I spent last weekend in “prison” as we did a spiritual retreat at the California Youth Authority facility in Ventura County. About 20 of us from the “outside” and 20 “wards” (we say “stars” Philippians 2:15). When you are hanging out for three days with 18-25 year old men in this environment you realize Jesus is the only one who brings hope and freedom.
That is what you have to share. Hope and freedom from the one who tells the truth.
‘When you connect with me, you are a new creation.”
In Genesis 2:2, the ancient word for “finished,” as in “On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation…” is literally, “spent.” We don’t use this word much anymore, except maybe, Austin Powers. I like the word because it says even God puts in his best effort in blessing others and he is not just about cruising along. If he is willing to give himself that way, so am I.
In Genesis 1:31, God sees everything he has made as “very good.” Whether this means, “very satisfying,” or “very pleasing,” and whether this is everything he has made or specifically referring to the sixth day, one thing is clear:
God enjoys his work.
How about you?
If not, why not?
What can you do about it?
In Genesis 1:28, the word “dominion” is particularly controversial in today’s environmental “climate.” Does the word mean to ” exploit and destroy?” No it means to “rule” just like God. Rule for God. In the way God would care for his Kingdom if he were us.
Don’t Christians advocate exploiting the earth?
Don’t scientists advocate any politically popular research that is intentionally skewed to their advantage, in order to emotionally influence people who have absolutely no idea what they are talking about fund their research?
See how easy it is to stereotype and be totally wrong?
Christmas 2008
In the phrase,”…fill the earth…” (Genesis 1:28), “fill” means, “to satisfy.”
I remember the scares of the “population explosion,” predicted by Paul Ehrlich in The Population Bomb (1968). There would be mass starvation in the 1970′s, where “hundreds of millions of people” would starve to death in global famine.
Not only did this famine not occur, but actually, the population rate of the world has been declining since 1970, and the prediction (UN reports) is sometime around 2070 the world will reach zero population growth.
Ironically, most countries in the MDC (more developed country) category are trying to implement a pronatal policy.
I’ll let you debate “carbon footprints” and the rest. It takes 2.1 children to sustain a level population rate, and we have 3 and so we did our part to “fill” the earth, and we find our children very “satisfying.”
Genesis 1:26 tells us we are made in the “image” of God. This is an unusual word in Hebrew, connected to the concept of “shade.” We are a shadow of God’s glory, and this is a helpful metaphor of our impact as God bearers in the world. Who comes into our shade is to be blessed as they are in God’s presence.
Criticizing and complaining keep the Holy Spirit from breaking through in our lives. Is it possible to stop?? Ask Pastor Will Bowen about his “complaint free” world…
Free download at ITunes “Christcast”
It doesn’t escape notice that in Genesis 1:26 when God makes people it says, “Let us make…” This is, of course, a clear allusion to the concept of the Trinity, but even before that we have a clue that slips notice unless we translate it literally.
You see the ancient word used for “God” here in Genesis 1 is, “Elohyim.” This is in the plural.
Literal translation? “And Gods said…”
pioneers are at their best seeking out new territory…
settlers are at their best developing the new territory…
we need both kinds of people in God’s Kingdom work
Jesus frees us from all the negative tapes playing from our past
based on the story of Matthew- Luke 6:27-32
