Dauthor Jacqueline (Jackie) Richey Weber
August 25, 2017
Because I was working on the contemplation How We Experience God (beginning with Adam and Eve), I was just systematically reading the book of Genesis. I read that immediately after the flood God had compassion upon mankind, knowing that “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (8:21).He again gave man dominion over all the rest of creation and even gave him permission to eat meat (9:2-3).
I was reading the book of Titus where Paul is giving Titus instructions about the qualifications for the elders that he is to “ordain” “in every city.” I wondered why this was even included in Scripture as I began to see how many doctrines have come from Paul’s words (both here and in many of his other letters containing instructions), doctrines that have come from reading these scriptures by the “letter” rather than the “Spirit,” doctrines which have put people under the law and in bondage, the very thing Paul warned us against in so many of his writings.
I’ve been drawn to do some “research” on the minimalist movement in the past few days, particularly the writings of “the minimalists”—Joshua Fields Millburn and his best friend of over 20 years, Ryan Nicodemus, whose documentary “Minimalism” I had watched on Netflix (and was intrigued by) several months ago.
Because they are not obviously “Christian,” I’ve had some feelings of guilt for spending my time with them, but this morning upon awakening at 3:30 AM, I realized that God was speaking to me through these two young men who have demonstrated the courage to follow their hearts (in very practical and concrete ways) in a materialistic culture which is blatantly against all they are espousing in their lives and their writings.
This is the second in a series of studies on the book of 1John. I would like you to read From the Beginning before reading this one.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God
The Bible opens with these words. And the apostle John reiterates them in his gospel:
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Using the word “parable” in its broadest sense (to include word pictures, personifications, similes, metaphors and allegories), it is probably the most common and effective means of both spoken and written communication available. It is the primary tool employed by Jesus when teaching. Actually, there is scarcely any account of anything in Scripture where the parable isn’t used—from the Garden of Eden in Genesis to the New Jerusalem in Revelation. And yet orthodox Christianity prides itself on sticking to a literal reading of Scripture whenever possible. Of course there are countless instances where it isn’t possible for even the most literal-minded person to read it thusly.
[December 6, 2015] Father, I can do nothing to make anything happen, improve anything, or make mine or anyone else’s life better in any way. I can only stand still and see Your salvation.
The writer of the book of Hebrews says concerning the Word of God:
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick [living and active], and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
What is the Word of God that is so powerful? Is it the Bible?
[May 6, 2015] I have been in hell, that place of torment, fear, depression and despair. I knew all the promises of God concerning the peace that passes all our understanding. But there was no peace. I became obsessed with my physical body and death. I could think of little else. Nothing could distract me from these fears—cooking, cleaning, exercise, listening to tapes, reading books, watching TV, traveling—nothing at all. I almost wished I would die, but I was afraid of dying. I was afraid of everything. I almost wished I would get Alzheimer’s so I could get some relief. My pills I got for what my doctor called an “anxiety disorder” would sometimes seem to work (if I was tired enough to go to sleep), but at other times it was like eating candy.
Several years ago I wrote and posted on my website a contemplation entitled God’s Call wherein I acknowledged that I was called by God to write and had committed myself to that call. In 2012-2013 I posted about 70 Contemplations and abruptly stopped posting anything. I didn’t stop writing altogether, but I reached the place where I believed that I had to spend my time and energy walking out what I had already written before I could legitimately post anything else.