Head-dibs

JOSHUA PUBLICLY RECOGNIZES OBEDIENT SERVICE The tribes of Israel and their cities are set within geographical boundaries with Joshua settling a measure of dispute in the assignments (Joshua 13-21:45). Joshua has a special word for the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, noting their obedience to Moses, the servant of the Lord, as well as to himself, even keeping the LORD’s charge to them (22:2-3). There is no record that any other person or tribe received this kind of recognition in this context, but Joshua saw their long-standing obedience and made their example evident to the other tribes. JOSHUA PUBLICLY REWARDS OBEDIENT SERVICE Joshua blesses Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh (22:6-7) as he did Caleb (14:13). This blessing made these tribes conspicuous among the other tribes, especially the half tribe of Manasseh who returned to their land with the spoils of their enemies (22:8). There is no record that any other person or tribe in this context received t...

Alfred Hitchcock pioneered a filming technique called the "dolly zoom.” Focusing on character or object, this technique zooms in up-close while at the same time physically pulling the camera away. Exodus 33:7-12 feels like the Hitchcock effect. Exodus 33:7-11 zooms in on Moses, yet “all the people” and each man worshipping in his tent door (33:10) is drawn into the picture by backing out and showing where everyone is in relation to the tent of meeting. We do not hear the prayers of everyone who sought the name of the Lord (Ex 33:7); instead, Exodus 33:12-17 brings us inside, where we get to eavesdrop on one of many conversations Moses had with God. Exodus 33:12-17 gives a look at how intercession is central to Moses’ leadership. We hear Moses talking to God saying something like, “I’m not feeling very confident. I’m feeling alone here. What assurances do I have? Oh, by the way, I am leading are Your people.” At first, these words sound like Moses is talking about himself and tryi...

 "When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him." So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died: 'Say to Joseph, "Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them."  [Genesis 50:15-21 ESV] 1. ...

The shortest and most simple answer to the question of how the Bible transforms the pejorative term “slave” into a term of dignity and privilege (“servant”) is found in one word: adoption. Slavery was a cultural norm across the centuries of the Bible’s inspiration, commonplace in its many forms, separating people by this social structure. Some entered slavery by conquest, others by unpaid debt or other reasons. The Old Testament explains clearly that slavery was never intended keep a person in that low position indefinitely, and this is where the transformation of the concept begins. Each person purchased for a price should be freed after seven years of service; however, if the slave does not want to leave out of love for his master, that slave is taken to the doorpost of the house where he is nailed through the ear to the house as a sign that he is now quite literally part of the house (Exodus 21:5-6)—not “in” the house but “of” it. A ring through the ear showed the world that he was...

The issue of slavery is an age-old concern; yet, across time and culture, the Bible demonstrates both the redemption and transformation of the slave as a person as well as a transformation of the very concept. No other worldview has accomplished this.  The Old Testament records the practice of slavery as a cultural norm in the Ancient Near East while also accounting for a significant shift regarding slavery and servanthood. The Biblical view of man is built on the foundation that man is made in the image of God. The moral, civil and ceremonial laws develop instruction and rationale regarding how people should treat one another based on this foundation. One notable example is seen at the beginning of the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20:22-23:33) which opens with teachings on the protected rights of the person or persons who are clearly distinguished apart from property. Care is to be given by one person to another who was injured intentionally or non-intentionally. The one who c...

I got this book for Christmas. I need to start reading it once I get my routine down for the new semester.

The introduction to the textbook underscores the overabundance of literature available on the subject of leadership. Spillane and Joullie (2015, viii) emphasize the concern of this growing preoccupation, writing in their introduction, “It is perhaps surprising that in the century that saw around 100 million people die because of the lunatic beliefs of political ‘leaders’, people in our time should have become obsessed with leadership and its applications in diverse fields—religious, military, political, entertainment, sport, arts and more.” [1] The definition of biblical leadership on page 3 of the textbook offered for personal consideration and opinion reads as “Biblical leadership is taking the initiative to influence people to grow in holiness and to passionately promote the extension of God’s kingdom in the world.” This definition instantly reveals its objective authority, being “biblical.” Biblical leadership is not a display of raw human power or will power, subjective ratio...

Thank you for everything

New year, a fresh start. Thankful for friends and family. Throughout 2019 I tried an approach that helped my daily routine immensely and I want to share it. What I did was simple. IF NOTHING PREVENTS ME Instead of writing "to do" somewhere in my dailies and closing it in a box, I wrote "If Nothing Prevents Me" and left the space open. Instantly I had more flexibility and less stress. By not closing the box did not force me to fill it. And if something did not get done, oh well. I mark it as "IP" (in progress) and move on. At some point later in the day I went back and filled in the space around the list with a journal entry or artwork. COUNTING THE HOURS Inspired by Benjamin Franklin, I occasionally number the hours down one side of the page: 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12. At each hour, I wrote in what happened, such as "Wake and day-prep," and "commute" and "Meeting" and "Gym" and even ...

It's been such an exciting start to 2020 that I'm looking forward to a re-start in February. On Christmas Day, I came down with a cold. On Christmas Day, as our kids and grandkids were leaving at 9:00 p.m., our hallway toilet decided to get into the giving spirit. Spent Christmas night cleaning up the mess.  Day after Christmas, I (with a cold) had to drive across town (40 minutes, one-way), rent a machine, drive back home, ream the plumbing (three times, for good luck), drive the machine back across town, drive back home, reset the toilet, got cleaned up, had dinner, crashed. Rested all-day December 27. Whew! December 30, put car in the shop due to 3 recalls. Toyota paid for it. Such a good car. Been lots-o-miles in it. Found out still needs some repair work. Won't be able to do those repairs for a while, so driving with prayers tossed and fingers crossed.  January 1, 2020. Toilet got into the festive mood again and this time, disabled the kitchen. Out of funds for...