What Do YOU Say?

Here's the Internet headline....

KHARTOUM, Sudan - Thousands of Sudanese, many armed with clubs and knives, rallied Friday in a central square and demanded the execution of a British teacher convicted of insulting Islam for allowing her students to name a teddy bear "Muhammad."

Now of course there are two immediate observations about this whole fiasco. One, if this kind of thing took place in the U.S. with an American teacher in an American school the press would be having a field day, demonstrations would be many, and most would be screaming for a public apology and asking for the teacher's resignation. In Sudan, they have a simple solution - kill her.  Well, the "radicals" that is. Everyone else of common sense says the Sudanese court has overreacted and this whole thing has been blown out of proportion.

However, if you look at the Pentateuch and how they dealt with idolatry, or someone who defamed the name of God. Once it was determined that the charge was accurate, that the person really did name the bear "Yahweh", they would take them out and stone them to death. "So shall you purge the evil from your midst." (Deut. 13) Of course God has changed his approach since then and we have become much more civilized and morally conscientious. We do not stone people and we do not get very indignant when people impugn the name of God, any god really.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. After all, I am sure it is just a big misunderstanding. How could anyone - especially a teacher -- think that, being in an Islamic country, teaching Islamic children, in a country steeped in the Muslim faith, naming a teddy bear after their god would offend anyone?

Go figure?!

A Poem to Share

This poem is one from a writers forum. It was a winning poem in a recent "contest" for a theme on preaching. I thought folks might enjoy it as much as I did.

 

Alvin Josiah MacRaney III
was in ministry up to his eyes.
He gave to the needy, encouraged the weak,
and responded to many souls' cries.

MacRaney was part of a family of preachers;
the pulpit was part of their lore.
He learned the importance of loving the brethren
from his father and grandpa before.

Dear Alvin was praised by his plentiful flock
for the blessings he oft gave away.
They often sat speechless, in bounteous thanks
for the many he'd lift when he'd pray.

But MacRaney's great passion - and his congregants', too
was his preaching of God's holy Word.
His pastoral fervor and "gift of the gab"
were obvious to all those who heard.

"Repent! The Lord loves you," was his pulpit refrain.
"Each person's a great big fat sinner.
If you do your part and let Christ in your heart,
then God will see you as a winner."

He'd flip through his bible, taking copious notes
(that no one but Alvin could read),
extracting the wisdom he'd share with the folks
whose souls he was aiming to feed.

He shared the Word boldly with those of his flock
and closed with a rousing "Amen."
He then put his congregants back in the toy box
and napped until "church time" again.

A Poem by Joanne Sher  Copyright 2007

The God of the Old Testament

For most of my Christian life the Old Testament has been my favorite portion of the Bible. I am not certain whether it is because it is the section most neglected by others, or because early on in my education I became fascinated with the Hebrew language and it was a logical connection. I don't recall much of my Hebrew anymore but I cling to my interest in the OT.

Currently I am reading through the Bible again and I am in the "Law" section, in the book of Deuteronomy. At the same time I am working on an article regarding the immutability of God. It has been my contention for some time that God does indeed change His mind. That does not necessarily mean His character changes, it simply means He makes a new decision regarding some one or some thing. A majority of people really get uncomfortable with that.

This is not the venue for the detail of the article, or for a discussion of the issue necessarily, although I welcome your comments. Suffice it to say, there is one particular issue which presents a rather strong case in favor of flexibility in God's immutability.

The issue is moral development. If mankind's moral conscience changes so that things that were right during biblical times are now deemed reprehensible by today's moral standards and Christian principles,  who or what changed?  *******

Getting back to the OT. It really is a wonderful 'book". So rich in language and word pictures. Alive with God's interaction with His people in ways we do not see in the NT. There are times when I regret that people often make the Old Testament merely a springboard to the New, although I understand the thinking. Nevertheless, it is so much more.

God bless the reading of His word and the thought we give to what we read.

The Puzzle

Life is lived in tension. There is the "what is" and the "what will be". The known and the unknown. The now and the then. Not always opposites, but often complimentary components sometimes pulling us, sometimes pushing us, but always stretching us. Occasionally seasoned by the past, but most often stilted by it.

It is like a giant puzzle. We know all the pieces are there but we do not have the cover of the box so we have no idea what the final picture should look like. Consequently, we struggle to see in our mind's eye what, for all intents and purposes, cannot be seen except one piece at a time. So often we find ourselves frantically looking for the next piece, knowing that if we find it, it will get us that much  closer to the next, and the next and the next.

The Bible is God's puzzle. Unlike our life, we have the cover of the box for this one. We know what the "final picture" looks like. So in many ways we can piece together a fairly cohesive picture of things, like the character of God for example. Many, who have come before us, have done so in a variety of ways and use a variety of terms to describe Him; omniscient, omnipresent, loving, patient, merciful, immutable, invisible, sovereign, etc.

What strikes me as unusual, is that most descriptions will seldom include any attributes that might be considered negative characteristics. For example: jealous, vengeful, flexible, impatient.  Consequently, there is a rather distorted picture of God. One that is not fully functional or fully formed. It certainly fits with what many people want Him to look like or act like, but it does not necessarily fit with how the Bible describes Him. Which is uncomfortable for some. I am not sure why, since we have the cover of the box and know what the final picture looks like, but it does.

As I continue to think about this, it could explain why so many people avoid the Old Testament. It may not be because that they do not like the genealogies, dietary instructions and laws, it may simply be, they do not like what they read about God. 

I guess half a box top is better than no box top at all when it comes to puzzles.

Thanksgiving

Another one has come and gone. But the spirit of "thanksgiving" is something that in all actuality might be best expressed on a  daily basis. At least for some of us.

My wife and I enjoy watching "The Great American Race" on television Sunday evenings. Most recent episodes have been located in Africa. Whether by design or not, the contestants have been in some of the poorest areas in the country - not the worst - but the poorest. Watching their reactions and gauging my own, has reminded me that I have a great deal to be thankful for.

I do not have to select my food from an open market and swat the flies away before selecting my fish. I do not have to walk through open sewers or garbage in the streets to get to my home or the neighbors home, if you would call those shanties "homes".  I don't have to barter goats or chickens, or travel by bicycle or squeeze my way onto a broken down bus, or cook on an open fire, or worry about the roof leaking when it rains, or....

Yes, I have a great deal to be thankful for. But where or to whom, do I direct my thanks?

• Is it because my ancestors made it to America and theirs did not
• Is it because my government is better than theirs
• My "job" more profitable than theirs
• Our economy more prosperous
• I am blessed and they are cursed - (they are the ones that always seem to be smiling)

Of course, they are on one continent and I am on another, so some of this whole thing is a result of pure circumstance and indeed ancestry. Nevertheless, when I look at their circumstances and I look at mine, I want to say "thank you". 

As a theist, I can say "thank you" and my you is directed to God. But if it were an agnostic or an atheist, who or what do they thank. Perhaps their "you" is directed toward Darwin or some great thinker of the past.  Perhaps it is directed inward. Perhaps their thanksgiving is a thanks to the forces of random chance. Or do they simply say "thanks" and let it go at that? 

"Thanks" is a word that cries out for a noun or a pronoun. Whether we voice it or simply think it, I suspect everyone assigns something to it.  Nevertheless, I give thanks.

Things I've Learned

It has been several days since my last entry. One reason is a need to do some pondering on things I've been reading and thinking. I don't think we, as Americans, do much pondering any more. We just take things as they come for the most part and have very little critical thinking. The other reason was because we were out of town and I did not have Internet access. Imagine that, being some place in the US, not in isolation, where there is no Internet access. I suppose my mother and father in law should really get with the times, but then, they really don't need access to the Internet.

Did I miss the Internet? Not really. I thought I would, but I really did not. There was a time or two when I was reading that I thought, "gee, I would like to look that up!" When I realized I could not, the thought vanished and I was fine until a later time.

What I learned while I was away was this:

• I can get by without access to the world through the Internet
• Most of the email I receive has little value or consequence to my personal life
• When I'm stuck in a house with dozens of relatives, I can find a quiet place to read and find it quite productive
• There are seminaries that grant MDiv. degrees that do not require students to learn the original languages of the Bible
• You can have 20-30 adults in one place over a period of two days and only hear one brief conversation about God
• I have far away friends who care enough about me to call me on Thanksgiving
• That religious zealots killing whole tribes of people - men, women, and children, could really prove to be intolerant behavior for other people looking on
• My dog learns better than some people
• That my sister was surprised and pleased when I called her to say "happy Thanksgiving"

There was much more, but by now I'm sure what you've learned is that you can only take so much of what I've learned. So that should be sufficient.  Oh yes, one more thing. Reading scripture for the pure joy of reading scripture is actually a delight.

Ain't life grand?

Who Cares?

There was a time when that question was similar to the "what's up?" or "go figure" type of sayings. I remember a pastor where I once served as music and youth director used it almost every other sentence.  I am beginning to wonder whether or not it ought to come back in vogue?  After all, when you look at some of the questions and issues that are being discussed these days, "who cares?"

Those who do not live in the Charlotte, NC area may not be aware of the recent decision by the NC Baptist Convention to boot one of the Charlotte churches out of their association because that particular church willingly accepts homosexuals. Now that does not mean they accept sinners with the love and grace of Jesus Christ. It means they accept homosexuals, accept their lifestyle, allow them to maintain it and permit them in positions of leadership in the church.

Of course the general population, including the editor of the Charlotte Observer, who happens to be a member of that church, objects to the association's action as though they were being judgmental and taking an adverse position to scripture.

Naturally, when the dust settles, no one will care about anyone's position other than the fact that the "church" is intolerant toward gays and that we are not showing the love of Christ. So "who cares?"

You could quote scripture until the cows come home and most would say that was then, this is now. We don't live in those times any more. Or homosexuality is something you are born with and if God creates people that way, how could He condemn them when He created them that way? 

I think sociologists and philosophers would call much of that ethical or moral relativism. Of course, they may be right. I learned this morning that the civil and ceremonial laws of the OT were no longer valid and only the moral laws apply in the "new covenant" era.  So that sheds a whole new light on things. The further we move away from home port the less clear things seem to become.  But then "who cares?"

Oh well, I have several days to mull this over and perhaps emerge with a whole new perspective on things.

What's Next

My wife is a "glass half full" kind of woman. She is just a joy to be around. Not the over-the-top giddy type of positive, but an even, keep things in perspective, type of positive. It's a good balance for me, since I'm the typical glass half empty kind of guy.

I used to be a "half fuller". In fact, I was more than that, I was an over the top, full to overflowing kind. There are still moments when I have spurts of that type of behavior - usually it is when I am around other half empty folks, I see it as my job to be the half full person in the group. After all, there always needs to be balance.

At this point in my journey, I don't know that the issue is half full or half empty anymore. Sometimes it is all I can do to hang on to the glass. Perhaps that is because there is too much thinking and not enough action. Or too many questions and not enough answers. Or too many tomorrows and not enough hope. I am not certain. Nor am I certain that it matters. 

I have noticed that some people touch the lives of hundreds over their lifetime and negate every moment of it as though it did not matter. Others long to do the same and would cherish the idea that what they do mattered as much.  What kind of irony is that.

As I was mowing the grass yesterday I thought - "does a drowning man drown because he stops struggling or does he stop struggling because he drowns?" What an odd thought.  But that thought lead to this one, "what's next?"

Where did I leave my glass?

PS.  We did get rain!  :)

Let's Talk About Rain

In some parts of the world rain is not a problem. They have plenty. In other parts, such as the southeastern United States they have very little. In fact, the drought situation in the Carolinas and Georgia has gone beyond serious. It is so bad, that even on last night's news they covered a special prayer session where folks were gathered to pray for rain. 

Here's the problem. Of course it will rain eventually, so in some sense the prayer will be answered. However, when you have news coverage of a prayer vigil for rain, some folks are going to wonder why it doesn't rain the next day. Then they begin to question why God doesn't answer prayer. Seems to me we have enough of our own folks doing that without adding to the problem.

The other side of the coin is this. Perhaps God does not want it to rain. Then of course, there is the obvious. In His sovereignty, He set the forces of nature in motion and it will do what it will do. If we expected God to "interfere" every time things did not go right, then we would never get to blame Mother Nature for anything. 

The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!  For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth..."  (Psalm 97:1,9a)

One other note. What happens in my little corner of the world, invariably impacts some one else's corner of the world. Therefore, my drought may result in someone else's much needed "something". As a result, maybe I should keep my perspective and just use less water until circumstances change.

just wondering

Those who follow this blog with any regularity know that I often have more questions than answers.  Which for some is uncomfortable and for others is not intimidating in the least. After all, if Socrates was right, "The unexamined life is not worth living," what should we say about an unexamined faith?

There is a question I keep pondering regarding Discipleship. It stems from a class I am auditing at Southern Evangelical Seminary. Our instructor, has said, on more than one occasion, that what we are teaching people when we disciple them in the complete Christian life, is the "ideal". It is not something we can attain, but it is something worthy of striving for.

Now in some sense that is true. We will never be "complete" until we are complete in Glory. However, is there not the potential for fulfilling Christ's command to be "perfect" this side of heaven? If not, then what was the purpose of the God-Man and his example of living a life without sin? Simply to be a perfect sacrifice. If so, why hold him up as an example as being tempted in all areas like we are, yet without sinning, if it is not within our grasp?

Yes, I can hear it now, our goal is not to be sinless, but to sin less. Which is cute. But it does not address the issue. Can I bring my mind and my body under the authority of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to such a degree, that I am walking - for lack of a better term - in harmony with God?

Who Would Dare!

There are sections of scripture which sometimes confuse me. Not that they are ridiculous or ludicrous, simply that - given the context they seem unwarranted. An example would be in Numbers.

Regarding the Tabernacle, in 3:10  we read that "If any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death." A rather stern and matter-of-fact warning, repeated in verse 38.  Later, in that same chapter, verses 27-37  we read that specific clans are assigned to guard the Tabernacle and the items inside.

This leads to the obvious question, why would you need guards? Who would dare come near the Tabernacle or even attempt to pilfer it, knowing, based on previous demonstrations of God's "judgements", that death was a fair certainty?

Pondering that question for a while, I thought about an article I had read earlier this weekend about why we hang on to "pet sins". The author of the article was rather blunt in his analysis . We hang on to those types of sins because we prefer the sin more than we prefer a healthy relationship with Christ. Now who would dare admit to that? But I believe he may be right.

The sin may not, indeed is not heinous, but it does infringe on my relationship to God. Yet, I choose to practice it, rather than practice God's grace in overcoming it. How insulting is that to God?

Now, who would dare admit they have that type of sin in their life let alone admit that type of behavior?  Uhm...guess I have some work to do.

I suppose it is not that big of a stretch after all to imagine someone wanting to approach, even pilfer the Tabernacle, they may think the risk is worth the reward. Go figure.

A Virgin Text

Many times when I read scripture, it is hard for me to see through my own clutter. After so many years of using the same Bible there are so many underlines, margin scribbles, and tick marks here and there, that I am easily distracted from the main text.

Recently, I purchased a new Bible, not that I needed one. I have several Bibles and a couple of them would be considered "new". But this one was on sale and it was "The Reformation Study Bible" in the English Standard Version. A combination I could not pass up. So now I have decided to do much of my Bible reading in this virgin text. I am also trying to keep my hands in my lap and away from pencils and pens so that I avoid making any notes or underlines, at least for now.

It is amazing what I am "seeing" and "hearing" without all that clutter distracting me. There is a real sense of refreshment about this kind of reading. Admittedly, I'll sneak a peak at the notes from time to time to see what these reformers are thinking about a particular text, but other than that, I am focused strictly on the text itself.  It is rather fun.

Often times we are influenced in our reading by what we already think about a given text. Other times it may be by what someone else thinks either by a side note, a "color" or segment marking.  That does not make it wrong or improper, it may just make it limited and put blinders on our mind and keep us from seeing something new and exciting.

Anyway, I'm enjoying this virgin text. I'm not certain how long I'll resist the temptation to keep it unmarked. However, that is not the point, as long as the scripture continues to leave its mark on me.

Blessings!

Why Think?

Why think indeed!

The lead in to an ad for a Doctor of Ministry program from Talbot Seminary in California has that question "WHY THINK?" Of course it continues by answering the question. "Because you know how powerful thoughts are...that a single idea can redraw the map of the world."

Give me a break! If we are at a point in the world of Christendom where we have to remind our pastors why they should be thinking then God help us. Shouldn't they have been thinking all along? And thinking about ideas other than just biblical ideas?

I'm a thinker. Some would consider me a stinker-thinker because I tend to think outside the box and challenge things, often it may appear needlessly, or at times, with malice. But isn't that what thinking is all about? Stirring up ideas. Prompting dialog.  Digging deeper, peeling away layers and getting to the truth of the matter. Or does it not matter?

Maybe that is why we need to remind folks to think. They've been fed their ideas for so long that they don't know how to think for themselves any more.

I remember not that long ago, when I did my graduate work we had good discussions, spirited discussions. This was in a class of twenty to thirty students. Yet we never seemed to get behind. Now, I sit in a class of eight and we get power point presentation after power point presentation for three hours with perhaps a combined 10 minutes of discussion. What's up with that? I don't need to think to do that. Shoot fire, email me the power point slides and the pictures of the other students, I'll just pretend I'm being educated.

Why think? Because God calls us to think! We don't check our minds at the door of faith when we open it. If any thing, we kick it up a notch. As Paul said, "...Be transformed by the renewing of you MIND, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good an acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2 ESV)

Maybe I should think about this before posting it --- nah!!!!

Wild Hair

You may know people like me, we are wild hair folks. I'm not certain of the origin of that "phrase". I have done some research and there is not a great deal of information out there. What is available tends to speak to what you would think, an outlandish idea, a "chasing rabbits" syndrome, or moving off a designated task to go after an un-designated task (a more sophisticated approach).

I get wild hairs on a regular basis. In fact, you could say my life has been one big "wild hair". Is that bad? I don't think so. Has it driven other people a bit wild? Most likely. Do I have anything to show for it? I suppose that depends on what you mean? I have a catalog of experiences I would never have had otherwise. I have done things, gone places, met people I would have never encountered any other way. Nevertheless, I have come to realize something.

A few days ago, I was writing a short story and some of the details of that story were from my past. When I began to ponder those specific pieces, I could see facets of my life that I had not seen before. "Wild hairs" can possibly move you out of the will of God without you knowing it. You get so caught up in the excitement of the new idea, dream, or vision that it can cloud your perspective on what is real - what is now.  In reality, the wild hair may be a means of running "from", not running "to", something.

That revelation stunned me. It opened up a full journal of circumstances, spanning almost forty years, that suddenly came under scrutiny. It was intimidating, to say the least.

Now let's kick in our theological engines. I can wrestle with the question, "Did I step out of God's will while chasing any of those wild hairs"? Or, I can simply rest and not wrestle, knowing that each action put me exactly where I was meant to be. 

Oops, there goes another wild hair!

"Forced Opinions"

I'm not sure how adults form their basic philosophy of life. I am neither a psychologist or sociologist, although I have studied both disciplines. However, it seems to me that many of us carry a great deal of "baggage" that certainly influences our philosophy of life.

The other day I was batting e-mails back and forth with a dear friend and we were talking about one of his children's moral development. Discussing how that young person was at a point in her life where she was forming values and morals that would shape much of her life experience. The question was, who or what would be the influence on the "content" of those values and morals?

My friends reply was basically his daughter was doing a good job of shaping her own values and moral principles without the influence of "forced opinions".  I have thought about that response for several days now and it seems to me to be rather shallow and naive. However, I suspect what the person meant was either his father, mother, or some other authority figure had "forced their opinions" on him and since he did not like that, he has chosen not to do the same to his children.

Of course, the obvious consequences of that logic are flawed and really have no merit. I suspect were his daughter to come to him when she is 13 and say, "Dad, based on my own values and moral principles, I have decided to start having sex."  I believe my friend would indeed have a forced opinion to share with his daughter at that point.

Does anyone really think that morals or values can be shaped without the influence of "forced opinions"? Whether it is the public school system, the government, peer groups, even churches inundate us with "forced opinions".  We don't just reject them wholesale because we don't like "them", the message, or the way they couched the message. Often, many of those "opinions" are well intentioned.

I was not a real good parent. So I don't have a strong platform to stand on. However, what I have observed from those who are, it seems to me if more parents had "forced opinions" kids would not be killing kids. Children would not be carrying guns to school, assaulting teachers, phoning in bomb threats, committing suicide at alarming rates or needing hand outs of contraceptives.

It is true, parents should be an example to their children. That is the best "opinion" of all. That does not mean the kids will follow, it just puts the odds in the parent's favor when it comes to all the other "forced opinions" competing for their children's attention.

There are two sides to the parenting contract....

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart.  (Col. 3:20-21)

Then I am a Liar!

This past week I received an email from a friend with a forward from a newsletter by a Wycliffe translator. If you are not familiar with Wycliffe, they translate the Bible in to different languages for missionary work around the world. Anyway, the article was entitled The 81 Percent Life  you can read it in its entirety at the author's, Jack Popjes, web site. In the article there is this piece:

An internationally know Orthodox Jewish rabbi once said, "Any Christian who tells me he is a disciple of the Rabbi Yeshua (Jesus) and who does not read the four gospels at least once a month is a liar. How are you going to know your Rabbi if you don't spend time reading what he did and what he said?"

Now you know why I have the title, "I am a liar". I certainly do not read the four gospels once a month. I have read them in the last six months and am starting them again, as a result of this quote, but I don't read them regularly. However the rabbi is right. We talk about the one we desire to be "like". Yet, we often spend minimal time studying his life in order to imitate it.

The author of the article goes on to say, that less than 20% of the gospels are consumed with the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The remaining 81% is focused on his life and ministry. Hence that ought to be our focus as followers of Christ.

I dare say, were I to simply narrow it down and focus on the Sermon on the Mount and nothing more - if that was my "daily bread", I would never hunger. The challenges there would be sufficient to keep me focused until eternity calls me home.

"Bread of heaven, feed me 'til I want no more..."

Blaming God

Technorati Tags: Blame, God's Will

 

I thought for sure it was a concept that had died with a certain level of Christian maturity. But apparently not. It became obvious in two events this past weekend. One was at a meeting I attended where we were discussing the craft of writing. One of the persons there used the phrase "God gave you that story", so the implication was, it must be written and shared. The other was at a Bluegrass and Gospel Festival where one group leader was saying that "God gave" one of their members a particular song.

Now, I am not here to say God does or does not "give" these kind of things. I am just saying that once that phrase gets deposited, there is no room for argument. How do you say to someone, that's nice, but it's a lousy song, after they have said "God gave me this song."  Of course, God has never claimed to be in the songwriting business, so indeed it could be a lousy song. But who is going to be the first to say it? He is after all, in the gifting business, and songwriting, liking good writing in general, is undoubtedly a gift.

Perhaps many of us have either said or heard it said, "God is leading me...."; that could be to make a move, open a business, change jobs, start a new church, etc., etc. Then when things do not seem to work out the next thing that is heard is "apparently it was not God's time or God's will." 

Uhm.....

We can be so certain one minute, then be so uncertain the next. Is it because of a lack of trust? A shortfall in the area of patience?  A matter of not listening in the first place? Can we attribute it to our culture's expectation that things should happen "now", not later? Do we try to force the issue and then "blame God" when things don't work out?  Or quit simply because things do not "fall into place" or "doors don't open." I am not certain I know the answer to any of those questions, although I've asked most of them myself.

What I do know is that God's purpose will not be short-circuited. He will get done what He wants to get done, with or without me. I just hope I'm in the right place at the right time - writing the right book, singing the right song, hammering the right nail, driving the right bus, or doing the right whatever. I want to praise Him, not blame Him.

Cats and Dogs

There are some things in my daily existence that always present themselves as a mystery. One of them is the relationship between our dog and the neighbor's cats.

It is no secret cats and dogs are not always the best of friends. I'm not certain whether that is a learned response or a natural one. Nevertheless, our dog loves to bark at our neighbor's cats. Prior to installing the Invisible Fence, he delighted in chasing them.

Once we installed the Invisible fence, it took the cats all of five minutes to figure out this dog could only go so far and that was it. Now, they just casually walk wherever they like in full view of our dog, while he barks like crazy. Of course, to no avail. He has not figured out, they don't care and have no fear! They will even be so bold as to come right up to the "fence line" and lay down and nap!

Normally our dog is very smart. But this one seems to elude him. Then again, I reckon he is no different then me. I can waste three or four hours watching sports or some other mundane show on TV and afterwards wonder why I wasted my time doing that. Then turn around the next day and do the very same thing.

Talk about barking to no avail!

"Again"

"Again" is an interesting word in the English language. We use the word in a variety of ways: To describe something restored to a former condition such as, flowers blooming again in springtime;   actions that are repeated, such as painting the room again; and, as a way to remind people of things, such as, "Again, I did not inhale."

What I find intriguing is that the word has a place in the vocabulary of God. That within the mind of the Almighty there is room for the concept of "again." Regardless of how you parse it, the idea implies that something once was, is not now, but will be again. Or, something that was will or will not be repeated. Either way, there is the strong sense that God is "making a new decision".  Similar to what we find in Genesis, "I will never again curse the ground....nor will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done." (Gen. 8:21)

(It was right about this time, in my first "draft" that my computer went dead. Many of you, more spiritual than I, would have taken that as a sign to change topics. I'm not that smart!)

Many are uncomfortable with the thought that God could change His mind, if I might use that phrase. However, in Genesis 18 when Abraham and God negotiate over Sodom there is the clear sense that God is willing to make a new decision based on certain criteria. The same with Jonah and others. The problem is it flies in the face of our understanding of God's complete knowledge. Therefore we find it difficult to reconcile the two concepts. But it is not a foreign concept in the Bible. (Jer. 18:8, 26:13; Psalm 110:4; Jonah 3:9)

That does not necessarily mean God was/is "wrong", it just means repentance works.  God again, chooses to say YES. Just as Israel found itself in seemingly relentless rebellion against the Almighty, as they repented God could say, "My cities shall again overflow with prosperity; the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem." (Zech. 1:17)

Again -- "again" is often a good thing. It should not be something we shy away from or try to ignore when it comes to our understanding of God. It is merely something we need to keep in context.

"Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God."   (Psalm 42:11b)