After being born in New Jersey, my parents took me to the Jersey Shore each summer as a child. Before Atlantic City, New Jersey was known as a casino destination, this is where I fell in love with searching for shells on the seashore. On the ride there and back, the radio was tuned into soft rock where I was first introduced to Christopher Cross.
Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith ([b]your conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength! 14 Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for us), 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.
Songs like Sailing by Cross set the mood and tone for my visits to the beach. When I first purchased the Maldwyn Pope album Love Will Find a Way years ago, I was brought back to my youth listening to Christopher Cross. While Mal has evolved over the years to more of a crossover artist, if you want to listen to soft rock to conclude the official summer of 2023, Mal Pope is your artist to listen to. Since I couldn’t find a full album, I included a mix of Mal’s music. I hope you enjoy this sound.
Dreams are something that people who have been talking about from the beginning of time. Modern dreams are often inspired by horror movies and or shows individuals have watched prior to going to sleep. Yet, according to Moses, dreams can be signs from God that can reveal a glimpse of the future. When a butler and baker each have a dream one night in prison, they both seem depressed as there wasn’t a dream interpreter present. However, Joseph reminds these 2 men that interpretation comes from the Lord.
And Pharaoh was angry with his officers, the chief of the butlers and the chief of the bakers. 3 He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 And the captain of the guard put them in Joseph’s charge, and he served them; and they continued in custody for some time. 5 And they both dreamed a dream in the same night, each man according to [the personal significance of] the interpretation of his dream—the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, Genesis 40:2-5.
Whenever anyone is desperate, people may turn to a complete stranger for help. As Pharaoh’s Chief Butler and Baker scan this dungeon for a reliable source, Joseph is the only logical choice to consult. However, before giving any kind of advice, Joseph is clear about where his wisdom comes from. Joseph isn’t making this information up to impress Pharaoh’s servants. Rather, Joseph clarifies that interpretation comes from the Lord.
When Joseph came to them in the morning and looked at them, he saw that they were sad and depressed. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were in custody with him in his master’s house, Why do you look so dejected and sad today? 8 And they said to him, We have dreamed dreams, and there is no one to interpret them. And Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me [your dreams], I pray you, Genesis 40:6-8.
When Joseph provides a happy ending to the butler’s dream, the baker is eager to hear a similar fate for his dream. Unfortunately, the baker only has a few days to live, prior to being publicly hung. According to Moses, everything happened exactly like Joseph said it would. This wasn’t a lucky shot in the dark prediction from Joseph like unsuccessful professional gamblers. Rather, Joseph placed his full trust in the Lord as interpretations belong to God.
The origin of the Prepper Movement in the United States was inspired by the Cold War. The Cold War with the former Soviet Union created mass paranoia in the late 1950’s and 1960’s. As the world faced the threat of a nuclear war, bomb shelters began to be constructed. Once completed, these bunkers were filled with food and water just in case portions of the earth were unlivable.
Take note! Seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt are coming. 30 Then there will come seven years of hunger and famine, and [there will be so much want that] all the great abundance of the previous years will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and hunger (destitution, starvation) will exhaust (consume, finish) the land. 31 And the plenty will become quite unknown in the land because of that following famine, for it will be very woefully severe. 32 That the dream was sent twice to Pharaoh and in two forms indicates that this thing which God will very soon bring to pass is fully prepared and established by God. 33 So now let Pharaoh seek out and provide a man discreet, understanding, proficient, and wise and set him over the land of Egypt [as governor], Genesis 41:29-33.
After spending several years in prison, Joseph had plenty of time to think about what he would do if and when he was released. Two years after the Chief Butler of Pharaoh was restored to his position, a meeting is set up between Joseph and Pharaoh. Joseph didn’t just solve the riddles within Pharaoh’s two dreams, God gave Joseph a vision to proactively prepare for a future famine.
Let Pharaoh do this; then let him select and appoint officers over the land, and take one-fifth [of the produce] of the [whole] land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years [year by year]. 35 And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and lay up grain under the direction and authority of Pharaoh, and let them retain food [in fortified granaries] in the cities. 36 And that food shall be put in store for the country against the seven years of hunger and famine that are to come upon the land of Egypt, so that the land may not be ruined and cut off by the famine. 37 And the plan seemed good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants, Genesis 41:34-37.
This plan impressed Pharaoh and convinced him to choose Joseph to carry out this prepper plan to spend 7 years to prepare for a worldwide famine. After touring the entire nation of Egypt, Joseph developed plans to build granaries in strategic locations. Twenty percent of each harvest was then placed in storage granaries. This process was repeated for 7 years until every granary was filled to the brim. Perhaps, modern societies can learn from Joseph to carefully prep and prepare for future economic downturns and famines.
If you have ever watched Kindergarten Cop starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, there is one boy in class who regularly asks questions well beyond his age. Likewise, as I former High School Bible teacher, I had to be prepared at a moment’s notice to answer tough questions. Since sex was often on the mind of my students, the topic of masturbation was a common probing question.
Then Judah told Onan, Marry your brother’s widow; live with her and raise offspring for your brother.9 But Onan knew that the family would not be his, so when he cohabited with his brother’s widow, he prevented conception, lest he should raise up a child for his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore He slew him also, Genesis 38:8-10.
On the surface, Moses words above seem mundane. However, two key expressions give away what’s going on, cohabited and prevented conception. Like an R Rate movie when aired on public television, you have to read between the lines. First, Onan had no problem sleeping with Tamar. However, to avoid having children, Onan pulled out just prior to ejaculating.
You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. 28 But I say to you that everyone who so much as looks at a woman with evil desire for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29 If your right eye serves as a trap to ensnare you or is an occasion for you to stumble and sin, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be cast into hell (Gehenna). 30 And if your right hand serves as a trap to ensnare you or is an occasion for you to stumble and sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better that you lose one of your members than that your entire body should be cast into hell (Gehenna), Matthew 5:27-30.
When you put everything together, this is why scholar refers to Genesis 38:9 as the most direct connection to masturbation in the Bible. From a New Testament perspective, Jesus explains why masturbation is wrong during His Sermon on the Mount. Whether someone is using a magazine or watching sexually explicit films, the act of masturbation involves adultery. Whatever brings you to the point of masturbation, you’re actually committing adultery in your heart. May today’s blog speak to your heart and educate you on what God desires and how you should live your life.
As a former Boy Scout for a few years, I’m familiar with gathering kindling before starting a campfire. The drier the wood, the quicker you’ll be preparing a hot meal in the wilderness. However, Moses uses kindling in the context of anger. When Potiphar’s wife showed him Joseph’s garment that smelled like it was in his wife’s arms, Potiphar’s wrath was kindled up.
And when [Joseph’s] master heard the words of his wife, saying to him, This is the way your servant treated me, his wrath was kindled. 20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him in the prison, a place where the state prisoners were confined; so he was there in the prison, Genesis 39:19-20.
Perhaps, the words of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:26-27 serve as a warning against kindling up wrath before it explodes. However, the apostle Paul focuses on anger, not wrath. Paul suggests if you let the sun go down without addressing your anger in a positive manner, you give the Devil a foothold. When this foothold is allowed to linger in your life, anger continues to build and grow.
Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself—it tends only to evildoing, Psalm 37:7-8.
David addresses kindled wrath in the passage above. Sometimes you can be our own worst enemy, slowly filling human hearts with a spirit of impatience. Rather than let impatience simmer, place your trust fully in the Lord. Therefore, the next time you feel like you’re going to unload on someone, following King David’s advice in the passage above so that civility will reign.
It was King Solomon who first said, “many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s purpose prevails, Proverbs 16:9. Since the Old Testament wasn’t written at the time of his life, Joseph had to learn this valuable life lesson on his own. When the Chief Butler of Pharaoh was restored to his position in the king’s palace, Joseph expected to be out of prison once what was promised to him was fulfilled. Two years later, Joseph was still in prison as the butler quickly forgot about Joseph.
And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph and said to him, In my dream I saw a vine before me, 10 And on the vine were three branches. Then it was as though it budded; its blossoms burst forth and the clusters of them brought forth ripe grapes [almost all at once].11 And Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup; then I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand. 12 And Joseph said to him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. 13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will again put Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, as when you were his butler. 14 But think of me when it shall be well with you and show kindness, I beg of you, to me, and mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house, Genesis 40:9-14.
While praying in the Garden of Gethsemane in the early morning on Good Friday, one of Jesus’ disciples overheard a spiritual truth spoken by Jesus. “God’s spirit is willing, but the human body is weak, ” Matthew 26:41. At this pivotal movement, Jesus recognized that individuals don’t always do what they promise. Jesus waited 33 years to fulfill God’s will for His life, but on that final day and all the drama recorded in the Bible likely made time stand still for the son of God.
After two full years, Pharaoh dreamed that he stood by the river [Nile]. 2 And behold, there came up out of the river [Nile] seven well-favored cows, sleek and handsome and fat; and they grazed in the reed grass [in a marshy pasture]. 3 And behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river [Nile], ill favored and gaunt and ugly, and stood by the fat cows on the bank of the river [Nile]. 4 And the ill-favored, gaunt, and ugly cows ate up the seven well-favored and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke. 5 But he slept and dreamed the second time; and behold, seven ears of grain came out on one stalk, plump and good. 6 And behold, after them seven ears [of grain] sprouted, thin and blighted by the east wind. 7 And the seven thin ears [of grain] devoured the seven plump and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream, Genesis 41:1-7.
Yet, in today’s featured passage, the Lord provides a glimpse of the future 14 years. As Jospeh provides the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams, time is of the essence. According to Moses in Genesis 41:30-36, God gives Joseph a plan of action to make the most of the 7 years of abundance. As if waiting for this day his entire life, Joseph aces this interview with Pharaoh, hired on the spot to be governor of Egypt. All of his time spent waiting finally pays off as Joseph discovers God’s will for his life.
The only prisoner in Shawshank penitentiary that knew Andy Dufresne was innocent, played by Tim Robbins, arrives halfway thru the film. Tommy played by Gil Bellows reveals a confession from a former inmate who has proof that Dufresne did not kill his wife. Unfortunately, Tommy is set up by the Wardon and shot dead, leaving Andy without the key witness for a potential retrial. Whenever you experience the heartache of a broken promise, it’s hard to press on.
When Joseph came to them in the morning and looked at them, he saw that they were sad and depressed. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were in custody with him in his master’s house, Why do you look so dejected and sad today? 8 And they said to him, We have dreamed dreams, and there is no one to interpret them. And Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me [your dreams], I pray you, Genesis 39:6-8.
When the Chief Butler of Pharaoh is released from prison, Joseph was waiting in eager anticipation for his own release. In the Old Testament, when an individual gave someone their word, this was regularly carried out and fulfilled. Two years later, Joseph was still in prison as the Chief Butler of Pharaoh forgot to recall Joseph’s good deed. Moses doesn’t mention what Joseph did during this period except grow a long beard. Nonetheless, Joseph was forced to wait and wait and wait.
And on the third day, Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the heads of the chief butler and the chief baker [by inviting them also] among his servants. 21 And he restored the chief butler to his butlership, and the butler gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand; 22 But [Pharaoh] hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 But [even after all that] the chief butler gave no thought to Joseph, but forgot [all about] him, Genesis 39:20-23.
Every adult in America knows what it feels like to be on the wrong side of a broken promise. This could be in the form of broken relationships, divorce or being played by someone who calls themselves your friend. Whenever you’re on the unpleasant end of a broken promise, trusting someone again can be difficult. Whatever current situation this blog finds you in, may the Lord give you a spirit of maturity and wisdom to cope with and respond to another broken promise.
Whenever teachers go through the motions of a lesson plan in class, students notice this lack of energy. Sometimes you can be so focused on what your Power Point says that you forget to read the room. The most successful teachers year after year are able to spice up their act annually to connect what they’re presenting with real life situations.
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, Matthew 5:13-14.
Prior to modern day refrigerators, salt was used to preserve meat. Subsequently, when meat was removed from salt prior to being cooked in the first century, salt was used to add flavor to meat as well. Yet, in the above passage, Jesus appears to be referring to the faith of Christians. When your faith, your daily witness becomes stale, you’re no longer a positive influence to other people.
Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your [z]moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and [aa]recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven, Matthew 5:15-16.
Jesus’ plan of action for preventing faith from becoming stale is by spicing up your actions. This begins by rejecting your old self and practices prior to becoming a Christian, Colossians 3:1-9. Then, once this becomes a daily priority, put on the mind of Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:16. As you learn to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, your actions will begin to resemble the salt and light Jesus desires in the Sermon on the Mount.
During the Coronavirus, my work was deemed essentially so while many of my co-workers opted to stay home for a few months, I worked between 50 and 60 hours every week. Since I had to maintain a safe distance from other staff, I began searching You Tube for new Christian artists and bands. One of these searches introduced me to Silverline, a in your face version of Eddie Money but slightly softer than Smashing Pumpkins.
By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the [essential] love: that He laid down His [own] life for us; and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brothers [[l]in Him]. 17 But if anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and[m]fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him? 18 Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity), 1 John 3:16-18.
Since I couldn’t find an exact match, Silverline’s music is somewhere between Eddie Money and Smashing Pumpkins. Ballads like Never looking Back and Too Far Gone will appeal to Eddie Money fans. Meanwhile, the harder stuff like Get It Right and Voices in the Night give me that Smashing Pumpkins vibe. Since I wasn’t able to find an entire album to listen to this week, I hope you enjoy the mix of songs attached.
The origin of the Me-Too Movement dates back to a post on Myspace in 2006. Activist Tarana Burke coined Me Too during an empathetic response to survivors of abuse. Burke focused on girls and women of color who had been raped or sexually assaulted. As America’s Me-Too Movement has evolved, men have lost their right to respond, often told by members of the media and shut up and listen, even if accusations that were made are untrue.
She spoke to Joseph day after day, but he did not listen to her, to lie with her or to be with her. 11 Then it happened about this time that Joseph went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the men of the house were indoors. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me! But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out [of the house]. 13 And when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled away, 14 She called to the men of her household and said to them, Behold, he [your master] has brought in a Hebrew to us to mock and insult us; he came in where I was to lie with me, and I screamed at the top of my voice. 15 And when he heard me screaming and crying, he left his garment with me and fled and got out of the house, Genesis 39:10-15.
The passage above details the Bible’s version of the Me-Too Movement. The context of this passage begins with the meteoric rise of Joseph from a Hebrew slave to the Caretaker of Potiphar’s estate. According to Moses, every other time that Potiphar’s wife made a pass at Joseph, there was always another maid or servant inside of Potiphar’s home. On this one occasion, no one could collaborate Joseph’s side of what happened. Subsequently, this Hebrew slave must be lying and was thrown in jail.
And she laid up his garment by her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him the same story, saying, The Hebrew servant whom you brought among us came to me to mock and insult me. 18 And when I screamed and cried, he left his garment with me and fled out [of the house]. 19 And when [Joseph’s] master heard the words of his wife, saying to him, This is the way your servant treated me, his wrath was kindled, Genesis 39:16-19.
The key piece of evidence is an article of clothing that Jospeh was wearing. Potiphar’s wife kept this close to her and laid on top of it, likely leaving the scent of her perfume on Joseph’s shirt. This was all the proof Potiphar needed to condemn his loyal servant. While modern women need to be protected from sexual predators, it’s a shame to see a good man’s reputation ruined forever due to false and misleading testimonies. Get the whole story before you jump to conclusions in the future.
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