What is a Healthy Church Member?
Just finished this little book by Thabiti Anyabwile. It's a succinct yet nice summary of what we as church members should be striving to be. We should listen well, be saturated with the gospel, be committed and growing, etc. It's a good for any believer, new or old, and well worth the effort for using in a small group study.
Bees!
At the NC Farmers' Market, there were many flowers, but there were also many bees. Here's a couple shots I got:
Genesis 3
I am continuing to study my way through the first section of Genesis, the account of creation. This morning I posted my notes for chapter 3 on the Old Testament page of my web site. The entire chapter is about the fall of man, the sins of Adam and Eve in the garden. I chose to break it into 2 sections, one that focuses on the temptation and the other on God's judgments. Both sets of notes are online. Help yourself!
Flowers at the Farmer's Market
The Farmer's Market always has a wonderful assortment of flowers, both cut and potted. Here's a couple that caught my eye. The first is a lily, but I don't know what the second one is.
Eggplants
Ann and I went to the NC Farmer's Market last weekend. Here's a couple of very interesting eggplants. The green one is known as Kermit's eggplant:
Serpents in the Bible
In Genesis, Moses described the serpent as crafty. Genesis 3:1 (NET) Now the serpent was more shrewd than any of the wild animals that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Is it really true that God said, ‘You must not eat from any tree of the orchard’?”
So are serpents portrayed as good animals (reptiles) in the Bible or bad? Surprisingly, both. The serpent in the garden tempted Eve. But in Matthew 10:16 (NET), Jesus told his disciples, “I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
So are serpents portrayed as good animals (reptiles) in the Bible or bad? Surprisingly, both. The serpent in the garden tempted Eve. But in Matthew 10:16 (NET), Jesus told his disciples, “I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
Snakes: A source of encouragement
Genesis 3:14 (NET) The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all the wild beasts and all the living creatures of the field! On your belly you will crawl and dust you will eat all the days of your life."
Part of God's judgment upon the serpent was that he (and his seed) would eat dust for all the days of his life. John Sailhammer notes that eating dust in the Bible has the idea of total defeat. Thus, every time you see a snake crawling on the ground, be encouraged. From the moment his rebellion started in the garden, he was already defeated. And one day, his defeat will be complete.
Part of God's judgment upon the serpent was that he (and his seed) would eat dust for all the days of his life. John Sailhammer notes that eating dust in the Bible has the idea of total defeat. Thus, every time you see a snake crawling on the ground, be encouraged. From the moment his rebellion started in the garden, he was already defeated. And one day, his defeat will be complete.
Fireworks
The neighbors across the street set off some fireworks for the 4th of July, so we went over to watch (and photograph).
Yellow belt
Jacen continues to study Tae Kwon Do, and last week he tested again and successfully earned his yellow belt. First, he worked through the various forms while instructors looked on:
Then he did some mock sparring with another student, demonstrating various attacks and counter-attacks:
When finished, he received the new belt:
Congratulations, Jacen! We are proud of you.
Then he did some mock sparring with another student, demonstrating various attacks and counter-attacks:
When finished, he received the new belt:
Congratulations, Jacen! We are proud of you.
How many ribs do you have?
So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. Then the LORD God made the rib He had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. (Genesis 2:21-22, HCSB)
Let me set your mind at ease, guys. You have the same number of ribs as the ladies do.
Let me set your mind at ease, guys. You have the same number of ribs as the ladies do.
What will we do in heaven?
The LORD God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. (Genesis 2:15, HCSB)
If salvation through Jesus Christ is a restoration of what was lost in the Fall, then what implication does this verse have for eternity? It seems unlikely that we will sit around on clouds, wearing togas and strumming little harps. I think it means we will work, joyously serving our Creator.
If salvation through Jesus Christ is a restoration of what was lost in the Fall, then what implication does this verse have for eternity? It seems unlikely that we will sit around on clouds, wearing togas and strumming little harps. I think it means we will work, joyously serving our Creator.
Tomato Hornworms
I hate caterpillars. I hate them with a passion. They can destroy a garden extra quick. I found these two monsters on our tomatoes a week ago, and every day since we've been out in the garden looking for more. Emmy's been the eagle-eye in the family, finding 5 of them. (Motivated in no small part by my bounty of $1 per critter) I think we found them quick enough, because our tomatoes are coming in strong.
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