Genesis chapter three is all about Adam and his wife messing up. They eat from that tree of knowledge of good and evil God specifically told them not to. I used to be a youth pastor and the question I have been asked a thousand times regarding this text is, 'why did God put those trees in the garden if he didn't want them to eat it?' Great question. I think the answer is simple; God loved and trusted man enough to take the risk. From the very beginning God loved us freely and invites us to do the same.
We all know the story here; Adam and his wife choose to do what God told them not to. Consequently, God issues a series of curses. What I find most interesting here is the final stipulation; expulsion. God's reasoning for banning man from the garden is to prevent him from eating of the tree of life and living forever. Could you imagine all the bad choices a person could make if she lived forever? A reading of the next portion of the Old Testament reveals a continuing separation from God, worsening as time progresses. The poison of the knowledge of evil sinks in deeper as time progresses. Limiting our lifespan was a merciful act.
Thank you, Lord, for showing mercy. Even in your own heartbreak you look out for me. Even me. Who am I, really, that you would care for me? When I make bad choices you are still loving. This is why I pray, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Monday, February 1, 2016
The Original Blueprint
So, I'm attempting to read the Hebrew text again, and, let me say something about that: Use it or lose it. I am struggling. Maybe I should hunt down all my handmade flashcards. I must have had a thousand of those at some point. I suppose I shall add Hebrew vocabulary to the long list of things I used to know.
So, in reading Genesis chapter two I am reminded that God created Adam for relationship. Even though in chapter one I read that God created them male and female, as if it happened at the exact same time, in chapter two, the author creates a picture of creation where Adam was alone in creation, without a mate or helper. I find it interesting that even though I will later read that God was present in Eden with man that he is still concerned about Adam being alone. Perhaps, in order to truly be created in God's image, we need to experience relationship with each other. In the same way that God is reflected in us, we are reflected in each other. This is good for me to reflect upon, (ah, see what I did there,) when dealing with people I really don't like.
God, help me to recognize the things I have in common with others, namely the common denominator linking all of humanity; our original blueprint. Help me to be kind. Help me to see others through your eyes and help me mold my behavior accordingly. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Amen
So, in reading Genesis chapter two I am reminded that God created Adam for relationship. Even though in chapter one I read that God created them male and female, as if it happened at the exact same time, in chapter two, the author creates a picture of creation where Adam was alone in creation, without a mate or helper. I find it interesting that even though I will later read that God was present in Eden with man that he is still concerned about Adam being alone. Perhaps, in order to truly be created in God's image, we need to experience relationship with each other. In the same way that God is reflected in us, we are reflected in each other. This is good for me to reflect upon, (ah, see what I did there,) when dealing with people I really don't like.
God, help me to recognize the things I have in common with others, namely the common denominator linking all of humanity; our original blueprint. Help me to be kind. Help me to see others through your eyes and help me mold my behavior accordingly. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Amen
Friday, January 29, 2016
In the Beginning
I am at a breaking point. Or, perhaps, I'm already broken. Sin has crept into my life and, like a virus, has infected my soul. What sin, might you ask? Bluntly, laziness. Oh, I have many reasons, I suppose: I am exhausted, I am busy, I have a billion things going on. All of this is true but none serve as an adequate excuse. So, here's the deal: I have decided I am tired of being isolated from my creator. I am ready to feel as I once did. I am ready to have what I once had. I am ready to respect myself again. I'm sick and tired of who I have become. I am doing something about it now. I am praying.
Prayer, the quintessential tool for reacquainting myself with God, and, subsequently, with myself. My real self.
Not that there has to be a method to communicating with God, but, me being me, I have developed an order for myself. A challenge, of sorts, if you will. This isn't the kind of challenge I am inviting others to do with me. There will be no 'tagging of ten friends' or anything like that. I am simply praying through the bible, one chapter at a time. I don't have a fancy reading order. I will just start in the beginning. (No pun intended. If I hash-tagged I would say something like #igotjokes #biblegrad.)
So, why share? Why blog?
A. It's cathartic
B. It promotes adherence to my goal
C. The transparency will help me
D. Maybe someone else might benefit
All of that being said, I started with Genesis 1. Here are a few things that stood out for me:
This book begins with describing the creation of the world. All things existed in chaos. I remember once upon a time being smart enough to know that this is a cross-cultural theme of the period; it was not just an Israelite idea. So, God goes about ordering the chaos, mastering it, if you will. I really love here how God's breath/wind/spirit, (Hebrew word, ruach) hovers over the the face of the waters. There is also all this cool word play going on with the Hebrew word for face/presence. So, the Spirit/presence of God orders the chaos and creates light from darkness. God also brings separation/distinction to creation. It is very comforting to me that God is able to bring light, order and distinction to a formless dark void, which is how I feel about the condition of my soul here lately.
Here is something else I find here in the first chapter of Genesis that reminds me of His goodness. God goes on creating all living things, plants, fish, birds...you know the story. All along he has mankind in mind. He creates humanity and says, 'hey, look at all this cool stuff I made you; its all yours.' (Paraphrasing mine, obviously.) Essentially, He prepares the gift for mankind prior to even creating us. How good is God?
So, I pray that your power to bring light, order and distinction to dark formless voids works in my life to bring about change within me. Let me rely upon your provision that was already there prior to me taking my first breath. Thank you for your creative power. Now, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.
Prayer, the quintessential tool for reacquainting myself with God, and, subsequently, with myself. My real self.
Not that there has to be a method to communicating with God, but, me being me, I have developed an order for myself. A challenge, of sorts, if you will. This isn't the kind of challenge I am inviting others to do with me. There will be no 'tagging of ten friends' or anything like that. I am simply praying through the bible, one chapter at a time. I don't have a fancy reading order. I will just start in the beginning. (No pun intended. If I hash-tagged I would say something like #igotjokes #biblegrad.)
So, why share? Why blog?
A. It's cathartic
B. It promotes adherence to my goal
C. The transparency will help me
D. Maybe someone else might benefit
All of that being said, I started with Genesis 1. Here are a few things that stood out for me:
This book begins with describing the creation of the world. All things existed in chaos. I remember once upon a time being smart enough to know that this is a cross-cultural theme of the period; it was not just an Israelite idea. So, God goes about ordering the chaos, mastering it, if you will. I really love here how God's breath/wind/spirit, (Hebrew word, ruach) hovers over the the face of the waters. There is also all this cool word play going on with the Hebrew word for face/presence. So, the Spirit/presence of God orders the chaos and creates light from darkness. God also brings separation/distinction to creation. It is very comforting to me that God is able to bring light, order and distinction to a formless dark void, which is how I feel about the condition of my soul here lately.
Here is something else I find here in the first chapter of Genesis that reminds me of His goodness. God goes on creating all living things, plants, fish, birds...you know the story. All along he has mankind in mind. He creates humanity and says, 'hey, look at all this cool stuff I made you; its all yours.' (Paraphrasing mine, obviously.) Essentially, He prepares the gift for mankind prior to even creating us. How good is God?
So, I pray that your power to bring light, order and distinction to dark formless voids works in my life to bring about change within me. Let me rely upon your provision that was already there prior to me taking my first breath. Thank you for your creative power. Now, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.
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