Genesis 1:1--2:4abr...
Illustration
Object:
Genesis 1:1--2:4a
Consider what we know about the size of this God-created universe ...
Imagine that every star in the known universe is represented by a single grain of sand. A large construction wheelbarrow, heaping full, would carry enough sand to make up the Milky Way, our galaxy. The wheelbarrow holds about 100 billion grains -- 100 billion stars belong to our galaxy.
If you dipped a small cup into the pile of sand in the wheelbarrow, you'd scoop out at least 10,000 grains, more than enough to account for all the stars visible from Earth on a clear, dark summer night. Most of the stars belonging to our galaxy are either too far away or too dim to be visible, even with the aid of a backyard telescope.
If that's just our galaxy, then what about all the stars in the universe? How much space would they take up? Well, continuing our sand analogy, you'd need not a wheelbarrow, but a whole freight train, its hopper cars filled with sand. Each of those railroad cars holds enough sand to represent hundreds of galaxies like the Milky Way.
Now, let's say you're standing at a railroad crossing, waiting for this freight train to pass. The cars rattle and lurch by, one per second (which is pretty fast, for a freight train). You would have to count those cars 24 hours a day for three years before the universe train had completed its journey.
(From Terence Dickenson and Jack Newton, in Splendors of the Universe [Firefly, 1997], cited by Ralph Milton in his Rumors enewsletter, 6/99)
Genesis 1 tells us God created this universe, in all its vastness. That means God is bigger even than that!
Genesis 1:1--2:4a
The opening words of the book of Genesis, which are the opening words of the whole Bible, are transliterated from the Hebrew into phonetic English: "Bare-uh-SHEETH buh- RAH hah-el-low-HEEM eth hah-shuh-MY-um wuh eth hah-AIR-etz," which say: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
The NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) translates these words: "In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth," but there's no word "when" in the original Hebrew words. There's simply the magnificent proclamation that the Lord God created all that is.
This can help us as arguments heat up around us about creationism and evolution and intelligent design and all the other attempts to try to figure out exactly what happened and how it happened.
The Bible says simply -- and majestically -- that God created all that is -- everything.
Genesis 1:1--2:4a
One day, Jackie found a kitten in her trash can. The kitten could not have been more than a couple of days old. At first she wondered who would have done such a thing -- should she look for the culprit? She took the kitten into her house, cleaned it, and gave it some milk and a warm blanket. She made several calls around the neighborhood to see if anyone knew anything about the kitten, which no one did.
Jackie made an appointment with the veterinarian. He gave her medicine for the kitten, telling her that the kitten was very sick. Jackie took the kitten home and continued to care for her. A couple of days later she returned to the veterinarian, stronger drugs were prescribed. It was touch and go for several days.
Two weeks later, she again took the kitten to the doctor. The kitten was doing much better thanks in part to Jackie's care. The doctor admitted that he did not think at first that the kitten would survive -- she was that sick -- but did not want to say anything to her. But through Jackie's loving care the kitten got stronger.
Jackie continued to try to find a home for the kitten. She did not want to take the kitten to the local shelter. Eventually she decided to keep the kitten, naming her Eve.
Tender, loving care made all the difference to this kitten. God created the world and everything in it out of God's great love for us. At the creation of the world, "God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good."
Genesis 1:1--2:4a
Dr. Elizabeth Roberts' important work on the working-class lives in industrial towns yields several testimonies on the extent of the parents' authority over their children. One woman told Dr. Roberts this about the woman's mother: "She wasn't bossy, but she was the prevailing spirit in the house you know. We knew that and we were brought up that way, if mother said it you did it, and it wasn't a case of I'll ask m'dad" (Elizabeth Roberts, A Woman's Place: An Oral History of Working Class Women, 1890-1940 [Oxford: Blackwell's, 1996]).
Creation or chaos responded similarly to God's word. When God said, "Let there be." There was.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
The doctrine of the Trinity has led to excesses. Teachers have instructed children in metaphors for the Trinity and then asked if the students understood. When the children said, "Yes," the teacher said, "No, you can't. It's a mystery." Christians have even killed another person (or agreed to his execution) because he disagreed about the Trinity.
Christians should acknowledge that even though Jesus commanded people to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in the book of Acts that is never done. Christians should note the complex and painful conflicts in 2 Corinthians, chapters 10-13. We should concentrate on 13:13, claiming Christ's grace that saves us despite our correct or incorrect doctrines, giving thanks to God who loves us even when we hate one another for "good" religious reasons, and surrendering to the Holy Spirit who binds us together eternally with God and one another, no matter what.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Those of us who take Bible commands seriously face a dilemma. This and other New Testament passages urge us to greet one another with a holy kiss. What is a holy kiss? A common greeting in Jesus' time, a holy kiss was likely similar to what many Europeans use -- a quick, cordial hug on the right side followed by one on the left. Americans commonly shake hands instead.
Church holy kisses are hard to come by these days, aren't they? They fell out of favor after New Testament times possibly because some folks enjoyed unholy squeezing of the opposite sex. Should they be reinstituted? I think so. People need hugs and affection in order to thrive. Some say that we all need at least five hugs a day. Holy kisses should make a comeback, I think, as signs of fellowship, welcome, and acceptance, but never to satisfy lustful urges.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Each of the epistles of the New Testament concludes with a sentence of blessing or with an ascription of praise or a benediction of some sort. These benedictions add a strong awareness of following Christ, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Benedict (the word from which we derive "benediction"), literally means a married man. Benedictine is a member of the order of monks established by Saint Benedict, in 529. At first it was for married, as well as unmarried, men. The meaning has broadened to include any short prayer with which a public service is concluded. Benedictions add a whole new dimension of blessing. Other meanings include: realized blessedness, happiness, and a state of grace. It also includes "an act of blessing and expressions of blessing." It is a prayer with kind wishes and a solemn or affectionate expression of happiness.
There are many wonderful benedictions in the New Testament. I have included two of them. Neither of them are concluding benedictions.
"And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified" (Acts 20:32 RSV).
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (2 Peter 1:2).
Matthew 28:16-20
Church-growth consultant, Tom Bandy, writes about the ways some churches have of cherishing their origins more than their mission. Here are some things they commonly believe:
* It's more important to protect our heritage than develop a strategic plan;
* It's more important to keep Uncle Albert happy than welcome newcomer Sally;
* It's more important to discern the gifts I've been given than receive new gifts God wants to give;
* It's more important for my children to emulate their parents' priorities than help them develop their own;
* It's more important to entrench sacred dogma than to let loose sacred imagination;
* It's more important to pay the heating bills than to invest in benevolences;
* It's more important to have orderly worship than open our hearts to the in-breaking Holy Spirit ...
... and the list goes on. The church, like much of our culture, is like a rocket ship attempting to escape the gravitational pull of the earth, but never quite generating enough momentum. The church accommodates to culture, not by accepting theories of evolution, but by believing (as do so many scientists, businessmen, and politicians) that our origins are more important than our destinies. Pull back, hunker down, slow down immigration, close the borders, educate the ushers, repair the organ ... and get a youth group. But only get a youth group if the youth are educated to pull back, hunker down, defend the borders, educate the ushers, repair the organ ... and so on and on.
Friends, here is the secret to church growth: Get a mission!
(From Byte-Sized Net Results ezine, 9/22/07, http://netresults.org/)
Matthew 28:16-20
Did you notice, when the gospel was read, that after Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried, then rose from the dead, and was with his disciples for almost six weeks after the resurrection, he told his disciples to go up to Galilee, to a certain mountain?
And when they saw him there, the gospel says, they worshiped him -- but some doubted.
They worshiped him, but some doubted. They'd been with him for about three years, listening to him preach and teach, and watching him heal the blind, the deaf, the lame, and those with all sorts of diseases. Still, some of them doubted that he really was the Son of God.
But some believed.
Where are you and I in regard to believing in him? Is he the Son of God in our lives?
Matthew 28:16-20
Anne accompanied her father to the doctor's office. Harold hadn't been feeling well for several weeks but was hesitant to go to the doctor for a check-up. Anne not only insisted that he go, but promised to go with him. Harold told his daughter that he had good reasons for not wanting to go to the doctor. Many of his friends would return from the doctor with news of a serious illness or the need for surgery or treatment. Harold reasoned that by not going he would not have to worry about illness and treatments.
The doctor shared with Harold that he would have to make immediate changes to his diet. He would have to seriously limit his salt intake and stay away from "fatty" foods. Harold thought of his favorite restaurant and how he would no longer be able to order steak and fries, or fried chicken. "What would I eat?" he asked his daughter on their way home. Anne assured him that she would cook for him. She promised to find a cookbook with recipes for a healthy heart.
Anne kept her word and cooked meals for her dad. She spent time with him almost every day. Together they made it through what might have been a difficult time. One day, Harold told Anne that without her he would never have made it through.
The apostles were facing uncertain times, not sure what would happen to them. The risen Lord Jesus sent them out into all the world to proclaim the gospel. However, the apostles would not be going alone, the risen Lord promised to be with them every step of the way, "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:16-20
Former US pilot and magazine editor, Og Mandino, said the following: "Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it because it gives any challenge or any occupation, no matter how frightening or difficult, a new meaning. Without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity but with it you can accomplish miracles."
Jesus commanded his disciples to go out and share the good news with all people with the goal of making new disciples. Enthusiasm would be needed to accomplish, but something even greater was given and used by the disciples, namely, the Holy Spirit. Miracles are still being accomplished.
Consider what we know about the size of this God-created universe ...
Imagine that every star in the known universe is represented by a single grain of sand. A large construction wheelbarrow, heaping full, would carry enough sand to make up the Milky Way, our galaxy. The wheelbarrow holds about 100 billion grains -- 100 billion stars belong to our galaxy.
If you dipped a small cup into the pile of sand in the wheelbarrow, you'd scoop out at least 10,000 grains, more than enough to account for all the stars visible from Earth on a clear, dark summer night. Most of the stars belonging to our galaxy are either too far away or too dim to be visible, even with the aid of a backyard telescope.
If that's just our galaxy, then what about all the stars in the universe? How much space would they take up? Well, continuing our sand analogy, you'd need not a wheelbarrow, but a whole freight train, its hopper cars filled with sand. Each of those railroad cars holds enough sand to represent hundreds of galaxies like the Milky Way.
Now, let's say you're standing at a railroad crossing, waiting for this freight train to pass. The cars rattle and lurch by, one per second (which is pretty fast, for a freight train). You would have to count those cars 24 hours a day for three years before the universe train had completed its journey.
(From Terence Dickenson and Jack Newton, in Splendors of the Universe [Firefly, 1997], cited by Ralph Milton in his Rumors enewsletter, 6/99)
Genesis 1 tells us God created this universe, in all its vastness. That means God is bigger even than that!
Genesis 1:1--2:4a
The opening words of the book of Genesis, which are the opening words of the whole Bible, are transliterated from the Hebrew into phonetic English: "Bare-uh-SHEETH buh- RAH hah-el-low-HEEM eth hah-shuh-MY-um wuh eth hah-AIR-etz," which say: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
The NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) translates these words: "In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth," but there's no word "when" in the original Hebrew words. There's simply the magnificent proclamation that the Lord God created all that is.
This can help us as arguments heat up around us about creationism and evolution and intelligent design and all the other attempts to try to figure out exactly what happened and how it happened.
The Bible says simply -- and majestically -- that God created all that is -- everything.
Genesis 1:1--2:4a
One day, Jackie found a kitten in her trash can. The kitten could not have been more than a couple of days old. At first she wondered who would have done such a thing -- should she look for the culprit? She took the kitten into her house, cleaned it, and gave it some milk and a warm blanket. She made several calls around the neighborhood to see if anyone knew anything about the kitten, which no one did.
Jackie made an appointment with the veterinarian. He gave her medicine for the kitten, telling her that the kitten was very sick. Jackie took the kitten home and continued to care for her. A couple of days later she returned to the veterinarian, stronger drugs were prescribed. It was touch and go for several days.
Two weeks later, she again took the kitten to the doctor. The kitten was doing much better thanks in part to Jackie's care. The doctor admitted that he did not think at first that the kitten would survive -- she was that sick -- but did not want to say anything to her. But through Jackie's loving care the kitten got stronger.
Jackie continued to try to find a home for the kitten. She did not want to take the kitten to the local shelter. Eventually she decided to keep the kitten, naming her Eve.
Tender, loving care made all the difference to this kitten. God created the world and everything in it out of God's great love for us. At the creation of the world, "God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good."
Genesis 1:1--2:4a
Dr. Elizabeth Roberts' important work on the working-class lives in industrial towns yields several testimonies on the extent of the parents' authority over their children. One woman told Dr. Roberts this about the woman's mother: "She wasn't bossy, but she was the prevailing spirit in the house you know. We knew that and we were brought up that way, if mother said it you did it, and it wasn't a case of I'll ask m'dad" (Elizabeth Roberts, A Woman's Place: An Oral History of Working Class Women, 1890-1940 [Oxford: Blackwell's, 1996]).
Creation or chaos responded similarly to God's word. When God said, "Let there be." There was.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
The doctrine of the Trinity has led to excesses. Teachers have instructed children in metaphors for the Trinity and then asked if the students understood. When the children said, "Yes," the teacher said, "No, you can't. It's a mystery." Christians have even killed another person (or agreed to his execution) because he disagreed about the Trinity.
Christians should acknowledge that even though Jesus commanded people to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in the book of Acts that is never done. Christians should note the complex and painful conflicts in 2 Corinthians, chapters 10-13. We should concentrate on 13:13, claiming Christ's grace that saves us despite our correct or incorrect doctrines, giving thanks to God who loves us even when we hate one another for "good" religious reasons, and surrendering to the Holy Spirit who binds us together eternally with God and one another, no matter what.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Those of us who take Bible commands seriously face a dilemma. This and other New Testament passages urge us to greet one another with a holy kiss. What is a holy kiss? A common greeting in Jesus' time, a holy kiss was likely similar to what many Europeans use -- a quick, cordial hug on the right side followed by one on the left. Americans commonly shake hands instead.
Church holy kisses are hard to come by these days, aren't they? They fell out of favor after New Testament times possibly because some folks enjoyed unholy squeezing of the opposite sex. Should they be reinstituted? I think so. People need hugs and affection in order to thrive. Some say that we all need at least five hugs a day. Holy kisses should make a comeback, I think, as signs of fellowship, welcome, and acceptance, but never to satisfy lustful urges.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Each of the epistles of the New Testament concludes with a sentence of blessing or with an ascription of praise or a benediction of some sort. These benedictions add a strong awareness of following Christ, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Benedict (the word from which we derive "benediction"), literally means a married man. Benedictine is a member of the order of monks established by Saint Benedict, in 529. At first it was for married, as well as unmarried, men. The meaning has broadened to include any short prayer with which a public service is concluded. Benedictions add a whole new dimension of blessing. Other meanings include: realized blessedness, happiness, and a state of grace. It also includes "an act of blessing and expressions of blessing." It is a prayer with kind wishes and a solemn or affectionate expression of happiness.
There are many wonderful benedictions in the New Testament. I have included two of them. Neither of them are concluding benedictions.
"And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified" (Acts 20:32 RSV).
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (2 Peter 1:2).
Matthew 28:16-20
Church-growth consultant, Tom Bandy, writes about the ways some churches have of cherishing their origins more than their mission. Here are some things they commonly believe:
* It's more important to protect our heritage than develop a strategic plan;
* It's more important to keep Uncle Albert happy than welcome newcomer Sally;
* It's more important to discern the gifts I've been given than receive new gifts God wants to give;
* It's more important for my children to emulate their parents' priorities than help them develop their own;
* It's more important to entrench sacred dogma than to let loose sacred imagination;
* It's more important to pay the heating bills than to invest in benevolences;
* It's more important to have orderly worship than open our hearts to the in-breaking Holy Spirit ...
... and the list goes on. The church, like much of our culture, is like a rocket ship attempting to escape the gravitational pull of the earth, but never quite generating enough momentum. The church accommodates to culture, not by accepting theories of evolution, but by believing (as do so many scientists, businessmen, and politicians) that our origins are more important than our destinies. Pull back, hunker down, slow down immigration, close the borders, educate the ushers, repair the organ ... and get a youth group. But only get a youth group if the youth are educated to pull back, hunker down, defend the borders, educate the ushers, repair the organ ... and so on and on.
Friends, here is the secret to church growth: Get a mission!
(From Byte-Sized Net Results ezine, 9/22/07, http://netresults.org/)
Matthew 28:16-20
Did you notice, when the gospel was read, that after Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried, then rose from the dead, and was with his disciples for almost six weeks after the resurrection, he told his disciples to go up to Galilee, to a certain mountain?
And when they saw him there, the gospel says, they worshiped him -- but some doubted.
They worshiped him, but some doubted. They'd been with him for about three years, listening to him preach and teach, and watching him heal the blind, the deaf, the lame, and those with all sorts of diseases. Still, some of them doubted that he really was the Son of God.
But some believed.
Where are you and I in regard to believing in him? Is he the Son of God in our lives?
Matthew 28:16-20
Anne accompanied her father to the doctor's office. Harold hadn't been feeling well for several weeks but was hesitant to go to the doctor for a check-up. Anne not only insisted that he go, but promised to go with him. Harold told his daughter that he had good reasons for not wanting to go to the doctor. Many of his friends would return from the doctor with news of a serious illness or the need for surgery or treatment. Harold reasoned that by not going he would not have to worry about illness and treatments.
The doctor shared with Harold that he would have to make immediate changes to his diet. He would have to seriously limit his salt intake and stay away from "fatty" foods. Harold thought of his favorite restaurant and how he would no longer be able to order steak and fries, or fried chicken. "What would I eat?" he asked his daughter on their way home. Anne assured him that she would cook for him. She promised to find a cookbook with recipes for a healthy heart.
Anne kept her word and cooked meals for her dad. She spent time with him almost every day. Together they made it through what might have been a difficult time. One day, Harold told Anne that without her he would never have made it through.
The apostles were facing uncertain times, not sure what would happen to them. The risen Lord Jesus sent them out into all the world to proclaim the gospel. However, the apostles would not be going alone, the risen Lord promised to be with them every step of the way, "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:16-20
Former US pilot and magazine editor, Og Mandino, said the following: "Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it because it gives any challenge or any occupation, no matter how frightening or difficult, a new meaning. Without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity but with it you can accomplish miracles."
Jesus commanded his disciples to go out and share the good news with all people with the goal of making new disciples. Enthusiasm would be needed to accomplish, but something even greater was given and used by the disciples, namely, the Holy Spirit. Miracles are still being accomplished.
