babel = confusion
see Genesis 11:1-5 at
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+11
different languages are cool
but people stopped being able to understand each other
they had different ways of trying to express ________that the other
could no longer read correctly anymore
misinterpretation
misunderstandings
confusion
bewilderment
hurt and anger
fear and rejection
does this not sum up the human condition?
unable to connect
to build community
we fracture
and all progess is at a standstill
we just abandon our great project and move on elsewhere
hoping to find something new that might work somewhere else
giving up on each other
on this relationship
on this person
forget it - this is hopeless
I never understand her
he never understands me..
"God is against the proud but he gives grace to the humble" Proverbs 3:34 ICB
"So, be humble under God's powerful hand.
Then he will lift you up when the right time comes.
Give all your worries to him because he cares for you."
I Peter 5:6-7 ICB
Jesus Christ died to deliver us from our terrible self-centered pride
the 'I don't need to listen to you' within
If I am just willing to not deflect the situations and persons he is using to show me my need of Him
not blaming circumstances and everyone around me
willing to be shown my greatest problem is my ignoring of you
Yes, Lord I say those very hard words
you are right
and I am in the wrong
I need you
please help me
Oh praise you,
you sweep in like an overwhelming flood of care and comfort when you hear these simple words
let me be quick to say them
let me say them often
You do not trample me or despise me in my vulnerabilty and need
you say
I CARE FOR YOU
I am here
tell me all your heart
all your worries
all your concerns
all your sorrow and sadness
all your longings and desires
you care for me
what wonderful news
I do not have to try to be God and make things happen the way I think they should
You are God and I can come to you at any time and tell you everything
help me to bring and leave all my burdens with you
and to love others in this same way
they are safe here
they are cared for
they are helped
"Do not be a ruler over people you are responsible for.
be good examples to them.
Then when Christ, the Head Shepherd comes, you will get a crown.
This crown will be glorious and it will never lose it's beauty.
....And all of you should be very humble with each other.
'God is against the proud,
but he gives grace to the humble' Prov 3:34"
I Peter 5:3-5 ICB
Ephesians 2:1-8Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
From Death to Life
2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens,[a] the spirit now working in the disobedient.[b] 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us,[c] 5 made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, 7 so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindnessto us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—
Footnotes:
- Ephesians 2:2 Lit ruler of the domain of the air
- Ephesians 2:2 Lit sons of disobedience
- Ephesians 2:4 Lit love with which He loved us
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. 14 For He is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility.
Epesians 2:13-14 (HCSB)
Ephesians 4:15King James Version (KJV)
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
King James Version (KJV)
this is the way
accepting your truth about who I am and how much I need you
being willing to speak truthfully and kind and loving and helpfully
this is what builds us up into Christ
builds up relationships
builds up a community where Christ can be seen and honored and glorified
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