Three men were out sea fishing when one of them hooked a mermaid. She promised to grant each of them a wish if they'd let her go.
"OK," said the first fisherman. "I want you to double my intelligence." No sooner had he made request than he found himself reciting Shakespeare's Macbeth.
"Jeez!" the second man exclaimed. "In that case, I want you to triple my intelligence." He immediately started spouting Einstein's equations on the theory of relativity.
"That's amazing!" the third fisherman yelled. "Quintuple my intelligence!"
"Are you sure?" the mermaid asked him. "You might not like the outcome."
"I'm sure. Just do it," the man said.
He closed his eyes to wait for the wish to be granted and - poof! - he turned into a woman.
Danny Hochstetler (RD March 2006)
I thought that was funny! hehe.
04 January 2007
02 January 2007
Reading Exodus
I was reading Exodus 32, when the Israelites forced Aaron to build them an idol so they could sacrifice burnt offerings. God was so angry (v. 9-10) and wanted to destroy the Israelites. But then Moses prayed and asked God to relent and forgive them. God did listen to moses' prayer.
I understand that God is holy and jealous because the Israelites did not give the glory and honor He deserved. Thus, the Israelites are to be punished because of the sin they made against God. Later on because moses' asked God, God decided to forgive them. I thought God really has mercy on moses that He will allow him to speak and plead for Israelites. Dont you think that God already plan to forgive the Israelites even before Moses asked him? Why He showed his anger first and until Moses asked about it then God relent. It seems that moses had power. Has God chosen 'prayer' that would 'allow' (sort to speak) Him to act further (in this case to forgive the Israelites)?
On Chapter 33:11, it was said that the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Also, some interesting things on the same verse, when moses would return to the camp, his young aide Joshua actually did not leave the tent of meeting (where the presence of the Lord is). Joshua must have 'enjoyed' the presence of God, dont you think? hehe.
Later on (same chapter), v. 20, the Lord said to moses that he can not see God's face, for no one may see God and live. I just wander what has happened in v. 11. Did moses actually speak with the Lord face to face? If not, why is it written so.
About the book, I quite like when Jethro gave advices to moses to delegate the task of settling disputes to trustworthy men. So moses wouldnt have to carry huge burden. Oh also, when moses saw the Israelites were worshipping the golden calf, he thrown the two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God, and broke it to pieces. Waaaa, Moses lost his CooL. I thought Moses must be really really angry but I dunno whether It was regarded as sinning against God. God did not rebuke him right away but later on asked moses to bring another two stone tablets. Ckckck. God must be so patient with him.
I understand that God is holy and jealous because the Israelites did not give the glory and honor He deserved. Thus, the Israelites are to be punished because of the sin they made against God. Later on because moses' asked God, God decided to forgive them. I thought God really has mercy on moses that He will allow him to speak and plead for Israelites. Dont you think that God already plan to forgive the Israelites even before Moses asked him? Why He showed his anger first and until Moses asked about it then God relent. It seems that moses had power. Has God chosen 'prayer' that would 'allow' (sort to speak) Him to act further (in this case to forgive the Israelites)?
On Chapter 33:11, it was said that the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Also, some interesting things on the same verse, when moses would return to the camp, his young aide Joshua actually did not leave the tent of meeting (where the presence of the Lord is). Joshua must have 'enjoyed' the presence of God, dont you think? hehe.
Later on (same chapter), v. 20, the Lord said to moses that he can not see God's face, for no one may see God and live. I just wander what has happened in v. 11. Did moses actually speak with the Lord face to face? If not, why is it written so.
About the book, I quite like when Jethro gave advices to moses to delegate the task of settling disputes to trustworthy men. So moses wouldnt have to carry huge burden. Oh also, when moses saw the Israelites were worshipping the golden calf, he thrown the two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God, and broke it to pieces. Waaaa, Moses lost his CooL. I thought Moses must be really really angry but I dunno whether It was regarded as sinning against God. God did not rebuke him right away but later on asked moses to bring another two stone tablets. Ckckck. God must be so patient with him.