On my way home after watching some of the CCFer's play volleyball (they won both games!), I was struck with a feeling of loss. I will miss everyone at Ryerson; I have grown to truly love them. At that same time, God challenged me. This is the type of love you should have for everyone.
the end.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
BS - Samson: A Privileged Birth
I want to dedicate this first section on the events leading to the birth of Samson. It is very unique for any character in the Bible to have a birth story, so to not spend some time on it would be a serious mistake on my part. This section focusses on: Judges 13.
First thing to note is that Samson's birth should be considered a miraculous birth. I'm not only talking about the angel coming to visit. But the wife (no name mentioned) was barren. I would venture to say that Samson is to do some pretty important stuff in his life time. As other births in the bible from barren women: Sarah -> Isaac, Rebekah -> Jacob, Rachel -> Joseph, Hannah -> Samuel have led to important figures that have done incredible things for God. The announcement by an angel highlights that idea further: Elizabeth -> John the Baptist, Mary -> Jesus.
When the angel of God appeared, he said that Samson is to be a Nazirite by birth and that He would begin to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines. (Jdg 13:5)
What does it mean to be a Nazirite? (This will be important later in subsequent posts)
A Nazirite is someone who is set apart for God. They have guidelines to follow:
1. They are not to touch the dead (i'm not 100% sure on this one...so I won't comment)
2. They are not to engage in drinking (so that anything that leaves their lips would not be considered drunken folly, but the Spirit of the Lord speaking through them)
3. They are not to cut their hair (this one...I ASSUME so that people KNOW that you're a Nazirite)
Also, the angel of the Lord leaves a prophecy...Samson is called to begin the deliverance of the Israelites from the Philistines.
For the rest of the post I want to focus on the interaction between the man of God, Manoah, and His wife.
So let's break down the events as they happen: (Jdg 13:1-25)
Angel appears to wife
Angel tells wife that she will have son, tells her what is expected of child
Wife tells Manoah, that a man of God (very awesome looking) visited her (did not know name or where he came from)
Wife repeats what Angel tells her to Manoah
Manoah prays for man of God to return
God listens
Angel reappears to wife (husband not there)
She goes gets him
Manoah comes, asks angel what to do
Angel repeats what was said earlier
Manoah makes burnt offering to Angel
Angel refuses, tells to offer to God
Manoah asks for name of Angel
Angel doesn't say
Angel does wonders to them
Angel ascends to heaven in flames of altar
Manoah realizes that it was an angel
Manoah freaks out, "We're gonna die!"
Wife logics it out
Wife gives birth to Samson
The Spirit of the lord began to stir in Samson
So what does this series of events tell us?
Manoah and his wife probably thought the angel was a prophet or a messenger. The realization dawns on them once v.21 rolls around. It's interesting to note that the wife was more rational than Manoah who kind of freaked out when He realized the man of God was an angel. Also, God makes a point of having the angel visit the wife not once but twice....instead of directly meeting with Manoah. So I'm seeing that there could be a possible significance for this, but I don't really feel comfortable making a statement on it. The wife's name isn't even noted.
The idea of Samson being set apart for God as a Nazirite is really emphasized in these passages. It is told in the beginning to the wife (v.4-5), the wife repeats it to Manoah (v.7), and the angel repeats it to Manoah (v.14). This will become a major point when we talk about Samson's shortcomings in a later post.
Finally, I want to talk about the home situation that Samson would find himself in. Manoah and his wife seem like God-fearing people. There are no weaknesses listed for either. The reaction that Manoah has is typical of people when realizing they are in the presence of angels/God. (That is why the angels are always "Do not Fear!" when they appear.). Manoah prays for the angel to return, and God answers his prayers (v.8). They offer burnt and grain offerings which God accepted (v.23). The wife demonstrates a desire to follow the commands listed out by God (v.23). Thus, it sounds like Samson is coming up from a strong Christian household. The Lord blesses Him and the Spirit of the Lord comes down upon him.
I would consider a lot of Judges 13 as setting the stage for the rest of Samson's life and ministry. If you know me in person, I typically like to focus on setting time for application of what we observe in the passages. That will come in time, so don't worry...I haven't forgotten!
I'll try to post my next section in the upcoming week!
God bless,
Richard
First thing to note is that Samson's birth should be considered a miraculous birth. I'm not only talking about the angel coming to visit. But the wife (no name mentioned) was barren. I would venture to say that Samson is to do some pretty important stuff in his life time. As other births in the bible from barren women: Sarah -> Isaac, Rebekah -> Jacob, Rachel -> Joseph, Hannah -> Samuel have led to important figures that have done incredible things for God. The announcement by an angel highlights that idea further: Elizabeth -> John the Baptist, Mary -> Jesus.
When the angel of God appeared, he said that Samson is to be a Nazirite by birth and that He would begin to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines. (Jdg 13:5)
What does it mean to be a Nazirite? (This will be important later in subsequent posts)
A Nazirite is someone who is set apart for God. They have guidelines to follow:
1. They are not to touch the dead (i'm not 100% sure on this one...so I won't comment)
2. They are not to engage in drinking (so that anything that leaves their lips would not be considered drunken folly, but the Spirit of the Lord speaking through them)
3. They are not to cut their hair (this one...I ASSUME so that people KNOW that you're a Nazirite)
Also, the angel of the Lord leaves a prophecy...Samson is called to begin the deliverance of the Israelites from the Philistines.
For the rest of the post I want to focus on the interaction between the man of God, Manoah, and His wife.
So let's break down the events as they happen: (Jdg 13:1-25)
Angel appears to wife
Angel tells wife that she will have son, tells her what is expected of child
Wife tells Manoah, that a man of God (very awesome looking) visited her (did not know name or where he came from)
Wife repeats what Angel tells her to Manoah
Manoah prays for man of God to return
God listens
Angel reappears to wife (husband not there)
She goes gets him
Manoah comes, asks angel what to do
Angel repeats what was said earlier
Manoah makes burnt offering to Angel
Angel refuses, tells to offer to God
Manoah asks for name of Angel
Angel doesn't say
Angel does wonders to them
Angel ascends to heaven in flames of altar
Manoah realizes that it was an angel
Manoah freaks out, "We're gonna die!"
Wife logics it out
Wife gives birth to Samson
The Spirit of the lord began to stir in Samson
So what does this series of events tell us?
Manoah and his wife probably thought the angel was a prophet or a messenger. The realization dawns on them once v.21 rolls around. It's interesting to note that the wife was more rational than Manoah who kind of freaked out when He realized the man of God was an angel. Also, God makes a point of having the angel visit the wife not once but twice....instead of directly meeting with Manoah. So I'm seeing that there could be a possible significance for this, but I don't really feel comfortable making a statement on it. The wife's name isn't even noted.
The idea of Samson being set apart for God as a Nazirite is really emphasized in these passages. It is told in the beginning to the wife (v.4-5), the wife repeats it to Manoah (v.7), and the angel repeats it to Manoah (v.14). This will become a major point when we talk about Samson's shortcomings in a later post.
Finally, I want to talk about the home situation that Samson would find himself in. Manoah and his wife seem like God-fearing people. There are no weaknesses listed for either. The reaction that Manoah has is typical of people when realizing they are in the presence of angels/God. (That is why the angels are always "Do not Fear!" when they appear.). Manoah prays for the angel to return, and God answers his prayers (v.8). They offer burnt and grain offerings which God accepted (v.23). The wife demonstrates a desire to follow the commands listed out by God (v.23). Thus, it sounds like Samson is coming up from a strong Christian household. The Lord blesses Him and the Spirit of the Lord comes down upon him.
I would consider a lot of Judges 13 as setting the stage for the rest of Samson's life and ministry. If you know me in person, I typically like to focus on setting time for application of what we observe in the passages. That will come in time, so don't worry...I haven't forgotten!
I'll try to post my next section in the upcoming week!
God bless,
Richard
Friday, February 22, 2008
BS - Samson : Opener
Today, I read Judges 13-15. It probably is more well-known as the story of Samson and his story as a Judge for Israel. I have come to realize there are a lot of cool things that can be said about Samson and his walk with God. That being said, I want to break it down for some of y'all that visit my blog....feel free to add in your own insights. I'll start with a general outline and opening thoughts..and I'll figure out how many sessions I'll break it down into.
There is a recurrent theme in Judges:
Israelites stray away from God
God allows enemies to conquer Israelites
Israelites cry out for a deliverer
God provides deliverer
Israelites worship God again.... rinse and repeat
In a sentence:
I would say that Samson demonstrates that God can use anyone for His work. I would also say that Samson kind of epitomizes the verse in James 4:4, that is choose God or choose the world, you can't have citizenship in both.
There is a recurrent theme in Judges:
Israelites stray away from God
God allows enemies to conquer Israelites
Israelites cry out for a deliverer
God provides deliverer
Israelites worship God again.... rinse and repeat
In a sentence:
I would say that Samson demonstrates that God can use anyone for His work. I would also say that Samson kind of epitomizes the verse in James 4:4, that is choose God or choose the world, you can't have citizenship in both.
Post-Retreat Thoughts
So this past weekend, our fellowship had its retreat at Mill Streams Bible Camp. Accommodations and food were okay. It had a large meeting area which was a definite plus. And it had plenty of snow, but I don't think you can claim that as a perk of a camp.
Things that God told me through prayer:
- I am to work in the Mississauga/Toronto area - so that I can reach out to family and friends. (No, working in Calgary/Vancouver for me!) (This is for at least 2 years)
- I have to get back on the ball with personal bible study
- Stop evaluating others critically, rather support my fellow brothers and sisters. (Romans 14)
- Love everyone, including those that are unlovable.
Prayers Answered:
- Drive safely
- Danielle Leung gets to come
- Pass Mid-term (the one I took right before I left for retreat... granted, not by much...since I didn't study....thanks God for the bail outs)
- More spiritual conversations
- Talk to friend that I felt was struggling
Where to go from here?
I have been deeply encouraged by what I saw at retreat. I know that there are brothers and sisters who are developing their faith. I am both glad that this is so, and saddened, knowing that this is probably my last retreat. All in all, it was fun. I could see God working in some of their lives. I can only say some right now...I want the whole fellowship to experience Him and be 100% on fire for Him. :D
On another note,
What to do with this blog... I decided maybe I'll try to add in a bible studyish element to it. More to come! :D
Things that God told me through prayer:
- I am to work in the Mississauga/Toronto area - so that I can reach out to family and friends. (No, working in Calgary/Vancouver for me!) (This is for at least 2 years)
- I have to get back on the ball with personal bible study
- Stop evaluating others critically, rather support my fellow brothers and sisters. (Romans 14)
- Love everyone, including those that are unlovable.
Prayers Answered:
- Drive safely
- Danielle Leung gets to come
- Pass Mid-term (the one I took right before I left for retreat... granted, not by much...since I didn't study....thanks God for the bail outs)
- More spiritual conversations
- Talk to friend that I felt was struggling
Where to go from here?
I have been deeply encouraged by what I saw at retreat. I know that there are brothers and sisters who are developing their faith. I am both glad that this is so, and saddened, knowing that this is probably my last retreat. All in all, it was fun. I could see God working in some of their lives. I can only say some right now...I want the whole fellowship to experience Him and be 100% on fire for Him. :D
On another note,
What to do with this blog... I decided maybe I'll try to add in a bible studyish element to it. More to come! :D
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Grace
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10.
This is one of the standard verses often used in evangelism. Despite being Christian for so long, it still rocks me to my core. I think many people see salvation as follows:
You --> Good Works --> Eternal Life.
Whereas, the view for Christianity is:
You --> Eternal Life --> Good Works.
A free gift, that we only have to accept. :)
Ephesians 2:8-10.
This is one of the standard verses often used in evangelism. Despite being Christian for so long, it still rocks me to my core. I think many people see salvation as follows:
You --> Good Works --> Eternal Life.
Whereas, the view for Christianity is:
You --> Eternal Life --> Good Works.
A free gift, that we only have to accept. :)
My Long Week of Random Events
Feb 4th - Monday:
Met up with a person for a presentation on the next day. Talked with her for a while about how we could discuss the article we were to present. Later that night, she drops the course. Prayed for a miracle and that I would be okay... semi-winging the presentation. Also had to finish a paper that night for the same course.
Feb 5th - Tuesday:
Miracle presentation, managed to pull it off with little to no slip ups. Prof marks fast - got an A on both the paper and presentation. The next course of the day, the prof brought cookies for the class. Then my parents came downtown, so I had a ride home. We bought stuff from MEC.
Feb 6th - Wednesday:
Was supposed to meet my pastor. He didn't make it on account of the snow. Funny thing is I walked up to the church in foot-high snow, and the moment I reached the doors of the church...the snowplows started plowing the church parking lot. Drove to CCF that night, the ride there was pleasant. The ride home wasn't...took way longer. It was a bible study on Peter and Paul, but sadly we could only study one. So I was in the Peter group. When I got home, I shoveled the driveway. My mom then suggested that I go shovel the driveway of my aunt and uncle's place...which I did. I drove the matrix there, but my car got stuck in the snow on the way home...and it was pretty lame. I prayed for salvation, and God sent a guy to teach me to use the floor mats in my car for traction under the wheels. Fun times.
Feb 7th - Thursday:
Went to school for prayer meeting. Prayed with Dave. Fun times...not many people made it out, because there was tons of snow again. We thought the school may be closed, but it wasn't. So I diligently waited in the Cooksville parking lot for a GO Bus...waited 40 minutes with another 100 or so more people. As soon as I got on the bus (standing room only), another bus pulled up...and I felt dry. Played a lot of settlers that day, too. (They have settlers at the CCF Office now.) Went home. I met up with Alan to talk about Christianity and stuff...we learned more about each other. Secrets. Stayed up late finishing a paper due Friday, was talking with my friend over msn about it. Funny things happen staying up late doing work.
Feb 8th - Friday:
Went to school for a bunch of things. I sat around at the CCF office for most of the day, pretending to do work, but not really doing it. For dinner, I went out with a friend. It was good convo time, she's quite random. She paid too, bonus points for her. On the way home, I forgot that I left my water bottle in the class room...(I recently purchased it from MEC, see Tuesday)...so I had to go back. I got stopped by a chinese fellow who started speaking to me in canto. Through careful deliberation and sheer luck I deduced that he was not from around here, and wanted money to take a bus back to stouffville. I am very wary of these things, but I gave him some money anyways (not that it was enough to buy a ticket...but all I could spare at the time?). I got my water bottle, and I was thinking that maybe he was for real. So I decided that if I ran into him again, I would give him enough for a ticket. But alas, no such luck. Upon further contemplation, I debated that I could have just walked with him to Union and PURCHASED the one way ticket to stouffville... so from now on I will think. Furthermore, on this day....one of the guys I meet with on Thursday nights, he couldn't make it the past two weeks. I challenged him about it, and he will no longer be attending. I am saddened by it, but at the same time feel that I should be more concentrating on Alan.
------
Why the whole dialog? I dunno, just to keep up with what's going on with me....but a major theme I saw running throughout this week...was the sets of two's things kept coming in...
random -> Some guy was singing the fresh prince of bel air opening theme outside of eaton's centre at the dundas and yonge intersection...he was singing into his phone. Yet, on that same day..the person sitting in front of me on the GO bus, was watching fresh prince on his laptop.
patience -> The walking up to the church, and getting owned by snowplows.
The waiting in line for the GO bus, and getting owned by impatience.
meeting -> This failed attempt at meeting with my pastor was the 2nd attempt. So I will try to meet him after the reading week.
My interpretation: Third time's a charm? God will tell me something with the third incident, so I have to wait on that.
In conclusion, I still feel like I am a really selfish Christian. A person that prays for himself and thinks of himself solely. At the same time, I wonder how I balance out doing things that strengthen yourself as a Christian and serving others? Or are these things supposed to be one and the same?
More thoughts to come, stay tuned.
Met up with a person for a presentation on the next day. Talked with her for a while about how we could discuss the article we were to present. Later that night, she drops the course. Prayed for a miracle and that I would be okay... semi-winging the presentation. Also had to finish a paper that night for the same course.
Feb 5th - Tuesday:
Miracle presentation, managed to pull it off with little to no slip ups. Prof marks fast - got an A on both the paper and presentation. The next course of the day, the prof brought cookies for the class. Then my parents came downtown, so I had a ride home. We bought stuff from MEC.
Feb 6th - Wednesday:
Was supposed to meet my pastor. He didn't make it on account of the snow. Funny thing is I walked up to the church in foot-high snow, and the moment I reached the doors of the church...the snowplows started plowing the church parking lot. Drove to CCF that night, the ride there was pleasant. The ride home wasn't...took way longer. It was a bible study on Peter and Paul, but sadly we could only study one. So I was in the Peter group. When I got home, I shoveled the driveway. My mom then suggested that I go shovel the driveway of my aunt and uncle's place...which I did. I drove the matrix there, but my car got stuck in the snow on the way home...and it was pretty lame. I prayed for salvation, and God sent a guy to teach me to use the floor mats in my car for traction under the wheels. Fun times.
Feb 7th - Thursday:
Went to school for prayer meeting. Prayed with Dave. Fun times...not many people made it out, because there was tons of snow again. We thought the school may be closed, but it wasn't. So I diligently waited in the Cooksville parking lot for a GO Bus...waited 40 minutes with another 100 or so more people. As soon as I got on the bus (standing room only), another bus pulled up...and I felt dry. Played a lot of settlers that day, too. (They have settlers at the CCF Office now.) Went home. I met up with Alan to talk about Christianity and stuff...we learned more about each other. Secrets. Stayed up late finishing a paper due Friday, was talking with my friend over msn about it. Funny things happen staying up late doing work.
Feb 8th - Friday:
Went to school for a bunch of things. I sat around at the CCF office for most of the day, pretending to do work, but not really doing it. For dinner, I went out with a friend. It was good convo time, she's quite random. She paid too, bonus points for her. On the way home, I forgot that I left my water bottle in the class room...(I recently purchased it from MEC, see Tuesday)...so I had to go back. I got stopped by a chinese fellow who started speaking to me in canto. Through careful deliberation and sheer luck I deduced that he was not from around here, and wanted money to take a bus back to stouffville. I am very wary of these things, but I gave him some money anyways (not that it was enough to buy a ticket...but all I could spare at the time?). I got my water bottle, and I was thinking that maybe he was for real. So I decided that if I ran into him again, I would give him enough for a ticket. But alas, no such luck. Upon further contemplation, I debated that I could have just walked with him to Union and PURCHASED the one way ticket to stouffville... so from now on I will think. Furthermore, on this day....one of the guys I meet with on Thursday nights, he couldn't make it the past two weeks. I challenged him about it, and he will no longer be attending. I am saddened by it, but at the same time feel that I should be more concentrating on Alan.
------
Why the whole dialog? I dunno, just to keep up with what's going on with me....but a major theme I saw running throughout this week...was the sets of two's things kept coming in...
random -> Some guy was singing the fresh prince of bel air opening theme outside of eaton's centre at the dundas and yonge intersection...he was singing into his phone. Yet, on that same day..the person sitting in front of me on the GO bus, was watching fresh prince on his laptop.
patience -> The walking up to the church, and getting owned by snowplows.
The waiting in line for the GO bus, and getting owned by impatience.
meeting -> This failed attempt at meeting with my pastor was the 2nd attempt. So I will try to meet him after the reading week.
My interpretation: Third time's a charm? God will tell me something with the third incident, so I have to wait on that.
In conclusion, I still feel like I am a really selfish Christian. A person that prays for himself and thinks of himself solely. At the same time, I wonder how I balance out doing things that strengthen yourself as a Christian and serving others? Or are these things supposed to be one and the same?
More thoughts to come, stay tuned.