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Our Daily Thread 7-12-14

Good Morning!

This weekend’s header photo, and the pics below, are from Cheryl. 🙂

cheryl lovey doveycheryl young bluebird 2

cheryl hummingbird 4

cheryl bird

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On this day in 1862 Congress authorized the Medal of Honor. 

In 1933 a minimum wage of 40 cents an hour was established in the U.S. 

In 1982 “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” broke all box-office records by surpassing the $100-million mark of ticket sales in the first 31 days of its opening.

And in 1990 Russian president Boris N. Yeltsin announced his resignation from the the Soviet Communist Party. 

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Quote of the Day

“That government is best which governs least.”

Henry David Thoreau

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Today is Sandi Patty’s birthday.

And it’s John Petrucci’s of Dream Theater. Very talented bunch, but a little loud (OK a lot) loud, and not for everyone. The song is called “Instrumedley” and as you’d expect, no singing.

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Anyone have a QoD?

 

55 thoughts on “Our Daily Thread 7-12-14”

  2. I have to prepare a SS lesson for tomorrow.
    It’s From Ezekiel 36. The Valley of the Dry Bones. It will be an interesting lesson to teach.
    I didn’t post it on R & R because it is neither. The Dry Bones can be controversial.
    But I’m going to teach what the Bible says.

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  4. Photos above all taken in my backyard in the last three months. Top to bottom: female ruby-throated hummingbird, pair of mourning doves (notice how the space below their heads forms a heart), juvenile bluebird, male ruby-throated hummingbird, and male Baltimore oriole in cottonwood tree.

    FWIW, the female hummingbird was actually farther away than the male (at a different feeder), but I just zoomed in more. You can’t see all the details on the male hummingbird at this size, but at a larger size that photo is a pretty good look at him. The grape-like clusters behind the oriole have since ripened and opened to release their “cotton” all over the yard.

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  6. Good Saturday morning…it rained overnight! 🙂
    Cheryl I cannot tell you how thankful I am to behold the beauty captured in your photos! I flipped through your books and would love to purchase hardcovers if you ever decide to go that route. I just smiled the entire time I viewed the photos. Thank you for sharing your gift with us…and yes, as Michelle noted, thank your husband for us! 🙂

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  7. Very nice photography, Cheryl. You do get a lot of variety of birds in your yard. Add another thanks to your sweet husband for helping you along in one area of your gifting.

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  10. Yes, great photos.

    I just made a batch of rhubarb lemonade – love that stuff and it’s a good way to use rhubarb.

    I have my job-share co-worker coming up today to visit and see my garden. She’s an avid gardener so I was out most of the day yesterday weeding and trying to make things look even lovelier than they naturally do 🙂

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  11. We have some amazing wildflowers that I only discovered this year. They grow tall, and they produce roundglobes with tiny little green balls all over the big ball. And then the green balls turn pinkish, and then finally (all at the same time) a ball opens into dozens of perfect star-shaped pink flowers in a nearly complete sphere. I’ve gotten photos in which different spheres on the same plant are in several different levels of maturity.

    I researched and researched to find out what this lovely flowering plant is . . . only to discover it’s the “common milkweed.” Now, milkweed is the plant that nourishes Monarch butterfly caterpillars, so it already is far from “common.” But how on earth can such an interesting and pretty flower get “common” in its name? I suppose it must bloom commonly, but I’ve never seen it before seeing it on our street. (I saw it last summer from a distance but never got a good look at it.) Admittedly, most of the photos I can find of it on the web aren’t as pretty as the ones we have blooming right here, but still. (Here’s a source that shows a photo like the ones I have been seeing: http://weedpatchgazette.com/got-milkweed-2/ The ones we have, though, have a head of flowers that are even denser and rounder.)

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  14. I really appreciate Russell Moore — along with Al Mohler. Important emerging voices when it comes to Christianity and our western culture.

    And I guess I didn’t realize the dry bones passage was controversial either … ?

    It’s such a powerful passage of scripture.

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  15. Cheryl, the Butterfly Weed pictured after the ‘common milkweed’ is what we have blooming at our mailbox now along with the Passion Flowers. The Butterfly Weed is a brilliant orange. Do you think the brilliance of color makes it be the uncommon variety of milkweed? It has spread over the years so it is our common variety. 🙂

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  19. 🙂

    So I think the controversy around Ez. 37 has to do with end times prophesy? Here’s the footnote for Ez. 37:1-14 from the Reformation Study Bible:

    “Interpreters have long discussed the relationship between Ezekiel’s vision and the general resurrection at the end of time. The Old Testament does not present a complete doctrine of resurrection; this awaited the coming of Christ (Job 14:14; 19:25, 26; Dan. 12:2; see also 1 Kin. 17:17-24; 2 Kin. 4:8-37; 13:21). Ezekiel’s vision gave an immediate hope to the exiles longing to be restored to their own country (37:14) and it has a more permanent application to the general resurrection.”

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  20. And from the ESV Study Bible (I clearly have time on my hands today):

    “Ez. 37:1-14, The Valley of the Dry Bones: This vision, Ezekiel’s third in the book (see 1:1) is one of the most famous passages in Ezekiel. While it stands on its own as a powerful statement of God’s power to re-create the community, the context is significant. The promised gift of new heart and spirit (36:26-27) left questions hanging (i.e. how can this be? and how can it be true for us?). Chapter 37 addresses these questions. The vision is reported with vivid power … The primary meaning relates directly to the exiles’ despair (v. 11) and concludes the vision in v. 14. Verses 12-14 transpose the metaphor to a graveyard and contain one of the few hints of resurrection in the OT.”

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  21. And one more footnote from the Gospel Transformation Bible (which is more devotional in its study focus):

    ” … the dry bones illustrate the magnitude of the miracle that will be required if God’s people are to be saved. … God wants Ezekiel and the whole nation of Israel to know that it is his word that brings life. In the most hopeless of situation — even in a valley full of death — God’s word is powerful to bring resurrection life. We as Christians can take heart, even in our darkest struggles with sin. Just as God spoke the creation into existence, just as Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb with only a word, just as Ezekiel preached to the dry bones, God’s word gives life. The supreme word from God, the gospel message itself, tells us not what we must do to earn life but what God has done, in Christ, to give life.”

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  22. Donna, my view didn’t even go as far as the resurrection, just to the new birth with the indwelling of the Spirit and becoming a new man in Christ. In a way, though, the vision could be said to be all of those things – a promise that God will revive the nation of Israel and return them from exile; a Messianic promise of the new birth and a looking forward to the resurrection. That multifold purpose is in most of the prophetic books. I just finished Zechariah and he shifts so rapidly between the end of the exile to the coming Messiah to the New Jerusalem and back again, that it is like seeing flashes of light of varied colours at different angles as one turns a prism. Perhaps the layered nature of the prophecies is due to the eternal nature of God, who sees past, present and future in the eternal now.

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  23. Now after all that discussion about the Valley of Dry Bones, how can I resist (whenever I hear this song, I think of ‘The Prisoner’ TV show, where this song was used to weird effect in the insane closing episode):

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  25. “Perhaps the layered nature of the prophecies is due to the eternal nature of God, who sees past, present and future in the eternal now.”

    Well said.

    Love the song. 🙂

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  26. Janice, I think I have your e-mail address somewhere, but I’m not sure on which account. (Having changed e-mail addresses when I married, and having used two different accounts on World’s blog, I have four different addresses you might have. Your address isn’t showing up on my “main” account.) If you want a link to the book(s), then e-mail me.

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  27. Cheryl, I sent it to your “extra” account if that is still good. That is what was in my contact list. I think the last time you sent me something was when I requested to see your lovely wedding photos. Moving along from the bees to the birds,,, 🙂

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  29. I wanted to check out what the NLT Study Bible has to say about Ezekiel 37. The Bible now has tea stains on the outer long edge thanks to Miss Bosley’s earlier leap for the bird that hit the window. Out of power. Back after a charge!

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  30. Roscuro, that is what the preachers say. In fact, our SS lesson writer says that. “It means that anyone can have new life in Christ”.
    However, I am a teacher, not a preacher and I need to teach what the Bible says. What it says is that God will regather Israel.
    Ezek. 37:11 “Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. ….”
    This issue started with us last Sunday with Ezek 34:11 “Behold, I, even I, will both search for my sheep, and seek them out.” I can find dozens of scripture verses that say this. And several that say that David will rule.
    The controversy may start in case someone holds the “Replacement Theory”. I have a book called Claim Your Birthright that claims that the church has replaced Israel and that the promises of God have accrued to the church. They use Gal. 3:28-29 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for we are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christs then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise”.
    And Romans 3:28-29 “For he is not a Jew who, which is one outward; ….But he is a Jew who is one inwardly….”
    And the long dissertation in Romans 11. But the key is Rom. 11:25 “For I would not have you ignorant of this mystery, …that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
    But the clincher, for me, is Rom. 11:29 “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”
    Besides, and beyond it all. I can’t think of a promise that God gave to Israel that applies to the church. In any case, the church doesn’t need those promises.
    Jesus promised, “That where I am, there you will be also”. Most people I know think that’s enough.
    The real issues are two:
    1. How much does this apply to modern Israel. I believe that it does.
    2. Those who say this all happens during the millennium have a good argument.
    My belief is that in any case, Israel is up against a multitude of enemies determined to destroy her. God has brought them to this place. Israel has so far survived and prospered against great odds.
    The time will inevitably come again. I don’t want to be on the wrong side.

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  31. One thing that has restrained the nations surrounding Israel is our treaty with Israel and the 6th fleet in the Mediterranean. With Obama reducing our fighting forces in order to bring more children to the US, and free birth control, we may not be much help next time. But according to Zechariah 12, they won’t need any help.
    “In that day” is the key to understanding this.

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  32. Janice, I’ll check that one. I rarely check it anymore, but I do so occasionally, and do so when I know someone has sent something to it. I’ll check it now.

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  33. Not having read the posts above because my time is limited, NLT Study Bible in part: “Ezekiel and his audience were already familiar, from the miracles of Elijah and Elisha, with the possibility of dead people being raised to life.[references noted] Instead, Ezekiel is addressing the particular question, ‘Can these bones live?’—that is, could a denuded, dismembered, and desiccated Judah be restored?”

    More…”The people still in Judah were a mere remnant, only the poorest of the poor. [references noted] Many concluded that there was no future for God’s people. They said, ‘We have become old, dry bones —all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.'(37:11) The question was not whether God could raise them to new life, but whether he would perform such a miracle for the dry bones that represented Israel.”

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  34. Later in this section it continues with this, “God is capable of raising to life those who are physically dead, and he can restore to life a destroyed community. Similarily , he chooses to give the miracle of new birth to undeserving sinners[references noted]. He makes those whom the world would write off as irredeemable acceptable to himself in Christ( 1 Cor. 6:9-11), and he equips them for fruitful work in his service (Eph.4:12-13; 6:11-18). NLT Study Bible

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  35. I’ve heard before of the teaching that the promises to the Jews are just for the Jews, but I don’t know as I feel comfortable with that position. Paul did make that intriguing statement about all Israel being saved, but he also said much more about how those with faith were the real children of Abraham and not all of Israel were children of faith. Jesus said that the Old Testament is more about himself than about Israel: “Search the Scriptures, for in them your think you have eternal life, and they are them which testify of me.” “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

    To say that all the prophecies that speak of Israel only apply to Israel would mean a large part of the prophetic Scripture is not meant for Christians, especially Gentile ones. Yet Paul said, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” In other words, all of the Old Testament may be used to teach about the Christian’s walk. Eschatology, while interesting, does not teach much about how to live as a Christian.

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  36. Good article from Ligonier on what I refer to as covenant theology. The Jews were uniquely chosen by God (and Romans indicates he’s not done with them yet), but I’m not persuaded that the secular Israel state of today is somehow the continuation of the Israel in the OT. I think God’s people have been preserved by the same means through both the Old and New Testaments, with the Gentiles having been grafted in to what is the “true” Israel.

    http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/the-true-israel-of-god/

    ” … True believers in the Old Testament were saved in the same way that true believers are saved in the New Testament— by faith, and by faith alone. The Lord declared Abraham righteous because he believed, just as the Lord declares us righteous because we believe. Thus, adoption into God’s family and eternal covenant community is achieved not through having the right family name, ethnicity, land of birth, or residence. … True Israel is faithful Israel, and only faithful Israel inherits God’s promises. And faithful Israelites are those circumcised in their hearts, those who have trusted in the Messiah. This is the way God has always fulfilled His purposes in saving His people (Rom. 2:28–29).

    “True Israel is faithful Israel because they have faith in the only faithful Israelite who has ever lived—Jesus the Messiah. Only Jesus completely fulfilled all of the Father’s righteous laws for Israel. …

    “By faith in Jesus, the true Israelite, all people can be reckoned as true Israelites. All who are united by faith alone to Jesus the Christ are the true Israel of God (Gal. 6:16). As such, those of ethnic Israel who trust Jesus as their Messiah are closer to me than they are to their Jewish families who don’t believe in Jesus. Likewise, I am closer to Jewish believers in Christ than I am to my unbelieving Gentile family. … “

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  38. The lesson went well. There was little discussion. Mostly about the present nation. I repeated what I mentioned above.
    “The world is in chaos, there are two bulls eyes, the US and Israel. Lots of people trying to destroy both.”

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  39. I just heard a prayer request for a church member’s son trying to leave Israel. It almost seems like going from the frying pan into the fire to come back to the USA.

    We basically did not have Sunday school because we had a multiclass farewell breakfast and fellowship for my coteacher and her family. I will miss her tremendously.

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  40. We had a guest speaker today from Africa who spoke on Heb. 2:1-4. Good message about how we are to pay “most careful attention” to the gospel. Interesting because I’m currently also reading a book on the several warning passages in Scripture and how they are to be read by us as believers. Many of them are quite sobering.

    I suppose it should be some encouragement that those who are Christian “in name only” typically don’t worry much about those passages. Believers take them to heart.

    (Our sermon today by our pulpit guest was unexpectedly short, 10-15 minutes as opposed to the usual 40 minutes.)

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  41. Our guest pastor today was from our in house church plant that meets in the chapel for services. They are Indian (from India). We had special music from their congregation. The pastor had a strong sermon about divine guidance. We also had a missions report from a construction team member who worked on a home up in Kentucky. Ever since the church leadership changed the service time to 10:30 it’s seeming they do manage to fill up the time until noon. It is all good; no complaint about content. Just, timewise the Education commitee had an 8:45 meeting so it made for a long morning. What we use to do on Sunday evening, like mission reports, is being done on Sunday morning. More people get to hear it this way. But, personally I liked hearing it on Sunday evening. We are getting away from Sunday evening service I guess because attendance was low.

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  42. We’ve struggled with Sunday evenings as well, Janice, and I’ll admit I wasn’t very regular. It was just hard to turn around and make the 20-minute drive back after being there in the morning, but that’s not a very good excuse, I know. 😦

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  43. I think (but am not sure) we still have the evening services, but they may be breaking for summer, I’m not sure; I’ll have to read the bulletin more carefully.

    I’d like to stay for our adult SS after the morning service, but the woman I drive (who’s in her 80s) says it’s too long of a morning for her. At this point I feel like the fellowship time together with her during the ride to and from church is more important.

    But I do miss the SS afterward which is always a Q&A format with the pastor or whoever gave the morning sermon.

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  47. My DIL sent me an e-mail alerting me to something in August that I have never seen before and will never see again. Neither will you.
    August has five Fridays,
    five Saturdays, and
    five Sundays.
    it’s true. I checked it out.

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  49. Donna, I live very near the church, maybe a 6 or 7 minute drive depending on the traffic light. But I know it is more difficult for those who live far from the church to return. And considering recent gas prices, well, the money saved could go into the offering plate.

    Nancyjill has the same day to celebrate as my son!
    Happy Birthday, Nancy Jill!! 🙂 ❤ 😉 ❤ 😉 ❤ X 10!

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  51. The church we’ve been attending for the past five years doesn’t have a Sunday evening service. But we have “Hope Teams” (small groups) that meet throughout the week, & I think a couple of them meet on Sunday evenings.

    I have to admit that I am glad we don’t have a Sunday evening service. (With Lee’s schedule, we’d have to miss anyway.) There was a Sunday evening service at our previous church where we attended for a little over 20 years. The last few years, we were no longer attending evening services, due to Lee’s schedule (he’s worked very early hours for a long time).

    When we were attending the Sunday evening service, I never felt like I could really relax during the afternoon, because I knew I still had to go out again. I was actually relieved when we had to stop attending evening services.

    Sometimes people talk or write about Sunday evening or midweek services as if they were included in the Bible, & if you only attend Sunday morning, you’re not a truly committed Christian, you don’t really love God that much. 😦

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  54. KarenO, Sunday evening services AND weekly prayer meetings. We have one fellow in our small group who constantly laments about the loss of the those, but when asked if he attends the monthly prayer meeting on a Sunday evening, or the Wednesday mid-day prayer meeting he says no. Well, nuff said.

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  55. Roscuro, Thanks for posting the Russell Moore column. The researcher who did the work (Mark Regnerus) has great courage and is under tremendous attack for other work he has published.

    I have my opinion, but am not dogmatic about eschatology. However, it looks to me like Jesus is coming back riding Robert E. Lee’s horse:

    http://www.testimoniesofheavenandhell.com/Pictures-Of-Jesus/2013/04/08/jesus-picture-glorious-return-christ-white-horse/jesus-picture-the-glorious-return-of-christ-on-a-white-horse/

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