The Bible Mini-Series: Genesis - The Red Sea

Some friends and I got together Sunday night to watch The Bible mini-series on the History channel. I love watching stuff like this because it usually makes me dig in deeper to the Bible to see what parts are true, to discover things I might have missed, and to determine which pieces are simply speculation.

Overall, I thought The Bible (parts 1 & 2) were well done.

Our journey begins on Noah's ark during the rain storm (emphasis on storm) with Noah telling some of his family the story of creation, how evil entered the world, and how God was now cleansing the world and starting over with humanity.

It was really interesting to see what story lines the directors/producers chose to highlight and which they skimmed over. They paid special attention to Abraham and Lot's relationship (including Abraham's rescue of Lot when he was captured, which I didn't even remember ever reading) and to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

They failed to cover Joseph and his brothers, which I think it important as it sets up the 12 tribes of Israel and explains how the Israelites ended up living in Egypt.

They also didn't get into Moses' argument/questioning with God when told to return to Egypt. The show portrayed the conversation as more of a "Go, do this" and "Okay, God" than the truth of the matter that Moses didn't want to go and certainly didn't want to speak. They didn't show how God raised up Aaron to be Moses' partner in speaking to Pharaoh.

Several parts made me rethink the timeline of the events: Was that person really so old when this happened? How much time past between these two events? etc.

I've been digging back in Genesis this week and searching the Scriptures. I like how media portray God's Word in a new way and spur interest. I hope the series will spur many other people to read His Word, too.

on driving directions & destination

I like to pride myself on being able to navigate places. Since arriving in D.C., I've gotten turned around almost every time I've gotten in my rental car.

Influencing factors: I'm not familiar with the area. I don't have an actual map (until now - just bought a downtown one). I have no visual map in my mind of where I'm going, and that's a biggie for me because I'm a very visual person.

Then, of course, there's also the issue of clarifying your destination. This morning, the directions seemed simple. I wrote them out and had on my phone. But things didn't seem quite right. I didn't turn off at the Metro sign (where I was headed) because my directions didn't say to. I passed the Metro station twice on the highway before taking control. I realized that my directions (and the annoying GPS lady I turned to for help) were confused. They thought I just wanted to SEE the train station, when what I really wanted was to reach the parking lot and GET ON the train.

Clarifying the destination really is key - in finding the Metro station and in life.

Washington, D.C.

Today was the first day of my new adventure.

I worked as an improptu chaperone/escort helper for a recent refugee from Myanmar/Burma who had just arrived in the country and was flying to live in texas with his brother and brother's wife.

I enjoyed meeting "L" on my first flight. I ended up talking with her about a loved one who'd chosen abortion and now wasn't the same. I was able to point her to a couple good resources, and I got her email to follow up.

I rented a car for the first time in my life.

I met my host family and they are great.

Father God, Thank you for such a beautiful day.

martyr stories for kids

I just discovered that Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) has produced a line of 9 kids videos that features the stories of Christ followers who've been persecuted (and many, maybe all killed) for their faith.

The series includes (and I don't know all these people):

• Perpetua
• Richard Wurmbrand
• Eric Liddell
• Jim Elliot
• Gladys Aylward
• William Tyndale
• John Bunyan
• William Booth
• Amy Carmichael

Sounds awesome. I'd really like to check these out!

a Titus 1 man

In reading Titus this morning, I started thinking that Titus 1:6-9 is like the Proverbs 31 for men. I very much hope to marry a Titus 1 man.

Paul here is describing the qualities necessary for elders in the church. In the NLT, here's what we're looking for:

• well thought of for his good life
• faithful to his wife (I heard a message on this once being actually translated as a "one-woman man")
• children must be believers who are not wild or rebellious (this is definitely the hardest one, as its really beyond your control how your children choose to live after they are grown)
• live a blameless life
• not arrogant
• not quick-tempered
• not a heavy drinker
• not violent
• not greedy for money
• must enjoy having guests in his home
• must love all that is good
• must live wisely and be fair
• live a devout and disciplined life
• strong and steadfast belief in the trustworthy message he was taught
• able to encourage others with right teaching
• able to show those who oppose right teaching where they are wrong

This is good stuff. And just because I like examining different translations, I'm digging back into my well-worn NIV Bible. Here's the criteria via NIV:

• blameless
• husband of but one wife
• a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient
• blameless (again. yes, it mentions it twice)
• not overbearing
• not quick-tempered
• not given to drunkenness
• not violent
• not pursuing dishonest gain
• hospitable
• love what is good
• self-controlled
• upright
• holy
• disciplined
• holds firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can (1) encourage others by sound doctrine and (2) refute those who oppose it

Love it. Great stuff.

robust & dangerous levels

"We work to see young adults awakened to robust, dangerous and compelling levels of biblical discipleship, equipping them to live counter-cultural lives."

Read this description of an organization called Uber. Don't know much about it, but I loved this line. What a great way to describe the discipleship we really want to see?

Robust
Dangerous 
Compelling

Love it.

what am I stirring up?

I'm very familiar with the verse in Song of Solomon warning not to arouse love until it desires. Then tonight I came across 2 Timothy 1:6 with that same idea of stirring up. So I'm looking at the two passages side by side. And I'm reading from the Amplified Bible tonight.

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you never [again attempt to] stir up or awaken love until it pleases. - Song of Solomon 8:4

That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]. -2 Timothy 1:6

Makes me think about what I'm stirring up in my life. Am I fanning into flame the gifts God has given me? And how can I do a better job of that?