Noah's Ark

So this week I have been preparing for my message this Sunday on Noah's Ark.  Every time I think about Noah's Ark I remember the classic Bill Cosby comedy routine about Noah's conversation with God.  Now he does get some of the specifics incorrect, but none the less it is comedy gold

Like an Israelite

I feel like an Israelite.  I just spoke in the High School group about Exodus 19.  Its a beautiful but often neglected and overlooked chapter.  The following chapter is the 10 Commandments, the Law.  But chapter 19 has the Israelites at the base of Mount Sinai (pictured right) waiting for God's instructions.  The anticipation must have been enormous.  God had told Moses to consecrate the people over 3 days.  So as the people get ready and purify themselves this giant mountain is covered in darkness, lit by lightning alone.  It must have been amazing site as the Israelites looked up.  But I think of them at the base thinking "This is going to be big".  That's where I am at.  We are just a few days from our 1st Depth service and I am thinking, "This is going to be big".  Like the Israelites I have no idea what God is going to do, but I got this feeling its going to be HUGE.

Honesty

So it seems honesty has sometimes left the world, but I had a refreshing experience where I saw that some can still be brutally honest.  For the High School Winter Retreat I bought a pay as you go cell phone.  I didnt want to take my phone on the slopes as I like powder and that often means lots of water and moisture.  So after purchasing this phone and setting it up, it doesnt work, it only says, "No Service".  This occurs for two days and I call the company.  The inform me that their network is down.  I ask if this is common, if this phone will be reliable if I actually want to use it.  The operator tells me, "If you want a reliable phone, you should go with a good carrier, like AT&T or Verizon", she then goes on to tell me that she doesnt even have one of their phones, she just works for the company.  On one hand I could not imagine selling a product I dont believe in.  At first I was saddened, someone who for a living selling something that they didnt believe in, but then I realized her honesty.  Almost everytime I go to a resturant and I ask the waiter "What's the worst thing on the menu?", 90% of the time they tell me "Everything is good."  This operator's honesty was refreshing when so often we are not honest with one another.  I think of the story of Nathan and David in 2nd Samuel 12.  David had sinned, and I mean big time, but his good friend Jonathon was brutally honest with him.  Jonathan didnt hold back, didnt fear retailiation, he shared the truth out of love to his friend.  How often do we avoid the truth because we are afraid of us.  So many times people are afraid to confront someone they care about who is livinng in sin because they are afraid of the person's reaction.  We fear honesty and would rather have a love one continue in sin and keep our realtionship as is that do what Jonathon did.  Often we fear the truth or think that we shouldnt share the truth with others, but we cannot forget the words of Christ in John 14:6, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light".  Jesus is the Truth, we should never fear the truth, but hold on dearly to it.


2 samuel 12