Saturday, April 07, 2001
Hiding in the bushes is a dumb idea
I'm still focusing on Psalm 18, but flipped open to Proverbs 18 (by providence) and was struck by the incredible foolishness and danger of isolation. You can have people all around you and still isolate yourself - that is very dangerous and foolish and could lead to great sorrow, agony, pain, and disappointment. Am I overstating the danger...let's not get melodramatic here...
Man was made for fellowship with God (and with others).Adam tried to isolate himself from God. Hiding in the bushes is a dumb idea.
We need wise counsel. We must always value the advice of pastors, elders, parents, teachers, wise friends, counselors, advisory boards, etc. When we try to do things all by ourself, we miss out on God's best for our lives. I do listen to my elders, pastor and others, but sense the need to have even more trusted counselors in my life.
Why is it so dangerous to live in isolation? You can do what you want...
The good news is, you can do what you want.
The bad news is, you can do what you want.
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgement. - Prov. 18:1
Some people are blogging away, but no one is listening....
A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart. - Prov. 18:2
Man was made for fellowship with God (and with others).Adam tried to isolate himself from God. Hiding in the bushes is a dumb idea.
We need wise counsel. We must always value the advice of pastors, elders, parents, teachers, wise friends, counselors, advisory boards, etc. When we try to do things all by ourself, we miss out on God's best for our lives. I do listen to my elders, pastor and others, but sense the need to have even more trusted counselors in my life.
- Better tax advice.
- Better financial advice.
- Better business advice.
- Better advice on raising a family....
- Friends who encourage me to stay healthy and eat right, etc.
- Friends who help me follow the Bible and God's principles for living.
- The (Holy) Knights of the Round Table....
Why is it so dangerous to live in isolation? You can do what you want...
The good news is, you can do what you want.
The bad news is, you can do what you want.
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgement. - Prov. 18:1
Some people are blogging away, but no one is listening....
A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart. - Prov. 18:2
Found Jack Seays home page this morning and his article/e-book on God's Work Done God's Way.
Jack is another rebol fan.
Jack is another rebol fan.
Friday, April 06, 2001
Book-mark for RSS Info and RSS Resources to help me with ideas on publishing Bible study notes...from me and others... into a big world wide bible study resource... ???
Also, some example XML RSS news feeds to try my XML parser on....
I'm still trying to figure the RSS links out... so later on, I'll do something with them.
I'm digressing for a moment about RSS...and sydicating your page...
Today's notes on Psalm 18....What to do in an emergency!
David is facing a BIG EMERGENCY in psalm 18 and God comes to his rescue.
Psalm 18 is the first "long psalm" of the "first book of psalms"...(being 50 verses long -- while many psalms are 6 to 15 verses long. For example, the famous Psalm 23 is only 6 verses long.). See outline below of the books or logical groupings of the psalms...
By way of outline.. many bible students over the centuries have agreed on a common logical grouping of the Psalms.. the "5 books of the Psalms"...or how to group the 150 Psalms.
Book 1, Psalms 1-41
Book 2, Psalms 42-72
Book 3, Psalms 73-89
Book 4, Psalms 90-106
Book 5, Psalms 107-150
Today's notes on Psalm 18....What to do in an emergency!
David is facing a BIG EMERGENCY in psalm 18 and God comes to his rescue.
Psalm 18 is the first "long psalm" of the "first book of psalms"...(being 50 verses long -- while many psalms are 6 to 15 verses long. For example, the famous Psalm 23 is only 6 verses long.). See outline below of the books or logical groupings of the psalms...
By way of outline.. many bible students over the centuries have agreed on a common logical grouping of the Psalms.. the "5 books of the Psalms"...or how to group the 150 Psalms.
Book 1, Psalms 1-41
Book 2, Psalms 42-72
Book 3, Psalms 73-89
Book 4, Psalms 90-106
Book 5, Psalms 107-150
Thursday, April 05, 2001
Psalm 18 also appears (with minor differences) in the narrative of David's life... 2 Sam 22.
I am thnking, why does David focus so much attention on God's protection and strength in his life? Maybe I should reverse the question... why am I so self reliant?, or do I think I am self-sufficient?
Maybe because David lived life on the edge, attempting great things for God...
... and do I attempt great things, or just try to get by, and get-along-with-everybody?
Ps 18:2 lists a seven-fold analogy of trust in God's protection:
1. My Rock
2. My Fortress
3. My Deliverer
4. My Strength
5. My Shield
6. The Horn of My Salvation (need to study this phrase more...)
7. My Stronghold
I am thnking, why does David focus so much attention on God's protection and strength in his life? Maybe I should reverse the question... why am I so self reliant?, or do I think I am self-sufficient?
Maybe because David lived life on the edge, attempting great things for God...
... and do I attempt great things, or just try to get by, and get-along-with-everybody?
Ps 18:2 lists a seven-fold analogy of trust in God's protection:
1. My Rock
2. My Fortress
3. My Deliverer
4. My Strength
5. My Shield
6. The Horn of My Salvation (need to study this phrase more...)
7. My Stronghold
Wednesday, April 04, 2001
The passages in Deut.32:10, and Psalm 17:8 speak of God's protection for us when
it talks about the apple of his eye.
However, in Prov:7:2 wise Solomon instructs us to keep and protect God's law,
and the instruction and wise counsel of our parents when he says:
"Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye."
it talks about the apple of his eye.
However, in Prov:7:2 wise Solomon instructs us to keep and protect God's law,
and the instruction and wise counsel of our parents when he says:
"Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye."
The Apple of the Eye... speaks of the center or pupil of the eye.
The earliest reference in scripture appears to be in Deut. 32:10
Just as the pupil of the eye is closely guarded against harm, so God protects Israel.
We are the Israel of God, so it speaks of our protection.
Tuesday, April 03, 2001
Why does it say "Keep me as the apple of your eye."
Spurgeon also quotes Socrates who said
Spurgeon also quotes Socrates who said
Does it not appear to thee to be a work of providence, that considering
the weakness of the eye, he has protected it with eyelids, as with doors, which
whenever there is occasion to use it are opened, and are again closed in sleep?
And that it may not receive injury from the winds, he has planted on it eyelashes
like a strainer; and over the eyes has disposed the eyebrows like a penthouse, so
that the sweat from the head may do no mischief.—Socrates, in Xenophon.
Again pondering Psalm 17 (esp. vs. 8)
What does this mean: Keep me as the Apple of your eye?
"Keep me as the apple of the eye."
C.H. Spurgeon says:
No part of the body is
1. more precious,
2. more tender, and
3. more carefully guarded than the eye;
and of the eye, no portion more peculiarly to be protected than
A. the central apple, the pupil,
B. or as the Hebrew calls it, "the daughter of the eye."
The all-wise Creator has placed the eye in a well-protected position;
it stands surrounded by projecting bones like Jerusalem encircled by mountains.
Moreover, its great Author has surrounded it with many
tunics of inward covering, besides the hedge of the eyebrows, the curtain of the
eyelids, and the fence of the eyelashes; and, in addition to this, he has given to
every man so high a value for his eyes, and so quick an apprehension of danger,
that no member of the body is more faithfully cared for than the organ of sight.
Thus, Lord, keep thou me, for I trust I am one with Jesus, and so a member of his
mystical body.
What does this mean: Keep me as the Apple of your eye?
"Keep me as the apple of the eye."
C.H. Spurgeon says:
No part of the body is
1. more precious,
2. more tender, and
3. more carefully guarded than the eye;
and of the eye, no portion more peculiarly to be protected than
A. the central apple, the pupil,
B. or as the Hebrew calls it, "the daughter of the eye."
The all-wise Creator has placed the eye in a well-protected position;
it stands surrounded by projecting bones like Jerusalem encircled by mountains.
Moreover, its great Author has surrounded it with many
tunics of inward covering, besides the hedge of the eyebrows, the curtain of the
eyelids, and the fence of the eyelashes; and, in addition to this, he has given to
every man so high a value for his eyes, and so quick an apprehension of danger,
that no member of the body is more faithfully cared for than the organ of sight.
Thus, Lord, keep thou me, for I trust I am one with Jesus, and so a member of his
mystical body.
Monday, April 02, 2001
Proverbs 7:2
Keep my commandments and live,
And my teaching as the apple of your eye.
Keep my commandments and live,
And my teaching as the apple of your eye.
Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
Sunday, April 01, 2001
Last night I attended a fellowship dinner with area believers who
are reaching out to the Muslims in Detroit area.
Very encouraged to see that some are asking good questions re:
"Who is Jesus?"
"What is Jesus really like?"
Some are watching the Jesus film in English class and then asking questions because it removes many of the myths about Jesus.
Also... heard about a Muslim convert from Mecca who is traveling around to many Mosques in the USA -- teaching and preaching about Jesus in the Mosques... a modern day "apostle Paul" (the converted pharisee Saul)... who once opposed Jesus and the followers of Jesus... and is now being used by God to open the eyes of many... May such blessings come to Detroit also.
are reaching out to the Muslims in Detroit area.
Very encouraged to see that some are asking good questions re:
"Who is Jesus?"
"What is Jesus really like?"
Some are watching the Jesus film in English class and then asking questions because it removes many of the myths about Jesus.
Also... heard about a Muslim convert from Mecca who is traveling around to many Mosques in the USA -- teaching and preaching about Jesus in the Mosques... a modern day "apostle Paul" (the converted pharisee Saul)... who once opposed Jesus and the followers of Jesus... and is now being used by God to open the eyes of many... May such blessings come to Detroit also.
