Our weakness reminds us of the strength and power of God. My latest podcast episode is ready at http://reason2believehim.libsyn.com/ and on the player below. I read in a variety of versions; KJV, NKJV, NIV, and the Living Bible. For a complete transcript of Scripture references, see the Podcast Page. | | Music:
"I Choose to Praise You"
Used by permission from Mark Snyder
Written by Mark Snyder of Tree Hill Collective
http://www.weekendwarriorworship.com/www-artist-weekend-warrior-worship/
http://treehillcollective.com/
Vocals by Helene Immel
https://www.facebook.com/Heleneimmelofficial
Tree Hill Collective’s music may be purchased at:
Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ITCAB8/ref=dm_dp_adp?ie=UTF8&qid=1331706018&sr=8-3
ITunes-
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/one-redemption-ep/id509287455 |
The Nursery Rhymes we teach our children have their roots in history, and often refer to a gruesome and rude history. Humpty Dumpty, has a history in an English Civil War battle siege. The word Humpty Dumpty was used to refer to a "fat" person in the 17th Century. During the Siege of Colchester in 1648, the Royalists were laid siege to by the Parliamentarians (Roundheads). There was a wall around the heavily fortified city and the Royalists placed a huge cannon on top of the wall, which was fired by a man called "one-eyed Jack Thompson."
A shot from a Parliamentary cannon blew the wall beneath Humpty Dumpty to pieces,which caused the cannon to tumble to the ground. The Royalists, or Cavaliers, 'all the King's men'
attempted to raise Humpty Dumpty on to another part of the wall. However, because the cannon, or Humpty Dumpty, was so heavy ' All the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put Humpty together again!' So, the Royalists lost the town of Colchester to the Parliamentarians after a siege lasting eleven weeks. The nursery rhyme is a gleeful song about a battle victory.
Another nursery rhyme, Jack & Jill, is a bit more gruesome, and here is your chance to opt out of the telling of the actual historical event, and just say goodnight. But, if you care to hear the tale; Jack and Jill are said to be King Louis XVI of France- Jack -who was beheaded (lost his crown) followed by his Queen Marie Antoinette - Gill - (who came tumbling after). Jill is a common misspelling because the rhyme was handed down by word of mouth for generations.
Yes, what is more gruesome is the act of grabbing the severed head by the hair and holding it up before the crowd, which is actually done to allow the head to see the crowd, and his own body, and not the other way around. It is a fact that consciousness remains for at least eight seconds after beheading until lack of oxygen causes unconsciousness and eventually death. Before you think this a bit gruesome for a child's rhyme, remember the Bible story of David and Goliath.
Goliath was from a family of giants. 2 Samuel 21:16. His sons later attempted to kill David in battle, but failed because the aged David was assisted and protected. But, remember how David slew Goliath, chopped his head off, and held it up before the Philistines? That was to further allow the giant to see the Hebrews running on him, an "in your face" exultation of victory over the giant by God's people.
Death and battle are indeed hard subjects, and especially for children's tales. But, they are the subject of tales the world wide. I am continually amazed at the way little boys, who often feel so weak, love to hear how brave David, who was just a small young man, killed a giant. It gives them such a sense of empowerment. I think it appeals even more to children who are familiar with danger and threat, fear. They know that this can be a cruel world, and do not wish to be lulled to sleep with fantasies of safety, but rather long for some power to defeat their foes. Such is the reason for the success of books like Harry Potter.
Such it is with the subject of salvation today. Many times, people don't want to hear that they have "fallen" from God. Thery don't want to hear of sin and death. They believe they are safe. To come to God, we have to admit sin and choose repentance, to turn from sin, and we have to accept the death of Christ to atone for our sins. Otherwise, we can have no part with Jesus Christ. That's just the facts. But, if you turn to Jesus, He can piece your life back together. That is no nursery rhyme. John 3:16-17
2 Samuel 1:14
I listened to the books of Judges, Ruth, and 1 & 2nd Samuel today, which is a great way to follow the big picture, with sweeping picture of the lives of individual characters. For example, I saw the birth, ministry, and death of Samuel. But, this verse at the beginning of 2nd Samuel caught my attention because I was reminded of the passage earlier today when David could have killed Saul himself, and declined to do so, for the distaste of touching God's annointed.
Later in 2nd Samuel 11, David himself has an honest and valient man of the Lord killed to cover up for his act of adultry. God punishes him, not for the adultry, but for the blood of Uriah. This seems like such an inconsistency in the life of a man who was after God's own heart, but such are we at best... inconsistant. Why do we marvel at the fact that we or our neighbors are inconsistent? What is it that we are looking at, if not the blood of Christ, and yet another need for the blood shed on Calvary?
Such ranges in character are common for all of us, even Christians. The important lesson is in David's repentance and seeking of God's face. Note that God was displeased, David and Bathsheba's love child was struck with a sickness and died. Some of David's most beautiful words are present when we see the death of this son, and of his son Absalom later.
Yes, inconsistencies are part of the path. It is a straight and narrow path we walk, but our feet are prone to struggle to hold to that path.
This morning, while our house was still dark without electricity, I built my Blue Ninja model rocket, which we plan to launch Monday. It is over 31 inches tall and reaches an altitude of 750 feet. I get excited about space travel, and enjoy visiting the space center in Huntsville. I am still amazed that man can fly into space. Throughout the Bible, eagles, hawks, doves, and fowl fly. Angels and Seraphim fly. Our years are said to fly away. But, only God is seen flying on the wings of the wind. In the 1900 years since the writing of Revelation, man too has tamed the wind. But, no matter the progress we make, we only seem to increase our propensity for disaster...much like the opening of "Pandora's box." I mean think about it...what happens on a space station on Mars in the year 2020 when the power goes out? Will it be "oops, my bad!" or the silence of the damned?
2 Samuel 22:11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
Psalms 18:10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
Perhaps our guardian angels will go to Mars with us. Let's hope. Either way they will be working over time to get us out of the scrapes we get ourselves into, like Georgia Power scurrying to save a city from the same effects of nature that cave man battled. Progress? Like the $700.00 I paid in Gym fees over an 18 month period compared to $500,000.00 in Medical bills accrued in the last 18 months. Next time you get sick, skip the hospital and go to the gym...you're sure to feel better... about the bill at least. :)
2 Samuel 22:17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
Psalms 18:16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
This passage is a lovely passage that is speaking about God's habit of flying to our rescue. No, you're not seeing double, but the same passage from Second Samuel was sung in the Psalms. It is something to sing about when God comes to your aid in times of trouble. This metaphoric song is all about God appearing in the cloudy times of fear, pain, doubt, turmoil...yes, Jesus still comes in the clouds. Why would you need to be rescued if you weren't frowning? Actually I meant drowning...that was a Freudian Typo perhaps?!
It's two in the morning...I hear icecubes crashing into the bottom of the empty ice bucket. I've had a nice boiling hot bath for the first time in days of only freezing cold water from the tank. The washer & Dryer are still chugging out laundry as fast as possible. The fridge is scrubbed and now holds bagels and milk for breakfast in the morning. The Glow of the TV looked beautiful tonight, and I noticed the neighbors had their house lit up like Christmas time, probably in a celebration of light and all its glorious possibilities. It looks like our troubles have flown on the wires, thanks to God and Georgia Power.
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