Book of Job

It has been a long while since I posted last. Since then Kessia and I have moved and we went without internet for many weeks. Not a bad thing to do but it did mean that I could not post here very easily. Now I am back and want to discuss some of the things that I have been reading about recently. We'll start with the book of Job.

In my lenten chronological reading I read the entire book of Job. Through the many days that this book spanned for me I went through quite a process in thinking about Job and his struggles and journey. I will do my best to recount that journey here. 

The book starts out with the discussion with the Devil and God. The Devil wants to use Job to prove a point to God. Satan then attacks everything God has given Job. At first Job seems ok. Then Satan takes so much that Job enters what seems to be a deep struggle. Job's own wife even asks him to curse God so that he can die. Then three of his "friends" come to comfort and sympathize with him. This conversation is the bulk of the book. 

I was shocked at some of the things Job says to these friends. Preceeding the conversation the Bible states that Job does not sin in what he says. Then a few lines later Job is cursing the day of his birth. This to me seems like he is rejecting God and the gift of life. These two statements did not seem to go together. 

It is clear from Job's language that he is depressed. He is suffering and questioning. I could not help but think of him as the Israelites walking in the desert, or a modern day teen. On a side note, one line that reminded me of much of the dark poetry that we fear from teens read as follows: "I will complain in the bitterness of my soul." Well, at least no one can fault Job for being forthright. 

 As the conversation goes on Job's language stays the same and begs for God to come and confront him. The friends ask questions and probe at what it is God is saying. They threw out some questions that got my mind racing to try and answer. "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you Probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens-what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave- what can you know?" This last one really struck me. God's mysteries are definitely deeper than the depths of the grave. I loved how this seemed to almost hint at how it is only God in Jesus that can conquer the grave. This is a mystery to us that we are still trying to explain and realistically never will with any certainty. It is a humbling thought that was around thousands of years ago. These questions won me over to the friends side. I wanted Job to respond and think about the enlightening ideas and questions that they offered. Instead he continued.

Each response left me sorting through Job's poetic depression to try and figure out what he was saying. Day after day I listened to him. I saw the old image of God as a kid on an ant hill with a magnify glass. He complains about how the wicked have all these great things and God does not punish them. These common current day complaints and questions Job has thousands of years ago. What I could not shake though was the question of why is Job the good guy and the friends bad?

The final response it clicked in to me. I finally realized that because of Job's culture when things go wrong people believed that God was punishing the person for their sins. Misfortune meant misdeeds. So what the two groups were really arguing was that Job knew he had done know wrong and wanted to face his "judge". The friends wanted Job to admit the wrong in his life and come clean. By Job not coming clean they felt he was going against God and speaking blasphemy. Job knew this was not the case and tried to explain it several times, but the friends could not see it. 

In the end God comes into the story again and chastises Job for many of the things he was saying. To me God's responses seemed similar to the friends, but God can make those statements clearly and without question. The friends get the largest punishment, but are able to receive forgiveness if Job prays for them after they give him gifts.

Intriguing story. Very confusing with their poetry. A great reminder that we should not judge others because of what we assume the circumstances in their life might mean. God is the only judge who can know for sure. And what do we know of the mysteries of God?

Book of Job

The reading for me yesterday, today, and the next ten days will be the book of Job. I will not necessarily blog each day about this because I want to analyze and understand the story as a whole. As interesting ideas come forth though I will address them in here. 

Job reminds me of a junior high student at times. The story starts out with Job blest by God. He is very righteous and upstanding. He has a family, place to live, servants, lots of livestock and possessions. When this is taken away and tragedy befalls on Job he first withstands it. The second wave he crumbles (it seems right now). Several friends come to visit and start having a discussion with him. Through this discussion Job complains and seems to focus on only his suffering. The world revolves around Job. At one juncture his friends point out that after all those Job has helped why is his suffering so bad and will not let others help. 

There are many curious lines of in the conversation with Job. Much of it is depressingly curious, but there are also some insightful things. The concept right now in the book that I am engaging with is this idea of blessing by God. What is it that God bestows upon us that makes us blessed. There is the idea that wealth and resources make us blest (very USA thought). There is also the idea that it is our knowledge, connections, work, or identity. A pastor once told me there are two things that are important/eternal. Relationships and God (Word of God). As I read Job I want to tell him this. Hopefully his friends will. 

Job also states many times that God will look for him and he will no longer be living. This seems to imply that God's presence has left Job. As I noted before that is something that Cain could not handle. Cain probably would have preferred death to losing God's presence.  As I continue to journey with Job (remind me never to let my students read this book to get any ideas about how to complain) I hope we both get to see how God might deliver him. 

Genesis 10-11

The section I read late last night consists mostly of the family tree for Noah and his sons. In the middle of this we get a interesting story of one of his descendants. It is another well known story that we have come to know as the Tower of Babel. 

I had always thought of this story as another case of humanity doing something it should not and God stepping in to stop them. Before re-reading this story I would have summarized it as the people trying to build up and get to heaven. God hears of this and stops them by making it so they can not communicate by changing their languages. 

This is similar, but seems to be wrong as I look at this. What we see is the people start making bricks as they move out and fill the earth as commanded. They do this instead of using stone. So they start building a city and have a large tower in it to reach the heavens. What struck me as very different is the response God has. God sees it and realizes that people can accomplish anything now. God then states to himself (with a let us) that they should confuse the language. 

This is a story to help explain how people began to speak different languages. It is a myth to help explain how we came to have different languages. The part that perplexes me is that God is more concerned with how productive the people have become. Why would God be concerned about this? It does not make sense in this light. 

The only way I can understand this story right now is to see it as myth and an explanation of a situation on Earth. 

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. 

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!

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. 

Different Bible Translations

Yesterday my beautiful wife and I went out to Costco and stopped at Cokesbury. Cokesbury for anyone who does not know is a christian book store that has many United Methodist Resources. While there we poked around and saw all the different resources from VBS (my big purchases), Movies to use in ministry, and different translations of the Bible. Kessia and I looked at the many different ways to structure and read the Bible. She commented that Mars Hill has gone to only the ESV. The translation was described as a word for word translation that retrains readability. 

One of the things I find very important in youth ministry is using an appropriate translation. One of the first things I did was change the translation we used when I was with Mary, Queen of Peace. The reason for this was simply that the reading level of the translation that was being used was at "10.66" according to many different places. Now assuming all of the students I had were at normal reading level then they were still two years away from being able to read and comprehend all of it. Some I am sure could get everything and others I am sure could not. We switched to a translation that was still catholic and had a 7th grade reading level. 

Now, I find myself in the opposite predicament. The group leans on the translation "The Message". This Thought for Thought translation is at a reading level of a 4th grader. This is the translation being used for middle school and high school students. I have to be honest that this bothers me. When I see some of the word play, nuance, and beauty of the Bible lost because we want to dumb it down then it is frustrating. The part that bothers me the most is getting one to say what you want. When I teach I want to stay with one translation the entire time not picking and choosing so that the message that I want is communicated. Reading the Bible is not about the message we want, but about what God wants to teach us. 

When it comes down to which one to choose I find myself drawn to the middle of the spectrum (word for word or thought for thought) or more to the word for word side. Usually when dealing with younger students I want to keep them at least in the NIV. Now that I work with children that is a little more difficult, but still worth it when possible. There are many great sites out there that debate and map the translations so I will not try and compete with them. In the end though stick with ONE translation and do your research in that one. 

Student's Freedom of Speech

Today I read an article that talked about cyberbullying and first amendment rights on the internet. The article, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28629118/ , centers on two separate stories. The first deals with a good student who won an election in school, but had to give up the position because of things she said online about the office at the school. The second is a bullying case by a mother that lead to the death of a 13 year old girl. 

The thing that shocks me about these is that there seems to be no way for the government to figure this out. I know with all these cases if we apply a hard and fast rule it will not work out much of the time. The thing that I see is that the internet does not give everyone the right to say what we want. Personally, I believe I should be held liable if I say damaging or lies about others on the internet. It is my responsibility to use the resources we have responsibly. In the case of the student blowing off steam at the administration it is clear to me that she made a choice and there should be consequences. If we take away consequences for children and youth there are going to be some serious issues in coming generations. 

Most of us want to protect those we know and especially our children. I, on one youth trip, battled the leaders of the trip because they were accusing my youth with out any proof of wrong doing. I stood up for the youth, but still talked with my youth about being good examples. If they would have admitted it to me then we would have addressed the situation and asked them how would be the best way to solve it. If it had come out they did something and I fought to not have them take any consequences then what am I teaching? 

One of the biggest things that I learned in psychology about raising children is using natural consequences. I think the dinner table is excellent. The child gets to make a choice of if they want to eat what the family is eating. If they refuse then they can pass on dinner. The natural consequence is that they are hungry. They know the result and choose it. They have power in the situation and choose between not liking taste or hunger. 

It is simple things like this that can allow us to help teach youth about responsibility, consequences, solutions, and accountability. When we go to battle for the youth defending their right to slander, harass, lie, or bully what are we teaching? Youth are going to complain about teachers, leaders, adults, and even one another. (If you don't believe me then spend 30 minutes around a group of Jr. High students) What differs is where and how they are doing this. Are they publishing? Or are they talking in the car? How are we responding when we over hear this conversations? We have a responsibility to demonstrate better options for our own frustration. 

In the end I hope that the girl loses the case. Youth need to be protected, but so do adults.