6/28 meeting at Wing Park

So here's what we need for Sunday. We need your help.

1) We need a grill. Does anyone have a grill that they can bring for us to use that a) can be transported without falling apart (mine is rusted and won't tolerate being taken apart) and that also b) can be fit into a car to be brought over? This is crucial.

2) we need food and drinks. I think we should plan for 30-40 people- if we have food left over, esp. meat, we can likely freeze it and cook it up the next week for the meeting at our house July 5th. What are you all planning on bringing?

3) We need coolers and ice, likely as many as possible, not only for drinks, but to keep the food cold before we cook it up and to preserve it if we don't need it all.

4) we need a few people to get there early and help us get situated; a few of us should get there by 9 AM. Who's willing to come early?

5) we'll need chairs. Who can bring folding or stacking chairs? I have about 5 I can bring, and I think we will need at least 20.

I'm probably forgetting a few things, so make sure you read all the entries as the discussion unfolds. Let's get the discussion going!

Food for 6/14

So what are we all bringing for food this Sunday? Angela and I will be providing the main dish.

Exodus 1-18 thoughts

As I read Exodus 1-18 for this week, several questions arise in my mind, as does when I read almost any Old Testament passage. What are your thought on these?

First, throughout this passage, the writer makes it clear that God knows ahead of time Pharoah's every response before it occurs. In fact, not only does God tell Moses ahead of time that Pharoah's heart will be hard (Ex. 3:19, for instance), but we see God actually hardens Pharoah's heart on purpose (Ex. 7:3) . Is Pharoah really responsible for his rebellion against God if God is the one hardening his heart? What do you think?

Second, do you think these are random plagues that God sends upon Egypt, or is there a specific message directed towards the Egyptians with each plague? Why do you think that God decides to use the plagues that He does?

I'm curious as to your thoughts!

Food for 5/31

So who's bringing what for lunch this Sunday? We need someone to bring a main dish.

Food for 5/24

So who's bringing what for lunch this coming Sunday?

The story of Jacob and Isaac

If you've read Genesis 25-36, here's your chance to comment on it. Many questions came to my mind as I read it, and here's some of them. Curious as to your thoughts.

First and probably foremost, what is the deal with the constant polygamy, adultery, and general lewdness of these Bible characters? We see more women sleeping with their fathers or brother in laws than I care to count. Wives suggest that their husbands should sleep with the slave girl. Women pose as prostitutes to seduce their father in law, and men fear they will be butchered if their favorite wife is attractive. I especially liked the part where Rachel lets Leah sleep with Jacob that night in exchange for some mandrakes. Strange stuff, huh?
When I read all this, I have to constantly keep in mind that this is a really old text, giving us a view of an ancient world very, very different from ours. In that world, everything rose and fell on the birth of children. A woman with no children was considered cursed by the gods, the scum of the earth. And if you had children but no sons, as a woman you couldn't work to provide for yourself, so you would literally starve to death. In that case, you'd have desperate women sleeping with their father in law, their brother, anyone to provide children for them. When we keep this in mind, I think many of these details make a bit more sense.

Maybe even more importantly, what about the part where Jacob wrestles with God? Why does God physically wrestle with him? Why must He leave before the sun comes up? Why will he not tell Jacob his name? What's the significance of Jacob walking with a limp from then on? I'm throwing that out to you to get your thoughts- I don't know if I have an answer.

Food for Sat 5/9

Hi Everyone~
I was thinking of ordering Chinese for Saturday, and we can all chip in? Sound good?