Ansible-One

Camping is quickly becoming a new passion for me.  I see it as a way to get away from the computer, away from work, and away from the things that cause me stress.  Plus it offers excellent bonuses like getting to spend time with my son and family as well as some quality time outside.

So far, we have ventured out twice to sites that have been nice for our larger group (3 to 4 people).  This time however, just my son and I are heading into the woods.  I found a more “local” park to visit (no it’s not my backyard).  However, the primitive site I found has very little information available on the web.  The Fed’s website for it isn’t working correctly so maps, pictures, and other info is not available.

This poses a bit of unknown into the equation again.  The first time we went out, our crew would be able to adapt to anything.  We had the resources available to deal with any situation.  On this next trip, I have no idea what this place will look like and no clue as to how far from the car we will be.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s still exciting.  My son and I cannot wait for the trip day.

So…gear cleaned and ready, packs packed, and supplies gathered.  Just waiting for the departure date.

Last September we switched churches. We loved our old church home, but we wanted more for Ethan than what the family there could provide. We moved to a church that is much larger. In fact nearly 10x larger by my estimate.
Well this provides some benefits for me as well. For example, I was able to join the men’s group in January on a short mission trip to Pine Cove camp in East Texas. There we worked on several construction and renovation projects to help prepare and enhance the camp for the next season. Plus it provided a good chance for me to meet several of the men in the church.

This weekend I am heading off into the woods again with the men’s group, but this time its more of a real “camping” experience. Before you start giggling like my wife did, realize that I HAVE been camping before, and I do like it. It just doesn’t happen very often. In fact the last time was several years ago when my brother returned from assignment.

To prepare, I needed gear. I had several needed items already so I had to take stock first. Sleeping bag, check. Flash light, check. Call to Dad to grab a couple of things, done. Basically, I only had two major purchases to make to be ready. A large backpack (as we are hiking to the site) and a tent. The pack was a no brainer for me. Cheapest, biggest, and as light as possible. I found a brand new one on eBay for $30. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of an expensive pack but it’s a LOT better than something from Wal-Mart and a LOT cheaper than anything at REI.

For the tent, I knew I had to spend quite a bit more time researching. I dug through reviews, shopping sites, and forums. My requirements were simple. Long enough to fit my height, light enough to not mind carrying, and cheap. I know you can spend hundreds on tents, but I needed a tent for a virtual first timer. I have been camping, so I know a thing or two about what is needed, but I have always used someone else’s tent…and they have been really nice. I decided to go cheap since it was my first, and it only had to survive a single night. Anyway, if you want to ready my review of the tent, check it out here…

http://www.amazon.com/review/RUWS5PBO9LV3E/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

It’s kind of funny though how sometimes we find ourselves preparing for something like this little camp excursion by spending so much time, money, brainpower, and then spend so little time preparing for the Kingdom. I am hoping this little trip will help me take stock of my own life reset my focus on Jesus.

Seems to me that I should have more than enough time to get the things done that I want done within a day.  If I want to go to work and then come home to play a game I should have time to do that.  If I want to hit a few golf balls and then come home and dig out the Legos for my son, there should be time for that.

I suppose it culture or the devil working through our culture that is demanding time from us.  I love last years experience at Glorieta when my family and I actually had time to hike, play, or simply be.

That reminds me, I need to make time to plan for another trip this year…

Merry Christmas everyone!  Remember that despite the agony of sorting out the day itself, its the reason we remember the day that is important.  Thank you God for giving us your Son.

This week we only briefly discussed last week’s topics.  Few revisions were made to the previous post.  Dr. Underwood’s handout was riddled with formatting issues and typos so I have corrected some of these.  Again, the outline and questions are posed by Dr. Underwood and the commentary in blue is mine.

 Discovery Class – Week 2

John 2

John 1

• He is God
• John announces his coming
• John explains his role (baptize with the Spirit)
• John identifies his purpose (“behold the Lamb of God”)
• John 1:49 Nathaniel uses Messianic phrase that identifies him as the Messiah
• Holy Spirit settles on Jesus which identifies him as the promised Messiah/King
• All aspects of John 1 lead us to conclude that Jesus is God, the promised Messiah, and the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant.
• “Son of Man” vs. 51 (emphasizes divine authority of Jesus); Dan. 7:13

John 2:1-11 (The first miracle)

• The ultimate embarrassment: __________
  Running out of wine at the wedding
• Mary asked Jesus to change water to wine because __________
  She knew that He was the son of God.
• “It is not yet my time” suggests __________
• Jesus did this miracle at a public venue because __________
  He wanted there to be no doubt in who He was
• Wine in the NT is symbolic of __________
  The blood of Jesus Christ
• Why all the witnesses? __________
• What is the significance of “you have kept the good wine until now?”
  Traditionally, the best and strongest wine was used first.
• The typology of the Jewish wedding and Messiah is __________
  In the Jewish wedding tradition, the bride does not know when the groom will come and take her to the wedding.  No one knows when the Messiah will come to take the believers.
• As we consider the first miracle of Jesus we should conclude: __________

John 2:12-17 (The misplaced story?)

• This is an event that probably took place at the end of Jesus ministry.
• Why is it here?  Jesus quotes Jer. 7:11 & Isa. 56:7 in the synoptic gospels.
  John is packaging the story to inject that Jesus shares the emotions of God from the OT.
       Isa. 1 (the indictment)
• God hates insincere worship and perversion of the faith.
• Jesus demonstrates He is exactly like God (the Father) Col. 1
• John’s point:  Jesus is __________
  God.

John 2:18-19

• The prediction to the Jewish leaders

John 2:23-25

• “Many people believed in his name because they saw the miraculous signs he was doing”

Questions:

1. Based on what they witnessed, how should the people who were at the wedding react?
   They should be completely shocked.  It has been hundreds of years since the prophets of the OT foretold the coming of Jesus.  Even still, some would have known of John the Baptist by this point as well.  Some would had to have been in awe at the sight, but would would have to beleive and know that He was someone special and of God at very least.
2. Based on the facts we see in John chapters 1 & 2, how should we respond?
   That Jesus is the Messiah.  Prophesized in the OT and witnessed by those in the NT.

Jim Underwood 2009