Let the Blogging Begin...

Here it is...the Blog. First off let me say I am notoriously bad at a) Grammer and Spelling b) Consistency and c) Studying...so blogging...of course I am going to do some blogging...its only a natural fit for a guy like me right...heh heh...ehhhhh....

Anyway, Sid has challenged us to do this and become iron, sharp iron. Here goes the sharpening.

Timothy 1:1-2

Paul is writing a letter to Timothy, someone he has obviously invested in to a significant degree. His purpose for writing seems that he feels divinely appointed to do so. I am assuming that there are a few things that Paul has on his heart that he feels as someone Tim respects that he must address as an ambassador of Jesus Christ and a "Father Figure" to Timothy. And he starts it off with a loving word of Grace, Mercy and Peace.

Here are a few of my thoughts on this. First of all, I often pass these intro verses off as sort of "To Whom it may Concern"...but there is some pretty rich stuff in here if we look a little closer (the Bible is funny like that). Paul has a pretty keen awareness of what he is and the importance of that position. He is an apostle of Christ Jesus. And why is he thus? Not simply or even because he has chosen to be, but rather because he is "commanded" to be. Jesus is Paul's SAVIOR, and the knowledge of this leads Paul to apostleship not because he feels like he should, but because he realizes that based on what Jesus did and who he is, Paul really has no choice. And yet it is not done out of a sence of obligation, because Christ is not Paul's burden, Paul's Debtor or the monkey on Paul's back. No, Christ is his Hope, Paul's absolute. Paul does not serve Christ as an apostle because he wishes for the blessings of God, he is certain about it and this leads to a life of complete devotion. And that is just the first sentence here folks.....

Secondly, he calls Timothy his "True Son." Now, recently having a child has made me keenly aware of how amazing the parent to child bond truely is. I love Sophie immensely. Sure she can be frustrating at times, but it is that bond which keeps me from hating the fact that she likes to be awake at awkward hours, makes me wipe her ass multiple times a day and cries during the most important parts of my favorite TV shows. Not even my own mother could get away with as much as Sophie does and still be as cherished as she (that statement in and of itself paints some rather disturbing mental images). Uhhh...anyway, my point is that the parent to child relationship is a very strong and unique bond. Now, I am assuming at this point that Paul never "sired" any offspring, et he experiences that deep of a relationship with one whom he has mentored in Timothy. He calls him his "true son" in the faith. Woah. I have had some pretty deep relationships with other people in the past that I have been on a faith journey with, some of whom remain some of my favorite people, but to put them on the same level as my own child, that is pretty intense. I haven't ever reached that level of commitment and love with anyone outside of my own family. But perhaps that is what Christ desires for us inside of the mentorship arena. I'm not really sure how to experience that to this point, but at least now I have somthing to chew on.

And finally Paul wishes Timothy Grace, Mercy and Peace from God and Jesus. Thats nice hey? Too often we give casual greetings of " I love you"...or "How's it going"...or here's my worst one "Hey dude....been praying for you." I am the king of insincerity, and I need to change that. I also need to learn to live in the light of the reality of God's omnipotence. God can exist and bless us in such a small thing as a greeting to a friend. Indeed He is big enough to be great in the small things too. How sweet is that??!!

Well, next time kids we will be looking at some of Paul's teachings, specifically his warning against False Teachers of the Law...of which I hope to never be. Be good to one another, love the blessings God has given you and Grace, Mercy and Peace to you all from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.....seriously, for real.