So, I have been realy busy this month because my sons have been down from Massachusetts. But I have some brief thoughts that highlight our Sunday Morning home group that meets in July during MStar’s sabbatical.
For those that do not know, I am designed to pastor, and have been doing so for my wife for sometime; we also have been doing some spiritual work with our family.
And on Sunday previous, I was live sharing the following.
“An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.”
Exodus 20:24
This verse was chain-referenced to Naaman the Syrian’s account because it talked about an altar of earth. And what did Naaman do when he was cleansed of leprosy? Well, gang, he removed two mule-loads of earth from Israel in order to construct an altar in his homeland. He wanted to construct an altar of earth to HaShem.
Then Naaman said, “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the LORD.
2 Kings 5:17
Naaman became someone in whom the name of the L-rd was remembered, so much so that Yeshua recalled this healing in Luke 4.
I find it fascinating that in the law, we read legislation about altars of earth and then we find later in 2 Kings, Naaman is removing earth for that very purpose. I find it further fascinating that the L-rd chose to recall that incident, and bring it into the people’s remembrance in Luke.
Just some thoughts here, gang. If the L-rd does something strong and hearty in your life, then do not hesitate to do something great in magnitude to mark that occasion. Sukkot was the time of year, for example, when I was saved, and so these days, I make a pretty big deal about that time of year
It is okay, and even encouraged to mark time when events happen in our lives that alter us for the better.
Being born-again… so worthy of a magnificent marker!
The weekend of my brother John’s birthday, 17th September, 1977, (look at all the sibilantsss!) just happened to be that amazing change-point day!
This makes it so easy to remember the date! So, on each of the forty years since then, though I may not have been anywhere within hugging distance of John, I have always so intentionally celebrated his birthday… which is also my born-again birthday, with its own flavour of intentionality and wonder!
Being born-again… so worthy of a magnificent marker!
The weekend of my brother John’s birthday, 17th September, 1977, (look at all the sibilantsss!) just happened to be that amazing change-point day!
This makes it so easy to remember the date! So, on each of the forty years since then, though I may not have been anywhere within hugging distance of John, I have always so intentionally celebrated his birthday… which is also my born-again birthday, with its own flavour of intentionality and wonder!