January 4 - Tower of Babel, Abram and Lot

January 4  - Genesis 11:1-26; I Chronicles 1:24-27; Genesis 11:27-31; Genesis 12:14-24

Before I move on to Genesis chapter 11, as much as I dislike reading genealogies, I think it is worth mentioning that chapter 10 is often called the “Table of Nations.”  The emphasis is on the common family of humanity from Adam, through Noah and his sons. Distinct “races” is not a concept recognized in the pages of Scripture. The only race, is the human race, descended from one ancestor. God made and loves each nation. What an affront it is to God, when any of us act superior over another, based on the color of their skin or ethnicity.

Okay, moving on…

After the flood, Noah’s sons had many children. Ham’s son Cush was the ancestor of Nimrod.  “Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who was the first heroic warrior on earth. “Since he was the greatest hunter in the world, his name became proverbial. People would say, “This man is like Nimrod, the greatest hunter in the world.”  He built his kingdom in the land of Babylonia,^” Genesis 10:8-10a

Nimrod’s name means “rebel.” He was the founder of the Babylonian Empire and the organizer that led to the construction of the Tower of Babel. God had commanded the people to replenish and be scattered over the face of the whole earth. Instead, they set out to make a name for themselves.

In response, the God-head held a conference (“Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages”), making it impossible for them to work together. Have you ever tried to explain what you want done to someone who doesn’t know a bit of English? You basically get a shrug and a blank stare. What the people considered their greatest strength, God was swift to destroy. Their biggest fear, to be scattered, came naturally upon them. “The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled…” Proverbs 10:24a

Now is a good time to introduce the doctrine of The Trinity. The word Trinity is never mentioned in the Bible,. However, to date, this is the third time in our readings where it is implied.

“Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. Genesis 1:26a

Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil.” Genesis 3:2a

Then comes Abram. Descended from the family of Shem, one of Noah’s sons, he is married to Sarai, who is unable to bear children. Abram lives in the land of Ur of the Caldeans, with his father Terah, and his nephew Lot. Heading for Canaan, they settle in Haran. It is here in Haran, that the Lord called Abram. In Genesis 12:1-3, God forms the Abrahamic Covenant. Here is a map of Abraham's Journey.

There is so much to write about Abraham, but this blog has gotten a bit long today, so I’ll incorporate it into tomorrows. Meanwhile, I think we can all be thinking about what it means to step out of our comfort zones like Abraham was called to.

Be Blessed…and stay tuned

January 3 - The Flood and God's Covenant

January 3 -  Genesis 7-10:5; 1 Chronicles 1:5-7; Genesis 10:6-20; 1 Chronicles 1:8-16; Genesis 10:21-30; 1 Chronicles 1:17-23; Genesis 10:31-32

As a book of beginnings, Genesis sets the stage for the entire Bible. As we read these incredible accounts of history, the nature of God is revealed. We are only a few days in, and we have seen God as the Sovereign Creator, Compassionate Sustainer, Provider, and hardest for us to understand, He is the Just Judge. We have seen the value and dignity given to human beings as they were created in His image, and in The Fall, we have witnessed the tragic consequences of sin – the separation from God.

In the story of Noah, it is frightening to see how all of humanity so quickly went down the proverbial toilet. They forgot about God. Incredibly, only one man and his family still worshipped Him. So for 120 years, Noah remains committed to the purposes of God, and graphically illustrates his commitment by building a boat, (approximately the size of a football field), in his backyard. 120 years of second chances for the people in Noah’s generation, and yet, when the floods came, the only people who boarded the boat were Noah and his family.

Throughout the Bible, in countless examples, we see God showing His love and patience towards men and woman in order to save them. Noah wasn’t perfect, as we learn from his drunkenness. Noah was faithful and obedient, and God is faithful to those who obey him. After nearly a year of floating, the ark settles on Mt. Ararat where Noah was quick to offer an approved sacrifice, and God is pleased with the aroma.

I think I would have been a little freaked out to be the only ones left on earth at that time. God understood, and in His compassion He gives Noah a promise, and a sign in the form of the first rainbow. It is an eternal covenant to never destroy or curse the ground again in this way. Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall…all evidence of God’s promise, a promise to pass down to all the generations to come. After judging sin, God made a covenant of peace. Now every time we spot one after the rain, we can be reminded of His faithfulness and grace.

The curse of Canaan has stumped many a scholar. Many ideas have surfaced. Did Ham castrate Noah? Did Ham sleep with his mother, or with Noah? The Bible Knowledge Commentary has this to say. “To the ancients, however, even seeing one’s father naked was a breach of family ethic. The sanctity of the family was destroyed and the strength of the father was made a mockery. Ham apparently stumbled on this accidentally, but went out and exultingly told his two brothers, as if he had triumphed over his father.” This seemingly trivial incident turns into a major event, and Noah prophesies against the descendents of Canaan, Ham’s son. These descendants are the Canaanites, the antagonists of God’s people, Israel. You'll be hearing a lot about them in the future.

We can learn a lot from Noah’s life. I think the biggest thing for me is that obedience is a long-term commitment. Let’s encourage one another to keep going and to be found faithful!

Be Blessed...and stay tuned!

January 2 - Cain, Abel, Seth, Noah

Genesis 4:1-5:32; 1Chronicles1:1-4; Genesis 6:1-22

Banished from the perfect life in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve are now clothed in animal skins fashioned by the Creator Himself. I think it is safe to assume that when these animals were offered up to make coverings, God was instructing the first family of the necessity for blood sacrifice as a form of redemptive worship. The couple then carries on with the command to be fruitful and multiply. So with God’s help, enter Cain, the firstborn. Next up in the first family, is Abel.

The essential part of sacrifice is handed down to the offspring, but something happens. God finds pleasure only in Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s. The conversation gives us clues, that perhaps it is not the gift of the crops Cain offered, but the attitude of his heart that was the problem. “Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you.”

Cain, in his anger, kills Abel and denies to the Lord what happened to him. Cain’s casual dismissal is met with God’s divine curse.  He is cast out away from his family, decreed that his farming efforts will be futile, and his attempts to find good soil will cause him to become a “restless wanderer on the earth.” This wandering brings him to the land of Nod, where he takes a wife. The most talked about wife in all of history is Cain’s, and the question is,  "who exactly is she"? Adam lived to be 930 years old, and other records indicate that he had many offspring. So the most likely answer to this question is that she is a sister or a niece. If you would like to read more about it, you can check this out...Cain's Wife: It Really Does Matter.

 As Cain starts a family and generations pass, a prosperous city takes form in the land of Nod. His descendants are entrepreneurs, musicians, engineers and craftsman. But the founder is a known murderer and the record also includes the first mention of multiple marriages, along with an incident where unwarranted violence is justified. One can surmise, that education, skill and giftedness are not necessarily a guarantee for godliness.  “It’s not how close we live to a great city, but how close we live to a great God.”

Meanwhile, Eve gives birth to Seth, and after his son Enosh is born,  “people first began to worship the Lord by name.” As we continue on in history and population increases, it becomes apparent that God is not happy with the spiritual condition of his people, There is some discussion among scholars as to just how the corruption and increased moral depravity transpired. What we do know, is that God decreases the mortality rate to 120 years, and His heart breaks over having created them. If it were not that Noah (a descendant of Seth) was found to be righteous, every living thing would have been destroyed. But God, in His mercy, decides to spare Noah, his family, and a boat full of animals. He gives instructions and in obedience, “Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.”

Coming soon to the Heartland,  Planned Noah's Ark Park .

These Biblical records give me pause, especially in this New Year, to ask God to reveal the answers to two questions. First, are my attitudes and motivations pure as I live and breathe and enjoy this gift of life in God’s world?  And secondly, am I using my gifts, talents and resources for the benefit and influence of the culture in positive, God –honoring ways? This is my heart's desire.

Be Blessed…and stay tuned!

January 1 Creation, Eden, Sin

Genesis 1:1 - 3:24

I remember a time in elementary school, where for a time, I learned not to think. It was during a religion or science class in Catholic school when I raised my hand, and asked these questions, “What about evolution? Couldn’t God have created in that way? I must have just watched Inherit The Wind and was feeling a bit feisty.

After being berated and humiliated by my nun for asking such a question (I think she was biased), I began to silently question many things I was being taught. Some were about God Himself, but mostly they were about religious traditions. It wasn’t until I was 26 and began reading the Bible for myself that some of the answers to those questions began to take shape. I emphasize some, because like a woman who doesn’t necessarily like to reveal her age, God chooses to keep some revelations to Himself. And, no, I am not comparing God to a vain woman.

When reading the Bible, I have learned to approach the text with great humility. We would be wise to pray asking God to give us guidance, and to check our biases and traditions at the door… but not our brains. 40 percent of the Old Testament is narrative. That means that it is written in story style. Genesis is the retelling of historical events of the past. While interpreting, one to needs to be careful not to read into the text something that wasn’t intended. I recommend this book. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Contrary to what I was led to believe by the spiritual leaders of my youth, the Bible is accessible.

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Genesis chapter 1 is the account of the creation of the heavens and earth and everything in them. There are three primary interpretations of Creation prevalent in the Christian community today. They are; Young Earth Creationism, Old Earth Creationism, and Theistic Evolution. You can read about them in more detail here. How Did God Create The Universe?

For the record, I tip the scale towards Old Earth Creationism for one reason that I can’t get past. “God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female he created them.” This is something so unique and precious. It is so wonderful, that I can’t even fathom what it all entails to be created in the image of an all Sovereign God. We are created to reflect His glory! God created by His spoken word, and He has the power and authority to have done so any way He chooses. We can have opinions, intellectual discussions, and scientific discoveries, which are profitable, but in the end, I think we’ll see creation to be evermore spectacular than our finite minds can ever conjure up.


A few years ago, I attended a conference where Dr.Richard Swenson was one of the guest speakers. His presentation on the scientific intricacy’s of the human body and the universe increased my faith in God’s creative majesty. He presented interesting facts, like this one about nuetrinos. Some prefer to continue the raging battle, but I find science and faith to be unlikely allies in seeing the majesty and sovereignty of God. Personally, I think the question of how God created has caused too much division and is distracting from the true intention of the writer of Genesis, which was to proclaim that God IS the Creator “In the beginning, God...” Carl Sagan said, “The cosmos is all there is, all there ever was, and all there ever will be.” The biblical text emphatically denies this claim, and declares God as eternal, present before the created universe, and separate from His creation. This reality should stir in us worship and wonder at His majesty and sovereignty.

This next portion of the daily reading, Genesis chapter 3, is the story of the fall of humanity. God placed the man and woman in the most perfect environment, and they became the first dysfunctional family. In a narrative, you will find three parts…characters, plot and plot resolution. In the Biblical story, the main character, or protagonist is God, the antagonist is Satan, and God’s people are the other main characters, or agonists. Simply put, the plot is that God created people as His image bearers and creation stewards. The enemy persuaded them to bear his image instead, and the resolution is the great story of redemption. This story of redemption is God’s unwavering pursuit of mankind, to bring them back into fellowship, to reflect His image once again, and to eventually redeem them, along with all of His creation in the new heaven and earth. It is an astounding, epic, utterly true and crucially important story!

I think it’s time to worship Him!

Be Blessed…and stay tuned!

The One Year Chronological Bible

It was yesterday, January 1, 2011, that I decided to go through the One Year Bible again. I had done this before, but mostly, having participated and taught at Community Bible Study, an in-depth study for 21 years, I spent my time with the Scripture at hand. I have to admit, I did try to tack on the One Year several different times over the years, but always failed to keep up. I have chosen the One Year Chronological Bible to read for three reasons. 1. I bought it two years ago and so it is sitting on my shelf. 2. Although I have studied the Bible for many years, I have a poor memory for historical dates and such, so reading through a general timeline, particularly in the Old Testament, will help me to place prophets and kings once again in their proper places in history. 3. Reading the whole Bible as a single story is unique, in that the reader can see God's plan unfold through the pages of history.


Early this morning, after reading the Scripture for the day, and after getting numerous facebook feedback regarding my commitment, I felt compelled to blog about it. This mornings service at Walnut Hill Community Church, was more confirmation, when our pastor, Clive Calver, encouraged us to deeper disciplines with the Lord, one being the reading of the One Year Bible. Blogging won't be easy, I know, but it is giving me much needed focus to be in God's Word more deeply again, and the practice and vulnerability of putting my thoughts into words. Another paradox exists, because God is in the business of transforming us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. He often uses His Word as an instrument of growth, to bend, mold, purify, and if need be, to break us, until we reflect back His beautiful image. The good news is that God is for us and He believes in all we can become when we allow Him to work through us!


As of now, I am still learning how to use this blogger, so I am not quite sure how this is going to work. I might write daily on some occasions, or only a few times a week lumping several readings into one. Most likely, along the way, I will throw in some random recipes, family escapades, garden and chicken chronicles, and personal reflections. They will make a good diversion when I am stumped with the text, or get bored with Leviticus. So pick up your Bible and journey with me through The One Year Chronological Bible. If you don't have one, you can follow along here...  http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/  


I would love to hear your thoughts as we travel The Ground To Grow On.
Be Blessed...and Stay tuned!