The story of Eden is quite an intricate one, laden with details that are easily overlooked. As I began to consider what I should put as my second entry for this month, it just hit me how much I've been wanting to share some of these details I've been looking at. As this is quite the lengthy topic, I've decided to break it down into parts. So, I submit to you, the reader, installment numero uno.
Let's start with a brief review of the story prior to the tempting of our common ancestors. God creates the sun, moon, stars, sky, earth, plant vegetation, aquatic life, and birds in 5 days (Gen. 1:1-23). On the sixth day, God starts by creating land-based animal life (Gen. 1:24-25). He goes on to create man (Gen. 1:26-30) before calling it a day (v. 30) and a week, at that (Gen. 2:1-3). Now before I say anything else, notice how much attention is given to one aspect of one day of the process. Five verses talk about the creation of man. That's nearly 1/6 of the entire chapter! If that weren't enough, He goes on to spend the first 6 verses of chapter 2 talking about how He rested on the seventh day and making a few comments on His creation before spending the rest of the chapter talking once again about man. The chapter closes with a very unusual verse: "And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed," - v.25.
Hold that thought. Let's look at the opening of chapter 3: "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made." Let me share something with you. Did you know that the Hebrew word used for "subtil" in the beginning of chapter 3 is very closely related to the word used for "naked" at the end of chapter 2? I'll have to look further into the significance of this, but it seems to me like it's worth taking note of. Let me take this a step further, though. You're likely familiar enough with the story of Eden to know that the serpent tricks Adam and Eve into doing the one thing they were told not to do. Up until this point, Adam and Eve existed in a state of innocence (i.e. they weren't held as being guilty of any sin). Most likely you've also heard that Jesus once told his disciples, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and gentle as doves," - (Mt. 10:16).
Now get this. The Greek word that's used for "wise" is the same word that's used for "subtil" in the passage in Genesis as it's rendered in the Septuagint. The word for "gentle" could also be translated as "innocent". Have you ever noticed that people often associate intelligence with having a sinister nature? It's like the saying I heard once: "Knowledge is power, and power corrupts. Study hard. Be evil." Where in Scripture does it ever tell us that having our wits sharpened is in and of itself outside of God's will? If anything, we're warned about the dangers of foolishness (see Mt. 25:1-13, or Proverbs, the whole thing:o). It seems as though Jesus was reminding us of what it was like to be in Eden, giving us hope that we can maintain our innocence without being foolish (namely about the ways of the enemy).
I hope this really ministered to you like it did to me.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." - James 1:5
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
How "bold" should we be in evangelism?
I was talking with a friend of mine recently about the subject of evangelism. We were discussing the different styles that are used and comparing them with the examples given in Scripture. He said something that really made me jump a bit: "Where in all of the witnessing accounts in the book of Acts do the apostles mention God's love? Nowhere." I noted that the people they spoke with were full of religious pride, hence they didn't need to hear a "soft" message about God's love, but a "hard" message about His humanly unattainable holiness. "Not true," he replied. "Look at Cornelius."
I confess that I haven't yet looked at Cornelius, but nevertheless, there are some things that jump out at me. Didn't Paul say that it is the kindness of the Lord that leads men to repentance (Rom. 2:4)? What about when Jesus was witnessing to Nicodemus in John 3, where we find Him saying the oft-quoted verse, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life,"? Is there something to be considered in the fact that 2,000 years ago, Christianity hadn't earned the bad name it has amongst so many people today due to the church's mistreatment of certain people (pogroms, the Inquisition, and the Crusades, for example) and other forms of hypocrisy done "in Jesus's name"?
On the other side of the coin, how many Christians are there who allow the worry of offending people to get in the way of witnessing, who delude themselves into thinking that being a person's friend long enough and demonstrating God's love will automatically result in the person wanting to know what's up? In fact, where in all of Scripture do we see any mention of a "silent witness"? Have you ever heard of someone coming to know the Lord just because somebody was "really nice and loving"? Sure, living out God's love is a powerful testimony, but there still has to be the preaching of the word.
I've wrestled with this dilemma for so long, and I'm coming to this conclusion:
A. Perfectionism is a horrible mistake to make. It forgets that God is bigger than our shortcomings and ends up getting in His way.
B. Some people are going to be offended by the message of the Gospel no matter what you say or do. Oh, well.
C. Part of "loving" people is telling them that they're lost. Is it loving to look at a man who is going to drown if he doesn't swim to shore asap and say to yourself, "He looks like he's really enjoying himself out there. I don't want to be rude and ruin his fun,"?
D. Many people might be more open than you think.
E. Simply being "nice" is more of a turn-off than you might realize. It communicates that you aren't serious about what you believe. If you can't take what you believe seriously, why should anyone else?
Bottom line - We have a mission to do, and whatever we've gotta do to get it done, do it. We know what's loving and what isn't, and if we're honest enough with ourselves, we'll know when "being quiet" is something we're doing out of fear as opposed to wisdom. There's really no need for it to get any more complicated than that, so grab that bull by the horns and do what you've gotta do. I'm Jimmy Ballenger, that's my story, and I'm sticking with it.
I confess that I haven't yet looked at Cornelius, but nevertheless, there are some things that jump out at me. Didn't Paul say that it is the kindness of the Lord that leads men to repentance (Rom. 2:4)? What about when Jesus was witnessing to Nicodemus in John 3, where we find Him saying the oft-quoted verse, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life,"? Is there something to be considered in the fact that 2,000 years ago, Christianity hadn't earned the bad name it has amongst so many people today due to the church's mistreatment of certain people (pogroms, the Inquisition, and the Crusades, for example) and other forms of hypocrisy done "in Jesus's name"?
On the other side of the coin, how many Christians are there who allow the worry of offending people to get in the way of witnessing, who delude themselves into thinking that being a person's friend long enough and demonstrating God's love will automatically result in the person wanting to know what's up? In fact, where in all of Scripture do we see any mention of a "silent witness"? Have you ever heard of someone coming to know the Lord just because somebody was "really nice and loving"? Sure, living out God's love is a powerful testimony, but there still has to be the preaching of the word.
I've wrestled with this dilemma for so long, and I'm coming to this conclusion:
A. Perfectionism is a horrible mistake to make. It forgets that God is bigger than our shortcomings and ends up getting in His way.
B. Some people are going to be offended by the message of the Gospel no matter what you say or do. Oh, well.
C. Part of "loving" people is telling them that they're lost. Is it loving to look at a man who is going to drown if he doesn't swim to shore asap and say to yourself, "He looks like he's really enjoying himself out there. I don't want to be rude and ruin his fun,"?
D. Many people might be more open than you think.
E. Simply being "nice" is more of a turn-off than you might realize. It communicates that you aren't serious about what you believe. If you can't take what you believe seriously, why should anyone else?
Bottom line - We have a mission to do, and whatever we've gotta do to get it done, do it. We know what's loving and what isn't, and if we're honest enough with ourselves, we'll know when "being quiet" is something we're doing out of fear as opposed to wisdom. There's really no need for it to get any more complicated than that, so grab that bull by the horns and do what you've gotta do. I'm Jimmy Ballenger, that's my story, and I'm sticking with it.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
2009: A (VERY SIGNIFICANT) Year in Review
Well, I think I'd have to say that this was one of the most significant years of my life. So what better way to end it than w/ a timeline of events to give thanks to God for all He's done? Bear w/ me as I don't have exact dates in mind, but here goes:
January:
(Week one) - After having met a group of scientists a few months earlier (by a total act of GOD:) who work just up the road from where I live(d), I finally got in touch w/ one of them to see if we could meet and talk further (science stuff [of course]; there'd been [and still are] some ideas running through my mind, so I thought I should explore the possibilities). A few hours later, I got word that my grandfather (the food chemist, the one who set the seeds in place for the scientific inspiration I would end up having) had passed away somewhat unexpectedly. While meeting w/ the family at my aunt/uncle/cousins' in Cali and taking my turn to share what I remember about good ol' grampa, I recanted the conversation I had w/ him at 15 - about an idea I had for an invention - and how he challenged me to do something w/ it. Lo and behold, this tied in directly w/ the direction my life was starting to head, so I made it my promise to him before the family that I would take him up on his challenge.
February:
- I started out the year knowing that I would be joining YWAM Coatesville at some point in the not-too-distant future, but I was thinking that would be somewhere around the end of the year. An interesting turn of events was set into play, however. I was attending a conference for the YWAM bases in the northeastern U.S. Just as I was about to leave, my friend, Metui (the base leader for YWAM Coatesville) called and asked me to pick up his guitar stand (he was already on his way home and realized he forgot it). "Just bring it to me next time you come to visit," he said. So a few weeks or so later, I thought to myself, "You know, I still haven't made it into Philly, just yet. I should visit there for a day just to check it out." I figured I'd stop by Coatesville on my way there to drop off the guitar stand, but what a surprise I was in for. "Yeah, so we're going to be starting staff training in April," Metui tells me. After talking for a while, we both realized that the pieces of the puzzle were likely falling into place...and so they did. Work gave me some scheduling flexibility, the budget fit just right, and as of April 1st, phase 1 of my transition to YWAM Coatesville was initiated (see first blog for details)
September-ish:
- I started thinking to myself, "You know, why should I wait another year to get started back up w/ college again? Why not get the ball rolling now?" As I started looking into my options, I suddenly realized something. "Wait a minute, I've been wanting to do journalism, but haven't really known where to go w/ it. I've been wanting to study science in college, but haven't really seen how it would fit in w/ the bigger picture. There is such a thing as a science journalist, though. Hmmmm....." Oh how magically the pieces of this puzzle have been falling together (you'll hear more details in blogs to come).
Looking back at everything, I'm so elated about having taken this next step forward in life. There've been a few times over the last month when I stopped to consider where things are at, now, and I said to myself, "You know, I really like this." I can hardly wait 'til things move forward a bit further, but for now, I'm just enjoying the ride as God is taking me along. So on that note, this year ahead for me is going to be all about venturing forward, trusting God w/ every step, being willing to take some risks, and just doing it. If only I could say how thrilled I am about that. So now that you've read all of this, how about you? What did 2009 mean to you and what will you do w/ the next year of your life? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts:) Oh, and one other thing.......
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!! :o)
January:
(Week one) - After having met a group of scientists a few months earlier (by a total act of GOD:) who work just up the road from where I live(d), I finally got in touch w/ one of them to see if we could meet and talk further (science stuff [of course]; there'd been [and still are] some ideas running through my mind, so I thought I should explore the possibilities). A few hours later, I got word that my grandfather (the food chemist, the one who set the seeds in place for the scientific inspiration I would end up having) had passed away somewhat unexpectedly. While meeting w/ the family at my aunt/uncle/cousins' in Cali and taking my turn to share what I remember about good ol' grampa, I recanted the conversation I had w/ him at 15 - about an idea I had for an invention - and how he challenged me to do something w/ it. Lo and behold, this tied in directly w/ the direction my life was starting to head, so I made it my promise to him before the family that I would take him up on his challenge.
February:
- I started out the year knowing that I would be joining YWAM Coatesville at some point in the not-too-distant future, but I was thinking that would be somewhere around the end of the year. An interesting turn of events was set into play, however. I was attending a conference for the YWAM bases in the northeastern U.S. Just as I was about to leave, my friend, Metui (the base leader for YWAM Coatesville) called and asked me to pick up his guitar stand (he was already on his way home and realized he forgot it). "Just bring it to me next time you come to visit," he said. So a few weeks or so later, I thought to myself, "You know, I still haven't made it into Philly, just yet. I should visit there for a day just to check it out." I figured I'd stop by Coatesville on my way there to drop off the guitar stand, but what a surprise I was in for. "Yeah, so we're going to be starting staff training in April," Metui tells me. After talking for a while, we both realized that the pieces of the puzzle were likely falling into place...and so they did. Work gave me some scheduling flexibility, the budget fit just right, and as of April 1st, phase 1 of my transition to YWAM Coatesville was initiated (see first blog for details)
September-ish:
- I started thinking to myself, "You know, why should I wait another year to get started back up w/ college again? Why not get the ball rolling now?" As I started looking into my options, I suddenly realized something. "Wait a minute, I've been wanting to do journalism, but haven't really known where to go w/ it. I've been wanting to study science in college, but haven't really seen how it would fit in w/ the bigger picture. There is such a thing as a science journalist, though. Hmmmm....." Oh how magically the pieces of this puzzle have been falling together (you'll hear more details in blogs to come).
Looking back at everything, I'm so elated about having taken this next step forward in life. There've been a few times over the last month when I stopped to consider where things are at, now, and I said to myself, "You know, I really like this." I can hardly wait 'til things move forward a bit further, but for now, I'm just enjoying the ride as God is taking me along. So on that note, this year ahead for me is going to be all about venturing forward, trusting God w/ every step, being willing to take some risks, and just doing it. If only I could say how thrilled I am about that. So now that you've read all of this, how about you? What did 2009 mean to you and what will you do w/ the next year of your life? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts:) Oh, and one other thing.......
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!! :o)
First snow in Coatesville...sorta
Ok, if you're reading this, and you live anywhere in the Northeast U.S., you know that last week we got a huge pile of snow dumped over the entire region. For the record, it was my second time experiencing the outpouring of winter weather up here, but the first time doesn't really count much, not compared to this, that's for sure. So what was it like? Man, I haven't seen snow like this for nearly 14 years! It looked like there must've been a good 18 inches or so (some people in other parts of the region got somewhere around 2 ft. or more). I was in a house all by myself for most of the weekend, which made it a fun time to relax, watch movies, and just do wtvr (first time watching Knight's Tale, well worth it:o). I also enjoyed the feeling of being "trapped in". It added to the sense of adventure. Oh, and let's not forget that despite the fact that I am only 5 minutes outside the city of Coatesville, I live in a rather rural setting. I'm sure you can imagine the kind of cabin fever that came along w/ that (what's that tapping noise I hear outside?).
I was a little bummed that I didn't get to make it down to VA to see a friend of mine who was visiting from Colorado. All things considered, it was a pretty cool storm, one more thing making the experience of living here in PA something I can truly treasure. Alright, that's blog numero uno. It's December 31, and I've gotta leave for work in about a few hours. I'd better get cracking on the next one asap!
I was a little bummed that I didn't get to make it down to VA to see a friend of mine who was visiting from Colorado. All things considered, it was a pretty cool storm, one more thing making the experience of living here in PA something I can truly treasure. Alright, that's blog numero uno. It's December 31, and I've gotta leave for work in about a few hours. I'd better get cracking on the next one asap!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The self-imposed obligatory list of things I am thankful for...
What day is it, today? Is it Tuesday? Why, I believe a round of thanks would be in order. Don't you? Ah, Thanksgiving. Yes, it's that time of year again, the time when the people in the diet business lift up their hands and say, "God, thank You for this season of gluttony upon which the masses are about to embark, for yea, it is profitable to us whence cometh New Years,"...something like that. Anyway, so here are some things I am thankful for this year:
1. A new season in life.
Joining staff at YWAM Coatesville was certainly a surprise. I wasn't anticipating that this would happen until the end of the year, but God knows His timing. The way everything happened was quite the story, and despite all of the challenges that come w/ this journey, it has been truly fulfilling.
2. Deeper relationships
I think I'd say that I've almost always had friends who I consider to be very close. It was sure challenging to grow and develop a lot of those relationships while drudging through so many years of uncertainty before everything finalized w/ Coatesville, though. Now that the rhythm of life has solidfied a bit more, it's been great making new friends in the area, growing closer w/ them, and watching as the older friendships seem to be taking a whole new dynamic (a good one, that is, but for brevity's sake, I shan't elaborate).
3. Clarity concerning vision and direction for the future
It's been more than 7 & 1/2 years, now, since I started getting some very specific vision regarding the direction my life should be heading. However, this is the first time I can honestly say I've committed to something for the long-term (being in the Philadelphia area for at least the next 7 years, and most likely one or two other places in the Northeast for at least the next 16 years after that). Furthermore, though my main goals have remained intact, and I've hada sense of direction in the past about the steps I should be taking to get there, this is the first time I've found the steps which work AND that I'm truly happy with. (College and career goals, but I'll have to blog about that some other time.)
Well, that's a wrap, and I'm thankful that this blog is finished:) Happy Turkey Day to all!
1. A new season in life.
Joining staff at YWAM Coatesville was certainly a surprise. I wasn't anticipating that this would happen until the end of the year, but God knows His timing. The way everything happened was quite the story, and despite all of the challenges that come w/ this journey, it has been truly fulfilling.
2. Deeper relationships
I think I'd say that I've almost always had friends who I consider to be very close. It was sure challenging to grow and develop a lot of those relationships while drudging through so many years of uncertainty before everything finalized w/ Coatesville, though. Now that the rhythm of life has solidfied a bit more, it's been great making new friends in the area, growing closer w/ them, and watching as the older friendships seem to be taking a whole new dynamic (a good one, that is, but for brevity's sake, I shan't elaborate).
3. Clarity concerning vision and direction for the future
It's been more than 7 & 1/2 years, now, since I started getting some very specific vision regarding the direction my life should be heading. However, this is the first time I can honestly say I've committed to something for the long-term (being in the Philadelphia area for at least the next 7 years, and most likely one or two other places in the Northeast for at least the next 16 years after that). Furthermore, though my main goals have remained intact, and I've hada sense of direction in the past about the steps I should be taking to get there, this is the first time I've found the steps which work AND that I'm truly happy with. (College and career goals, but I'll have to blog about that some other time.)
Well, that's a wrap, and I'm thankful that this blog is finished:) Happy Turkey Day to all!
Gardens of Eden
Thought I'd go ahead and throw another poem up on here. Let me know if you get anything out of it.
GARDENS OF EDEN
If we could go back
Back to the start
Where gardens of Eden
Grow deep in our heart
Would we be near
While so far apart,
Or as mere muddy mortals
Return to the earth?
Royals rage
As wars they wage
O'er gardens of Eden
Long torn from their hearts
The wisest sage
Inks another page
In hopes of a candle
A guide through the dark
But if we could return
To that which is lost
In strength, would we run
Or recoil at the cost?
While children laugh
And dance, and play
And dig their hands deep
In earth's muddy clay
Not minding to soil
Their dresses in dirt
For gardens of Eden
Grow deep in their heart
I wonder, should we cease
From our tireless toil
To pay a greater price
Than spilled blood and oil
And risk all we have
For what's already paid
Would we see we're all losers
In the games that we've played?
And if time would stand still
For a moment or two
To reflect on all that
We say and we do
Crossing deep seas
As their wide waters part
Would gardens of Eden
Return to our heart?
- Idou ego apostello humas hos probata en meso lukon ginesoe oun phronimoi hos oi opheis kai akeraioi hos ai peristerai
GARDENS OF EDEN
If we could go back
Back to the start
Where gardens of Eden
Grow deep in our heart
Would we be near
While so far apart,
Or as mere muddy mortals
Return to the earth?
Royals rage
As wars they wage
O'er gardens of Eden
Long torn from their hearts
The wisest sage
Inks another page
In hopes of a candle
A guide through the dark
But if we could return
To that which is lost
In strength, would we run
Or recoil at the cost?
While children laugh
And dance, and play
And dig their hands deep
In earth's muddy clay
Not minding to soil
Their dresses in dirt
For gardens of Eden
Grow deep in their heart
I wonder, should we cease
From our tireless toil
To pay a greater price
Than spilled blood and oil
And risk all we have
For what's already paid
Would we see we're all losers
In the games that we've played?
And if time would stand still
For a moment or two
To reflect on all that
We say and we do
Crossing deep seas
As their wide waters part
Would gardens of Eden
Return to our heart?
- Idou ego apostello humas hos probata en meso lukon ginesoe oun phronimoi hos oi opheis kai akeraioi hos ai peristerai
Saturday, October 31, 2009
As far as the I can see
I wrote this on my facebook page and thought I'd post it here, too. Hope you find it constructively meaningful.
Wait right here
And dig with me
To see as far
As the I can see
In earthen vessels
In dignity
Let's venture in this
Futility
Build a wall
So high, I can't see
Dig a well
So deep I can't reach
Find within
Inability
Then learn this virtue
That no man can teach
Do we fall
By night and by day
Only to go
Our separate way?
Try as we might
We wander in vain
By day and by night
O'er the open plain
ut to take the road
Less travelled by
With heart set on One
Much greater than I
To trust with assurance
Where I cannot see
And venture towards
Eternity
I wonder the price
I wonder the cost
Is it worth it all
If all is lost?
And letting go
I do embrace
The sweetness of'
This divine grace
To hold in my hand
What I cannot touch
When everything else
Is nothing much
And love as I do
Empowered by
The Spirit of the One
Much greater than I
Trusting it all
Into His hand
Even when I
Don't understand
So holding on
I won't let go
'Til all will see
That they may know
The worth of this truth
Too weighty to bear
And upon His strength
I cast every care
"And all of the earth spoke one language; ... And the people said, 'Let's go build a city with a tower so high that it reaches the sky, and let's make a name for ourselves to keep us from being scattered over all the earth.' And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that they built, and He said, 'Look, the people have become one, sharing a common language, and this is what they're beginning to do. Now nothing can hold them back from doing whatever they imagine. Let's go mix up their language so that they won't be able to understand each other.' So the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth, and they left the building of the city unfinished." - Gen. 11:1,4-8
"So to keep me from being praised unworthily for all of the revelations I've received, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to beat me and keep me in my place. I prayed to God three times to have it taken away, but He said to me, 'My grace is enough for you, as My strength is perfected in weakness.' So I would much rather be known for my weaknesses, that the power of Messiah may rest upon me." 2 Cor. 12:7-9
"And I, brothers, when I came to you, I did not come to you with eloquent speech or wisdom as I bore to you the witness of God, because I determined to let nothing be known among you, except for Jesus the Messiah, and His sentence on death row." - 1 Cor. 2:1-2 (modern-day paraphrase)
Wait right here
And dig with me
To see as far
As the I can see
In earthen vessels
In dignity
Let's venture in this
Futility
Build a wall
So high, I can't see
Dig a well
So deep I can't reach
Find within
Inability
Then learn this virtue
That no man can teach
Do we fall
By night and by day
Only to go
Our separate way?
Try as we might
We wander in vain
By day and by night
O'er the open plain
ut to take the road
Less travelled by
With heart set on One
Much greater than I
To trust with assurance
Where I cannot see
And venture towards
Eternity
I wonder the price
I wonder the cost
Is it worth it all
If all is lost?
And letting go
I do embrace
The sweetness of'
This divine grace
To hold in my hand
What I cannot touch
When everything else
Is nothing much
And love as I do
Empowered by
The Spirit of the One
Much greater than I
Trusting it all
Into His hand
Even when I
Don't understand
So holding on
I won't let go
'Til all will see
That they may know
The worth of this truth
Too weighty to bear
And upon His strength
I cast every care
"And all of the earth spoke one language; ... And the people said, 'Let's go build a city with a tower so high that it reaches the sky, and let's make a name for ourselves to keep us from being scattered over all the earth.' And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that they built, and He said, 'Look, the people have become one, sharing a common language, and this is what they're beginning to do. Now nothing can hold them back from doing whatever they imagine. Let's go mix up their language so that they won't be able to understand each other.' So the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth, and they left the building of the city unfinished." - Gen. 11:1,4-8
"So to keep me from being praised unworthily for all of the revelations I've received, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to beat me and keep me in my place. I prayed to God three times to have it taken away, but He said to me, 'My grace is enough for you, as My strength is perfected in weakness.' So I would much rather be known for my weaknesses, that the power of Messiah may rest upon me." 2 Cor. 12:7-9
"And I, brothers, when I came to you, I did not come to you with eloquent speech or wisdom as I bore to you the witness of God, because I determined to let nothing be known among you, except for Jesus the Messiah, and His sentence on death row." - 1 Cor. 2:1-2 (modern-day paraphrase)
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