Sunday, February 9, 2014


God said it I believe it. That settles it.     God said it implies the Bible…I believe it implies that you believe and live out everything in the Bible, the "that settles it!" part is like - "I'm done discussing this. Goodbye. Dismissed. Case closed. I have just decided that all further communication on this subject has been terminated so it won't do you any good to try to change my mind." 

     So let’s break it down.    God said it implies the Bible let’s talk about the Bible.  The Bible is made a library a book of books.   The first five books are written down by Moses and others hundreds of years after things happened.   It is written over hundreds of years by many people.  Much of it is not chronological, it skips around.  It is full of poetry, parables, proverbs or wise sayings and symbolism.

The Bible as we know took centuries to be put together   1672 for the church of England.
It was the 400’s for general agreement.

The person credited with dividing the Bible into chapters is Stephen Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1207-1228. While Langton’s isn’t the only organizational scheme that was devised, it is his chapter breakdown that has survived.

Translation difficulties

How sure can we be that the Bible has come through its multiple translations intact? The Hebrew Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Jesus spoke in Aramaic (a language about which we have insufficient information, to say the least) and the Christian Testament was written in Greek. The entire Bible was then translated into Latin, then into old English, then into the dozens of contemporary English translations we have available today (e.g., King James Version, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, etc.).

The Bible was never intended to be a biology, archeology or geology textbook; we know this because our notions of science were not part of the worldview of the cultures that wrote the Bible. Four corners of the earth. in Numbers 15:38. In Ezekiel 7:2 it is translated “four corners” and again in Isaiah 11:12 “four corners.” Job 37:3 and 38:13 as “ends.”  Does the God said it  I believe that settles it work here?

Genesis 1 has the characteristics of a Hebrew poem.  Is it literal 144 hours of creation our does it proclaim the goodness of creator God and his creation.

Do we follow the Law?  Honor the Sabbath?  An eye for an eye? 

According to the Bible in Leviticus we are law breakers, mixed threads, hair cut , beard cut, women wearing men’s clothing.  All of that is said to be an abomination to the Lord.  God said it I believe it that settles it.  Oh yeah, we all should be wearing robes.    

We pick a choose.   

     If we’re reading a parable we should read it as a parable. When we read that Jesus said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers” (Luke 10:30), we miss the point if we start asking what the man’s name was or try to get a description of the robbers or wonder if they left fingerprints. It’s parable, not a newspaper report. Read it like a parable.
     Likewise if something is a hyperbole or an exaggeration we need to read it like a hyperbole. Again, Jesus doesn’t want us to pluck out our eyes or chop off our hands.
     If something is a simile, read it like a simile. If something is a metaphor, read it like a metaphor and so on.
     Some parts of the Bible aren’t meant to be interpreted literally, and we miss the point if we try to read them that way.

     Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye but pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3) But He wasn’t only addressing people who really have two-by-fours protruding from below their foreheads. That’s a pretty small group of people. Rather, He was talking to all of us who have a tendency to put other people down when instead we should be paying attention to our own relationships with God. 
     But of course we all know that. As I said, it’s a matter of common sense.
 
-- OIL ON YOUR HEAD
     For example, in Matthew 6:17-18 Jesus said, “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
     The point Jesus was making, of course, was that we shouldn’t draw attention to ourselves when we fast. We shouldn’t show off how religious we are. So instead of going around all unkempt and disheveled when we fast, we should dress nicely. Look our best, so no one will notice or even suspect that we’re depriving bodies to strengthen our spiritual lives.
     However, what if someone never puts oil on his head except when he’s fasting? What if he only puts oil on his head to draw attention to the fact that he’s fasting? “Good morning Tom. I see your hair’s kinda slick and shinny today. You must be fasting.” Even though that person would be following Jesus’ instructions to a “t,” he would be doing exactly the opposite of what Jesus taught.
     But that doesn’t mean that what Jesus taught doesn’t apply to us today. The part about putting oil on our heads, that changes with the fashions. That may not apply to us directly. The principle, however, is that we shouldn’t show off our piety. And that principle applies to us today as much as it ever applied to anyone. The principle is timeless.
-- SLAVES
     Lets look at another example. Colossians 3:22 says Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything … 150 years ago some people tried to apply this verse directly to life in the United States. Before the Civil War there were those who used this and a few other verses to try to prove that slavery was God’s will. After all, if slavery were abolished no one would be able to obey this biblical mandate.

     The Bible doesn’t endorse slavery, it simply recognizes it as a cultural reality of that time. Paul was speaking to a particular historical situation when he said, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters.” But you and I are not slaves. We don’t own slaves. We live in a different historical situation. So those words don’t apply directly to us.

-- SILENT WOMEN
     Let’s look at another example. This one is a little more controversial, but even the controversy will teach us something valuable.
     In I Corinthians 14:34-35 Paul writes, As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.  Because of these and a few similar verses some Christians say it’s wrong for women to be pastors – or elders or deacons for that matter. And we can see why. The plain sense of these verses says women shouldn’t speak in church. It’s hard to imagine a pastor who stays silent in church – though some people might like to try.
     However, are these verses like the one we just read about slavery? Do they apply to that historical situation but not to us today? After all, they were written to a male dominated society. They were written at a time when women weren’t allowed to be educated or hold positions of civic leadership or in many cases even to own property. In fact, women were basically seen as property themselves.
     We live in a different situation today. Women are free to take out loans and start their own companies and vote and even run for public office. Should they still be silenced in the church?
    

It speaks to the Bible simply as an authoritative rulebook, a manual, a set of mandates or commandments. There are many problems with that viewpoint.

What would happen if we regarded the entire book of Proverbs as commandments meant to be fulfilled literally by God’s people today? We would have to beat stupid people and children (10:13; 14:3; 18:6; 26:3), we must subject lazy people to forced labor (12:24), we must own many oxen if we want to have food to eat (14:4); we must cast lots in order to resolve disputes (18:8); and my favorite, we must commit suicide by slicing our throats if our appetites are too large (23:2). In other scriptures, we would have to gouge our eye or cut off our hand if it causes us to sin (Matthew 5:30).




The spirit versus the letter

Real people,
writing in real places,
at real times,
with agendas,
choosing to include some material,
choosing to leave out other material,
all because they had stories to tell.

In the beginning was the Word and the word was with God and the Word is
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth  Jesus.

John 14:9  Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.  The words of Jesus are words from God because he is God.   Jesus doesn’t say kill your enemies he says love them, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, feed the hungry, don’t judge.  He ignore the Sabbath laws by healing, harvesting grain and eating it.  He turns the world upside down.  He doesn’t say anything about homosexuality but has quite of bit to say about divorce.  He talks a great deal about money and how to use it.  He gets in our business by saying if you think it your doing it.   He defeats evil through his resurrection and promised eternal life.   He readily forgives, touches the untouchables and interacts with those on the edge of society.  He embraces children, parties and wants you to live an abundant life.


Why did God say this?  That sort of thing.

The better question is: Why did people find it important to tell this story?

Followed by What was it that moved them to record these words?

Followed by What was happening in the world at that time?

And then What does this passage/story/poem/verse/book tell us about how people understood who they were and who God is at that time?

And then What’s the story that’s unfolding here and why did these people think it was the story worth telling?

To believe that the Bible is both a library of books and also more than just a library books takes faith. You have to believe that there’s something else going on in these pages, something just below the surface, something that unites all those writers writing over all those years and then all those people making all of those decisions about which of the things those writers wrote belong in the particular arrangement of writings we call the Bible.

These truths about this library and how we got it help us understand what the Bible is and how (not) to talk about it.


They had experiences. They told stories.  They did their best to share those stories and put language to those experiences.

When you approach the Bible, then, you have to start with what you do have, what you do know about it, what it actually is.

The Bible is not an argument, it is a record of human experience. The point is not to prove that it’s the word of God or it’s inspired or it’s whatever-is-the-current-word-people-are-using, the point is to enter in to its stories with such intention and vitality that you find what it is that inspired people to write these books.

There are lots of passages that are quite mysterious, words in the original language we don’t have adequate modern equivalents for, stories that involve practices and rituals we don’t have any context for

The Bible is not God it is not to be worshipped.   It is   a source of abiding spiritual wisdom inspired by God but given us by fallible human beings, to be used in our own growing relationship with the Holy. The Bible is not God, nor is it a substitute for God. For all that is valuable in the Bible, it has limits that impact our ability - and anyone else's ability - to understand it fully, and it requires certain strategies if we would mine it for its deepest gifts


Monday, October 21, 2013

Challenge Learnings



Today is Monday, I completed my food stamp challenge yesterday.  I was able to make my food last and had some left over.  I lost 9 pounds which is good but probably not healthy to lose that much in a week.  My sugar levels remained the same.

My Observations:

·         My week on food stamps is nothing like living on them week after week.   I saw light at the end of the tunnel, and just wanted to be done. I can not imagine doing this long-term. 

·         I am a fairly good cook and I know how to mix foods to make food work

·         I have electricity, a refrigerator, stove and microwave, some people don't.

·         I have a car.

·         I have little stress at home, just me and my wife.  No children to feed, no stress with homework, diapers to change, arguing with teens,  etc.   Having a quiet home gave me time to think with no children hanging on me while trying to cook or plan.

·         I have a flexible job, where I am able usually able to leave to go home and cook lunch. 

·         I do not have to hear children complain of hunger, when they get home from school or at meal times or have to give up my food to provide for children

·         Don’t use a great deal of milk as with families with children.

·         Would have been easier for me to have a whole month of food stamp money at once.  Could have purchased larger size items to be used on other weeks.

·         I observed that everyone thinks where they shop is cheaper,  I wonder where the cheapest store really is and if there really is one.

·         I had a lot of people tell me that they could do this better than me.  My response was , “Go for it”.

·         I know that there is some abuse of the food stamp program, but it is not nearly the majority.  People like to tell the worst case scenario implying everyone does it.   They often make the case that we should do away with food stamps because of abuse.   My question is should we stop sports because some players take steroids?   Should we close banks because some bankers embezzle?  Do we cancel school because some teachers take advantage of students?  Do dishonest politicians mean we end government? Well, maybe, “yes” on the last one .  We can’t judge people based on a few people.

·         There is a great deal of judging what people buy.  It is true healthier choices would be better.  However, we don’t know if a mother is buying a snack for good grades or a birthday party.  Meals in a can or TV dinners may be the answer to quick meals to save time for other family activities.

·         If large corporations that are making billions of dollars in profit would pay a living wage, less people would need government aid.

·         Most of the people KUO serve are working.  There is the belief that those needing food are not working. 

·         Did you know that in September of 2013 there were only 193 families receiving welfare(cash from the government) in Howard County with the average family receiving being $188.60 for the month?  There are 6, 592 receiving food stamps with the average amount for a family being $285.39. http://www.in.gov/fssa/files/counties/MMR-Howard-en-us.pdf     There are some who get a lot more and some a lot less based on income and family size.

·         Remember, “Welfare to Work” that passed congress and was signed by President Clinton on July 1, 1997? ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_Responsibility_and_Work_Opportunity_Act)  With this law welfare recipients have a lifetime benefit of 5 years and then off welfare forever.   Meaning that in Howard County over 6,399 food stamp families have some kind of income(jobs, social security, etc.), while, perhaps, the rest on welfare.

·         With food pantries, Buddy Bags, and meals provided by the Rescue Mission, KUO and area churches.  Hunger would even be greater.

What I learned:
·         Fear of running out of food kept me from eating a lot of food each meal.  I have a better understanding of what it means to be food insecure.  Fear makes you do a lot of things like buy a bag of chips with your last three dollars.

·         In order to make it for the week, my food had to be measured (i.e. 3.5 serving of green beans per small can, Lima beans the same).  Protein was a challenge 2 ounces of tuna or chicken per serving.  This is not all you can eat.

·         I tried to limit carbs as I am a diabetic.  I did have rice a couple of times and pasta a couple of times, they were cheap and filling.  I see why families fill up on mac and cheese etc, more filling for less money.

·         Really wanted fresh fruits and vegetables, was only able to buy iceberg lettuce for 99 cents.  Could not afford anything else. It is difficult to eat healthy with food stamps.

·         All food had to be cooked at home, meaning that time had to be expended to cook.  Did not always have time to come home and cook lunch, resorted to a peanut butter sandwich on the run.

·         A great deal of planning, menus, shopping etc. a person needs to be very organized to be on food stamps, for some that is a struggle.  

·         Contingency plans must be put in place in case food is depleted.   I thought about going to the food pantry or the Rescue Mission to eat.   Did not have to, but thought about it.


Without help from the community; children, senior citizens, veterans and low income families would suffer even more.   Thank you for all you do!!!


Saturday, October 19, 2013

Day 6

Running out of food.  No eggs for breakfast, today.   I had rice, cottage cheese and turnip greens.  For lunch I had chicken soup and a peanut butter sandwich.  For dinner I had Lima Beans and rest of chicken.

For today I used about $3.00 worth of food and consumed about 1000 calories.  Trying to plan for meals tomorrow.  I have one can of pork and beans, one can of tuna,  one can of green beans, 1/2 loaf of bread  some peanut butter, some cottage cheese  so,me macaroni and some cheese.

While it feels like I am running out of food, I just realized that I still have about 1/2 of what I purchased.  Wow,  I have learned a great deal.  Tomorrow evening I will share what I have learned.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Day Five

Breakfast                            Cost       Calories
French Toast 2 slices              .25        270
Cottage Cheese 1/4 cup           .25         45
Total Breakfast .                  .50        315

Lunch Salad
Lettuce 1/10 head                .10              11
1/2 cup butter beans            .19              90
2 oz chicken                        .22             110
1 oz cheese                         .19             100
Cottage Cheese 1/4 cup       .25                45
Total Lunch                         .95             356

Dinner was invited out to dinner couldn't refuse so no numbers to report for dinner. My meal cost $10.00 and had about 1400 calories.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Day Four

Breakfast Cost Calories
2 eggs $0.30 144
cheese 1 oz $0.19 100
1/4 cup cottage cheese $0.25 45
Total Breakfast $0.74 289

Lunch extremely busy day. Normally would have driven through a drive through to eat. Seriously. no time to cook. Should have planned ahead but didn't. Grabbed a peanut butter sandwich at 3:45 PM.
Cost 19 cents and 190 calories(one slice wheat bread and 1 tbls. peanut butter.

Dinner:
turnip greens $0.19 20
Cottage cheese 1/4 cup $0.25 45
Ground Turkey 4 oz $0.44 105
Macaroni $0.11 200
cheese 1 oz $0.19 100
Total Dinner $1.18 470

Total Day 2.11 949

Tomorrow I am going to add more food to increase calories and hopefully nutrition.

Because I only had $30.00 could not buy vegetables and potatoes in quantity. For example I could not purchase a bag of sweet potatoes only individual potatoes making them too expensive. I will p;ost my learning on the last day

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Day Three

Breakfast cost calories
2 Eggs $0.30 144
Cheese 1 oz $0.19 100
Beans1/2 cup $0.19 90
Toast 1 slice $0.05 100
Total breakfast $0.73 434

Lunch 
Chicken 2 oz $0.22 110
Lima Beans 1/2 cup $0.19 90
Bread 1 slice $0.05 100
Total Lunch $0.46 300

Dinner
chicken 2 ounces $0.22 110
Brown Rice 1 cup $0.16 320
Total Dinner $0.38 430
Total Day $1.57 1164

Tried to add a few more calories today. However, I a worried I will run out of food by the weekend by adding more food each meal. I will add more calories tomorrow. A bit tired today.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Day Two

Today I finally made it to the store.  I spent $25.00, I still have $5.00 left.  I went in without a list...probably not wise.  I did decide I would purchase halfway healthy foods. Since I am diabetic, fruit and fruit juices aren't the best.  I decided I would spend about $12.00 on protein, $10.00 on vegetables and $3.00 on carbs.   I went to the produce area and picked up a .99 cent head of iceberg lettuce.  I looked at cauliflower, broccoli, etc.  too expensive.    I found ground turkey on close out, 1.79 for a pound, also found a 5.5 pound chicken on clearance for $4.49.  I thought I could make about 5 meals from the chicken.  I purchased beans, brown rice, green beans, wheat bread, peanut butter, cheese, 1/2 gallon of milk on clearance for .50 for a half gallon.  I also purchased canned tuna, turnip greens and cottage cheese. I decided that I would follow the serving size suggestions on the back of the cans.  I did not know that most cans of beans/vegetables contain 3.5 servings per can.

Here is what I ate today, which includes portion size, cost and calories.
                                              Cost            Calories
Breakfast
2 Eggs      0.30 144
Cheese 1 oz      0.19 100
Total Breakfast      0.49  244
Lunch
Ground Turkey 2 oz        0.22 75
One slice bread        0.05 70
1/2 cup Butter Beans        0.19 90
1/2 cup Turnip Greens        0.19 20
Total Lunch       0.65 255
Dinner
Iceberg Lettuce 1/10 head      0.10 11
Marconi  2 oz dry        0.11 200
Cheese   1 oz       0.19 100
Tuna 1/2 can     0.38 60
Mayo for dressing 1 tbs     0.04 90
Total Dinner      0.82 461

Total Day                     Spent   $1.96    Consumed   960 Calories

Spit lettuce into ten servings, realized I did not have any salad dressing, used Mayo instead as I had it on hand.  Realize not enough calories will add more tomorrow.  Food cost was good, maybe too good.
Lunch ground turkey sandwich, beans, and greens.  Dinner Mac and Cheese with tuna and salad. 

Here is what lunch looked like: