Texts:
1 Chronicles 22-23
Acts 9
Chronicles:
Boy, was that a different succession narrative than I remember reading earlier in Kings....
The chronicler, it seems, believed that David was such an important figure in Israel's history that his blessing on Solomon was important to highlight and his support of Solomon's building project needed to be mentioned.
Acts:
Remember, this story of Saul/Paul's conversion is not exactly as Paul tells it.
How would you feel if you had been persecuted by Saul, if you had fled your home so you would not be arrested by him, and then he shows up and starts preaching the good news of Jesus? Would you trust him? What would it take for Saul to be trusted?
The whole arc of his ministry seems to be toward building that trust so he can proclaim the gospel.
November 12, 2009
Texts:
1 Chronicles 19-21
Psalm 69
Psalm:
My prayer for the day from verse 6:
Do not let those who hope in you be put to shame because of me,
O Lord God of hosts;
do not let those who seek you be dishonoured because of me,
O God of Israel.
1 Chronicles 19-21
Psalm 69
Psalm:
My prayer for the day from verse 6:
Do not let those who hope in you be put to shame because of me,
O Lord God of hosts;
do not let those who seek you be dishonoured because of me,
O God of Israel.
November 11, 2009
Texts:
1 Chronicles 17 and 18
Acts 8
Chronicles:
The story of David is complicated, but this chapter (other than all of the military conquests) shows David at his best. Humble, thankful, and praising God. What is the story of you at your best?
Acts:
What does the story of the Ethiopian eunuch say to you about the church's call in the world?
1 Chronicles 17 and 18
Acts 8
Chronicles:
The story of David is complicated, but this chapter (other than all of the military conquests) shows David at his best. Humble, thankful, and praising God. What is the story of you at your best?
Acts:
What does the story of the Ethiopian eunuch say to you about the church's call in the world?
November 10, 2009
Texts:
1 Chronicles 15 and 16
Acts 7
Chronicles:
In 16:23-27, David sings this:
23Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
25For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
26For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27Honour and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.
What do you think this says about the job of the church?
Acts:
How do you think Stephen does summing up the tradition?
1 Chronicles 15 and 16
Acts 7
Chronicles:
In 16:23-27, David sings this:
23Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
25For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
26For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27Honour and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.
What do you think this says about the job of the church?
Acts:
How do you think Stephen does summing up the tradition?
November 9, 2009
Texts:
1 Chronicles 11 to 14
Acts 6
Chronicles:
At the end of chapter 13 is an interesting story about the ark of the covenant. It tells us that a man named Uzzah put out his hand to stabilize the ark because the oxen had shaken it. God's anger was kindled against Uzzah for touching the ark, and he died right there. This story is also told in 2 Sam 6:6-8.
David is annoyed with God (and who wouldn't be?--the guy was trying to be helpful, right?) and names the spot PerezUzzah or "breach of Uzzah". And then David refuses to take the ark with him. If God kills Uzzah, then how much trouble is it worth to travel with it? You can see David's point. But the family who was willing to take care of the ark is blessed.
A few things occur to me about this.
1. We can't understand God.
2. Being around God is dangerous.
3. Being around God is also a source of blessing.
Acts:
The early church was messy, just like ours. That is always comforting to me, somehow. The Hebrew Christians and the Greek Christians had a tough time coming together, but they did. In a culture that tries to keep us apart, I read this passage and say a cheer.
My prayer today is that the church will truly seek to hear the complaints of the "others" (whoever they may be) and listen to the people with whom we disagree. Let's leave our stereotypes at the door and trust that in the presence of the Holy Spirit, our conversations may lead us to places we've yet to reach on our own. Amen.
1 Chronicles 11 to 14
Acts 6
Chronicles:
At the end of chapter 13 is an interesting story about the ark of the covenant. It tells us that a man named Uzzah put out his hand to stabilize the ark because the oxen had shaken it. God's anger was kindled against Uzzah for touching the ark, and he died right there. This story is also told in 2 Sam 6:6-8.
David is annoyed with God (and who wouldn't be?--the guy was trying to be helpful, right?) and names the spot PerezUzzah or "breach of Uzzah". And then David refuses to take the ark with him. If God kills Uzzah, then how much trouble is it worth to travel with it? You can see David's point. But the family who was willing to take care of the ark is blessed.
A few things occur to me about this.
1. We can't understand God.
2. Being around God is dangerous.
3. Being around God is also a source of blessing.
Acts:
The early church was messy, just like ours. That is always comforting to me, somehow. The Hebrew Christians and the Greek Christians had a tough time coming together, but they did. In a culture that tries to keep us apart, I read this passage and say a cheer.
My prayer today is that the church will truly seek to hear the complaints of the "others" (whoever they may be) and listen to the people with whom we disagree. Let's leave our stereotypes at the door and trust that in the presence of the Holy Spirit, our conversations may lead us to places we've yet to reach on our own. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
