God’s Repair Plan
India was an experience in what happens when the culture lacks any sense of biblical underpinnings. The most visible sign of this is the complete disregard for the earth. In India, if it isn’t in my house or in my yard (not street), then I bear NO responsibility for stewarding the earth. Below are two examples of this (there are literally millions of scenes like these). Following these two examples of Man’s complete disregard for God’s creation are two examples of what God is doing – and what He could do – in spite of human environmental anarchy. In a few days I will post my first impressions about India and some conclusions I have drawn about the reason behind these impressions. Suffice it to say that being a Christian in this part of the world involves the simplest of tasks, like disposing of trash properly, but not even Christians seem to do this because “it’s not my problem.”
Behind my hotel room
Wow, looks like much of the USA. What does that say of us as a people?
WOW! I live in “the greatest nation on the planet”…in fact, I live smack dab in the Bible belt, the land where most of the people say they are Christians and I see scenes like this all around. I agree, Robin, WHAT does this say?
“Praise Adonai” by Paul Wilbur
You are the Lord over all the earth
You are the Lord over all the earth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh9VVdfyNLk 4 MIN 1,789,954 viewers!
Oh, and isn’t He in the “restoration and repair” business? He specializes in making a message out of a mess..
~ A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein ~ (Psalm 24.1)
I’ll remind us today, of what we already know..- we are not owners, we are stewards. G-d owns this place..- all of it, including myself. G-d owns it all. First, by right of creation. “In the beginning, G-d created. He spoke this green planet into existence. His words? “let there be..” and? – “it was so..”- “and it came to pass”- “it came into being..” G-d made it and (lo and behold!)- it was all good. Why was it good? first of all and most of all- because He said it was good..- the Artist and the Architect, the Designer and Builder said it was good. And friends, when G-d, (the Source of all things good) says something (anything) is “good..” lol!- it is “good”. This is probably the easiest I’ve ever had to confess (or agree with what G-d says)- I agree, LORD, You did a fine job on this place, I like it too. I also, am pleased with Your creativity and handiwork.. Thank you Father for this green planet..teeming with life.
Our Creator gave unto us the privilege of stewardship.. He created us (menz) to live here and to enjoy everything, and to have intimate, delightful family relations with one another. But in a perfect place and in a perfect world, man and woman both did not remember the instructions of the Creator, “don’t eat the fruit”- and (just like it is today)- doubted the word(s) of G-d. The words of the serpent still echo down the hallway of time: “hath G-d said?” Did G-d really say that? Surely not, (Shirley..). No way!- G-d really doesn’t mean that! Now, does He? Come now, let us reason together- why would G-d want to withhold something good from His own children? Faith vs. doubt. Doubt was introduced on that day and until this day “doubt” remains. Did G-d really say that?
Watch how easy and how simple this is.. All the serpent did was to “rearrange” or twist (the meaning of iniquity- twistedness) the Creator’s words ..- from G-d hath said, to hath G-d said?..(wasn’t that simple?) All Adam had to do was to “remember” and to speak the very same words his Creator spoke, and say to the sly serpent, “Yes, (the word “amen”) -G-d did say unto us, (thank you for asking..) -His explicit instructions to us were: “don’t eat that” But Adam either failed to remember, or he failed to speak. Silence, at times, is not golden. Adam, ~ agree with your adversary quickly..~- Yes, G-d did say that! (thank you for asking!).
“Zakar” (male) comes from the same Hebrew verb “zakar”. “Zakar” as a verb is most commonly translated into “remember”, which loses out in translation. It would be better translated as ’speaking or acting in behalf of’- like when the Holy One “remembered the children of Israel” prior to sending Moses after them; or like when Joseph asked the Cup-bearer to “remember me before Pharaoh”. As “protector and provider” the male role is to ’speak or act in behalf of’ the female (which is where Adam failed in the Garden with the serpent).
So, Adam(s)- what is our clearly defined role for us today? It is crucial for us to “remember” and to speak the words of the ONE who gives us our daily bread and our daily breath. We are stewards (still)- not owners. Those of us who now belong to Him are twice-owned. We are His by right of Creation and we are His again by right of Calvary. We have been bought with a price- (Adam,have we forgotten this?) and we are now p-owned, in totality.We are today, His. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture..bought with the precious blood of Christ.
Relationship restored. Amen.
Now what? Duty? Drudgery? or Delight?- May we say with our Elder Brother, may we say with our Redeemer, (the ONE who bought us), “I delight to do your will?” “I will hear what G-d the LORD will speak..” I will shema (hear and obey) my ABBA-Father.
Our Father, even this day, still creates by speaking. His words, found in His book, the book He wrote, our Bible, G-d’s Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, has given unto us life and liberty. If we would only “read and follow label directions..”
Have you ever thought of “love one another with a pure heart fervently”-as a command? or have you also (Adam) failed to remember?
Aren’t we blessed to live on this side of Pentecost and to have G-d (who is the Promise-Keeper) living within?
Adam, listen again to His words from His book: ~ But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you ~ (John 14.26)
Thank you Father, for the Second Adam. Help me, this day, to “remember Him..” Thank you for my scars, painful reminders, I have been wounded, yet am now healed. For this.., I give You praise. Amen.
I GUESS I AM BLESSED BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER SEEN TRASH DUMPED LIKE THIS ANYWHERE IN OKC/OK BUT I HAVE SEEN BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS LIKE THIS EVERYWHERE IN US WHERE I LIVE… ♥