Genesis 4: 1-16

Much has been written about Cain and Abel. The perfect and accepted sacrifice vs the unaccepted one. According to the commentary that I use, it states that God was all along looking for an animal sacrifice and informed them and because their sacrifice (offering) to God was to satisfy their sin, the Cain offering was not accepted. I think while there is some merit to that the crux of the matter was the heart and the attitude. Maybe Cain should have asked God what He wanted since we do know that they dialogued with Him verbally. This is what it said: The writer describes sin as if it is a wild animal. That ‘animal’ was bending down low on the ground and it was waiting. It was ready to jump suddenly onto Cain. And then it would catch Cain and it would overcome him. In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter writes this: ‘The devil is your enemy. He is like a lion. A lion walks about and he makes a loud noise. He walks about because he is looking for someone to eat.’ God wanted Cain to do the right thing. Cain too could kill an animal as a sacrifice to God. Then God would be pleased with Cain. But Cain refused to live in the way that God wanted him to live. Cain’s attitudes were still wrong.
Besides killing his brother, Cain compounded his actions by lying to God - thus magnifying the sinful nature of man. Jesus recognized our sinful nature and stated that even the act of thinking of these crimes would be the same as committing them. God did punish Cain and still Cain thought his actions were not deserving of the punishment. However the lineage of Adam continues and has been tainted with sin ever since. Thus the need for a savior - Jesus Christ!
Prayers and thanksgiving for those who are still recovering from the aftermath of HI. Looking forward to heading down to FL tomorrow night and seeing my home away from home! Hopefully GG can join us!
Praise for today: Halleluia thine the Savior - revive us again!

Genesis 3

Perfection is a concept that while we feel we know, we can never grasp. There is always something that can and will spoil the perfect day, perfect house, perfect couple, etc. You name it and it will happen. Flaws are always a part of it and something will spoil the moment. The Garden of Eden was like that as well. Man and woman were friends with God and they were supposed to live forever and rule the world - sin changed all of that forever. The sin - the coverup and the running away from God sealed the fate for all of  mankind for all eternity. But even with all of that God did not wipe them away, He clothed them and gave them the means to survive in the world they wanted not what they had. The snake was special since it could talk and reason but it too as an animal in the garden could have been sent away by Eve but it wasn't. Instead the mind was disobediant, not just the bodies that partook of the fruit. Here also we see the first sacrifice of an animal for the purposes of God. Here the purpose was to cloth Adam and Eve since the hides would be more efficient than leaves. The toils and the pains each one would experience as been unique to each gender and would be so forever.

Thankful for a good review and still a sobering outlook confirmed for my compensation going forward. The prospects for my industry sector remains somewhat dismal and to quote a favorite phrase, "bad breath is better than no breath at all".  The projections could last over the new few years, still thankful for a job and for the benefits it provides.

Praise for today: He is my Jehovah Jireh!

Genesis 2

God did complete all that He wanted to do in 6 days, but He did a different kind of "work" - He blessed it and made it holy, because He rested from all He had done. God intended to have one day set aside to worship and rest. Some do it on the first day of the week while other chose the seventh. The summary of the Creation account in c. 2 was more to set it up for what man was suppose to take care of and enjoy. While the animals of the world were created, only man received His breath and in turn His Spirit. The importance of the waters flowing throughout Eden (although some of these rivers have dried up) is similar to that expressed in Ez 47.
A great commentary point: God gave Adam an important command. So Adam was responsible to God. As we shall see in chapter 3, Adam did not obey God’s command. In the garden, Adam had the freedom to be a friend of God. But Adam did not want this freedom. Instead, he wanted the freedom to do whatever things he wanted to do. He wanted to live his own life, without God’s friendship. So Adam chose to do evil things, although God had warned him about the results of such a decision. ‘You will die.’ Death was not part of God’s original plan for men and women. God wanted them to live always and to be his friends. But when men and women began to do evil things, the result was death. Their bodies did not die immediately. But their spirits were dead, because they were not still friends of God. And so they could not go to be with God in heaven when their bodies died. Adam’s decision to do evil things causes death for everyone. But Christ brings life to everyone who trusts him (1 Corinthians 15:21). Our spirits become alive immediately when we trust Christ. We must confess our *sins to God and we must invite him into our lives. Then we become friends of God. And we shall have a place in heaven. Christ has defeated death, but our bodies still die (1 Corinthians 15:26). But when Christ returns, God will change us (1 Corinthians 15:51). Then Christians who have died will become alive again. And we shall always live with God.
The chapter ends with the unity of marriage. True marriage is not two but three and with the third - should last forever.

What a weekend! Hurricane Irene wreaked havoc not only in our minds and gave us a heightened sense of paranoia (thanks news media) but also on our bodies and property. While my home was extremely minimal in damage, others lost power and thus had basement flooding or water damage. Spent the morning after making breakfast watching a streamed broadcast from GracePointe in Franklin, TN and heard a great message from Dave Ramsay. Then spent the next 4-5 hours helping my wife's sister's family getting stuff out of her basement after a failed sump pump left water in the basement. That was my workout for yesterday and today! Then after some weird e-mails came down to Delly last night so I could work out of here today.

Prayers for all my peeps and those who suffered greatly from this hurricane.

Praise for today: that I have a wife who is "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh" and that God is in her!

Genesis 1

Today I will embark on a new book but one that I have read countless times. In my quest to reread the Bible since I have been down here, I have completed the NT but have a few book (such as this one) to do. Partly because I have either taught a class about them or have taken a class about them so the appeal to me is less. Still this is where it all begins and so today I start.

Amazing how in all of this that the 1st chapter was worded. Each verse starts off with, "and God said" meaning He spoke it into existence with a language and vocabulary that is so unique and so powerful that one cannot comprehend. We can never speak things to existence as created beings. We may demand our way but others need to carry out our orders. Still a phenomenal idea and concept. God is certainly unique in this respect.

Gonna make this short so I can head over to the gym and ponder this some more. I wonder if Rich Mullins will give me some more ideas to think about this morning...

Praise for today: He is creator of all things!

Ez 48:23-35

On the south side of the holy area would be the other 5 tribes whose land was divided equally. The land was from the Jordan to the Meditterean. The two tribes that would be closest to the holy area would be Judah and Benjamin since they were the most loyal of the tribes to the Lord. The tribes that were spawned from the maids of Jacob were placed the furthest. In the time of Joshua, the two tribes that were the cruelest - Simeon's and Levi's were denied land in that time but now in this new setup they will both receive land with Levites getting a place in the Holy area. So all the tribes are present and accounted for and given land until the Messiah comes. The gates of the city will have the 12 tribes represented since this is a city for all Israelites. So Ezekiel ends his prophesy by stating that the name of the city from that time on (Jerusalem) will be "The Lord is There"- meaning that the Lord will not just occupy the temple but the city as well.This represents a whole new relationship with the Lord and his people.

Wow, an end to the book of Ezekiel. Where will I go next? Hmmmm.... I enjoyed this romp through this book albeit a long one but brought back memories and new insights.

The earth did tremble yesterday and it was an eerie feeling at work. I heard that there was a Colorado one as well and with Hurricane Irene making landfall this weekend, it will be strange week to say the least. Tracking the course of the storm to determine my travel plans for the weekend.

Got through another day but this one was better than the day before. So I live one day at a time.

Praise for today: Great is the Lord and let all that is within praise His holy name!

Ez 48:14-22

The Levites' share of the land is the area north of the holy area. They cannot sell or give it away because it is holy to the Lord and belongs to Him. According to the commentary: South of the holy area will be the 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometres) for the city. The city will be in a square of 1½miles (2.4 kilometres). This will be in the centre of this whole area. All round the city there will open ground 437½ feet (135 metres) wide. So, the city and its open ground make a square of 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometres). Beyond this square on each side, there will be land 3.3 miles (5.3 kilometres) by 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometres). This land by the sides of the city area will be for farms. People from the tribes will live in the city. Some of them will work here to provide food for the city.
It seems that this will a self- sustaining city since it will have agriculture, manufacturing and trading. The area for the prince is also defined here. As the book of Ezekiel is coming soon to an end, all of the loose ends and the defining of lands, boundaries and intent is nearly completed.
As this week progresses, I am looking with some concern about Hurricane Irene and its tracking path. Hope it stays out to sea and that the destructive forces will affect land minimally. Got through a long and trying day yesterday and will hope that today will be less hectic. Glad to see that GG has successfully finished his 6 month period and will be on track towards promotion. Also good news about what is happening on my friend's Marty Magehee's family as they are entrenched in the community and the schools in the Denver area. Marty will now be on staff at the high school where his son attends, and each of boys will be progressing nicely.
Prayers for my peeps, and also for the Leung family as they say goodbye to the patriarch of the family this Saturday.
Praise for today: He is the God of the city, country and the world!

Ez 48: 1-12

The first 7 verses spells out the land allotment for the7 northern tribes - equal parts from the Meditterean to the Jordan. According to the commentary: To the south of Judah’s share there will be the holy area of land. The total length of this area from east to west will be the same as the tribe’s shares. In this total area, there will be a square of 8.3 miles (13.4 kilometres). From the north of this square 3.3 miles (5.3 kilometres) width is for the Levites. The next 3.3 miles (5.3 kilometres) width is for the Lord. The last 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometres) is for the city. The Lord’s share will be for the Zadok priests. They will live there. But in the centre of it will be the temple area. v12 - calls it a special gift from the most sacred portion of the land. A most holy portion, bordering the territory of the land.

All in all, a good day of worship. We had a good sermon from our new staff member, Jesse Eng from Phil 2. A good time of corporate and individual prayer and I was able to leave early and head down before the impending storms. Saw a friend from the left coast who came in for a family wedding also at church. Still such a bear to manuever out of lower Manhattan and get home. Took nearly two hours to get home and another 2 to go Delly, still things could get worse in my area next Sunday with the Barclays golf in my backyard and the remnants of TS or Hurricane Irene. Funeral also this Sat morning so my day is already planned out.

Praise for today: He will never let go of my hand!

Ez 47:13-23

Unlike in the early days when God subdivided the land among the 11 tribes according to size and other considerations, the future Israel shall see their land subdivided equally. The Levites will get the holy land. The key is that  now aliens who have settled among them and have childred are to considered native-born Israelites. They will be alloted an inheritance among the tribe of Israel. This is irrespective of what tribe they settle in. The land size according the commentary is similar to that when the land was given to the Israelites during Joshua's time.

Heading back to NJ tonight. Looking forward to seeing the new digs for the folks in Princeton tomorrow. Dinner and a movie with the wife also tomorrow night. Heard that a friend of mine got laid off yesterday at a firm that covers us. Shame, he did a real good job but that is rarely a criteria for downsizing. Cancelled out of going to their outing on next Saturday since I was going solo and was planning to see him there. Oh well....

Praise for today, He alone is the one True God!

Ez 47: 1-12

From the temple came water which gradually became a river. It starts out ankle deep and then deep enough to swim. The purpose of the this water is to bring life and ulitmately this is a tributary to the Dead Sea (which is now so salty it cannot preserve life). Back then this fresh water stream sustained life - fish for eating and trees whose leaves were medicinal to cure diseases and illnesses. The muddy areas would provide salt. This is a foreshadow of Rev 22 where the river of life would flow from the temple of God.

Amazing! Ezekiel witnessed so much and yet where is it now? The river in and of itself could only be created by God.

Still waiting on my review but other than that, my leaky bathroom sink is cured (for now) and life goes on. Heading home tomorrow for a work day in Princeton and a dental visit in between. Looking forward to seeing Planet of the Apes and Capt America this weekend with Irene. Prayers for Heather and her family as she just lost her grandma.

Praise for today: That He is the river of life that flows out of me!

Ez 46:16-24

The prince will own the land and wills it to his descendants so it will be their's by inheritance. If the prince wants to give any part of it away to a servant, he can but the land reverts back to the prince at the 50th year so that none of the Lord's people will be separated from his inheritance. From the commentary: The man took Ezekiel out of the inner area. He took him to the priests’ rooms on the north side of the temple. In these rooms, the priests will change their clothes. In them, they will eat the holy sacrifices. At the west end of these rooms will be the kitchens. Here the priests will prepare some types of sacrifices. These sacrifices are particularly holy. That is why the priests must cook them in a separate kitchen. People who are not priests cannot enter this area. Only priests may eat these sacrifices. There will be another four kitchens. They will be in the four corners of the outer area. Each of these kitchens will be 70 feet (21.5 metres) by 52½ feet (16.2 metres). Here the temple servants will cook the sacrifices that the people bring to them. They will cook the peace sacrifices here. The people who bring peace sacrifices may eat part of these sacrifices. Another part of these sacrifices must burn on the altar. And the last part belongs to the priests.

I guess after nearly 5 years of "living on my own" people think I either eat out alot, take out alot or I am a great cook. I can safely say that while besides business dinners, I do not eat out or take out at all but a great cook? I don't think my culinary skills have grown much over the past years so I guess they have become meals of convienence. I do eat better down here - brown rice, wheat pasta, more fish, less meats,etc. I pride myself for having little or no snacks here and now with the Magic Bullet - fruit smoothies are the snack/dessert of choice. Still the weight battle continues as it has over the past 5+ decades - portion control.
Yet life does go on.

Today's my mid-year review so a little apprehension but I do expect a decent to good one, we'll see.

Praise for today: Jesus is my Jubilee!

Ez 46:1-15

The Lord is restoring the Sabbath for its original intent - a day of rest for all. Back in Ezekiel's day, I guess this wasn't the case as they blatantly must have disobeyed this commandment. Nowadays, this seems somewhat difficult to maintain since we are a service society which demands so much. We count on services, stores and restaurants to be open to cater to our needs and wants. In this passage, the prince is the one that sets the stage for worship since he is leader of the people. He will do it on his own and with the people during the special days. Could you imagine the leaders of our country doing it? What a wonderful world it would be!

Good weekend but tiring! Saw the local production of Godspell in the park on Friday after getting a good report from the doctor and a pizza dinner. Went to wedding on Saturday that was a distance away and required an early departure from home - still a long day. Was good to catch up with some people that I haven't seen for decades. Sunday was good since we had a marriage vow renewal ceremony which I was able to sing and share. After all the compliments, I guess I still have it (in their minds). Tons of rain and a lousy commute all around on Sunday. Still good to have the whole family for the weekend and glad GG got home safely.

Praise for today: His strength is perfect!

Ez 45: 18-25

On the first day of the year, the prince is to bring the umblemished young bull for sacrifice and whose blood will cleanse the temple. This also happen on the 7th day of the year to cleanse for unintentional sins by the people. The balance of the chapter speaks of the Passover feast, again marked by eating unleaven bread but the prince will provide the bull(s) and the rams for the sacrifices. He is also responsible for providing for the sin and grain offerings during the Feast.

Leaders are supposed to lead - that's what they do, by vision and example. I guess that as the head of my house I try to do the same. Sometimes I am successful and other times I fail. Still I try and do the best I can. I feel that whatever the age and circumstance I need to "put my two cents" in. What I still have a tough time determining is when to let go and let God. Still learning that aspect of fatherhood. I am proud of my sons - what they have done and accomplished. They have followed their passion and while financial still somewhat dependent upon Irene and myself have been able to carve a niche for themselves. Richness and security take many forms and my prayers for them is that they find both in their own way.

Praise for today: He is my Rock and my Salvation!

Ezekiel 45:13-17

Here it states that the Israelites will be gifts to the prince and it will be his duty to provide the burnt offerings, grain and drink offerings at the festivals, the New Moons and the Sabbaths - at all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel. He will bring the sin, grain, burnt and fellowship offerings to make atonement for the house of Israel. It is his responsibility to bring the offerings on behalf of the people. It appears that these sacrifices are more for an act of worship as well and that the prince will be at the forefront of this.

I guess that there was no seperation of "church and state". The inability to combine the two has led our country and society to go astray especially in this country where the precepts of Christianity founded this land. What a path we have taken... Still there is no other country where I would want to live and that's that.

Going to the gym for the first time in a while. Hopefully, I am truly back on this timezone.

Praise for today: His strength is perfect when ours is gone!

Ez 45: 1-12

Way back when as Israel was being formed, the land was divided among the 11 tribes and the Levitical clan received smaller portions within each division. This time things will be different. There will be a part of the land that is just for the Lord - the temple area 8.3 miles by 6.6 miles. Even that area will be split in half. These land divisions will be for the temple and for housing for the sons of Zadok and also the Levites who will assist them. The land east and west of the square will belong to the prince. Unlike times of old where the leaders had to take from the people, now the prince and his descendants will have their own land and will be just to the people. 9-12 speaks of the need and the mandate to be fair and just. Measures will be normalized and standard rather than arbitrary. God's people must be honest and fair - not just for then but always.

It seems amazing that this was so long in the making. That God finally had a "place" of His own - ironic? and that consistent weights and measures would finally be enacted and maintained. Still, standards and boundaries have had issues over the years from then until now and who knows when the next "claim" of "manifest destiny" will occur. Interesting to see when the markets will stablize rather than bleed over the next few days. We do live in interesting times but hopefully we can recover. Really hope that I and my family will take heed to the markets and "lockdown" to build and save for our future.

Praise for today: He is my provider!

Ez 44:17-31

There is a standard for holiness. That standard must be absolute and without waver, otherwise the standard means nothing. Currently, much of the nation is in uproar about the decline in the US credit rating being downgraded but that of course is subjective and could change again -either way. Still God's holiness and character is not based on a subjective standard that could vary or be scaled for relativity but absolute. Here in Ezekiel, God's priests (now the Levites' sons of Zadok) are now told to wear linen clothes throughout, and maintain shorter but trimmed hair and the steps of "purity" are spelled out. The key to them is their relationship to God as their sole inheritance - they will possess no land, eat the grain, sin and guilt offerings and "everything devoted to the Lord will belong to them". Even how and who they should marry was determined so that they may sustain and thrive.

Overall a decent weekend. Saw "Cowboys and Aliens" with the wife and enjoyed it. Got my Sat morning walk in the park in and did laundry and basically relaxed. Besides my periodic misplacing and finding of my glasses, it was pretty relaxing. Able to sleep without pills albeit still not as early as I would have liked.

Praise for the day: That He is my True North!

Ez 44:1-16

When I first read this passage, I thought it implied Christ but the commentary steered me differently from this given the what would be written later. It states, "The East Gate was a special gate. The Lord had entered the temple by this gate. Only the prince could go into this gate. There he could eat bread in front of the Lord. The prince will be the leader of the people. He will not be Christ because the prince needs to make a sacrifice because of his own sins (45:22). Christ does not need such a sacrifice because he has no sin. Unlike Christ, the prince has natural children (46:16). He will not be a priest but Christ will be the chief priest. Christ will be the king. So, this man will lead the people as Christ orders him.The prince will be from the family of David. He will be a man who will be like David. The prince will love the Lord as David did. And he will serve the Lord as David did. God promised David that his family would rule his people (see 2 Samuel 7:16)."  So... who is this prince???
v 4-5 again we see Ezekiel fall face down in awe, fear and respect since he is in the presence of the Glory of the Lord. As a prophet, he would see the temple and all of it's workings and he must be God's mouthpiece to the people. Foreigners and strangers could be bringing gifts and sacrifices but they could not serve in the temple. The temple that Ezekiel saw could never have foreign gods worshipped there as in their former temple. Those who enter the temple must have circumscion of the heart and body - Christians must only have the heart focus. The Levites who were the priests of God would be stripped of duties and relegated to be servants and guardians given how miserably they shirked their duties and responsiblities. Now this task falls on the sons of Zadok since they have stepped it up.

How this is much different than the way it was in the past! God is not pulling any punches and nor He should. The wakeup call is for all - Jews and Christians that God is Holy and means business!

I am grateful that a) I got to speak to GG last night and pray with him. b) I got my cable to work - it was the power outlet that got fried so when I change the new box I used the old power cable. I gave it a shot with the new one and got it to work! So I was able to cancel the repair and now I can live a normal life... what ever that means. Got 6 straight hours of sleep - so another thing to be praiseful of.

Praise for today: He is a God of second, third, fourth.... chances!

Ez 43:13-27

The measurements of the altar are laid out and described. I guess the whole concept of the gutter system was around as well since it is mentioned. Ezekiel was told to describe the altar to the people which he did. Then God told Ezekiel that there will be rules and regulations for sacrificing burnt offering, sin offering and he described them thus. The number 7 also comes up since it took that long for the priest to finish the sin offerings. It would take that long before the Lord would accept their offerings and finally them.

Wanted to continue this blog, even though it is after dinner and I am whipped!. Still find it hard to acclimate to this time. Hopefully can make the transition this weekend.

Because of inadequate staffing, I will do more than my fair share of work before lumbering back to NJ.

Praise for today: God is loving and kind!

Ez 43:1-12

What a vision! The glory of God coming into the temple from the east and Ezekiel falling face down in awe, honor and respect. Not only did he see the glory but heard His voice. The temple was for the "soles of His feet" and there is where He will dwell forever and restore His plan and holiness among the people. While Ezekiel had been recording all that was before him in regards of the temple both in detail and intent, God tells him to describle the temple to the people of Israel so that they may be ashamed of their sins and follow the regulations and the detail of the design of the temple. The top of the mountain and the surrounding areas will be most holy.

Tough to imagine in words the spectacle that was before him. Phillip Yancey in his book, Rumors of another World often speaks of the inadequacies of words and our minds to fathom God and His power. Still all we can do is imagine.

Prayers for today: still struggling with jetlag and the recent cable box issues. Got a new one yesterday and still doesn't work- now awaiting a service call on mid-day Friday.

Praise for today: He is faithful and just!

Ez 42

One of the important things that was evident as the holy rooms for the priests. They were the north and south rooms across from the temple. v.13 says that the priests who approach the Lord will eat the most holy offerings. There they will be garbed in holy clothes (which have to be left behind in the outer courts) as priests but will have to put on other clothes before they go near the places that are for the people.The man then led Ezekiel to the east gate which measured 875' squared.

Still had a tough time coping with the time change. Hopefully things get better. No gym so far as sleep deprivation wins over flab.

Praise for today: God is always in control!

Getting back in the swing..

Sorry to be away from this for so long. The places we stayed at didn't offer free wi-fi or internet so this blog stayed dormant. It will still take me a while to get back into the swing of things - gym, early morning blogging since my head clock is still screwed up and I am working on very little sleep. That is what a 6 hour time difference will do to you. For me it's still 1AM and I have to be awake and productive. That's a lot to ask from this guy at this stage of his life but time to suck it up and "make the donuts"