Here's your update

So- I traveled over 1500 miles one way. Saw friends I hadn't seen in years (literally). One set I hadn't seen in about nine or ten (man are we getting old). In two instances the first order of business with me really wasn't "hey you look great- good to see you" or "you added 40lbs and lost some hair" or "I'm glad we could get together" rather the message was "update your blog". Now really... ah forget it.

Had a great time on vacation- good food and drink and conversation and time to think. Used a chainsaw- chopped A LOT of firewood (red oak which just blows apart when you hit it right- fun!) Went tubing and swimming at the lake. Played guitar with a friend from the church where I got saved and was in a worship band together way back when. Spent a lot of time with Vicki, and the kids- and it was great every last bit of it. There is no better way to deepen relationship than spending lots of non-distracted time together. Praise God from whom all blessing flow!

ESV Study Bible

Just got my ESV Study Bible from LRM

I like it so far. The list of contributors is impressive. It's also good to see a lot of CTS men on the list.

Nahum

Just read Nahum. Wow- what a great book. Sort of dark and scary if you don't read it in light of God's Covenant faithfulness and in light of his righteousness.

This line grabbed me:

"You have increased your traders more than the stars of heaven--
The creeping locust strips the vegetation and flies away. Your officials (guardians) are like the swarming locust. Your marshals are like hordes of grasshoppers settling in the stone walls on a cold day. The sun rises and they flee, and the place where they are is not known."

Economic hard times and the resulting life hardships are not new. Corruption is not new. And God is in control. Reading history and biblical prophecy like this remind me of how good we have it and how thankful I should be that my life is not in danger- although I do see some similarities with those in authority and driving profitability- the traders. This prophecy was against Nineveh and their violence and greed. These were the same people that Jonah was called to go and minister to and the people who subsequently repented. The book of Nahum seems to be predicting the fall of Nineveh in 612 B.C.

update on life

Not a lot to report other than the astounding realization that God is good and is perfect in His goodness. You ever have those weeks/months where it is just good to be alive? That's where we are now. Life has some of the same difficulties and some of the same joys but the truth of Scripture and God's goodness just seem to be shining brighter. I know God doesn't change in these times, but I do. Oh sure, I could find something to complain about but I'm not going to, better yet I don't feel like it.
So, here are some of the mundane and blessed things this past week contained:
1- Using a pick ax and then shoveling by hand six to nine cubic yards of dirt.
2- A huge harvest of broccoli and then awesome broccoli casserole.
3- News that a friend is engaged.
4- News that another friend is doing well in Italy- getting to talk to that friend via skype for free.
5- Finding some good theology books for 50% off- having a wife that is excited about good theology books.
6- Having a family- having a house- being part of a good church.

Yes- its like thanksgiving in January- God is good.

free books

yes I said free

here and here

It's good to spread the love.

Slaves and free men in ancient Rome

In ancient Rome there were many slaves. It was theoretically possible for slaves to eventually buy their freedom. This was different than what we currently think of as slavery. Obviously there would have been abuses of this Roman system but it was wide spread, culturally accepted, and in some cases desirable to the alternative. The NTC on First Peter quotes Arthur A. Rupprecht on Roman slavery:

The living conditions of many slaves were better than those of free men who often slept in the streets of the city or lived in very cheap rooms. There is considerable evidence to suggest that the slaves lived within the confine of their master's house. They usually lived on the top floor of their owner's city house or country villa. In Pliny's Laurentian villa the quarters for the slaves and freedmen were in a separate section of the house, but were considered attractive enough to be used for the entertainment of over-night guests.
The slave was not inferior to the free men of similar skills in regard to food and clothing. That most slaves in Rome were as well dressed as free men is indicated in an unusual way. Seneca stated that legislation was introduce in the Senate that slaves should be required to wear a type of clothing that would distinguish them from free men.

the slaves in 1 Peter 2:18 are oiketai which is house servant or house slave.

note to self

Note to self: Never vent to an Associated Press Reporter.

Newlywed Anthony Guites, 32, planned to stop at three Miami-area stores to return gifts from his wife. He had three things to exchange at Wal-Mart for a fishing rod he wanted.

"She got me a fishing rod that I don't like. She got me this tool set that I already have. And she got me workout clothes that, let's just say, are way too colorful for me," he said.

Associated Press Writers Sarah Skidmore in Portland, Ore., Betsy Vereckey in New York, Damian Grass in Miami, Mark Pratt in Boston, Dinesh Ramde in Milwaukee, Wis., Emery Dalesio in Raleigh, N.C., and Ben Greene in Baltimore contributed to this report.

I'm thinking he's a very newly wed newlywed. I'm thinking that if his wife or any of her friends read, then he's in for a rough year.

For the record- I loved all my gifts- they were perfect, every one of them.