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Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Wednesday Bible Study: What Jesus asked, part 10

 


This week, we hit 3 questions that might look like they come from 2 stories that don't go together, but they do.  And the reason they do is twofold.  One, they are addressed to to the Pharisees who accuse Him, and unlike the Disciples whom He asks questions to mold them, and the people whom He asks questions to teach them, He asks these questions of the Pharisees to accuse them. Two, He is showing them over and over the thing they will later call blasphemy, that He IS God.

Let's look at the first question:

Mat 12:1  At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.
Mat 12:2  But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath."
Mat 12:3  He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him:
Mat 12:4  how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 


Now first, you have to know the story being referred to.  David was the example they declared to follow.  This wasn't a bad thing; God Himself only faulted David 'in the matter of Uriah the Hittite'. But, he was a man who made many mistakes, and this incident packed a bunch of them.  It was at the beginning of his flight from Saul, and he stopped off at the Tabernacle to beg supplies.  He let the priest think he was on a mission for Saul, and then added to the misimpression by lying about the non-existent men under his command who were 'waiting outside'.  And then he asked the priest for bread, and all that there was to be had was the Showbread, which had sat before the Lord for 7 days and was about to be replaced- since this occurred on the Sabbath.  And he finished it off with an excuse- technically, only the priests could eat the Showbread even after the seven days, but David reasoned that it was "in effect, common", and talked the priest into giving it to him.


If David was truly their example, then they had to see the Showbread as common as well.  But what does Showbread have to do with wheat on the head?  Here you have to consider- Jesus is God, and the field before Him was just the same as the Showbread in the Temple.  It was the Sabbath, and the Disciples hunger, just like David's need, rendered the Sabbath Showbread common.  Thus, Jesus' question told them 2 things- He was God, and they don't follow the example of David.


The second question plays on that:

Mat 12:5  Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?
Mat 12:6  I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.
Mat 12:7  And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mat 12:8  For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." 


The first question busted them on their twisting of their own tradition; the second catches them on service and common sense.  If the priests did no work (by the Pharisees' definition) on the Sabbath, they could not do the most important part of their service before the Lord.  The Disciples do the Lord's work, and Jesus as God is greater than the Temple built by hands.


Now, they have been shown their accusations are against the example of "David their father", and against the laws of service to the Lord.  But they move on, and Jesus busts them with the deepest cut of all:


Mat 12:9  He went on from there and entered their synagogue.
Mat 12:10  And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"--so that they might accuse him.
Mat 12:11  He said to them, "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?
Mat 12:12  Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
Mat 12:13  Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other.


This time, they were busted on their OWN example- how they lived THEIR lives.  So three times He used their own tactics to turn their accusations upon themselves, and three times He proved He was God doing it.  The were legalists in the extreme, and would be quite at home in many of our churches, fighting over "proper position in worship" and the like.  But their way is not what God intended in giving them the Law of Moses.  In Mark, Jesus adds this quote...

Mar 2:27  And he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."

 

 Their legalism had stripped them of perspective, mercy, and the ability to recognize God right before themselves.  He was truly 'answering a fool according to their folly' (Proverbs 26), because even being defeated at their own game didn't change their minds...


Mat 12:14  But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. 


But again, Jesus was never trying to teach them.  He was just showing them the accusation they would face at the judgment.  And our best lesson here is, you can choose faith, or you can choose rules.  Faith will get you to heaven. Rules- whether you follow them in a misapplied manner, or outright reject them- That's a different story.

Sunday, March 27, 2022

The Better Part, week #58

 

The latest FB posts:


The Better Part, Day #271:
 
I'm not sure if it was a quote or a personal reflection, but David Jeremiah said something that ought to serve as a guide to anyone trying to attach a flag to their faith, or looking for Putin in Revelation, or just trying to blame a daily misfortune on Satan. "If it can't be understood by the most primitive listener, it's not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.:"



The Better Part, Day #272:
 
 
Until I can put You first... until the people are the ones You give to care for, until the concerns are the things You take care of, until the music and the walks and the games are the gifts to show You care, and the words are the tools You use to remake me... until You are the first and the battle is Yours...
 
 
 
 
The Better Part, Day #273:
 
 
Jack Hibbs described a gnome they use at his church to hold up signs, flags, etc. He's out there whether it's rain or snow, cold or hot, never complaining, just doing his job 'for the Lord'. They call him "Yessir McGee". At the end, he said that McGee had a handle on his back, so he could be easily moved where ever he's needed. "May I have a handle, Lord; may everyone in this church have a handle." Teach me how to ask for one, too....
 
 
 
The Better Part, Day #274:
 
Isn't it marvelous that we can always go to Jesus for that peace that transcends understanding- especially on days where the prayer starts, "Lord, I know I work as unto you. But I think Satan is the plant manager today..."
 
 
 
The Better Part, Day #275:
 
And, I have learned, that peace that transcends understanding works on temptation, too!
 
 
 
The Better Part, Day #276:
 
 
There's a difference between God wanting you to do more, and Satan saying, "You don't do enough! Look at the other guy!" When you hear the second, remind Satan: "Yes, I am the sparrow He watches. I am the hair He counted."

Friday, March 25, 2022

M10 show week #17

 



 

 

Well, didja find it?

Did you have any doubts?

Lessee... three weeks ago, drunk at the time... yeah, I suppose I did...

I told you it was in the little notebook, and here it... oh, hi folks!  We were just discussing that feature I would have run last week had the other one not come up...

An' ya knew where ya put it...

 

I knew where I put it, and it's right where I found it!  Anyway, what 'it' is came up when Laurie and I were playing music a few weeks back and discussing those darn click bait lists, and I brought up that there's a difference between the songs you really really love, and those you respect as well-put together!  Kinda like I think Titanic was the best put-together movie ever, but it isn't really my favorite.  And so I made a list of songs I consider the best put-together in the Martin Era, and I'd like to see what you all think- agree, disagree, have your own choices.  But before we get there, I have one debut on this week's M10 chart, and it comes in at #10- brand new Maddie and Tae...

 

 


********************************************************

First, I'd like to say that is the basement bar I want! Second, yes, Tae was pregnant at the time- and the pregnancy had two-month's bed rest worth of complications- but  Leighton Grace Kerr, all 2 pounds 5 oz of her, was born on January 17th- 3 months early.  So far as I can find out, all seems well.  God bless her!


Lemme see ifn' I can rent that bar out fer a M10 party sometime...

Let me know how that goes!  So anyway, as I thought on the subject of... well, I'm tired of typing it out, so here on, it's WPTS.  Anyhow, I had 5 come to mind right off the bat as my best ones...several more followed as the beer, er, night wore on.  So let me give you the bottom half first and see what you think, and then after the M10, we'll reveal my top 5.


10- Hotel California, the Eagles.  The first time I heard this song, all I got was the closing guitars.  Me and a friend looked at each other and knew it was going to the top.

9- Blinded By The Light, Manfred Mann's Earth Band.  You must listen to the full version, not the radio cut, to get this one.

8- Soul And Inspiration, The Righteous Brothers.  Possibly the only time I really liked a spoken-word section in a song.

7- Scarborough Fair/Canticle, Simon and Garfunkel. Listen again to the third stanza and tell me I'm wrong.

6- Wouldn't It Be Nice, the Beach Boys.  I had a real battle with this and Good Vibrations.  But this was the one we (almost) all LIVED.


I'm not seeing me on this list...

You can't be everywhere, buddy!  In fact, where you're supposed to be is giving the rest of the M10!

Oh, yeah...

9- Scorpions hold with Peacemaker...

8- Best Coast down another 4 with Leading...

7- Melody's Echo Chamber up 3 with Looking Backward...

6- Sweet n' Hoffs stuck here with Run To Me...

5- Beach House stuck here with Only You Know...

4- Duran Duran up 3 with Laughing Boy...

3- out o' the top spot fer Envy Of None an' Liar...

2- stuck here is Tears For Fears an' Break The Man...

 

An' the new top doggie...

"Hey, I'm the only top doggie here..."

 Oh, now, settle down, Misty, the song at #1 this week is...

 


 ...the Cactus Blossoms an' Is It Over?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay Boss, the floor is yours...

All right, here are my top five WPTSs.....


5- Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen.  I know a lot of you would put this higher- maybe at the top- but it is MY list...

4- A Day In The Life, Beatles.  Now you know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall...

3- Take Me Home Tonight, Eddie Money.  How better to make this list than to really reset a classic that could have gone there on its own....

2- Nights In White Satin, the Moody Blues.  Again, you must splurge and listen to the complete version- including Late Lament.


And here's where you can all get you pitchforks ready, because my #1 WPTS of all time...

Richard Harris and McArthur Park!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What about you?  Any comments? And which song do I think (if I ever got screaming hate comments) I would get the most screaming hate comments for leaving off?

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Wednesday Bible Study: What Jesus asked, Part 9

 


Once again, I had to wait on the Lord to show me the key to this question.  And I found the key in the very last word of our passage:


Mat 11:16  But to what shall I compare to this generation? It is like little children sitting in the markets and calling to their playmates,
Mat 11:17  saying, We played the flute to you, and you did not dance! We mourned to you, but you did not wail!
Mat 11:18  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon.
Mat 11:19  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man who is a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners. But wisdom was justified by her children. 


You see, many translations put that last word as "deeds", which would be a more correct (by our standards) translation.  But "children" is how the KJV worded it, and that is the way it was finally brought to me, and I'll explain why before I get to the question.


Wisdom, personified, is found throughout the book of Proverbs, which I read a chapter of every morning.  To me, this is the Holy Spirit, and the key to my understanding of our passage came from my study there...

Pro 8:1  Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?
Pro 8:2  On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;
Pro 8:3  beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
Pro 8:4  "To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. 
Pro 8:5  O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.



When I looked at our passage every time before this, it always seemed a bit like it was written wrong; were the children calling to adults, other children, what was going on?  My first step in understanding was recognizing WHERE it was placed.  Before it was last week's passage- Jesus showing that He was Messiah through John being the prophesied forerunner. This passage was all about, "You SHOULD believe."  On the other side is another famous sermonette:


Mat 11:20  Then He began to upbraid the cities in which most of His mighty works were done, because they did not repent.
Mat 11:21  Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful acts which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes!
Mat 11:22  But I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
Mat 11:23  And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to the heaven, shall be brought down to hell. For if the mighty works which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
Mat 11:24  But I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.


Which is essentially, "You DON'T believe!"  In between it is WHY you don't believe.  And it makes sense in the light of Proverbs when you realize there are TWO sets of children.  The children of Wisdom- "Wisdom is justified by HER children"- are the ones saying,

We played the flute to you, and you did not dance! We mourned to you, but you did not wail! 

 

And then Jesus explains.  The children would play 'adulting' games, like ours do playing 'marriage' and 'doctor', for example.  And they would do their versions of the celebrations of a wedding, and they would simulate the wailing of a funeral.  John was represented by the "mourning" game.  But when the Children of Wisdom watched and emulated John, the Children of 'this generation' did not wail- they did not emulate him.  They saw the outside- the camel hair shirt, the locust eating- and called him a demon.


Likewise, Jesus comes on the scene- the Bridegroom, the very symbol of rejoicing, the salvation of man- and where the Children of Wisdom 'danced', the children of 'this generation' called Him a "glutton and winebibber"- if not a sinner, then a friend of them.


So Jesus has taught a simple lesson. First, there is ample examples of why to believe in Him and how to live it out.  He has given YOU everything you need.  Second, there are two kinds of people in this world- Children of Wisdom, and Children of this generation. Those of Wisdom watch and emulate; those of this generation pay everything given to them no mind.  And finally, those who lift themselves up, who refuse the mourning of repentance and the Morning of Jesus, they are looking down the barrel of disaster.  Jesus's lesson is the equivalent of Paul's warning:


Rom 1:19  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
Rom 1:20  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Monday, March 21, 2022

Misty's first WALK to shoaff

 So the car had to go to the shop yet again this morning.  Not knowing how long it would be, I called off today.  Some time later (with the car back home), I decided it was time to take Misty to Shoaff Park.  Not her first time there- but her first time WALKING there.


Okay, this is the half-mile mark.  The last mark I'm sure of, Misty tends to yank my counts off...

At this point, she figures out we're not going our usual way.  This far she's been, but only like 3 times.

Big logjam at the bridge...

This was the one mile mark, by my count.  Google Maps says, "not bad..."


Lots of people enjoying the day...

Some little kid's hideaway.  Could tell by the little shoes- those little turquoise dots on the ground.

Misty enters Shoaff- this is the real mile-and-a-half.

First time down the steps...

...and, a drink.

This is where I had 1.5 miles.  It gets worse...


We take a break where I reckoned 2 miles.

That same tree hugger above, seeing no danger from us, pulled up a chair and watched us while we watched him.

Busy day

Time to go around the pond

The boat ramp.  This was closer to actual 2 miles.

Enjoying the breeze while the sounds of Jackie Blue waft across the river.

Almost pulled me in here...


My guess at 2 1/2 miles, up on the great circle.  Several yards later, I realized that my brain had stopped counting and started playing, I Am Woman, for some odd reason.

And here we are at the pond on the great circle.  This was just past the real 2 1/2 miles.

We disturbed all the doves getting some Afternoon Delight.


The shortcut trail was EXTREMELY goopy today.  Not sure how I came out with dry feet...

I thought this was 3 miles, right before the church.  It's actually a ways past the parking lot on the far side.

When we cross the entrance road, I decide it's time to cut across country.  Misty is not convinced...

Decided this would be fun for Misty to off-road into the ravine.

This drink- and the streambed she tried to get me to go down, below- is the actual 3 1/2 miles.  I think I actually was good on this one, somehow.


Here's our guess at 4 miles.  It was a ways up.

By this time, though, I forgot which half I was on, and called THIS 4 miles.  Guess what, this time I was just about right!

Misty's first 'ceremonial cutting the loop down the steep bank'. Once she figured out we were going that way, she did fine.  Me? Flat on my back. Hard.

I think I had this as 4 1/2.  It was more like 4 and a quarter.  We were getting tired at this point.

"Cut down the back of the complex? Sure!" (That Pine tree up ahead is actual 4 1/2 miles)

The Greenway Trail from above.

At this point, Misty figures out she knows where she is...

I thought this was some mile mark, but I have no idea which one it was.  What it was, was just under a tenth of a mile from the door.

Google said the whole trip was just a stone's throw from 5 miles.  2 Hours, with rest stops.

Sunday, March 20, 2022

I'm told it's actually spring now...

 So here's our walk today...


"C'mon, Church is over! Let's go!"

"No!  My hair's a mess! No pictures!""Hon, you don't have hair..."






The gang, yelling at us