According to Merriam-Webster, absolution is "the act of absolving; a remission of sins". The Absolution-Offering was the payment for sin. In other words, a lamb would serve as the sacrifice.
I often chat with people who get really disturbed when referring to the sacrifices and offerings section of scripture. They just can't seem to get over how cruel and violent it appears to be. That God would require an innocent animal to die to cover sin-how barbarian and uncivilized? Honestly, I can agree that it's inhumane and dark. That's what sin is, and that's how it must be absolved.
Remember back in the garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve ate the fruit and realized they were naked? For them to be "covered" an innocent animal had to die to provide their clothing. According to God's law, sin must be paid for. In the Old Testament, animals had to pay the price.
I have a great dog named Mitzie. I think she's one of the best dogs on the planet, but I'm biased. She's a fantastic dog. She's quiet, she doesn't make a mess, she's loyal, and she has a bladder of steel! I've had several other people mention what a great dog she is. Carrie and I have been told how lucky we are to have the "perfect" dog!
But I can assure you, Mitzie is not perfect. She is obsessed with food. She doesn't get along with most other dogs. She can be jealous of our cat. And I'm not even going to bring up why we have to gate the kitten's litter box! Point is, as great as Mitzie is, and as innocent as she appears, she is not perfect! She, like any other animal, is flawed. The Absolution-Offering had to be repeated, because people kept sinning, even after the sacrifice (a pesky problem that still persists today) and no animal could cover all their sin-past, present and future.
That's why, when Jesus came, John the Baptist refers to him as the "lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." He was the perfect sacrifice. Jesus had to die to cover all humanity's sin, once and for all. But he didn't stay dead, he rose again, to show he had power over sin and death.
Sin must be paid for. It's ugly, terrible, and dark. But praise be to God that we don't have to pay for our own sin. Christ is the only hope.
So may you see that sin is terrible, it's cost is supreme, and that someone has to pay. But may you also remember, that Jesus paid it all, once and for all time, so that you wouldn't have to, if you only will trust him with your life.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
SOLO Day 7 – Reflect
Just a quick note: If you're following along in SOLO, great job this week! You've read some great stuff in the Bible and you've been diligent to continue. Congratulations! Keep up the great work, knowing that God will honor your effort to spend time with him. Hopefully you've already begun to see that!
The weekend will be a time to look back on what we've read and studied throughout the week. My hope is that you will spend today reflecting on what you've read and ask God to open your heart and mind to more of what he longs for you to see. I'm certain he will answer and you will have greater intimacy with the God who loves you!
Thanks for taking this journey with me.
Blessings!
The weekend will be a time to look back on what we've read and studied throughout the week. My hope is that you will spend today reflecting on what you've read and ask God to open your heart and mind to more of what he longs for you to see. I'm certain he will answer and you will have greater intimacy with the God who loves you!
Thanks for taking this journey with me.
Blessings!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
SOLO Day 6 – Exodus 33:21-34:7
Have you ever bought into something so deeply you wanted to own it? Maybe a sport-you started out as a player, but as time progressed you began to put more of an emphasis on it. You were no longer just a player, you became a team member, then maybe you progressed to a captain. Slowly, but surely, this became all you talked about and thought about. Bill Hybels, in his book Axiom, refers to this as the difference between an owner and a hireling, or a hired hand. You know longer are working for "the man", you own the vision. You believe in what you're doing.
This is exactly what's going on with Moses. He's no longer the timid man that encounters God through a burning bush. He's seen God's faithfulness over and over again. Now he meets with God and they converse as friends. He's not just the hired hand anymore. He cares about God's vision. He cares about these people he's been placed in charge of. He wants in on God's plans and he wants to see God with his own eyes. He's become an owner.
Personally, I love Moses' boldness! I want to be like that in my conversations with God. I want to come to him and know that we're so close, we can talk about anything! I want to com to him-not making demands-but honestly with real requests, knowing that he's going to hear me and respond. Then let the chips fall where they may. Are you that honest with God?
God responds and says, "Okay, I'll speak, so that you know I'm coming by, then you can see my back, because if you see my face you'll die". So God does this, and even places Moses in a corner of rock and covers his Moses's eyes with his hand (because I'm sure Moses tried to peek) until he's passed so Moses can catch a glimpse of his glory. (If we were to keep reading we'd see that Moses comes down off the mountain and he literally glows after being in the presence of God. It's such a scary thing for the people of Israel that he has to wear a veil like a woman, otherwise they keep freaking out. How cool is that?)
So may we come boldly to God, knowing he's already waiting to sit with us, and may we be real and honest, because we want to own the vision he has for our lives. And may we glow after we've been with him, so that all mankind may know we are God's friend!
This is exactly what's going on with Moses. He's no longer the timid man that encounters God through a burning bush. He's seen God's faithfulness over and over again. Now he meets with God and they converse as friends. He's not just the hired hand anymore. He cares about God's vision. He cares about these people he's been placed in charge of. He wants in on God's plans and he wants to see God with his own eyes. He's become an owner.
Personally, I love Moses' boldness! I want to be like that in my conversations with God. I want to come to him and know that we're so close, we can talk about anything! I want to com to him-not making demands-but honestly with real requests, knowing that he's going to hear me and respond. Then let the chips fall where they may. Are you that honest with God?
God responds and says, "Okay, I'll speak, so that you know I'm coming by, then you can see my back, because if you see my face you'll die". So God does this, and even places Moses in a corner of rock and covers his Moses's eyes with his hand (because I'm sure Moses tried to peek) until he's passed so Moses can catch a glimpse of his glory. (If we were to keep reading we'd see that Moses comes down off the mountain and he literally glows after being in the presence of God. It's such a scary thing for the people of Israel that he has to wear a veil like a woman, otherwise they keep freaking out. How cool is that?)
So may we come boldly to God, knowing he's already waiting to sit with us, and may we be real and honest, because we want to own the vision he has for our lives. And may we glow after we've been with him, so that all mankind may know we are God's friend!
Friday, January 28, 2011
SOLO Day 5 – Exodus 16:9-16
God cares about your needs. Probably not a mind-blowing concept, but it's true. Recently Carrie and I went through a challenging season of our lives. We went to bed every night and asked God to rescue us. Yet he remained silent. To an extent, he still remains silent.
However, we began to see certain things fall into place that couldn't have happened unless God was at work. Specific people came and helped us out. Aid came in interesting ways. God was answering our prayers, just not in the way we expected.
There have been so many times in my life when I felt confused, disappointed, even angry at God. Could he not see the pain I was going through? Could he not understand I was trying to do the best I could do? Did he not get the fact that I was one of his followers-I was even a youth pastor, working for him? How could he not answer me and take care of me when others seemed to be so blessed?
In those moments, it's good for me to look at this story. The Israelites have already been rescued by God, They saw the ten plagues poured out on Egypt. They saw God part the waters of the Red Sea when there was no way out. God had even made bitter water sweet and drinkable, so they didn't die as they were traveling through the desert. In all of those circumstances, God did something remarkable. It wasn't what the Israelites expected, and showed his absolute power.
God cares about your needs. Do not mistake his silence for absence. Perhaps he's waiting to shock you with his provision.
May you see God's rescue and may you praise the one true God, because he's crazy about you!
However, we began to see certain things fall into place that couldn't have happened unless God was at work. Specific people came and helped us out. Aid came in interesting ways. God was answering our prayers, just not in the way we expected.
There have been so many times in my life when I felt confused, disappointed, even angry at God. Could he not see the pain I was going through? Could he not understand I was trying to do the best I could do? Did he not get the fact that I was one of his followers-I was even a youth pastor, working for him? How could he not answer me and take care of me when others seemed to be so blessed?
In those moments, it's good for me to look at this story. The Israelites have already been rescued by God, They saw the ten plagues poured out on Egypt. They saw God part the waters of the Red Sea when there was no way out. God had even made bitter water sweet and drinkable, so they didn't die as they were traveling through the desert. In all of those circumstances, God did something remarkable. It wasn't what the Israelites expected, and showed his absolute power.
God cares about your needs. Do not mistake his silence for absence. Perhaps he's waiting to shock you with his provision.
May you see God's rescue and may you praise the one true God, because he's crazy about you!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
SOLO Day 4 – Exodus 3:1-6
I love this story!!!!! Moses, saved from certain death is raised in the very palace where the king commanded his death. Tries to bring about change for the Israelites his own way and gets run out of town. Meets a woman, gets married, has kids, starts a new life as a shepherd in the middle of nowhere. Grows old and watches Dad-in-laws livestock. Moses is a far different man than he was in Egypt.
Prior to committing murder (yeah, he did that-and God still used him! Crazy huh?) Moses' life seemed like it was going to take a particular path. It seemed logical that he would rise in power in Pharaoh's court. Then, at the opportune time, he would free all Israel from their bondage and everyone would live happily ever after. But this was not God's plan. Instead, God was going to show his power, his way so that he and he alone would be the way of salvation.
One day, while Moses is minding his own business, this old man stops and takes a look around (at his age, he probably needed a breather). While he's looking he sees something extraordinary, miraculous in fact. He approaches the bush and then, everything changes.
Moses looks. And when he does he sees far more than he ever could have imagined. Moses' life was far from over. In fact, it was only truly beginning. His life will never be the same, because he looked.
When is the last time you stopped to take a breather. When did you last sit back, look around, and take life in? Could it be that the reason you're struggling to see God is because you're so busy you can't even take a look around? Did you know that God rarely does the same thing twice, but that he's at work now, just as he was then? Did you know that you're a part of his master plan, and perhaps your burning bush moment is right there in the periphery?
I don't want to oversimplify this, but busyness is an enemy of God. We're not all going to have burning bush moments, but we must have our eyes open, looking to see what God is up to, or we will never see the bush in the distance!
So may you take time to stop and look around. And may you come face-to-face with the Living God when you do so. And in that moment, may you see the extraordinary miracle of a Holy God meeting with you!
Prior to committing murder (yeah, he did that-and God still used him! Crazy huh?) Moses' life seemed like it was going to take a particular path. It seemed logical that he would rise in power in Pharaoh's court. Then, at the opportune time, he would free all Israel from their bondage and everyone would live happily ever after. But this was not God's plan. Instead, God was going to show his power, his way so that he and he alone would be the way of salvation.
One day, while Moses is minding his own business, this old man stops and takes a look around (at his age, he probably needed a breather). While he's looking he sees something extraordinary, miraculous in fact. He approaches the bush and then, everything changes.
Moses looks. And when he does he sees far more than he ever could have imagined. Moses' life was far from over. In fact, it was only truly beginning. His life will never be the same, because he looked.
When is the last time you stopped to take a breather. When did you last sit back, look around, and take life in? Could it be that the reason you're struggling to see God is because you're so busy you can't even take a look around? Did you know that God rarely does the same thing twice, but that he's at work now, just as he was then? Did you know that you're a part of his master plan, and perhaps your burning bush moment is right there in the periphery?
I don't want to oversimplify this, but busyness is an enemy of God. We're not all going to have burning bush moments, but we must have our eyes open, looking to see what God is up to, or we will never see the bush in the distance!
So may you take time to stop and look around. And may you come face-to-face with the Living God when you do so. And in that moment, may you see the extraordinary miracle of a Holy God meeting with you!
SOLO Day 3 – Genesis 50:15-21
Joseph's grieving the loss of his father. His loss is different than his brothers because he never thought he would ever see Jacob again. Joseph lost his father before when he was sold away, and those years can never be recovered. But God gave them another chance at life together when Joseph opened his house to his family, rescuing them from the famine. Their reunion was moving and their time together was sweet. But now that time is over. Jacob is dead, and the brothers are reeling. They want to ensure that Joseph wasn't just being good to them for Dad's sake-so they lie.
Ever been there? Moments of doubt when fear comes creeping in. Thoughts of "You aren't good enough!" or "It was too good to be true" hit you in a wave of emotions. They have a good life in Egypt, and they want to keep it that way. Anxiety and doubt dominate the thoughts. Personally, I can relate to the brothers in this story.
But Joseph is a conundrum!
"When Joseph received their message, he wept." Joseph, despite being thrown into a well then sold into slavery by his brothers, wept. Despite being falsely accused of rape, being left to rot in a prison, even after being lied to and lied about, he wept. And when Joseph rose to power, wanted for nothing, and held his betraying brothers' future in his hands, he wept.
His brothers doubted him. His brothers didn't get it. I don't fully understand it. His mercy was unexplainable. His forgiveness was beyond comprehension. His love was unconditional. In other words, Joseph was just like Jesus.
May we be like Joseph, and be a conundrum to those who don't know the love and mercy of a Savior, and may we be like his brothers, who marvel at the goodness of the one who controls our destiny.
Ever been there? Moments of doubt when fear comes creeping in. Thoughts of "You aren't good enough!" or "It was too good to be true" hit you in a wave of emotions. They have a good life in Egypt, and they want to keep it that way. Anxiety and doubt dominate the thoughts. Personally, I can relate to the brothers in this story.
But Joseph is a conundrum!
"When Joseph received their message, he wept." Joseph, despite being thrown into a well then sold into slavery by his brothers, wept. Despite being falsely accused of rape, being left to rot in a prison, even after being lied to and lied about, he wept. And when Joseph rose to power, wanted for nothing, and held his betraying brothers' future in his hands, he wept.
His brothers doubted him. His brothers didn't get it. I don't fully understand it. His mercy was unexplainable. His forgiveness was beyond comprehension. His love was unconditional. In other words, Joseph was just like Jesus.
May we be like Joseph, and be a conundrum to those who don't know the love and mercy of a Savior, and may we be like his brothers, who marvel at the goodness of the one who controls our destiny.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Solo Day 2 – Genesis 32:22-32
I've always thought this was such a weird story in scripture. For the record, I've never thought too highly of Jacob. I know that God's people are named after him ,but I've always wondered why God chose to be aligned with such a crooked dude. In this story, Jacob's making his homecoming after years of being in hiding. It appears he's staying at the back of the caravan because he's nervous about coming face-to-face with the brother he cheated who, by the way, wanted to kill him. But it's a homecoming nonetheless, so maybe all's forgiven. But just to be safe, he chooses to hang back and send everyone else on up ahead.
Out of nowhere, a man meets Jacob, and they have a good old fashioned "rasslin'" match? I know that's the first thing I do when I meet someone for the first time! They wrestle for hours and as the sun comes up, the man tries to get away and touches Jacob's hip, wounding him. But Jacob won't let him go, at least not until he gets blessed (there's the Jacob we all know and love). The man asks for Jacob's name. Jacob responds, and the man says, "Not anymore!" He renames him Israel-blesses him-takes off-Jacob limps away-and Jews don't eat hip muscle-the end! Like I said, weird!
But today I put myself in Jacob's shoes and I'm reminded of a song by Big Daddy Weave titled, "Audience of One". There's a line that caught my attention the first time I heard, and continues to echo in my brain: "...seeking your face, and not only your hand, I find you embracing me, just as I am". Do I wrestle with God because I want to be blessed or because I want to know him more. Is the reason I want to be with God is because I'm content to be with him or because I want something out of it? Am I only in this relationship with the almighty God only for what's in it for me?
Truth is, I regularly seek God's hand, but not his face. It's okay to want from God, but do I want him more than I want his blessing? Some tough thoughts to wrestle with.
So may you be like Jacob and wrestle with God. Hang on for dear life, and know that he will acknowledge your grip on him. And may we see that the prize for the match is already in our tight-gripped hands!
Out of nowhere, a man meets Jacob, and they have a good old fashioned "rasslin'" match? I know that's the first thing I do when I meet someone for the first time! They wrestle for hours and as the sun comes up, the man tries to get away and touches Jacob's hip, wounding him. But Jacob won't let him go, at least not until he gets blessed (there's the Jacob we all know and love). The man asks for Jacob's name. Jacob responds, and the man says, "Not anymore!" He renames him Israel-blesses him-takes off-Jacob limps away-and Jews don't eat hip muscle-the end! Like I said, weird!
But today I put myself in Jacob's shoes and I'm reminded of a song by Big Daddy Weave titled, "Audience of One". There's a line that caught my attention the first time I heard, and continues to echo in my brain: "...seeking your face, and not only your hand, I find you embracing me, just as I am". Do I wrestle with God because I want to be blessed or because I want to know him more. Is the reason I want to be with God is because I'm content to be with him or because I want something out of it? Am I only in this relationship with the almighty God only for what's in it for me?
Truth is, I regularly seek God's hand, but not his face. It's okay to want from God, but do I want him more than I want his blessing? Some tough thoughts to wrestle with.
So may you be like Jacob and wrestle with God. Hang on for dear life, and know that he will acknowledge your grip on him. And may we see that the prize for the match is already in our tight-gripped hands!
SOLO Day 1 – Genesis 3:1-10
It's interesting to see how creation plays itself over and over again. The story of our lives begins at the Garden of Eden-before we were even born. God creates something good-sin enters-God must come and re-create. The world is not as it should be, and it all ties back to Genesis 3.
Three things leap out at me from this passage:
1. Sin has a powerful ripple affect. Think your decisions affect no one but yourself? Look at Genesis 3. I doubt Adam and Eve knew so much was riding on this one little choice.
2. That first sin just keeps coming up throughout history: "God's holding out on you!" The fall of man came from a basic premise that is still prevalent today. It stems from a lack of trust in God and a desire for more. Satan twists God's words and places that little seed of doubt in Eve's mind. "There's more out there. It's better over here. God doesn't want you to have any fun! The lie grows and we bite the apple!
3. From that moment of sin, God's redemptive plan kicks into motion. Something innocent must pay so that new life can begin again!
And that's good news for all of us. Christ is the perfect sacrifice that takes away the sins of the world! Perhaps you simply need to remember God's sacrifice today!
Three things leap out at me from this passage:
1. Sin has a powerful ripple affect. Think your decisions affect no one but yourself? Look at Genesis 3. I doubt Adam and Eve knew so much was riding on this one little choice.
2. That first sin just keeps coming up throughout history: "God's holding out on you!" The fall of man came from a basic premise that is still prevalent today. It stems from a lack of trust in God and a desire for more. Satan twists God's words and places that little seed of doubt in Eve's mind. "There's more out there. It's better over here. God doesn't want you to have any fun! The lie grows and we bite the apple!
3. From that moment of sin, God's redemptive plan kicks into motion. Something innocent must pay so that new life can begin again!
And that's good news for all of us. Christ is the perfect sacrifice that takes away the sins of the world! Perhaps you simply need to remember God's sacrifice today!
The blog is back!
So it's been a long time coming...
"No blog posts in nine months or so, without any explanation. Cory, what's going on?"
I'm so glad you asked. It seems my life has changed pretty dramatically over the past 9 months. Carrie and I have moved back home to Missouri, I've started a new job (still in Student Ministry) but now I'm at a different church in Springfield,Missouri where I was born and grew up!
"Ummmm, wow Cory. That's a lot of change. I had no idea you were looking for a new job!"
Funny you should say that. We weren't. We were (and still are) trying to hear God's voice and follow his leading. This was clearly a God thing, though it's nice to be home!
"Okay. Well, that still doesn't explain your lack of blogging and commentary!"
I completely agree. But in the midst of such an emotional decision and change, starting well and getting to know new students and leaders, I didn't want anything to be posted on the world-wide-web that wasn't thought through. I was dripping with emotional tension, and felt I should allow a seasonal siesta to reign in the blogosphere.
"Does this mean your back to blogging once a day for a month and then once every six weeks again?"
I don't like your tone, but yes, it does mean I'll be blogging on a more regular basis.
"Are you always going to act as if someone else is talking and asking questions like this. It's kind of weird that you're having a conversation with yourself."
I agree, it is weird. So no, I won't do this on a regular basis. I just figured...well...why am I still doing this? I'm writing myself.
Okay, so the blog is back and I'll continue to write some of the learnings I've had over the past few months, as well as anything that I think is relevant or beneficial. This will also serve as a site for our students at Second Baptist to visit as we go through SOLO. In other words, lots of stuff.
It's nice to be back. Let's have some fun! Peace out all.
"Bye!"
"No blog posts in nine months or so, without any explanation. Cory, what's going on?"
I'm so glad you asked. It seems my life has changed pretty dramatically over the past 9 months. Carrie and I have moved back home to Missouri, I've started a new job (still in Student Ministry) but now I'm at a different church in Springfield,Missouri where I was born and grew up!
"Ummmm, wow Cory. That's a lot of change. I had no idea you were looking for a new job!"
Funny you should say that. We weren't. We were (and still are) trying to hear God's voice and follow his leading. This was clearly a God thing, though it's nice to be home!
"Okay. Well, that still doesn't explain your lack of blogging and commentary!"
I completely agree. But in the midst of such an emotional decision and change, starting well and getting to know new students and leaders, I didn't want anything to be posted on the world-wide-web that wasn't thought through. I was dripping with emotional tension, and felt I should allow a seasonal siesta to reign in the blogosphere.
"Does this mean your back to blogging once a day for a month and then once every six weeks again?"
I don't like your tone, but yes, it does mean I'll be blogging on a more regular basis.
"Are you always going to act as if someone else is talking and asking questions like this. It's kind of weird that you're having a conversation with yourself."
I agree, it is weird. So no, I won't do this on a regular basis. I just figured...well...why am I still doing this? I'm writing myself.
Okay, so the blog is back and I'll continue to write some of the learnings I've had over the past few months, as well as anything that I think is relevant or beneficial. This will also serve as a site for our students at Second Baptist to visit as we go through SOLO. In other words, lots of stuff.
It's nice to be back. Let's have some fun! Peace out all.
"Bye!"
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