Jan 8

  • jarrodmartin1
    jarrodmartin1 added a text contribution Abram's Battle Cry
    I wonder what kind of warrior Abram was? He had 318 "trained" men, whatever that means. Did he have a warrior camp for his nephews, servants, and cousins? I love this story because Abram doesn't worry that these kings just plundered Sodom and Gomorrah. He just knows that Lot has been taken. He must act. And he acts quickly and decisively. I want to be that kind of man. Now, where to find 318 trained men... Read more »
  • jarrodmartin1
    jarrodmartin1 added a text contribution Consequences Affect All
    Abram tells one little lie about his wife to the Egyptians, and a plague comes upon the house of Pharaoh. Sin doesn't just affect you; everyone around you gets affected. [But, why didn't Abram get affected by the plague? And, Abram gets rich from his lie? Can God's blessings trump a sin?] Read more »

Jan 4

  • jarrodmartin1
    jarrodmartin1 added a text contribution Wisdom's Path
    I'm loving the poetry of Job. Didn't remember it's language to be so powerful and raw. The very comparisons that are made are moving and thought-provoking. Here, the path of wisdom is unknown to all but God. Even Death and Destruction have only heard rumors of wisdom. Thank you, God, for taking the language to a beautiful place to match the glory of the wisdom you display. Read more »
  • jarrodmartin1
    jarrodmartin1 added a text contribution Job as a Prophet
    I didn't know that Job made prophecies, but this is clearly words of prophecy. To trust in the very God that Job believes is tormenting him. Job asks "why?" as we do, and yet his asking does not move His faith, His direction, or His decisions. He is emotionally distraught and yet hangs dearly to the God of All. Here is a man for us to pattern our faith after. Read more »

Dec 22

  • jarrodmartin1
    jarrodmartin1 added a text contribution God Speaks to Cain
    Never thought about it before. God was still interacting with people on a personal basis, guiding them, loving them, drawing them to Himself even after they were banished from Eden. God speaks here to Cain, just as He did to Adam and Eve after they had sinned and were hiding. And, Cain, rather than repent in his heart for not bringing the best He could to God, he lashes out. He does his worst. So, question: did God immediately require sacrifices after sin was born? God killed the animal… Read more »

Dec 21

  • jarrodmartin1
    jarrodmartin1 added a link contribution Light and the Sun
    http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/gallery/PIA03149.jpg
    A pastor once pointed this out in a sermon, and every time I read Genesis, I can't help but think about the apparent "mistake." God created light first... the most famous verse in Genesis, verse 3. But, he doesn't create the sun or the moon until verse 16. In fact, he created the stars with their light before the sun and moon. Light. He is Light. He is All. He sustains and provides. It is in His power alone that we stand. Read more »

Oct 20

Oct 16

  • jarrodmartin1
    jarrodmartin1 added a text contribution The Wisdom of Solomon
    Solomon prays for the foreigner -- the non-Jew -- who comes to worship God. And he prays that all people might know God and worship Him. The prayer of Solomon is the heart of God. The heart of God always intended to invite all to come to Him. Read more »

Oct 15

  • jarrodmartin1
    jarrodmartin1 added a text contribution God Gets the Glory
    Who was this Hiram? He must not have been a king of a people that God had told Israel to eradicate as they took over the promised land. So who was he? Either way, he gives God the glory and helps Solomon make the temple as good as it can be. Read more »

Oct 10