Friday, February 27, 2009

Genesis 7-9

The story of Noah continued today with the flood coming and then God's covenant. This is a classic story that most people are familiar with to some degree. So much so that many cultures have a flood story in their mythology to explain things. 

One thing stuck out to me in reading this. After the story we are used to there is a brief account of Noah becoming drunk and naked. His sons (or grandsons) come in and cover him up while he is passed out. When he awakes he is very upset by this and curses them. I am going to have to do some research on culture and what the significance is but it struck me as odd. We have this beautiful story of how wonderful Noah is and how he is good and then a story of his shame (or his families depending on culture) I will make sure to include notes on this in future writings. 

Genesis 4-6

To continue looking at a passage each day I had three separate sections in my reading yesterday. The first was Cain and Abel. Followed by the "begats" and ending with the beginning of Noah. Today I will continue Noah in a later post. 

The one that I found the most interesting was Cain and Abel. This is a classic story of two sons who try and please God. One gets favor and the other gets jealous. This happens constantly across the world. There were two things that caught my eye. The first was that 

The second thing that caught my attention is how God knows Cain killed Abel. I would have guessed the wrath of God (especially OT) would have meant death for Cain. God kills later in the Noah story is going to "wipe the slate clean" with the a flood because of wickedness and kill all of those who have not found favor. Why not Cain too? 

It could be as simple as showing forgiveness. Maybe the proper punishment was to have Abel get the revenge. Abel is in the ground and God says that the land will not be harvestable for him. None of these seemed to add up for me as I thought about it. 

Something Jesus said struck me just now. When Jesus cries out on the cross "My God why have you forsaken me" it is often attributed to the fact that Jesus has taken the sins upon him and He is separated from God's presences. 

This is the punishment God gives Cain. I was initially surprised at Cain's response of essentially "Anything but that!" Now thinking about Jesus' response it makes sense. It ends up leaving me thinking about how many of us today are as separated from Gods presence. Maybe we are like crabs who can be slowly boiled to death if you raise the temperature slowly. They do not struggle and just take the heat. This thought scares me. Would I notice myself being boiled? Would I recognize the lack of God's presence? Am I that in love with God that that would be the biggest punishment for me? 

I hope that I can get to a point where Death is a gift of going home to God and exile from God is the biggest punishment I could receive. 

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Genesis 1:1-3:24

Being the chronological Bible we are going to start this right at the beginning with the creation story. This is the part of the Bible I have read the most, but it is best to stay with the entire goal and not skip things.

There are a few things that have jumped out at me. In the initial creation story, the seven days, I remembered a professor tracing how science says the world began and this story. What was interesting is it happened in the exact same order, but different words. For example: "Let there be light" is the "big bang" and the order of species is the same starting with that in the water. When finishing my notes from this class I plan on posting them for a review. I have many students now who would find this fascinating.

One of the phrases in the opening section of the Bible that always captures my attention is when God breathes the breath of life into man's nostrils. I guess what perplexes me is the choice of nostrils rather than mouth. When we use CPR to save someone's life it is always centered on the mouth and plugging the nostrils. I hope one day to understand why it is framed as nostrils or if there is a reason. 

One of the footnotes I was drawn to was the during the passages of man and woman being created. It stated that the Hebrew for woman sounds like Hebrew for man. This may have been a play on words, but also intriguing how they could be interchanged or even mixed up. 

The trinity is also evident already as we are created in Gods image. God says "Let us make man in our image..." Noticing these things makes me understand Christianity more and how the theological takes are consistent throughout the entire Bible. 

The passage I read ended with Adam and Eve being removed from the garden. It is in God's declaration to Adam that I noticed a verse/symbol that was used this evening. "you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken for dust you are and dust you will return." On this night that we put ashes, or dust, on our forehead to remind us of repentance. We are reminded to turn to God and to draw near. Just as the Jewish people would return to the temple, God's presence, when they repented so must we. This line has allowed me to see God is guiding me through this journey and confirming the direction. It is not this often that I get to see a clear sign, but tonight that is what I feel I am given. For this I am grateful. 

I am excited to journey across the desert with God. I do not know what He wishes to show me but I eagerly await the lessons and moments in His lap. Humbled, as lowly dust, I dedicate my work to honor and glorify Hosanna in the Highest. 

Lent

Every year lent rolls around and it is seen as a time to renew our failed attempts at new years resolutions. For many this means giving up chocolate or meat on specific days. I rarely hear of people deciding to take things on for lent. This year I am going to do a classic with a twist and see how it goes. 

For lent I have decided to read my Bible everyday. This is simple enough. Recently I bought a chronological Bible that goes through in one year. I have been distracted and pressed and not taken the time to start. Today I started. Where is the twist though? 

The twist comes in with what I plan to do with reading everyday. I am going to blog about what I read each day to accomplish many things. First, this will help me stay accountable. I will be able to check myself (and anyone who reads the blog) will know if I miss a day. This focus will keep me on the challenge. Secondly, and much more important, it will help me focus and think over what it is I am learning and God is trying to teach me. I hope that this aspect of my lenten goal brings me closer to God, which is what lent is all about!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Ministry with no money

I was talking with one of my friends the other day about a dilemma she has currently about a college ministry program. She is in an campus minister role at a smaller Catholic university. Unfortunately, the program's money has dried up and they are struggling to fund any of the ministry past staff. Her budget is literally zero and yet she feels the pressure to help push students deeper in their faith and relationship with Christ. This is a problem that I do not think is isolated to this college or ministry. Can ministry be done without any money?

All of those in ministry wish that they had the money to do the things they dream of. There are always TVs, toys, games, computers, software, cameras, vans, couches, painting, band equipment, guest speakers, interns, curriculum, music, ipods, movies, MLB games, theme park trips, books, and the all important Starbucks trips. This is what ministry has become to many of those in ministry. Is that what best helps students grow their faith? 

Now some of these things might help students start to think. Some may even be what brings them into relationship. There are a few things missing from this list. Where are the service projects? Where are the mission trips? Where are the worship services? Where are the heart to heart conversations? The list has our culture, but where is Christ?

As I sat confined on a five hour plane ride this dilemma of can ministry be done without money crept back into my mind. God was speaking and I was finally ready to listen to His answer.

Mark 6: 6b-13
"Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

 8These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."

 12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them."

The answer was loud and clear. Not only could ministry be done without money, but this was often the best ministry. Students do not remember the video game nights, the cool music, or the best new board game that you bought. What touches their life is a person who is dedicated and intent on representing Christ in their life and walking with them. 

The verse is clear on what we are to take with us. Nothing, except what we have on, as if we are sent as we are. Brokenness and all. No money. No food. No extra clothes. Jesus wants them to rely on others. Why are the ministers sent required to rely on others? The answer is simple human nature. When we can take care of ourselves we do not talk as much to those around us. We stick to our comfort zone and avoid contact.  

I have seen many ministries struggle to make ends meet. Those ministries are constantly pushing to help more people. They ask the question of how they can make more ministry happen with what they have. These ministries are often continued by those who are passionate about the mission and Christ. 

On the flip side is the ministries that become content with what they have. I have seen multiple youth programs that wanted more money, prestige, and toys. They let the ministry become about toys, pride, and policy rather than Christ. 

The real question then is not if ministry can be done without money, but rather can it be done with money?

This is a question that I am struggling with right now. I personally had a very large youth ministry budget. I had no clue what to do with something that large because all I needed for ministry is a few passionate adults that want to help students grow in their faith. The budget was substantially cut this last year and now we are back to making ends meet. I have started to think about next year's budget and trying to find someway to have it purely fund mission and service projects. 

My friend and I chatted that day about many things that can be done for cheap that will help students grow. We talked about just spending time with students. Praying with them. Listening to all that is going on in their life. Going for a walk. Throwing a Frisbee. Cooking dinner together. Running errands with them. Stretch the group with a service project that fits what the group can give. These help build the relationship to speak truth in their lives. The best part is these push us beyond our culture. Beyond the barriers. Beyond the comfort zone and into Jesus' arms.