Ezra 2:62-63 (Are your papers in order?)

"62 These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 63 The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim."

I read this verse the other day and it caught me by surprise. I happen to not thoroughly enjoy reading lists of names, however, there are times such as this, where a long list of names can hold a golden nugget. What I gleaned from this passage was the importance of family and heritage.

In history it was very important to know who you were, where you came from and who your relatives where. This was not because it was a fad or something cool to do; it was because to know these things was life or death. This is exemplified in these verses I quote. These Jewish families were unable to find their family records and present them before the Priests so they were excluded from being part of the priesthood. Their identity and what their identity stood for was ripped away from them. They could no longer make a living from the heritage that was passed on from father to son for generations. They were no longer able to usher others into the presence of God. In a horrifying way they were now husks of their former self. Until they could present their lineage before the Priests they were no longer deemed clean.

It hasn't changed since then to present day. If you think about it we as Christians will have to present our lineage before the King of Kings one day. In that moment our very souls will be held in the balance. For some of us, we will search for our papers and unfortunately not find them and in the end be cast out. Others will be able to proudly present their lineage with God as their patriarch and Jesus their brother.

I hope to have all my papers in order.

Dope!!!

Sometimes I wonder why I do the things I do. Most of the time on reflecting about the day I immediately refer to my dope! moments. The moments in which you can only imagine what you did had to be created by some cartoonist who is mocking your life. I wish I never had those moments but I do. I remember the time when me and my wife were courting and she blatantly stated that if I happened to embarrass her she would be forced to walk away and leave me to the mercy of my stupidity. (a tad bit dramatic but you get the point) I love my wife and I can laugh at this because I know she probably would be right there in my embarrassment proudly cheering me on.

However, most people have a hard time with dope moments. They are eager to enjoy your dope! moments but forget so readily their dope! moments. I am not suggesting only a few do it but I can guess 100% of people would rather enjoy other peoples dope! moments (youtube) rather than our own. Maybe we should evaluate ourselves and do what God does in our dope! moments.

I know for a fact that God never runs from your dope! moment. That He remains faithful even if the dope! is a biggey. I wonder if we could learn to be more open and considerate in each others dope! moments how much of an impact it wold have n our relationships. When I can enjoy my own dope! moments just as much as I can laugh and help others in their dope! moments than it might make us better Christians and a better family.

Intersections

Yesterday a thought popped into my head about intersection. The intersection I was thinking of was the intersection between heaven and earth. I thought about how many instances I have felt in my own life the intersections of heaven and earth. The instances that I have felt heaven part oh so slightly in order for me to partake in it's wonders. I might not have a physics doctorate to tell you the p's and q's of such a statement but I can tell you that what I say is the truth.

I love rainy days. For some reason it gives a wonderful feeling of renewal and refreshing. Most rainy days I find myself a tad bit closer to heaven throughout the day because for some reason in that moment I can touch heaven that much easier. Your probably laughing right now but I bet if you thought about your own life you might have something just as crazy that God allows heaven to intersect with your life. I bet that looking throughout your day there is many instances of God intersecting with yours.

All I know is that I want more intersections in my life.