Being sick sucks. I don't remember ever faking it as a youngster, but I have fond memories of missing school and laying around in bed all day. Now when I'm sick, the lingering pain from a fever or an upset stomach that's been throwing up distracts me from the "ahh, time to rest" that laying around could bring. I even find myself stressing out, wishing I could will the sickness away so I could get back to work. Man, it's hard to accept things like this sometimes. Just that inner resistence to resting sometimes is hard. When I realize, 'You know what? There's nothing you can do about this. You have a fever of 101, just sit back and chill out. The work will be there when you return, blah blah blah.' That voice of reason is right, but it's not easy following it.
When reading over Genesis 49 and 50, one can see how Joseph's life and his responses to what life threw his way are inspiring. He explains how what his brothers meant for evil, God used for good. That's amazing. Another interesting thought to me is sometimes praying for others that are going through hard times. Can you imagine being one of Joseph's friends and prayer partners during his imprisonment time? Man, it'd be easy to imagine pleading with God for His justice to fall... Sometimes it's encouraging to let someone know you're praying for them. But I kinda like the idea of praying secretly for someone and really focusing on them and God helping them through their problems. I'm way too egocentric and selfish, so when I can break through that trap and let concern for others take priority, even if it's just for a few moments, that to me feels like I'm somehow acting the way God would want me to.
Joseph told a few fibs to his brothers when they came to buy grain from him in Egypt. They did not recognize him, but he recognized them and he remembered his dream of the sheaves of wheat bowing down to his, and saw it fulfilled with his own eyes. He accused them of being spies and made them leave one of the brothers to guarantee that they'd come back with their youngest brother, Benjamin. He really made these guys nervous. He overheard them talking (via an interpreter) and heard their grief and guilt over leaving him for dead. It moved him so much that he turned and wept. The brothers remembered the panic and desperation in Joseph's eyes and voice when he pleaded for his life. They had practically murdered their brother that day.
When Jacob was told about the demands to send Benjamin, his response was very paranoid, as if "everything was against him." This was quite the dramatic scene. One can only imagine what thoughts played out in the minds of each character - especially in the time between their events together. The long journeys to and from probably gave them all plenty of time to contemplate what was going to happen. Joseph's tricks are kind of funny. It's interesting how he used his power and his "upper hand" in a way to bring about a reunion.
We usually hear about the lesson of favoritism by parents (a no-no), which Jacob was guilty of; first with Joseph, next with Benjamin. The thing that strikes me this time is how Joseph, in spite of his deception and trickery, handles the situation in a manner that again shows dignity to even those that have treated him wrong. What a guy.
I'm on my way to Kinko's to pick up copies of the brand new issue of Heaven's Metal Fanzine. It's exciting to anticipate seeing them for the first time (in 10 years, at least). If you're curious, you can order (and have shipped to you asap) this new issue at our store.
Man, Joseph was one cool guy.
In Genesis 39 we read of Potiphar's wife. Potiphar was a wealthy Egyptian who put Joseph in charge of his entire estate. God was blessing this estate/household because of Joseph, so Potiphar didn't worry about any day-to-day cares (except for what he was eating...I bet he was overweight).
Potiphar's wife, who wasn't even named in this story, was a true seductress. To be blunt (and a little crass), she was a slut. She came on to the handsome Joseph all the time. And this guy refused her politely but firmly, never dis-honoring his boss. On a day where no one was around and she had opportunity, she tried to get him in bed again. Like the righteous young man that Paul affirms, this guy fled temptation. In his hurry he left his cloak, which the hussy (I'm sorry, I can't help but think not much of this woman) used to blackmail him.
Now, there are plenty of cool things to glean from this story.
One of those lessons is that Joseph obviously made previously made a commitment to purity. That way, when he was faced with a temptation, he already knew what he'd do (or what direction he'd try to take). This is a great lesson we can all learn from. If we make "Advance Decision Making" and base those ADM's on God's Word, we can win half the battle of future temptations right there. It arms us with resolution and equips us with fortitude and wisdom. That way, when we are faced with temptation, we can ask God to help us, to strengthen us, and provide for us that way out (that) He promised would always be there (1 Cor. 10:13, the Lust Control verse).
Another lesson we can glean from this story is how Joseph even treated his enemy (this lonely but manipulative woman) with dignity. We have no record of Joseph stating what would probably be the first words out of my mouth: "What? You can't arrest me! I didn't do anything wrong! She came on to me. I refused her." I'd probably call her a tramp in my anger and I wouldn't easily give up from being falsely imprisoned for something I didn't do. Now, maybe Joseph did speak up in his defense, but the Word the Lord's Spirit instructed Moses to write does not include this activity. Like the Messiah to follow after him, Joseph was silent before his accusers. But the thing that really impresses me was that he had enough class to not talk down about his master's wife. She caused him this grief, but he did not return the cruelty with the truth (even): that she tried seducing him but he refused. That shows a lot of self control and class. Here was a chance to put that woman in her place and humiliate her, and he didn't take it. Wow. Joseph was a big man. I respect that.
Joseph accepted his circumstances and God quickly blessed his activities there in prison. So much so that the jailer (warden) even put him in charge of everything. Wow.
Wow. I feel old, but mostly tired.
I went to shows three nights in a row.
Friday I saw Chasing Victory, The Showdown, Mortal Treason, and Staple. Very good show. The Showdown stole the show.
Saturday I went to see Zao, along with Every Time I Die (whom I interviewed before the show), and Dillinger Escape Plan.
Sunday I interviewed Eddie and Matt from Taking Back Sunday (with cameras filming for a possible DVD of HM interviews later), who played with Matchbook Romance and Fall Out Boy (who I interviewed last week).
Being at that show last night means I missed Damien Jurado. Sometimes Austin is overwhelming with its musical choices. Those who live here are very blessed. In a two week stretch, check out the Christian-influenced artists that are playing here:
Del Castillo on 10/29 (+opening for Los Lobos) on 12/2
Underoath opening for Coheed and Cambria on 11/12
Copeland, Futher Seems Forever opening for Papa Roach and Sparta on 11/3
Viva Voce on 11/7
Mae on 11/13
Fairfax, 100 Year Storm, Drama Dust, Bayta Darell on 11/3
Chevell 10/27
Switchfoot 11/13
and don't forget, Paul Clark played at my church on Sunday...
That's a lot of shows in a short time. It's cool to look forward to a show all month or all week, but this is a non-stop onslaught of shows and tough choices (and who could afford to see them all, anyway?).
Esau exercised something incredible. In Genesis 33 we see the reconciliation of two brothers. Esau was cheated out of his rightful blessing by deception and trickery. Jacob should have run up to Esau and apologized. But Esau did not wait for that. He forgave him,, period. That is powerful.
I remember a time when I was offended by an action. The person that offended me had not apologized, but I felt the need to forgive him. But it made sense to me to first let him know that I had been offended, otherwise an "I forgive you" coming out of the blue might not make sense. But when I brought that up, I discovered that he had already forgiven me. (I had offended him, which is probably why he acted in a way that offended me) He made the choice to love and forgive me. That was cool. Keeping anger and unforgiveness "alive" is a bad thing that just festers.
"You can't bring me down..."
Wow, Jacob sure put up with a lot from Laban. In Genesid 31, we learn that this exacting boss demanded payment for any of the flocks that were stolen or killed under Jacob's watch. Jacob just took the loss himself and depended on God's blessings no matter what would happen. And God did bless him. At times Laban said, "Your wages will only be the flocks that are born spotted," and then only the spotted flocks would mate and bear offspring. That's kinda funny.
But Jacob worked for Laban for 14 years just to marry his two daughters, and six more for the flocks. And Laban changed his wages 10 times. This guy was a beast to work for, yet Jacob kept his cool. He trusted that God was his real boss, and that his work for his earthly boss was truly done for his heavenly boss, almost like worship.
We also see a cool covenant between Jacob and Laban at the end of the chapter -- a covenant that protects even the yet-to-be born children of Jacob and his family from harm; and likewise Laban. Covenants are cool.
It's all your fault. Anger is not an emotion or a choice I make or anything. It's all your fault. You made me angry.
Actually, the truth is that we make ourselves angry. We may not have control over the events that spark our anger, but our remaining there is a choice.
In Genesis 27, we find a scenerio that would give me "reason" to be angry. Isaac's wife, Rebekah overheard old Isaac's instructions to his oldest son, Esau. He was to go hunt some wild game and bring it back for his dad, who would bless him before he died. She was the one who devised the plan to trick the old man. She even told Jacob, "My son, let the curse fall on me." Wow. She was way off base here. Jacob was next, though, he could've stood up to his mom and protested that this was wrong. But he took the goatskins on his hands and neck (gross) and fooled his dad. He even "used God" in his deception, explaining how he found the wild game so fast, "The Lord your God gave me success." Ahh, not good. "Poppycock," as they say.
It's interesting how powerful and enabling Isaac's words of blessing were. I bet you that, short of the "name it and claim it" heresy of excess, that there is something to speaking blessings to our children and each other. Surely there is something powerful about this. Maybe God chooses to act on our spoken blessings like a prayer that's His will...? Hmmm...
I'm am blown away by the story of Abraham's faith getting tested in Genesis 22. I breath a sigh of relief every time I get to the part in the story where Abraham's arm is raised with the knife and the angel of the Lord calls out to him and stops him: "Do not lay a hand on the boy."
Whew.
In hindsight (as well as having the whole of Scripture to look at this event through) it's easy to see that the Lord was taking care of Abraham and we needn't worry that Isaac would be slaughtered, but did Abraham know that at the time? I don't think so. He was obedient to the Lord even when all the details weren't known. That surely is an example of walking in faith.
Funny quote heard from a friend, who was at a record convention yesterday. He overheard two dealers talking about the internet:
"Yeah, there is no longer any reason to have a storefront anymore, with all the business to be had on the internet."
"Not true. I had two guys who got God this past week and sold me their metal collections"
This is hilarious. If this store owner had not had his storefront retail shop, he never would have come across these metalheads that "found God" and subsequently sold their heavy metal collection.
:?)
I once rhymed the word "cheese" with "quiche."
(the song "Real Men Cry" from We Are Not Ashamed)
Come to think of it, I don't know if that's something to be proud of or not...
:?)
I've been told that Thomas Jefferson was a Deist, in that he believed that God created the universe and then has "stepped back" and let it unfold without intervening. Deism has been called a heresy, and I can see why. I believe that there is a kernel of truth to the concept. For instance, bacteria randomly attack and cause sickness. We live in a fallen world and bad things happen (to both "good people" and "bad people"). In that sense, I believe that God allows the created order He put in place to operate. I also believe He intervenes and heals and protects and speaks.
Genesis 18 presents an unusual challenge, though, because Abraham meets three people that he immediately recognizes as being His God or higher beings that he should humble himself before. One is refered to as the Lord and the other two are called angels in the next chapter. The Lord tells Abraham that they are there to check in on the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah, to see if the outcry against those cities are accurate. It's interesting, because God is sovereign. Why would He need a closer look? He apparently doesn't even make the rest of the journey, as the two angels go on without Him.
Wouldn't it be cool for God to check in on you? If He actually opened the door and came in your room, just to see how you were doing? Of course, if it were a grievous sin reason like those two ancient cities, it would not be a good thing; but if He just came by to say hello and see how you were doing, that would be great.
One thing I like to do sometimes is approach God in prayer like that. Say stuff like, "What are You up to today, Lord? And how can I be a part of it?" It's a scary prayer to speak, because it opens us up to assignments we may not know about, but we know that God is trustworthy.
I'm planning on seeing the movie Friday Night Lights with my friend Paul Q-Pek (who just moved back to Austin) today. That should be fun.
Genesis 12 chronicles a terrible decision by the Father of our faith. When Abraham was following God's orders to move, he came to Egypt. Because his wife was beautiful, he devised a plan to save his life. Here he was, fresh off the incredible blessing and covenant that God had made with him,
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
...and yet he feared for his life. "Tell them you're my sister," Abram told Sarai. Sure enough, they enter Egypt and the big rock star (Pharoah) spots her in the second row and tells his body guards to bring her backstage. This guy made her one of his wives! Pharoah slept with her. I can imagine Abraham looking down from Heaven as I type and feeling ashamed that this costly mistake was recorded in Scripture for all to see.
It's only my imagination, though, because I doubt that anyone in Heaven feels regret. Someday we'll know.
What a humbling mistake to have to live through. Abraham went on to great things, he and Sarai had Isaac later. He was blessed. It would have been cool if Abram would have stood on the promise, "I will curse those who curse you," and depended on God to protect him and his wife. That would be another great heroic Bible story. Instead we get failure. And that is actually a good thing, because we get to see the warts and shortcomings of our heroes. Failure is the one thing we all have in common. God certainly didn't abandon Abram when this happened. He blessed him mightily.
This weekend is the annual "Red River Shootout" in the Dallas Cotton Bowl, between rivals the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma. It's an amazing sight to see that stadium half full of red clothing and half full of burnt orange. You can tell which fans are sitting where. OU has had Texas' number for the last four years in a row. If OU beats Texas again, it'll be heartache for the Longhorns faithful. You can definitely sense the tension when hearing fans in Texas talk about it.
[more later]
Now it's later.
I've even got a bet going with one of our writers. If OU wins, then we pay him the difference in score for this article he's writing for us. If Texas wins, then he pays the difference in score for the privilege of writing for HM.
Ha ha.
Anyway, what I wanted to write here was about impatience. And that counterpart... What's it called? Oh yeah -- patience!
When God asked Noah to build an ark, it was as many as 120 years before the rain fell. And I get impatient if there are more than three people at the Wendy's drive-thru in front of me. Or when I have to wait "a year" (reality = 5 minutes or less) to check out at Best Buy.
The book of Hebrews encourages us:
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."
Since everyone's been asking,
I'll relay what I know:
He called me on his way home to Houston and told me that it went great. He says they really presented their side well. One of the people overseeing the hearing said something like, "And we can avoid a lawsuit in the future by giving this guy his job back," or something to that effect. This implied that the organization was admitting that my friend had broken no policies and had done nothing wrong. He didn't have a decision when he was driving back, and I'd expect they'd have one by now, but I haven't heard from him. I'll post an update when I hear.
Wow. Adam really blew it.
I'll tell you WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE:
"...she also gave some to her husband, who was with her..."
But he didn't eat it. "No way, woman! God forbid us eating that."
And then when I heard the Lord walking in the garden, I said, "Are you looking for Eve? She ate the forbidden fruit! She ate the forbidden fruit.!"
And then the Lord punished Eve and cast her out of the garden.
Meanwhile, I stayed and gloated."
Lessons learned:
1. Anytime someone uses all caps and says, "WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE," you better believe that pride is in the air, and this guy will fall (into foolishness).
2. I acted as a terrible, terrible husband in this scenerio. To let go and let my wife get banished would not be love. That would be judgment, pride, and a bunch of evil things.
3. Jesus is referred to as "Second Adam" in the Scriptures. Most commentaries about this (1 Corinthians 15) talk about how death entered through the First Adam, and new life enters through the Second Adam. Another perspective on this can also be that Adam was a "type" or a fore-shadowing of Jesus the Messiah to come later. Adam was faced with a choice when he ate of the fruit. It is possible that he knew that Eve would be punished and, by eating too, would join her in this judgment and therefore stay one with her. Like Jesus, he knowingly took the punishment. Jesus purposefully took the sin (and therefore judgment of sin) upon Himself on behalf of His bride -- the church (the group of us who follow Jesus). It is possible that this name, Second Adam, has that kind of significance.
Man, it's been way too long since I opened up that book in the Bible. The devotional I read this morning talked about children and family and creation (as it was based on Genesis, chapter 1), and had Zechariah 10:6-12 as follow-up. It's neat and comforting to see God's heart, provision, and promises to care for His flock, His people.
It is a blessing to walk with the Lord. It's not always easy and it's not void of pain, frustration, conflict and problems, but it is good. That's why people can sing songs like, "It is well with my soul..."