disparateheretic

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[disparateheretic]

Give Mercy

John 13:10-11 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean"

It seems to me that Jesus has an understanding, or even an expectation that people (we) will get dirty. In this case it refers to someone having washed their whole body, and then having put on their sandals and walked through dust or mud and having arrived at this house their feet are dirty from the road. Therefore washing only their feet restores their feet to the same cleanliness as the rest of their whole body.  

I think the message Jesus was trying to put across was not really about having clean feet, (and not only about how we should tend to each-other with humility). The word ‘clean’ here is ‘καθαρός’, which means physically clean, but also ceremonially clean, pure, unstained and free from sin. We know that when we accept forgiveness, we are completely clean. However, we live in a dusty and muddy world. Life is dirty and we get messy. Jesus isn’t shocked by this. He understands that broken people, living in a broken world will make mistakes. He isn’t surprised by it any more than he was surprised by people in sandals walking on dirt roads get dirty feet.

In fact, in one of the stories Jesus tells he holds up a broken person as an exemplar. The Man knows his mistakes and feels unworthy of God’s acceptance, but he seeks God out anyway. “Give Mercy. Forgive me, a sinner” (Luke 18).

The worst thing that we can do when we make mistakes is to hide. We know we’ve messed up, and our instinct is to make it right, or to avoid God (and each other?) until we’ve built up a bit of living-right again. This despite the fact that God gives his acceptance to all who ask for it. Despite the fact that this is how we met him in the first place! He knows. There’s even some who suggest that he knew before it happened. I can tell you for sure he isn’t surprised, and the example he held up for us to follow was someone who took their mistakes to him and asked for mercy.

I’m not suggesting that we do whatever we want, or even deliberately put ourselves in this position. (See Romans). We walk in dusty and muddy paths. Even trying our best we will get dirty. I am suggesting that we approach him with the humility of knowing we’re not perfect and let him show us that we are loved. I am also suggesting that we accept each-other’s faults and mistakes. We welcome those muddy feet into our lives, and we wash them.

We help each other.

[disparateheretic]

Be ready

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭35-40‬ NIV) 

What if this wasn’t about when Jesus returns at the end of time ready to take us all to Heaven? What if it’s about ‘whatever you are doing for those least able to reward you, you are doing for me’?

 Looking out for those in need and serving them because in doing so you serve Jesus, and whoever is ready and willing AND doing, Jesus himself will serve them. He will make sure they are well cared for, full and content and therefore much more able to continue serving.

[disparateheretic]

Helper

Sometimes. When I read something in the Bible, I like to paraphrase it a bit to highlight what stood out to me this time. Here's my thoughts on Psalm 121: I will look at the mountains, to remind myself who my advocate is. The one who made not only the mountains, and not only the earth but the universe and all the spiritual realm. He will shore you up. He never sleeps on duty. The one who watches over all his people never gets fatigued. He protects you from every danger, all day, every day, your whole life. Even the boring bits. Even the interesting bits. Without ceasing.

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Tying it all together:

So this is the reason I’ve been writing this little series. This sequence of stories seems to happen one after the other. I looked at them individually because I think it is too easy to separate them but when read together they seem to all link together. I think there was one overall point Jesus was making. Even when someone tried to interrupt him. He took notice. He didn’t brush the guy off and just carry on, but he DID continue to make the same point. The interruption seems irrelevant, but it wasn’t....

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure I completely get what Jesus was driving at but apparently it hasn’t stopped me trying to explain it. (Answers on a postcard....) 

So. Here is my highly paraphrased version of Luke 12 1-34. (What I like to call the St James Version)

1-3 The Religious Elite (Pharisees) are hypocrites (They say/show one thing in order to look good, but actually do/believe another thing all together.) Do not be like them. What you do in public and in secret must be the same. 4-5 This also means that you should not keep the truth a secret. This will make you unpopular with some people. They might even hurt you, but they can only hurt your body. Your soul (the eternal part of you) is out of their reach. 6-7 You are worth nothing to them. They are only in it for themselves. You’re a commodity to be exploited or thrown away. God values you. He doesn’t forget a single (cheap) bird (which you value at less than a penny) and you are more precious to him than many birds. 8-10 Believing what I’ve taught you and keeping it to yourself helps no-one. Don’t be ashamed. Don’t be afraid. Me and my good news are more important than your reputation and your safety. Prioritise me ahead of Men and I will prioritise you ahead of Angels. Disown me or hide my involvement in your life and I will disown you too. [According to Strong’s Greek, to ‘Blaspheme’ means refusing to acknowledge good (worthy of respect, veneration); hence, to blaspheme which reverses moral values. So this whole unforgivable Sin thing seems to be about not prioritising the Holy Spirit in our lives or keeping it a secret] 11-12 Do you feel like your public speaking or you defence of your faith isn’t up to it? Don’t worry. The Holy Spirit will make sure you equipped when the time comes. 13 Someone in the crowd calls out ‘You seem like a man with authority, maybe if YOU tell my brother to give me money he will listen to you’ 14-15 Jesus replies ’It’s not my business to settle your dispute, and besides. What do you want all that money for? Money isn’t going to help you. You won’t find a full life in the abundance of possessions. [The word Life here is zóé, which means ‘life both physical and spiritual, sustained by God’s self-existence’ and ‘The Lord intimately shares His gift of life with people, creating each in His image which gives all the capacity to know His eternal life.’ Wow. That’s what God wants to share with us.... :’) ] 16-19 Then Jesus tells them a story about a farmer with good business sense, but calls him foolish. The Farmer has a bumper crop, so he builds bigger barns to keep it all in so that he can retire. Jesus questions his priorities. 20 If he died that night all his work will have gone to waste. He will not benefit from it. While he’s alive he’ll never need worry again. He thinks he has a long term plan, but what about when he dies? What then? All the grain in the world won’t help him then. He’ll be poor in the afterlife. He’ll have nothing. But what can he have done differently? 21 This is what will happen to you too if you keep what you have for yourself rather than using what you have for the benefit of God(s people). [Rich (towards God) = ploutōn = success/yield/dividend I.e. the benefit of your labour/investment] 22-31 THEREFORE (I love that word. Sometimes) Don’t worry about the stuff which only counts while you’re here. Don’t prioritise anything that doesn’t have eternal value. This includes not getting bogged down in rules after rules after rules. Cling to the principle. Is this of eternal value. Will this lead to a God-Dividend? Put yourself in God’s hands and those things you’re currently worried about will be his problem and he’s better than you are sorting them out. He’ll take care of your needs and desires. 32-34 You’re family now. Don’t limit yourself to what you already have. When you see a need and you hold the means in your hand then empty your hand. Then you’re hand will be free to take whatever you need from the family treasure. God’s treasure. Not only that, but whenever your prefer the needs of others to your own you make a deposit in your eternal account. When you enter the afterlife your eternal riches await you. Riches that cannot be stolen and don’t waste away.

Wow, that was long. Here’s a really abridged version:

Be truthful and open You’re God’s. Don’t worry about people no matter how scary they are God treasures you. Treasure him too. When this causes trouble for you God will be with you and give you all you need Don’t let anything in this world get in the way of doing your best for God E.g. Don’t chase money and a comfortable life, or even in order to Work better for God. God knows what you need better than you and is better than you at sorting it so let him worry about that bit.

So there you have it. Value. Treasure. Priority. Efforts. Don’t waste yours. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you. You are Treasured.

And of course.... Do not worry.

[disparateheretic]

Consider the Lily

Part 4 of the series on Luke 12 and it’s about the passage that inspired this clip: http://youtu.be/9czBBKof7Yo

22-24 “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more. 25-28 “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? 29-32 “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

Do not worry.

That’s easier said than done. 

But I think what Jesus is trying to say is that God is better at sorting these things out than you are. Let him take care of you. You might well get something very different than what you wanted, but you will be cared for by one who wants the best for you and who knows you and who has more than everything you will ever need. 

Don’t be limited by your means or your own imagination. Don’t fret that you’ll miss out or won’t “keep up with the Neighbours”. God wants something better for you. Will you accept it?

[disparateheretic]

This is a test

[disparateheretic]

The Rich Fool

Part 3 of the series on Luke 12 is about a foolish Man. I'd like to start by noting that this doesn't imply that all 'rich' people are fools, any more than it implies that all fools are rich.

Then he told them this story: “The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life! “Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?’ “That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.” (‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭16-21‬ MSG) 

Seems like good business sense to me. The Farmer has done well, and the weather has been good and he has more than he can store. So he increases his storage. Jesus doesn't seem to think so. So what is the point he's making? It's in response to a question: 

Someone out of the crowd said, “Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance.” He replied, “Mister, what makes you think it’s any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you?” Speaking to the people, he went on, “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.” (‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭13-15‬ MSG)

Greed. 

I think the point is that the Farmer had enough. Year on year he'd had an average crop and he'd had enough for his needs. THIS year he has more than enough. He has what he needs and then some more. Possibly a lot more.so what does he do? He invests it. Why does he invest it? So he can stop working and 'have the time of his life'.It's a bit harsh isn't it? If the Man had stolen or extorted or hustled and got enough to retire we would call him a criminal. We would call him selfish. This man however has worked hard all his life and has had a lucky break, yet Jesus still calls him selfish. Why is this? It doesn't explicitly say, but here's my opinion. There must have been a few people who's harvest hadn't quite produced enough in that place where that (suddenly) rich man lived. Also, people who owned no land who relied on whatever work they could get on the farms to earn money to buy some of the crops their own hard work had produced. Also some homeless and starving people or some sick and penniless people without a hope. This Man could have made a difference in every one of those lives and still had more than he needed, but instead he built up his barns, maybe hired another couple of security guards and turned his back on them all. In that case I guess he was a bit selfish after all.

[disparateheretic]

"Before"

Carrying straight on then from my last post: Luke12:8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.

The word ‘Before’ appears four times in this verse. I was looking at the greek for some reason and it turns out there are actually two different words which are translated as ‘before’ which obviously I got slightly obsessed with. The one in v8 is ἔμπροσθεν (emprosthen) and the one in v9 is ἐνώπιον (enópios)

WHY!? Why are they different. I had to get some help from a friend who explained that there does seem to be quite a subtle difference between the two. I’m mentioning it because I think it actually makes a significant difference to the meaning of the whole thing.

Emprosthen seems to be about prioritising. ‘Whoever publicly acknowledges me as a priority ahead of others, I will also acknowledge as a priority ahead of the Angels of God. Make sense? It’s a little messy written that way I admit. It seems pretty specific though that Jesus want’s to be a priority (maybe even THE priority) in our lives, and that this should be public knowledge. The priority doesn’t refer to the ‘public’ness though. It refers to the Jesus. Prioritise Jesus and let it show.

Enópios on the other hand seems to only refer to being in view of others. It doesn’t also carry the priority. ‘Whoever disowns me in the sight of others’

In my mind, this implies a sliding scale. At the top is both prioritising Jesus and letting others be aware of it. At the bottom is publicly disowning Jesus. Perhaps there are some other things in between. Like making a big show of what great Jesus followers we are, (perhaps while not even believing it to be true,) or ensuring that we put Jesus first in everything but being very careful not to let anyone ever find out.  Perhaps a scale isn’t the right way to think about it. Maybe it’s more like dip-switches, or one of those four way graph thingies they use to categorise whisky.

So top to bottom would be Public and Private. Left to Right would be Priority or not. Where would you place your dot? Maybe in more than one place? To be fair, both examples are public examples. Perhaps I’m even making it too complicated. There are only two ways. Publicly prioritising Jesus, or publicly disowning him.

Either way, there does seem to be a suggestion of ‘best practice’.  It seems to be quite important to him that he is first. I’d like to suggest that far from being selfish or needy he is explaining what is best for us and for those that we come into contact with. That would make sense. If it’s good for us, and people see it’s good for us then maybe they will try it and it will be good for them too.

This is something I’ve been thinking and talking with my friends about quite a lot. People don’t want to hear us talk about Jesus. When the subject comes up, people switch off, or they default to ‘well that’s good for you’ mode (and by people I also mean me sometimes if I’m really honest). However. I do believe that Jesus has a positive impact in my life (when I let him). I also believe that whoever-else would also let him he would make a positive difference for them too. If I make it my priority and let people see, then they will see how it works and that it is beneficial and if they choose to try it they can.

Now all I have to do is figure how it’s done.

[Greek assistance provided by Andy. My friend, mentor and writer of The Big Picture blog]

[disparateheretic]

Many Sparrows

I've been reading through Luke, and got a bit stuck on chapter 12. This whole conversation/teaching of Jesus seems to hop around. There seems to be a few topics one after another but I think there might actually be a common thread to them. I'm planning to look at each one and then look at the whole thing together, so here's number one:

Are not FIVE sparrows sold for TWO pennies? Yet not ONE of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12 6-7 - Emphasis mine)

According to what I've dug up on the internet, the 'penny' quoted here is an 'Assarion' which was like the Roman penny. Four Quadrants made an assarion and ten assarion made a denarious. It's very difficult to make a direct comparison, but the point it is was the second least valuable coin.

So, what stands out to me in the above is the numbers, (hence why I have emphasised them). There are two ways of reading the above, in my opinion. One would be: Sparrows are cheap. You can own FIVE for TWO assarion. That's only 1.6 quadrants per bird! Your human life is valued a little higher. You're worth at least five assarion. This sounds pretty ridiculous when written that way, but the sad fact is this kind of valuing still exists. According to freetheslaves.net the average price of a human slave TODAY is $90, and stopthetraffic.org estimate the global number of people in forced labour as 20.9 million. That's 20,900,000 people, and it isn't just the sex industry. It's chocolate and coffee and clothing and smartphones too. Not directly, otherwise there would be uproar! Many of the things that we buy have some forced labour at some point in their supply and manufacture. Try slaveryfootprint.org to get a better idea of what I mean.

The other way is to see that Jesus is pointing out that God values each ONE life individually. There is no 'five for two assarion' in God's economy. He does not forget a single ONE. He values every life. Every sparrow is valued. Every ONE sparrow, and YOU are valued even more than many sparrows. Each of us is one individual, treasured by God. Do you see how pluralising something subtly de-values it? It's similar when people are defined by their category. The Elderly. The Young. Immigrants. Homosexuals. Religious people. It implies they are all the same. They're problematic. They're a nuisance. They're not like us. Categories can forget that each ONE is an individual. God does not forget a single individual ONE. 

How do YOU value each human life? How about animals? How about yourself?

You are worth more than many Sparrows.

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I'm considering getting this blog going again.... Watch this space!

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The Grand Total for my head shave fundraiser is £251! I thought £100 was ambitious but apparently not. Thanks to all who supported and donated. You can still give via the link above if you were intending to.

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Tomorrow is the big day!!

I think I have reached my target with the 'offline' giving added with the 'online' If you want to be there when it happens, come to 119 Milton Road, Corringham at about 3.30pm.

Justgiving.com/beardtobald 

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Urgent Hairdresser needed!!

I have someone shaving my head and beard, but Pet doesn't currently have anyone to cut her hair short, but still look nice... : / If you are a hairdresser that is willing (or know one that is) please get in touch!

It is all still going ahead though, all being well. If you're interested in being there to see it all in person the venue has been confirmed as 119 Milton Road at 3.30PM. It will cost you £5 on the door, with all proceeds going to the charity pot. (Pet is raising money for the Little Princess Trust and I am doing it for cancer research, so money on the door will be split 50-50)

[batgirl-reincarnate]

New watch :)

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I want #childtrafficking in the chocolate industry to end. Help tell #Mondelēz that we want #traffikfreechocolate http://thndr.it/1gFulbM

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Head Shave Update

I've had £23 already, and another £25 promised on the sponshorship form. People are really getting behind it too. I thought people would think it silly, but they do think it's a big thing. You can sponsor me with a credit/debit card here, and it also has the instructions to donate by txt: http://www.justgiving.com/BeardToBald

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Fundraising Head Shave - Beard to Bald

So… It’s definitely going ahead. 27th April I’m shaving my head to donate the hair to the Little Princess Trust, who make wigs for kids with hair loss due to cancer.

However, I thought while I’m doing this, maybe I can raise some money too. We’ve lost a few people to Cancer over the last few years and I’ve been wanting to do something for a while. I was going to do a run, but bad ankles have ruled that out for a while yet, so I thought why not this! I’m known for my hair and my beard, so maybe people will part with a little money to see me without.

The beard is going too.

I’m excited but nervous too. I’ve not been bald since I was a baby!

There will be a video of the shearing and the shaving, and if you want to come and watch in person it’s £5 per ticket. Danni’s Mum is having her hair cut short too, so it’s 2 for the price of one!!!

Let me know if you want to come along.