Date: 23 January 2009, Deployment-18 days.
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 18
Who Is the Greatest?
18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Temptations to Sin
7 "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
If Your Brother Sins Against You
15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.' 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
Ps 19:1-2
The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
Sun Tzu:
“Tire them by fight.”
“This means making a lot of surprise attacks. When they come our, you go home; when they go home you come out. When they got to the aid of their left flank, you head to the right. This was you can tire them out.”
“This way, your strength will remain intact, while they will be worn out.”
Who Is the Greatest?
18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Temptations to Sin
7 "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
If Your Brother Sins Against You
15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.' 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
Ps 19:1-2
The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
Sun Tzu:
“Tire them by fight.”
“This means making a lot of surprise attacks. When they come our, you go home; when they go home you come out. When they got to the aid of their left flank, you head to the right. This was you can tire them out.”
“This way, your strength will remain intact, while they will be worn out.”
The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006):
Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), born to King Philip II king of Macedonia and educated by Aristotle (pupil of Plato, pupil of Socrates) he became king of Macedonia at 20 after his father was assassinated in a theater. Alexander the Great died at age 33 but in his 13 yrs as king he extended Macedonia’s boarders from present day Greece to India. This was an empire like history had never seen. Through his brilliant teacher Aristotle, Alexander the Great was motivated to unite his kingdom under one common language and a hybrid combination of his conquered nations (rather than destroy the cultures of his conquests). This process came to be known as Hellenism. Through Hellenism much of Europe and Asia spoke the same language and had common cultural beliefs. When Alexander’s died, his kingdom was divided among his generals. The Greek’s were eventually defeated by the Romans centuries later.
Events:
Got up early yesterday and went to the range, had some fun, shot pretty good and was done by 0900. Went back to the office, read, wrote and did some work until a meeting (non-deployable scrub) at 1130. At this weekly meeting, we go through all of the 300 soldiers who are unable to deploy and discuss the medical and legal issues that prevent their deployment. This meeting is typically where I get the majority of my work for the following week, calling consultants, reevaluating soldiers etc… But this week, I decided that I am done taking on the responsibility primarily and handed it over to the PA. This enabled me to take a 4 day weekend, deal with deployment issues (health check, immunizations etc…) next week and then take 1 week off 29 Jan-9Feb before I fly out on the 11th. I drove home yesterday evening while listening to RC Sproul’s new series, “God Alone.” I highly recommend it; he is discussing the 5 tenets of the reformation. We took Marla’s cousin out for dinner at Perico’s last night. Check the Pic’s.
Thoughts:
1. 18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" It is always important to keep whatever bible verse that we are discussing in the context of what is immediately surrounds it. The bible is not to be farmed for quotes because taken out of context, the bible can be made to say almost anything, and often has. The context of the forthcoming discussion on children is this selfishly motivated question by the disciples. The disciples on multiple occasions probe Jesus for how they can be great in the Kingdom of heaven. After realizing that there are a variety of blessings in heaven, this is a question that we all must wonder from time to time. I realize my own sinfulness in asking this question, a sinfulness that seeks my own glory, my own pleasure as opposed to God’s glory (the purpose of heaven and earth).
2. Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Realizing why my own heart asks this question, It is not surprising that Christ answers with a commentary on humility. It is interesting that instead of discussing blessings in heaven in verse 3 he is actually discussing salvation to heaven, maybe as a warning to his disciples. Without the humility to realize that even our best works are “dirty rags,” or in this context, Childs play, compared to God’s goodness we will never bend our knee and cry out for Christ’s salvation. In verse 4 Christ moves to answer their question about reward in heaven. This verse seems to say that when we humble ourselves and realize that as a child we are entirely dependent on God for our substance, protection, salvation and even sanctification (spiritual growth), that we have absolutely nothing God needs and absolutely nothing to brag about before the father but instead give him eternal Glory for his Amazing Grace then we both understand the concept of heaven and will be called great in heaven. As a heavenly extension of our life on earth the purpose of heaven will continue to be God’s Glory and not our eternal bliss. When instead we rely on our own ability to produce externally pious works in hope for our own eternal pleasure and glory, that we might be called greatest in heaven we forget our first love (God), substitute ourselves as an Idol and miss the point of both our life on earth and our blessing in heaven.
3. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. Talk about a warning shot! Christ is not commanding us to cut off our hands or gouge out our eyes but he is giving a glimpse at how serious we should consider sin and it’s punishment. If I truly believed that one sin with my hand was worth my arm and one sin with my mouth was worth my head, I would be far more cautious. Although Christ has now paid for our sin on the cross and we can have true forgiveness, the sins that we daily commit are not suddenly made less offensive to God. We may be redeemed and counted as sinless and counted as God’s adopted children, but God is no less hurt (in fact likely more hurt) when his children choose to live in worldly sin and satisfaction over God’s fatherly love and instruction. The offense is no less, it is just paid for. As a Christians, when I claim to finally understand the magnitude, the offense of even my most innocent sins, how can I not do all in my power to avoid it. As Hebrews says, “4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood (Heb 12:4-5)”
4. If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? This is not a verse that says that God has chosen all of the sheep in the world. This verse in no way contradicts the doctrine of, “Limited Atonement” which states that Christ only died for his chosen people. Notice the lost sheep in this example is the shepherd’s sheep, it is not his neighbor’s sheep that he is stealing, it is not some pour African sheep. The sheep that is lost is the shepherd’s sheep and the shepherd (not the lost sheep) brings it back into to flock. As Jesus prayed, “9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled”. John 17:9-13
5. "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. So 490 times, but that 491’st time my brother sins, that’s it! How offensive our unforgiving hearts must be to God. The Story that Jesus subsequently tells makes me angry. How could a servant that has been forgiven a huge debt then go out and demand mere pennies from a fellow servant? I want to break that servants nose. As God has forgiven our constant lawbreaking and faithlessness and given us the keys to the kingdom of heaven, a mansion with a room already prepaired for us, “2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going." John 14:2-4. How then can we not forgive our brother for an occasional sin against us?
Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), born to King Philip II king of Macedonia and educated by Aristotle (pupil of Plato, pupil of Socrates) he became king of Macedonia at 20 after his father was assassinated in a theater. Alexander the Great died at age 33 but in his 13 yrs as king he extended Macedonia’s boarders from present day Greece to India. This was an empire like history had never seen. Through his brilliant teacher Aristotle, Alexander the Great was motivated to unite his kingdom under one common language and a hybrid combination of his conquered nations (rather than destroy the cultures of his conquests). This process came to be known as Hellenism. Through Hellenism much of Europe and Asia spoke the same language and had common cultural beliefs. When Alexander’s died, his kingdom was divided among his generals. The Greek’s were eventually defeated by the Romans centuries later.
Events:
Got up early yesterday and went to the range, had some fun, shot pretty good and was done by 0900. Went back to the office, read, wrote and did some work until a meeting (non-deployable scrub) at 1130. At this weekly meeting, we go through all of the 300 soldiers who are unable to deploy and discuss the medical and legal issues that prevent their deployment. This meeting is typically where I get the majority of my work for the following week, calling consultants, reevaluating soldiers etc… But this week, I decided that I am done taking on the responsibility primarily and handed it over to the PA. This enabled me to take a 4 day weekend, deal with deployment issues (health check, immunizations etc…) next week and then take 1 week off 29 Jan-9Feb before I fly out on the 11th. I drove home yesterday evening while listening to RC Sproul’s new series, “God Alone.” I highly recommend it; he is discussing the 5 tenets of the reformation. We took Marla’s cousin out for dinner at Perico’s last night. Check the Pic’s.
Thoughts:
1. 18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" It is always important to keep whatever bible verse that we are discussing in the context of what is immediately surrounds it. The bible is not to be farmed for quotes because taken out of context, the bible can be made to say almost anything, and often has. The context of the forthcoming discussion on children is this selfishly motivated question by the disciples. The disciples on multiple occasions probe Jesus for how they can be great in the Kingdom of heaven. After realizing that there are a variety of blessings in heaven, this is a question that we all must wonder from time to time. I realize my own sinfulness in asking this question, a sinfulness that seeks my own glory, my own pleasure as opposed to God’s glory (the purpose of heaven and earth).
2. Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Realizing why my own heart asks this question, It is not surprising that Christ answers with a commentary on humility. It is interesting that instead of discussing blessings in heaven in verse 3 he is actually discussing salvation to heaven, maybe as a warning to his disciples. Without the humility to realize that even our best works are “dirty rags,” or in this context, Childs play, compared to God’s goodness we will never bend our knee and cry out for Christ’s salvation. In verse 4 Christ moves to answer their question about reward in heaven. This verse seems to say that when we humble ourselves and realize that as a child we are entirely dependent on God for our substance, protection, salvation and even sanctification (spiritual growth), that we have absolutely nothing God needs and absolutely nothing to brag about before the father but instead give him eternal Glory for his Amazing Grace then we both understand the concept of heaven and will be called great in heaven. As a heavenly extension of our life on earth the purpose of heaven will continue to be God’s Glory and not our eternal bliss. When instead we rely on our own ability to produce externally pious works in hope for our own eternal pleasure and glory, that we might be called greatest in heaven we forget our first love (God), substitute ourselves as an Idol and miss the point of both our life on earth and our blessing in heaven.
3. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. Talk about a warning shot! Christ is not commanding us to cut off our hands or gouge out our eyes but he is giving a glimpse at how serious we should consider sin and it’s punishment. If I truly believed that one sin with my hand was worth my arm and one sin with my mouth was worth my head, I would be far more cautious. Although Christ has now paid for our sin on the cross and we can have true forgiveness, the sins that we daily commit are not suddenly made less offensive to God. We may be redeemed and counted as sinless and counted as God’s adopted children, but God is no less hurt (in fact likely more hurt) when his children choose to live in worldly sin and satisfaction over God’s fatherly love and instruction. The offense is no less, it is just paid for. As a Christians, when I claim to finally understand the magnitude, the offense of even my most innocent sins, how can I not do all in my power to avoid it. As Hebrews says, “4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood (Heb 12:4-5)”
4. If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? This is not a verse that says that God has chosen all of the sheep in the world. This verse in no way contradicts the doctrine of, “Limited Atonement” which states that Christ only died for his chosen people. Notice the lost sheep in this example is the shepherd’s sheep, it is not his neighbor’s sheep that he is stealing, it is not some pour African sheep. The sheep that is lost is the shepherd’s sheep and the shepherd (not the lost sheep) brings it back into to flock. As Jesus prayed, “9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled”. John 17:9-13
5. "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. So 490 times, but that 491’st time my brother sins, that’s it! How offensive our unforgiving hearts must be to God. The Story that Jesus subsequently tells makes me angry. How could a servant that has been forgiven a huge debt then go out and demand mere pennies from a fellow servant? I want to break that servants nose. As God has forgiven our constant lawbreaking and faithlessness and given us the keys to the kingdom of heaven, a mansion with a room already prepaired for us, “2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going." John 14:2-4. How then can we not forgive our brother for an occasional sin against us?
