“Thus says the LORD: Do not wise boast in thier wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in thier might, do not let eh wealthy boast in thier wealth; but let the those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth, for these things I delight, says the Lord.”
I’ve been studying Jeremiah lately for a class in my graduate program at UfT. It wasn’t offered this semester, but I asked to take it as a reading course. Initially I thought it would be good to force myself to study this O.T. book - I find myself way more in the N.T., as do many people that read the scriptures. Well…let me tell you, I’ve come to have a love/hate relationship with this book. Actually, I’m still more on the hate side right now. I realize hate is a strong word, but here’s the scoop, Jeremiah drives me crazy. There’s really no order to it. It’s not a narrative book like Genesis (which I encourage you to read in one sitting - the story line will blow you away), but a bunch of prophecies during a long span of history. The Israelites get blasted by God during these 52 chapters, and for good reason (disobedience/unfaithfulness). God even uses a pagan nation (Babylon) to teach them a lesson. God of course does show his love and faithfulness in a few spots.
Anyways, I’m not going to get into it right now, but I will leave you with some very cool verses that made me either laugh or cry. (They’re all from the NRSV)
“Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit” (2:11)
“On every high hill and under every green tree you sprawled and played the whore” (2:20)
“But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them come, if they can save you, in your time of trouble; for you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah” (2:28)
“…O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but do not see, who have ears, but do not hear.” (5:21)
“‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk only in the way that I command you, so that it may be well with you.’ yet they did not obey or incline their ear.” (7:23-24)
“…let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.” (9:24)
“I myself will lift up your skirts over your face, and your shame will be seen.” (13:26)
“…I have loved you with an everlasting love…I have continued my faithfulness to you…I will build you and you shall be built.” (30:3-4)
“…this is the covenant…I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people…they shall all know me…I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.” (31:33-34)
You’ll have to read the book to get more context. Enjoy or Not!
About 200-300 people last night gathered at ‘The Revival’, a downtown Tornoto club to hear, as they called him last night, ‘the Bish’ in conversation with Brian Walsh (Author: Colossians Remixed, UfT prof). What an amazing evening. The room was filled with students, professors, pastors and leaders. The setting was cool, but the dialogue was even cooler. Props to the organizers, Empire Remixed (www.empireremixed.com) for putting the night together.
NTW addressed an array of topics such as suffering, the arts, end times, the emergent church, etc. His eloquence and knowledge came though in every answer. In each scripture he quoted you felt and heard the context jump out right at you. I think what impresses me the most about this scholar is his passion and love for the church. In his writing and in his speech he always seems to bring it back to the life of the local and global church.
One thing I’ll relay in my thoughts today was his closing thoughts on the emergent church. He agreed that there is so much diversity in this movement (as I do) and that it’s unfair to pinpoint who they are and that he really does love them. But concluded his thoughts with this, “If you want to meet on Thursday night at midnight or try and do church a little different here and there that’s fine, but please stay connected to the body of Christ (the larger church body), because the fear is that in 40 years some may look back and say, ‘who are we?’ ‘what are we doing here?’ ‘what have we become?’”
I am loving what I’m reading and being challenged everyday to live like Christ and advance his church.
To the Bish & Brian and Empire Remixed, thanks for an amazing night!
I thought I’d take the opportunity to brag about my kids today. Why? First, cause I think they’re amazing and second, cause my daughter turned 2 today. A 4 1/2 year old boy, and a 2 year old girl. Oh ya and one wife (she’s hot)!
I cannot believe how much I’ve learned from my kids. Here are just a few.
- I’ve learned what it means to be selfless. I’m not great at it, but I’m getting better. When my kids need me, I have no choice but to help them. They are mine and that means I’m responsible for them.
- I’ve learned what it means to be influencial. My kids watch my every move. They say what I say and do what I do. most times it’s cool. Except of course, when my boy, after not getting what he wants says, “What the Heck!”. I asked him where he learned that and he said when I (his dad) don’t get what I want I say…you guessed it, “What the Heck!”
- I’ve learned what it means to be dependable. Both my wife and kids need me to be the best dad I can be. It’s only fair. They’re the best they are (my wife’s not only hot, she’s a flippin’ amazing mom) so I should be as well.
- I’ve learned what it means to be loved. I’ve already learned this from my wife. Now I have 2 little people who run to me when I walk in and wish I’d stay home from work every day. I think that’s pretty cool.
So what am I saying? I’m 32 years old and learning more from toddlers than from books. Intellects may say I’m crazy, but I think it’s amazing what my kids are teaching me. If I stay commited to teaching them…I will always be open to learn from them too.
Oh ya…this just makes me love and appreciate God a whole lot more!
Comments(5)