This custom was ancient! When women were in such a state, men were to stay away from them, not to touch them. This custom cuts one way, against women, to say that they are defiled and whoever touches a woman in this condition will be infected by her defilement. But, on the other hand, it's a method well-known to people who are oppressed to use the instrument of their oppression as a way to empower themselves. ...<< MORE >>

Jacob woke up refreshed and blessed anew, so he decides to consecrate and commemorate the place by pouring wine and oil over a rock, marking the space: "I did not know that the Lord was in this place, but the Lord was here." In the middle of nowhere. Here's what's important: The Lord needs absolutely nothing to decide to bless you. Doesn't need any special time. Doesn't need any special place. Doesn't need any special conditions whatsoever. If the Lord decides to bless you, you're blessed.<< MORE >>

So that's what's perplexing: When he gets this amazing promise for God, he responds with what? "I'm going to give you a tenth." And a tenth of what? Only what God gives to him. What kind of deal is that? In fact, that tenth sure isn't going to hurt Jacob. It's more like a token. Here's what Christine calls it: a tip. People are "tipping God." And people think they're doing something. Which suggests something to us: If you think this is cheesy of Jacob, then when you read it, you're not supposed to be saying to yourself, "That Jacob's a miserable fellow." You're supposed to be looking at who? Yourself. << MORE >>

Think about this: If someone has been hurt, and the power of forgiveness is required for there to be restoration and reconciliation, and if the power to forgive is a gift, the gift must be received from someone. The someone who powers the gift of forgiveness must be someone who has powers greater than that which humans possess. They must have a kind of "superhuman" power. It comes as a consequence of divine power, God's power. You can forgive when you've made yourself receptive to the grace of God. << MORE >>

May 31, 2007 ... Paul is resorting to calling names--"you whitewashed wall!"--in other words, the Sanhedrin (the commander) is a blank surface on which nothing's inscribed. And, of course, if you recall the Old Testament, God said, "I have written my law" where? "Upon your hearts." And for Paul to call this man a whitewashed wall is like saying that the law of God has been erased from him.<< MORE >>

We're taking a few weeks off, but we'll be back!

Now, people can be a mob without being together--engaging in "groupthink," group anger. There are a lot of people who spend a lot of time during the day listening to the radio, and there are folk who have a livelihood on the radio, shock jocks ... << MORE >>

March 29, 2007 . . . Bible Study Cancelled.<< MORE >>

March 22, 2007 . . . Dr. Scott opened with a story about a colleague at Mary Baldwin who has entered into hospice care for his wife, who is dying of cancer. The man related the intensity, the intimacy, the immediacy, and the surrender of being with his wife at this time. Dr. Scott reflected on this man’s spiritual journey, talking about how there’s just no getting over death, just getting through it. And here’s the key question: Can you have joy in the face of death? << MORE >>

Check back in a few weeks to see what's happening with Bible study at Allen Chapel!