Archive for April, 2007

April 24th, 2007 What Have We Been Up To?

Posted by Tricia at 4:43 pm

Not much blogging going on lately…don’t know exactly why, but I haven’t felt in the mood, I guess. We’ve really enjoyed the comments and discussion under the Garage Gleanings entry…thanks, Everyone, for your thought-provoking notes.

By way of quick update, and in no particular order of importance, here is some of what has been going on around House of Horne:

* Abigail’s spring ballet recital

* Lots of unpacking and clearing of spaces (and yes, there is still much more to be done!)

* Soccer games

* Dinner and visiting with new neighbors

* A couple of very nasty colds

* Celebrations of my 35th birthday

* Praying for and grieving with this family over their heartbreak and loss

* Gearing up for the last month of school

* Fleas

* Covenant’s Spring Fling

* Coloring on the living room couches with permanent marker (only one guess as to who is responsible for this mess!)

* Poison Ivy

* School projects and presentations

Posted in Family Life | 1 Comment »>

April 16th, 2007 Garage gleanings

Posted by Jay at 8:45 am

When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. ~ Leviticus 19:9-10 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Leviticus 19:9-10 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F03019009-03019010" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F03019009-03019010" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p03019009.01-1">Love Your Neighbor as Yourself</h3> 9 “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> </div>

And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. ~ Leviticus 23:22 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Leviticus 23:22 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F03023022" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F03023022" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text">22 “And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.” (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> </div>

When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this. ~ Deuteronomy 24:19-22 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Deuteronomy 24:19-22 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F05024019-05024022" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F05024019-05024022" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text">19 “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. 22 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> </div>

And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech. ~ Ruth 2:2-3 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Ruth 2:2-3 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F08002002-08002003" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F08002002-08002003" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text">2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” 3 So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> </div>

Think of it. God commanded farmers to be inefficient at what they do for the sake of the poor. They were not to maximize their “stewardship” of their resources but were to instead allow economic inefficiency to benefit the poor.

This is so contrary to the drumbeat of stewardship and resourcefulness that receives most of the attention in the American church (at least in my experience). The gleaning laws were not about some special act of charity. Rather, in the normal course of your work and life, you were to be a bit sloppy and inefficient so others might benefit. You were not to be faithful in the little acts of diligence so God would bless your work. Instead, you were to neglect what might be considered normal diligent work so that God would bless you.

But how might this apply to the very non-agrarian life most of us live? One pattern that Tricia and I have tried to establish that might be an application is this: we don’t do garage sales. In the normal course of things, all that stuff that might go into a garage sale goes to Goodwill. Oh, we sell an occasional large item on eBay or Craigslist. But rather than seeking to capitalize on the clothes, toys, and household items that need a new home, we pass them along with the hope that they might help the poor. In this way we aspire to “not reap your field right up to its edge”.

In what other ways might we live out the gleaning laws today? Where should our normal view of diligent stewardship give way to a Godly inefficiency that benefits the poor?

Posted in Thinking Things Through | 9 Comments »>

April 10th, 2007 Refurbished Chandelier

Posted by Tricia at 11:30 am

A big thank you to my mom and dad who, in November bequeathed to us a chandelier they took down when they moved into their new home; they already owned a cherished fixture which they wanted to hang in its place. I brought the chandelier back to Dallas and with the help of an incredibly cute little blonde, blueberry-eyed boy, removed the lights and covers, and prepared it for painting:

After Nicolas and I painted the chandelier a satin black, Jay found a little piece of molding at Home Depot, which we painted to match the fixture, and a couple of weeks ago he installed the whole thing in our dining room which used to look like this:

And here it is, now with the new light in place:

Admittedly, not much of a make-over has yet taken place in the dining room…but at least we have picked a paint color! It will be fun when the walls in here are red…I am really looking forward to decorating this room!

And, I was so thrilled to find out just how simple it is to paint a chandelier and give it a whole new look. When your chandelier just happens to be free, all you spend money on is the can of spray paint (and the optional molding). Quite a deal compared to some of the other projects we’re involved with around the House of Horne!

Posted in This Old House | 6 Comments »>

April 10th, 2007 Trip to College Station

Posted by Tricia at 8:56 am

Over the weekend, we had the privilege of traveling to visit my brother Andrew and sis-in-law, Jamison in their new home in College Station. It is hard to believe that it’s been only three and a half years since our last trip to Uncle Andrew’s house in College Station…that seems like a lifetime ago to me, before Andrew was a “grown-up” working man, before there was an Aunt Jamison, or a baby TaterTot on the way!! But the older two children actually remember our Thanksgiving 2003 visit to Uncle Andrew’s college digs with great fondness.

Despite being the middle of April, the weather this time was actually colder than it was over that winter holiday, and we spent most all of our time indoors (except for one extremely fun walk that Jamison and I took in the sleet, huddled together under an umbrella! and yes, it really was fun!).

What a delight it was to see their new place, get an up close and personal look at what will soon be the new nursery, and enjoy their wonderful hospitality and Jamison’s delicious cooking. We loved worshiping with them at their church, which also happens to be the church Peter and I attended back when we were in college – how great to visit again. Here is a picture of all of us after church on Easter Sunday:

Posted in Family Life | 1 Comment »>

April 5th, 2007 Blessed and BLESSED

Posted by Jay at 12:41 pm

In Luke 11:27 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Luke 11:27 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F42011027" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F42011027" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p42011027.01-1">True Blessedness</h3> 27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> </div>
, a woman declares:

“Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!”

Back in Luke 1 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Luke 1 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F42001001-42001080" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F42001001-42001080" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p42001001.01-1">Dedication to Theophilus</h3> 1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. <h3 id="p42001005.01-1">Birth of John the Baptist Foretold</h3> 5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Greek 'Zacharias'">[1]</a> of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. 8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” <h3 id="p42001026.01-1">Birth of Jesus Foretold</h3> 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="That is, legally pledged to be married">[2]</a> to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Some manuscripts add 'Blessed are you among women!'">[3]</a> 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” <a href="#f4" id="b4" title="Greek 'since I do not know a man'">[4]</a> 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born <a href="#f5" id="b5" title="Some manuscripts add 'of you'">[5]</a> will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant <a href="#f6" id="b6" title="Greek 'bondservant'; also verse 48">[6]</a> of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. <h3 id="p42001039.01-1">Mary Visits Elizabeth</h3> 39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be <a href="#f7" id="b7" title="Or 'believed, for there will be'">[7]</a> a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” <h3 id="p42001046.01-1">Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat</h3> 46 And Mary said, <div class="block-indent"> “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” </div> 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home. <h3 id="p42001057.01-1">The Birth of John the Baptist</h3> 57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him. <h3 id="p42001067.01-1">Zechariah's Prophecy</h3> 67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, <div class="block-indent"> 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us <a href="#f8" id="b8" title="Or 'when the sunrise shall dawn upon us'; some manuscripts 'since the sunrise has visited us'">[8]</a> from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” </div> 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> <div class="footnotes"> <h3>Footnotes</h3> <a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a> 1:5 Greek Zacharias <a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a> 1:27 That is, legally pledged to be married <a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a> 1:28 Some manuscripts add Blessed are you among women! <a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a> 1:34 Greek since I do not know a man <a href="#b5" id="f5">[5]</a> 1:35 Some manuscripts add of you <a href="#b6" id="f6">[6]</a> 1:38 Greek bondservant; also verse 48 <a href="#b7" id="f7">[7]</a> 1:45 Or believed, for there will be <a href="#b8" id="f8">[8]</a> 1:78 Or when the sunrise shall dawn upon us; some manuscripts since the sunrise has visited us </div> </div>
, Elizabeth had declared to Mary:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”

Mary responded by saying:

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, or he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed…”

Yet when Jesus responds to the woman’s statement of Luke 11:27 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Luke 11:27 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F42011027" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F42011027" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p42011027.01-1">True Blessedness</h3> 27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> </div>
, he says:

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Which leaves me confused. Not regarding the content or truth of what Jesus says, but rather the purpose of what appears to me to be a purposefully broken parallel between the two conversations. Why does Luke present such a sharp contrast between the two events?

For some reason this sequence reminds me of Jesus’ claim in Luke 7:28 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Luke 7:28 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F42007028" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F42007028" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text">28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> </div>
:

“I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Is the transition away from Mary blessedness analogous, that her blessedness is in the context of the shadows of night, and that in the dawning of the new day / new creation blessedness takes on a new order of magnitude, dwarfing that which came before? In other words, is the transition between Luke 1 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Luke 1 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F42001001-42001080" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F42001001-42001080" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p42001001.01-1">Dedication to Theophilus</h3> 1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. <h3 id="p42001005.01-1">Birth of John the Baptist Foretold</h3> 5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Greek 'Zacharias'">[1]</a> of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. 8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” <h3 id="p42001026.01-1">Birth of Jesus Foretold</h3> 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="That is, legally pledged to be married">[2]</a> to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Some manuscripts add 'Blessed are you among women!'">[3]</a> 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” <a href="#f4" id="b4" title="Greek 'since I do not know a man'">[4]</a> 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born <a href="#f5" id="b5" title="Some manuscripts add 'of you'">[5]</a> will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant <a href="#f6" id="b6" title="Greek 'bondservant'; also verse 48">[6]</a> of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. <h3 id="p42001039.01-1">Mary Visits Elizabeth</h3> 39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be <a href="#f7" id="b7" title="Or 'believed, for there will be'">[7]</a> a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” <h3 id="p42001046.01-1">Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat</h3> 46 And Mary said, <div class="block-indent"> “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” </div> 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home. <h3 id="p42001057.01-1">The Birth of John the Baptist</h3> 57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him. <h3 id="p42001067.01-1">Zechariah's Prophecy</h3> 67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, <div class="block-indent"> 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us <a href="#f8" id="b8" title="Or 'when the sunrise shall dawn upon us'; some manuscripts 'since the sunrise has visited us'">[8]</a> from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” </div> 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> <div class="footnotes"> <h3>Footnotes</h3> <a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a> 1:5 Greek Zacharias <a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a> 1:27 That is, legally pledged to be married <a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a> 1:28 Some manuscripts add Blessed are you among women! <a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a> 1:34 Greek since I do not know a man <a href="#b5" id="f5">[5]</a> 1:35 Some manuscripts add of you <a href="#b6" id="f6">[6]</a> 1:38 Greek bondservant; also verse 48 <a href="#b7" id="f7">[7]</a> 1:45 Or believed, for there will be <a href="#b8" id="f8">[8]</a> 1:78 Or when the sunrise shall dawn upon us; some manuscripts since the sunrise has visited us </div> </div>
and Luke 11 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Luke 11 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F42011001-42011054" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F42011001-42011054" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p42011001.01-1">The Lord's Prayer</h3> 11:1 Now Jesus <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Greek 'he'">[1]</a> was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: <div class="block-indent"> “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread, <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="Or 'our bread for tomorrow'">[2]</a> 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” </div> 5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Or 'persistence'">[3]</a> he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for <a href="#f4" id="b4" title="Some manuscripts insert 'bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for'">[4]</a> a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” <h3 id="p42011014.01-1">Jesus and Beelzebul</h3> 14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. <h3 id="p42011024.01-1">Return of an Unclean Spirit</h3> 24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.” <h3 id="p42011027.01-1">True Blessedness</h3> 27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” <h3 id="p42011029.01-1">The Sign of Jonah</h3> 29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. <h3 id="p42011033.01-1">The Light in You</h3> 33 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” <h3 id="p42011037.01-1">Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers</h3> 37 While Jesus <a href="#f5" id="b5" title="Greek 'he'">[5]</a> was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. 38 The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. 42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.” 45 One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.” 46 And he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. 47 Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. 48 So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. 49 Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ 50 so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. 52 Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” 53 As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things, 54 lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> <div class="footnotes"> <h3>Footnotes</h3> <a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a> 11:1 Greek he <a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a> 11:3 Or our bread for tomorrow <a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a> 11:8 Or persistence <a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a> 11:11 Some manuscripts insert bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for <a href="#b5" id="f5">[5]</a> 11:37 Greek he </div> </div>
pointing to the turning point in redemptive history when the word became flesh and dwelt among us?

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