my burg

"...those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy (Psalm 65:8 ESV)   In retirement I have a bit more time to observe nature, identify bird songs, and photograph trees and flowers. I'm even finding mushrooms to be fascinating, but I am not experimenting with their edibility! Each day I realize something of the goodness and beauty of the world that God created, even though now it is marred by sin and death.  READING PSALM 65. This psalm can be divided into three sections. First, we should praise God, for he has atoned for sin and reconciled us to himself forever (vv 1-4). Secondly, the global work of God's righteousness will bring about redemption for the nations, resulting in great joy (vv 5-8). Thirdly, this will culminate with blessings upon all creation, again, resulting in joyful praise (vv 9-13), "...they shout and sing together for joy" (65:13). There is a movement i...

  I'm currently reading Wisdom and Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art (Christian's Library Press; English translation, 2011) by Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920). Kuyper was a Dutch Reformed theologian, founder of the Free University of Amsterdam, who also served as the prime minister of Holland from 1901 to 1905. Based upon his view of common grace he demonstrates that, despite the dangers inherent in scientific and artistic studies, Christians are called to participate and dignify these disciplines that God has given graciously to be shared by all humanity.   In part one, Kuyper is arguing for Christians to maintain their work in the sciences without succumbing to materialism (philosophical naturalism) in their worldview and approach. He observes that the western world has been "led to the increasing materializing of all science, feeding the false notion that spiritual life arose from material causes." Below are some excerpts taken from this section.  On the natu...

"And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us..." (Acts 17:26-27 ESV) Why were we created? What is our ultimate purpose? Why are we so restless?  Here's Dutch theologian  Herman Bavinck on "Man's Highest Good"… “The conclusion, therefore, is that of Augustine, who said that the heart of man was created for God and that it cannot find rest unless it rests in its Father’s heart. Hence, all men are really seeking after God, as Augustine also declared, but they do not all seek Him in the right way nor at the right place. They seek Him down below, and He is above, they seek Him on the earth, and He is in Heaven.  They seek Him afar, and He is nearby. They seek Him in money, in property, in fame, in power,...

Bible reading for weekend Oct 22 -- 24 Oct 22 -- Daniel 7 and Psalms 114-115 Oct 23 -- Daniel 8 and Psalm 116 Oct 24 -- Daniel 9 and Psalm 117-118 ================   "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." (Daniel 7:13-14) THE BEASTS (ch 7). The four beasts are four empires in succession -- Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek (Alexandrian), and Roman. Some liberal scholars date the writing of the book of Daniel after these events because they cannot believe a Jewish prophet could possibly predict world empires so accurately, including the breakup of Alexander's empire into four smaller, regional empires. These four beasts a...

    Bible reading for Oct 20 -- 21 Oct 20 -- Daniel 5 and Psalms 110-111 Oct 21 -- Daniel 6 and Psalms 112-113 ================   "...for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth..." (Daniel 6:26-27) THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL (ch 5). In this chapter you see where that popular expression came from! Belshazzar, son (or grandson?) of Nebuchadnezzar, was likely a co-regent or crown prince in Babylon, and to no one's surprise was yet another haughty monarch. Daniel says to him, "you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is y...

Bible reading for weekend Oct 15 -- 17 Oct 15 -- Ezekiel 48 and Psalm 104 Oct 16 -- Daniel 1 and Psalm 105 Oct 17 -- Daniel 2 and Psalm 106 ================   "And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD is there." (Ezekiel 48:35) THE INHERITANCE (ch 48). From time to time I have seen a bumper sticker on a car (usually a nice car) which reads, "I am spending my children's inheritance." Inheritance is not a word which carries much weight in our culture these days. After paying off student loans, mortgages, consumer debt, and then nursing home care there's usually not much to go around afterwards. In the ancient world -- and even our world until just a century ago -- one's inheritance was a very important thing. It meant receiving and carrying on a family legacy, including the traditions, influence, and power that came with it. It meant having land or a house where one could make one's home and raise a family. It was a place to work ...

  "What will the owner of the vineyard do?"   (Mark 12:9) Somehow, Mark 12 slipped through the cracks on my reading and writing! Here's a catch-up... ============  PARABLE OF THE TENANTS (12:1-12) . Hearing this story, one would ask what universe these guys in the parable were living in. Where can you get away with not paying rent, and then thinking if you murder the heir you get to keep the property? And of course, that's the point: rejecting God's authority over us is crazy and self-destructive. It was a parable of the nation's leadership. But the Pharisees, the Herodians, and the Sadducees -- who didn't really get along, but now they have a common cause -- try their best to trick Jesus, and to trap him in something he says. It's hypocrisy, and not to mention, sheer folly, to think you're going to debate with Jesus on a peer basis .     BUT WHAT ABOUT... (12:13-27)? First, it's taxes: "Render...to God the things that are God's"...

  Bible reading for June 2 -- 3 Jun 2 -- Isaiah 34 and Rev 4 Jun 3 -- Isaiah 35 and Rev 5 ================    "And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 35:10) RECAP. We are coming to the end of what some call the first "book" of Isaiah, which focuses primarily on God's judgment upon Israel and Judah in the late eighth century BC. There will be an historical interlude in chapters 36 to 39, recording how the Lord delivered Jerusalem (under King Hezekiah) from the Assyrian siege in 701 BC. In chapter 40 we will begin what is called the "book of comfort". More on that later. These last two chapters (34 and 35) poetically describe the judgment upon the nations and the restoration of Israel. In both of these chapters we are viewing the "mountain peaks" of prophecy, where the near events (As...

Bible reading for April 12 -- 13 Apr 12 -- Proverbs 30 and 1 Timothy 1 Apr 13 -- Proverbs 31 and 1 Timothy 2 "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." (Proverbs 30:5)  OBSERVING CREATION (ch 30). This chapter records the words of Agur son of Jakeh. Nothing is really known of his identity (see the NET Bible notes on this chapter). The first section (vv 1-6) highlights Agur's dependence upon God's revelation. Here is a wise man stating his ignorance. The first step to knowing is to know that we do not know, and the more we know, the more we should realize that we do not know (though it doesn't always work that way). A philosopher once said that at best we humans are afloat on a raft of our knowledge upon a sea of our ignorance. We are dependent upon God's revelation to us, both in nature and Scripture, to know what is true, right, and wise. Agur introduces some of his sayings with numbers, such as, "there are 'n...

Bible reading for March 10 -- 11 Mar 10 -- Job 39 and 2 Corinthians 9 Mar 11 -- Job 40 and 2 Corinthians 10 "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it." (Job 40:2) MORE LESSONS FROM NATURE (ch 39-40). God speaks of the mountain goat, the wild donkey, the ostrich, the horse, and the hawk, in order to demonstrate the limitation of human knowledge and power. Each of these creatures -- a creature like Job -- has greater strength, skill, and speed than Job. We are not as wise and capable as we often think.  ON BEHEMOTH AND LEVIATHAN (ch 41-42). There are many opinions about whether these are real creatures to be found in nature, being described with hyperbole, or if these are references to mythological creatures symbolizing death and Satan. Some have suggested these are remnants of dinosaur species. See Constable's comments on the various interpretations . And here's Christopher Ash's interpretation . The over-riding poi...

"The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63 ESV)  So, why do I read the Bible daily? Why is it important for my life and growth in the Lord? Why are we Christians to be "people of the Book"?   Here's the short answer : God created the universe by his spoken word, and by his word he sustains it. He created us to know and relate to him through language. God reveals his mind and will to us through words. This revelation is used by the Spirit to enlighten, give life, produce faith, revive, and purify his people. Jesus, God's Son, is called the Word, and he came into the world to give us life. He spoke words of eternal life. His word is living and active.  God's people are sustained by his word.  God's word -- heard and understood, believed and applied, trusted and acted upon -- brings sanctifying life to us. At the end of earth's history he will speak the new creation into existence by his word. Our salvation, our sanctific...

Bible reading for weekend Dec 12-13.  2 Chronicles 13-14. "And Asa cried to the LORD his God, 'O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.'" (14:11) NEXT TWO KINGS. There were other accounts of the history of Israel and Judah which have not survived (1 Chron 29:29; 2 Chron 9:29; 12:15). The Lord has ordained that Samuel, Kings and Chronicles be the inspired record of these events. Focusing on the kingdom of Judah, the temple, and the priesthood in Jerusalem, Chronicles gives a different emphasis on the events of that time.  These chapters record the reigns of Abijah and Asa (cf 1 Kings 15). The Chronicler shines a light on a positive accomplishment of Abijah (who was not "wholly devoted" to the Lord), as well as all the good that King Asa did.  One recurrent theme here is th...

Bible reading for October 26.  2 Kings 7. "Then they said to one another, 'We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king's household.'" (2 Kings 7:9)  DAY OF GOOD NEWS. This chapter concludes the story begun in the previous chapter. Samaria has become desperate by the famine caused by the siege of the Syrian army. The unnamed king, likely Joram (cf 8:16), is wearing sackcloth (to symbolize repentance) but is also blaming Elisha for the situation. Elisha proclaims God's word that conditions will completely reverse overnight (v 1). A second pronouncement is made to the captain who said it would be impossible (v 2). (His unbelief reminds me of 2 Peter 3:3-10.) God's word comes to pass just as it was pronounced (vv 16-17). This is a reminder that God's pronouncement regarding the future is not merely foresight of "...

Bible reading for June 23.  Deuteronomy 28:20-68. "Whereas you were as numerous as the stars of heaven, you shall be left few in number, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God." (Deuteronomy 28:62)  THE CURSES. This list of curses, God's judgment upon unfaithfulness, is shocking to read. What it should highlight to us is that humankind can be reduced to almost nothing. Just as the chaotic earth was turned into order and fruitfulness (Genesis 1), so judgment is a return to disorder and barrenness. It's like having a porcelain teacup that has been broken into several pieces -- you can hold it together with a gentle grasp and support of your hand. It's beautiful. But should you release your grip, even a little bit, the pieces fall apart again. The beauty and marvel of creation comes from God's hand.  He holds it together.  And all the blessedness of marriage, children, work, health, strength, and a community at peace can be lost at the...

Bible reading for June 19.  Deuteronomy 24. "...but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this."  (Deuteronomy 24:18)  JUSTICE. The laws in this section pertain to the protection of weaker and more vulnerable people. Jesus clarified that this teaching on divorce (vv 1-4) was a concession and not a commandment (Matt 19:3-10). God's will from the beginning has been that "...a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Gen 2:24) . This chapter also addresses taking pledges (collateral) on loans, but making sure to protect the life and dignity of the borrower.  The poor were to be allowed to glean in the fields during harvest. Israel's own history of slavery was to be remembered so that they would be kind to the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the resident alien.  Question for thought : what are some of ...