Kia Joy Ride
Google Parisian Love
Monday, February 08, 2010
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Politics: In a nutshell ...
"The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen." -- Dennis Prager
Fore more, see this where Prager expands on this idea.
Fore more, see this where Prager expands on this idea.
Devotional Thoughts: Once you were not a people
Continuing in 1 Peter ...
There is often a pattern to the writings of the Christian Scripture: a statement or series of statements that get at some big picture truth which is then followed by an exhortation of how to live life. This is the idea of ethical monotheism, a phrase I first heard on the radio from Dennis Prager.
Briefly put, ethical monotheism says, if we believe there is a God then we have moral obligations to live accordingly.
And so, Peter, follows this pattern in 1 Peter chapter one and now again in chapter two.
We have the big story of the Living Stone and us as living stones which illustrates what Jesus the Christ has done for us. And now we have the big picture put this way ...
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
We once were on the outside: not chosen, not royal, not holy and not belonging to God.
But because of what Christ has done, we were brought in. This should not lead to a haughty exclusivism but rather a humble gratitude and a gracious sharing of what we have received.
And so indeed, Peter follows up this grand news of belonging when we once didn't with these encouragements on how to live life ...
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Living out the faith isn't easy. There is darkness in this world, yet we want to help bring people from that darkness into the marvelous light of God's love. The path for a Jesus follower can be misunderstood, ridiculed, rejected and even persecuted in some places in the world, yet we want to come alongside those in the world just as Jesus did when we misunderstood, ridiculed, rejected and persecuted him. Our calling is to hear the praise and commendation of our God and not the applause of the world or the comforts of our ease.
Lord, have mercy. Bring me from selfishness to living with an awareness of God and others. Bring me from silence to graciously sharing words of love and life. Bring me from fear to standing for what is right in wise ways. Amen.
There is often a pattern to the writings of the Christian Scripture: a statement or series of statements that get at some big picture truth which is then followed by an exhortation of how to live life. This is the idea of ethical monotheism, a phrase I first heard on the radio from Dennis Prager.
Briefly put, ethical monotheism says, if we believe there is a God then we have moral obligations to live accordingly.
And so, Peter, follows this pattern in 1 Peter chapter one and now again in chapter two.
We have the big story of the Living Stone and us as living stones which illustrates what Jesus the Christ has done for us. And now we have the big picture put this way ...
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
We once were on the outside: not chosen, not royal, not holy and not belonging to God.
But because of what Christ has done, we were brought in. This should not lead to a haughty exclusivism but rather a humble gratitude and a gracious sharing of what we have received.
And so indeed, Peter follows up this grand news of belonging when we once didn't with these encouragements on how to live life ...
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Lord, have mercy. Bring me from selfishness to living with an awareness of God and others. Bring me from silence to graciously sharing words of love and life. Bring me from fear to standing for what is right in wise ways. Amen.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Non-profit of the Month: February 2010 - Search Dog Foundation
image source: http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/98/html/gallery/2010/GulfportJimRecon.JPG
Have been a supporter of the Search Dog Foundation since 2005.
image source: http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/98/html/gallery/2010/9-11RobCimaHarley9-14-01.jpg
Why are search dogs needed?
From SDF FAQ:
After a disaster, when buildings have crumbled to the ground, dogs can search much more quickly and safely than people can. By training on simulated rubble piles where volunteer victims are hiding, the canines and their handlers prepare themselves to find people who would otherwise remain buried. A disaster search dog must learn to crawl through tunnels, walk up and down ladders, and walk on wobbly surfaces and over debris and rubble. The dog must be able to go in a direction that its handler has signaled and stop and wait for instructions.
See the video profiles of the work SDF is doing.
Newman's Own Foundation has offered a $100,000 challenge grant to SDF.
As such, I'm contributing this month to SDF and am encouraging RR readers to consider supporting them as well. Thanks!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Bookshelf: Catcher in the Rye author J.D. Salinger dies at 91
American literary figure J. D. Salinger died several days ago.
I read his most famous book Catcher in the Rye when I turned 40.
I looked back in my blog archives for the impressions ...
October 24, 2003 excerpts:
A few months ago, I decided to revisit my "teenage" life by reading a book that is often on middle school reading lists, Catcher in the Rye. It wasn't on mine then. I wondered what my reaction would have been if it were. Reading it as a baby-boom/gen X young adult gave me a different perspective I'm sure. At one level, I could relate to Holden because I know from experience something about alienation because all my life I've resembled the "stereotypical shy scientist" nerd type. It took a long time to become at peace with who I am and even to celebrate who I am.
But Holden was stuck. The death of his brother and his isolation were like rip tides that pulled him out to sea. Reading the book's raw descriptions and dialog was heart breaking. I felt like I was watching a auto accident unfold in slow motion. I felt the pang of guilt like I was on the highway stopping to look at the traffic accident: you say, don't look, don't look, but you look.
But it was a picture of humanity and the downward spiral of a lost soul. We need to look at it in real life and in fiction so our hearts do not grow cold. Hopefully, we will be moved to compassion. There were two characters who seem to see through the fog and try to help him. Those in my mind were the "whispers of grace." Maybe they made a difference in what could have been a worse situation? I don't know. The story is told as is and that would be speculative. But I'd like to believe that mattered and that we can matter.
I referred to Catcher in the Rye again in the context of making some observations about Prayer for Owen Meany back in May 31, 2004 excerpt:
The book is a coming of age tale set in the North East and touches on the turmoil of the Vietnam war, friendship, family and matters of faith. I would imagine the book would invoke a mix of feelings from those who take Christian faith seriously as there is enough material here to encourage and enrage.
For me, I read the book amidst an interesting context as I read late last year Catcher in the Rye. The two books follow the life of unusual young men. In Catcher, it follows a very small slice of the young teens life while Owen Meany's story arc is longer. What was striking to me was the contrast in the two lives. In Rye, the character is detached from any anchor and the inevitable consequences ensue. In Meany, we have a character with such a sense of destiny it is on one hand frightening and also assuring. Most of us live within that vast middle ground of these two extremes and so for me to read these two tales back-to-back was jarring and made me ponder those issues of certainty in life.
In terms of religious faith, Owen Meany describes the practice of religion and discusses some theological issues in an matter-of-fact way. So often in pop culture, I'm thinking of movies and television in particular, faith is a non-entity. Given that so many Americans claim some measure of belief in god, it has always struck me as strange that god is usually only referred to as an expletive.
Irving's willingness to weave concerns about faith is refreshing. His treatment is at times irreverent and raises questions about having "faith in faith."
All in all an interesting read. It was a bit long; thus, my interest in the story would flag but as I neared the end, the various details that seemed so randomly tossed in began to come into play as the characters hurtled toward the stunning conclusion.
I read his most famous book Catcher in the Rye when I turned 40.
I looked back in my blog archives for the impressions ...
October 24, 2003 excerpts:
A few months ago, I decided to revisit my "teenage" life by reading a book that is often on middle school reading lists, Catcher in the Rye. It wasn't on mine then. I wondered what my reaction would have been if it were. Reading it as a baby-boom/gen X young adult gave me a different perspective I'm sure. At one level, I could relate to Holden because I know from experience something about alienation because all my life I've resembled the "stereotypical shy scientist" nerd type. It took a long time to become at peace with who I am and even to celebrate who I am.
But Holden was stuck. The death of his brother and his isolation were like rip tides that pulled him out to sea. Reading the book's raw descriptions and dialog was heart breaking. I felt like I was watching a auto accident unfold in slow motion. I felt the pang of guilt like I was on the highway stopping to look at the traffic accident: you say, don't look, don't look, but you look.
But it was a picture of humanity and the downward spiral of a lost soul. We need to look at it in real life and in fiction so our hearts do not grow cold. Hopefully, we will be moved to compassion. There were two characters who seem to see through the fog and try to help him. Those in my mind were the "whispers of grace." Maybe they made a difference in what could have been a worse situation? I don't know. The story is told as is and that would be speculative. But I'd like to believe that mattered and that we can matter.
I referred to Catcher in the Rye again in the context of making some observations about Prayer for Owen Meany back in May 31, 2004 excerpt:
The book is a coming of age tale set in the North East and touches on the turmoil of the Vietnam war, friendship, family and matters of faith. I would imagine the book would invoke a mix of feelings from those who take Christian faith seriously as there is enough material here to encourage and enrage.
For me, I read the book amidst an interesting context as I read late last year Catcher in the Rye. The two books follow the life of unusual young men. In Catcher, it follows a very small slice of the young teens life while Owen Meany's story arc is longer. What was striking to me was the contrast in the two lives. In Rye, the character is detached from any anchor and the inevitable consequences ensue. In Meany, we have a character with such a sense of destiny it is on one hand frightening and also assuring. Most of us live within that vast middle ground of these two extremes and so for me to read these two tales back-to-back was jarring and made me ponder those issues of certainty in life.
In terms of religious faith, Owen Meany describes the practice of religion and discusses some theological issues in an matter-of-fact way. So often in pop culture, I'm thinking of movies and television in particular, faith is a non-entity. Given that so many Americans claim some measure of belief in god, it has always struck me as strange that god is usually only referred to as an expletive.
Irving's willingness to weave concerns about faith is refreshing. His treatment is at times irreverent and raises questions about having "faith in faith."
All in all an interesting read. It was a bit long; thus, my interest in the story would flag but as I neared the end, the various details that seemed so randomly tossed in began to come into play as the characters hurtled toward the stunning conclusion.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Politics: Giving credit where credit is due to President Obama
Am politically center-right but I strive not to be so partisan that I can't give credit when credit is due.
We are entering the second year of the 44th president's term of office, what are some things I think President Obama did well in year one?
(1) President Obama, Secretary Geithner and Fed Chief Bernanke had a tough job in the bank bailouts. From what I have read, they did about as good a job as you could under the circumstances. Government bailouts are generally things you try to avoid but in this case there was probably little option.
(2) Keeping Defense Secretary Gates. It would have been politically the easier thing to do to bring on board someone from your party to take over the Pentagon. However, because the US is engaged in two wars, continuity outweighed political considerations.
(3) Obama could have pulled out of Iraq really fast. He could have thrown in the towel on Afghanistan. The anti-war wing of his party would have wanted that. But the President looked at the situation, talked to the military people, consulted experts on the region and concluded that the two preferred options of his base would not be good for the USA or the region.
(4) His swift action in sending help to assist Haiti in their time of crisis.
(5) Support for basic research to strengthen one of the assets of the US economy.
Disclaimer: my salary is mostly funded by Federal grant money.
(6) After initially bungling the response to the controversy over the arrest of Prof. Gates, his call to have Prof. Gates and Officer Crowley over for a beer was admittedly symbolic and a bit of a photo op but it was the right signal to send. Race as an issue was helped by his election and will only continue to improve as we see each others as individuals and hear each other's stories.
We are entering the second year of the 44th president's term of office, what are some things I think President Obama did well in year one?
(1) President Obama, Secretary Geithner and Fed Chief Bernanke had a tough job in the bank bailouts. From what I have read, they did about as good a job as you could under the circumstances. Government bailouts are generally things you try to avoid but in this case there was probably little option.
(2) Keeping Defense Secretary Gates. It would have been politically the easier thing to do to bring on board someone from your party to take over the Pentagon. However, because the US is engaged in two wars, continuity outweighed political considerations.
(3) Obama could have pulled out of Iraq really fast. He could have thrown in the towel on Afghanistan. The anti-war wing of his party would have wanted that. But the President looked at the situation, talked to the military people, consulted experts on the region and concluded that the two preferred options of his base would not be good for the USA or the region.
(4) His swift action in sending help to assist Haiti in their time of crisis.
(5) Support for basic research to strengthen one of the assets of the US economy.
Disclaimer: my salary is mostly funded by Federal grant money.
(6) After initially bungling the response to the controversy over the arrest of Prof. Gates, his call to have Prof. Gates and Officer Crowley over for a beer was admittedly symbolic and a bit of a photo op but it was the right signal to send. Race as an issue was helped by his election and will only continue to improve as we see each others as individuals and hear each other's stories.
Politics: SOTU 2010 Impressions
SOTU tend to be laundry lists and only a fraction of what is mentioned actually happens.
What we can gather is tone and direction ...
(1) It felt LONG - I started listening while driving home from work. I stopped at Ralphs and got back into the car and listened some more. I got home and listened some more.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/01/the-state-of-our-union-is-long.html
(2) Did I hear nuclear energy, off-shore oil exploration, clean coal in addition to wind and solar? Good. Perhaps, there is a tack to the center of the political discussion here ...
For wonks ...
http://www.eia.doe.gov/
(3) The problem with the health care reform, according to President Obama, was we didn't explain it well enough. No, people didn't like it because they think the government will make a mess of it.
Items that could get worked on ...
http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/after-obamacare
http://reason.com/archives/2010/01/27/can-the-gop-clean-up-the-obama
(4) I'm tired of blame the banks. Fred Barnes put it this way:
True, they bear some blame. But there were other culprits, government ones. The trouble that started with a housing stampede prompted by the Federal Reserve’s low interest rates was compounded by the federal government’s pressure to provide loans for unworthy investors, and worsened by the packaging of these bad loans into securities marketed around the world. Banks erred, but so did government. But Obama chose to demonize banks. How can that help the economy?
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/havent-we-heard
(5) President Obama decries the attack politics of Washington. President Obama attacks on national television the US Supreme Court with the US Supreme Court sitting right in front of him. Disagree with the Court? You are entitled too. But the in your face attack was the very thing he claims is what's wrong with DC.
Law Professor Blogger rounds up comments about this ...
http://pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/92676/
Team Obama has to decide: Carter or Clinton?
President Carter was known for his intellect and as such tried to do too much and was too confident in the rightness of his views and eventually wound up an ineffective one-term president.
President Clinton recognized that he had to tack back to the center and regained the initiative and gained two-terms.
What we can gather is tone and direction ...
(1) It felt LONG - I started listening while driving home from work. I stopped at Ralphs and got back into the car and listened some more. I got home and listened some more.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/01/the-state-of-our-union-is-long.html
(2) Did I hear nuclear energy, off-shore oil exploration, clean coal in addition to wind and solar? Good. Perhaps, there is a tack to the center of the political discussion here ...
For wonks ...
http://www.eia.doe.gov/
(3) The problem with the health care reform, according to President Obama, was we didn't explain it well enough. No, people didn't like it because they think the government will make a mess of it.
Items that could get worked on ...
http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/after-obamacare
http://reason.com/archives/2010/01/27/can-the-gop-clean-up-the-obama
(4) I'm tired of blame the banks. Fred Barnes put it this way:
True, they bear some blame. But there were other culprits, government ones. The trouble that started with a housing stampede prompted by the Federal Reserve’s low interest rates was compounded by the federal government’s pressure to provide loans for unworthy investors, and worsened by the packaging of these bad loans into securities marketed around the world. Banks erred, but so did government. But Obama chose to demonize banks. How can that help the economy?
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/havent-we-heard
(5) President Obama decries the attack politics of Washington. President Obama attacks on national television the US Supreme Court with the US Supreme Court sitting right in front of him. Disagree with the Court? You are entitled too. But the in your face attack was the very thing he claims is what's wrong with DC.
Law Professor Blogger rounds up comments about this ...
http://pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/92676/
Team Obama has to decide: Carter or Clinton?
President Carter was known for his intellect and as such tried to do too much and was too confident in the rightness of his views and eventually wound up an ineffective one-term president.
President Clinton recognized that he had to tack back to the center and regained the initiative and gained two-terms.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Devotional Thoughts: See a stone in Zion
STONE and stones ...
As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,"
and,
"A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the message - which is also what they were destined for.
This passage brought to mind when I was new in the faith. I remember pastor Dr. Lin taught us, as a Christian you are a "Christ Junior." My first reaction was that sounds strange. He would elaborate: since he was the ultimate prophet, priest and king, we are small prophets, priests and kings too.
He would explain what that should mean.
As a priest, we need to be praying for people and bringing them to God.
As a prophet, we need to be sharing God's message with people.
As a king, we need to be exerting rulership over the areas of life God has given us responsibility for.
And so in this passage in Peter, we get to see that Jesus is the STONE and we are living stones... stone and stone juniors!
What about THE STONE?
He is living. What a crazy metaphor, eh? Stones are as dead and inanimate as anything we know. And yet, Jesus is the LIVING stone. He is risen from the DEAD!
He is chosen and precious and the one who can be trusted!
What about us, the little stones?
We are living too! We were once dead but Jesus has given us life. So we too are living... living stones.
For what purpose?
built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ...
Thus, as stone juniors, we are being built into collection of priest juniors.
This imagery must have been very encouraging for people in the congregations who heard this letter from Peter.
But aside from this positive image there is a parallel negative response.
Take a look again ...
As you come to him, the living Stone
... a chosen and precious cornerstone
......... you who believe
......... those who do not believe
... stone the builders rejected
A stone that causes men to stumble
The message of Jesus is a powerful message of life and hope. Yet, he was rejected in his time and his followers over the centuries since have been rejected.
In some cases, the adage, the biggest hinderance to Christianity has been Christians, applies. Sad to say, there is truth to that.
But is the message itself and Jesus himself a hinderance?
As beautiful a life and message that was and is, people stumble because of it.
Lord, have mercy. Help me be a priest that lifts up to you the needs of people around me. I pray for compassion for a chaplain intern as he stands alongside the person in the hospital bed and the family in the waiting room and shows the love of Christ. I pray for strength and wisdom for the doctors in Haiti who minister with their gift and training of medicine in the face of overwhelming need. I pray for us in the USA who have so much that we would give to help those who have so little. I pray for those who in the world who seek to destroy life for you ask us to pray for our enemies. May you break through the darkness that shrinks their hearts. And is it wrong for me to ask that if they do not turn, that the hammer of justice would fall upon them ending their ability to inflict evil and suffering? Lord have mercy. Amen
As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,"
and,
"A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the message - which is also what they were destined for.
This passage brought to mind when I was new in the faith. I remember pastor Dr. Lin taught us, as a Christian you are a "Christ Junior." My first reaction was that sounds strange. He would elaborate: since he was the ultimate prophet, priest and king, we are small prophets, priests and kings too.
He would explain what that should mean.
As a priest, we need to be praying for people and bringing them to God.
As a prophet, we need to be sharing God's message with people.
As a king, we need to be exerting rulership over the areas of life God has given us responsibility for.
And so in this passage in Peter, we get to see that Jesus is the STONE and we are living stones... stone and stone juniors!
What about THE STONE?
He is living. What a crazy metaphor, eh? Stones are as dead and inanimate as anything we know. And yet, Jesus is the LIVING stone. He is risen from the DEAD!
He is chosen and precious and the one who can be trusted!
What about us, the little stones?
We are living too! We were once dead but Jesus has given us life. So we too are living... living stones.
For what purpose?
built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ...
Thus, as stone juniors, we are being built into collection of priest juniors.
This imagery must have been very encouraging for people in the congregations who heard this letter from Peter.
But aside from this positive image there is a parallel negative response.
Take a look again ...
As you come to him, the living Stone
... a chosen and precious cornerstone
......... you who believe
......... those who do not believe
... stone the builders rejected
A stone that causes men to stumble
The message of Jesus is a powerful message of life and hope. Yet, he was rejected in his time and his followers over the centuries since have been rejected.
In some cases, the adage, the biggest hinderance to Christianity has been Christians, applies. Sad to say, there is truth to that.
But is the message itself and Jesus himself a hinderance?
As beautiful a life and message that was and is, people stumble because of it.
Lord, have mercy. Help me be a priest that lifts up to you the needs of people around me. I pray for compassion for a chaplain intern as he stands alongside the person in the hospital bed and the family in the waiting room and shows the love of Christ. I pray for strength and wisdom for the doctors in Haiti who minister with their gift and training of medicine in the face of overwhelming need. I pray for us in the USA who have so much that we would give to help those who have so little. I pray for those who in the world who seek to destroy life for you ask us to pray for our enemies. May you break through the darkness that shrinks their hearts. And is it wrong for me to ask that if they do not turn, that the hammer of justice would fall upon them ending their ability to inflict evil and suffering? Lord have mercy. Amen
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Non-profit of the Month: January 2010 - Any Reputable Organization Helping Haiti
The news from Haiti remains grim.
President Obama has mobilized the resources of the US Government to help and is to be applauded for the swiftness and scale of the effort.
When it comes to disaster relief, politics must always be set aside and indeed, Former President's Clinton and Bush have teamed up to spearhead efforts.
Here is one list of agencies on the ground in Haiti.
Hugh Hewitt offers his list of four organization on the ground in Haiti worthy of support.
Here is another list of groups working to assist Haiti.
Please give to any reputable organization you trust. When people need help, we need to step up to the plate and give.
President Bush put it simply, "The most effective way for Americans to help the people of Haiti is to contribute money. That money will go to organizations on the ground and will be -- who will be able to effectively spend it. I know a lot of people want to send blankets or water -- just send your cash. One of the things that the President and I will do is to make sure your money is spent wisely."
And so now, I will go to an organization I have supported on many occasions in the past, World Vision, to donate.
Find one you want to support and please do so!
President Obama has mobilized the resources of the US Government to help and is to be applauded for the swiftness and scale of the effort.
When it comes to disaster relief, politics must always be set aside and indeed, Former President's Clinton and Bush have teamed up to spearhead efforts.
Here is one list of agencies on the ground in Haiti.
Hugh Hewitt offers his list of four organization on the ground in Haiti worthy of support.
Here is another list of groups working to assist Haiti.
Please give to any reputable organization you trust. When people need help, we need to step up to the plate and give.
President Bush put it simply, "The most effective way for Americans to help the people of Haiti is to contribute money. That money will go to organizations on the ground and will be -- who will be able to effectively spend it. I know a lot of people want to send blankets or water -- just send your cash. One of the things that the President and I will do is to make sure your money is spent wisely."
And so now, I will go to an organization I have supported on many occasions in the past, World Vision, to donate.
Find one you want to support and please do so!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Devotional Thoughts: Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good
I Peter 2:1-3 ...
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Sometimes, the Bible has complicated stuff.
Sometimes, it is as plain as day.
Don't need to over think this one, eh?
If we have truly tasted the Lord's goodness in our lives, we have no option but to make every effort to set aside the old ways and grow in the newness of life and salvation He has given us.
Pretty much everything I Peter has been saying thus far has been along these lines.
Perhaps, it will do well to re-cap the ground we have covered in 1 Peter ...
Introduction 1:1-2
Reflection on the grand scope of the new birth and salvation
1. Its future inheritance, 1:3-5
2. Its present suffering, 1:6-9
3. Its anticipation by prophets and angels, 1:10-12
Living life in the Now - Four rounds of exhortation in action/motive pattern
1. Action (prepare your minds...)
motive - God is holy, 1:13-16
2. Action (live in reverent fear...)
motive - Precious blood of Christ, 1:17-21
3. Action (love...)
motive - Born through the living and enduring word of God, 1:22-25
4. Action (rid yourselves of all malice...)
motive - Tasted the Lord's goodness, 2:1-3
Lord, please work in my heart so that I would be your hands and feet in this world. Not only help me to set aside the old ways but make me bold and willing and empowered to live in a new way of love and reverence and alertness to what you are doing. Amen.
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Sometimes, the Bible has complicated stuff.
Sometimes, it is as plain as day.
Don't need to over think this one, eh?
If we have truly tasted the Lord's goodness in our lives, we have no option but to make every effort to set aside the old ways and grow in the newness of life and salvation He has given us.
Pretty much everything I Peter has been saying thus far has been along these lines.
Perhaps, it will do well to re-cap the ground we have covered in 1 Peter ...
Introduction 1:1-2
Reflection on the grand scope of the new birth and salvation
1. Its future inheritance, 1:3-5
2. Its present suffering, 1:6-9
3. Its anticipation by prophets and angels, 1:10-12
Living life in the Now - Four rounds of exhortation in action/motive pattern
1. Action (prepare your minds...)
motive - God is holy, 1:13-16
2. Action (live in reverent fear...)
motive - Precious blood of Christ, 1:17-21
3. Action (love...)
motive - Born through the living and enduring word of God, 1:22-25
4. Action (rid yourselves of all malice...)
motive - Tasted the Lord's goodness, 2:1-3
Lord, please work in my heart so that I would be your hands and feet in this world. Not only help me to set aside the old ways but make me bold and willing and empowered to live in a new way of love and reverence and alertness to what you are doing. Amen.
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