2 Samuel 7

2 Samuel 7 is intense.

That is all.

The Middle East Conflict Discussion

The topic of the current conflict in the Middle East was brought up by Brenna, one of my Onething Intern buddies. She had an assignment for one of her college classes to write an opinion paper on the ongoing conflict between Israel and the nearby Arab peoples.

In case you don't pay attention to the news, there has been renewed talk of peace between Israel and Palestine, by means of Israel giving Palestine more land, and even possibly by splitting Jerusalem in half. In my eyes, this isn't really news, as it's been the same story since Israel was established in 1947. They even gave back control of some of the land to Palestinians in 1994 in hopes of making peace, but shortly afterwards the Palestinian attacks escalated yet again.

The questions the professor asked Brenna to consider for her assignment were:

1. Why hasn't the situation changed for so long?
2. Why is it so important to bring a resolution to this conflict?
3. How can peace be achieved?

He also asked her to consider these real world issues:

4. Territory: Palestinians want Israel to relinquish all of the West Bank and East Jerusalem to the Palestinians. Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but is reluctant to return the rest of the disputed land.

Q. Should Israel return the land? Why or why not?

5. Jewish settlements: Palestinians believe that all Jewish settlements in the West Bank or Gaza Strip are illegal because they violate UN resolutions and international law. Israel is reluctant to withdraw.

Q. Are Jewish settlements in violation of UN resolutions and international law?

6. U.S. Support: Palestinians argue that the United States has unilaterally supported Israel in this conflict, creating a power imbalance in the conflict. Some believe U.S. support to Israel has promoted hatred among the Arab countries.

Q. Has the U.S. supported Israel? Why?

7. Security issues: Palestinians officially favor peace and disarmament. While the images of kids throwing stones at Israeli tanks are common, Palestinians also have access to arms, and extremists carry out attacks. Meanwhile, Israelis have an impressive armed force that is regularly used aggressively against Palestinians.

Q. How does the military prowess of both countries compare?

8. Jerusalem: In 1947, when the UN voted for the partition of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states, it designated Jerusalem as an international city. In1949, Israel declared Jerusalem as its capital city. Palestinians say that Israel must return all of East Jerusalem and the Islamic and Christian holy sites in the Old City. Israelis believe that a united Jerusalem must remain under Israeli control.

Q. What could be done to make Jerusalem an international city?

9. Palestinian refugees: Palestinians say that Israel must accept responsibility for Palestinian refugees who fled or were expelled as a result of the creation of Israel. Refugee camps often become semi-permanent and develop their own communities and informal economies, however, the social costs are high.

Q. What are some of the problems encountered by Palestinians in refugee camps? What has been done to alleviate these problems?

10. Water: Palestinians say that Israel must relinquish all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including the Jordan Valley. Israel believes that it must have access to the Jordan Valley. The construction of the wall has also created concerns on the access to water reservoirs.

Q. Are water resources presently allocated based on population size and agricultural use? How water is allocated? How it should be allocated?

These questions actually sparked something new in me, and has forced me to take another look at my biblical ideology regarding Israel in the context of real current events. This is a very difficult thing, and something that is often side-stepped or misunderstood.

It is a subject that it seems nobody has answers to, so I figured the best place to go for answers was to ask God to reveal it to me through the Holy Spirit and through His Word. What I ended up with was something that seemed to make sense, although it is hard to accept, and even hard to believe in and hope for. Yet I there is no other answer. Like most difficult questions, it seems the only right answer is the super simple answer you here so often from the high pitched voices of children in Sunday School.

"Jesus?"

Oh, it seems so foolish, it's almost painful... but it's the only way!

Next time: International Justice and Spiritual Mercy

STAY TUNED>

Song of Songs 1:15

Have any of you read the Song of Songs?

It’s one of the tougher books of the Bible to get into in a serious way, but it’s so rewarding! Especially when you approach it with the perspective of a love-journey between Jesus and His Bride, meaning you and me!

Tonight I’m stuck on 1:15:

Look at you, my love! How beautiful you are!
Your eyes are doves –”

In this verse, He is affirming his love for her, and how he sees the bride (us) as beautiful. This is still early on in the journey, and she is far from mature in this love. She is easily distracted (see 2:15), yet he says her eyes are like doves eyes.

Doves eyes… What does that mean? Birds have much better vision than humans, and doves in particular have a huge range of vision, up to 300 degrees without moving its head! It’s called monocular vision. The downside is that they have a harder time judging distances.

But in the context of the scripture, of speaking of beauty, I’m sure he was not talking about how effective her eyesight was.

So what was he talking about? Biblically, a dove can be speaking of a few things: hope, like with Noah; purity and peace, like with the sacrificial system, or the Holy Spirit as it descended upon Jesus.

The common interpretation, which I am focusing on tonight, is that a doves eyes are focused and pure.

It’s interesting that He says she is focused and pure, even before she has really achieved that. It’s called a prophetic declaration. He says, “You are pure!” because he sees her future. He looks at her, and sees destiny. He sees maturity, focus, and passion, even where there is only a little. But it is her desire, her internal ‘yes’ that he sees, and says, “You are beautiful.”

Love for Israel: A Jealous Love

Last time: "Why care about those who have rejected the Messiah?"

I'm continuing on the theme of Romans 9, where Paul is writing of his heart for Israel. He writes, "my grief [for Israel] is so great, the pain in my heart so constant..."

A thought creeps in... "But Paul is Jewish! Of course he is concerned for his people!" But Paul was also an Apostle to us Gentiles, and he is a major model of Christianity. Also, Jesus is Jewish, and wept over lost Israel. If we cannot, even as Gentiles, model ourselves after Christ and Paul, we might as well give up and go follow Zeus or some other pagan god. We are to be in-grafted into the Root of David, this is our identity. The in-grafted branch must not become arrogant.

Ok, so that was a sidetrack. So, this heart for Israel, how does it work? What does it look like to have a heart for Israel? Some say God doesn't love them, because they have rejected Him. Nothing could be further from the truth.

God is jealous for Israel, and he will not give himself rest until he can fully delight himself in them as his people. What is our part in this as Gentiles? We are to be watchmen on their walls, praying for them without ceasing! (Isaiah 62)

We are supposed to remember how we too, were once lost, and without hope, but he has shown us mercy, and extends that same mercy to his people Israel. God has a plan for Israel, and it involves us Gentiles! (Rom 11) This excites me. Maybe I'm odd, but I want to help God get what he desires with such zeal. I think it's a glorious calling, even though it starts with something so mundane and unexciting as prayer.

I might continue on this topic some more, but first, any questions or comments?

Love for Israel: Introduction, continued...

Previously:

Paul said, (Romans 9)

“I could wish myself actually under God’s curse, and separated from the Messiah,” --

Wait... what the... ?

“...if it would help my brothers, my own flesh and blood, the people of Isra’el!”

Uh, OK, I see you have a heart for your brothers, but really? What if God takes you up on that Paul? Do you really mean that? The Holy Spirit backs him up that he is not lying, so we have to believe that it is his true desire.

If you think about it one way, it seems like Paul loves his brothers more than he loves Jesus. He would give up being with his Lord, to whom he is a bond-servant, for them?

Or, thinking of it in reverse, it sounds like he values them more than his own salvation. He values them, his brothers who have rejected him and hated him, higher than personal relationship with the Father through Christ? He would give it all up, his own eternal destiny, his apostolic ministry, and the love of the Father and a life in Christ, something that he has said is more valuable than anything else he has ever had, for them?

Why? What is so special about them? He has a flourishing ministry among the Gentiles, who love him, and even support him financially, why not just walk away from those 'cold-hearted' Jews? Why care about those who persecute you? Why care about those who have rejected the Messiah, and even played a part in crucifying him?

Next Time: Some Preliminary Answers!

Love for Israel: A Teaser

The opening paragraph of Romans 9 contains the most brash and reckless statement of Paul recorded in the Bible. It’s simply outrageous. I read it, and part of me wonders, “How could he possibly mean what he said?” Paul knew what he was saying was bizarre, and knowing his readers would question him, he puts a big disclaimer on the front of this thing. He says, “I do not lie,” and claims the Holy Spirit is governing what comes next.

He says,

“I could wish myself actually under God’s curse, and separated from the Messiah,” --

Wait... what the... ?

Parashah 3: Lekh L'kha

Parashah 3: Lekh L'kha (Get yourself out)
Genesis 12:1-17:27

This portion is all about the patriarch of Israel, Abraham. I love this portion! It contains all of the promises for Israel, as well as some pretty sweet accounts of Abraham, including his run-in with Melchizadek, who some people think was the pre-incarnate Messiah.

Chapter 15 has another awesome encounter, where God comes to him in a vision. Don't take that lightly... when is the last time God came to you in a vision? Do you know what that's like? And even if you do, I doubt yours was like this. As far as visions go, this one is a good one.

God starts it out by saying, "Don't be afraid." He probably had to say that, because whatever it was like to see God in a vision was pretty startling, and he wanted Abraham to catch what he was about to say. He then said, "I am your protector, your reward will be very great."God goes on to tell him of his promises towards him, that he will have a child in his old age, and that he will become a mighty nation.

Later that day, after he sacrificed to God, he had another encounter. He fell into a deep sleep, and in this sleep he experienced horror and great darkness. God created a scene for him, and told him of the future of his people. He says that they will be in captivity for a while, until it is the right time for them to possess the land. The right time will be when the Amorites are ripe for punishment. God could give them the land right now, but because he is just, he cannot wipe out the Amorites until they are wicked enough to deserve it. Interesting...

Another part that I love is in 17:1. He's 99 years old, and God shows up again. He actually appears to him, whatever that means, and says to him, "I am El Shaddai! [God Almighty] Walk in my presence and be pure-hearted!"

Sounds good to me!

Haftarah:

Isaiah 40:27 - 41:16

Weird Words from Deep unto Deep

Dana Candler is an expert in the English language. Personally, her style is very difficult for me to handle, but I do recognize that she is very good at it. Her style incorporates an incredible vocabulary uncommon in our day.

Here's a couple of examples:

"How do our weak hearts enter the holy torrents of Divine Love?"

"We stand on our tiptoes on the precipice of time, peering into eternity with a steady gaze, ever searching the horizon for the One who lives outside of time."

Uhhg. Beauty, mixed with horror. Like the witch from Narnia, her use of language is both attractive and repulsive.

Why am I bringing this up? Well, I'm re-reading her book. I never thought I would, but God has humbled me, and brought me into a "season" (uhhg) in which I am desperate for intimacy.

But rather than go on and on about me, I thought you, my readers, would enjoy my list of weird words and phrases that I find while reading.

Try saying them slowly a number of times, as gratuitously as you can.

• holy torrents of divine love
• embrace
• deep ache
• kindled flame
• tangibly
• transpiring
• ravished
• pierce
• precipice
• cherishes
• precious
• saturated
• discern - "dizzern" as Mike B pronounces it.

-out

Onething Minneapolis is Near.

Unfortunately, I could not arrange a ride for the Onething Conference in Minneapolis this weekend, but rest assured that I am interceding on their behalf.

If any of you -- my readers, my people -- are in Minnesota, I strongly urge you to go. These conferences have done so much for me personally, and so many others. There is so much prayer behind these things, and I believe that God is using them to fuel a mighty change in this nation.

I personally am praying heavily for this thing. I know many people who will be there; many people who need to hear from God, who need wisdom from heaven, who need to be reminded and strengthened in His love.

If you cannot attend, I ask that you would join me in praying for God to establish his kingdom in the hearts of men and women, and to purify and strengthen his bride in that region.

"My people are destroyed for want of knowledge.
Because you rejected knowledge,
I will also reject you...
Because you forgot the Word of your God
I will also forget your children."
Hosea 4:6

For this reason, I fall on my knees before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its character.
I pray that from the treasures of his glory
he will empower you with inner strength by his Spirit,
so that the Messiah may live in your hearts through your trusting.
Also I pray that you will be rooted and founded in love,
so that you, with all God's people, will be given strength to grasp the breadth, length, height, and depth of the Messiah's love.
Eph 3:14-18

Parashah 2: Noach (Noah)

Parashah 2: Noach (Noah)
Genesis 6:9 - 11:32

From last time:

The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them. But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
(Genesis 6:5–8 ESV)

I love the Bible. The account of Noah is one that is told to children, because it is so exciting and grandiose. It's got drama, miracles, and a hero. It's got a huge boat made of gofer-wood, a world-wide flood, and a sweet rainbow.

But what if it's not just a child's story, but actually happened? It's an amazing story that captivates, and evokes emotions, way better than Titanic... But what's so cool about this is that it's an amazing story, which is part of a larger story called "History" that we get to take part in.

Let's take another look at Noah, as if it actually happened. (which it actually did)

The earth, and mankind, was still pretty new at this point. The population was booming, but only a small number (one family line) were faithful to God. This line was the line which Noah came from. (Enoch, Methuselah, Lamek, Noah)

Everyone else was completely turning from God, and fully pursuing the depths of sin. God describes their thoughts and desires being "only evil, all the time." Imagine this... a large community, probably in a small geographic area, ONLY doing evil. Imagine the violence, and the danger of living there.

I take comfort in Genesis 6:8, "Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord." Noah was not perfect, but his heart was not evil. He loved the Lord with his heart. Noah was still a sinner, but God loved him, and gave Noah grace to live.

I'm going to fast forward through the building of the ark, the gathering of the animals, and the flood, and look at what happens after.

After, Noah made a sacrifice of the few animals he had, and sacrificed them to God. This part I love. God smelled it. God smells things... Haha! And it pleased him. This might be weird, but I like to think that God has a greater ability to smell than we do. He smells not just the barbecue going on, but also the heart behind the sacrifice. I could bring in a whole bunch of scriptures about aroma's here, but I'll leave it to you to go search it out.

Because of this sacrifice and this pleasing smell, God makes a promise, that he will never again destroy everything, as long as the earth exists. He gives a sign of this promise, which is his rainbow. It's the same rainbow that we see in God's throne room (Revelation 4:3). It symbolizes his promise of mercy and protection and love for living things.

I love how God's personality is shown through this passage, and his way of weaving a dramatic story to save mankind.

See also Matthew 24:36-44.

I'm out of shape.

Today, during the party celebrating the 8-Year Anniversary of the International House of Prayer, I attempted to play Ultimate Frisbee.

I am by no means a pro at this, but I used to be able to hold my own. Not now. I discovered that I'm old, and out of shape! This is horrible!

I've got to find something fun to do to get myself in shape...

Parashah #1 Part 2

100th Post! WOO!

Genesis 4

When Eve (or “Havah”) gave birth to her first child, fulfilling God’s word to man to be fruitful and multiply (1:28), she must have been amazed. From what I’ve heard, having a child is amazing, but how amazing it must have been to have the first child ever! Nobody to tell you what’s going on, to walk you through the process. Maybe they had learned from the other creatures what birth was about, but even still it would not have been easy.

It’s interesting that she names him Cain (or “Kayin”), which means acquisition, gotten, or received, saying, “I have acquired a man from Adonai.” The first mother recognized that her child was from God. She was probably amazed, and said, “Look what God has given me, look what I got!” and then named him “got.”

On a personal note, my friends, the Dan and Elisa Jacobson had their first child, Caleb. I got to hold him while he was only one day old! There is definitely something about holding a newborn that is amazing. Maybe it’s the smell... maybe it’s the way they squirm and move on their own... maybe it’s the warmth of their body... in any case, it’s awe inspiring.

Continuing on...

Cain & Abel. We all know the basic story, but as I read it again (and in the CJB) there are a few things that stick out to me.

“Adonai said to Kayin, “Why are you angry? Why are you downcast? If you are doing what is good, shouldn’t you hold your head high? And if you don’t do what is good, sin is crouching at the door - it wants you, but you can rule over it.”
Genesis 4:6-7 CJB

These are God’s words to him after God had rejected Cain’s sacrifice, and accepted Abel’s. Cain had become angry about this, and God gave him a warning. The upcoming sin of Cain was visible in his demeanor. But God gave him hope, saying, “you can rule over it! You can be free!” God gave him the authority to overcome sin.

Chapter 5.

Genealogies, don’t you just love them? Interesting note, did you know that Noah (or “Noach”) means “restful,” because his father said, “This one will comfort us in our labor, in the hard work on the ground that Adonai cursed.”

Chapter 6 (up to verse 8)

After the earth became populated, wickedness abounded. Because of this, God said, “My Spirit will not live in human beings forever, for they too are flesh; therefore their life span is to be 120 years.” God had a plan, in which his Spirit will live in humans forever, but only those who would put their own flesh to death and become righteous through a connection with the spirit of the Messiah. Those that take part in this plan that Paul calls “a mystery,” will live forever with His Spirit.

Noah is a forerunner of this.

“But Noah found grace in the sight of Adonai.”
Genesis 6:8 CJB

I pray that we also will find grace in his sight. Amen.

Parashah #1 Part 1

It's a new year! Rosh Hashanah! The Jewish New Year!

This also means I start over in my Parashah (weekly portion) readings.

I use my Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) for all my casual bible reading, and it's really convenient how it has the Jewish Parashah clearly marked for reading so I can have a good bible reading plan and also read exactly what many Jewish people hear in synagogue every week.

I plan to post as many of these as I can, but I may break them up for a slightly easier read.

So without further ado...

Parashah 1: B'resheet (In the beginning) Part 1.
Genesis 1:1 - 3:24

Chapter 1

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Creation is one of the most spectacular events that will ever take place, and it is only the beginning of a beautiful story. The first chapter of Genesis leaves so much up to the imagination. God could have written volumes to describe every part of this process, from spiritual to physical, and from ecosystems to atomic levels, and still not cover it. Yet he only gave us one chapter focusing on it, and with a few other verses that hint at it.

I often wish that I could see it, either with the special effects of Hollywood, or preferably, in a vision from God. I guess that I will have to be patient and when I am with the Lord He can show it to me.

Only a dim image of God's beauty is revealed through creation, yet it is awe inspiring to say the least. And what does God say of this process?

"Eh, it's good..." Just kidding God. "It's very good," says God, verse 31.

Chapter 2

On the seventh day, God rested. Verse 3 is interesting in the CJB, a phrase appears in it that I have not seen in any other translation. It says, "God rested... so that it [creation] itself could produce."

I'm don't know Hebrew to know what that phrase could be based upon, or whether it's a translation error or correction. But what are the implications? God enabled creation itself to produce. It's not exactly the same as creation, but think of a crop producing fruit. God of course created the crop, but the crop produced the fruit. That's not to say that it is independent of God, but that God gave it an ability of it's own to produce.

This is how everything works, in righteousness. God plants the seed, and then in partnership with Him and in agreement with his design, the seed produces fruit. Mistranslation or not, it's a biblical thought.

In conjunction with that thought, it is interesting to see how God gives Adam the responsibility to name each creature in verse 19. It is in total partnership with God. God brings the animal that He created to Adam, and gives him the privilege of naming it. He even gets to name his own wife! That's a unique experience!

Chapter 3

The fall. Ouch. Conflict. God is such a good story teller. Or maybe story-creator would be a better term. Well, both, of course.

It's specifically interesting to note how God sets up the story to unfold after the fall:

[To the serpent] "I will put animosity between you and the woman, and between your descendant and her descendant; he will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel."

[To the woman] "I will greatly increase your pain in childbirth. You will bring forth children in pain. Your desire will be toward your husband, but he will rule over you."

[To Adam] The ground is cursed on your account; for you will work hard to eat it as long as you live. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat field plants. You will eat bread by the sweat of your forehead till you return to the ground - for you were taken out of it; you are dust, and you will return to dust."

God here establishes that there will be a struggle. He tells the serpent, "They're gonna be your enemy now. You better watch out, because one of these days..." Which of course points to Jesus, and eventually to his demise in the lake of fire. He makes it clear to Satan that this is not a permanent victory. Oh no, this is a battle that mankind will win through the incarnation of the Son of Man.

God establishes to the woman that she will struggle because of her weakness she will desire a husband who will protect her. This guardianship was not placed on Adam before the fall (although it could probably be said that it was implied), but now, women will be placed under the authority of men, and men will be responsible for their women.

This sets up what comes next, the repercussions for Adam not being responsible for his woman. Man will have to work hard... ARGH!

10PM Meditations #1

Thursday night at my small group we are going to be discussing post-modernism, and how it is shaping our culture, and how it may be a part of God's plan for Jesus' second coming.

After doing some research and thinking on the subject, I thought it might be wise to seek some biblical wisdom. A good place to look for that, is of course, the Bible. More specifically, Proverbs.

"Wisdom calls aloud in the open air
and raises her voice in the public places;
she calls out at streetcorners and speaks out at entrances to city gates:
'How long, you whose lives have no purpose, will you love thoughtless living?
How long will scorners find pleasure in mocking?
How long will fools hate knowledge?'"
Psalms 1:20-22 (CJB)

It hurts me, it wounds me deeply, when I talk to random people, or when I read peoples comments on various online "social commentary" sites, like digg, or public forums. It wounds me because they are mostly mocking and scorning everything and anything, while jumping upon the latest idea without hesitation and then mocking it and scorning it when it turns out to be false.

This is a side-track, and doesn't directly address post-modernism, but rather addresses our culture in a general way from my individual and uninformed perspective. So rather than focus on "them," I will choose to instead focus on my own lack of wisdom and truth. Luckily, the bible has the answer.

"Repent when I reprove --
I will pour out my spirit to you,
I will make my words known to you."
Psalms 1:23 (CJB)

Father! I'm sorry for my own lack of wisdom, and my lack of pursuing knowledge of you! Please! Give to me your spirit, for wisdom and understanding! Make your words known to me!

8PM Intercession Report #2

Phew! Tonight we had some powerful intercession!

We have been praying the ending of human trafficking and the sex slave industry in a focused way for about six months, and have had some small breakthroughs in it (a couple of prostitution rings broken up in Kansas City and in Minneapolis). Now God has led us to intercede for Thailand, which from what I hear is the prostitution capital of the world.

Tonight the room was united in intercession... It's hard to describe, but there was a heavy feeling in the air, and we all cried out to our Heavenly Father for justice and mercy on their behalf.

I define justice as Jesus receiving the reward for his suffering, and mercy as God turning the hearts of men to repent. My heart was deeply moved as I cried out to heaven... Only God has the power to transform lives to righteousness.

"Their hearts cried out to Adonai,
'Wall of the daughter of Tziyon!
Let your tears stream down
like a torrent, day and night!
Give yourself no respite,
give your eyes no rest!

'Get up! Cry out in the night,
at the beginning of every watch!
Pour out heart out like water
before the face of Adonai!
Lift up your hands to him
for the lives of your babies,
who are fainting away from hunger
at every streetcorner.'"

"For rejection by Adonai
does not last forever.
He may cause grief, but he will take pity,
in keeping with the greatness of his grace.
For he does not arbitrarily torment
or punish human beings.

When anyone tramples underfoot
any of the prisoners of the land;
when anyone deprives a person of justice,
in defiance with the Most High;
when someone is cheated of justice in court --
does Adonai not take notice of such things?

Who can say something and have it happen
without Adonai's commanding it?"
Lamentations 2:18,19, 3:31-37 (CJB)

God, I pray that you would speak!
Send righteousness to Thailand!
Set them free from their own sinfulness which holds them hostage!
Amen.

8PM Intercession Report #1

In an effort to post more often, to inform my readers, as well as stay engaged in the 8PM intercession myself, I am going to start doing nightly reports.

---- Report #1. ----
Wednesday, September 5th, 8PM.
Focus: Northern Africa, and specifically for 1,000 Muslims in Cairo, Egypt to have a revelation of Jesus as the Son of God. We have reports of large Christian congregations joining with us via the webstream and god.tv in prayer every morning, specifically during our 8PM set (6AM Cairo).

Worship team: Luke Wood, Caleb Culver, and band.

• Wes Martin lead the opening prayer for 1,000 Muslims to have powerful experiences with the Lord like Saul of Tarsis.
• He followed it up with a massive rapid-fire prayer cycle, with around 40 people praying 5-10 second prayers on the mic.
• Molly Mo ripped it up and united the room with a passionate prayer for Casa Blanca.
• We also had a time to do small group prayers for healing, which I always love. I missed out on it this time because I was too slow to move and didn't want to join late, because then I never know what to pray for. So I just walked around singing along with the chorus, "demonstrate your power!"

Weird Words: "s-w" words

Tonights post is dedicated my weird word aficionados, Kelly aka K-Diggy, and Molly Mo.

1. "Swoop" |swoōp|

Daniel 9:21
"...while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gavri'el, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, swooped down on me in full flight..."

2. "Swirl" |swərl|

I feel like I'm caught in a swirl.

3. "Swell" |swel|

verb ( past part. swollen |ˈswōlən|or swelled ) [ intrans. ]
ORIGIN Old English swellan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to German schwellen. Current senses of the noun date from the early 16th cent.; the informal adjectival use derives from noun sense 4 (late 18th cent.).

adjective informal dated excellent; very good, super well :
you're looking swell. • archaic smart; fashionable : a swell boulevard.

4. "Swarm" |swôrm|

noun a large or dense group of insects, esp. flying ones.

PHRASAL VERBS swarm up climb (something) rapidly by gripping it with one's hands and feet, alternately hauling and pushing oneself upward : I swarmed up the mast. [ORIGIN: mid 16th cent.: of unknown origin.]
ORIGIN Old English swearm (noun), of Germanic origin; related to German Schwarm, probably also to the base of Sanskrit svarati ‘it sounds.’

5. "Swank" |swa ng k| informal

verb [ intrans. ] display one's wealth, knowledge, or achievements in a way that is intended to impress others : swanking about, playing the dashing young master spy.

6. "Swindle" |ˈswindl|

a fraudulent scheme or action

Put them all together, what do we get?

A swarm of swollen insects swirling around, swooping down, trying to swindle my swank!

PS 23

Why oh why?

It's so weird. Why do we do things we know are bad for us?

I'm not talking about sin, I'm talking about eating bad food late at night.

Buffalo Wild Wings (B-Dubs) at 12:30AM when I have to work at 9AM?



Habanero Salsa at 1AM?


Beef Franks at any time of the day?


Seriously, why do I do this? The immediate benefit is far-outweighed by the long-term suffering.

Its my berfday.

25 years old. woo-hoo!

Well, I'm not five years old anymore, (my ideal age)
but I can look at it positively:

I'm one year closer to resurrection!