From Christmas to Genesis

Well I have survived the first of the holidays and seem to be regrouping well for the next one. I mentioned in an earlier post that there was the question posed to me about why we celebrate Christmas in the middle of winter rather than in the spring which would be more in line with the scriptures.
In response to this, I am not really clear but when you think of the whole story, the entire life and walk of Christ it begins to make some sense in my mind. First we have to take into consideration what the celebrations of the church mean.
Christmas is the beginning of the life, the start of the whole Messiah walk. The birth of Christ is the start-up of what is to come. If it represents a hope of new life, then the middle of winter where there are already festivals and celebrations (pagan) that represented this to the people. It became a simple task to attach the "birth of a new hope" onto the already hopefull celebration. In winter we also have "hope" of spring when life will renew itself and the hope will be fulfilled. Change will have happened and we will get the gift of new life.
The move into Epiphinay (sp), the realization of what we have. The day is when finally, it all becomes clear. I would liken it in a way to Luke 2.25 and following verses. My eyes have seen and I have held the Savior of the world.
There are other days that lift up particular events in the life of the church but the next one to really add to why Christmas would be in the middle of winter, (only in the northern hemishpere) would be that breaking forth in the spring. When the new plants emerge and life begins from the cold, frozen, dark winter. Easter!!!!!, the resurrection and new life. The real answer to the question posed at Christmas. "Is there really hope?" Yes is the answer and it comes as a blast of trumpets and death is conquered for all time.
All of this is easily misinterpreted and we begin to wonder why there is death to begin with. This comes to us from Genesis. The second question, who did the sons of Adam marry?
This one is about the same as the first, there is no easy answer without looking at the whole picture. It begins in a garden of completeness, a garden of bliss, one filled with God's presence and his peace.
Enter God's creation, human kind, and soon the whole thing falls apart. There is sin and the sin leads to getting kicked out and the introduction of pain and suffering. It continues in the murder of a brother, again a kicking out and more suffering and strife.
I will attack some things I found but the answer seems to be mathmatical at best. There are many years and lots of off-spring. Marriage is not limited to those not blood related as the purity of genes allows it to be okay biologically. So it is likely the only answer is yes, there were families created from the marriage of brothers and sisters.
It is later in scripture forbidden to marry close relatives. I hope this will create a curiosity to get us digging deeper into the big picture. I caution many who seek simple answers that there are none. The cure is simple, give your life over to Jesus. He is obviously seeking you if you have these questions.
Be careful that you don't try to make God to small so you can hold him and make him what you want. This life in Christ is a messy thing but one that is exciting and freeing.
Sue (sp) I hope this answers some of your questions and I will be calling to check in. There are those reading this who are much wiser than I so ask if you are in question and maybe someone can clear up some confusion that I created.
I can't remember where I found these but did a Google search. Like all the scriptures I struggle with there isn't much info.
Cain and his descendants.
1. (16-17) Cain moves away and marries.
Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son; Enoch.
a. And Cain knew his wife: We don’t know where did Cain got his wife. Genesis 5:4 says Adam had several sons and daughters. Cain obviously married his sister. Though marrying a sister was against the law of God according to Leviticus 18:9, 18:11, 20:17, and Deuteronomy 27:22 (which even prohibits the marrying of a half-sister), this was long before God spoke that law to Moses and the world.
i. Here, necessity demanded that Adam’s sons marry his daughters. And at this point, the “gene pool” of humanity was pure enough to allow close marriage without harm of inbreeding. But as a stream can get more polluted the further it gets from the source, there came a time when God decreed there no longer be marriage between close relatives because of the danger of inbreeding.
ii. Even Abraham married his half-sister Sarah (Genesis 20:12). God did not prohibit such marriages until the time of Moses (Leviticus 18:9). Marrying a brother or sister was not forbidden until God forbade it.
Commentary by David Guzik

Dr. Shuckford farther observes that the Hebrew word tya oth, which we translate a mark, signifies a sign or token. Thus, chap. ix. 13, the bow was to be tyal leoth, for a sign or token that the world should not be destroyed; therefore the words, And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, should be translated, And the Lord appointed to Cain a token or sign, to convince him that no person should be permitted to slay him. To have marked him would have been the most likely way to have brought all the evils he dreaded upon him; therefore the Lord gave him some miraculous sign or token that he should not be slain, to the end that he should not despair, but, having time to repent, might return to a gracious God and find mercy. Notwithstanding the allusion which I suppose St. Paul to have made to the punishment of Cain, some think that he did repent and find mercy. I can only say this was possible. Most people who read this account wonder why Cain should dread being killed, when it does not appear to them that there were any inhabitants on the earth at that time besides himself and his parents. To correct this mistake, let it be observed that the death of Hebel took place in the one hundred and twenty-eighth or one hundred and twenty-ninth year of the world. Now, "supposing Adam and Eve to have had no other sons than Cain and Hebel in the year of the world one hundred and twenty-eight, yet as they had daughters married to these sons, their descendants would make a considerable figure on the earth. Supposing them to have been married in the nineteenth year of the world, they might easily have had each eight children, some males and some females, in the twenty-fifth year. In the fiftieth year there might proceed from them in a direct line sixty-four persons; in the seventy-fourth year there would be five hundred and twelve; in the ninety-eighth year, four thousand and ninety- six; in the one hundred and twenty-second they would amount to thirty-two thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight: if to these we add the other children descended from Cain and Hebel, their children, and their children's children, we shall have, in the aforesaid one hundred and twenty-eight years four hundred and twenty-one thousand one hundred and sixty-four men capable of generation, without reckoning the women either old or young, or such as are under the age of seventeen." See Dodd.
But this calculation may be disputed, because there is no evidence that the antediluvian patriarchs began to have children before they were sixty-five years of age. Now, supposing that Adam at one hundred and thirty years of age had one hundred and thirty children, which is quite possible, and each of these a child at sixty-five years of age, and one in each successive year, the whole, in the one hundred and thirtieth year of the world, would amount to one thousand two hundred and nineteen persons; a number sufficient to found several villages, and to excite the apprehensions under which Cain appeared at this time to labour.
Adam Clarke’s commentary on Genes

Happy reading. Will be back after the new year begins. Pastor WaynO

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all. It is a wonderful time to stop the busy rush of shopping and planning and all the hasle of the season and for just a moment catch our breath. I know I will enjoy just sitting doing very little and enjoying my family.
As you celebrate the day think about what the day really stands for. We celebrate the time in a rythm that moves through the life and works of Christ each and every year. This marks the begining so prepare for the middle as we get into the real excitement of being Christ's followers.
Go enjoy and know that you are loved by the Savior of the world, Jeus Christ. Put your faith in him and learn to let him lead your life.
Pastor WaynO

The Real Christmas

Well it is that time of year and I just had a question posed to me, "why is Christmas celebrated in the middle of winter rather than during the spring, which is the time the scriptures would lead us to believe?"
At this point I am asking all of you who are reading to let us know what you think/know about the time of the celebration.
I have some web info I am posting but feel it may get us further if we all put some thought into it and ask the real hard questions.
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=mini_home&mini_id=1290 and go to the "The Real Story of Christmas" in the left column.
Then I went to the Wikipedea and did a search for Christmas.
As for the real reason, I am not sure how to answer that at this moment.
Next week, after Christmas we will jump to the other end of the Bible and take a look at Cain and Able and the beginning of the human story.
Keep sharing and learning Pastor WaynO

Studying the Bible

I wanted to have this blog be a great place to begin a discussion for a study. I had some great ideas. I had a direction. Then life hit me in the face and I lost most of what I had in my mind. It has occured to me however that we do need to study the Bible and I will begin a study after the Christmas season is behind me
From the Stewardship study that prompted this blog I have been moved to some new thoughts about living the Christian life. I would like to study some about developing a personal mission statement. Taking our life in Christ to a new level of committment. Deciding if our lives are lived as fundraising lives or stewardship lives and what that might mean as we move along day to day.
I will hopefully be posting here as a study and leave the political, religious, and other such distractions to the newpreachin blog. I posted about the Golden Compass movie and what surrounds it and believe some of this is what we develop as personal theology.
If anyone has comment or direction for any of the above discussion let me know and it will hopefully be included also.
Have a merry Christmas if I don't hear from you before. Pastor WaynO

Not sure how to begin the thought process but as we study the Bible things from the world jump in and can mess things up a bit or at least add a whole new dynamic. One such thing is the movie the Golden Compass. As I have stated before I don't like the whole concept of boycotting and e-bashing or using the internet and email as a ground to throw things at someone or something. This movie is no different than so much other stuff and I happened to notice that Harry Potter is the new up and coming Christmas movie thon. I would be interested to hear thoughts and especially info on the new one the Golden Compass.
I found on the PCUSA site a statement about the movie and some of its bias' and theology. I would encourage you to check out the site at http://www.pcusa.org/theologyandworship/goldencompass.htm
If there are other somewhat open minded sites for info I would be interested in them also. Lets get some sharing going on here.
Pastor WaynO

I am not sure where to go at the moment but feel we need to find a place to study. I wonder how many of you out there worship with the RCL. If you do then you can find the scrupture for the coming week easily through your denom. If not I would suggest this, check out the PCUSA site, (if I am correct this should take you where you need to be http://www.pcusa.org/cgi-bin/lectiond.cgi).
We can then start by moving through each day with reflection and response to the scrupture listed. If anyone has another idea we can easily move where we can all get something out of this blog.
I would choose Jude 17-25 today as it seems to speak of the season we are in. Reaching out and caring without indifference to those who seem so lost. I have some fear of the OT text from Amos, I myself might fall into that group of detestible and refused worshipers. In Matt. I think we have had enough of an emphasis on stewardship but can always be reminded of what is ours to use and what should be used in a different manner.
Open to your comments! WaynO

Thought you would all enjoy this little tidbit. Maybe I should reframe this a bit. I get so many protest this and protest that emails that I want to scream sometimes. I have wondered how many just forward them and then assume they have made a good mark for themselves in the book of life. Quit now Wayne or you will say to much. Enjoy and think about what is here. WaynO

The task AHEAD of you is never as great as the POWER behind you. Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Ephesians 6:10

Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upsetthat folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybeyou've forgotten that I wasn't actually born duringthis time of the year and that it was some of yourpredecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday onwhat was actually a time of pagan festival. Although Ido appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration canprobably be most easily understood by those of you whohave been blessed with children of your own. I don'tcare what you call the day. If you want to celebrateMy birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers youthat the town in which you live doesn't allow a scenedepicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple ofSantas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity sceneon your own front lawn. If all My followers did thatthere wouldn't be any need for such a scene on thetown square because there would be many of them allaround town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are callingthe tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree.It was I who made all trees. You can remember Meanytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if youwish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching,explaining who I am in relation to you and what eachof our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one,look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of Mybirth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to theway My birthday is being celebrated, write letters oflove and hope to soldiers away from home. They areterribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know,they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have toknow them personally. They just need to know thatsomeone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about thewording on the cards his staff sent out this year, whydon't you write and tell him that you'll be prayingfor him and his family this year. Then followup. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts youcan't afford and they don't need, spend time withthem. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I cameto live with you down here. Hold them in your arms andremind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past andforgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attemptto take their own life this season because they feelso alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who thatperson is, try giving everyone you meet a warmsmile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer inyour town calls the holiday, be patient with thepeople who work there. Give them a warm smile and akind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a"Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishingthem one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If thestore didn't make so much money on that day they'dclose and let their employees spend the day at homewith their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support amissionary--especially one who takes My love and GoodNews to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and wholefamilies in your town who not only will have no"Christmas" tree, but neither will they have anypresents to give or receive. If you don't know them,buy some food and a few gifts and give them to theSalvation Army or some other charity which believes inMe and they will make the delivery for you.10. Finally, if you want to make a statement aboutyour belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like aChristian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn'tdo in My presence. Let people know by your actionsthat you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself.Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'lltake care of all the rest. Check out the list aboveand get to work; time is short. I'll help you, butthe ball is now in your court. And do have a mostblessed Christmas with all those whom you love andremember : I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

Copying from one blog to another may get me in trouble but the new link I put up may get me out of some trouble with studying. And I know I said I would be off for a while but I just can't help it when I find stuff that seems to open some new questions and maybe even give a few answers. This is a site I found from nosing around another blog http://kingdomgrace.wordpress.com/ that caught my eye a while back. I don't how I get these except if I must put blame it is the Holy Spirit.Well with that heresy I better quit before lightening strikes.Pastor WaynO

Just can't stay away. It seems there is so much to tell, so much to say to the world that I can't get said. I am not even sure what I have to say but pray the Spirit will descramble it for me. I am preaching in the morning, Advent 1 and it is the time again when I struggle with the Christmas stuff. I researched and have discovered that Christmas in all it's forms has faded in and out of glory within the confines of the church. The Puritans punished celebrants for it, the early colonies opposed it because it was an English tradition. Most of what the Christian world holds near and dear about it has been dreamed up out of fairy tales, pagan celebrations, and pieces of old tradition here and there both Christian and non Christian.I hear so much hype from Christians and then see so little action from them, it leaves me curious what it really is this being a Christian??????Pastor WaynO