Matt 26

Date: 3 February 2009 D - 9 days

Events:

This two for 1’s becoming a habit :(.

1 February: Matt left this morning to go to church at Austin Stone, we said what may be our final goodbye’s and went to our Church. Our service at Redeemer was outstanding from the music to the sermon about the hope that is found in the classic benediction, “ 24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. After Church, I read and wrote while Marla took a nap, then we went to a Yoga class (see pic’s) and a super bowl party at our neighbors. We have some great neighbors here and I have very happy that Marla will be here throughout my deployment. I was rooting for the stealers and they pulled out a very exciting victory in the last few minutes.

2 February: We woke up early and Marla and I drove up to Fort Hood to take care of some final pre-deployment business. Marla got a new Military ID, I completed some paperwork, got my deployment orders and perscirbed myself some meds for my Aid Bag. We moved out of my office (included some pics) and went to a going away lunch for the 4 captains that are leaving next week. At the lunch we all got an award for the time we served in the Rear Detachment and I received an update on our deployment. The flight for 11 Feb has been canceled (no real surprise) so it looks like we will be taking a civilian flight out of DFW around the same date. This is actually a very good thing because I was dreading the formal military ceremony that accompanies the military flight. Instead of going out with a big group, the plan now is for us four captains to take a van up to DFW and fly out on our own around 11 Feb, more to follow about specific times/dates. After accomplishing our tasks at Fort Hood drove home by way of Georgetown and looked at some new areas that we may move to over the summer/fall. Got home late to a puppy that is still sore but at least able to get up and around on her own. I am taking her to the vet today to get evaluated, I’m praying the films are normal and it’s just a pulled muscle. She has been so sad these last few days as I have not taken her out for any walks/plays.

Bible (NT/OT):

Matt 26

The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people."

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."

Judas to Betray Jesus

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

The Passover with the Disciples

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" 23 He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said so."

Institution of the Lord's Supper

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." 33 Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away." 34 Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" And all the disciples said the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him." 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Jesus Before Caiaphas

57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'" 62 And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death." 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?"

Peter Denies Jesus

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean." 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man." 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you." 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.


Ps 26:3

For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.

Bible Thoughts:

1. My first thought is…that was a really long chapter!

2. 2 "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." Passover is the chosen time for the institution of the sacrament of Communion and Christ’s Crucifixion. At the celebration of Passover, the Jewish people remember the final blow dealt to Egypt as Israel tried to escape Pharaoh’s slavery. A lamb was slaughtered by every Jewish family and the blood placed over the door. The Lord passed through Egypt and killed the first born man and animal in every household without the blood. The blood sign is not evidence of a deist God ignorant his chosen people, but a foreshadowing of Christ’s (the Lamb of God) blood that will ultimately quench the wrath of God for his people. “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). The ability of the “flawed” lamb to turn God’s wrath at Passover was a prophesy to our “unflawed” Lamb’s (Christ) ability to save us from the wrath of God.

3. 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. Jesus is, of course, not denying the virtue of charity. There are too many other verses that support charity (“let scripture interpret scripture”). This is not a question of charity but priority. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” Matt 19:29-30. Truly, there is virtue in loving our family and serving the poor, if not what of the preceding statement, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” Matt 25:40? What Christ desires is correct priority. That we serve the poor not for our own gain, or even the gain of the poor, but the gain of the kingdom. That we serve the poor not for his/her eternal pleasure but that there be one more voice in heaven praising our Christ for eternity. This in no way diminishes the love that we are to have for our neighbor, on the contrary when we cloth them in the eternal salvation that comes from Christ’s accomplished mission, we exhibit far greater love than simply clothing them in whatever garment this perfume may have purchased. As in the military where the mission takes precedence over the individual, if we wish to be truly kingdom minded, we must place Christ’s eternal mission over the worldly comfort/likes/dislikes of the individual. Easy to say, hard to live.

4. "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." That no one may claim Christ’s inability to sustain his chosen people to the end (preservation of the saints), the gospels make it abundantly clear that the betrayal of Judas was not only foreseen but actually predestined. As the gospel of John recounts, during the Passover meal just before Jesus identifies Judas as the betrayer and sends him out to bring the authorities, Christ says, “18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.” John 13:18-19. Whether we look at this verse in the typical election way and say that Christ choose the 11 and left Judas without true faith and thus he followed his own evil desires for money over Christ, or the “double election” way so to say that Judas was predestined not to a saving faith but to betray Christ and to ultimate condemnation, the effect is the same, Judas became the Betrayer within the will of God, in order that scripture may be fulfilled. These are purely intellectual arguments, I just wanted to introduce the terms single election/double election, to me they are distinctions without a difference. The single election folks just try not to charge God with choosing those who will be condemned by only choosing and imparting faith to his chosen and (only by default) leaving the rest of the world to their own fallen will that will never seek/choose Christ. While the double election folks say that God chooses both to impart saving faith and to withhold saving faith. That’s all beside the point though; the point is that the Betrayal of Jesus was the will of God, that scripture may be fulfilled, that the Christ may experience the entire gamut of human emotion and suffering. That Christ’s ultimate victory over death may be the most exciting and greatest story ever told.

5. "Take, eat; this is my body." 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” Oh the mysteries of the sacraments! I will stick to what we know and touch on the controversies. We can see clearly that the Lords supper both in timing and in effect is replacing the Passover meal. As above, we have seen that the blood of the lamb at Passover as temporarily appeasing God’s wrath foreshadowed Christ’s blood as the permanent appeasement of God’s wrath. Thus, we no longer remember the lamb’s blood in Egypt (pretty cool) but Christ’s blood on Calvary (infinitely more cool). As the Passover meal served as a physical reminder of the Jews salvation from bondage to Egypt, the communion now serves as a physical reminder of the world’s bondage to death. Some (myself include) would leave is as a physical reminder. This physical reminder imparts grace as it is a tangible gospel that we can touch and taste as opposed to simply preached word, but ultimately it is the gospel that it rests upon and reminds us of that is given for the forgiveness of sins. It is obvious (to me anyway) from this passage that though Jesus says explicitly, “this is my body” that the elements (bread and wine) are still bread and wine. Fore, if the disciples freaked out over even the prospect of Christ’s death (Mt 16), how much more would they respond to actually putting His flesh and blood into their mouths. No, they seem to understand the sacrament as I understand it, as Christ has spoken in symbols and throughout his ministry, this is yet one more symbol but to this symbol is attached a ritual. The weekly bodily return to earth of Christ seems to contradict Acts, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Acts 1:11. No, Jesus second coming will truly be his 2nd coming not his gigalionth (each communion has been celebrated). While this point does not deserve much discussion, the following point does. There are people that think that the forgiveness of sin is achieved through the physical consumption of the communion/mass. Live as a heathen all week long but go to church , eat the bread, drink the wine and you will be saved. This is a heresy; the bible in no instance refers to such works as meriting forgiveness. Again, it is the promise the sacrament rests upon that grants forgiveness. It is Christ’s true bodily suffering and death that appeases the wrath of God not any chewing or drinking that we may do. No, just as there is no physical act bad enough that is beyond the forgiveness of Christ’s blood, there is no physical act good enough that can earn forgiveness equivalent to Christ’s blood

6. "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." The cup is referring to the wrath of God. Christ is not afraid of his bodily suffering, instead, as the only one who lived without sin throughout his life and enjoyed a perfect relationship with God the father from eternity past, Christ was about to have the sin of the human race laid upon his shoulders, experiencing more sinfulness than any human or demon since the creation of the world and feel not only divine separation but the full fury of divine wrath as not even Satan will deserve to suffer. Christ does not shutter from the physical death the gospel required, but the spiritual death he would suffer as the Lord turned his back on his beloved son and punished every sin ever committed in his slow, utterly lonely death. Jesus would not be the Christ if he did not willingly go to the Cross, nor would he be the Christ if he happily took on sin and separation from the father. We see in this passage equal submission to the divine will and resistance to the imputed sin that enabled Jesus to be the Christ, the savior of the world.

7. "For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. ”Live by the sword, die by the sword…” I have strong emotions toward this verse as I prepare to enter a war zone. I have been forced to realize that by putting on my uniform, I am marking myself externally with the sign of the US Army. When I dawn the Army uniform, I take on everything the US Army represents, everything the US Army has done or failed to do. There will be those justly desire my blood as I am externally identified with soldiers who have killed their fathers, sons and brothers innocent or guilty. I am externally identified with a nation that has invaded, occupied and changed the homeland of a people who did not ask for such change. I understand the people’s resistance and can only imagine what I would do in a similar situation. If, for instance, China invaded and occupied America and set up a communist regime simply because they thought it was better for the occupied people. I would certainly rise up like many Iraqis and resist this foreign powers imposed government. I am not saying that I oppose the war, quite the contrary; I feel that the security of my family and the chance for a free Iraq is worth fighting for. I am, however, saying that I understand the Iraqis position, resistance and desire for retribution. I willingly put my life on the line in putting dawning my uniform and hold no Iraqi personally responsible for my death as I can never know or understand the life circumstance that has led him/her to such a hatred of the US Army. Perhaps one of our “smart bombs” killed his wife or child, perhaps he has been forced, against his will, to carry and shoot a gun for a religion that does not value human life or perhaps he has been so indoctrinated into terrorism that it is not even him pulling the trigger but the establishment that reared him. Whatever the reason, I do not hold the man personally responsible for my death. As I would hope he does not hold me. I will be caring for enemy wounded and families in the same way that I will care for American wounded but if forced to draw my weapon, I will shoot for the same reason that he will shoot. I will kill for the prospect of a world without terror, a free Iraq and for my fellow soldiers who have fought and fallen before me for such a hope. I hope that no soldier puts on their US Army Uniform flippantly but always with the recognition that we are called to kill and to die for a higher purpose. If we choose to live by the sword we must be prepared to die by it otherwise the mission will be lost.

8. " Then all the disciples left him and fled. Jesus came not only to live a perfect life (active obedience) meriting all of the blessing of heaven for us and die a perfect death (passive obedience), paying the penalty of the law due us but also to experience the full range of human emotion. From his sweet love for his mother and friends to his friends bitter betrayal and ultimately his separation from God. In his life, Christ gives us the reassurance that there is no path we will walk that he has not taken first. No pain that we may suffer that he has not suffered first. Thereby, “…we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”. Heb 4:15-16. We can never accuse Christ as a teenager saying, “you just don’t understand.” He does understand, he understands more physical and emotional pain than we can ever imaging. Far from “a do as I do not as I say God”, we serve a God who has walked the walk.

9. "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his robes. The priest understood Christ’s claim to be God clearly. Truly, our Christ is a Liar, Lunatic or actually Lord. A prophet would not claim to be God, a teacher would not be so stupid as to confuse himself with God, and if either did, why would we listened to them? We would stone the prophet and shun the teacher. No, Christ is either to be followed a Lord or discounted as a lunatic, to be placed in the same category as David Koresh, but not honored as a “great man, prophet, teacher etc…”

10. " 35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" And all the disciples said the same”. ..”Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed. In his flesh, Peter, “the stone upon which I (Christ) built my church,” denies Christ. Why then does he not suffer the same condemnation as Judas? It is Christ who sustained Peter and chose to bring him back into the faith, look at the dialogue in Luke just before Simon Peter’s betrayal, “31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." 33 Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." 34 Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me." Luke 22:31-34. We see that, as Satan demanded Judas and was given him, he also demanded Peter and it was only the prayer of Christ that kept Peter and turned him “again.” The good that we do, even our faith, is not on our own accord, but the intervention and divine gift of God.

11. Psalms: I just get a kick out of the word “lovingkindness.” It is true, remember Romans 8, “31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Rom 8:31-36 In light of God’s lovingkindness what are we to fear? We are children of the king and he has promised to care for us in his lovingkindness, thus we walk confidently forward in this truth. (just trying to use lovingkindness as much as possible)

Sun Tzu:

“Therefore, those who are not thoroughly aware of the disadvantages in the use of arms cannot be thoroughly aware of the advantages in the use of arms”
“If you do not first think about the calamities of danger and destruction, you will not be able to reap any advantage.”

The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006):

Homer is credited with authorship of two famous Greek epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey. Homer’s actual role in their creation is uncertain. They are thought to have been created around 800 BC in Ionia (present day turkey) and memorized in their entirety by story tellers and retold for centuries before being transcribed. The Iliad tells of the exploits of Achilles, Agamemnon, Hector and other hero’s during the Trojan War between Achaea (Greece) and Troy. According to myth, the war began when the Trojan prince Paris kidnapped Helen of Sparta, the most beautiful woman in the world. The Iliad’s sequel, the Odyssey, recounts the trails of the Greek Hero Odysseus as the attempts to sail home from the Trojan War to rejoin his wife, Penelope. The journey take ten years because he angers the sea god, Poseidon.

Matt 25

Date: 1 February 2009, D - 11 days

Events:

Another 2 for 1 day as yesterday was a busy day.

29 January: I was at home and slept in because I am not feeling too good. I feel achy and beat up; I don’t know if it’s because of the PT test or the vaccinations. As live viruses, 2 of the 4 immunizations that I got have the potential to cause a viral syndrome. After reading and writing, I worked out at Lifetime then met Marla, her manager, Austin, and Meredith for lunch at Kona Grill. Lunch went great, Austin’s a great manager but Marla is always a bit stressed when he’s with her because she gets evaluated for each call and her evaluations figure into her annual raise. I went shopping at one of my favorite stores ‘The Buckle’ after lunch and found a cool new shirt and jeans. Marla and I stuck around the house the rest of the day and my friend Matt came in from west Texas Friday night. Matt is one of my closest friends in the world, he was my first friend in medical school. As my brother puts it, he was my “starter friend” because he introduced me to his group of friends that subsequently became my best friends in the world (John, Samuel, Josh, Clayton, etc…). Matt just returned from a 6 week trip to Africa where he served as a medical missionary over the holidays (he is single and holidays are always hard on him so he took initiative and served in Africa). During his time in Africa, Matt (family practice physician) was able to further his knowledge by practicing as an Obstruction, General Surgeon, Orthopedic Surgeon, Infectious Disease Doctor and good old FP. As he puts it, he was the “big medical center” and took referrals from all over Kenya. Thankfully, my friend (now more of a brother since I’ve stayed at his house with his parents for 6months now) made it back safely in time to spend a weekend with Marla and I before I leave.

30 January: Slept in again, woke up round 0800 and made breakfast for Marla and Matt. Marla laughed at me for putting hot dog’s in the eggs but I maintain that these were special hot dogs that taste more like breakfast sausage. After breakfast, Matt and I cut down branches that were touching the house so that the would not scare Marla on windy nights. In the process of my good deed, I was on the top rung (the one that says “not a step”) of our 8 foot ladder sawing with a hand saw when a large branch kicked back and hit me in the head. It is a huge blessing that I was not knocked out and did not fall from the ladder because it hit me hard and removed a large chunk of skin from my forehead. Not 30 seconds prior had Matt said, “I think you better come down and we’ll pull it down from hear.” I should have listened. I always laugh at peoples dumb stunts when I see them in the ED; well put one down for me! After taking care of my wounds, Matt and I went for a long off-road run through McCalster Park with Sadie. Apparently it was too long because Sadie has been too sore to stand up since. I was up most of the night helping her around as she cried all night and was unable to get up from sitting. She brought me to tears on more than one occasion and when I wasn’t helping her around, I was praying that God would at least take away the pain. I’m worried that she is suffering from Hip Dysplasia and I will take her to the Vet this week for films. This has happened before, always after long runs, but it has never been this bad. She’s on bed rest today and we are praying she’s just sore.

Bible (NT/OT):

Matt 25

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

The Parable of the Talents

14 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' 21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' 23 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' 26 But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

The Final Judgment

31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44 Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' 45 Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Bible Thoughts:

1. “Bridegroom” Christ is symbolized as a ‘Bridegroom’ in many instances by authors throughout the New Testament. The use of ‘Groom’ in reference to Christ depicts his irrevocable vow (covenant) to be our provider, sustainer and protector. This is not a marriage covenant as we may understand it in the 21st Century (with a 50% divorce rate) but in the biblical sense, a covenant that is not reliant on the whims of man but on the unchanging character of Christ as True and Just. Today, many argue for a changing God (one more loving, forgiving, and tolerant than the Old Testament deity) I maintain, that a changing god is no god at all and in fact not good news at all. How are we to rely on the promises of this changing god? How are we to know this changing god? No, Christ declares himself to be unchanging, 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Heb 13:7-9.

2. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. This parable follows Jesus’ discourse on the timing of His return. Perhaps because of my looming deployment or perhaps because of my job in the ER, the fact that tomorrow is not a given is very clear to me. Whether it is Satan or our own flesh that falsely reassures us of the certainty of tomorrow, have no doubt, it is not God. On the contrary, the bible speaks of the uncertainty of tomorrow and, as in this parable, the necessity of our constant readiness to face our Lord either in his return or in our death. It is the folly of the young to put off Christ today for the lie of tomorrow. To live for the flesh today with the false certainty of a lifetime to repent and believe. No, tomorrow is never a guarantee; bodily death is life’s one and only certainty. What’s more depressing than a world that focuses on death is a world that denies its inevitable, inescapable approach. A world that is more concerned with Lindsay Lohan’s sexual orientation, or Brad and Angelina’s 6th, no 7th, no 8th child, than the eternal salvation of the soul. A people that will devote decades of their life to slow down the hypothetical global warming but not a day to the study or consideration of their eternal dwelling. That is until their last day on earth, the day of their death, at which point (as I have seen often in the ER), when, in a frantic, pitiful plea they will demand any chaplain, priest, yeoman, witch doctor (no, not a DO), or other “holy man” no matter his/her religious affiliation to somehow do something to ensure their eternal soul goes to “heaven;” someone to explain the now emergent mysteries of the afterlife; someone to give them a trinket…password…anything to ensure their last breath on this earth will not be their utter annihilation. People become mighty religious and aware just before their death. But, this is not how it is to be for a Christian. No, we are to know in what and in whom we believe. We are to live ever-ready to face our death in the confidence that our last breath on earth leads to our first breath before our King.

3. 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' A talent has come to mean more than a coin, but a special skill gifted to man from his creator that his fellow men may not have. Whether believer or unbeliever, we were each supernaturally gifted with “talents”. At the final judgment, God will separate the sheep (his chosen) from the goats (unbelievers) based on their saving faith in Christ. As believers when we, in faith, use our talents for the kingdom they serve to confirm our belief and confer to us individual reward in heaven. The unfaithful, unbeliever who does not use his talents for the Kingdom instead stands rightly condemned as denying his creator and giver of his talents. Indeed, every person in the world, as created in the image of God, has His handy work written on our hearts and exhibited in our talents. When we deny such a gift and insult the giver we stand rightly condemned as an unfaithful servant. I long to hear God say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant” and, though at judgment I will surly lament many unused talents and missed opportunities, I know that my faith (be it smaller than a mustard seed and solely a gift of God), will apply Christ’s goodness and faithfulness as a loving wing over my depravity and enable my joyous welcome into the kingdom as an adopted son of the King.

4. 41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' The bible affirms a final judgment in which an internal love and service for Christ will be judged by the external expression of love for our neighbor. While many “Christian’s” may claim a love for Christ in words, a true love is not in words alone but in action as Jesus later says, “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35. And later, “15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15. Thus, our Love for Christ saves us (independent of our love for our neighbor) but, our love for our neighbor exemplifies this love of Christ.

Sun Tzu:

“Therefore I have heard of military operations that were clumsy but swift, but I have never seen one that was skillful and lasted a long time. It is never beneficial to a nation to have a military operation continue for a long time”
“Some win through speed even if they are clumsy.”

Sun Tzu Thoughts:

One of my favorite military quotes is, “a good plan now is better than the perfect plan too late.”

The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006):

Julius Caesar (100-44 BC) was a Roman general who rose to prominence in the first century BC conquering what is now France, Belgium and western Germany. After his successful campaign, Caesar famously declared, “Veni, vidi, vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered). The Roman Senate, led by Pompey, was threatened by Caesar’s growing popularity and ordered him to disband his army. Caesar refused. He Marched his legions on the Capitol and started a Civil War. He chased his enemies across Europe and ultimately to Egypt where Pompey was killed. Before leaving Egypt, Caesar fell in love with Cleopatra and installed her as queen. When Caesar returned to Rome, he ruled. Despite a senate, Caesar declared a state of Emergency and ruled as a Dictator until his death. In the final years of his life Caesar allowed his Asian subjects to worship him as a god and printed coins with his image and the inscription, “Perpetual Dictator.” These actions fueled the resentment that culminated in his overthrow and murder by his best friend, Brutus.

Matt 24

Date: 29-30 January 2009 D - 12 days

Events:

28 January: Woke up early cause I couldn’t sleep so I read, wrote and had breakfast with John and Gracie. We had a hard freeze, it’s 22 degrees with a quarter inch of ice on the ground (see car picture). I drove to Ft Hood to do the much dreaded medical clearance required for deployment. I say much dreaded because I have been peripherally involved in all of the other soldiers clearing (at least from the medical side) and seen it take days to weeks. The Fort Hood clearance center sees more soldiers than any other in the country. While the 10-15 other centers see one to two thousand a year, Fort Hood clears 10-20K/year. They work on all of the major holidays and weekends to accomplish the mission. People from all over the south west come to Hood to clear. Yesterday, I met a unit out of Puerto Rico that was leaving for Iraq next week. The process was as painful but not quite as long as I expected. The day began with power points. The instructors gave us a risk assessment of the climate and dangers of Iraq and briefings on the live vaccines that we were about to receive (Small Pox and Anthrax). As the day progressed we moved through stations for creating a will, power of attorney, changing our pay (tax free now), hearing, vision, dental and medical screening. Over all the process was completed far more quickly than I expected lasting from 0900 to 1500. I rushed out as soon as I was done and back to the Brigade for a Command and Staff Meeting. After a long day of lines and exams, I went back to Temple to a great dinner (as always) prepared by John.

29 January: I had a PT test yesterday morning (hence the 2 days for 1 deal). The PT test went great, I did better in each event than I have since college, too much time on my hands I guess. I had the push-ups and sit-ups max’ed with 30 seconds to spare and ran a 12.25min 2 miles (max 13.18). All that yoga paid off J. After my PT test, I showered at the brigade and saw patients all morning until my Non-deployable scrub at 1300. I had 1 interesting patient, a 35 year old male that has on two occasions gone into extreme muscle breakdown (called rhabdomyolysis) after mild exercise. The muscle enzymes are poisonous to the kidneys and on one occasion he nearly died and was hospitalized in the ICU on dialysis for a week. When he first came to me he wanted to deploy and thought that if I could give him lighter restrictions, we could get him to Iraq. I complied but have closely followed his progress. I drew labs on Wednesday 4 days after he had completed a Land Navigation course. Much to my disappointment, his muscle enzymes were again extremely high despite him being (at least in his words) asymptomatic. As it is an extremely dangerous situation both for him and the deployed unit for this to happen down range, I gave him a Profile (Orders in a Memo form) that he was never to deploy (or exercise strenuously again). Tough conversation because this will end the career of a good soldier who really wants to accomplish his mission. At the 1300 Non-deployable scrub, I broke the news to the commander who was likewise disappointed, fun job! Meeting lasted till 1500 at which point I went back to the clinic to finish up a couple notes then headed home. I went out to Marla’s speaker program at Silo’s last night (one of my favorite restaurants). The speaker was very impressive, he flew himself down in his own airplane and gave an amazing talk on hypertension. While I find hypertension and all primary care stuff pretty boring, it is important for me to stay up to date as primary care is what I do these days.

Bible (NT/OT):

Matt 24

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

24 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, "You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."

Signs of the Close of the Age

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?" 4 And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The Abomination of Desolation

15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place ( let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

The Coming of the Son of Man

29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

32 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

No One Knows That Day and Hour

36 "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


Ps 25:11

11 For your name's sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.

Bible Thoughts:

1. Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." In 70 AD, the Romans laid siege to Jerusalem to end a Jewish rebellion. I wrote a paper in college of the relationship of 70 AD to this passage. Truly, the suffering was great,people were forced to eat their dead as the siege lasted months. In the end the Romans invaded the emaciated city, slaughtered its people and burned it to the ground. The families who remembered this passage fled to the hills and avoided the foretold annihilation. While the following passage seems prophesy this event, there are many specific events that did not occur. Thus we see the destruction of 70 AD as both a fulfillment of this passage and a prophesy (itself as an example) of what we will see at Christ’s return.

2. "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?" The disciples ask Jesus to answer two questions, 1) when will this occur? 2) What will the signs of the end be? Jesus answers in reverse order.

3. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Many Christians subscribe to a doctrine called, “Postmillennialism.” Postmillennialist’s feels that the 70 AD destruction was the fulfillment of both Matthew 24 (this chapter) and Revelation’s prophesy of Judgment. Thus leaving present day Christians in a gradual expansion and ultimate worldly triumph over Satan. I disagree with this interpretation of scripture. First of all I cannot accept that all prophesy was fulfilled in 70 AD, as many prophesies in both Matthew and Revelation were not. Secondly, I cannot look around the world today and say that we are winning. Disappointment does not come from events but from expectations. When we have the correct worldview, that Satan has temporary dominion over this world (thus suffering) but that Christ (not man) will ultimately triumph over Satan and at once bring forth a Kingdom that puts all earthly kingdoms to shame, then and only then can we obey this chapter and be “ not alarmed” when we hear of the intense worldly suffering that goes on today because it does not mean that Christ and Christians are somehow at risk of losing the battle. Instead with the correct worldview, far from becoming alarmed at the intense suffering in the world, we can thrive in the hope that Christ’s return grows imminently closer. We can hope that far from losing the battle to the earthly warlords and terrorists, instead God’s wrath against the oppressors continues to grow until the foretold judgment when every knee will bow to his glory.

4. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. That no tribe in Africa may claim ignorance.

5. 15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place ( let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains These instructions saved many lives in 70 AD but also in this instruction, we see an example of how past event are used by God to foreshadow future events. One of the most amazing prophesies in the bible occurs in Daniel 11 & 12 when Daniel (hundred’s of out) prophesizes the invasion and destruction of Jerusalem and exact day that Antiochus Epiphanes would sacrifice a Pig (unclean animal) on the alter of the Temple (Dec 15, 167 BC). Christ brings the term back foretelling a future abomination of desolation both in 70 AD and at the true end of days. History is doomed to repeat itself. It is because of this prophesy that many believe the temple must be rebuilt for a 3rd time before Christ’s ultimate return.

6. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Out of love for God’s “elect”(his chosen) he will stop the suffering. This is likely not a indication of a rapture as much an indication of the temporary suffering/tribulation the world will go through prior to Christ’s emanate return.

7. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. The false Christ’s will test God’s people and those who are not elect will deny the true Christ and God and worship the Idols. Truly the only ones who make it through this deception will be those enabled not by their own wisdom or power but with the graceful gift of God’s wisdom and power. God will sift the wheat from the chaff with these antichrists (2 Thessalonians 2). I submit that many a “Christian” today already worships a “false Christ” as the Idol Christ of many churchs does not reflect the true biblical Christ but a Christ stripped of justice, a Christ stripped of majesty, a Christ stripped of Glory and substituted is a Christ that serves man’s purpose, a more manageable, tolerant, politically correct Christ. This is why the study of theology is imperative. We must worship the true Christ and in order to do so, we must know the true Christ.

8. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. The Second coming of Christ will be evident to the entire world. There will be no doubt even to the unbeliever of who is coming in the clouds with his armies following. Here is one of my favorite passages in the bible to demonstrate how evident Christs return will be, it brings me to tears every time I read it,
“11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Rev 19:11-16

We serve a great and worthy King.

9. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. This is the third time in as many paragraphs that Christ has used the term “elect” to describe his chosen people. My question to the semi-palagean (free choice type) is, do our elected officials have the power to elect themselves or is it an external event that does not reside in the ultimate power of the elected.

10. 32 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Christ now moves on to the disciples second question, when? His answer is to be watchful for these events, as when they begin, they will progress quickly (3.5-7 yrs) to Christ’s return. The quote, “this generation” has been used to support the interpretation that this chapter only applied to 70 AD but, as Christ did not return, we must take this in context to be speaking of the speed at which the signs and tribulation occur and progress. Once the signs start to occur, the second coming will occur within one generation.

11. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. This verse is the best (and only biblical) support of rapture in the Left Behind sense. While it may in fact describe a rapture, that seems a bit speculative. In context, all that I can say that this verse directly supports is the speed of Christ’s return. In a moment Christ will overpower Satan and bring judgment to the earth, separating the lambs from goats, wheat from chaff, and good from evil.

12. Psalms: 11 For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. It is for the name and glory of God that we are saved, not for our own. Our salvation echo’s his strength and goodness no ours.

Sun Tzu:

“When your forces are dulled, your edge is blunted, your strength is exhausted, and your supplies are gone, then others will take advantage of your debility and rise up. Then even if you have wise advisers you cannot make things turn out well in the end.”
“A wise government does not keep its army in the field”

The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006):

Abraham is considered the patriarch of monotheistic religion (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). Abraham, married to Sarai, was promised to be the father of a great nation. In a bout of faithlessness, he decided that he needed to sleep with a maidservant named Hagar in order to fulfill the promise, as his wife was in her 90’s and infertile. Hagar had a child who was named Ishmael. Muslims claim Ishmael as the father of their faith. Out of anger and jealousy, Sarai and Abraham banished Hagar and Ishmael. God’s promise was subsequently fulfilled to Abraham as Sarai got pregnant and Abraham changed her name to Sarah. Sarah had a son named Isaac who married Rebecca who bore Jacob (renamed Israel after struggling with the angel) who became the father of the 12 Jewish nations.

Matt 23

Date: 28 January 2009 D – 14 Days

Events:

Yesterday morning, I woke up early to read, write and play with Sadie before heading to Fort Hood. I listened to the most recent White Horse Inn and a couple really good episodes of Renewing Your Mind on my way. I stopped on my way into base at Clothing Sales and bought the Items from the packing list that I was missing, got some dog tags made and had my rank sowed onto my soft cap and boney cap. Arrived at the clinic to a couple patients waiting, nothing very interesting mostly administrative stuff. I had a great weight work out and run yesterday evening before heading to temple for the night. John and Gracie (the couple I stay with in temple) just returned from Israel so we spent the evening talking about their trip. It sounded amazing. I would love to go.

Bible (NT/OT):

Matt 23

Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you— but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
16 "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.' 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.
23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!
25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, 30 saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31 Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. 33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? 34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Lament over Jerusalem
37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
ESV

Ps 24:3-5
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Bible Thoughts:

1. 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you— but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. At face value, it is true that the scribes and Pharisees were the most externally devout Jews. We often forget that these Pharisees that Jesus criticize most aggressively are the most well educated and “spiritual” Jews of the day. When the laity had a question about religious practice, they asked the Pharisees and as long as the Pharisees responded from their knowledge of the scriptures, they were to be followed. The same applies to our pastors and priests to this day. When a pastor or priest (even the Pope) speaks in accordance with scripture, they are to be heeded. Jesus does not criticize their knowledge, teaching or observance of the scripture; what Jesus questions is their motive and tradition. As we have seen above, Jesus is about to launch into an assault on both their external piety and their legalism. In order to be highly esteemed the Pharisees had inter-mixed many rules of man with the Laws of God. Apparently many of the rules are still in place today; John, just back from Israel, told me that on the Sabbath devout Jews are not allowed to push a button in the elevator. They are forced to wait for a Christian or Muslim to help them. What an unnecessary “heavy burden.” This is not the heart or the letter of the Old Testament Law.

2. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, I rotated with a Family Practitioner during medical school who was a devout Jew. Every morning we would go to his temple and he would strap a Phylacteries (little box) tightly around his head and a strap around his left arm. The “fringes” around his arm were to be as tight as possible both to remind him of how tightly bound to the Jewish law and tradition he was and to leave a visible mark for the world to see the rest of the day.

3. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. The problem was not with the words teacher, rabbi or father but the adoration they were seeking in the title. The motive behind accepting my title, Dr. Smith and demanding that everyone address me as Dr. Smith is entirely different.

4. 13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites” In the next 23 verses it will become very clear that Jesus despises hypocrisy. When religion is based on an individual’s works, hypocrisy will necessarily follow. This was true of Judiasm in Jesus day and it is true of Liberal Christianity today. By far the most common charge leveled against the church today is that it is full of hypocrites, is it not? No one likes a hypocrite, not Christ and not the unbelieving world. I can understand how the outside world can feel this way as I too have stood on the outside and looked in; however, with correct theology this should never be. Contrary to true Christianity, Pelagianism (works based religion) fundamentally relies on a list of ‘to do’s’ that will inevitably breed spiritual pride which invariably deteriorates into hypocrisy. A Pelagian (ex. liberal Christian--all good people go to heaven type) or even a Semi-pelagian (Methodist—in my free will I made a good decision type), believes his salvation to be based on something that he has done. What separates the Pelagian from his neighbor is that he is not as dirty and sinful; he is better, above his neighbor. Further, his dirty neighbor should not be participating in such utterly despicable acts and he’s going to walk over and tell him. What’s worse is the semi-pelagian who feels that he is not simply better than his neighbor in action but smarter/more righteous than his neighbor because he was wise or righteous enough to freely make the right decision and “accept Christ.” These two “Christians” are rightly charged with hypocrisy as, in pride, they hold themselves above their neighbor whether by action or intellect. The neighbor watches with an eagle eye for any inconsistency, any flaw because such pride is so intolerable. And when the flaw comes, the neighbor is redeemed and happily (rightly) accuses the “Christian” of hypocrisy. But the neighbor is not all this “Christian” has to worry about because Matthew 23 echo’s from heaven. Compared to Christ’s righteousness what righteousness do we have? Compared to Christ’s wisdom, what wisdom do we have? Compared to Christ’s majesty, what majesty to we have? How can we as creatures stand on earth in our fallen, despicable sinfulness and in pride stand ourselves up above our neighbor? No, with even the simplest theology, the Christian should realize that he is in no way superior to his neighbor. “But for the Grace of God go I.” A Christian should…must realize that it was nothing good within him that led to his salvation; in fact it was the utter depravity in his soul that led to his salvation. That he could not “do” his way to heaven, nor could he “will” his way to heaven but that all he brought and brings to the equation is the wretched mess of a desperately fallen life. And once the believer is a true Christian the prognosis is no better; although we have now been enlightened to the truth of sinfulness and depravity, our flesh almost irresistibly craves the sin. Prior to being a Christian, all we could do was sin but after our rebirth we now have the free choice to follow the path of righteousness or the path of destruction and, having been given the gift of the holy spirit how much more contemptible is it to follow the path of destruction. But this is the inner war that rages inside the Christian at all times, this is the war that when we are honest and transparent with our neighbor can never breed the charge of hypocrisy. Christians must realize that any and all good that lives inside is the imputed (given) righteousness of Christ not any earned or inherited good of our own. When I get a tattoo, it will include the inscription, “Simul Justus et Peccator” meaning simultaneously righteous and sinner. Any and all good that lives within me is solely Christ, I am nothing but a dirty wretch and my works are nothing but rags. Thereby, I realize that I am no better than my neighbor in fact I am much worse because given the ability to follow Christ, instead again and again I sin. When I have no platform to judge my neighbor from, no pride in my own action how then can I go to my neighbor as anything more than a humble, struggling servant? I cannot. When we have correct theology and the confidence (in God’s love) to be transparent with neighbor in our struggles, doubts and sins, far from our neighbor’s charge of hypocrisy we may find needed help and support. We Christians are a broken and sinful people.

Sun Tzu:

“When you do battle, even if you are winning, if you continue for a long time it will dull your forces and blunt your edge; if you besiege a citadel, your strength will be exhausted. If you keep your armies in the field for a long time, your supplies will be insufficient.”
“War is like fire—if you don’t put it out, it will burn itself out”
“Arms are tools of ill omen—to employ them for extended periods of time will bring about calamity. As it is said, “Those who like to fight and so exhaust their military inevitably perish”

Sun Tzu Thoughts:

I like the quote, “Arms are tools of ill omen…” While at first we were seen as liberators, I fear we will soon be seen (if not already) as occupiers. It is a very difficult thing to wage a war in someone’s hometown and still try to appear as the “good guys.” But it is of vital importance.

The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006):

In Plato’s (427-347BC) work Phaedo, he presented his Theory of Forms. In considering all of the beautiful thing in the world Plato theorized that there is a “Form” of perfect, eternal beauty that all beautiful physical objects reflected in direct proportion to how externally beautiful the physical object appeared. Individual beautiful things are beautiful by virtue of participating in beauty. Plato thought of participation as imperfect imitation. Thus, individual beautiful things imitate beauty, but only to a point. Plato extended “forms” to include our observation of all physical objects. For example, an object was red only in so much as it approached the “form” redness. In Plato’s theory, before our bodies existed, our souls existed in heaven where we learned these perfect “forms” that we subsequently remember in order to observe the world. Our knowledge on earth is merely a recollection of our initial acquaintance with the “forms” in heaven.

Intel Devo Thoughts: Interesting concept, not sure I buy it. While the bible does support that Christ inhabited heaven before his bodily existence, it does not seem to support that I did. The Mormons would disagree.

Matt 22

Date: 27 January 2009 D – 15 days

Events:

Yesterday, Marla worked in the morning while I read and wrote. We met for lunch at Papa Sito’s and her partner Meredith joined us. It took me all afternoon to pack up all of my gear. Today is the last trip to Fort Hood that I will make before leaving so I have all of my junk packed up and gear put together for a PCI (pre-combat inspection) tomorrow. I thought packing would be much more depressing than it turned out to be (probably because we still have 2 weeks); I listened to a mix of Stained and Bruce Springsteen and sorted through a lot of cool gear. The Gear that we get issued is amazing, from the infra-red beacon (avoid friendly fire), to the seat belt cutters, to the camel back, it is all brand new top notch stuff. So, far from being depressing I think playing while I packed emotionally prepared me for deployment. After I finished packing, I took Sadie for a long run in the Park. We made salmon last night and watched the Bachelor. Yesterday was a great day.

Bible (NT/OT):

Matt 22

The Parable of the Wedding Feast

22 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.' 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.' 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 "But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen."

Paying Taxes to Caesar

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. 20 And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" 21 They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection

23 The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked

him a question, 24 saying, "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.' 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother. 26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh. 27 After them all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her."
29 But Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God:
32 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living." 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

The Great Commandment

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

Whose Son Is the Christ?

41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying,

"What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." 43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,
44 "'The Lord said to my Lord,Sit at my right hand,until I put your enemies under your feet'?
45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?" 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Ps 23:4

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Ps 23:6-24:1
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Bible Thoughts:

1. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.' The Old Testament hard-hearted Jews (not true Israel, a Jewish remnant that believed Gods promise and subsequently believed in Christ) the Pharisees and Sadducees are symbolized by the first guests who did not show up and ultimately murdered the King’s servants (Old Testament Prophets). God, the King, justly punishes their disloyalty. In this parable, the king then opens his doors to strangers…10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. These symbolize the Gentiles (you and I) who have been welcomed into the promise that had thus far been given only to Israel. As Paul says in Rom 11:11-12 “Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!”
2. And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. The Guests had all just seconds before been brought in off the street, so how could the King discipline this poor beggar for not being dressed for the wedding? If all of the other guests have wedding garments then we must assume that the King has given the garments. This would be consistent in a broader sense with our understanding of the Gospel and our ability to sit at the Feast of the Lamb (after death) as clothed in Christ’s righteousness not in our own filth. This understanding is also consistant with the refaine that follows, “many are called but few are chosen.”
3. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen." This is the second time we have encountered this verse. The first usage was in Matthew 20:16 after Christ’s parable of the Laborers. As this phrase is one of the few that Christ repeats, it must be important. In the Parable of the Laborers God is depicted as a generous landowner who pays the workers hired at the last hour the same wage as those hired in the first. In the Parable at hand, God is depicted as a King who tortures his unfaithful subjects and brings in, dresses, and feasts with strangers. The commonality between the two parables is God’s ability to do what he wishes despite man’s effort or will. The “call” Christ refers to is a “general call” referring to all who hear the gospel (all who were invited to work/wedding). There is also an “effectual call,” an internal call that is irresistible (those workers/attendants that were brought in by the landowner/King). Thus the general call goes out to the world but only those who are effectually called truly respond and believe. As Luke says in Acts, “48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:48-49. The appointment and effectual call occur then we respond with belief. Many argue the Doctrine of Election/Predestination by saying that all are chosen but with free will, some of these chosen deny the gospel, I argue with this verse, “few are chosen.” Unless we deny the truth of this verse all are not chosen, all are not invited. People all have the freedom to follow their will, their will, however, is unable to follow Christ without God’s supernatural effectual call.
4. The following two questions are posed by the Pharisees and Sadducees to trip Jesus up. The first ends, “ 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" The Jews were under the rule of Rome. Most resented Rome as an occupying force and resented the Tax that they had to pay to Rome because they were funding the occupier. Thus, if Jesus answers that we are obligated to pay the tax he would have been seen as a traitor to the Jews and if he would have denied the tax he would have been broken the law. His response, “give to Cesar what is Cesar’s” is simple but effective because he plays on a feeling amongst the Jews that the picture of a glorified Cesar the Golden coin had become an Idol. In this way he kept the law and, far from being seen as a traitor to the Jews, was seen as a hero for casting out Cesar’s idolatrous image. The following question from the Sadducees, “28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her." Christ likewise answers. The Sadducees were a sect that altogether denied the resurrection. Jesus however not only affirms the resurrection but support’s it with the very words of God in Genesis that no Jew could deny. Christ demonstrates a profound knowledge of scripture that would not have been available to any mere carpenter
6. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Truly, the entire law can be summed up into these two simple commandments. Many a spiritual Californian will quote this verse as support free, abundant love is all that it takes to get to heaven. We must however remember the true purpose of the law. The law was never meant to Justify, the law was meant to demonstrate our need. Much as I use an MRI do diagnose physical illness, the law diagnoses spiritual illness. How many of us can say that we have always loved god and our neighbor first? How many of us can say that we have ever loved God and our neighbor first? Thus, the law is not the good news. The Good News (Gospel) is that God knows the state of our hearts and in love has made righteousness available to us through the righteousness of his Son and has paid the penalty of our sins through the brutal punishment of his Son. That the promise of the psalms, “6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever,” is now as true for us as it was for Jesus.

Sun Tzu:

The one who figures on victory at headquarters before even doing battle is the one who has the most strategic factors on his side. The one who figures on inability to prevail at headquarters is the one who has the least strategic factors on his side. The one with many strategic factors in his favor wins. Observing the matter in this way, you can see who will win and who will lose.

Sun Tzu Thoughts: Simple concept, but in today’s world I would use it to support the power of positive thinking. There is a recent book that has become quite popular entitled, The Secrete. I have not read it but I listened to an interview with the author and his faithful followers. In The Secrete and existential view that reality is somehow altered by our positive or negative thoughts is put forth. For example, if I think hard enough, I can bring a star into existence or (for Oprah’s audience) my future spouse to my doorstep. This of course is utter nonsense. While advertised as “new and revolutionary” the fallacy is as old as humanity, as Solomon said, “there is nothing new under the sun.” While I entirely disagree with the philosophy that underlies the book, I do feel that the confidence that comes from positive thinking give a strategic advantage in business or in conflict.

The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006):

Medieval/Early Church Music (400-1400AD), Gragorian Chant was the first written music. Also known as “plainchant” it was sung during the Catholic Mass. The Mass was devided into two sets of Chant, the Ordinarry and the Proper. The ordinary consisted of 6t latin prayers (Kyrie Eleison, Gloria in Excelsis, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei and Ite Missa est) which always contained the same text; whereas the Proper which included the Introit, Gradual, Offertory, and Communion, consisted of texts that varied according to liturgical season. Medieval music began as monophonic (no harmony), but around 900AD, musicians began to write in a polymorphic style called organum (2 parallel melodies) and in 1100AD composers Leonin and Perotin (music directors at Notre Dame in Paris), composed organa with up to 4 independent, nonparallel music lines. Eventually in the thirteenth century “Motet” emerged, which is complex polymorphic with a fixed melodic line and several complementary parts. In the 1990’s the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos released a CD called Chant that made plainchant popular for the first time since the Middle Ages.

Intellectual Devo Thoughts: Good stuff very relaxing, it was always a bit creepy to me but now that I know the origin, I’m going to download Chant when I finish.