Claimed, gathered and sent

One of the final courses I'm taking for my bachelor's degree is a course on the Old Testament prophets. Each week we exegete a passage of scripture. Last week's was Ezekiel 4:1-17. Here's what I wrote. Ezekiel 4:1-17 I. Historical/Cultural Context Ezekiel alone is situated solely in Babylon , [1] with the prophet and other Jews in exile. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah. No details are available outside of this book. He was from a priestly family, [2] mentioned in “a postexilic list of priests (I Chron. 24:16) [3] and was widowed “in 588 B. C. at the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem (24:15-18).” [4] Due to sin, the Southern Kingdom would be exiled. II. Analysis of the Passage-Symbolic Acts Against Jerusalem Ezekiel demonstrates God’s message symbolically. This “enhances[s] … the spoken word, to make possible … [a] more intense kind of identification.” [5] He depicts Jerusalem ’s besiegement on a “clay tablet” (E

“A vision is a picture of a possible, ongoing future you intend to create that illuminates your underlying purpose, values, and beliefs” (Stoner, Zigarmi, & Blanchard, 2003, p. 2). Paul paints it in Ephesians as, “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20, Today’s New International Version). Paul was a determined, focused leader who effectively communicated his vision to the church. “Paul almost single-handedly spread Christianity…His secret was a focused life” (Warren, 2002, p. 32). He wrote, “I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13, New Living Translation). This enabled empowerment of others in leadership. “… the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2, Today’s New International Version). Paul shared leadership. He entrusted his churches to those he taught. Paul loved his followers

“When an organization’s vision stems from the innermost values and beliefs … it generates a tremendous excitement, a compelling spirit, and a passionate commitment… Enormous energy is … unleashed” (Stoner, Zigarmi, & Blanchard, 2003, p. 1). Jesus best exemplifies “…vision stem[ing] from innermost values and beliefs” (Stoner et al., p. 1). Jesus generated commitment because “Knowing your purpose motivates your life… produces passion. Nothing energizes like a clear purpose” (Warren, 2002, p. 33). “’My food…is to do the will of him who sent me…’” (John 4:34, Today’s New International Version). Followers are freed to “feel … empowered to act independently and be assured that they are benefiting the organization” (Stoner et al., 2003), p. 1). Jesus was credible. “Do What You Say You Will Do [is a] …commonsense definition of credibility … To be credible in action, leaders must be clear about their beliefs… know what they stand for” (Kouzes & Posner, 2002, p. 38). Jesus’ words wer

If you want to be moved by seeing the hand of God at work in the world, read Kelly Fryer's "Rock & Roll Revival" post at http://reclaimingthefword.typepad.com/reclaiming_the_f_word/. You won't regret it.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. After a week off, my last three courses for my undergrad degree began yesterday. Despite any numerous perceived interruptions, I don't expect to get behind like I did after my surgery. This is not to say these eight weeks will be easy, but it should be like a proverbial cakewalk compared to the first half of the semester. My pain is greatly diminished, in spite of a flare up of bursitis. With degree in hand I will be ready for Gettysburg in August, which I just recently discovered will begin on the 17th with Greek. Picture from http://www.lightingshowplace.com/decor/product.pl?mid=55077&fh=Franciscan%20Bronze&P&CID=FRO

Mark Daniels, at his blog, "Better Living Thoughts from Mark Daniels," had a great quote of the day posted: "We should pray with few words but with deep, meaningful thoughts. The fewer the words, the better the prayer. The more the words, the worse the prayer. Few words and deep meaning are Christian. Many words and little meaning are pagan." [Martin Luther] See Jesus' words in Matthew 6:7-8. This is from http://markdaniels.blogspot.com/

The first half of this semester has been difficult, to say the least. Week two of my classes was my total knee replacement. Somehow, I unrealistically thought that once I was out of the hospital and into rehab, I would easily catch up from the few days missed. Boy was I wrong! Much of the remaining time of these courses, I was anywhere from 1-2 weeks behind and wondering if I would ever catch up. By God's grace I did. And it was due in no small part to the grace of my three professors: Jonathan Howell, Don Solomon, and Dr. Kevin Larsen at Regent University. Despite the lateness of most of my work, not one of them dinged me for that. I am grateful to these three dear Christian professors who understand the meaning of grace. I have learned much from them.