Bible in a Year: Day 6

The Reading

  • Luke 8:1-25
  • Genesis 12:1-20
  • Psalms 6:1-10

Standout Passages

“No one lights a lamp and covers it with a bowl or puts it under a bed. Instead, it is put on the lamp stand, so that people will see the light as they come in.” Luke 8:16

I will bless those who bless you,
But I will curse those who curse you.
And through you I will bless all the nations. Genesis 12:3

I am worn out with grief;
every night my bed is damp from my weaping;
My pillow is soaked with tears. Psalms 6:6

 Reading Reflections

I think I ended up oddly focused in on grief, blessing and light today based on the way Holy Week has left me wrung out and needing rest. Holy week has been long this year, and trying as I devoted myself more throughly than ever in the past, while still working to keep up with my Graphic Designer work.

At least I’m no longer in school and free to do such as I please (unlike the slaves that Abraham took amongst his wealth away from him homeland). Is it just me, or are some of the stories of the old testament a bit… Abrupt?

And the early psalms… A bit, violence and vengeance filled?

Sermon for 31 March 2013

Readings

  • Acts 10:34-43
  • 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
  • Luke 24:1-12

Notable Verses

“But God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear,” Acts 10:40

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:26

The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Luke 24:5

But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. Luke 24:12

Kitsu’s Thoughts

“He is not here, but has risen” are the words on the front of bulletin, and they have been much repeated today. I’ll admit, I’ve been looking forward to the race with Peter to the tomb, to the end of darkness and the glory of the resurrection.

Finally. We are here.

And today is a new day. And the start of a new life. I ended up finally giving in to the urges of many people in my life and joining the choir. As Jesus is raised from the dead, as of today I’ll be raising my voice (despite its shortcomings) in glory.

Prayer Venture

O God, on this day when the tomb of our Lord and Savior was found empty, we rejoice in knowing that Jesus is indeed resurrected and alive. Let us not forget the joy and hope we find in his resurrection. Help us be made new just as Christ was dead but rose again. Amen. – ELCA Prayer Ventures

I hope that easter finds you well, and surrounded by family. I hope that the joy of the day shines brighter than the darkness of good friday. I wish you all a heartfelt happy easter.

Daily Faith Practices

The source of my questions can be found at ELCA.org

Word of Life

  • Philippians 2:5-11
  1. The summary of the story of holy week is as follows: Jesus approaches the city, sending his disciples to fetch a colt who had never been ridden. He rides the colt into town and people lay down palm fronds and their cloaks before them. This eventually leads, following the night of the last supper, to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. From there, Pilate declares him innocent three times and still sends him to execution because of the desires of people. He is crucified. Died. And was buried. He rose again on the 3rd day.
  2. It’s hard to tell. I can’t say if I would have been a supporter or a defier of Jesus. It’s hard to tell how I would be changed by growing up in another place and another time that is so different from now. If I was transported as I am, I would be heartbroken. It hurts so much to see others hurt for so little reason.
  3. “To empty oneself” to me means to shed desire and other emotions. It’s incredibly difficult.
  4. While still being of divine origin, Jesus was mortal, able to die (despite being able to ultimately defy even death). This is what it means that he was “born in human likeness”. Human, but so much more.
  5. One needs to have faith that god’s plan included those things that caused pain and created challenge. God doesn’t wish to cause pain, but in the making of the world, pain seems to have been woven into the fabric. People harm each other without meaning to, harm themselves without meaning to… Part of growing in God is learning to do the least harm you can.
  6. I have so many questions about holy week, most of them stemming from the missing gospels and the fact that not all of the disciples have writings that remain to us. I would love to see the gospels through the eyes of some of the people who were not considered disciples, such as Mary Magdelene.
  7. Through the resurrection and the eternal place Jesus holds with us.
  8. I find mine in the resurrection. It is the light in the dark that makes holy week worth enduring. One must walk into darkness to truly appreciate the light.

Word Among Us

  1. This lent I’ve learned that I can overcome even my own physical weaknesses if I only push myself.
  2. In previous years, and since I and Paul become a couple, I haven’t been able to devote myself so fully to Lent. This lent I didn’t miss many services and feel as though I have heard more of the story in the original words than ever before. I have seen glimpses of Christ that I have never seen before.
  3. I adore the “Last Supper Drama” that my church preforms close to every other year. In it men of the church take on the roles of the various disciples (and one stands in place of Jesus) in the poses of the painting “The Last Supper” by Da Vinci. The disciples make speeches talking their relationship to Jesus. I enjoy it so greatly that I participate by running the lights for the event!

Faith Practices in Daily Life

You can set aside time for holy week either by making arrangements in advance with work, or by simply setting aside time to read and reflect on your own. Not everyone is as lucky as I am, and self employed and able to rearrange my schedule to ensure that I can experience as much of holy week as possible.

Bible in a Year: Day 5

The Reading

  • Luke 7:18-50
  • Genesis 11:1-32
  • Psalms 5:1-12

Standout Passages

“God’s wisdom is shown to be true by all who accept it” Luke 7:35

“But Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”” Luke 7:50

 

Reflections…

It was an interesting set of readings today. Genesis was pretty-much a throwaway, being a genealogy and containing little more that I could discuss at this time. The Psalm was one that’s colored by a wish for revenge. As a pacifist it really rubs me a bit of the wrong way. Revenge is for those who do not forgive, and are we not meant to forgive?

I did find the readings from Luke to be inspiring, though. The journey through Holy Week as it descends into darkness is a difficult one (though one that makes Easter all the more meaningful). Verses about faith and wisdom are helpful right now.

Undoing Extinction. Is it Possible?

Recently, it came to my attention that National Geographic decided to host a Tedx on De-extinction. This is pretty cool. I’ll start getting into the videos, so this is going to turn into series, I’m sure, as I watch and discuss the various videos as they come down.

Sure, the science isn’t yet pointed at Jurassic Park (we need more recently dead animals for revival to be an option. To this day no amount of verifiable dino DNA has been located). Species of more recent times have specimens available on the shelves of museums as we speak, making DNA retrieval possible! DNA from a tasmanian tiger pup has been recovered and tested (using mice) as viable.

This fascinating bit of potential science has a few problems. It starts with the broad “playing god” complaint and goes down to the more practical “these animals went extinct in the wild. Where will we put them and how will we keep them safe?”. Hopefully the Tedx will discuss and explore this in more detail than the article I read from Discovery News.

Creativity is a Virtue…

Even after all these years, and all the changes, I’m still in love with Mr. Davis’ comics. This is a perfect way to deal with the fact that I don’t have time to post something more detailed for you. I promise on Saturday I’ll post a quality piece of some sort. I should have time then.