A severe hail storm blew through our area last night. I thought the hailstones were going to break our east windows. My husband had just dropped off to sleep and was starting to snore softly, and the pounding began. We will need a new roof. And there are dings on the cars. Bob got up and grabbed a hailstone to show me---big as a golf ball.
Once it was light enough to see this morning, we saw yard, walks, drive, and cars covered with leaves and broken branches. All our oaks had leafed out at different rates, so some of the leaves were full size, some just beginning. I picked up two huge trash bags full in time for the garbage man. But, I felt like I was cleaning the chairs on the Titanic because more storms are due this evening, and the radio weather folks are using the tornado word.
Our neighbor had huge herons come back and nest in the tops of their trees this year. Two pairs, and one without a mate. There must have been seven herons, because two lay dead in the yard. And two sets of herons on two sets of nests seem intact.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Tantalizing Task of Tackling Paul's letter to the Colossians
Guess who these verses are REALLY talking about:
Lam. 1:12-16 “Is it nothing to all you who pass this way? Look and see if there is any pain like my pain which was severely dealt out to me, which the Lord inflicted on the day of His fierce anger. From on high He sent fire into my bones, and it prevailed over them; He has made me desolate, faint all day long. The yoke of my transgressions is bound; by His hand they are knit together; they have come upon my neck; He has made my strength fail; the Lord has given me into the hands of those against whom I am not able to stand. The Lord has rejected all my strong men in my midst, He has called an appointed time against me to crush my young men…My children are desolate because the enemy has prevailed.”
That is what it looked like from the cross. Jesus was sinless, and our transgressions were bound and put on His neck. But, it only appeared that the enemy had prevailed. Three days later HE AROSE. And the enemy realized and would never had put Him on the cross if the enemy had realized before.
And now we can have God’s thoughts?? God’s wisdom? My Sunday School Teacher, who is also my husband is plowing through Colossians, insists we can have God’s wisdom, not just know stuff about God. (Wasn’t that carrot dangled in front of Eve? To be as smart as God?)
I must confess. I used to hate Paul. I mean, who writes like this?? Who talks like this?? Paragraphs as long as your arm…and sarcasm? Please. Paul’s letters were made to be read aloud to congregations? (over and over, obviously---because I can’t get it on the first or even second pass) And while our theologians parse and dig out the nuggets, and while Paul seems to set the bar so high, it must be understandable for God gave it to us.
It is slowly dawning on me, that that which was so tantalizing to Eve, to be as smart as God, has been given to us in Christ. Colossians promises that everything is tied up and gift wrapped in Christ. We have come full circle, back to the Garden where the promise of all we need, all we lack, and where mysteries are unlocked, and all we need to know is here in Christ.
Jesus used to come to the Garden in the cool of the evening and walk with Adam and Eve. Jesus visited with them.
This side of the Cross, Jesus wants us to understand this letter, and He gives us the power to digest it and selfishly, I desire to know Him, not just things about Him. Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t Paul saying that the knowledge is something you pray for, even ask for on behalf of others? If so, I ask for you:
Colossians: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colassae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel, which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it form Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities---all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church, and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross, through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which, I, Paul, was made a minister. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf, and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, this is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasurers of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and In Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority, and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us, and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—things which are a mere shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. I you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)---in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account o these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self and its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him. A renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, and with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to god. And whatever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians chapters 1-3:16)
Lam. 1:12-16 “Is it nothing to all you who pass this way? Look and see if there is any pain like my pain which was severely dealt out to me, which the Lord inflicted on the day of His fierce anger. From on high He sent fire into my bones, and it prevailed over them; He has made me desolate, faint all day long. The yoke of my transgressions is bound; by His hand they are knit together; they have come upon my neck; He has made my strength fail; the Lord has given me into the hands of those against whom I am not able to stand. The Lord has rejected all my strong men in my midst, He has called an appointed time against me to crush my young men…My children are desolate because the enemy has prevailed.”
That is what it looked like from the cross. Jesus was sinless, and our transgressions were bound and put on His neck. But, it only appeared that the enemy had prevailed. Three days later HE AROSE. And the enemy realized and would never had put Him on the cross if the enemy had realized before.
And now we can have God’s thoughts?? God’s wisdom? My Sunday School Teacher, who is also my husband is plowing through Colossians, insists we can have God’s wisdom, not just know stuff about God. (Wasn’t that carrot dangled in front of Eve? To be as smart as God?)
I must confess. I used to hate Paul. I mean, who writes like this?? Who talks like this?? Paragraphs as long as your arm…and sarcasm? Please. Paul’s letters were made to be read aloud to congregations? (over and over, obviously---because I can’t get it on the first or even second pass) And while our theologians parse and dig out the nuggets, and while Paul seems to set the bar so high, it must be understandable for God gave it to us.
It is slowly dawning on me, that that which was so tantalizing to Eve, to be as smart as God, has been given to us in Christ. Colossians promises that everything is tied up and gift wrapped in Christ. We have come full circle, back to the Garden where the promise of all we need, all we lack, and where mysteries are unlocked, and all we need to know is here in Christ.
Jesus used to come to the Garden in the cool of the evening and walk with Adam and Eve. Jesus visited with them.
This side of the Cross, Jesus wants us to understand this letter, and He gives us the power to digest it and selfishly, I desire to know Him, not just things about Him. Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t Paul saying that the knowledge is something you pray for, even ask for on behalf of others? If so, I ask for you:
Colossians: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colassae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel, which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it form Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities---all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church, and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross, through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which, I, Paul, was made a minister. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf, and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, this is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasurers of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and In Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority, and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us, and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—things which are a mere shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. I you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)---in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account o these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self and its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him. A renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, and with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to god. And whatever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians chapters 1-3:16)
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Clean Garage
The garage is clean. Isn't that exciting? The garage is also our laundry room, so I like to keep it clean enough to drop clean clothes and not have to wash them again. That shop vac came in handy to blow out the dust and reach cracks and crevices the broom could not. And of course, the side yard walk had to be swept and blown or we'd just track the newly clipped yard back inside the garage. I don't hear the dryer squeaking. Must be time to add a new load. I have always wanted one of those fancy dryers with the buzzer to tell you the clothes are done, and now I do---when the dryer is done squeaking. The clothes are dry. The ear-piercing squeak can be heard from two doors down.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Prophecy Fulfilled
Zechariah 11:11- ...and thus the afflicted of the flock who were watching me realized that it was the word of the Lord. And I said to them, “If it is good in your sight, give me my wages, but if not, never mind!” So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.” So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the Lord.
I don’t know about you, but when I read the Old Testament and New Testament, I want to be the good example, the blessed, the content, and not some prophecy of what happens when you disobey or mess up. These verses in Zechariah sure capture the spirit of what happened with Judas Iscariot. Maybe he was sick that day during Hebrew school. And hind sight is so much easier than foresight.
Yes, we get to choose. Wanna be a Judas or a Jezebel?? I don’t hear of many naming their children Judas, or Jezebel, do you?
Psalm 69 and 109 are also quoted in the prophecy fulfilled by Judas. Psalm 69 sings with references to Jesus on the Cross. And Psalm 109 also foreshadows Jesus. I wonder if Jesus knew from these Psalms that His job was to pray. And when David wrote these words, did he know they would be a prophecy and a comfort to his future son, the Savior? Well, David knows now.
I don’t know about you, but when I read the Old Testament and New Testament, I want to be the good example, the blessed, the content, and not some prophecy of what happens when you disobey or mess up. These verses in Zechariah sure capture the spirit of what happened with Judas Iscariot. Maybe he was sick that day during Hebrew school. And hind sight is so much easier than foresight.
Yes, we get to choose. Wanna be a Judas or a Jezebel?? I don’t hear of many naming their children Judas, or Jezebel, do you?
Psalm 69 and 109 are also quoted in the prophecy fulfilled by Judas. Psalm 69 sings with references to Jesus on the Cross. And Psalm 109 also foreshadows Jesus. I wonder if Jesus knew from these Psalms that His job was to pray. And when David wrote these words, did he know they would be a prophecy and a comfort to his future son, the Savior? Well, David knows now.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Studying Judas Iscariot
Matthew 10:4 …and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him.
Matthew 13:55 “Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?” (I include this reference because it shows that Judas was a common name, and of the four or five mentioned, only one was bad.)
Matthew 26:14 (right after Jesus said of the one who perfumed his feet, “…she has done a good deed to Me.”) Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, and said, “What are you willing to give to me to deliver Him up to you?” And they weighed out to him thirty pieces of silver. And from then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Him.
Matthew 26:21-25 And as they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” And being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” And He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” And Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Surely, it is not I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said it yourself.”
Matthew 26:47-56 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up, accompanied by a great multitude with swords and clubs from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I shall kiss, He is the one, seize Him.” And immediately he went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?” At that time Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.
Matthew 27:3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed, and he went away and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” And they counseled together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one whose price had been set by the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord directed me.”
Mark 3:19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
Mark 6:3 “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us? And they took offense at Him.
Mark 14:10 (right after Jesus said of the woman who perfumed Him: “She has done what she could, she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial…”) And Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests, in order to betry Him to them.
Mark 14:43 (same as the Matthew account)
Luke 6:16 …and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Luke 22:3 And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad and agreed to give him money. And he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the multitude.
Luke 22:47 While He was still speaking, behold, a multitude came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them, and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as against a robber? While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me, but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”
John 6:70, 71 Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.
John 12:4 (third account of alabaster jar) But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denari, and given to poor people?” Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.
John 13 account
Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God, and was going back to God, rose from supper, and laid aside His garments, and taking a towel, he girded Himself about…
Jesus washed Judas’ feet !
Verse 26 Jesus dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas Iscariot…Satan entered into him, and Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” Now no one of those reclining at the table know for what purpose He had said this to him. For some were supposeing because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast,” or else, that he should give something to the poor. And so after receiving the morsel he went out immediately, and it was night.
(after this the new commandment---love even as I have loved you..)
Love one another just as Christ loved. Don’t betray one another. And I don’t think we can do this in our own power. We need God’s help.
John 18 Judas comes with the Roman cohort, officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, with lanterns and torches weapons.
Vs4 Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth, and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” And they answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them: I AM. And Judas also who was betraying Him, was standing with them. When therefore He said to them, “I AM” they drew back, and fell to the ground. (this happens three times)
Acts 1:16 Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide tot hose who arrested Jesus. “For he was counted among us, and received his portion in this ministry.” Verse20—“For it is written in the book of Psalms, “Let his homestead be made desolate, and let no man dwell in it,” and “His office let another man take.” And verse 24—And they prayed, and said, “Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two Thou hast chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” (before the day of Pentecost)
Let’s review class---
Judas ate with Jesus, traveled with, observed, saw Him heal and admonish the rulers.
Judas was a thief.
Judas was left in charge of the money box.
Judas had his feet washed by Jesus.
Judas took food from Jesus’ hand.
Judas conspired, betrayed for money, making the chief priests happy.
Judas felt remorse.
Judas knew and admitted he had betrayed innocent blood.
Judas committed suicide because…_____? He was angry? He was expecting Jesus to stand up to the chief priests? He was expecting the crown before the cross?
It is kinda obvious that Judas is in hell. So, salvation has nothing to do with feeling remorse, or even realizing you betrayed innocent blood.
Judas could have turned, and said, I was the worst sinner, and turned and proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior. Judas could have been saved, but he had a pattern of stealing and thought he was getting away with it. Judas thought he could hide that sin from Jesus. Judas was probably ambitious. Wanted power.
The Judas story fulfilled four OT prophesies. So, either Judas did not pay attention in OT class, in Jeremiah, and David in Psalms.
Maybe a better analogy would be a gang member, to help us understand Judas’ motivation. But, lets use a father/son analogy:
Let’s imagine a little boy looks up to his Daddy. His Daddy is a big strong policeman. His Daddy stands up to criminals, rebukes the proud, and promises justice.
Every time that little boy sees his Daddy in action, his Daddy is like a superhero. And his Daddy whisks sick people to the hospital where they are miraculously healed, and performs CPR on accident victims and they come to life.
Imagine bad guys like drug dealers are mad at your Daddy, the policeman because he is cutting in on their turf. One day the drug dealers sidle up to the little boy and say, we will give you thirty pieces of silver if you will tell us where your Daddy hangs out. The little boy knows his Daddy is stronger and won’t allow the thugs to win, and he thinks that the sooner this showdown, the better. So, the little boy “betrays” his Daddy to the thugs who tie him up, beat him, and the little boy is stunned. The little guy was so sure his Daddy was stronger, and bigger, and would never allow thugs to win. Why was his Daddy allowing the bad guys to win or appear to win? Why didn’t his Daddy call ten thousand policemen to back him up, and corral this crowd? Why isn’t his Daddy using his super hero powers? The little boy knew his Daddy could heal and throw out strong demons.
The little boy is so afraid that his Daddy is going to be mad for snitching that he runs and hides, and …………
Contrast the betrayal of Peter with the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. Peter denied the Lord three times, Jesus looked him in the face when the rooster crowed. But, Jesus had warned Peter ahead of time---when…then turn and help your brothers.
With Judas Iscariot, he had been “handling” the money, and helping himself, and Jesus had never called him on it. Again, Judas either did not know Jesus could read minds and hearts or was sloppy, or was thinking they were going to be so rich and powerful when Jesus established His political kingdom, that his petty cash theft would be forgotten?
Even when Judas is sent out, the other disciples do not suspect him. They just think Jesus is sending him on an errand.
In the study of the alabaster jar, all three accounts mention the fact that this was the straw that broke Judas Iscariot’s back.
So many shadows of Satan, where God gave him enough rope to hang himself…even so with Judas…and do we look down our noses at Judas and think we’d never betray Jesus? Even though there were two or three other good men named Judas, the name is forever synonymous with all that is evil.
But, oh, how we tremble to see one who ate with, slept near, talked, listened, saw…and did not believe.
Matthew 13:55 “Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?” (I include this reference because it shows that Judas was a common name, and of the four or five mentioned, only one was bad.)
Matthew 26:14 (right after Jesus said of the one who perfumed his feet, “…she has done a good deed to Me.”) Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, and said, “What are you willing to give to me to deliver Him up to you?” And they weighed out to him thirty pieces of silver. And from then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Him.
Matthew 26:21-25 And as they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” And being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” And He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” And Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Surely, it is not I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said it yourself.”
Matthew 26:47-56 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up, accompanied by a great multitude with swords and clubs from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I shall kiss, He is the one, seize Him.” And immediately he went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?” At that time Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.
Matthew 27:3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed, and he went away and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” And they counseled together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one whose price had been set by the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord directed me.”
Mark 3:19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
Mark 6:3 “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us? And they took offense at Him.
Mark 14:10 (right after Jesus said of the woman who perfumed Him: “She has done what she could, she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial…”) And Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests, in order to betry Him to them.
Mark 14:43 (same as the Matthew account)
Luke 6:16 …and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Luke 22:3 And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad and agreed to give him money. And he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the multitude.
Luke 22:47 While He was still speaking, behold, a multitude came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them, and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as against a robber? While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me, but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”
John 6:70, 71 Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.
John 12:4 (third account of alabaster jar) But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denari, and given to poor people?” Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.
John 13 account
Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God, and was going back to God, rose from supper, and laid aside His garments, and taking a towel, he girded Himself about…
Jesus washed Judas’ feet !
Verse 26 Jesus dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas Iscariot…Satan entered into him, and Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” Now no one of those reclining at the table know for what purpose He had said this to him. For some were supposeing because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast,” or else, that he should give something to the poor. And so after receiving the morsel he went out immediately, and it was night.
(after this the new commandment---love even as I have loved you..)
Love one another just as Christ loved. Don’t betray one another. And I don’t think we can do this in our own power. We need God’s help.
John 18 Judas comes with the Roman cohort, officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, with lanterns and torches weapons.
Vs4 Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth, and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” And they answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them: I AM. And Judas also who was betraying Him, was standing with them. When therefore He said to them, “I AM” they drew back, and fell to the ground. (this happens three times)
Acts 1:16 Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide tot hose who arrested Jesus. “For he was counted among us, and received his portion in this ministry.” Verse20—“For it is written in the book of Psalms, “Let his homestead be made desolate, and let no man dwell in it,” and “His office let another man take.” And verse 24—And they prayed, and said, “Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two Thou hast chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” (before the day of Pentecost)
Let’s review class---
Judas ate with Jesus, traveled with, observed, saw Him heal and admonish the rulers.
Judas was a thief.
Judas was left in charge of the money box.
Judas had his feet washed by Jesus.
Judas took food from Jesus’ hand.
Judas conspired, betrayed for money, making the chief priests happy.
Judas felt remorse.
Judas knew and admitted he had betrayed innocent blood.
Judas committed suicide because…_____? He was angry? He was expecting Jesus to stand up to the chief priests? He was expecting the crown before the cross?
It is kinda obvious that Judas is in hell. So, salvation has nothing to do with feeling remorse, or even realizing you betrayed innocent blood.
Judas could have turned, and said, I was the worst sinner, and turned and proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior. Judas could have been saved, but he had a pattern of stealing and thought he was getting away with it. Judas thought he could hide that sin from Jesus. Judas was probably ambitious. Wanted power.
The Judas story fulfilled four OT prophesies. So, either Judas did not pay attention in OT class, in Jeremiah, and David in Psalms.
Maybe a better analogy would be a gang member, to help us understand Judas’ motivation. But, lets use a father/son analogy:
Let’s imagine a little boy looks up to his Daddy. His Daddy is a big strong policeman. His Daddy stands up to criminals, rebukes the proud, and promises justice.
Every time that little boy sees his Daddy in action, his Daddy is like a superhero. And his Daddy whisks sick people to the hospital where they are miraculously healed, and performs CPR on accident victims and they come to life.
Imagine bad guys like drug dealers are mad at your Daddy, the policeman because he is cutting in on their turf. One day the drug dealers sidle up to the little boy and say, we will give you thirty pieces of silver if you will tell us where your Daddy hangs out. The little boy knows his Daddy is stronger and won’t allow the thugs to win, and he thinks that the sooner this showdown, the better. So, the little boy “betrays” his Daddy to the thugs who tie him up, beat him, and the little boy is stunned. The little guy was so sure his Daddy was stronger, and bigger, and would never allow thugs to win. Why was his Daddy allowing the bad guys to win or appear to win? Why didn’t his Daddy call ten thousand policemen to back him up, and corral this crowd? Why isn’t his Daddy using his super hero powers? The little boy knew his Daddy could heal and throw out strong demons.
The little boy is so afraid that his Daddy is going to be mad for snitching that he runs and hides, and …………
Contrast the betrayal of Peter with the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. Peter denied the Lord three times, Jesus looked him in the face when the rooster crowed. But, Jesus had warned Peter ahead of time---when…then turn and help your brothers.
With Judas Iscariot, he had been “handling” the money, and helping himself, and Jesus had never called him on it. Again, Judas either did not know Jesus could read minds and hearts or was sloppy, or was thinking they were going to be so rich and powerful when Jesus established His political kingdom, that his petty cash theft would be forgotten?
Even when Judas is sent out, the other disciples do not suspect him. They just think Jesus is sending him on an errand.
In the study of the alabaster jar, all three accounts mention the fact that this was the straw that broke Judas Iscariot’s back.
So many shadows of Satan, where God gave him enough rope to hang himself…even so with Judas…and do we look down our noses at Judas and think we’d never betray Jesus? Even though there were two or three other good men named Judas, the name is forever synonymous with all that is evil.
But, oh, how we tremble to see one who ate with, slept near, talked, listened, saw…and did not believe.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
April Fools
My dearest husband's recollection is the best. And beautifully written, so I will not even try to top it. Instead, from my point of view I remember some other silly details.
Thirty years ago, Bob flew to Houston on a Tuesday before we were to be married on that Saturday. A blood test was needed before we could procure a marriage license. We went to the doctor I used and then attended church together. Bob used the hotel just blocks from my folks' house, and relatives from El Paso, and Shreveport would trickle in that week, too.
I remember attending a family dinner south of Houston at his brother, the pastor's house and ranch. And we also picked up one of the triplets attending U of H, and his great aunt from Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Because so many of my friends had complained of not enjoying their weddings which got out of hand in size and scope, we were determined to enjoy our wedding by keeping it small and limiting attendance to just family. My folks complained and expressed their concern that we would not receive many gifts, and they also took note that Bob's family was huge. My folks took "family" literally, and dug up relatives I had never met in my life---cousins from San Antonio, who I wonder if they really wanted to attend. One bitty handed me the gift of a silver butter dish, and then asked to look at it, smeared her fingerprints all over it, and said, "now you will have to polish it." Sweet lady.
I was thankful that my grandparents made the trip all the way from Illinois as they had been close keeping in touch with letters, phone calls, and visits ever since our move to Houston four years prior. And I am thankful my folks paid off our huge phone bill for all the planning.
I want to talk about my sister. I went from sharing a room for over twenty years with my sister, to sharing a room with my dear husband. My longsuffering sister had put up with my love of re-arranging furniture, and dating, and being born without a modest bone in my body. She is and was my Maid of Honor. She moved out of my parents' home a short month or two later, prompting my parents to lament that I had opened the floodgates and they had lost two daughters.
I also want to say I am so thankful for the spiritual foundation of our marriage. My folks had set the example of going to church daily for our spiritual food, even as we need physical food daily. My folks had set the example of a love of learning God's Word, and exercising their gift of hospitality which brought about Bob and I meeting---see Bob's blog. We went to a church that emphasized patriotism, love of and thankfulness for the military, even during Vietnam, and no matter who was president. I attended during my high school years and I know I received more love of history, and a clear view of economics and politics from that church than I ever received from the Houston Independent School district.
Our church provided entertainment, and encouraged fellowship. We hosted folks in the military, and honored them at the 4th of July holidays with a flyover, and at the New Year's Eve service with the full formal dress of folks in the military serving Communion. That was an impressive sight--all the services and military academies represented. Our church encouraged love of country---something so many seem to have missed growing up in this great country. So, I feel so blessed to have experienced it. And so when I met Bob, and joined him at the end of his military service, it seemed such a natural fit. It was an exciting adventure, and we continued to listen to messages from that same church for years. Therefore, we had that same base, that same list of priorities and desire to honor God first, and each other next. I am not saying we were perfect nor faultless. I fell into the trap of taking Bob for granted, and being mean and moody and angry and Bob patiently waited for me to get over it.
Our wedding was so much fun. We laughed a lot. We enjoyed every minute. We were so thankful that our honeymoon consisted of driving back to Savannah where Bob was stationed and being together away from our respective families. I continued to write to friends and relatives in Houston and Illinois. I had been given two wedding showers---dear friends that had loaded us down with china and practical things to set up a home. Bob had purchased a queen size bed, remembering his mother's admonition about heavy-duty castors. And I want to always remember coming to this wonderful, new apartment he had found and set up with the new bed, sheets, phone, and a brand new fancy dress hanging on my side of the closet he had deemed too empty.
We had so much fun playing house. I used to load him down with a super full lunch box complete with two sandwiches, and goodies that he said his fellow soldiers would gather 'round and watch him unload. He made the mistake of trying to finish it all on the trip home, which means he was not super hungry for the feast awaiting him for supper. And I was used to cooking for large numbers coming from a family of six. It was fun. We explored the Savannah area, the historical sites and the beach, and lured by radio programs from the fancy areas of South Carolina, we ventured out to see it. On long, long weekends we even ventured as far as the farm in Illinois, where my grandparents lived, and they put us in the backseat for an even longer drive up to Wisconsin to visit my aunt and her family.
Azaleas make me think of our honeymoon as we drove from Houston to Savannah. We spent our first night together at a hotel in Beaumont---wanting to make Texas the place we, uh, what's that word??? And good thing, too, as we discovered Bob had forgotten his briefcase, so we motored back to Houston to retrieve it Sunday morning and then drove on to Savannah. No way was I gonna go to church the morning after when everyone would be looking at us and knew what we had been doing. I did have SOME modesty. Stopping in Gulfport, Mississippi is a story all in its own. Bob introduced me to french fries and McDonald cookies. My folks had been and still are healthy nuts, so I had not been eating french fries growing up. We settled into this Ramada in Gulfport, but were strafed by jets doing touch and goes in all night training next door at either a naval or Air Force base. What a hoot.
In Tallahassee we experienced a flat tire, and Bob about passed out when he got a good look at the tires on my car. A set of tires was our first big purchase as a couple in Tallahassee where we visited with friends we knew from our church in Houston. At this point in the honeymoon, I was suffering from UTI (honeymoon cystitus) but was too embarrassed to talk to my friends about it and found out from later visits that they could have helped me. The pain got severe as we approached Fort Stewart, so I asked Bob to stop at the emergency room in Jessup, Georgia. The doctor there explained the problem and gave us medication which gave me great relief. So, I was sleeping soundly with my head on Bob's lap when we pulled into Fort Stewart where Bob needed to sign in, and for the trip to our new apartment.
Until I learned to deal with bladder infections preventively, Bob and I spent many a night at the emergency room at Fort Stewart. I remember that the Army nurses had decorated their Christmas tree with balloon condoms.
It was so good to see where Bob had been living and working for almost four years. I got to meet his Army buddies, and to this day we still make the "Hulk" noise like baby Robert when we watched him entertain his parents.
By our first anniversary, we were living with Bob's widowed Dad in El Paso where Bob decided to go back to UTEP and tack an engineering degree on top of his math degree. And what a blessing to get to know Bob's family of seven brothers and sisters and their families. One triplet sister had married, and one was in Houston at college, and the other would soon be headed to physical therapy college. So, for about a year, we lived with Bob's Dad as his nest was quickly emptying. Bob worked for his Dad in his Dad's construction business when he was not studying or attending class, and I worked for a plumber as secretary as well as cooking and housekeeping. It was fun.
Bob's Dad was an early riser, and loved talk radio--something we did not understand at the time, but now, we, too enjoy talk radio so maybe its an age thing.
Thirty years ago, Bob flew to Houston on a Tuesday before we were to be married on that Saturday. A blood test was needed before we could procure a marriage license. We went to the doctor I used and then attended church together. Bob used the hotel just blocks from my folks' house, and relatives from El Paso, and Shreveport would trickle in that week, too.
I remember attending a family dinner south of Houston at his brother, the pastor's house and ranch. And we also picked up one of the triplets attending U of H, and his great aunt from Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Because so many of my friends had complained of not enjoying their weddings which got out of hand in size and scope, we were determined to enjoy our wedding by keeping it small and limiting attendance to just family. My folks complained and expressed their concern that we would not receive many gifts, and they also took note that Bob's family was huge. My folks took "family" literally, and dug up relatives I had never met in my life---cousins from San Antonio, who I wonder if they really wanted to attend. One bitty handed me the gift of a silver butter dish, and then asked to look at it, smeared her fingerprints all over it, and said, "now you will have to polish it." Sweet lady.
I was thankful that my grandparents made the trip all the way from Illinois as they had been close keeping in touch with letters, phone calls, and visits ever since our move to Houston four years prior. And I am thankful my folks paid off our huge phone bill for all the planning.
I want to talk about my sister. I went from sharing a room for over twenty years with my sister, to sharing a room with my dear husband. My longsuffering sister had put up with my love of re-arranging furniture, and dating, and being born without a modest bone in my body. She is and was my Maid of Honor. She moved out of my parents' home a short month or two later, prompting my parents to lament that I had opened the floodgates and they had lost two daughters.
I also want to say I am so thankful for the spiritual foundation of our marriage. My folks had set the example of going to church daily for our spiritual food, even as we need physical food daily. My folks had set the example of a love of learning God's Word, and exercising their gift of hospitality which brought about Bob and I meeting---see Bob's blog. We went to a church that emphasized patriotism, love of and thankfulness for the military, even during Vietnam, and no matter who was president. I attended during my high school years and I know I received more love of history, and a clear view of economics and politics from that church than I ever received from the Houston Independent School district.
Our church provided entertainment, and encouraged fellowship. We hosted folks in the military, and honored them at the 4th of July holidays with a flyover, and at the New Year's Eve service with the full formal dress of folks in the military serving Communion. That was an impressive sight--all the services and military academies represented. Our church encouraged love of country---something so many seem to have missed growing up in this great country. So, I feel so blessed to have experienced it. And so when I met Bob, and joined him at the end of his military service, it seemed such a natural fit. It was an exciting adventure, and we continued to listen to messages from that same church for years. Therefore, we had that same base, that same list of priorities and desire to honor God first, and each other next. I am not saying we were perfect nor faultless. I fell into the trap of taking Bob for granted, and being mean and moody and angry and Bob patiently waited for me to get over it.
Our wedding was so much fun. We laughed a lot. We enjoyed every minute. We were so thankful that our honeymoon consisted of driving back to Savannah where Bob was stationed and being together away from our respective families. I continued to write to friends and relatives in Houston and Illinois. I had been given two wedding showers---dear friends that had loaded us down with china and practical things to set up a home. Bob had purchased a queen size bed, remembering his mother's admonition about heavy-duty castors. And I want to always remember coming to this wonderful, new apartment he had found and set up with the new bed, sheets, phone, and a brand new fancy dress hanging on my side of the closet he had deemed too empty.
We had so much fun playing house. I used to load him down with a super full lunch box complete with two sandwiches, and goodies that he said his fellow soldiers would gather 'round and watch him unload. He made the mistake of trying to finish it all on the trip home, which means he was not super hungry for the feast awaiting him for supper. And I was used to cooking for large numbers coming from a family of six. It was fun. We explored the Savannah area, the historical sites and the beach, and lured by radio programs from the fancy areas of South Carolina, we ventured out to see it. On long, long weekends we even ventured as far as the farm in Illinois, where my grandparents lived, and they put us in the backseat for an even longer drive up to Wisconsin to visit my aunt and her family.
Azaleas make me think of our honeymoon as we drove from Houston to Savannah. We spent our first night together at a hotel in Beaumont---wanting to make Texas the place we, uh, what's that word??? And good thing, too, as we discovered Bob had forgotten his briefcase, so we motored back to Houston to retrieve it Sunday morning and then drove on to Savannah. No way was I gonna go to church the morning after when everyone would be looking at us and knew what we had been doing. I did have SOME modesty. Stopping in Gulfport, Mississippi is a story all in its own. Bob introduced me to french fries and McDonald cookies. My folks had been and still are healthy nuts, so I had not been eating french fries growing up. We settled into this Ramada in Gulfport, but were strafed by jets doing touch and goes in all night training next door at either a naval or Air Force base. What a hoot.
In Tallahassee we experienced a flat tire, and Bob about passed out when he got a good look at the tires on my car. A set of tires was our first big purchase as a couple in Tallahassee where we visited with friends we knew from our church in Houston. At this point in the honeymoon, I was suffering from UTI (honeymoon cystitus) but was too embarrassed to talk to my friends about it and found out from later visits that they could have helped me. The pain got severe as we approached Fort Stewart, so I asked Bob to stop at the emergency room in Jessup, Georgia. The doctor there explained the problem and gave us medication which gave me great relief. So, I was sleeping soundly with my head on Bob's lap when we pulled into Fort Stewart where Bob needed to sign in, and for the trip to our new apartment.
Until I learned to deal with bladder infections preventively, Bob and I spent many a night at the emergency room at Fort Stewart. I remember that the Army nurses had decorated their Christmas tree with balloon condoms.
It was so good to see where Bob had been living and working for almost four years. I got to meet his Army buddies, and to this day we still make the "Hulk" noise like baby Robert when we watched him entertain his parents.
By our first anniversary, we were living with Bob's widowed Dad in El Paso where Bob decided to go back to UTEP and tack an engineering degree on top of his math degree. And what a blessing to get to know Bob's family of seven brothers and sisters and their families. One triplet sister had married, and one was in Houston at college, and the other would soon be headed to physical therapy college. So, for about a year, we lived with Bob's Dad as his nest was quickly emptying. Bob worked for his Dad in his Dad's construction business when he was not studying or attending class, and I worked for a plumber as secretary as well as cooking and housekeeping. It was fun.
Bob's Dad was an early riser, and loved talk radio--something we did not understand at the time, but now, we, too enjoy talk radio so maybe its an age thing.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Rest for Your Soul and Food for Your Body
Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the Lord: Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your souls...
Ezekiel 3:3 ...fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you, then I ate it and it was sweet as honey in my mouth.
Jeremiah 15:16 They Words were found and I ate them and Thy Words became for me a joy and a delight of my heart...
God leaves nothing undone nor unsaid. God cares about our souls.
Today is our 30th anniversary. I made pancakes, and Bob pulled weeds. Now we are on a quest to do something new and memorable to mark the day. I heard or read somewhere that to do something new as an adventure as a couple is bonding. And if we just go to the same place to eat as we did last year, we may not remember exactly...like last year. I think we went to Carrabba's for some veal piccatta. Probably. Surely I wrote it down somewhere, or there is a receipt in some tax receipt bag for last year...
Thirty pictures taken with the thirty theme. We live close to I-30, so we can start there. Bluebonnets are blooming. We are dressed in our burnt orange matching t-shirts that I bought for Palo Duro Canyon last July. Bob is busy thinking of rhyming thirty themes, like dirty, flirty, nerdy... his blog entry will be a winner, I'm sure. Something old, something new...new underpants, and new bra... now aren't you glad I shared?
Ezekiel 3:3 ...fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you, then I ate it and it was sweet as honey in my mouth.
Jeremiah 15:16 They Words were found and I ate them and Thy Words became for me a joy and a delight of my heart...
God leaves nothing undone nor unsaid. God cares about our souls.
Today is our 30th anniversary. I made pancakes, and Bob pulled weeds. Now we are on a quest to do something new and memorable to mark the day. I heard or read somewhere that to do something new as an adventure as a couple is bonding. And if we just go to the same place to eat as we did last year, we may not remember exactly...like last year. I think we went to Carrabba's for some veal piccatta. Probably. Surely I wrote it down somewhere, or there is a receipt in some tax receipt bag for last year...
Thirty pictures taken with the thirty theme. We live close to I-30, so we can start there. Bluebonnets are blooming. We are dressed in our burnt orange matching t-shirts that I bought for Palo Duro Canyon last July. Bob is busy thinking of rhyming thirty themes, like dirty, flirty, nerdy... his blog entry will be a winner, I'm sure. Something old, something new...new underpants, and new bra... now aren't you glad I shared?
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