The Message and Pee
I’m addicted to audio books. If you have never tried it, I must say I highly recommend it. For years I consumed every leadership book I could get my hands on. I just have it running in the car…its pretty painless. Lately, I’m more into books on God rather than making myself better (though becoming a better leader certainly is a noble endeavor). This week I’ve been listening to the Message, which is one man’s take on paraphrasing the stories of the Bible. The Message is in no way the Bible and if I were to bare my soul…you would know that it’s kinda annoying to me how people use it like it is in fact the word of God. I always find myself listening to something and then going back and reading it in the real bible to compare notes (Real = NIV, NKJV, NASB, etc). Today, I had an interesting comparison that I wanted to share. This is what the Message says for Matthew 25:14-28
14-18“It’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master’s investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master’s money.
19-21“After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’
22-23“The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master’s investment. His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’
24-25“The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’
26-27“The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
28-30“‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.’
I was with him up to verse 28. In the NIV translation, verse 28 says: “Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.” (a talent being a sum of money that was great than $1000). There is no mention of risk at all. In fact, I think our Mr. Petersen missed the mark on this one. I’d say it’s clearly about stewardship, not risk. Risk may be a component, but it is very misleading to identify it as the singular value exhibited in the story. Don’t get me wrong, the Message is a great tool to have in the toolbox for exploring the mysteries of God. It just should be used as a tool, not the authority.
In less argumentative news…
Day 2 at work was significantly less relaxing. I guess its good that it only took a day to get back into the swing of things (good for someone at least…not sure it was me…haha). And tonight Olivia said her longest sentence yet. In reference to her Curious George doll not being able to come upstairs for a bath, Olivia said “He sit on the couch and wait for me” – 9 words. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly…after many failed attempts, my daughter officially had her first pee on the potty today. Way to go Liv! And I know I talked about this like months ago…but we stopped trying when things got harder with Misty. Tonight Olivia asked to go so we kindly let her :)
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WTG Olivia!!! Good job sweet baby girl! Darren, I am JUST starting audio books. My dad has been listening for ages. God Bless you guys. I keep checking the Gap website for Emma’s AND Olivia’s pics!! :) I feel like I know Olivia! LOL
Hi Darren,
I love audio books too! I especially love to listen to children’s novels. They are just awesome! Here are two really good ones if you have not read them yet. It’s called Bud Not Buddy, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, and two more Walk Two Moons, and My Lousiana Sky. They really are just very very good. These are all Newberry Award Winner Books.
Also just want to say, Thank you for coming up to the hospital to see Sam and the baby. It really blessed him that you came over. Your a big brother to him and it really meant a lot. Also thank you for the wedding pictures. They are gorgeous! You really did amazing work. I was showing my co-workers the pictures on the website and they said they especially liked that you didn’t take posed pictures but that you had this eye for the art of each shot. They spoke very highly of your work and enjoyed the wedding pictures imensely.
Thank you,
Love you,
Lavenia
That Olivia is just beautiful!
I listed for books above:
1. Bud Not Buddy
2. Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry
3. Walk Two Moons
4. My Lousiana Sky.
My most favorite are the #’s 1 & 2
Happy Listening if you should get them.
Wow BIG week Liv!
Sounds like that little one is growing up. And I am sure you were so proud.
Hey bro since you were talking about learning.. today I thought it went well with something I finish yesterday .. so I thought I would share it with you and your readers .. and its good to hear that your back to work for it is good for the soul .. God Bless ..
There is a lesson learned on every Road
We may not always like, the topic or aim of that day
What is it Lord my God? that Your trying to me say
What is the knowledge, that My God is instill to convey?
What is the thought, You want me to chew right-away?
What is it my Lord, that as I walk, I should meditate?
What am I suppose to love and what is it You hate?
What question shall I ask, when to me, its to late?
What must I ponder upon?, that’s Your will for my fate.
How do I stroll on this path? if not only by Your Faith.
How did I reach any destination? but by Your awesome Grace
How do I keep from straying? if not by Your Mighty Strength.
How do I remain this course? if it were not for Your Mercy.
How do I feel my way Through? but by my trust in Your Love.
Where from here do I go Lord? except to die at Your Cross.
Where is this mission leading me? I pray many souls to Calvary.
When will this Journey end? cause my hope is in Heaven.
and yes Lord I believe, There is a lesson learned, on every Road.
written by Tbone / atw JAH
0n 10.21.2008
again God Bless .. Tbone out
Yay Liv!!!!!!!!!!
Interesting comparison. I agree about The Message.
Hehehe, I do dances when my daughter pees in the potty :). I assume one day that’s going to have to stop, cause I can’t imagine doing that when she’s like… 6.
And wow, yeah… that MSG verse raised red flags as soon as I read it. Yikes.
I think you are determining the verse in your mindset. This verse is all about risk, bro. Otherwise the guy would of done it? If God gives you more and you use it you are risking it. On one hand you can use what He gave you and use it with carnal heart and hands and destroy it, therefore losing a lot. But it is in the trusting of God in what he has entrusted and living by faith in some risk, because you do have something to loose. It is the whole balance of faith. If you have nothing to risk, what is the point. If risk is not present then there is no tension or struggle to do something. The message does have to be read by someone who has read the bible and will compare back to the bible, I agree. But verse 28 is true and holds truth in most practical and biblical thought patterns. Love ya hippie.. Timm
ps I love the potty training stories, they are some of the funnest and funniest of parenting. yeeeaaaah Olivia!!!
Woo Hoo Olivia!!! Way To Go!! So many first this week!
Yay Olivia!
Good job, Olivia! I hope you’re easier to potty train than my 2 1/2 yr old who I’m still working with! I’ve moved her up to pull ups-the “big girl” pants, but it’s not helping. Good luck!