Gen 16:7-16

I guess this is the first time that an angel of the Lord appears in the Bible (not counting the fallen one). According to the commentary, either the angel of the Lord or God is mentioned around 70 times. Still this is one for the ages, that God has come down to meet a woman and comfort her and assure her that she, in her own way, will be blessed, comforted and restored despite her being an Egyptian slave. God, through His power and wisdom, has given her the means and the incentive to go back and fulfill her role to Sarai. God was not promising that her life would be a bed of roses but rather that it will have challenges. She would be going back knowing that her place in history and her descendants would be secure and that she had the Lord as an advocate. The name of Ishmael was given to the baby by Abram to give validity to his role as a parent.What is also significant is the well that this all took place. God uses the well to symbolize a place of reconciliation and of promise. If you don't believe me, ask the Samaritan woman.

Looking forward to the end of this day and going home for the weekend. 'nuff said.

Praise for today: The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Ps 121: 7&8

Gen 16: 1-6

In this short passage, several character issues have arisen as we learn more about Abram and Sarai. Abram is weak as a family leader. Rather than trust God would have a remedy for his lack of heirs, he allowed Sarai to convince him that this was a viable way. The child that would come from him would be a special child and must come through the proper channels in order to funnel the nation of Israel and the Messiah. Additionally, Abram did not take the job of pleasing and protecting his wife seriously since Hagar was cruel to Sarai and gave her the responsiblity of handling it.  Sarai, also didn't trust God. I don't think that she had the same relationship with God since the Bible is silent as to any prior dealing that God might have had with her. She was a vengeful woman who once was unleashed became a living hell for Hagar. Sarai missed the boat when she thought that sex was the sole answer to a happy marriage since she blamed Abram for not being appreciative for her intents. Hagar was also a character in her own right with flaws given her ambitions and her malice towards Sarah.

Looks like the start of a either a sitcom or a precursor to the show Divorce Court. I think that total lack of understanding on the part of Abram of God's plan and his inability to ask starts this cascading snowball down the mountain. Still things and people have not changed even as we are versed in what happened thousands of years ago.

Today and tomorrow will be a horror show at work as quarter-end is approaching. I think the lesson learned and applied will be that it is out of my control and God is never going to give me more than I can handle.

Praise for today: But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. Ps 3:3

Gen 15: 7-21

The covenant is something is that is sacred and everlasting or until death do them part. Here was a case where the covenant was not just for a man but his descendants and with God who is eternal. Unlike deeds and title that are written documents that one keeps in a safety deposit box, there was a ceremony that took a special twist. Abram had animals sliced in two and the Lord had a smoking pot between the pieces. Along with fire, the smoking pot passed between the two halves. The Lord laid the plans for the descendants of Abram, not just for the land they are in but in their time in Egypt.

Usually when a covenant is made, there are conditions on both parties. Here the driving force and the promises were coming just from God. Abram just had to trust God and He would do the rest. Our Christian life while is two-way often becomes just uni-directional as we often fail to keep our end of the deal. I often see that in myself and my shortcomings. I just pray that the Spirit leads me daily to come to Him and acknowledge Him in all my ways - every moment.

Praise for today: Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord is Holy. Ps 99:9

Gen 15:1-6

Apparenly, Abram was so against the King of Sodom that he chose not to align or support him in any way. By taking a reward would be tantamount to support so Abram refused to be a part of him and his "evil" empire. The chapter starts with "after that", which to most means that some time has past between 14 and 15. Abram chose God to be his reward and the period of faith and relationship between he and God has now brought him to a new point in his life. In this instance, God chose to be the initiator and called to him in a vision. God felt that the timing of the next phase of Abram's life was ready and that came with numerous testing and interaction that prepared him for this. After all of this, he asked God for a son to carry his name and lineage. While this seems bold, it was only logical and thus the plan for eternity was set.

How often are we timid or bold when we approach the throne of God? Do our requests seem outlandish or noble? Do they mirror the will of God or of ourselves? After reading the Great House of God by Max Lucado, I am convinced that every prayer is precious to Him and He alone will sort out the selfish from the noble. It is our prayers that stoke the furnace and makes His house our home.

Prayers still for my peeps and for Irene who just went through root canal surgery yesterday. I am also praying for the ailing and the lost.

Praise for today: May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. Ps 119: 172

Gen 14: 13-24

Interesting that Abram is now referred to as "the Hebrew". While he by trade was not a physically trained man of combat, he had the means to recruit 318 men that were born in his household to rescue Lot and his family with their possessions. It seems that the 318 had help since there were a bunch of neighboring kings that he defeated. Perhaps the most interesting was the encounter with the King of Salem, Melchizedek - who met him with the communion elements and Abram in turn, gave him a tithe. Apparently, he was more of a priest than a king. The best was the facial that Abram gave the king of Sodom.

Decent but extremely tiring weekend. Leadership meeting, paying respects at the funeral home, Lion King in 3D, church on Sunday and the drive down was worse when you are not feeling well (runny nose, coughing, etc).

Praise for today: Blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand - Gen 14:19

Gen. 14: 1-12

Here was a case of enlightened self interest as friend of mine likes to say. With the areas being controlled by kings of small regions, they often got together to defeat a larger enemy or to plunder an area to maintain their own people. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah banded with a few other kings to form their allegiance and they were attacked by the other four kings. The land was so scattered that there were a lot that fell between the cracks when it came to aligning with a kingdom(s) for protection or support. Abram fell in this case and since his allegiance was to his nephew's welfare he got involved upon knowing that Lot would be affected.

I feel much like Abram when it comes to stuff like that. I don't get involved in the office politics and try just to do the "right thing" except when my peeps get affected. The same is true with politics in general whether it is on a local or national level. Don't get me wrong, I do vote at nearly every election I can and encourage others to do so as well. Perhaps my attititude is based upon apathy or trust that God is still in control and I have very little influence on the matter, after all - I do click "like" on FB to show my opinion... Isn't that enough? ha!

Prayers for Johnny, Pearly, Preston and Mabel as they are going through a tough season. Johnny's dad passed away and I'll be paying my respects tomorrow. Mabel, the baby, has some respiratory issues which required a hospital stay yesterday.

Praise for today: That our Lord restores us, makes His face shine upon us so that we can be saved. From Ps. 80: 19.

Gen 13

A tale of two men - Lot and Abram. Abram had it all - wealth and the Lord on his side. Lot had much too and with their combined wealth, their entourages clashed. It got to the point where "this town isn't big enough for the two of them". So rather than fight it out, Abram did the noble thing and gave Lot the opportunity to branch out on his own and go whereever he wanted. Rather than consult the Lord, Lot chose what was perceived as the "greener pastures". God assured Abram that he would not get second best and what was more important would be with him every step of the way. The man trusted and obeyed and built an altar to the Lord as a sign of faith and appreciation.

How often do we get tempted by the "greener pastures" whether it is a house, job, car or even location, spouse, etc. It is our greed that drives us and our perception rather than our trust and obediance to the Lord. We (and I) need to realize that our God will never give us second best and He will meet all of our needs. Beauty is truly skin deep when measured against the standards of eternity. The other aspect that I think should be mentioned is contentment - are we content in the Lord, or are we trying to "assist" the Lord along the way? I pray that I do trust and obey as well as be content in the Lord and seeking His ways.

Interesting day at work - 3 banks that were downgraded along which was BofA. The significance in that is my small pension is attached to that (via ML) and hopefully that will still be intact when I am ready to retire and draw upon it. The Fed also chose not to follow a path of lower interest rates on excess reserves which would have put a anvil in my industry and maybe my job down the road. Thankful and praiseful.

Praise for today: Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Ps 55:22

Gen 12: 10-20

Canaan was a pretty arid spot so it would not take long for Abram to leave there and head to Egypt where the land was more conducive. We know that God had trusted Abram but it took a while for Abram to trust God. Already the seeds of his character have started to sprout and shows in his cunningness and sense of self preservation. One can make the argument that he told "half truths" but ultimately there is a lack of faith and trust that would lead to a dialogue between Abram and God. In the end, Abram who benefitted from the gifts bestowed upon him left with Sarai while Pharoah suffered.

Prayers for today: praying for Johnny Leon and his family as they grieve the loss of their father. Hope to get to the wake on Sat morning before the leadership meeting.

Praise for today: How great your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts! Ps 92:5

Gen 12: 1-9

Trust is a very unique quality. Some of us like myself hate to move out of our comfort zone. We tend to stay with people that we are accustomed to, eat certain types of food, stay with the same job (albeit a good thing in my case), live in the same neighborhoods and homes. It takes extreme circumstances to push us into something. Marriage is the same thing - trust, especially when two spouses are away is am essential key element to success. The Lord prompted Abram in an audible voice to leave his comfort zone and move. As mentioned yesterday, the Bible only mentions relationships - good and bad with man and God. There must have been much history between Abram and God to prompt such a calling. Unlike putting your trust in man, God never fails and is powerful enough to carry you through. In the case of Abram, he was promised so much yet as he looked around there was nothing to justify his moving and following God - just God. Sometimes, I need to realize that God is enough and the sole reason that I should.

Praise for today: His strength is perfect, when all hope is gone!

Gen 11: 10-32

The balance of the chapter goes through Shem's lineage. While the first born to Shem occurred two years after the flood, the lineage is traced to Abram. As the children are born, the life expectancy of man diminishes as was foretold in 6:3. While these are real people, the Bible doesn't really dwell on their lives - just their lineage. The story of faith doesn't really pick up until we get to Abram. The real plan for Israel doesn't start until v. 27 and goes until 12:9 since the Bible doesn't really concentrate on people who don't have a relationship with God. Terah, Abram's brother and Lot's father, probably didn't have a part in God's plan and died and was buried in Haran.

All in all, good weekend but another wedding Saturday which led to a tiring weekend. Found out I had to move all of my furniture away from the outlets that will be changed today so that was a pain. Hopefully, this will go smoothly and be over today. Good to see all of the kids who have moved away from the NY/NJ area that came back for this wedding. This Saturday is the Leadership meeting at our church so that is another Saturday that I can't chill, ugh!

Praise for today: You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you (Ps 89:8)

Gen 11:1-9

I guess I was mistaken in my last post regarding the language aspect of the world at that time or the timing in 11 preceded the lineage and language aspect of c 10.. The unity and pride of the people were such that it was defining their self worth and their ambitions. They felt their greatness was something that was theirs to grasp and take. Ultimately God saw fit to take that away from them and give them diversity of language and ideas. v 7 was interesting since it expresses the Trinity aspect of God. Thus they started to populate and diversify the world. Also the world has never been unified in mind, spirit and purpose ever since.

When I think about this passage and the outcome I am reminded by a song in the late 60s/early 70s called Everybody's Talkin' by Harry Nilsson which became the theme song for the movie Midnight Cowboy. Looking forward to this weekend and the wedding tomorrow. Daniel is home for this and of course I am looking forward to seeing him. Glad to hear that Irene's dental issues are being resolved. Decided to stay in my apartment for another year rather than move. I guess the "devil you know is better than the devil you don't know". While this is going to cost me $40 more monthly - the cable/internet bill will be unchanged so that will be somewhat manageable. I guess I'll be relegated to try and cut costs elsewhere.

Praise for today: that God has provided such a wonderful weather day for me! praying for traveling mercies for the weekend.

Genesis 10

The world and mankind starts anew.  The three sons of Noah are now the "Adams" of this section of Genesis. Perhaps the point of interest is how fast this all has occurred and how scattered they have become - truly to start nations.Families and tribes became nations and scattered all over. Japheth's sons took over the area around the Meditterean and north towards Europe. Ham's family moved south and into North Africa. His descendants landed in Canaan but they seemed to have a greater influence in the shaping of the Bible and particularly in places like Sodom and Gommorah. Shem’s family comes last in this chapter, although his name comes first in verse 1. We do not know why that is so. Perhaps it is because the Book of Genesis continues with the story of Shem’s descendants. Many of Shem’s descendants moved east. But this list also contains the names of places that are elsewhere. What also is amazing is that language and cultures grew out of this and of course - diversity.

These are real people who started real nations and cultures and languages. Amazing!

Spoke to an old friend (MKM) yesterday who called me out of the blue. Great catching up with him and setting his school up with some places and activities when they come to NYC next month. Hoping to see him in Nov in his area.

Praise for today: He is the Creator of all and is in contol!

Gen 9: 18-29

Bad things do happen to good people. Noah was a good man who did become a farmer and was able to "subdue the land".  Perhaps he was the first to invent or discover wine. He became a slave to his creation and thus revealed his weakness and a lot more. Still one son didn't honor and respect him while the others did. The Bible is unclear how Ham disrespected his father (some speculation was that he had a form of sex with him) but upon Noah regaining his senses, he (through God) cursed the descendants of Ham (the Canaanites) while blessing the other sons and their descendants. We know that Noah was blessed since he lived over nine hundred years and was the last one to do so.

All in all, it was a good day yesterday. Work dinner and got back early enough. While the rent is going up, at least the cable bill won't for the next year.

Praise for today: He loves me more than I could ever love Him!

Gen 9:1-17

Another chapter of promise and hope. Man is given another shot to have dominion of the world and to start again. Litterally the slate had been wiped clean. How many times do I wish I have had to opportunities to have started over, not said the hurtful or spiteful things. I think of all the things that I shouldn't have done and sins that I shouldn't have committed. Still God is a God of second, third .. chances. The promise of that type of worldwide destruction is no longer an option in God's eyes. The chapter also emphasizes the holiness and sanctity of life - especially when it comes to our dietary needs. This section ends with the rainbow and the promise and sign of the covenant between man and God.

Starting to get back into the gym routine. Long day today with a business dinner at a local restaurant. Hopefully I will survive - good company should see me through this as well as a forecasted nice day today. Prayers for Irene and her dental issues.

Praise for today: That my God is a God of second, third and many chances.

Gen 8

This is a beautiful chapter - when you put yourself in Noah's shoes and the world that you know ceases to exist. Some would look at it as despair and uncertainty but this is a chapter of hope and promise. Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and while we were in the area on Sat (for a wedding) and at church on Sunday, I felt safe and secure despite the terrorists warnings. God "remembered" Noah and acted decisively and positively on his behalf. It took over 150 days for the water levels to subside before the ark "settled" down. It seems that the first bird that was sent out was carnivorous so it fed on the dead animals that died during the flood. The second (dove) was not and need to eat vegetation. The olive tree seemed to have survived the flood and was blessed to feed the dove and to prove that it was growing again. The significance of the olive tree was seen in Hosea 14:6 that Israel would be like an olive tree. Despite the limited animals on the ark, Noah sacrificed to the Lord so that He would be honored and pleased.

Enjoyed the weekend despite the tireness, the lack of sleep and the long days before coming back to the apartment. Saw a young girl get married that came to our church and our lives a few years ago and she has been a blessing to me ever since. After they got married and their honeymoon, they will be moving to Buffalo to start a new life. Buffalo's gain is our loss. Still we "survived" the added security of the events yesterday in lower Manhattan and was able to pray with GG last night.

Taught my last SS class for the time being and really enjoyed doing so. Good kids and will hopefully make the right choices. Good service and remembrance at service as well.

Prayers for those who lost loved ones and remembered them yesterday and forever.

Praise for today: God will never give me more than I can handle.

Gen 7

The flood... This chapter was especially poignant given the amount of rains that the eastern seaboard of the US has experienced over the past few weeks. Today, rains and floods can and have caused devastation and destruction. Lives have been changed forever because of it. Not because of anything that could be prevented given the sheer quantity of rains that have fallen in such a short time. Churches and homes that were dedicated suffered with those who are non-believers today. In the times of the chapter, it was particularly devastating since it would cover the whole earth. A ship with all of God's creation apart from a family would start over and flourish. Even the mountains were under water.

Rain is such a fickle commodity - it can make or break a crop and it can help a lawn and plants while cleaning the skies and the land or damage a home beyond repair. The chapter also doesn't mention the hearts of those who were taken in the biblical flood - whether or not they converted.

With this weekend approaching, I am on one hand looking forward to a friend's wedding on Saturday but the location near the 9/11 site may become an issue - especially for transporting stuff. Still God is in control and we will be diligent, particularly when it comes to safety given all of the warnings about a possible terrorist act.
Still it has been a great week down here and am thankful that God has provided this place and Irene to be here to enjoy it. Glad to have GG down here for the first part of the week and looking forward to seeing David later.

Praise for today: Jesus is the Living Water that flows out of me!

Gen 6:9-22

I always wondered why Noah? Was it just from genalogical purposes or was there something special about him? The Bible called him a "righteous" man and that He walked with God. Was he a perfect man? No, but he loved and really cared for God and tried to walk in His ways. It's all about the 'tude and his was geared toward God. God loved him so much that he wanted to save him and his family and the untainted creation (the animals). So many times I've heard the expression that "if you were the only one, God still would have sent Jesus for you". This is the case that He did save the "one" and is the proof that He would do it again. The ark (and the word) is unique since it only appears in this instance but the boat is more than that since he was directed to make rooms in the craft. The provisions that he was instructed to take with him also provided for the animals as well as the family. I often remember the monologue that Bill Cosby did back in the 60s which was hilarious but to the point. Such memories...

Today is another landmark day for me - three miles over the Jimmy Carter speed limit and getting higher. Only plans that are set for tonight is our dinner at Kouzina - Cat Cora's restaurant which has a great fish dish, bronzini. Looking forward to it!

Praise for today: He is faithful and just!

Gen 6:1-8

As the world turns... It seems that even way back then the motto of the day was "beauty is only skin deep". That was the criteria that men married women. The shallowness of their time still persists today as the amount of divorces still reach epidemic proportions. Still, it takes two and the desires of the heart exceed the calling of the Spirit. Some feel that the sons of God were angels but a more realistic explanation would be that they were the sons of Seth while the women came from line of Cain. Still evil persisted in the land to the point where their stench even made God take notice. Rather than allow man to live an inordinate time, God saw fit to limit man's lifespan to 120 years. His patience could be seen in two ways - first the age of man was limited and second the flood which would wipe out the prevailing evilness would take place. Thanks be to Noah, who was the only one that pleased God and was worth saving.

Yesterday was a good day - church, a little shopping, made dinner and chilled. Reached out to a few peeps with the weather and how they will be affected. Heard about another engagement at GFC and congratulated them via FB and reached out to a local friend here to see if they want to connect. Still today, may head out to MK and enjoy the day - if the crowds or the weather is punitive, we'll cut it short and head back tomorrow. The beauty of annual passes!

Prayers today for the peeps that are going to GFC today and help move out the old pews before the new chairs arrive.

Praise for today: His strenght is perfect!

Genesis 5

This is the true lineage of Adam to Christ since it was believed that Cain's descendants were lost in the flood. It is from Seth that we see true men of faith that lived extremely long and prosperous lives. Some of whom are mentioned in various parts of the Bible. It seems like in those days, diseases and health matters were non-existent as their longevity spanned hundreds and hundreds of years. The commentary I used seemed to think that the earth is much older than it is stated in the Bible due to these unknown nature of days and years. What matters is the special relationship that one man had in particular - Enoch. His walk and talk with God is legendary, so much so that God didn't even want him to die but instead took him to glory. Other salient points of the chapter was that Noah meant "rest" -from the burdens of the world and the evil that persisted.

Wow! To live such long lives - the social system would go broke immediately if that were the case today since people would collect SS long before they would kick the bucket. Imagine having to wait a few hundred years to "qualify" for SS! Amazing. Even the jobs we hold would be for centuries rather than decades. Till death do us part would have a lot different meaning. The longer we live, would that mean the longer we would lead productive lives? The "line between the two" would not be a dash between the birthdate and the death date but rather "..." since it seems that it would go on forever.

Glad to be in FL and here in the condo. Daniel was such a treat for Friday and it was good to see him albeit in such a short time. Made swedish meatballs for the first time and it came out really well. Today's church and relaxation after yesterday's long day at EPCOT.

Praise for today: that He gives us the means to live forever with Him through Jesus Christ!

Genesis 4: 17-26

East of Eden, what a great book, movie and tv series! The close of v 16, reminded me again of that work by John Steinbeck. As I start this section of the chapter, what was interesting is  that Cain had a wife. She was nameless and with out origin but still from her came Enoch and it was from the blessing of Enoch that Cain built a city and named it after him.The lineage of Enoch was then spelled out and all of their accomplishments. Lamech's offspring were talented but he and his children were arrogant and proud of their sin. He saw his father Cain as an inspiration and perhaps that is what Jesus was referring to when He said we should forgive 70X7. The chapter ends with Adam and Eve producing Seth ("granted") who also had a son named Enosh. People began to ‘call the Lord’s name’. People began to think about God. That may mean that they prayed to him. It may mean that they talked about him. And they talked also about everything that he did. It may mean that they possibly called themselves ‘the Lord’s people’.

What a progression both of lineage and sin! Still very important to understand that these were real people with real accomplishments and living life sometimes very similar to how we think and feel. God dealt with them then as He is doing now.

Prayers for those still ravaged by HI, and for my peeps. Prayers for Scotty K who will have to go under the knife for his ankle injury seven weeks ago. Prayers also for a safe trip home to NJ and heading down to FL.

Praise for today: that He is God and we are not!