I think that all of us have at one time or another used the expression “ In the Land Of Nod” to refer to being asleep, But did you know that the expression in its original form is Biblical?
According to the Word of the Day for Tuesday, April 6, 2010, the land of Nod is a mythical land of sleep. Further it states: “Land of Nod is a pun on the biblical place-name, the country to which Cain journeyed after slaying Abel. See Genesis, 4:16.”
My assignment for you today, should you choose to accept it, is, “How did the Land of Nod in the Bible, come to mean sleep in modern Parlance?”
I believe I have the answer, but await your response, for either correction or confirmation. Thanking you in advance.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
What is your true colour as Christ’s light in this world?
Was walking up the street the other day, when I saw a black Ute* coming towards us. But before it got to us, it did a u-turn and while it was doing so, the sun reflected off it and I saw that it was not black at all, but a funny shade of Green. Then having completed it’s turn, it again looked black out of the direct sunlight.
It very much reminded me of my previous car. Just after I bought it, I visited my parents and of course showed it off. Then the next time I visited them, I was asked to settle an argument between them. It seems one insisted it was black and the other blue, and both wanted me to declare who was right and who was wrong.
Of course me being me, promptly declared them both wrong! Which they were, as the car was actually and officially Green. Just that in various light and shades, it did even appear black and blue, despite actually being neither. With further reflection and upon seeing my car in different lighting, I could also clearly see where they were looking from.
All of which got me to thinking that often that is also true about us as Followers of Christ and being His lights to the world and wondering if people really see us as Christ’s light to them, or simply see us reflecting, not Christ’s light, but the murky light of the world?
Sadly many people often only see a lot of so-called Christians reflecting a light other than Christ’s. Thus never see His true colour, nor the colour that Christ wants them to see in us!
Yes, some others may see Christ’s followers in one light or another. Thus we can sometimes be seen as all good or all bad, when in fact we are really in between those “two extreme Colours”, and in Christ. And, neither the worst nor the best, just being Christ’s lights into this otherwise darkening world. So what Colour are you really now? And are people really seeing your true colours as a forgiven follower of Christ Jesus all the time?
* Utility or Light Commercial Vehicle or Bakkie!
It very much reminded me of my previous car. Just after I bought it, I visited my parents and of course showed it off. Then the next time I visited them, I was asked to settle an argument between them. It seems one insisted it was black and the other blue, and both wanted me to declare who was right and who was wrong.
Of course me being me, promptly declared them both wrong! Which they were, as the car was actually and officially Green. Just that in various light and shades, it did even appear black and blue, despite actually being neither. With further reflection and upon seeing my car in different lighting, I could also clearly see where they were looking from.
All of which got me to thinking that often that is also true about us as Followers of Christ and being His lights to the world and wondering if people really see us as Christ’s light to them, or simply see us reflecting, not Christ’s light, but the murky light of the world?
Sadly many people often only see a lot of so-called Christians reflecting a light other than Christ’s. Thus never see His true colour, nor the colour that Christ wants them to see in us!
Yes, some others may see Christ’s followers in one light or another. Thus we can sometimes be seen as all good or all bad, when in fact we are really in between those “two extreme Colours”, and in Christ. And, neither the worst nor the best, just being Christ’s lights into this otherwise darkening world. So what Colour are you really now? And are people really seeing your true colours as a forgiven follower of Christ Jesus all the time?
* Utility or Light Commercial Vehicle or Bakkie!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Are you a Kenspeckle Christian?
Kenspeckle was the word of the Day, for September 7th, 2010. It is Scandinavian in origin and means: “Conspicuous; easily seen or recognized.”
Now I have never come across this word before and now that I have, and not planning to visit Scandinavia ever, I probably will never use it either, but I couldn’t help but think about its meaning and relevance to us Christians in our daily walks with God.
Yes, how many of us are truly “Kenspeckle Christians”? That is Christians that are conspicuous, easily seen and recognised in our respective communities?
Just something for all of us to reflect on I believe. Meanings, to both reflect on and then to put into action in our lives, even if we never use the word itself!
Now I have never come across this word before and now that I have, and not planning to visit Scandinavia ever, I probably will never use it either, but I couldn’t help but think about its meaning and relevance to us Christians in our daily walks with God.
Yes, how many of us are truly “Kenspeckle Christians”? That is Christians that are conspicuous, easily seen and recognised in our respective communities?
Just something for all of us to reflect on I believe. Meanings, to both reflect on and then to put into action in our lives, even if we never use the word itself!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Further reflection on Trinity Analogy
Well I have had a few replies to my Analogy of the Trinity and some time to reflect upon them; and all I can say is that it is impossible in Human terms to describe the Trinity and Alister McGrath was right when he said, “That this is something we can't comprehend this side of Eternity.”
Again, whilst My Hammer analogy veers a little towards Modalism, as do most other illustrations, I still think it helps us to realize that although the individual “persons” of the Trinity have unique aspects, they are still the one substance.
Of course and again the Hammer is only an analogy , being both man made, and thus it is necessary for someone to wield it. But again, it was/is, simply to show the working unity of the one God-Head.
An egg has also been used to describe the Trinity, however to get the use of the individual parts of the egg, you have to break it and then lose the “Oneness” of the egg forever.
Anyway the Hammer is my thoughts on the matter currently; use it or don’t use it as you see fit. Thanks again to all those who took the time and trouble to reply. Thanks again.
Again, whilst My Hammer analogy veers a little towards Modalism, as do most other illustrations, I still think it helps us to realize that although the individual “persons” of the Trinity have unique aspects, they are still the one substance.
Of course and again the Hammer is only an analogy , being both man made, and thus it is necessary for someone to wield it. But again, it was/is, simply to show the working unity of the one God-Head.
An egg has also been used to describe the Trinity, however to get the use of the individual parts of the egg, you have to break it and then lose the “Oneness” of the egg forever.
Anyway the Hammer is my thoughts on the matter currently; use it or don’t use it as you see fit. Thanks again to all those who took the time and trouble to reply. Thanks again.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
My analogy of the Trinity.
Last night I was reading a book on, and called, “Historical Theology” by Alister E. McGrath (Blackwell publishing, 1998, reprint 2003) and In his section on the Patristic period of the Church (AD c.100 – 451) he mentioned the problems that arose in the Early Church in trying to describe the Trinity in an analogy that anyone could understand, without the danger of it running into Modalism. That is where the parts or modes, are distinct and distinctly separate. i.e. First one mode, then the other, then the next; such as with the common analogies of an egg (Shell, white & Yolk) or Water/ Ice/ Steam. All of which can be separated from the others and still function in some way.
And so there I was, sitting there, thinking, with this problem/question, hammering away at my brain, when suddenly an idea hit me like a hammer. The thought was so simple that I couldn’t believe that no one else had ever thought of it before. Which then made me worry that maybe it isn’t so great after all, and thus just like all of the others (such as Eggs & Water) has been tried before and found wanting. However, despite that concern, I have decided to write out my analogy of the Trinity and put it down for others to see, and to see who can be the first to shoot holes in my bright idea.
So here is my bright analogy/ idea that hit me like a hammer. Hit me like a claw hammer, that is! But first: Please remember that any analogy, even the best, can never properly refer fully to God. All we can do is say, God is a wee, little, tiny bit like this or that analogy.
Anyway, my analogy says that God is a little like a Carpenter’s or Claw hammer.
1. A claw hammer has a flat-headed surface to drive nails in with. It is also the part of the hammer, most people relate too when they hear the word hammer too!
2. A claw hammer also has a claw to help pull or separate things apart from other things.
3. A claw hammer also has a nail pulling application between the two claws of the hammer. Often not seen or noticed by most, but always there.
Thus a claw hammer is like God, in that a claw hammer has 3 separate and distinct functions within the one unity. And just like God, the whole hammer participates in every action of the hammer, no matter which application is being applied at any one time.
So just like with my claw hammer, every action of the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit/Ghost) is part of and involved with each and every other action and part of the Trinity at the same time. They are never separate parts, acting separately from the others, but all working as one, despite whichever distinct action is being applied at any particular time.
Well, there was my brilliant analogy of the Trinity, what say you? Has it been used before? And what are the weaknesses with it? Your constructive thoughts please?
And so there I was, sitting there, thinking, with this problem/question, hammering away at my brain, when suddenly an idea hit me like a hammer. The thought was so simple that I couldn’t believe that no one else had ever thought of it before. Which then made me worry that maybe it isn’t so great after all, and thus just like all of the others (such as Eggs & Water) has been tried before and found wanting. However, despite that concern, I have decided to write out my analogy of the Trinity and put it down for others to see, and to see who can be the first to shoot holes in my bright idea.
So here is my bright analogy/ idea that hit me like a hammer. Hit me like a claw hammer, that is! But first: Please remember that any analogy, even the best, can never properly refer fully to God. All we can do is say, God is a wee, little, tiny bit like this or that analogy.
Anyway, my analogy says that God is a little like a Carpenter’s or Claw hammer.
1. A claw hammer has a flat-headed surface to drive nails in with. It is also the part of the hammer, most people relate too when they hear the word hammer too!
2. A claw hammer also has a claw to help pull or separate things apart from other things.
3. A claw hammer also has a nail pulling application between the two claws of the hammer. Often not seen or noticed by most, but always there.
Thus a claw hammer is like God, in that a claw hammer has 3 separate and distinct functions within the one unity. And just like God, the whole hammer participates in every action of the hammer, no matter which application is being applied at any one time.
So just like with my claw hammer, every action of the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit/Ghost) is part of and involved with each and every other action and part of the Trinity at the same time. They are never separate parts, acting separately from the others, but all working as one, despite whichever distinct action is being applied at any particular time.
Well, there was my brilliant analogy of the Trinity, what say you? Has it been used before? And what are the weaknesses with it? Your constructive thoughts please?
Saturday, August 28, 2010
The spread of Flu and Sin.
Today we are looking at Genesis 6 and the spread of sin among mankind. Despite what many claim and even desperately want to believe, Sin is both infectious and contagious and persistent too. Back in Chapter 3 of Genesis with the disobedience to God’s clear command to Adam and Eve, we saw Sin start out first as a suggestion, then as the act, then spread in the sharing or encouragement of Adam to join in this act of disobedience. Then in Chapter four we saw how this sin spread onto one of their Children, before eventually spreading to all mankind,
We note two things of interest here though Adam and Eve’s sin stopped with Arable. Able Choose not to sin and obeyed God. Yes it cost him his life at the hand of his brother, but he still refrained from sin and will be remembered forever more for it.
While Cain, on the other hand, indulged freely and spread that sin to others and also is for evermore remembered for it too.
It reminds me a bit of the current Flue epidemic going around at the moment. Some are unaffected by it and others are somewhat affected and some others completely laid low by it.
Sin is like that too. Some seem naturally immune to it (They are not, but that’s another story.) Whiles others are touched but not greatly harmed, and yet others are laid quite low by it, even unto death.
Now Doctors tell us that we all need to be careful about the Flu. And to take certain precautions, both not to get it, and also how not to spread it. We should do the same too with sin and contain it rather than spread it around to others.
Able did his bit to not spread it, but Cain willingly spread it. What about you now? Both with the Flu and with Sin? Are you doing every thing possible to stop its spread, or are you, even if by your inaction, actually spreading it further and further?
Again something for all of us to think on during our quiet times with the Lord.
We note two things of interest here though Adam and Eve’s sin stopped with Arable. Able Choose not to sin and obeyed God. Yes it cost him his life at the hand of his brother, but he still refrained from sin and will be remembered forever more for it.
While Cain, on the other hand, indulged freely and spread that sin to others and also is for evermore remembered for it too.
It reminds me a bit of the current Flue epidemic going around at the moment. Some are unaffected by it and others are somewhat affected and some others completely laid low by it.
Sin is like that too. Some seem naturally immune to it (They are not, but that’s another story.) Whiles others are touched but not greatly harmed, and yet others are laid quite low by it, even unto death.
Now Doctors tell us that we all need to be careful about the Flu. And to take certain precautions, both not to get it, and also how not to spread it. We should do the same too with sin and contain it rather than spread it around to others.
Able did his bit to not spread it, but Cain willingly spread it. What about you now? Both with the Flu and with Sin? Are you doing every thing possible to stop its spread, or are you, even if by your inaction, actually spreading it further and further?
Again something for all of us to think on during our quiet times with the Lord.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Learn from Life experiences and get right with God right now!
Well, today’s topic is called, “Learn from Life experiences and get right with God right now!
But do we ever really learn from the life experiences of others? Or do we always have to experience them ourselves, even if only in some small way, before we finally get right with God Now?
Fortunately for us these lessons for right living & learned the hard way by others, have been recorded for us in the Bible for us to learn from. To learn from and thus to avoid all the pitfalls of others who have gone before us and to emulate or copy the good experiences for ourselves. Thus learn what to do and what not to do, from the experiences of others who have experienced life in its fullness and rawness. Learn so that we don’t make similar mistakes to them and repeat their bad experiences instead of enjoying their Good ones.
But do we really learn from these examples put before us in the Word of God? And if not, why not?
I fear that it could be largely because most who call themselves Christians, don’t really know the word of God clearly.
Sure, many can recite passages and even whole chapters off in their head, but how many actually understand what they are reading or reciting? And how many understand these words within the whole context of the Bible and not just taking “bits ’n’ pieces” here and there and fitting the word of God to their lives, instead of fitting their lives to the word of God?
Studying Luke’s gospel has been a revelation to me in seeing how every passage is connected in some way to those that precede and follow it. And the same is also true how each chapter is connected in themes to those, which precede and follow it.
So please, please, please, read your bibles both regularly and read whole chapters and whole books and not just verses here and there, no matter how special they are to you. Again, let us all read the whole word of God in its context and not just read bits ‘n’ pieces of it.
Your fellow servant in this Word:
But do we ever really learn from the life experiences of others? Or do we always have to experience them ourselves, even if only in some small way, before we finally get right with God Now?
Fortunately for us these lessons for right living & learned the hard way by others, have been recorded for us in the Bible for us to learn from. To learn from and thus to avoid all the pitfalls of others who have gone before us and to emulate or copy the good experiences for ourselves. Thus learn what to do and what not to do, from the experiences of others who have experienced life in its fullness and rawness. Learn so that we don’t make similar mistakes to them and repeat their bad experiences instead of enjoying their Good ones.
But do we really learn from these examples put before us in the Word of God? And if not, why not?
I fear that it could be largely because most who call themselves Christians, don’t really know the word of God clearly.
Sure, many can recite passages and even whole chapters off in their head, but how many actually understand what they are reading or reciting? And how many understand these words within the whole context of the Bible and not just taking “bits ’n’ pieces” here and there and fitting the word of God to their lives, instead of fitting their lives to the word of God?
Studying Luke’s gospel has been a revelation to me in seeing how every passage is connected in some way to those that precede and follow it. And the same is also true how each chapter is connected in themes to those, which precede and follow it.
So please, please, please, read your bibles both regularly and read whole chapters and whole books and not just verses here and there, no matter how special they are to you. Again, let us all read the whole word of God in its context and not just read bits ‘n’ pieces of it.
Your fellow servant in this Word:
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