Giving within

"Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of^(BG) greed and wickedness. 40^(BH) You fools!^(BI) Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? 41But^(BJ) give as alms those things that are within, and behold,^(BK) everything is clean for you.

If I'm honest, i have given time and effort to the lord. But i think some of me inside, has longed to be elsewhere. Oh how difficult it is to give within to the lord. To give the lord what i want. How sick I am....

Showers and Repentance

Every morning I need I shower. I believe it is a good ritual. As much as I avoid mud puddles, cess pools, and disposal parks, dirt accumulates on my body. Often times I believe I'm about 25% franklin (from peanuts).

After a long day of any kind of sweating, working, or running, a long shower is always welcome. The heat, the wiping away of my own odors, despite all its work is for one goal : clean. By the way, I don't know how it is for the rest of you, but my shower needs to be hot.

last week in the midst of a hot cleansing, i was struck by this thought. salvation is a cleansing also. It is a wiping away of sins, the forgiveness of sins. It is not a new slate to be written on all over again. It is the magical switching of accounts. Sins I commit become evil investments accredited to Jesus. And I have, for a lifetime, receiving the payments or the interest of Jesus' holy lifetime actions.

So how does the shower like this? For me the shower is a lot like daily repentance. When we first come to believe, the account switchign takes place. The check books have forever been switched. We only receive the goodness of the Lord. Now, sin will always be a part of this world, our skin, bones and flesh, so we will continue to bruise our soul. But time and time again, our lord has left us a means of forgiveness, Jesus. Now though spiritually the sins automatically go to Christ, we are still commanded in Colossians to keep seeking the things above. And we are commanded in Hebrews to run the race set before us, we are also called to lay aside every sin that encumbers us.

Long words to say, there is still work to be done, maybe not on the cosmic level, but on our psyche's level. The cleansing I referring to is repentance, the preservation of holiness. That daily practice of identifying sin, and recognizing the power of God. Must it always be like this? must it always be through sin that god's glory will be seen?

No.

Amazingly enough in the end, the wonderful creation of God will make bodies that can somehow comprehend the glory of God on a magical scale. At that point, will we have to know evil to know good, or will good be made to us self- evident? there will be no tears, no death, no pain, so i take that to mean that there is no sin.

How will this work? to comprehend greatness without a scale? I leave that up to the lord who made senses, who made variation, and magnitude. Example - magnitude is having someone taller and someone shorter. Variation is having yellow, red, black, blue. Which is more colorful? None of them. Which is more black? well, then you have something to measure. And if the lord can make this world, the expanse, the heat transfer, the mystic electromagnetism. I'm sure he will figure out a way to make us know his Glory to the fullest.

BTW - paradox- his Glory is hindered by sin, but it is also magnified by it, because he is greater than sin. Chew on that.

So in the meantime, I will not think of praying as trudgery but wil consider teh confession of sins as the shower of the soul the cleansing of all things evil in my head, in my heart, in my will. And if one day I shall not enjoy the confession of sins, or the meditation of the word, then may I learn how to shower properly to get hte full feeling between showering and not.

Psalm 19

Psalm 19
1The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Wonder and awe are to be had staring at creation. The world is made by God, as in all the people in it. The expanse is declaring the work of His hands. The word expanse is also used in the creation narrative, subtly pointing to the creation of the world. Its funny how we live in the present, and often forget the beginning and the end. In the beginning, God created all things, and set the world into motion, and the world that I am living in is still in that same God given motion that started it. And this story God has penned in the cosmos, it will have its end one day, for a great purpose, and I would do well not to forget that.

Summary: One of the intentions of the expanse, of space, is to show the works of God. It’s existence is to say “I cannot be made by you”

2Day to (C)day pours forth speech,

And (D)night to night reveals knowledge.

This continues the idea. One powerful item here is “day to day”, one of the possibilities is that this refers to “time”. Time pours forth speech, time is testament. With the night to night here, this could refer just to general nights, or to the time progressing. Another meaning could be that during the day, much happens, and in the night meditation occurs.

3There is no speech, nor are there words;

Their voice is not heard.

4Their [a](E)line has gone out through all the earth,

And their utterances to the end of the world

This is referring to the testament of creation, how its words have gone out into the world, and that no one has heard them, yet the whole world has heard and seen creation.

In them He has (F)placed a tent for the sun,

5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;

It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

6Its (G)rising is from one end of the heavens,

And its circuit to the other end of them;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

This section proclaims the sun. This is an interesting comparison, as most bible comparisons are. I call it a two way street. Many analogies are used to illustrate the behavior of some foreign idea. It is usually a one way association. For example, if this new game “wartball” is compared to baseball, wartball would be associated with baseball, but not the other way around. For instance, baseball would not always make people think of wartball.

Not so with biblical analogies, the sun reminds us of the groom coming from his chamber, and the groom reminds us of the sun, how he glows with expectation, and anticipation of the wedding that is to be had. The sun rejoices like a strong man. Nothing can hide from its heat, and it crosses the heavens

For a mock message – 6 Actions of the Lord

1. Law
a. Perfect
b. Restores the soul
2. Testimony
a. Sure
b. Making wise the simple
3. Precepts
a. Right
b. Rejoicing the heart
4. Commandments
a. Pure
b. Enlightening the eyes
5. Fear
a. Clean
b. Enduring forever
6. Judgements
a. True
b. Righteous altogether

7(H)The law of the LORD is [b](I)perfect, (J)restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is (K)sure, making (L)wise the simple. 8The precepts of the LORD are (M)right, (N)rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is (O)pure, (P)enlightening the eyes.
9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are (Q)true; they are (R)righteous altogether.
10They are more desirable than (S)gold, yes, than much fine gold; (T)Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.


11Moreover, by them (U)Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great (V)reward. 12Who can (W)discern his errors? (X)Acquit me of (Y)hidden faults. 13Also keep back Your servant (Z)from presumptuous sins; Let them not (AA)rule over me; Then I will be [c](AB)blameless, And I shall be acquitted of (AC)great transgression. 14Let the words of my mouth and (AD)the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, (AE)my rock and my (AF)Redeemer.

Psalm 16

" I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken." verse 7-8

It scares me to think of my heart as a teacher or educator. Most of the time my heart plays the role of the hedonist, or the indulger. It longs for toys, riches, companionship; and with some inflammation, it craves for these things. The heart is often deceitful. The bible tells us that we may think that we may find purity in our own ways, but only God knows the depths of our hearts.

So how can this unstable engine instruct us? Earlier in the Psalm we see

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, i have a beautiful inheritance. "

So choosing God provides a filling of the cup, a satisfaction of good things. All longings all desires, filled, and satisfied and innundated by God's truth and his physical provision in this world. As a sidenote, it would be interesting to consider the following christ as a weaning away from the world to weaning towards christ. As our heart is filled, my suspicion is that it will testify even to ourselves of what the LORD has provided for us.

Notice, it happens at night, at the end of the day.

Scattered

Yesterday on a dirty couch, with comfy sweat pants on I received a unsettling revelation. Two friends had come over in the middle of the pouring rain to come and visit our apartment. Being of the career age, conversation was all ho hum: schools and dating (is there anything else we really care about?). Then the talking took a uncomfortable turn: the topic was me.

I like myself. Or at least i think i like myself. Looking in the mirror is always difficult depending on what the mirror is made off. A glass mirror will portray a asian image; a bent mirror will fold me into fat albert. A friend is also a type of mirror, only the picture is more clouded and distorted. I can never be sure if a companion really is telling the truth. One friend, say stacy, hangs around prison inmates and comments : "you are really nice". Compared to a murderer and a serial thief, my drawing hobbies and faithfulness to homework and sure to shine, but if I am put in a dog and pony show compared to some of my peers, the images sours quickly.

This is all a long way to say I am bothered. My friend called me "Scattered". Two paragraphs of preface mock me on my own blog. Am I really that scattered? And how do scattered people bring it together? Or am I humpty dumpty destined to never be put back together again?

Isaiah 11

1There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of(A) Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.2And(B) the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.3And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.(C) He shall not judge by(D) what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear,4but(E) with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with
equity for the meek of the earth;and he shall(F) strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and(G) with the breath of his lips(H) he shall kill the wicked.5Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and(I) faithfulness the belt of his loins.

fhdfh

Bible verses always have their ambiguities. Verses that break the mind, puzzle the intellect, and generate question marks in daily journals. This passage is no different. Here, there shall come someone from the line of jesse. As the bible begins to describe this special person, one of the descriptions is :

2And(B) the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD

What does this mean? There are all sorts of bad implications from these 3 spirits. Here are some possibilities:

1. Greater -> lesser, lesser, lesser
2. Equal -> Equal, Equal, Equal
3. General -> specific, specific, specific

My first objection is, why not just have a list? And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom, understand, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the lord? There is a strange grouping -

1. Wisdom and Understanding
2. Counsel and Might
3. Knowledge and Fear

Perhaps the second item is more interesting than any of the other ones. Wisdom and understanding are married as husband and wife. Knowledge and fear makes sense, not as strongly. But what the heck is Counsel and Might having to do with anything? What the heck is a spirit of Counsel? Counsel has an idea of advice, knowledge, speaking, or compassion and understanding. Might implies strength confidence and action. It is almost as if these two are not even on the same measuring scale!

And following - a even more difficult section:

He shall not judge by(D) what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear,4but(E) with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth

I personally like this verse because of the fact; he will not judge with what his eyes see or ears hear. How many a situation has been mis-understood to the bad social digestion of all! The contrast is stark! In comparison to eyes and ears, he judges with righteousness. The author doesn't even explain how the judgin will work. Only that it will, and it will be right. It also says decide with equity.

Equity
1.the quality of being fair or impartial; fairness; impartiality: the equity of Solomon.
2.something that is fair and just.

and following "for the meek of the earth" another puzzling phrase. How does he decide "for" a people group? At first glance i would have thought they would decide WHO the people group is. But deciding "for" them seems to be a representative. Why would the meek of the earth need someone to judge"FOR" them?

Needless to say, many questions, but good none the less to know that the LORD is right, and when he comes all will be seen, all my rotten deeds, all my hypocrasy, and even if there is but a slight sliver of goodness in me, it will be found, and it will be found that it was from GOD alone. Praise be to God who has put conditions on salvation, but has fulfilled them himself. How shall we walk away from such a God!

Isaiah 10 - The rod and the master

12(W)
When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem,(X) he[a] will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes. 13(Y) For he says:

"By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding;I remove the boundaries of peoples, and plunder their treasures; like a bull I bring down those who sit on thrones.

14My hand has found like a nest the wealth of the peoples;and as one gathers eggs that have been forsaken, so I have gathered all the earth;and there was none that moved a wing or opened the mouth or chirped."

15Shall(Z) the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it?As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!

16Therefore the Lord GOD of hosts will send wasting sickness among his(AA) stout warriors,and under his glory(AB) a burning will be kindled, like the burning of fire.

17(AC) The light of Israel will become a fire, and(AD) his Holy One a flame,and(AE) it will burn and devour his thorns and briers(AF) in one day.

18The glory of(AG) his forest and of his(AH) fruitful land the LORD will destroy, both soul and body, and it will be as when a sick man wastes away.

19The remnant of the trees of his forest will be so few that a child can write them down.

The rod and the master. This particular passage interests me because it shows the method of the Lord in punishing the arrogant heart of the king. The first verse is actually quoted from the king of assyria.

"By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for
I have understanding;I remove the boundaries of peoples, and plunder their treasures; like a bull I bring down those who sit on thrones.

14My hand has found like a nest the wealth of the peoples;and as one gathers eggs that have been forsaken, so I have gathered all the earth;and there was none that moved a wing or opened the mouth or chirped."

Pretty pompous isn't it? like a bull I bring down those who sit on thrones. I have never touched an ax, a sword, nor any type of armament, so i find this difficult to relate to. You, the common american reader have rarely conquered anything larger than a tomato or a tomato-sized dog. So for this moment, i will speak of other more practical applications. Do we believe in Human fuel? Human power? How do we remedy the lack of perceived output of happiness and good times? Is it "try harder"? That's simple man's talk for "I believe the human element, the human ability".

I find these thoughts particularly strong in educational systems. Our product is a direct measurement of our effort and intellectual ability compared to everyone else. I have found myself very unhappy being average. But being average among what? At a top university level education, which is not bad. But, no, I need to be more than that! Sad is my pride. Perhaps the more telling signs is the suggested remedy? Work harder, think more, read more books, get smarter, find a program, throw all energy towards your achievement! And who has guaranteed that all that input should have any influence on the output of our lives?

And what does the bible say about speech that is like this?

15Shall(Z)
the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it?As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!

I am a tool nothing more nothing less. Oh lord, forgive me for the years and years i assumed my ability and smartness. everything comes from the lord! Everything! All drawing, all perceived conversation, all great teaching, all learning; they are gifts from the lord. How often i have called myself the bull, the tiger or the lion that makes the kill when it is really the lord who glues all things together. Praise be to God! That we may experience the life that he has prescribed, and that we can see his workings first hand! I am a human tool! How can I boast of he who wields me?

Do I really understand my spot? my place ? My problems? What puzzles has the lord provided for me that I may be used for Glory by the spirit?