August 7

NT -- 1st Corinthians 3:5-23
One of my modern Christian heroes is Anne Graham Lotz. Long ago, I saw an interview with her that asked her what on earth she could contribute that her dad, Billy Graham and her brother Franklin, (the heir apparent at the time), had not said or done.
Anne laughed and said, "My dad and Franklin are obstetricians. They deliver Christians. I am a pediatrician. I grow them up."
Here is a fabulous video of Anne talking about her Biblical hero, Abraham. Who is also very much a part of this scripture.



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When I read this scripture, I thought of Anne Lotz. Paul may have delivered the church to Corinth but Apollos grew them up. The congregation has no idea who to turn to for allegiance.
In reality, the allegiance is owed to neither human but God. Anne clearly knows that she is also 'not a grandchild' of God but must enter fully into the faith as her own person. As must we all.

OT -- Ezra 5:1-6:22
Well, what do you know? A little bureaucratic wrangling in ancient Persia. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, has changed in 2700 years.
Somebody doesn't like what you are doing and so they sue for work stoppage. Then, you counter sue saying you have rights.
My real question, though, is why did it matter to Mr. Trans-Euphrates governor that the returned Exiles were building a Temple. Nobody asked him to pay for it. That is, until the paper was discovered and then, stupid man, you are on the hook for feeding, clothing and paying for all the materials for the Temple. Should have left well-enough alone.
And so the work goes on.
Today on the radio was a newspot for church that was struck by lightning weekend before last. It was a 109 year old sanctuary and it burned to the ground in under an hour.
The pastor was on the news saying that they were going to rebuild the church exactly as it had been.
Now, he did not ask for my opinion but here it is. A 109 year old church was built for 149 year olds. Not 19 year olds.
I don't see many 149 year olds running around Canton. But I see a heck of a lot of 19 years olds, all driving big trucks, every time I go up there.
Why would you build a church back 'exactly like it was'?
This is also what the Exiles did. They intended to build that Temple 'exactly like it was'. Only, they weren't Solomon and they didn't have Daddy David's ginormous stockpile of gold, silver, plate, cedars and workmen. And in the end, it will be the lack of workmen that bring reality bumping into our main man Ezra who finally shows up in chapter 7 tomorrow. Stop. Don't read ahead.

Same Bible time, Same Bible channel.