Like a Kid Again

I had to shop for some supplies for a chart I had to make for class yesterday. That took me to the office supply area in Target, where I got to relive childhood dreams.

I bought colored pencils. But not the small box of 8. I bought the box of 72 colored pencils. I didn't need 72 colors, but you just can't pass up something like that.

I wouldn't have been the cool kid in class if I only had 8, but impressed everyone with my assortment of colors, such as light medium grey (there are something like 6 different greys).

I'm definitely big man on campus now.

A New Course Record

12 pages, 63 minutes.

Woohoo. My 12 page paper (actually, one 10 page and one 2 page paper,due at 8:30) took me exactly 63 minutes to write an print. I think that is a new record for me. My previous was 9 pages in 50 something minutes, or 15 pages in under two hours. My most famous is 42 pages (research paper, senior project) all written in one day, and entirely completed (research and editing included) in one weekend.

This one was an easy one though. Very little information needed. It was a lot about your own personal spiritual journey, and your own personal formation. Very easy to write (for me).

I should actually get some sleep before class though. Night.

More Vocab...

Well, I now know about 200 words in Hebrew. I can form a decent chunk of sentences from the Bible and am beginning to translate some verses on my tests. Its amazing how far you can come when the alphabet seemed so hard.

One and a half weeks until the holiday break for me. Hopefully, during that time, I'll get some pleasure reading done. That's right, I said it, when break comes, I have other books I want to read. I'm such a nerd.

Feedback Momes With Discernment

Today was the first of two days in my preaching class where students are preaching their final sermons. I don't preach until next week, so this week I got to just watch other students and provide feedback for them.

Or something like that. I don't know where to start with feedback sometimes. What if a sermon was really awful, both in its content and in its delivery? How do you tell someone that has never preached before that you thought was bad? Luckily, I didn't have to. I could just sit quietly.

I suppose I was expecting the teacher/grader to be harsher in his evaluation, even with the understanding that this is an introduction class. Many of these students haven't preached before, and the nervousness shows in their delivery. I don't think any of the four I listened to were within 3 minutes of the time given. We are supposed to aim for 20. 16 might have been the longest as the nerves forced many to rush their speech. One person was done before they had even been giving the 5 minutes left signal.

I'm not assuming that I will ace my sermon, but some of the things, like timing should be worked out well enough in advance and practice to at least get that part right.

At least I know that the feedback will be largely positive when I'm done :)

Surprise of the Day

Ahh Jello. I love how "instant" Jello takes four hours to make. I hate waiting for it to cool. Often, when I want Jello, the time it takes for it to be in its normal form dissuades me from actually making it.

Lucky for me, my wife made Jello a couple of days ago, and I didn't even know. Now there is Jello, and I want Jello. It's amazing and is easily my best surprise of the day. Granted, its only 6 minutes into this day.

Primary Communities of Belief

I continue to be confused in my life on what I think the best way is to practically organize primary communities of faith. There is the model, where a church offers its weekly service as well as other services (like youth, children, young adult, singles, adult classes, etc.). This model is easily the most frequently seen. Many of these churches now, however, also have a strong small group focus.

These small groups are advertised as primary communities within the larger church. These communities are effective. What I keep getting confused about, is which of these things is most important?

Am I worse of (actually, not by guilt, or by tradition) missing my small group meeting one week, or missing the Sunday large service? Would it be worse for a youth group member to miss youth services than to miss normal church service?

Again, I use worse, not demanding that every miss be a negative thing, but as a term of equating priority. Is there a sense that missing Sunday services (traditionally the most important) might not always be the most important? Is there a possibility that it is more healthy to miss church and go to small group, than to miss small group and make it to church?

I am looking for opinions on this.

Specifically, I'm looking for thoughts on worship, and tithing. Both of which are most often seen in the larger church setting, and rightly so, but are these the things that we place our primary importance on? Is worship and teaching more important than dialogue, discussion and prayer?

Feedback welcome, and expected :)

All Night, Really?

I hung out with some friends I hadn't seen in a while tonight. We met at one of their houses. We were expecting that he was going to have some large screen television as his goal was to buy one that was on sale at Best Buy in the early bird special.

Last night at 9:30 when he left his parents house to go home, he drove past the Best Buy (which he planned on going to around 2:00 in the morning) and there were already over 75 people in line. Expecting that the store only had 4 of the televisions that he was looking for, he decided it wasn't worth it, as i would have.

Seriously, people waited for two - three days to get the Playstation 3 last week, and are now waiting for 12 hours to save a couple hundred dollars on a television. I want as many of the nifty gadgets as anyone, but sometimes greed and lust amaze even me.

I generally am willing to work to save for the full price of anything I want that bad. I can't imagine thinking it is important enough to wait that much time in the cold for. If you want it that bad, buy it at full price a month ago.

Start the Christmas Carols

I can officially take it. Viewing Christmas decorations and hearing Christmas songs will not bother me anymore. Thanksgiving has officially passed, and even though it is earlier in the year this year than many years, I can be comfortable with people beginning to bring in the holiday season.

Someone start a counter. How many times will I hear, "Remember the reason for the season?" Possibly my least favorite Christian Christmas cliche. I hope not to use it once, and would prefer to hear it minimally.

56 Candles In My Living Room

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I'm sure I'll here stories of what some people are thankful about. I'm sure lots of the common (because they really are great) things will come out. I'll hear of thanks for family and friends, for God and His Son, for life, and for food. I'll observe thanks for football entertainment and mashed potato goodness, but none of those are the things I am most thankful for this year.

I'm most thankful for 56 candles in my living room, for drapes on my windows, for make-up in my bathroom and vegetables in cupboards. I'm thankful for shoes with heals on the floor and slippers found all over the house. I'm thankful for a comforter that costs more than any bedding item should, and nail files found in random places. I'm thankful for baskets to hold blankets (what are closets for anymore?) and pictures of me shown off in my own house.

Jenny makes my life better than it ever was, in some of the most odd ways possible. Those of you with healthy marriages, understand exactly how lucky you are. I wouldn't trade all the things I don't understand for anything else in the world. I'm most thankful now, and likely forever, for my spouse, my wife, my support, my provider (it's weird to not work) and my love. The best parts of me come out because she encourages and allows them to do so. Thank her for those things.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

1984 Who is Big Brother?

Sometimes the news scares me. Not because of the stupid things people do, I've come accustomed to realizing how stupid a lot of people are, but because of how many people get access to the stupid things that are done.

Recently, the guy who played Kramer on Seinfeld was doing a stand-up comedy act in Los Angeles. He began to get heckled by two "black" men and decided he would respond. His response was offensive and racist. At least, I assume so as he has publicly apologized for coming off as such.

Here is what is scary to me. Someone in the audience held up their cell phone and video-taped the tirade. At 2 a.m. in the morning the video got showed to an Internet company and by 4 a.m. it was posted online. 8 hours later, over a million people had seen the video. That's big brother in action and it has nothing to do with government.

You never know who is watching anymore. You never know who is going to find out what you have said or done. It's amazing how these things can spread. It's amazing how little people think before they speak or act.

Here is one area where I know that Christianity has improved my life. Being sure that I'm always being watched by my God and Savior (not in a list-making, dictating way, but in an I'm-all-present way) has helped me to check my actions and to calm some of my natural tantrums. If more people would calm down to do the same, they and those around them would all end up in a better place.

"Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34) Be sure your mouth is saying things that your heart is okay with other people hearing.

Just Call Me a Stomach Man

Some of this post will sound weird at first. Sorry, it's just where my brain chose to begin.

I'm often amazed at people's ability to label and name things based on their own judgements. We so often see things through our eyes (naturally) and assume we know everything that is true about them. It is unfortunate. Sometimes, the more unfortunate things are those names which we give ourselves, both as individuals and as communities. The labels and stereotypes we choose to be defined by often cause us to have an unhealthy look both on ourselves, and on others.

Allow me a silly illustration to a very serious topic. Guys sometimes have the conversation (when girls aren't around) to talk about what it is about girls that most attracts us. If there are girls in the room, you will often hear the answers of "eyes" or "smile" or "legs" with the occasional bold man who goofily, but likely honestly will answer "chest." When girls aren't around, the answers get far more specific, or at least, far more honest. Hence my title. I'm a stomach man. The way I would most naturally begin an attraction to a girl is because of her stomach. I can't describe it well, but for these purposes I don't need to. (Don't worry readers, my wife and I have had this discussion already.) Here is what would be weird: What if my identity as I relate to most of humanity was found in the fact that I was a stomach man? Anyone who had different views than me, must not agree with me, and those who have the same view as me, obviously understand all of me. No other part of life matters, just my lens of physical attraction. It seems silly to me. It would also cause me to have an unhealthy view of myself (that through the eyes of lust) and an unhealthy view of others (that identity is rooted in sexuality). Yet still, so much debate takes place over the issue of homosexuality. Specifically, the church and homosexuals, or the state and homosexuals.

It's a fascinating subject that causes a lot of tension and argument. I can't find myself void of either, the tension or the argument, whenever I read about homosexuality and Christianity.

Today was one of those days. USAToday had an opinion blog (found here if you're interested) on one Baptist minister's interpretation of scripture. Of course, his interpretation of scripture also demanded his interpretation of the nature of same-sex attraction (that it is genetically given at birth). He had a stance. I don't think his stance is well founded, but that isn't the thing most puzzling to me right now. I am constantly puzzled as to what my responses to a people group (please don't read this as "homosexuals" as I'm not talking specifically about homosexuals with this statement) who need God should be. Where does judgement fit? Where must love prevail?

I'm not interested in the easy pat answers to those questions. I don't simply mean to hear back that we are not to judge, God is, and that love should always prevail. I am more curious about how I let someone know of the love that the Father has for them, but also of the gap between them and the Father.

My thoughts are numerous and rambling in my head right now. I'd love to "dialogue" (which on my blog tends to mean question and answer) more about this topic, but don't know which avenues I should be responding to.

So here is my plea for your help: What areas of this topic should I attempt to answer in writing? What thoughts should I try and put into words? These questions can cover any area of "homosexuality" as it relates to Christianity. I'll allow this to include my opinions on science vs. choice and the implications of either, on biblical backing for either view, on correct action as a believer, or anything else you can remotely fit into the topic. I need to do this exercise as much for myself as for anyone else's benefit, as this people group (this time I am talking about "homosexuals") is too often mistreated by religious institutions and individuals.

One last comment. You'll notice i try to put "homosexuals" in quotes when referring to it as a general descriptive term. This is because I don't see it as the best term. I've heard many discussions on what is most politically correct, but don't know anymore. When I say "homosexual" the only inference I am implying is that a person struggles with same-sex attraction. I am not implying sexual behavior in any means. I am not implying promiscuity in any means. If I ever come to a term (I often say when talking, "a person who struggles with same sex attraction") I'll use that instead.

Good luck sifting through this large topic and giving me guidance on where to begin tackling it in writing. Fortunately for me, I've tackled a lot of this subject in thought and prayer already.

Reader Vote

I have the option with the new version of labeling my posts. For example, I can label posts as families, stories, spiritual, answers, etc. Doing so allows me to put multiple labels on each posts, and puts links at the bottom of each post showing what labels I have given it.

Clicking the link that would be provided by these labels would bring you to a page that would archive all of my posts on said label.

Would anyone ever use something like this? I don't know when, or if, I would ever go back into my old posts to label them, but wouldn't have much of a problem labeling the ones that I write as I write them.

A couple of yes' and I'll begin to.

Works of Fiction

Jenny had a girls night out tonight, which meant I watched football and then rented a movie to kill my time. I rented "The Da Vinci Code," as I had never read the book or seen the movie before, but had heard it was, at minimal, interesting fiction. Most of the people who had told me such, were people who had read the book.

I'm guessing the book reads far better than the movie flows. It wasn't that the movie was boring, but it wasn't as well done as many other movies in its genre. Even a movie like "National Treasure" seemed to be done better while incorporating the same style of genre.

I've never been concerned with the religious hype that surrounded the book or the movie, and still am not. Watching the movie tonight did its purpose, of killing time, and little else. It will not remain one of my favorites, though I might be more than less interested to read other things that Dan Brown has written.

Working Out the Kinks

The site that hosts this blog (blogger.com) has just put out a new beta version. I upgraded a couple of minutes ago, so now I need to get used to some of the new features and kinks of this system.

Sorry if things on the blog look funny in the next couple of days, I'm either experimenting, or have screwed something up.

For example, I just found out that it won't automatically fix some of my common mistakes anymore (like not capitalizing the letter "i").

Making Unrequited Love a Positive Thing

Unrequited = not returning in kind.

It pretty much sums up how I spend my life trying to love God. I just can't seem to do it in kind. I constantly fall short of giving all of me, to the point of death in love for Him. I fall short of showing Him my love the way He showed me His.

God cherishes my effort, nonetheless, it isn't being returned in kind.

My life is making unrequited love a positive thing.

Me and My Assumptions

If you had to recommend just one book of the Bible for a non believer to read, what book would it be? (Posted by MDK)

As usual, while answering this question, I'll avoid being direct and just saying a book (for example, Jonah) and will instead give some of my implied assumptions and explain my answer as best I can.

I'll start with the assumptions. I am assuming, that the goal of recommending a book of the Bible to a non-believer is to begin a process of discovery, discussion, or education of the Christian faith. To be more clear, I'm assuming the non-believer doesn't just want to read the book for fictional entertainment value, or at least that the reason for recommendation shouldn't be based on this.

Secondly, I feel trapped by the "if you had to recommend just one" part of the question. Though I believe there are better starting points than others, I do believe that all of the Bible is important. That, however, does not mean I would recommend a non-believer read through the Bible in order, but I don't assume that just one book will give a proper understanding of scripture entirely.

So here it is. I would feel comfortable with any of the four Gospels being the recommended book, as they cover the most crucial aspect of the scriptures (Jesus life, death and resurrection). Further, I would probably recommend John as the best of these for a new believer. John is more "everyday" friendly in the fact that the miracles don't involve the "supernatural" of demon possession and the like, but follow far more with miraculous physical healings and things. The book of John is a good source to get the core of the scriptures (again, Jesus life, death, and resurrection) without a lot of genealogy, or "awkward supernatural" story elements.

The most common practice I recommend for new Christians would be to read through the book of John while also reading through C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity." This process can be helpful for a non-believer if they have expressed interest, as this book gives a wonderful overview of the Christian faith in a non-threatening and clearly explained way.

That's all I've got for now.

Next Exegesis Assignment

My next large Bible assignment in Seminary is writing an exegesis paper on the entire book of Ruth. Ruth is only four chapters, but is far more than I've ever had to tackle in an exegesis paper before.

If any of you would like, I'll be open (once I've studied specifically, but even before) to answering and commenting on any questions you might have, specifically those raised in Ruth.

I'll be doing significant study of this book, so I'm sure you'll hear some of the results through this blog, but would love to entertain any questions. (They aren't limited to Ruth, but if you want something in the Bible to read, just start there.)

3 Point Sermons

I'm taking an intro to preaching class right now. The class is very specific in its model for preaching for this class specifically, and understands that this method won't be what is always utilized by individual preachers. This I'm happy about, as the method being taught bores me.

In fact, some of the most helpful instruction I've gotten on preaching had to do with eliminating some of these forms.

Our teacher has taught that it is helpful to have a 3 point sermon. People can't handle too many points (understandable and I'm in agreement) but also he feels that more than one are necessary. This is where I (and many current preachers) often disagree.

Two thoughts.

Your text should determine your points, not a model of preaching.

Preaching one thing is fine. Most of the "sermons" Jesus preached had only 1 point.

The wonderful warmth

I ran today. It was the first "run" since college soccer, and the first sort of anything resembling physical activity since early fall soccer for me.

That means my legs weren't so happy after the four miles. However, they were rejoicing loudly when I entered the hot tub this evening. That part of the "workout" was my favorite. I look forward to many more of those.

On another random note, I'll inform everyone that pepperoni and pineapple pizza from Pizza Hut is my favorite pizza ever. I just wish I still could find a Little Ceasers somewhere (Pizza, Pizza).

Taking a shower

I was reading a book this week on the different spiritual traditions. It covered many of the different ways in which people experience their Christianity. Every tradition was healthy, and biblical, but all were different. The author then gave some tips to practicing each of the traditions.

One of the tips specifically was about Bible reading. The author recommended that instead of reading for say 10 minutes a day every day, to take a time once a week and read for an hour. His assumption was that you could retain more, and learn more about the Bible this way. He used the analogy of reading every day to being like trying to take a shower one drop at a time.

What do you think? How do you balance reading the Bible every day (which I assume most people don't) vs. Reading it in larger chunks?

From experience, or just theory, which do you think is most effective for (1) understanding the Bible, (2) intimacy with God and (3) health for your life in general?

Odd Agreement

Since I was younger I've had a critical outlook on movie critics. It all started with the movie "Maverick." I remember hearing the bad reviews of that movie when it came out, and loving the movie. Since then, I've had little agreement with what movie critics had to say.

That made me nervous tonight. I had been excited to go watch Will Ferrel's new movie, "Stranger Than Fiction" and was concerned that every review I read today seemed to be positive. Was this the misfortune I was hoping to avoid? Only the movie itself could answer that question.

Fortunately, for me and my wife (who had to spend the night with me regardless) the movie was quite enjoyable (and thus my attitude stayed generally happy) and she got off with a better me than if my normal stance of disagreement with the critics had occurred.

Both Feet Forward

I made my decision.

I want to run in the Twin Cities marathon next year.

I've done the research, and that means I should start the training schedule I'll follow in the middle of January.

With the recommended running habits to start the training schedule, that actually means I should probably start running consistently before the Xmas holidays. I'm putting the end of this quarter as my start time. Somewhere around the second week of December or so, I'll begin my training for the marathon.

If you know me well, this kind of decision means there are lots of "toys" and "tools" that I will want/need to help me with this process. I have pretty specific ideas of some, so if you are feeling overly generous, let me know, I'd love for you to buy me the things I need. (Please don't read this as me asking for something, I actually think my wife will get me some of the stuff for my birthday.)

Wish me luck. I'll start updating my progress once I begin training, and if any of you ever want to run with me, I'd be more than happy to drag you along (or vice versa if you are faster than me).

Not My Fault

If any of you who actually check my blog daily were disappointed that there wasn't something new this morning, it's not my fault.

I went to blog last night and the host site (blogger.com) was down. I couldn't blog last night, so I just saved it for tonight.

Bedtime Stories

I won't need one tonight. My body is ready for its rest time.

What is/was your favorite bedtime story?

Mine was/is The Little Engine That Could, or any Curious George story.

An Apology To My Parents

I've returned to college life. That Psalm 102 assignment is due today (Tuesday) at 8:00 in the morning. I did research for it during the day, then spent time not doing homework as Jenny got home from work. When she went to bed at 11:00 I resumed my homework. It is now 3:00 in the morning and that project is finished.

Unfortunately, I also have a test in that class tomorrow which means now I get to read 4 chapters worth of textbook material (the professor authored this textbook and the tests are pretty specific). My sleep for the night will be slim to none. Then I'll go to class. After class, I will sleep. Likely the whole afternoon until Jenny again returns home. We'll eat dinner, and go to our small group. When I get back from that (usually around 10:00) I'll need to begin my Hebrew homework. I have a test in that class on Wednesday, and haven't looked at it since class 2 and a half weeks ago. It'll take me a while to memorize all that I need to, so my sleep will look odd again before that class, with a long nap likely on Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday night I get to read an entire book and write an 8 page paper on it for my Thursday class. Fortunately, after class on Thursday, things are pretty calm as I'll be caught back up on the homework I was supposed to have done over the last two weeks.

I've got quite a bit of experience working my mind and body under these conditions, and fortunately, I usually come out with grades that make my more diligent piers upset.

Sorry Mom and Dad, I did it again.

Marathon

The thought won't leave my head. Multiple times each day the thought of running a marathon next summer enters my head. I haven't been able to shake this thought. That scares me.

I am at the point in life, where if I do ever want to run a marathon, I shouldn't wait too much longer. I'm not going to naturally get in better shape, so starting with what I have now would at least help.

So I've been thinking about it a lot. Even enough to do research to see how much training is recommended for first time marathoners. I have found some resources which seem pretty safe, and reliable. Since I am not currently a consistent runner, they would stress certain levels of training before beginning their system. Achieving all the training necessary according to their site would have me training for 37 weeks.

The Twin Cities Marathon is usually the first weekend of October, which gives me well more than the 37 weeks necessary.

I used to always want to know what limits I could push my body to. Could I pass an elite teams test in the military? Do I have the will power to ignore physical pain for a while? A marathon seems likely to be the best realized test of that information.

I'm not saying right now that I'm committing to running a marathon next fall, but I am thinking about it heavily.

Six Wasn't Enough

Sometimes I feel like I can eat a whole loaf of bread at one time. Tonight was one of those nights. For dinner, we decided to make grilled cheese sandwiches and cheesy-salsa dip to dip our chips in. After eating three sandwiches (6 pieces of bread) and plenty of chips and dip, it took only half an hour before I was hungry again.

This time it was a bagel. I'm gonna count that as two more pieces of bread. It was a wonderful dinner. I hope none of you are counting my carbs for me.

My Project

For the next four days or so, I have the privilege to work on a project for one of my classes. It is my job to determine everything that the text of Psalm 102 meant to its original author and hearer. That will require extensive research of ancient poetry, and of imagery.

Feel free to learn along with me.

Here is the text:

Psalm 102
A prayer of an afflicted man. When he is faint and pours out his lament before the LORD.
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
let my cry for help come to you.

2 Do not hide your face from me
when I am in distress.
Turn your ear to me;
when I call, answer me quickly.
3 For my days vanish like smoke;
my bones burn like glowing embers.
4 My heart is blighted and withered like grass;
I forget to eat my food.
5 Because of my loud groaning
I am reduced to skin and bones.
6 I am like a desert owl,
like an owl among the ruins.
7 I lie awake; I have become
like a bird alone on a roof.
8 All day long my enemies taunt me;
those who rail against me use my name as a curse.
9 For I eat ashes as my food
and mingle my drink with tears
10 because of your great wrath,
for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.
11 My days are like the evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.
12 But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever;
your renown endures through all generations.
13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to show favor to her;
the appointed time has come.
14 For her stones are dear to your servants;
her very dust moves them to pity.
15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD,
all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion
and appear in his glory.
17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
he will not despise their plea.
18 Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created may praise the LORD :
19 "The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,
from heaven he viewed the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners
and release those condemned to death."
21 So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion
and his praise in Jerusalem
22 when the peoples and the kingdoms
assemble to worship the LORD.
23 In the course of my life [a] he broke my strength;
he cut short my days.
24 So I said:
"Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days;
your years go on through all generations.
25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them
and they will be discarded.
27 But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.
28 The children of your servants will live in your presence;
their descendants will be established before you."

Finding God's Will

I've read plenty of articles and books that "teach" someone how to find God's will for their life. I've sat through plenty of sermons on the subject as well. It was also probably the third most asked question I got as a youth pastor (behind evolution/creation questions and spiritual gifts questions). I even had to read and respond to an article on the subject for one of my Master's classes today.

There aren't enough positive things written about the process. Too many times, it is presented as something necessary only because of, or in light of life crisis decisions. It is too often paired with a person's vocation. It is too often written as hard work, and presented in a negative light. I can't say that I initially agree with any of these.

Determining God's will doesn't seem as hard as people make it out to be. Determining God's will affects far more than just crisis or vocation decisions. And, most importantly, determining God's will is usually a highly positive experience.

I probably have a lot to say on the subject, so I'm just gonna stop before I hit too many rabbit trails. If anyone has any kind of question, relating to God's will (in my life, your life, or in general) feel free to ask.

Twenty-Eight

Yesterday I set a new personal record. I won 28 straight games of free cell. As all of you must now understand, my two weeks away from classes have been highly productive.

Classes start back again next week, and I actually did begin doing some of the work for them this week. I hope to get through a good chunk of it by the weekend, and have all day next Monday to make sure I'm on track with my projects, and the Hebrew language.

I've got one question stored up to blog on soon, but am always willing to entertain more if anyone has them.

The Infamous 613

I had heard it said before that there are 613 laws given to Moses that are found in the first 5 books of the Bible. These "laws" are often what makes reading books like Leviticus so boring for so many people. As I have become fascinated with ancient Jewish life, I have become fascinated with many of these laws. I spent a chunk of my night tonight learning more about the 613 laws.

Jews divide the laws into 14 "books" so that they can remember them easier. They divide them into things like, the book of love, the book of marriage and so on. Those books then are filled with a number of the laws. Memorizing the books and all their laws would allow you to memorize all 613 laws, and would give you a great understanding behind a lot of what Jews believe. For example, one of the books is the book of holidays. This book includes all commandments which take place at a consistent time. It covers all the Sabbath laws and all the holiday ritual laws. Learning about this "book of laws" would give a lot of insight into Jewish life.

One of the things that was most fascinating to me, is that they also divide these laws into the categories of "positive" and "negative." It is unlike our culture to consider many laws a positive thing, but the Jews find 248 of their commandments to be positive in nature. These refer mainly to things they need to continue to do or remember (example - Know God Exists, or Fear God), where the negative ones deal with things you shouldn't do (example - Make Graven Images, or Plant a Tree in the Sanctuary).

Some of the laws seem random, which I guess is why I am fascinated by them.

Don't know that any of you will get anything out of reading this, but I'm going to continue studying these laws throughout my life, so you might hear of them again.