2 November 2006

Reflection on the Scriptures

While still writing down stuff about my trip to California and all the reflections from that adventure, I thought I’d pause for a bit and write down some thoughts about the scriptures from a couple of Sundaes…I mean, Sundays ago.

So, here’s my initial question – Why did this Epistle (2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9) and this Gospel Lesson (Luke 16:19-31) get put together in the lectionary? I mean, how does Paul learning that God makes him strong in his weaknesses have anything to do with Christ’s parable about Lazarus and the Rich Man? Ok, I have no idea really, but after thinking about it, I have my own guesses; which of course, I will subject you to now.

At first I didn’t get it. We discussed both of them at BBS that week. We spent more time discussing the gospel passage than St. Paul’s letter. Why? Well, because the lesson from 2 Cor. seemed pretty self explanatory. Our discussion on the Gospel kind of went all over the place – from what God thinks about wealth, to helping someone in hell – and while the discussion was good and helpful, it still kind of baffled me why the two scriptures were put together.

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26 October 2006

Not Just Yet!


[audio:DylanTimesAChangin.mp3]

Come gather ’round people, wherever you roam
And admit that the waters around you have grown
And accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’. ~Bob Dylan

So writes Bob Dylan nearly 3 1/2 decades ago. And yet, I can’t help but feel his words have always been prophetic and not simply for his generation only. In my own life I know it’s true – like the weather and the trees outside my window, the times they are a-changin’. Church, work, home, friends, family; it’s all changing to be sure. I’m uncertain what the change will bring – and it always brings about something new – but I’m less apprehensive about it than I used to be. I suppose this is a good thing, as it means I’m either getting older and wiser, or older and dumber. Either way I’m less ruffled by the change of the tide, so I figure that’s a good thing.

While listening to the song above I was particularly struck by the words, “If your time to you is worth savin’, then you better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone…”, and decided that it was more than just a great Dylan song – it was God once again rapping at the door of my heart and saying, “WAKE UP!”

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10 October 2006

Santa Barbara, CA

Well, there’s more to come in the next couple of days, as I actually had time to process a lot of thoughts and ideas while Janna and I were on vacation in sunny California. It was absolutely ethereal. 70+ degrees and sunny the entire time. Sand, surf, the smell of salt air, mountains and grapevines, and good friends to share it all with. Mucho thanks to Andrew and Angela Clemens for hosting us once again – their hospitality is overwhelming and their friendship treasured; thank you so much guys!

I can honestly say that this has become my favorite location in the world – and I’ve traveled a fair amount. Santa Barbara is what Janna and I call our “Happy Place.” We love it there and I must admit, it’s quite difficult not to pine for it and move there… but all is God’s, so I’ll say no more. I’ll let some of the photos say the rest, for now. More to come…

All images Copyright 2006 Luke W. Beecham. All rights reserved.

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Santa Barbara – Fall 2006