A Rare Find, Keepers of a Rare Book
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Recently while visiting my parents in Surprise Arizona, I came upon a real surprise, Just down the road about 15 minutes from there home. In Goodyear Arizona, in what looks from the outside to be nothing more than a Hampton Inn & Suites you find a little gem of a museum, The Bible Museum. When you walk through the lobby of this hotel, you begin to wonder what it is that you will see, just across from the vending machines. What you do find will surprise you. The Bible Museum is a unique museum where you can actually hold, turn pages and read some of the rarest printed Bibles and rare theological books on the planet.
I had a chance to page through a first edition of Luther’s Catechism, a 1557 Edition of the Geneva New Testament and many other rare editions, including a first edition of The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan published in 1687. The museum is dedicated to share the great copies of Scripture from the past as the story is told of how God has preserved and shared his word through the centuries. Everyone should spend a few hours here, and listen to the History of the Bible to grow in appreciation of the men who during the dark ages of superstition and ignorance, obeyed God and brought Scriptures to the world.
My only regret on the day is that, to be perfectly honest I did not expect to find much more than a few rare copies of Scripture under glass, so I did not allow myself much time. I will need much more time next time I venture down that way. Check out their website at www.thebiblemuseum.com .
Now I know… the sequel
By · CommentsIn my last GodPonder,
I reflected on those “light bulb” events in our life that make us utter the words “Now I know…”
As I was reading through Genesis the other day, I came across the phrase yet again. This time it is in the story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22. At the ripe old age of 100 Abraham finally has a son through his wife Sarah. So delighted are Abraham and Sarah at the birth of their little boy, that they name him “Laughter.” (Isaac)
6 Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me."
Genesis 21:6 (NIV)
On the heels of that great joy and just a few short years later, chapter 22 opens with these words…
1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
Genesis 22:1-2 (NIV)
Sometimes we find a verse or phrase in Scripture that jumps out at us for it’s simplicity or its oddity. When we come to Chapter 22 verse 1 in the context of the story we see a verse that stands out for its oddity. In what any father might call a huge understatement we find the little phrase “God tested Abraham.”
I have taken hard tests in my day. I had finals in college that made me physically ill, I was so nervous. But this is no pop quiz. It’s not even a doctoral exam or “The Bar”. This is an enormous test for Abraham to take this child of the promise, the laughter of their lives, their one and only son and offer him up as a sacrifice. While we could ponder the amazement of the request or the unbelievable compliance of Abraham, I want us to skip through all that and pause near the end of the story. (Read the whole story in Genesis 22:1-19)
10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
Genesis 22:10-12 (NIV)
Have you ever looked at some type of optical illusion perhaps it was a drawing the like one here with Jesus in it. When you first look at it you don’t often see “the object” or get the “point” of the illusion, but once you see it, it becomes so obvious you wonder why you missed it before. Can you see Jesus in the drawing here?”
The words of Genesis 22:10-12 are just like that drawing of Jesus, something you might not see at first, or at least I didn’t see it at first. Did you catch the phrase? I marked it for you in the text, “Now I know…” These words of God spoken to Abraham leapt off the page. God knew? Yes He knew. The simple truth is God always knew. He knew even before he asked Abraham. We are talking about the all knowing, all powerful, Sovereign of the universe. I heard years ago a phrase I have repeated, perhaps too often, “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?” If this phrase is new, ponder it for a moment. God never has any light bulb moments where something comes into clarity that he was otherwise confused about. To quote the good Dr. Martin Luther, “God is God.”
This thought leads me to a deeper ponder. The simple fact is that God does test us. His Word tells us that. But why? What is the point of the testing if God already knows what we know or how we will respond or react.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3 (NIV)
The testing is for our benefit. He wants us to know what we are, with his presence, capable of! James says it produces in us perseverance. But perseverance for what? This testing produces in us the courage and knowledge that by God’s grace and presence we CAN stand up to all that this world, Satan, and even our very own flesh can throw against us.
Think of all the challenges that lay ahead for Abraham and Isaac. Can you imagine the confidence and trust that this one event built into their lives. What confidence and trust has God built through your times of testing?
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:37 (NIV)
Next time you feel your faith being tested, consider it a joy and look for what you can learn from the experience.
<>< Craig McCourt
Don’t get stuck in the all to easy self seeking ponders of this world. Take some time to ponder Christ and have yourself a GodPonder!
“Now I know…”
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Have you have had a “Now I know” moment? I’m sure we all have had many of them, those moments when either because of failure or success we can say, “Now I know.”
A few weeks ago I took my neighbor Mike up on his offer to use the new smoker on his grill. It was an exciting time – smoked beef brisket! My mouth is watering just writing about it. I tell people that after our friends, it is the thing I miss the most about our time in Texas – the sweet flavor of good slow-smoked beef brisket. It is like eating candy.
I’ve smoked brisket before on big smokers, our congregation in Texas would smoke 3,500 pounds of brisket at a time! (that’s a small smoker in Texas). I’ve smoked brisket before on electric smokers, but I had never smoked it on a gas smoker. I learned a few things after watching my brisket burst into flames not once but twice. When the drip tray gets full, and it will, you need to turn off the flame, THEN remove the tray. Reinsert the tray and then relight the burner. “Now I know…”
The Bible is full of “Now I know…” moments. One of them is found in Exodus 18 where Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, comes to visit Moses. This visit is after the deliverance of God’s people from the hand of the Egyptians and after a great deal of wondering and strong provision by God.
8 Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them. 9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, "Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly."
Exodus 18:8-11 (NIV)
How could you not know after all that the Lord had done for the people of Israel.
In the book of 1 Kings, Elijah meets a widow at Zerephath. (1 Kings 17:7-24) This woman is gathering sticks to go home, light a fire, and bake one last little cake of bread for her and her son so they can “eat it –and die.” Elijah asks her to first go make some bread for him, and that God will provide. Elijah tells the woman that God had spoken “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.” (1 Kings 17:14)
The woman does as Elijah asks and sure enough her flour does not run out and her oil does not run dry. Neat trick but she does not yet have a “Now I know…” moment. Some time later her son dies, and after Elijah raises him back to life she says
"Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth."
1 Kings 17:24 (NIV)
The bread and the oil were not enough, or so we are led from this account to believe, for this woman to trust the Word of the LORD. From this chair, which for the record is in a beautiful cabin in central Minnesota – ah vacation, I can look at this story and say “You would have had me at the flour and oil.”
But it does make me ponder, what does it take in my life today for me to trust in the Word of the LORD as truth? It seems as if there are many times I am not easily impressed by the constant hand of provision that he offers me each and every day. I guess that is why God recorded so many amazing accounts for me in the pages of Scripture. As John penned at the end of his Gospel,
31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:31 (NIV)
Now I know…
<>< Craig McCourt
Life is to short to waste time of ponders that don’t matter, or worse yet on ponders that distract us from Christ, so lets take more time to ponder God, let GodPonder!
Seems like forever!
By · CommentsWow it has been a long time since I have written anything on this blog.
One of the big reasons for my absence was a major behind the scenes shift in our website. After many years of hosting with the same company I felt like I could no longer use them as a host. Their service was awesome, and their price one of the best in the business. But in recent years their choice of advertisements have become offensive to me. They have chosen to use sexuality to sell their web services. We live in a world that loves to attach sexuality to any and everything. There is little often that I feel I can do to stem the tide, but I do know in this case I am willing to pay a few dollars more and spare myself the personal offense.
This shift included the moving of several domains, and other sites, It has been a back burner project that I only tonight managed to finish. Well time to quit working behind the scenes and time to start Sharing more GodPonders.
<>< Craig McCourt
A Stronghold
By · CommentsThis morning in my journey through the Chronological Bible I was reading about King David. Shortly after David conquers Jerusalem the Philistines come after David. in what perhaps on another day would have been a flyover verse I came to this verse:
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. 2 Samuel 5:17 (NIV)
The mighty David, the boy who fearlessly killed the giant Goliath, who was a mighty military leader and who seemed to have God in his back pocket, traveled from Jerusalem to “the stronghold.” David sought refuge and security, not in a cowering fearful hiding, but in a defensive posture to take some time to inquire of God what he should do next.
These days my life and the lives of so many near me seem deeply engaged in fierce spiritual battles. I find in these days that I too must at times flee to my stronghold. My place of rest, safety and inquiry of God. For me that stronghold is a quiet place with the Word of God, it is sometimes in the quiet of my bed with my wife and the Word of God, It some times is the quiet of the Sanctuary at the piano, it is sometimes gathering with my Thursday night accountability group. In these strongholds I find peace and rest and a clear ability to call out to My God in confidence and hope.
What about you? Where is your stronghold? I pray you find safety, renewal and a Word from the Lord as you find that place of rest in the strong arms of Jesus.
Now for the rest of this story… David from the depth of the stronghold inquired of God, and following God’s direction was victorious over his enemy. Read it all in 2 Samuel 5:17-21
<>< Craig
Written from the stronghold…..
The Guy at the Piano
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Last night I, together with my family, traveled to the Hutchinson High School Auditorium to hear Robert Robinson. Robert is a big man who at five foot six has been blessed with an amazing tenor voice. He is a big name in the Minneapolis Gospel Community and has performed around the world. He is hailed by many as “God’s Canary.” I enjoyed the concert very much and would highly recommend one of his concerts to any of my friends.
During the intermission I visited the table he had set up in the back featuring a variety of CD’s. I looked them over and made my selection. It was a “self produced” CD called “Eclectic.” It was not a Robert Robinson CD. It was a CD recorded by Sam Reeves. While Roberts name is well know, Sam’s name is not as widely k:nown. Sam is his current accompanist. A self taught piano player born in Liberia.
The accompanist can make or break a concert. While Robert’s voice is wonderful to listen to the music from the piano makes it that much sweeter. As I reflected and listened to the piano last night, I was a little jealous of his talent. I would love to play the piano like that, but I will never be a master accompanist for a vocalist.
The more I reflected on Sam’s talent and on the talent that God has given me, I have decided that I to am a master accompanist. I am an accompanist for the great story teller, Jesus. I love to use my talent for a good story to draw people to the greatest story of all, the story of God at work in my life. I love to invite people to hear God’s life giving story.
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14, 17 (NIV)
Robert could put on quite a show with or without Sam, there are many people who could serve as the accompanist, or he even could use recorded music. Likewise God does not need me to tell his story, but what a honor for me that he allows me to accompany him. He could use anyone, and he certainly could go solo. I rejoice in the wonderful gift to be seen in the presence of the master.
To carry this ponder just a little further let’s look at one last thought. The simple truth is that we are all accompanists for God, the only question is: is our life is in tune with His, adding to His beauty or are we a distraction from Him.
<>< Craig
just a simple storyteller
Spring is God’s reward for patience
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Every year those of us hardy enough to live in the upper Midwest long for the signs of Spring. There are many of us who simply have learned to endure Winter because of the sure promise that Spring will come. This year we have had Spring busting out all over the place. Warm temperatures, snow gone, except for the few hearty piles on the edges of parking lots, flooding, and increased activity at my bird feeder are all signs of Spring.
What if it didn’t come – what would Winter feel like with no hope of Spring? How depressing winter would become.
7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. James 5:7 (NIV)
This quiet patience for Spring is like the quiet wait of the Christian for the coming of Christ. Each day the “Winter” season of life on this planet seems to grow longer and I long more and more for Christ’s return. But it is the certain Hope of Christ’s return, the unwavering nature of my God, the eternal faithfulness of His many promises, that fill my heart with the hope of Spring.
But what about those who journey through life, without hope in the promises of God? How do they survive this “Winter” without end. Denny Correll, a Christian Singer from the early 80’s recorded a song who’s lyrics forever echo in my mind; “Lord I often wonder, where do unbelievers go to talk things out and say what’s on their mind?” I’ve often felt that you must be far stronger to make it through the day on your own, then with Faith in a God willing to carry you through.
Winter with no hope of Spring? I pray that the Lord would open in my life and in your opportunities to find people trapped in the “Winter” of this world and invite them to the wonderful news of Easter…. Spring has Come – Life has returned from death – Jesus Lives!
<>< Craig
WARNING!
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I really want to meet the guy who write WARNING Tags – for all the stuff we really don’t need warning tags for. Here are a few of my favorite:
Liquid Plummer
Warning: Do not reuse the bottle to store beverages.
Windex
Do not spray in eyes.
Hair Coloring
Do not use as an ice cream topping.
Zantac 75
Do not take if allergic to zantac.
Matches
Caution: Contents may catch fire.
Chainsaw
Do not attempt to stop chain with hands.
Sears hairdryer:
Do not use while sleeping.
Cardboard windshield sun shade:
Warning: Do Not Drive With Sun Shield in Place.
Microwave Oven:
Do not use for drying pets.
The sad part is most of there were generated by actual events. Some of the warning labels are lawyer generated to stem any possible law suit however odd the use might be.
The author of the book of Hebrews, puts a WARNING Label in the second chapter of their book.
Hebrews 2:1-4 (NIV)
1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
The writer is urging his readers to not forget or “drift away” from the message they have heard. The message was a very simple one.
John 3:16 (NIV)
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The message is the message of Salvation. While these WARNING verses from Hebrews have not made it to the Dumb Warning Labels list I think we often treat it that way.
There are many days I take my salvation for granted. I have been conducting a very unscientific study of student prayers for the last few months and I have come to the conclusion that we often take the most amazing thing that has ever happened in our life for granted. We are thankful for the food we eat, the friends we have, the new job, car, or passing grades, but we very seldom thank God for the great gift of salvation.
Before you think I am critical of Students I find the very same reaction in my own life. I do not often wake in the morning and say – What a wonder – I am saved! As I get older I do sometimes give thanks that I woke up… but this great gift that Paul calls a treasure. I think that was the understatement of the year!
2 Corinthians 4:6-8 (NIV)
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
Let’s take some time today to let the glow of this God given salvation shine out into our world. The writer to the Hebrews tell us what happens if we ignore or neglect this gift… we “drift away.”
<>< Craig McCourt
Life is WAY to short to waste the few ponders we have been given on stuff that is unimportant or worse yet, distracts us from what really matters. Lets use our time to GodPonder!
St Patrick’s Day 2010
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Today, more than 1500 years after his death, Patrick is remembered as the Patron Saint of Ireland. Tradition states that he died on March 17, 461 AD. This morning at Caribou I did an informal survey of a few customers to find out what they knew about St. Patrick. Let’s put it this way, for all the “wearin’ O’ the Green” there is little “knowin’ O’ the Guy.” I heard that he led all the moles out of Ireland, a couple talked to me about the snakes he led out of Ireland. Most of the rest of the information I heard, and that which is widely believed about him is just a bunch of “blarney”. In fact, the most widely held belief about him is that he saved Ireland from a plague of snakes by leading them all away. No evidence is found to support this, nor is there any evidence that St. Patrick invented green beer.
“Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.” This is one of the quotes long attributed to St. Patrick and from what little I know of his life and ministry, it fits. He was a man of trust, some considered it pure foolishness in his day. He was born in England, captured at the age of 16 by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland. After six years, he escaped and returned to England where he entered the church and became a priest. He later shared with many about his vision of a angel calling him to return to Ireland to preach the Gospel to everyone.
“…who am I, Lord? or, rather, what is my calling? that you appeared to me in so great a divine quality, so that today among the barbarians I might constantly exalt and magnify your name in whatever place I should be, and not only in good fortune, but even in affliction? So that whatever befalls me, be it good or bad, I should accept it equally, and give thanks always to God who revealed to me that I might trust in him, implicitly and forever,…” Confessions of St. Patrick
It takes trust to return to the people who once held you prisoner, it takes trust to live a life of confidence that you are able to give thanks in any circumstance. While I have never met the good St. Patrick, I believe that he lived the word of St. Paul out loud in his life and mission.
11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:11-17 (NIV)
What an honor to be remembered 1500 years after your death as a man of deep conviction and trust in the Christ that lived in and all around him. Contrary to popular tradition, St. Patrick did not bring Christianity to Ireland, but there is little doubt that he impacted the church of Ireland and expanded the Kingdom of Christ.
I hope that I am remembered 1500 years after I die as one who preached the Gospel to those in need. If they want to add that I saved the people of Minnesota by leading the wild badgers back to Wisconsin, so be it.
<>< Craig
See you at the Light.
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I had one of those annoying moments this morning on my drive to work. It was raining, foggy and traffic was flowing about 5 miles below the posted speed limit. There is a long train of cars all heading in from the burbs to the city. About 1 mile from the intersection where most of us will turn of the two lane county highway to the 4 lane freeway I see the game of leap frog begin. It is a car that is 2 cars behind me that suddenly pulls out and flies past me and the car in front of me and dives into the small space available with no time to spare. This maneuver is repeated a second time with the same level of danger and risk. Fifteen seconds later we are all sitting at the stop light together, two lanes turning left with Mr. In A Hurry just ahead of me in line.
The 10 second lead over the rest of the pack will probably earn him a promotion, coupled with an ulcer. It still amazes me how drive for speed we are. We seem to want it in everything. I even have fast recharging batteries that will recharge to full strength in just 15 minutes. We all know how much we would be put out if our wii remotes were down for longer than 15 minutes.
So why the rant on speed today? It is like so many of my thoughts driven by my time in the Word. This morning I was reading in the book of Psalms and came across this verse:
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
I have to admin this verse being fresh on my mind helped my reaction to the little game of leap frog I was a part of this morning. Where I might have been very frustrated by some one “cutting” in line, and putting others at risk to do it. While the risk part bothers me, I feel sorry for someone who is fretting so much about time that he feels the need to play leap frog.
This verse also got me asking myself the question, “What causes me to fret?” and I realized that each day in my office I have my little battle with my need for speed. When my office computer reboots in the morning it often causes me to “fret” as it is a slow process, it takes about 5 minutes to be fully ready to do what I want it to do. Most morning I just fume quietly about it. Today I decided to use that time as a fret relief time. My new plan is to take the time that it takes my computer each day to prep itself for action and use it to prep myself for action. It will give me a bonus 5 minutes for prayer. Five extra minutes of prayer a day sounds like a good way to practice slowing down my own life.
There is one more verse from my morning Psalm that comes to mind as I reflect…
34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. Psalm 37:34 (NIV)
Now for the rest of the story.. 10 minutes after our game of leap frog traffic backed up and i found myself passing Mr. In A Hurry, who’s lane was at a dead stand still. OK I know I can not necessarily chalk this one up to divine justice, but I must admit it made me smile!
14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Happy waiting… I’ll see you at the light!
<>< Craig
