Offering proverbial wisdom in story form, Aesop wrote these stories in the sixth century before Christ. I was pleasantly surprised for the most part by how they promote personal virtue in relationships. Sometimes it's just a "scratch his back and he'll scratch yours," self-interest kind of wisdom. Or a description of how people prefer their own nation or master to other people. But it also promotes a common-grace sense of justice. Some classics that many people know, and also many unknown gems.
12.31.2010
Aesop's Fables
Offering proverbial wisdom in story form, Aesop wrote these stories in the sixth century before Christ. I was pleasantly surprised for the most part by how they promote personal virtue in relationships. Sometimes it's just a "scratch his back and he'll scratch yours," self-interest kind of wisdom. Or a description of how people prefer their own nation or master to other people. But it also promotes a common-grace sense of justice. Some classics that many people know, and also many unknown gems.
Happy New Year!
So this blog has over 2000 posts now, heading into 2011.
No Bible or book summaries for this year.
I think I say this every year, but I'm hoping to do more free writing more regularly.
No Bible or book summaries for this year.
I think I say this every year, but I'm hoping to do more free writing more regularly.
Revelation 19-22
19 - Rejoicing in heaven over Babylon's fall and the invitation to the glorious marriage supper of the Lamb. Christ goes forth to subdue the nations by His Word/sword. Invitation to eat the flesh of the conquered.
20 - Satan bound 1000 years; martyrs raised to reign; Satan released and rages, but defeated. All are judged by their works, and those in the book of life are spared from the lake of fire.
21 - The bride comes down from heaven; restoration and our child-of-God status declared.The city: safe with walls and no night, pure and beautiful with jeweled foundations, close to God so no temple is needed.
22 - the city has a river from the throne, and the tree of life which heals the nations spans the river. Jesus is coming soon to right all wrongs. Come to Him now.
20 - Satan bound 1000 years; martyrs raised to reign; Satan released and rages, but defeated. All are judged by their works, and those in the book of life are spared from the lake of fire.
21 - The bride comes down from heaven; restoration and our child-of-God status declared.The city: safe with walls and no night, pure and beautiful with jeweled foundations, close to God so no temple is needed.
22 - the city has a river from the throne, and the tree of life which heals the nations spans the river. Jesus is coming soon to right all wrongs. Come to Him now.
Revelation 13-18
12 - a dragon tries to destroy the woman (church) and her Child (Christ), but He ascends to heaven. War in heaven between angels and dragon, who is thrown down to earth where he makes war against us, the church.
13 - beasts from sea and land get all people to worship them and kill the saints who don't.
14 - God's pure people; 3 woes on the ungodly who fall and are judged; the earth harvested at the end of time.
15 - 7 angels with bowls full of plagues come from the temple to smite the earth, while the saints sing anew song of Moses.
16 - 7 plagues come, like in Egypt, on unbelievers who don't repent.
17 - The great prostitute, Babylon, the city that rules the world [Rome], sits on a beast with heads (successive rulers of the city), drunk with the blood of saints and getting others drunk with her sins.
18 - Babylon is declared fallen, saints called out of her, merchants and kings lament their loss of delicacies and sins.
13 - beasts from sea and land get all people to worship them and kill the saints who don't.
14 - God's pure people; 3 woes on the ungodly who fall and are judged; the earth harvested at the end of time.
15 - 7 angels with bowls full of plagues come from the temple to smite the earth, while the saints sing anew song of Moses.
16 - 7 plagues come, like in Egypt, on unbelievers who don't repent.
17 - The great prostitute, Babylon, the city that rules the world [Rome], sits on a beast with heads (successive rulers of the city), drunk with the blood of saints and getting others drunk with her sins.
18 - Babylon is declared fallen, saints called out of her, merchants and kings lament their loss of delicacies and sins.
12.29.2010
Revelation 6-11
6 - 1st 4 seals: 4 horsemen who bring conquest, war, famine, and death to earth.
6 - seal 5: martyrs in heaven cry for justice.
6 - seal 6: The earth is shaken and its kings fear the wrath of the Lamb.
7 - God's people all completely sealed before the earth harmed
7 - saints worship God and the Lamb in glory, free of all trial and pain.
8 - Seal 7 opened: silence while prayers are heard
8 - 1st 4 trumpets bring destruction to 1/3 of earth.
9 - 5th: Giant locusts come out of a pit and torment unbelievers for a time
9 - 6th: Armies invade from the east
10 - A mighty angel comes down and says all will be done by the 7th angel's trumpet; John eats his scroll
11 - two witnesses prophesy, are killed by the beast, resurrected and ascend to God. The 7th trumpet sounds, kingdom victory is declared, and the ark appears in the heavenly temple.
6 - seal 5: martyrs in heaven cry for justice.
6 - seal 6: The earth is shaken and its kings fear the wrath of the Lamb.
7 - God's people all completely sealed before the earth harmed
7 - saints worship God and the Lamb in glory, free of all trial and pain.
8 - Seal 7 opened: silence while prayers are heard
8 - 1st 4 trumpets bring destruction to 1/3 of earth.
9 - 5th: Giant locusts come out of a pit and torment unbelievers for a time
9 - 6th: Armies invade from the east
10 - A mighty angel comes down and says all will be done by the 7th angel's trumpet; John eats his scroll
11 - two witnesses prophesy, are killed by the beast, resurrected and ascend to God. The 7th trumpet sounds, kingdom victory is declared, and the ark appears in the heavenly temple.
Revelation
1 - John sees a vision of the all powerful Jesus on the Lord's Day.
1 - He tells John to write what he says and give it to the seven churches.
2 - Ephesus lost it's first love but hates error
2 - Smyrna will suffer more than just slander. Be faithful.
2 - Pergamum has some who hold error. Repent.
2 - Thystira tolerates Jezebel. Throw her out, or Jesus will when He comes
3 - Sardis needs to wake up before she dies. Some there are worthy
3 - Philadelphia has an open door to hold fast to Christ
3 - Laodicea thinks it's independent, but needs what Jesus has
4 - John sees a throne and One on it like a jewel.
4 - Around it are lamps, elders, living creatures all worshiping Him.
5 - a Lamb appears, who alone can take and open the scroll. All worship Him
1 - He tells John to write what he says and give it to the seven churches.
2 - Ephesus lost it's first love but hates error
2 - Smyrna will suffer more than just slander. Be faithful.
2 - Pergamum has some who hold error. Repent.
2 - Thystira tolerates Jezebel. Throw her out, or Jesus will when He comes
3 - Sardis needs to wake up before she dies. Some there are worthy
3 - Philadelphia has an open door to hold fast to Christ
3 - Laodicea thinks it's independent, but needs what Jesus has
4 - John sees a throne and One on it like a jewel.
4 - Around it are lamps, elders, living creatures all worshiping Him.
5 - a Lamb appears, who alone can take and open the scroll. All worship Him
12.27.2010
2-3 John
2 - I'm glad you are walking in the truth; love each other; watch out for deceivers who deny Jesus has come in the flesh, and do not receive them.
3 - Gaius, thanks for showing hospitality to the saints. My other letter was intercepted by Diotrophes, who is supporting the wrong people and suppressing the truth. Demetrius is doing the right thing.
3 - Gaius, thanks for showing hospitality to the saints. My other letter was intercepted by Diotrophes, who is supporting the wrong people and suppressing the truth. Demetrius is doing the right thing.
1 John
1 - We proclaim to you what we have seen and touched: Jesus. God is light; Jesus' blood cleanses from our sin.
2 - We know Jesus if we keep His commands; love your brother, not the world. Antichrists have gone out from us denying the Son; abide in the Son.
3 - God loved us and made us His children. We are being purified as we hope to see Him. Continuing in sin shows you are not of God. Jesus came to destroy Satan's works. We know we are of God when we love our brother
4 - False prophets deny Jesus has come in the flesh. God is love, so He sent His Son to save the world.
5 - Those who love God love the brethren and overcome the world by faith. Spirit, water and blood testify to the Son. I write so you know you have eternal life, believing in the Son.
2 - We know Jesus if we keep His commands; love your brother, not the world. Antichrists have gone out from us denying the Son; abide in the Son.
3 - God loved us and made us His children. We are being purified as we hope to see Him. Continuing in sin shows you are not of God. Jesus came to destroy Satan's works. We know we are of God when we love our brother
4 - False prophets deny Jesus has come in the flesh. God is love, so He sent His Son to save the world.
5 - Those who love God love the brethren and overcome the world by faith. Spirit, water and blood testify to the Son. I write so you know you have eternal life, believing in the Son.
12.26.2010
Hey! A Child is Born to You!
With a "Cotton Patch Gospel" feel, Robinson captures well the saying that familiarity breeds contempt, and overcomes it successfully. Hark turns into "Hey!" When the school bullies come to Sunday School for the free food, they volunteer for the Christmas pageant and know nothing about the story. Some get a fresh look at Joseph, Mary, the wise men and Herod, while other traditional church ladies keep trying to run things as they are "supposed" to go, catalog the faults of the upstarts and miss the point. Pretty good.
Jude
I wanted to write about our salvation, but need to warn you about wicked men sneaking into your fellowship. Like the wicked angels, Sodom, Cain, Balaam, Korah, they rebelled and fought against God. Enoch prophesied that God will judge them. They are discontent, seek their own gain, cause division, pervert grace into sensuality. You build yourselves up in the faith instead. God will present you to Him faultless.
2 Peter
1 - I remind you before I die to make your election on Christ sure by clinging to His promises and adding virtue to your faith. You have the sure Word of God to direct you.
2 - God has and will punish the wicked. Don't listen to false teachers who promise freedom, but enslave you.
3 - Scoffers say Jesus won't return, but God came in the flood of water and He will come again in fire, like a thief to destroy the earth. So we need to be holy as we wait for the new heavens and earth. Listen to what Paul says, even its hard to understand. False teachers distort what he says, like they do the rest of the Bible. Grow in the grace of Jesus Christ.
2 - God has and will punish the wicked. Don't listen to false teachers who promise freedom, but enslave you.
3 - Scoffers say Jesus won't return, but God came in the flood of water and He will come again in fire, like a thief to destroy the earth. So we need to be holy as we wait for the new heavens and earth. Listen to what Paul says, even its hard to understand. False teachers distort what he says, like they do the rest of the Bible. Grow in the grace of Jesus Christ.
12.25.2010
Cricket on the Hearth
I had no idea what to expect in this short story, and remain a bit confused. A man wrongly suspects his wife of infidelity, when she is actually bringing a long lost love together with her friend. Apparently the main theme is how love overcomes trials and setbacks, which is good, but it’s a bit sentimental. Tackleton and Ebenezer Scrooge from Christmas Carol are similar, each changing from grouch to benefactor.
Pig Out?
25 reasons why Christians may eat pork
by James Jordan
Pulling no punches, Jordan addresses the teaching that we should eat according to the diet in the OT, especially the levitical laws forbidding pork. Rushdoony and Gothard have been teaching this, most recently, and some cults also do. This is a straightforward, easy-to-understand rejection of their position, but done in a constructive way. Highly recommended.
Spy book
Told from a decidedly anti-French Revolution perspective, which I consider a plus, The Scarlet Pimpernel bridges the English Channel in its scope and sucks you in to consider the heroism of a spy saving the lives of nobility from the guillotine by delivering them in disguise through the gates of Paris and covertly crossing to England and freedom. The French minister extorts the leading lady of England into helping him track this spy, which leads to some tough choices for her. This book is not great literature, but is a good story.
The Innkeeper
I re-read this short poem by John Piper, for Christmas, made into a book. It's really too short for a book.It's a good antidote to the sentimentalism of Christmas, which cost families their babies' lives. Just a couple of brutal lines about 3/4 into the poem pack quite a punch. Jesus came into this sinful, harsh world to redeem the worst of circumstances. Mary's birth of Jesus was one of these - Christmas was no cake walk for Joseph and Mary.
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