January 9th, 2007 by Marc A. Pitman
I’ve just started receiving Karen Hannah Pryor’s “A Taste of Torah.” I’m enjoying these lengthy weekly devotions on the Books of Moses timed with the reading of Torah that’s occuring in the synagogue.
Here’s a part of today’s message about the book of Exodus:
Pesach, the Hebrew name of the Passover Feast commanded by the Lord, can be divided into two words: peh and sach, which translate as, “mouth speaks.†In the light of the text of the parasha, as well as the book of Shemot, this points to the revelation of truth through the Divine Word that issues from the mouth of God and also to the human ability and freedom to speak. A slave suffers not only the total loss of control over his or her physical life, but also the imprisonment of silence. Slaves have no right to speak, no freedom of expression, no means of sharing their opinions or their hearts. This loss of ‘selfhood’ is surely the greatest loss. Only when the bitterly oppressed Israelite slaves lift their voices and cry out does God set His plan of deliverance in motion.
In normal circumstances, there usually is more regret over having spoken rashly when one would have been wiser to remain silent. Words indeed have power and their use involves risk. However, much also can be lost in the limiting safety of silence. It is in the tension between self-protective silence and the self-disclosure of speech that each person struggles for authentic freedom before God and one another. The biblical narrative reveals that it is through the gift of His Word and His Spirit, presented to His people after their physical liberation, that God sets free the imprisoned heart.
A joyful discovery awaits each ‘self’ that reaches out for meaning in relationship with God: we find that God’s hand already is extended in longing to us – eager to woo us with His Word of love and to draw us into His close embrace.
You can sign up for these free emails through a link at http://jctudies.com.
Category: church planting |
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January 8th, 2007 by Marc A. Pitman
Maine was offering these babies for just 29 cents at the end of last year. List price was $2.29 per bulb but they paid $2 of it! So we picked up 12 more.
Just did the big change over. Only three more bulbs and we’ll be all compact and energy efficient.
Trying to explain why we did this to my son, I figured out that the 12 bulbs would be more than 700 watts if they were 60 watts each. The 12 new ones are a combined 150 watts but give out the same light.
Incredible, isn’t it?
Score one for the environment. And one for our pocket book!!
Category: family life |
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January 6th, 2007 by Marc A. Pitman
Watching City Slickers, Billy Crystal’s character is freaking out because he’s 39!
39!
Back in 1991 when the movie came out, 39 seemed old. 16 years later it seems like tomorrow.
Amazing how time changes one’s perspective!
Category: personal |
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January 6th, 2007 by Marc A. Pitman
Yep, that’s me. To celebrate my 35th birthday today, I boiled the wort for a coffee stout.
Could you help me with a name?
It’s an Irish Stout (like Guiness) and I used Pura Vida’s Cafe Kilaminjaro for a post-boil flavoring.
Should be ready to drink in early February!!!
Category: coffee & beer |
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January 4th, 2007 by Marc A. Pitman
In talking with my wife recently, I had insights into what I was trying to say in my post “Is a day off a bastard Sabbath”?
She said it’s all about trust. That’s so true. I don’t have to trust God in a day off. I just take it. But in a Sabbath, I don’t do any “work”–I try to keep from checking email, reading “work-related” books, etc. That takes trust.
I need to trust that God will do the work He’s called me to do.
I need to trust that He will guard my reputation if people are upset for my lack of immediate response.
I need to trust.
As Mark Batterson says, a Sabboath is like a tithe. I trust that God can do more with my 90% than I can do with my 100%. So to, I need to trust that God can do more with my 6 days than I can with my 7.
It’s all about trust.
Reminds me of a post I did a couple years ago about meekness. That’s about trust too.
Category: church planting |
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