Enjoying Sin

No it's not what you think. I know it sound seriously foreign, but yesterday was a great day talking about the "S" word. I ended up late for Redwood because of some of the conversation that happened after the gathering. I think when we talk openly and authentically it actually makes things easier to address. Anyway, I think we miss the point and are afraid to address sin and confession when we see it in the structures of religion and guilt, rather than relationship and conviction. Seeing it the previous way causes us to become afraid and believe the voices that say you can live with sin if you marginalize, deflect, justify, dismiss or blame it away. The problem is sin comes with its friend guilt and you can try to mange or cope with guilt but you never really live with it. The values that the Sin offering actually speak too are beautiful, admitting/confessing, receiving forgiveness, and living up to your new calling, make this not only bearable, but also empowering. Being honest and authentic about our "missing the mark" is always better than trying to hide or justify things. Asking and receiving forgiveness is a sign of health and strength rather than living in the weakness of defensiveness. Finally the sin offering goes beyond just be "right" with God, but also creates and calls you into living the way were intended to live to begin with (Offering the fatty portions, the best back to God). This week however deals with what some call the Guilt or Reparation Offering. A better way to describe it is Compensation Offering. Some of the things to be thinking about is a commitment to Justice before God as well as integrity in relationships. It's a step toward making it right.

Long Live BBQ!!

(Meat sampler 2006 - nonkosher food included snake, alligator, yak and salmon)
BBQ season never ends,it eternal, it just morphs into the cook wearing boots a jacket and headlamp (for the deep winter times). Yes, cooking times will change due to the outside temp but a good BBQ master will always be able to make the adjustments. This is the beauty of the Fellowship/Peace offering mentioned in Ch 3 as well as Ch 7, yes BBQ is in the Torah! It is commanded! The offering included potions to God portions to AaronÂ’s sons (the priests) and portions to be eaten together. It focus is on Shalom. Shalom - completeness, wholeness, peace. It is Shalom between God and the giver and it is expressed through a communion / shared meal. How often do we proactively join together for a meal, not just because the people we are eating with are cool and they make good food, but because we are making a statement of Gods fellowship (peace and reconciliation in our lives)? Our fellowship and peace with God is reflected by our peace and fellowship with each other. It's interesting to note that it wasn't just the fatty portions given to God that was pleasing, but the eating of the other parts was "accepted" as well. The fellowship between the people was desired and even commanded. How about it? Next time you get together, sit back part way through the meal and become aware of God being pleased with the rich conversation, the wonderful food, the smells, the taste, the laughter, the smiles, kids playing, songs sung, hearts opened up, and know that your God is well pleased. Wow! This is doing church. God caring about life, relationships, being together, I don't know about you, but I think this is one ecclesiastical ritual that I won't get tired of.