Random: I'm really tired of reading about livestock.
OK, Genesis 34. He raped her and THEN fell in love with her? What is wrong with these people?!? And her parents' biggest objection is that the rapist was uncircumcised and it would be disgrace to God to intermarry?? Really? Ugh. SO then the rapists circumcise themselves and all are slaughtered by her brothers while they're still sore. Nice.
This is a very difficult chapter for me. I changed my mind. Let's go back to the livestock. :)
Matthew 11:39. I thought this line was beautiful: "Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." Very poetic.
Monday, January 31, 2011
January 15 reading
OK, so why did people sacrifice to God (animals) in the Old Testament but there isn't mention of that in the New Testament (I think, I'm only on Day 15 here)?? What's the sacrifice thing all about?
I liked Matthew 10:39. "39 If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me." That was deep. I also thought the part about being a razor to cut you from family; that family can be your own worst enemies was pretty interesting.
I liked Matthew 10:39. "39 If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me." That was deep. I also thought the part about being a razor to cut you from family; that family can be your own worst enemies was pretty interesting.
Day 19
Okay so I see now why the Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians...it was Joseph's fault....there's that blame again. It's ironic to me that God's people are slaves to Egyptians and Joseph started it.
I love reading the Psalms in the Message version. I love the verbage!!
Sometimes I don't understand the parables that Jesus told. They don't always make sense. I guess that's how the disciples felt to a certain extent.
That's all I've got.
I love reading the Psalms in the Message version. I love the verbage!!
Sometimes I don't understand the parables that Jesus told. They don't always make sense. I guess that's how the disciples felt to a certain extent.
That's all I've got.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Reflection for the week
If I'm being totally honest with myself, then I have to admit that I've been struggling with a few things this week. Reading some of the Genesis chapters have really bothered me. The whole "my wife is my sister" thing and then just today... the whole story of "Hey, you're going to marry the sister and not your betrothed" followed by "Leah and Rebecca fight over who's going to be a baby mama so they offer up their maids" thing is just ALL JACKED UP.
I have not enjoyed the way that women have been treated in the readings. I find it offensive. I liken it to the way that women are currently treated in the Middle East, I don't think attitudes there have changed overmuch in the last 2,000 years.
I refuse to be treated as less because I have a vagina. I refuse to believe that God is a God that believes that I deserve to be treated as property or be submissive to another because of the way He made me. I utterly refute it. I believe that I, as Woman, was created to be the complement to and helpmate of Man. The scripture was very clear on that. I am not less than my husband, or my father, and I am worthy of the same respect. Period.
I also have to be candid that in my many years volunteering to help raped and abused women have also heavily reinforced these beliefs. I have seen too many women and children, just running to survive, and struggling with the belief that a) they deserve it and b) they should honor their husband above their personal safety. Why do women go back to their abusers? I can't tell you how many of them told me they felt it was their duty as a Christian to return.
I suppose it was because of this heightened sensibility that what happened today at church just struck me badly. Today, our pastor announced three candidates to become senior leaders of our church. Now, I have nothing against these men. These men have worked their rear ends off to serve the church. I have nothing but love and respect for them. I do believe that they embody everything the church stands for. I have no problems with their appointments.
What I do have a giant problem with, and I own this as something that is likely my OWN issue, is that I stood looking at a leadership team of all men.
I love my church for many reasons, one of which is that it is nontraditional. Another is that is unconditionally loving of all people. So my utter disappointment that I was looking at very traditional all-male Christian lineup. It was a complete and total turn-off. I felt angry - and for lack of a finer term on it, betrayed.
I pray for guidance and reconciliation on this.
I have not enjoyed the way that women have been treated in the readings. I find it offensive. I liken it to the way that women are currently treated in the Middle East, I don't think attitudes there have changed overmuch in the last 2,000 years.
I refuse to be treated as less because I have a vagina. I refuse to believe that God is a God that believes that I deserve to be treated as property or be submissive to another because of the way He made me. I utterly refute it. I believe that I, as Woman, was created to be the complement to and helpmate of Man. The scripture was very clear on that. I am not less than my husband, or my father, and I am worthy of the same respect. Period.
I also have to be candid that in my many years volunteering to help raped and abused women have also heavily reinforced these beliefs. I have seen too many women and children, just running to survive, and struggling with the belief that a) they deserve it and b) they should honor their husband above their personal safety. Why do women go back to their abusers? I can't tell you how many of them told me they felt it was their duty as a Christian to return.
I suppose it was because of this heightened sensibility that what happened today at church just struck me badly. Today, our pastor announced three candidates to become senior leaders of our church. Now, I have nothing against these men. These men have worked their rear ends off to serve the church. I have nothing but love and respect for them. I do believe that they embody everything the church stands for. I have no problems with their appointments.
What I do have a giant problem with, and I own this as something that is likely my OWN issue, is that I stood looking at a leadership team of all men.
I love my church for many reasons, one of which is that it is nontraditional. Another is that is unconditionally loving of all people. So my utter disappointment that I was looking at very traditional all-male Christian lineup. It was a complete and total turn-off. I felt angry - and for lack of a finer term on it, betrayed.
I pray for guidance and reconciliation on this.
Day 18 Reading
So I read more about Joseph today. I love that when Joseph finally tells his brothers who he is. He tells them that it wasn't they who sent him away it was God. He said that God sent him to take care of them because of the famine. Joseph has hindsight and faith that God had a plan. Joseph was willing to "take one for the team." Sometimes, I think I have the misconception that things should be easy, come easy, etc. because we've given our hearts and lives to God. That's not it at all, sometimes our discomfort or trials work for the good of others in the long run. It's a small sacrifice. I think of some of my friends and others at Catalyst that are living totally different lives now because of God working through Catalyst and through Levi. I love that! I want to be okay with sacrifice and suffering (not too much-ha).
I also love in the New Testament reading, the blind man. He knew Jesus was close and he yelled for him. He wasn't ashamed or embarrassed. He yelled for his life. And the story of the widow, she kept bugging the corrupt judge. If a corrupted judge can be moved by a widow's pestering, how much better is our God who loves us.
Good stuff today!
I also love in the New Testament reading, the blind man. He knew Jesus was close and he yelled for him. He wasn't ashamed or embarrassed. He yelled for his life. And the story of the widow, she kept bugging the corrupt judge. If a corrupted judge can be moved by a widow's pestering, how much better is our God who loves us.
Good stuff today!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
January 13 reading
It's gotta suck to be engaged for 7 years and then wind up marrying the sister of your betrothed. Crazy people. Good grief.
I did like my Proverbs this day. 3. "11 But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
don’t sulk under his loving correction.12 It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
a father’s delight is behind all this."
I did like my Proverbs this day. 3. "11 But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
don’t sulk under his loving correction.12 It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
a father’s delight is behind all this."
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