
Sermon is done. Ahhh. Now onto the slide show...
Then Sunday a.m. class...
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