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Thursday, 08 October 2009 14:51 |
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So, I realized I never wrapped up the little mini-series on Jesus' letters to the churches in Turkey. Oops. Laodicea was an extremely wealthy city. They experienced great commercial and financial success. Their textile industry was superb. The city housed a world-famous medical center that was famous for its ear and eye balms. Ancient historians all speak to their envy of the city that was Laodicea. Its one and only weakness? Their water supply. Through the use of aqueducts, Laodicea was able to pipe in water from a cold spring in Colossae, some 10 miles away. And they did the same for their hot water- brought in via aqueduct from a hot spring outside of Hierapolis, 6 miles from Laodicea. By the time either made its way to the city, they were lukewarm and held just a fraction of their original usefulness. |
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Friday, 18 September 2009 10:40 |
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The city of Philadelphia was something like St. Louis is here in the US. Or at least, what it was, back in the days of the Oregon Trail. St. Louis was the city that everyone passed through to get to or from the west. Philadelphia was the same way. Anyone passing through from western Turkey or Greece to Tarsus and on down to Palestine would most likely take a route that lead through Philadelphia. It was a gateway, of sorts. Add to that the connection to Pergamum as their own personal gatekeeper, and the understanding of what it means to have an "open door that no one can shut" begins to come into focus. |
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Tuesday, 15 September 2009 22:15 |
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There's a saying that's all but been eliminated from our vernacular that calls a person "as rich as Croesus". King Croesus of Sardis was, at one time, the richest man in the world. This, owing to the Pactolus River- then the main source of naturally occurring gold in the known world- that flowed through the city. Sardis was largely considered impregnable. It contained a sizable citadel built into the mountain the city nestled against, high walls, and was situated in a manner that its only gate could not be accessed without those approaching being spotted long ahead of their arrival. So it was with these known obstacles that Cyrus the Great, of Persia decided to attempt to capture the city. After all, the city's treasuries held more than perhaps entire empires had known. But Sardis was a tough nut to crack, and her people knew it. "I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead." |
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Wednesday, 09 September 2009 13:03 |
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"I have this against you" "What? What did I do?" "You tolerate" "But God, isn't that a little harsh? Just give it some time, will ya?" "I have given her time to repent" "Oh. Well, maybe I could talk to her about it. I could get her to change." "She is unwilling." "So, what's going to happen to her?" "I will cast her on a bed of suffering." "Isn't that just a tad over the top, God? I mean, I've been around her. She's not really that bad of a person. In fact, I think she's got a lot of good things to say, if people would just listen." "I will strike her children dead." "What's that supposed to mean? Surely you don't mean me. We just hang out now and then. I don't do anything that bad. And besides, you're a loving God, right? What's all of this about pain and suffering?" "So all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds." "Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Why all the hostility? What happened to you loving me and having a perfect plan for my life? I mean, for the most part, I follow you. I obey you. And if I mess up, you'll just forgive me, right?" "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. BE HOLY AS I AM HOLY." "But God!" "You tolerate." "Yeah... I guess I do..."
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Thursday, 03 September 2009 09:30 |
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It's been an interesting sequence of events lately that has brought me to this point. But to some degree, I'm now feeling as if God is completely turning on its head everything I know about how we "do church". The combination of rediscovering, uncovering, and unveiling has truly been enlightening thus far. I've not fully been able to process through it all yet, so I don't want to give any particular detail to what would truly be a stream-of-consciousness ramble at this point. Suffice it to say that I'm becoming increasingly uncomfortable with how "church is done". That's not to specifically point out my church in any way. But, if I were truly honest, I couldn't exclude her either. Because in all honestly, I think most churches miss the boat on this one, in various fashion. And I'll also offer that, while I'm often one to freely advocate change seemingly for the sake of change, I don't think this is what is going on for a change. Sometimes it truly is a matter of "what we've always done" simply being wrong. Hm. I wish I had more to offer on this. But it's not ready. Not yet. Stay tuned, readers, and in the meantime, discuss below!
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Tuesday, 25 August 2009 13:41 |
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Had a funny thought hit me the other day that I promised some folks I'd share. It occurred to me after circling the room in a bible study/prayer group collecting the obligatory requests (you know the ones: make my boss not be a jerk, help me pass this test I didn't study for, give me a pony, etc). What struck me as odd is the number of times we beg God, in a very heartfelt, well intentioned manner, to do something for another person. A lady in the church is sick and could use some encouragement. My neighbor is going through a rough patch in his life and really needs to find Jesus. A family member is struggling in their faith and needs someone to walk with them. So please God, send someone to cover these needs. I've long been an advocate of the idea that sometimes we use prayer as an excuse to drag our feet. Usually this, after we already know what the answer will be. So maybe the prayer should go something a little more like this: Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" -Isaiah 6:8
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