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Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Ira Progoff, in his book At a Journal Workshop, tells the story that in the middle of the nineteenth century a remarkable discovery was made. An ancient Egyptian tomb was opened and many fascinating artifacts from that distant time were uncovered and examined. Among other things scientists found a portion of a tree, and embedded in the wood was a seed. Out of curiosity the scientists planted the seed to see if anything would happen. Progoff says, "Behold, after three thousand years the seed grew. It had missed its chance to grow in ancient Egypt, but its strength of life remained intact, dormant and waiting for its next opportunity."
Joseph's dream seemed to have ended when he was thrown into the pit by his jealous brothers and later sold to merchants on their way to Egypt, but God's providence had a way in time to make Joseph's dreams come true.
Richard H.
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Sometimes the greatest accomplishments in life emerge out of the greatest tragedies. Take, for instance, Christopher Reeve. Reeve was already an accomplished actor, having been made famous playing the role of Superman on the big screen. However, a horse riding accident in 1995 left him a quadriplegic. Despite the long, painful recovery, as well as the limitations he faced afterward, Reeve went on to be a champion activist for the paralytic community, even founding the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to help paralytics lead a better quality of life. He achieved great things through a most horrific accident.
Joseph faced a somewhat similar road. Here in this reading, we see the beginning of his story, how his own brothers betray him and sell him into slavery. Yet through this unspeakable betrayal, God used Joseph to ultimately save his own brothers and the eventual nation of Israel.
Craig K.
Romans 10:5-15
Middleweight boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was sentenced to death on a 1966 conviction of a triple murder. Many people questioned his guilt and the legitimacy of the legal proceedings of his case. A serious review of the case, in which Carter was exonerated, did not occur until singer Bob Dylan brought the plight of the boxer to the public's attention. In a song Dylan wrote these lyrics: "Criminals in their coats and their ties are free to drink martinis and watch the sun rise while Rubin sits like Buddha in a ten-foot cell, an innocent man in a living hell."
Paul wrote, "And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?" As Christians we are the preachers in society, proclaiming the message of Christ -- a message of salvation and social justice.
Ron L.
Romans 10:5-15
If you have a family, you know what it is like to love many people with all your heart -- that is, equally. You can't choose who you love most. Mom? Dad? Your ornery little brother who always makes you smile? That cousin who moves like a dancer? Your uncle, who you secretly think is the smartest person you know? It doesn't matter what kind of jobs your family members hold. It doesn't matter if they finished school, if they wear the right clothes, if they have the right friends. They are your family, and you just plain love them. You would do anything for them. That's all there is to it.
Leah T.
Matthew 14:22-33
Kathleen Norris in Amazing Grace tells of a low time in her life when her husband became seriously ill. She relates: "My husband once went into a depression so severe that he had to be hospitalized for several weeks. I was stunned to learn that we had no medical insurance -- in his descent into despair he had canceled it -- but I also comprehended that this was the least of our problems. Finding out who my husband was, who I was, and rebuilding our life together; these were the critical things."
Norris went on to say: "One day at the height of the crisis I was talking to a friend in New York City who asked, 'What are you doing for yourself? Are you seeking a counselor? Did you get someone to give you a prescription for tranquilizers?' 'No,' I replied, and then I startled myself by saying, 'I'm okay; I've been praying the psalms.' 'And that's enough?' she replied, incredulous."
Jesus also prayed, "and that's enough."
Richard H.
Matthew 14:22-33
Many people have probably heard the story of Horatio Spafford. In 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family, but because of business-related delays he sent his family ahead and planned to meet them later. However, the boat on which his family was traveling, the SS Ville du Havre, collided with another ship at sea and sank, killing 226 of the 313 passengers on board, including all four of Spafford's daughters. Only his wife survived. As he rushed onto the next ship to meet his wife, he was informed at one point that they were passing the spot where his daughters died. As they passed, Spafford took a piece of paper with the letterhead of the Brevoort House Hotel in Chicago and penned the words, "When peace like a river, attendeth my way...." In this darkest of times for him, the comfort of the Holy Spirit met him there and inspired him to write one of the most beloved hymns in history.
In this passage, the disciples are without Jesus and are facing a terrible storm on the sea "in the fourth watch of the night" (v. 25), the darkest part of the night. Everything seems to be going against them, when at their darkest point Jesus came to them, walking on the water. Sometimes it is in the greatest storms of life when Jesus makes his appearance.
Craig K.
Ira Progoff, in his book At a Journal Workshop, tells the story that in the middle of the nineteenth century a remarkable discovery was made. An ancient Egyptian tomb was opened and many fascinating artifacts from that distant time were uncovered and examined. Among other things scientists found a portion of a tree, and embedded in the wood was a seed. Out of curiosity the scientists planted the seed to see if anything would happen. Progoff says, "Behold, after three thousand years the seed grew. It had missed its chance to grow in ancient Egypt, but its strength of life remained intact, dormant and waiting for its next opportunity."
Joseph's dream seemed to have ended when he was thrown into the pit by his jealous brothers and later sold to merchants on their way to Egypt, but God's providence had a way in time to make Joseph's dreams come true.
Richard H.
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Sometimes the greatest accomplishments in life emerge out of the greatest tragedies. Take, for instance, Christopher Reeve. Reeve was already an accomplished actor, having been made famous playing the role of Superman on the big screen. However, a horse riding accident in 1995 left him a quadriplegic. Despite the long, painful recovery, as well as the limitations he faced afterward, Reeve went on to be a champion activist for the paralytic community, even founding the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to help paralytics lead a better quality of life. He achieved great things through a most horrific accident.
Joseph faced a somewhat similar road. Here in this reading, we see the beginning of his story, how his own brothers betray him and sell him into slavery. Yet through this unspeakable betrayal, God used Joseph to ultimately save his own brothers and the eventual nation of Israel.
Craig K.
Romans 10:5-15
Middleweight boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was sentenced to death on a 1966 conviction of a triple murder. Many people questioned his guilt and the legitimacy of the legal proceedings of his case. A serious review of the case, in which Carter was exonerated, did not occur until singer Bob Dylan brought the plight of the boxer to the public's attention. In a song Dylan wrote these lyrics: "Criminals in their coats and their ties are free to drink martinis and watch the sun rise while Rubin sits like Buddha in a ten-foot cell, an innocent man in a living hell."
Paul wrote, "And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?" As Christians we are the preachers in society, proclaiming the message of Christ -- a message of salvation and social justice.
Ron L.
Romans 10:5-15
If you have a family, you know what it is like to love many people with all your heart -- that is, equally. You can't choose who you love most. Mom? Dad? Your ornery little brother who always makes you smile? That cousin who moves like a dancer? Your uncle, who you secretly think is the smartest person you know? It doesn't matter what kind of jobs your family members hold. It doesn't matter if they finished school, if they wear the right clothes, if they have the right friends. They are your family, and you just plain love them. You would do anything for them. That's all there is to it.
Leah T.
Matthew 14:22-33
Kathleen Norris in Amazing Grace tells of a low time in her life when her husband became seriously ill. She relates: "My husband once went into a depression so severe that he had to be hospitalized for several weeks. I was stunned to learn that we had no medical insurance -- in his descent into despair he had canceled it -- but I also comprehended that this was the least of our problems. Finding out who my husband was, who I was, and rebuilding our life together; these were the critical things."
Norris went on to say: "One day at the height of the crisis I was talking to a friend in New York City who asked, 'What are you doing for yourself? Are you seeking a counselor? Did you get someone to give you a prescription for tranquilizers?' 'No,' I replied, and then I startled myself by saying, 'I'm okay; I've been praying the psalms.' 'And that's enough?' she replied, incredulous."
Jesus also prayed, "and that's enough."
Richard H.
Matthew 14:22-33
Many people have probably heard the story of Horatio Spafford. In 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family, but because of business-related delays he sent his family ahead and planned to meet them later. However, the boat on which his family was traveling, the SS Ville du Havre, collided with another ship at sea and sank, killing 226 of the 313 passengers on board, including all four of Spafford's daughters. Only his wife survived. As he rushed onto the next ship to meet his wife, he was informed at one point that they were passing the spot where his daughters died. As they passed, Spafford took a piece of paper with the letterhead of the Brevoort House Hotel in Chicago and penned the words, "When peace like a river, attendeth my way...." In this darkest of times for him, the comfort of the Holy Spirit met him there and inspired him to write one of the most beloved hymns in history.
In this passage, the disciples are without Jesus and are facing a terrible storm on the sea "in the fourth watch of the night" (v. 25), the darkest part of the night. Everything seems to be going against them, when at their darkest point Jesus came to them, walking on the water. Sometimes it is in the greatest storms of life when Jesus makes his appearance.
Craig K.
