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gelatinemonkey
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Name: Scott
Country: United States
State: Massachusetts
Metro: Boston
Birthday: 6/8/1985
Gender: Male
Interests: --Passions--God & everything about Him. Letting God prepare me @ GCTS--Activities--Soccer(indoor & out), Ultimate Frisbee, video games, & drawing --Phillipians 3: 8-12-- What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ & be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God & is by faith. I want to know Christ & the power of His resurrection & the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, & so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Expertise: An expert at nothing but receiving grace for messing up and failing miserably, being broken before Him and letting Him put me back together, and becoming a relearner of everything I forget so easily.
Occupation: Student / Disciple
Industry: Comp. Sci / Transforming Lives
Message: message me
AIM:  gelatinemonkey
MSN: Xonia@live.com
Member Since:
1/30/2004
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| Job 12 (Msg)What we really see
Job 12 [link]
Job isn't one to mince words here, and he uses a bit of sarcasm against Zophar at the beginning, too. (I won't pursue that topic much further than that, though).
Job describes perfectly (especially in the second half) what we really see. We see so many of those in secular power, and even those in "religious positions of power", have happen exactly like Job says. The strange thing here is that Job says it in the position he's in. He's in the same position, yet still claims no fault. How strange. Well, to be precise, Job is stating that "no, things aren't peachy keen, and crying out to God is the only way for anything to happen." Somewhat of a, "OF COURSE this could happen -- God's done it before, sheesh."
I also like his statement about wisdom in his sarcastic, almost bitter-like remark. His pointing out of Zophar's "mocking" of him shows real truth, too. For some reason we try to peddle truth as some "deep insight" only our leaders can know. They come up with these "great definitions" we all chant over and over and then we never know how to explain it ourselves without re-quoting them. I'm not against good definitions, but we pawn it off as if the guy who said "God is Sovereign" is some kind of genius.
The elderly do NOT have a corner on wisdom. This knowledge comes with 2 points:
1) The elders should not automatically disregard the youths' questions and responses. God can share His truth with the young AND old.
2) The youths can not claim "lack of experience" for everything, all the time. Ergo, because God shares with each alike we cannot play a "I'm still young" card as if we get off because we haven't had "enough time" to get it yet. Youths cannot "slack-off" in their seeking to grow, know, and learn.
God can topple the powerful, and the only way back up is through His grace and mercy. Do we think every one of those in "high positions of the church" who have fallen in the past did what was claimed? That they were guilty of what was said? Perhaps some were punished not for their sins, but another reason. Instead of condemning them (as is so easy, as we see here from Job), why do we not lift them up in prayer and ask God to aid them?
Are we seeking reconciliation with God, or someone to mock? Someone to point a finger at? Something to take our mind off of how poorly we keep God's commands ourselves?
Heavenly Father, thank You for being so fantastic and amazing. Help us to bring You great glory, honor, and praise. Help us to give You all we have. Help us to trust You for provision, and to fall upon our knees at Your feet when we are dethroned or humbled. May we remember who we are in relation to You, Father. May our lives bring glory to You and spread the Truth of Who You are. Abba, help us to love You more. Show us how to love. Have mercy on us once-sinners who so easily turn back and sin once again. Don't give up on us, please! We have nowhere else to go, and no one else to turn to. I love You, Abba. Thank You for everything.
Amen.
Keepin' On
State: Good
Okay, so... =P
Today our landlord woke me up to ask if I could help move a piano. Of course, it seems he came to me 20 minutes before it was to go because his other helper hurt himself. He also needed help during the only time all morning that I really couldn't come help -- right when I had to take Amy to work. C'est la vie.
"Thank you" letters get mailed out tomorrow since I forgot to put them in the outbox before 12 today. Also, seems I have some pump supplies that need to be returned due to some possible errors. 2% of them got messed up. They need up to send them all back and then they'll give them back slowly, over time.
Hmm, what else... I think that's about it, really.
God bless, all! | | |
| Job 11 (Msg)Third time's a... charm?
Job 11 [link]
Zophar steps up to the plate and... OH! He not only missed, he managed to hit himself with his own bat!
Well, that's what I feel like. It's also easy to say with him being dead and knowing that if he's in heaven he'll forgive me for my hard interpretations of his statements.
Sometimes I wonder about what I write. Do those who I condemn from here hear or know what I've written? Because they're not here and I know the end of the story... does that make it okay? Am I doing it for the right reasons? I think sometimes we're doing it for "morsels of truth" instead of to make God's Name known more... but this is all an aside for another time.
Much along those lines, though, Zophar seems to me to almost approach Job like he honestly doesn't know God and is a sinner. His first paragraph spouts off into a litany of how unknowable God is (those who find God so glorious), and then into how depraved we humans are.
I'd imagine Zophar's a Calvinist. I don't mean that entirely as a slam, though. Zophar has a view of God that makes God so big that not only CAN'T we touch Him, but that we shouldn't even bother trying to! Taking things before him has become a bad thing to him, as if we're trying to put God on trial. His assumptions are so horribly wrong, too. He STARTS by saying Job hasn't even gotten half of what he deserves... and yet we know Job hasn't deserved any of this! One could argue a "we're all sinners from birth" perspective, which to some extent I agree with, but I honestly don't think that's the direction Zophar's going here.
Zophar's a hyper-Calvinist, to the point that may be reached if certain tennants of the faith are exploited and made deeper without reviewing the other half of things said in the Bible. Zophar gives Job his version of what salvation is like in the second half, and man if I can figure out where in the world he finds all that! He almost seems to be slyly back-handing Job after each mini-part (saying what an *evil* person would do [which is exactly what Job's doing, in his eyes, I think]), and presenting a gospel of wealth and prosperity this side of heaven to Job. I agree to the health and wealth Gospel -- but *only* after death. In eternity we'll all have plenty of health and wealth, but this side of heaven it's NOT guaranteed. We get more guarantees of suffering (or at least it seems like it to me) than we do of material success.
What are we looking at? How do we treat people who look at God differently than us? Do we jump down their throats because they don't have the same view? Do we condemn them to hell and brow-beat them slyly by doing it (which one could honestly argue I've just done to Zophar, myself)? By the measure we judge, so shall we be judged by God. We must be careful what we pronounce as eternal truths and what "must be done". lest we find ourselves in a heap of trouble at the end of it all with how we, then, are judged.
One final word: that doesn't mean "tolerance" -- it means to be careful what we call ultimate truth. To be open to knew thoughts, but being open doesn't mean accepting. Being open means being willing to go the direction we see as fit. So that means either we need to change what we judge by if things aren't coming out like they should be, eh?
Heavenly Father, help us to see You as the ultimate Truth. Help us to know all knowledge and wisdom comes from You. Abba, we need You. Please help us to glorify You with our entire beings. Help us to glorify You in how we think, and to take for truth what You have called truth. May we be humble, and wuick to admit fault and wrongdoing. May we stand up for justice and truth. May we be champions of Your cause, Abba -- not our own, and not of "being right" or "looking good." Lord, may I judge others only by Your standard of judging in every way, at all times, for all things. We love You, Abba. Thank You for everything.
Amen.
Another Day Goes By
State: Good
Hmm, not a ton to say today, either. Life keeps going on.
Took Amy to and from work today. Our landlord stopped by and had someone tune the piano as well. That was kinda neat. Now Amy can play without worrying about hitting the bad keys. ^_^
Really... today kind of flew by and I have little of interest to really say. Sorry to not be more exciting. =P
God bless, all! | | |
| Job 10 (Msg)Moses 2: Electric Boogaloo?
Job 10 [link]
This chapter reminds me of Moses, to be honest.
The way Job formulates His case is much like how Moses interceded for the people of Israel. He asks God to change His situation because of who He is and what is true, and not because of anything he's done. He doesn't feel that he deserves a good life, but he is honestly surprised about what is happening. He can't fathom it, and God is holding back "why" from him.
So he falls on his knees before God and says, "Remember! Remember who You are and what You've done!" He pours out his bitterness here, in ways much like Moses did, too. One difference is that Moses never got to the Promised Land, yet God will restore Job's losses. Job's losses are not because of what Job has done at all. Moses' losses were of his own doing, even though he was so very humble.
I might also point out that once again, Job pouring out his bitterness is NOT condemned by God! Telling God why you're upset isn't a bad thing. God will listen. Dialog with Him! Tell Him what's wrong -- just be ready to receive His answer. Job does not bottle it all up. Now bottling it up doesn't mean you must speak immediately. Job waited a few weeks as he sat there in ashes before saying all of this. This is not a call for those who have trouble speaking, or aren't inclined, that they should "open up right away and blab it all out!" Job here is speaking before his closest friends. He's waited awhile; however, he doesn't keep it all in when he needs to let it out. He spills it all.
It's one more reason for why we should stop wearing masks. I don't care how pretty your mask is -- instead of investing in beautiful things to go over your face, why don't you learn to love yourself and make the REAL you beautiful -- to let God mold you and shape you and give you self worth in who you are, instead of the pretty things you own.
When we complain to God, we should probably make sure we're appealing to who He is, and not who we are (unless we're rightly appealing to what/who we are and just how much we can't do it without Him). The focus should always be upon the Lord if we can manage it. Then bit by bit... we'll learn to look to Him, trust Him, and want Him more and more in our lives.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being so wonderful, awesome, and amazing. Lord, we love You, praise You, and thank You for being such a fantastic God. Abba, we need You! Please help us to appeal to who You are and what You've done. Help us to speak openly to You, yet be ready to repent of all we've done wrong before or during the speaking. Abba, instead of hiding in the mud, let us come before you and be washed clean. Let us not return to the pit and evil ways, but when we do may we know that You are the only source of cleansing we can truly go to. There's nothing we can hide, so we should really just stop trying. Abba, help us to figure out how to mix that with each of our cultures appropriately, too. Help us to follow after You the best we can, and to glorify You with every breath we have. May Your Name be praised over all the earth, Abba.
Amen.
Pretty Good Day
State: Not too bad
So... another day and more stuff passes.
In job search news, it seems Cornell is looking to hire a janitor. Aside from the ridiculously atrocious hours (lol) it's a full time position that makes decent money and has great benefits. 3 shifts (I don't know if I'd switch off or take them all or what): 11pm-7am, 5am-1:30pm, and 7pm-2am. I'll be applying for it, just fyi.
We're keeping track of our budget this month, too. We'll have to see just how accurate it'll be, but overall it should give us a pretty good idea of where we're at.
Hmm, what else...
I got Amy some flowers today as a surprise and took them over to her at work. I wanted to check out the Tuesday farmer's market in Ithaca, and since it was our "1 month and 1 day" of being married I thought I'd get her something.
Umm... that's really about it. I'm also keeping myself occupied with a game online. I need to cut back a bit and make sure everything's also getting done. I don't think I've absorbed myself in it too much yet, but I do see it leaking over a bit more than I'd like it to.
I think that's about it for today. Not much else I can drum up.
So... with that -- God bless, all! | | |
| Job 9 (Msg)A Case for Christ
Job 9 [link]
Seriously. Just check out v. 32-35 and I think you'll agree.
Job speaks with utter wisdom and clarity throughout this entire chapter. He knows exactly where he is. We can't bring anything before God. We're not peers and we'll never be peers (on our own). We need someone to step in so we can "plead our case." We need someone who can be a peer to God in the courtroom, and the only person who can do that is Christ: God, Himself, made flesh.
Right or wrong, we can bring nothing before God. His ways are higher and perfect. Fighting it only brings scorn. Who's going to honestly believe Job if he says, "It's God's fault, not mine! I'm innocent!" The answer is no one, and we wouldn't either. If you ever try to "pin" something on God as if it was His fault... well, we should all know how that tends to work out.
I think in a sense the statement that "God saved us from Himself" is not so unfounded. I wouldn't throw it around flippantly, but it does have truth in it. There is nothing worse than God's wrath -- nothing which should be more frightening. Hell is scary and so bad precisely because it is a result of God's wrath. To say anything outside of God could be on the same level of "bad" as God is absolutely ridiculous. His punishment is the worst thing we could ever face... and guess what? We all chose it! X(
The only way for Job to stand before God, innocent or not, is to have an arbitrator. We all need Christ. We cannot do it on our own. We can't earn it, merit it, bribe our way through it, or put a deposit on it. It is Christ who is eternal life. Christ. We MUST have Him or we really have nothing.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Son! Jesus, thank You for enduring the scorn and scourge for my sins, my wife's sins, my parent's sins, my friends' sins, and my enemies' sins. Thank You for loving us to deeply and passionately that You provided Yourself to help us with the problem we had of what in the world we'd have to do when we see You on Judgment Day. Help us to remember and believe that without Christ we are and have nothing. He is what gives us value. He is who sustains us, loves us, never will leave us... if we will but trust, obey, and follow Him (and subsequently You, Lord). May the Holy Spirit illuminate us in the wisdom we need to follow after God and turn aside from that which seeks to ensnare and throw us off minute after minute. May the battle rage on, but may it not drag us under -- may we see the Light and hold fast to God, our amazing God. Abba, may we be able to accept the space to love more and more each day, sharing that love with You and others. May we grow into a likeness more and more as Your Son exhibited to us. May we glorify You in all that we do, and may we give everything we have to You, laying it at Your feet as a (hopefully) sweet smelling incense.
Amen.
Sitting back, I suppose
State: Good
So... seems thank you notes will finally be making it out here soon, only 4.5 weeks late or so. =P I guess that's okay? Apparently we get 6 weeks? Who knows these things!? Well, I'm glad Amy does. ;P
Life's still going fairly well. No job yet. Still looking around. Amy's doing fairly well, aside from tiredness and such in normal life.
Hmm... overall I'd enjoy being employed sooner than later. It's hard for me to sit around at home (well, not really), since I end up feeling like I'm attempting to refill a seriously empty tank. I end up using time less than effectively. I guess it really comes down to (as I discovered earlier) that this is a lot like being prepped for missions work. I'm forced to accept that I can't get myself out of the place I am right now. I have work to do, and I need to get it done. I'm still afloat and not going broke fast because my wife has employment for now. I'd best get on the stuff I need to be doing soon. Seriously. Super-seriously.
Still helping Amy learn to drive. She's progressing well. We introduced driving with more cars around today.
That's really about it for now. Other than having the best wife, there's not much more I have to say for this section.
God bless, all! | | |
| Job 8 (Msg)Analysis of an Speech 2
Job 8 [link]
Let's look at this one like we did the first one:
Bildad's ResponseDoes God Mess Up? 1-7 Bildad from Shuhah was next to speak:
"How can you keep on talking like this?
You're talking nonsense, and noisy nonsense at that.
Does God mess up?
Does God Almighty ever get things backward?
It's plain that your children sinned against him—
otherwise, why would God have punished them?
Here's what you must do—and don't put it off any longer:
Get down on your knees before God Almighty.
If you're as innocent and upright as you say,
it's not too late—he'll come running;
he'll set everything right again, reestablish your fortunes.
Even though you're not much right now,
you'll end up better than ever. To Hang Your Life from One Thin Thread 8-19 "Put the question to our ancestors,
study what they learned from their ancestors.
For we're newcomers at this, with a lot to learn,
and not too long to learn it.
So why not let the ancients teach you, tell you what's what,
instruct you in what they knew from experience?
Can mighty pine trees grow tall without soil?
Can luscious tomatoes flourish without water?
Blossoming flowers look great before they're cut or picked,
but without soil or water they wither more quickly than grass.
That's what happens to all who forget God—
all their hopes come to nothing.
They hang their life from one thin thread,
they hitch their fate to a spider web.
One jiggle and the thread breaks,
one jab and the web collapses.
Or they're like weeds springing up in the sunshine,
invading the garden,
Spreading everywhere, overtaking the flowers,
getting a foothold even in the rocks.
But when the gardener rips them out by the roots,
the garden doesn't miss them one bit.
The sooner the godless are gone, the better;
then good plants can grow in their place.
20-22 "There's no way that God will reject a good person,
and there is no way he'll help a bad one.
God will let you laugh again;
you'll raise the roof with shouts of joy,
With your enemies thoroughly discredited,
their house of cards collapsed."
Overall I think Bildad's response looks much better than Eliphaz's. His reasoning seems more solid, though many of his thoughts are again only half-thought through.
He uses experience to implore for why Job should listen, yet elsewhere he doesn't let experience speak for itself. See, experience is a fickle mistress. It rarely works the same way all the time, and while it can point to truths, the truths are usually only half-truths or end-truths, but not "this will happen this way immediately all the time" truths. We often base experience off of the "this happened to me in the short run" instead of the long run, or we fall into the trap of forgetting the long-run only applies to the long-run.
Saying his children outright sinned was a bad move, but even with his bad suggestion, the things he says (ultimately) come true. Job IS upright (save his one mistake through it all), and he IS restored at the end and made greater. Not because God had to or does that for all people this side of heaven. though.
The same mistake pervades his thought as Eliphaz -- that no good person gets hurt. Bildad seems a bit presumptuous and harsh, but his advice (given it were true) was actually quite excellent. Seem thus far his only undoing is his rashness in speaking and assumptions.
We're all prone to that -- speaking before we have all the facts, or interpreting one wrong, which can lead most everything else astray. We need to slow down, listen, and think a bit more before we speak.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being so wonderful. I pray that we would slow down and not make false assumptions because we're not willing to open up our minds to other possibilities. We must have an open mind, but only an open mind which is open for the sake of seeking the truth. When the truth is found we must close our openness, but let us not be too closed before we begin. Help us to learn how to be there for our freinds, and help us to give sage advice, too. Abba, we love You, praise You and thank You for all things. May this all be about You, and may Your Name be famed above all other things.
Amen.
Yay for Saturdays and Visits
State: A bit behind, but very good ^_^
So...
My parents came to visit as of Thursday. This meant a decrease of posting would likely occur. =P They came for just a few days since dad had the time off work thanks to the 4th of July. Speaking of that, happy that today, today. =P It was really good to get to see my parents again. We were both glad they came.
We just had some people over. We try to have people over for supper every weekend, and so far it's been good. We missed last week, but we're still trying to get it rolling and figure out who's still in town and who isn't. This week was gyuu-don, or basically meat over rice. We also had some spinach stuff and edamame, too. Dessert was a fruit tart, which was quite awesome.
Umm... otherwise not too much else to report. Transformers 2 was pretty good. We got a new router, so that's super-nice. There really isn't much else I can think of, actually.
Life's been good. Time to do my QT before we go watch something at the Cornell on-campus cinema. It just shows one thing at a time, but Amy never went while she was a student and wants to go now. That'll be in about 25 minutes or so, so I best get going!
Oh, one more thing -- Amy's also learning how to drive. Today was her first time driving on a major road, and she did quite well. I was very proud with how well she did. Her goal's to have her license by her birthday in about 2 months. I think she'll do just fine. ^_^
God bless, all.
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