Clement's First Letter to God's Community at Corinth - Section 2

                On top of all of this, you all were prime examples of humility being not at all arrogant. None of you had to have it your own way - you were all givers instead of takers. What God had given you was enough since your meditation and practice of his way - especially of how he had suffered for you - filled you from the inside out. Because of this, you all received an obvious and plentiful peace. You all constantly wanted to do more good and the Holy Spirit empowered everyone of you to do so. All of your minds were so focused on God's greater plans that, if anyone did make a mistake and acted wrongly, then that one would turn to our powerful God with honest remorse and confidently seek his mercy to right the situation. With every waking hour, you all sincerely desired that everyone who would be a part of God's community would be freed from brokenness and set right by his mercy. You all were genuine without faking it in any way - forgiving each other in every situation. Arguments causing divisions and the forming of cliques were not acceptable to any of you. When anyone's neighbor acted wrongly, you all felt the pain of it as if their weaknesses were your own. Each of you was constantly at the ready to go and do something good without complaining about being called to performing any act of kindness. Every one of you sported a good character and devoted life, being consistently mindful of God's will in everything any of you did. Each of you demonstrated that the words of our Lord had impacted you deeply and were a part of your very being.

Clement's First Letter to God's Community at Corinth - Section 1

Explanatory note: I was finally able to pick up the 38 volume Early Church Fathers series (a rearrangement of the Edinburgh collection of translations) for personal study/devotional time. Tonight I felt like doing a paraphrase of the first "chapter" of the "first" epistle of Clement to the Corinthians and I feel like posting it here. I'd like to do this again, so I probably will. It helps me to meditate on the content if I paraphrase as I go. Also, even though I'm busy with work, I miss blogging.

Those of God's community who are, for but a brief time, in Rome, to those of God's community who are, for but a brief time, in Corinth - all of you who are right now being set apart for the special service to which each of you is called by God's will, which can operate in all of us through our Lord, Jesus, the One who has always been set apart:

                May God look upon all of you favorably and, from his unending power, cause peace to grow in you all through Jesus, the One set apart.

                A recent series of unfortunate events has delayed us in addressing your questions. We specifically regret the delay in our responses concerning the embarrassingly disgusting (especially to those whom God has set apart) mutiny begun by those who have gotten cocky and rushed blindly into starting up a big fuss that has greatly damaged your good reputation - a reputation which ought to have been admired by everyone. Seriously, hadn't everyone - even those who had barely met you all - seen how real your faith was and how productive it had been in making you all grow strong in character? Who didn't admire the clear and sensible thinking that came with your being made more like the One who has always been set apart? Who didn't brag on you all about what great hosts you consistently were? Who didn't get excited about the perfect and well-founded knowledge you all have? You all did everything without worrying about anyone's "status." Together, you followed God's directions all the way, even when that meant obeying authorities with whom you may not have readily agreed, and you all showed proper respect to the leaders God had placed in your lives to help you learn more about and follow him. You all encouraged clear, rational thinking in your young men. You all taught every married woman among you to do everything justly - keeping a clean conscience in mind - and to respect her marriage by loving her husband and by making thoughtful, appropriate decisions for the household.

Marked By Our Owner

Back when I was a kid, mom would have me write my name or initials on my toys, games, and jackets to distinguish them as my belongings. This was a good strategy for actually going home from school, sitters', play-dates, parks, school, etc. with what belonged to me and for avoiding fights with kids who wanted to insist that what you brought was theirs since they had one just like it at home. Granted, this strategy drastically decreased the later collector's value but at least it solved some problems. By bearing my mark, the item was identified as mine and, therefore, revealed a little about me.

I was reading in Luke's Gospel this morning and came to a revelation. The section I read was Luke 20:20-26 where some spies for the teachers of the law go to Jesus to try and trick Him by asking about paying taxes to Caesar. The scene ends with the classic "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." I have heard many interpretations of this, usually only along the lines of financial responsibility. However, if you step back to verse 24, then you can see that Jesus asks an important question that provides the true key to His answer.

"Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?"

Jesus identifies the money with Caesar - it is his, give it to him. Then He tells us to give to God what belongs to Him. We can take from the context that this means that whatever bears God's image and inscription belongs to Him and should thus be given. Now what bears God's image?

"So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." - Genesis 1:27

30 Days of Thanks - Day 30 - Marc Summers

I know it is a little strange to be thankful for that guy who hosted a game show in the '80s and '90s but hear me out on this one because the man deserves some sort of award. Yes, Marc Summers was the host of my favorite game show as a kid - Double Dare. The sloppiest quiz show on television, Double Dare had a lengthy run and a few spin-offs. The highlights of the show were the physical challenges and obstacle course at the end that resulted in everyone being either slimed, pied, or just plain messy in some of the most awkward ways imaginable. My memory brings about images of human burritos, finding a flag while picking a gigantic nose, and a chocolate-covered slide into a giant sundae. It was messy, funny, and enough to keep the kids (and parents) interested.

So, sure, it was a good show but Marc was also a good host. He would dive right in to the fray and had a way of describing the action like a serious sports announcer despite the oddity of the scene. What makes him worthy of mention in the 30 Days of Thanks is that Marc Summers, who would often end up like this

had an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that made him want everything to be neat and tidy and orderly and "just so".

Marc should be an inspiration to us when we are facing something we really do not want to do - something that would require us to leave our comfort zones. His success was derived from his ability to take a big step into that which he despised just to bring some entertainment and joy to others. He is an example of what can be done if we will put our desire in something greater than our fears.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 29 - The Mark Challenge

This past Sunday night we issued our middle school students a challenge to read the entire Gospel According to Mark in one month (actually 26 daily readings with some flex-time built in so they can catch up if something happens). They were to have started yesterday and we will meet up with them sometime after the end to have a discussion group. Their small-group leaders (me and the girls' group leader), will also check up with them during small-group time on Sundays. Along with this we produced a packet for the daily readings with study questions. I wrote the initial questions back in October and we did some major editing (trimming material to keep what was most important and to organize it into a usable format) to finalize everything last week.

I was thankful that we had so many BOYS who were EXCITED about this challenge! My past experience is that getting boys (of any age) to be excited about reading and answering questions is kind of like getting myself excited about going grocery shopping with mom - it just does not happen. I was also thankful to have a wonderful head youth pastor who was thrilled about doing this and who helped bring it to its 'final' state. I am also thankful for this concept of communal reading, study, and sharing. I think the Mark Challenge will be a great experience for these kids, many of whom will be reading an entire book of the Bible on their own for the first time! I also think that the kids' answers to the questions will give us (the leaders) a better idea of where they are at so that we can better serve them! I am looking forward to what this challenge brings!

For those who would like to join us in reading or adapt and use the questions for their own study, I will post it below. There are some typos we came across after the final printing but nothing that detracts from the point. Enjoy!

The Mark Challenge

__DAY 1 (1:1-20)

1. How did the way John the Baptist live connect to his mission?
2. Why was it important that Jesus was baptized?
3. What does it mean to be a “fisher of men”?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 2 (1:21-45)

1. What was different about the way Jesus taught?
2. Why wouldn’t Jesus let the demons speak or tell people who he was?
3. Read 1:35-39 again. What is the significance of this passage? What did Jesus get from prayer?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 3 (2:1-22)

1. Whose faith is Jesus responding to in 2:1-12 and what is significant about this? What is important about what Jesus does here?
2. What does Jesus mean in 2:17?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 4 (2:23-3:19)

1. What is significant about 2:23-28 and 3:1-6?
2. Were Jesus and his followers breaking the rules?
3. Why/why not (think about 2:25 and 3:4)?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 5 (3:20-35)

1. Do you think we become a house divided in our own lives when we talk bad about, or have a bad attitude towards our friends, family, or even church leaders? How does this affect a group?
2. What does Jesus say about being a part of his family?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 6 (4:1-34)

1. Explain the parable of the sower (4:1-20) in your own words.
2. What does 4:24 mean?
3. What do the parables in this section mean to you?
4. Why use parables as a teaching tool?
5. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
6. Questions and Comment

__DAY 7 (4:35-5:20)

1. What was Jesus getting at in 4:40?
2. What’s interesting about how Jesus handled the situation with the demon possessed man? Why do you think he handled it this way?
3. Why do you think the people wanted Jesus to leave after seeing the man healed (think also about where Jesus was at this point and what those people farmed)?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 8 (5:21-43)

1. Why do you think Jesus wanted to know who had touched him and been healed in the crowd?
2. How would you have reacted to the crowd’s response in 5:40? Why did Jesus put them out of the room and then tell those who were still in their not to tell others what had happened?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 9 (6:1-29)

1. Why were the people offended by Jesus in his hometown? What was the big deal? Why did this affect the miracles performed there?
2. What do you think about Jesus’ instructions to the Twelve? What does that have to do with having faith?
3. John spoke the truth even knowing what might happen to him, what is the lesson in this for us?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 10 (6:30-56)

1. What does the feeding of the 5,000 tell you about God?
2. Why does Mark connect the feeding with Jesus walking on water in 6:52?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 11 (7:1-30)

1. How can our own traditions/activities/customs/lifestyles get in the way of truly following God even if they seem good?
2. What does Jesus mean when he says that it is what comes out of a person that makes them unclean? (hint: He is not talking about going to the restroom)
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 12 (7:31-8:21)

1. Why did Jesus not want the deaf-mute man and his friends to tell anyone about his healing?
2. What did Jesus mean about the “yeast of the Pharisees”? How does this connect to them asking for a sign?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 13 (8:22-38)

1. Why do you think the man in 8:22-26 was healed in stages instead of immediately?
2. What do you think was going on in the disciples’ minds during 8:27-33?
3. Why is Jesus’ response in 8:34-38 significant? What does he mean?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 14 (9:1-29)

1. What do you think the disciples were thinking when all of this was going on?
2. Why do you think they said, “it was good for us to be here” (v.5)?
3. What was keeping the deaf and mute spirit from being driven away?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 15 (9:30-50)

1. Why would the disciples argue about who would be greatest? How does this show a misunderstanding about who Jesus is and why he came? How does Jesus correct this misunderstanding?
2. What’s the big picture of 9:38-41?
3. Why does Jesus use such extreme imagery in 9:42-50? What does he want us to understand?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 16 (10:1-31)

1. What do you think 10:15 means?
2. In your own words, how would you explain 10:23-31? How do you feel about what Jesus says here?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 17 (10:32-52)

1. What were James and John actually requesting (besides seats)? What was Jesus suggesting in his response? How does this connect to 10:41-45?
2. Why would people try to turn someone away from calling out to Jesus? How did blind Bartimaeus demonstrate faith? How did he respond to what Jesus did for him?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Question and Comments

__DAY 18 (11:1-33)

1. How would you react if Jesus told you to do what he told his disciples in 11:2-3?
2. Was it wrong for Jesus to do what he did in the temple courts? What was going on there?
3. What’s important about what Jesus says in 11:25?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 19 (12:1-27)

1. What is the meaning of the parable in 12:1-12? Why did the leaders know it was directed toward them?
2. What is the importance of 12:13-17?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 20 (12:28-44)

1. What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? What about loving your neighbor as yourself? How can you put this into practice? Why are these more important than any sacrifices?
2. What did Jesus have to say about the teachers of the law and how does this contrast with what he says about the widow’s offering?
3. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
4. Questions and Comments

__DAY 21 (13:1-37)

1. What does Jesus mean about us being alert?
2. Knowing what we know about the end, how should we live today?
3. How should this chapter motivate us?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 22 (14:1-31)

1. Why was it important for the woman to do what she did in 14:1-9? Why were the others so mad at her?
2. Why do you think the disciples responded as they did in 14:19 to the news that Jesus would be betrayed?
3. How would you react to Jesus’ statement in 14:27? Could you see yourself thinking like Peter here?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 23 (14:32-72)

1. Have you ever come up against a tough situation that you didn’t want to face? Why is it important that Jesus said “not what I will, but what you will”?
2. Why did the high priest take what Jesus says in 14:62 as evidence against him?
3. Like Peter, have you ever betrayed or let down someone you cared about? How did it feel? What did you do about it afterward?
4. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?
5. Questions and Comments

__DAY 24 (15:1-20)

1. Why was Pilate amazed at Jesus’ silence?
2. Why do you think people were willing to release a murderer instead of Jesus?
3. How would you react to what the soldiers did in 15:16-20? How did Jesus handle it? Why was he able to do so?
4. How do these verses make you feel?
5. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?

6. Questions and Comments

__DAY 25 (15:21-47)

1. Why would Jesus not take the wine mixed with myrrh (a pain reliever)?
2. Jesus was crucified with two rebels, what does this tell you about what people in power thought about him?
3. Why did Jesus say, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (If you get a chance, read Psalm 22)
4. What do you think Jesus’ followers where thinking while this was happening?
5. How do these verses make you feel?
6. What is one thing in these verses that challenged you today?

7. Questions and Comments

__DAY 26 (CHAPTER 16)

1. How would you react to find your leader’s tomb emptied and be told what the women were told?
2. What is the Good News in the book of Mark?
3. How should we respond to what Jesus did?
4. How does it feel to know you read the entire the book of Mark?

5. Questions and Comments

30 Days of Thanks - Day 28 - The Poky Little Puppy

The first book I ever read - my favorite childhood story - was Janette Sebring Lowrey's The Poky Little Puppy. One of Simon and Schuster's twelve original Little Golden Books, The Poky Little Puppy was actually listed as the bestselling hardcover children's book of all time (at about double the sales of any Harry Potter book) back in 2001[1]. The story follows five puppies who have escaped the confines of their yard by digging a hole under the fence to go and explore "the wide, wide world." One puppy is pokier than the rest and, by hanging back, he alerts his siblings to the rice pudding being made at home. By hanging back again, he is able to sneak in after the others are scolded by their mother and sent to bed early so that he can eat the rice pudding by himself. The next day they repeat this chain of events despite the previous results and a written warning - the dessert this time being chocolate custard. Again there is a repeat of events - strawberry shortcake this time - but the four puppies fill up the hole before their brother returns and are rewarded with the shortcake. Poky comes home and goes to bed hungry and feeling "very sorry for himself." The next day there is a threat of a permanent ban on deserts for digging under the fence.

It is a fun book and addresses the reality of ultimate consequences for misbehavior even if you seem to get away with it for a time. The artwork by Gustaf Tenggren is also a plus. A few years back we managed to find an ornament and miniature version of the book. It is a neat addition to the tree and a reminder of that joy of reading I have had since I was a tyke.

[1] Publisher's Weekly.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 27 - Google Chrome

For those who do not know, YOU CAN SURF THE WEB WITHOUT INTERNET EXPLORER! So, if you are fed up with that terrible browser that seems to pick up toolbars like a pig's butt picks up flies, come on over and experience the wonder of Chrome! Yes, Firefox is still another option, but I have found Chrome to be more readily accessible, simplified, and classy. Chrome just plain works better for me.

One feature that I am extremely thankful for is the Incognito Mode that allows you to open a window in which you can browse and not leave (much of) a trace on your computer. This is especially useful for shopping for Christmas presents and when you have to visit sites for information and you are not yet sure which sites are safe. I use it as a safety buffer when looking up tech stuff or phone numbers I do not recognize since sometimes those sites can be notorious for malware. I have also found that this is like opening sites in another computer such that I can have two separate Gmail accounts open at once - a trick that helps when writing a blog on your blog account and needing something from your primary e-mail at the same time.

I feel like my experience with Chrome has made browsing safer, easier, and faster.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 26 - Eastern Thought

I am thankful for Eastern thought and how it helps me to better contemplate and explore my own faith. I say 'Eastern thought' as opposed to 'religion' or 'philosophy' because I feel those Western concepts do not adequately incorporate those concepts I am talking about and may neglect to exclude those concepts that I am not talking about. What I do refer to are basic mental concepts such as true natures along with the fluctuations and interdependence of yin and yang.

By the latter (yin and yang), I mean that I recognize that our life is made up of seasons. Seasons of being great and seasons of being small. Seasons for being active and seasons for being passive. Seasons for being flexible and seasons for being immovable. Seasons of forcing and seasons of yielding. Seasons to be the wind and seasons to be the kite.

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

One does not work without the other and excesses of either will ultimately lead to their collapse into the other (often my means which will be painful). I think we need to be open to the lead of the Holy Spirit to guide us through these times. Preoccupation with a 'comfort zone' sets us up for rude transitions, whereas God has walked a path before us so that we can enjoy and make the most of these times - if we will follow it.

I also mentioned that I connect with the concept of true (or inner) nature.

Benjamin Hoff quotes the writings of Chaung-tse in his The Tao of Pooh:

Hui-tse said to Chaung-tse, "I have a large tree which no carpenter can cut into lumber. Its branches and trunk are crooked and tough, covered with bumps and depressions. No builder would turn his head to look at it. Your teachings are the same-useless, without value. Therefore, no one pays attention to them."

"As you know," Chuang-tse replied, "a cat is very skilled at capturing its prey. Crouching low, it can leap in any direction, pursuing whatever it is after. But when its attention is focused on such things, it can be easily caught with a net. On the other hand, a huge yak is not so easily caught or overcome. It stands like a stone, or a cloud in the sky. But for all its strength, it cannot catch a mouse.

"You complain that your tree is not valuable as lumber. But you could make use of the shade it provides, rest under its sheltering branches, and stroll beneath it, admiring its character and appearance. Since it would not be endangered by an axe, what could threaten its existence? It is useless to you only because you want to make it into something else and do not use it in its proper way."

The apostle known as Paul had this to say on inner nature:

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

- I Corinthians 12:4-30 (NIV)

In essence (no pun intended), we are all gifted with an inner nature - a place to fit and work and contribute - for the Kingdom of God. Part of the work of Christ was to free us from trying to be what we are not so that we can use this inner nature he has given us by working with the Holy Spirit. Part of what is wrong in this world is that we try to (or we insist that others ) function apart from the inner nature that the Father intended for us.

These are just a couple of (horribly brief and underdeveloped here) connections and I am thankful for the alternate perspective that has helped me to understand these important concepts better.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 25 - Minute Physics

I came across this channel on YouTube one day quite by accident. While I do think he over-simplifies certain concepts, I am thankful that someone is bringing these concepts to the masses.

I am especially thankful for the following video because I get tired of explaining this one to people.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 24 - Marriage

There is a lot to say about this one and not much that I have personally experienced . . . yet. I am thankful for the concept of marriage - being not just lovers but also partners for a lifetime. I am also thankful for a certain marriage that happened many years ago today. Happy Anniversary mom and dad!

As I am busy at the moment (anniversary and holiday and all those entail), I will let some YouTubers speak for me. The first is a classic and the others come from a favorite YouTube series called Kids React by The Fine Brothers.

You have to admit the boys had a better grasp on this marriage concept than the girls.