Wanderings

Wanderings

Author Archive: joe

Wanderings > Articles by: joe

Words and More Words

February 10, 2009 Faith

They keep pouring down, requiring some kind of definition(s). Continuing to read in First Peter, and could not let "bless" just get passed over. It appears so often in our everyday speech, and of course, it's all over the Bible. At first, trying to find a definition was like putting toothpaste back in the tube – in other words, it wasn't easy.

Looking up definitions online was of some help, but the problem there were the number of definitions. Basically, it boils down to "gaining God's favor" or being honored or special. When you are blessed, you are more holy. There was even one definition that linked the english "bless" with a germanic "blessing" (can't type german or old saxon) that was related to the spilling of blood.[more]

Finally, they tied the old germanic "bless" back to the Old Testament where blood had to be spilled to make the offering "special." Interesting, that the further back you go, the more meaning words sometime have. Think about that, the thing that made the offering special was the spilling of blood. And that is just what Peter is talking about here in chapter 3, where he talks about "Christ died for our sins…"

Peter's challange starts in verse 9 where he wants us to "bless rather than curse (insult)" just because we have been blessed. It continues where he urges us to "sanctify Christ (set Him apart) as our leader." Interesting that he uses the term "set apart" – it's kind of like there can only be one leader.

There is more here, so don't go away. This chapter is full of challenges and can't be glossed over.

In Yer Face!

February 7, 2009 Faith

We all may have thought of that as a twenty or twenty-first bit of slang, but let me tell you, that goes back to the time of Moses!

My reading today took me to First Peter chapter 3, and right there was "the Face of the Lord is against…" Whoa! Where did that come from? Peter was actually quoting David in one of the Psalms, but it got me doing some digging.[more]

Seems that whenever the people (Jewish usually, since it was their God) did some stupid things or thought they were better than God, He "set His face against them." You can check it out yourself in many places in the Old Testament. When they got God ticked off at them – there it was. God effectively said "You messed up and didn't follow directions, so you are on your own." And there was the enemy ready to defeat them.

What do we mean when we say that we're "gonna get up in their face?" In no uncertain words, we are going to tell them off and walk away in a huff. Oh, by the way – most definitely leave them to stew over what you are mad about and let them fail on their own.

Worse yet, how do we feel when some one "gets up in our face?" What's our reaction? What do we change? More importantly, how long does it take us to change?

All They Want Is Money – Yours!

February 6, 2009 Political

Plans and pressure for the "bailout" continue, with each side taking shots at one another. Forget the shots at one another, just look at the facts.

  • They promised “The bar that we set is the highest that any administration in the country has ever set.” – that from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. If that's the case, why are "regular citizens" unfit when we "forget" to pay our taxes, and yet they nominate people to be our leaders who's tax accountants can't even figure out how to file their taxes.
  • They say the money is a "bailout" to get the economy moving, but most of what they propose will take years to get plans drawn, contracts written and bids reviewed. Remember, after Iraq and "Halliburton", the government can't just give the work to a company that specializes in whatever it is they need done, even if they are the best at it.
  • If they want to help people who are being foreclosed on, why not just let the government buy up all the mortgages and let people pay the government back. Oh wait, at what price will they buy the mortgages? If at face value, then the banks and other lenders will get all their money back and "we the people" will be stuck with a worthless piece of paper. Remember, the banks loaned the $250,000, and the property is now only worth $100,000 – nice gift. Besides, the banks only loaned the money because the government said "you have to make homes available to people, even if they can't afford them."
  • Giving it a little more perspective, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “If you started the day Jesus Christ was born and spent $1 million every day since then, you still wouldn’t have spent $1 trillion.” Let's see, 2008 years times 365.25 days equals $733.2 billion. A lot of money for ???
  • If you thought the "Recovery" was going to help "people", then you got another think coming. What should have been so simple is now in excess of 600 pages of "stuff". There is more regular government junk in the bill than "Recovery" stuff. Did we elect dummies to run our government? Don't they understand the difference between fixing something and having a party. Or do they think we are dummies and won't be able to figure this out or are stupid enough to believe their tricks?

Now, mind you, if I have stepped on your toes or hurt your feelings, I'd be more than glad to hear from you using "Contact Me" on the right. After all, these are my thoughts for which I accept responsibility. Not only would I be glad to hear from you, I'd even be happy to discuss this with you. Alas, there are not many who want to do that for some reason.

Copyright 2009-2026 by Joe Suttle