The Tree Debate

Well, just when i think it can't get any stranger - it does. I'm referring to a debate that i was in just the other day. Let me premise my remarks with an overview of what we were discussing...

The idea came from the book of Genesis and Adam and Eve and spoke that the 'true' sin of the first parents was 'getting into a tree that they weren't supposed to'. Now, this simple statement is totally true, but the real sin was disobedience because God Himself had told them specifically not to get into this particular tree. From my understanding, the viewpoint of this book that we were discussing that highlighted the relationship between the tree and Adam and Eve, and the individual whom i was talking with, was that the true sin of Adam and Eve was their arrival in 'someone else's tree'. This concept, then, is equated with looking at the actions of others over the actions of ourselves and 'judging' them. The true sin is 'judging' others when we should simply be focusing on our relationship with Christ and not looking at anyone else.

Let me point out that i am a strong proponent of focusing on our personal spiritual lives. I am a strong supporter of not casting twigs or stones at every Tom, Dick and Harry that passes by who isn't living up to my perfect picture of Christianity. I also loathe the countless youtube videos that i see tearing down any 'Christian' leader who struggles with moral failure. But i also understand that the true sin in Genesis wasn't because of the tree they were in, but because of the words of God commanding them not to go into THAT particular tree.

The heart of the matter is 'disobedience' and the reality that disobedience pulls us further and further away from God. After Adam and Eve eat the fruit, God still comes, AS WAS HIS CUSTOM! God didn't change. God wasn't holding a grudge. God understood that there were going to be consequences, but that didn't diminish His love for them. The same way that if i embezzle money from my job i may go to prison, or get drunk i may wake up with a hangover or eat greasy food every day i may have a heart attack and die. These are all sins. These are all wrong. These are all things that God encourages us not to do and also things that carry with themselves their own consequences. The good news is that God knows the end at the beginning and has the power to be with us through the storms of our lives.

The particular problem with what i see as 'not climbing anyone else's tree' is that is runs counter to the entire purpose of the Bible. God's Word is filled with stories that i believe i am encouraged to read. Why? What is God's purpose for me reading them? So that i can get in someone else's tree. Not so that i can tear down another individual, but that i can understand the reality of sin and the slippery slope of poor decisions and be aware of them in my life. God wants me to look at the lives of others to help me... to encourage me... to mold me. When i choose to ignore everyone else around me and only focus on me and my relationship with God i have the potential to become extremely egocentric, forgetting that there is a world out there that's lost and becoming very comfortable with my 3/2 house, two year old car, spouse and kids. I become very me-focused - the antithesis of what the American culture needs right now.

So, the moral of the story - feel free to get into all the trees you can with the right motives. Don't feel that your job is to tear another down because of their decisions in their tree, but take those decisions - both good and bad - and commit to learn about them. Commit to discuss them. Commit to wrestle with them. And like Jacob with the angel, you just might go away from that discussion walking a little different!

GP
http://www.gphintz.com/

There's Hope in the Snare

Oftentimes, when I'm reading the Bible I come across different scriptures that seem to rise from the page, rear back and smack me silly across the face. They are either verses I've heard that I'm seeing in a new way or a verse that I may have not consciously stumbled across that seems to speak to me. Today, I found the former in Matthew.

"Woe to the world because of the things which cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!" Matt. 18:7

Now, there are certain things I understand. Sin is out there. Sin is bad. Sin has consequences. Sin can put you into bondage. Sin can steal God's plans from you. Sin can destroy you. I know all of these things. They are foremost on my Christian mind. However, I often overlook the repercussions that come from one who births sin and influences others to do the same.

The word 'woe' is simple to understand for it means to put in a place of suffering or misery resulting from infliction. So, in other words, it means 'Things are not good' or 'Bad things are a coming'. Let me put it this way - if the sentence starts with 'woe' in the Bible, you don't want to be between that word and the period which ends it. Comprende?

Now, here's where it's gonna get interesting. The word for 'sin' in the NT is 'hamartia'. Whenever you find the word 'sin', this is the Greek you find. However, you will not find 'hamartia' in this verse. Instead you find the Greek word 'skandalon' which is rooted in the definition 'a trap or a snare', but looking at this verse it can be defined as 'any person or thing by which one is trapped or ensnared or drawn into error or sin'.

For those of us who draw breath and have fought the good fight and felt the pull of sin understand this trap or snare perfectly. There are things which are out there that are strategically placed and are consistently calling our names. Unfortunately, those who set out the traps rarely understand the severity of their actions. Their goal is normally to get your attention and your money - little do they know that their actions are bringing on themselves a greater consequence.

Now, I believe that it's important that we are consistently searching our own life and our own actions to assure that we're not setting up traps or snares for our friends by our actions, but that's not the main point I received from this text. Instead, I saw that there is a world system that is in full motion today and I saw that Jesus said that "the system and the traps and the snares 'must come'". I saw that He was not ignorant about them and even 2000 years ago He spoke about them. Sure, in many ways they've changed throughout the centuries, but their goal remains the same.

We, in turn, should not be ignorant about them. We need to continue to reach out to those who are setting up traps due to their ignorance and share with them the good news. We need to continue to pray for those who are trapped and ensnared and struggling. We need to be patient with those who desire so much to be free but feel like they are in quicksand. We need to love until it hurts and believe until it comes true.

Sin is a trap and those who are caught need someone who's broken free from the trap to show them how to open it. They need someone who has mastered the lock to show them the way. That someone is you and your day is today. You know right now who God has put in your life that's struggling with a snare. Don't wait - reach out today and help pull them out!

And maybe you're in the snare. You're in the trap. Some days it feels like you're not going to make it. Some days you sense the quicksand is going to pull you under. Well, let me tell you about one of my favorite quotes by Francis Assisi. He said, "Be patient with everyone, but above all - yourself." In life, the one we have the hardest time with is our self. Don't give up and don't quit, but remember that God loves you and His plans for you are great!

GP
http://www.gphintz.com/

From the Mouth of Peter

As I'm reading through my Bible I was amazed at a rapid succession of quotes that I found from Peter in the book of Matthew. Even though I understand that they weren't spoken in one fluid motion, they were put together by the author of Matthew for a reason. It looks at this disciple, Peter, and gives us an incredible insight to his faith, his temperament and his personality.

The first quote is probably one of the most famous 'Peter Quotes' around. It happens when Jesus and his disciples are in Caesarea Philippi and Jesus throws out a question to those around Him. (Matthew 16:13-20)

"Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

Now, this term - Son of Man - was used 43 times in the New Testament as a distinctive title of the Savior. And now Jesus wants to know who people are saying the Savior is. The disciples start giving their 'textbook' answers - all those things that they had been taught or have heard. 'Jeremiah' or 'Elijah' or some even said 'John the Baptist'. Jesus stops it and basically says - 'OK. That's what people are saying. Now, I want to know what YOU are saying. What about YOU?'

And you can just picture Peter jumping to his feet and saying 'You are the Christ the Son of the Living God!' This statement, in itself, took great courage. Even though he was in a safe atmosphere, others were threatened with their very life for making such a 'blasphemous' statement. But here you see Peter, unafraid of the consequences, speaking his heart. 'You are the Christ!'

Now this reckless abandon was as good as it was bad. In Philippi, Jesus ends up blessing Peter and calling him the rock that the church was going to be built on, but a short time later Peter is chastised by Jesus and called 'Satan' or the great deceiver.

This happens when Jesus begins teaching his disciples about what's going to come. He's telling them that He's going to suffer and that He's going to die and that He's going to be raised from the dead. Peter seems to space out on the last point because he grabs Jesus by the arm and takes him aside and rebukes him. Now, the word 'rebuke' can actually mean to discipline or train and you hear Peter's heart by his words:

"Never Lord! This will never happen to You!"

In Peter's mind, Jesus must've thought that he wasn't strong enough to protect him. Or maybe he thought that Jesus was just looking for some reassurance of his allegiance. And Peter communicates that 'come hell or high water' or 'over his own dead body' that he wasn't going to let anything happen to Jesus. His intentions were pure. His motivations out of love for Jesus. However, Jesus calls Him Satan, carnally minded and a personal stumbling block for him. Not quite the response that was expected for a vow of allegiance.

The Bible tells us that only six days later Jesus separates a few of his disciples and heads up the mountain. And it is at that moment that Jesus is transfigured and seen standing with Elijah and Moses. You can imagine the sight and the glory and power of the moment as these disciples, flesh and blood, fell to their knees before this heavenly vision. In this moment, one voice speaks up and it's Peter's.

"Lord, it's good for us to be here. If you want me to, I can go ahead and build three shelters. One for you. One for Moses. And one for Elijah."

Jesus doesn't say anything but I like to imagine that he had a grin and gave Moses and Elijah a wink. The moment ends and Jesus is left standing before his disciples as the man they knew so well.

When I look at Peter in these three distinct moments I see a man of passion and fire and one who was unafraid to let his voice be heard. He wasn't scared to answer the tough questions and give his ideas when they were asked (and even sometimes when they weren't). The scary part, as I read, is to understand that this freedom did bring a rebuke from Jesus.

It's important to understand that as we continue to ride the cutting edge of Christianity, we mustn't be afraid to step out and do some things which may seem unorthodox.

That we aren't scared to speak up and let our voice be heard.

However, we do have to be willing to listen to the voice of God and know that just because we're speaking... just because we're acting... just because we're doing, doesn't mean that we're always right.

I want to have the strength of Peter in my life, but I also understand that I need to have his humility to understand when I've misspoke or acted out of turn, I need to be willing to accept when I'm wrong.

It is this courage and action that will drive the church aggressively forward in these days. People are hungry for something that is real and someone who is real. We don't want perfection, but we do want action and we want hearts that are willing to move and act and shake the ground beneath our feet, even though we may sometimes fall and scrape our knees.

Thank you Peter for speaking. Thank you Peter for being so aggressive. I pray that more of us take aggressive Christianity seriously and have the strength to admit when we missed it. Let your example sear the hearts of Christians today!

GP

Great Week with the Viscomi's

Well, my family had a great week visiting with my brother and sister in law - the Viscomi's. It was as busy as it was relaxing as i balanced work, family and some adventure seeking into six days which went too fast! Between hanging out, showing off the Wickenstix sights and traveling all over the state, we managed to have a ton of fun!

This is a picture of me and my brother in law at the top of Vulture Peak in Wickenburg, AZ. Now, this hike is no joke - especially on this morning. We're talking about over 100 degrees and the sun and the snakes and the immense need to give back to the dirt below our feet. We stopped. We hiked. We climbed. And, yes, we made it to the top. We had a blast! It was so great to talk and hike and share in the beauty of AZ! It was a great preparation for the trip we'd take the next day to the largest hole in the ground I've ever seen - The Grand Canyon.

The Canyon was AWESOME! Of course, it always is, but this time was even better than the last time for me. The previous time was winter and cold and snow. It was so much nicer to be able to hike and take pictures without freezing your butt off. We hiked a ways down 'Bright Angel'. Every bone in my body wanted to ride the momentum to the bottom - but it wasn't time yet. However, I declare before the world that I AM GOING TO THE BOTTOM AND IT'S GONNA BE SOON! After that we headed out to Sedona and stopped at Slippery Rock Ntl. Park and the downtown area. It was a lot of fun. Anyways, here are some photos I hope you like:

If you want to see some more photos, tune into my Myspace Page: www.myspace.com/gphintz. I have a ton more and you can learn some more about what I've dedicated my life to. If you're not a friend, sign up today. Just let me know that you found the site through blogger! Talk with you soon... GP

The Lineage of Jacob

As I read my Bible, I am so pleased with the honesty and transparancy that I find in so many of the central Bible characters who make up my faith. I am as equally disgusted as I am pleased because I begin to realize that the highlighted stories that so many people hear about often overshadow the darker, seedier stories which still shine so brightly in scripture when you read it. The purpose behind the dark side of scripture is not to tear down the central characters, but to show the humanity and the frailty and the sin and God's grace.

The character I want to look at today is Jacob. You know... Jacob's ladder (the angels ascending and descending), deceiving his hairy brother Esau so he could get the blessing, wrestles an angel, God changes his name to Israel, father of Joseph and the technicolor dreamcoat, father of the 12 tribes of Israel, etc. This guy is central. This guy is foundational. This guy was human.

My antenna was raised as I was reading in Genesis 29 and started checking out Jacob's love life. Here he was in love with Rachel, is deceived into marrying her sister Leah and eventually gets them both in a 14 year work program with their dad Laban. But here is where it gets weird - kids were important in this time because they carried the legacy and helped around the homestead. Boys were very important and a sign of great things for the mom who could produce them. Well, are you ready? Fasten your seatbelt cause here we go...

Leah is the first to get prego with Reuben and then shortly later has Simeon. She doesn't stop there - next comes Levi and Judah. She has had four kids and they're all boys! Wow, does she have to feel good about herself or what? Now, Rachel wants to produce, but can't. So, she gets the great idea of giving her slave, Bilbah, to Jacob to impregnate. So, twisting his arm, he sleeps with her and gets her prego. She has Dan. Well, Jacob must've enjoyed himself because he goes back and the next baby to come out is from Bilbah and it's Naphtali. And the saga continues.

Now, Leah can't be outdone so she ends up giving her slave, Zilpah, to Jacob to impregnate. Twisiting his arm again he ends up sleeping with her and she has a son named Gad. Again, Jacob must've enjoyed himself because she ends up pregnant again and produces another boy who they name Asher.

Now, it's time for Leah to start earning her keep so she pops out three in a row - Issachar, Zebulun and a daughter named Dinah. The first one, Issachar, actually happened when Rachel wanted some mandrake root that Leah had. Rachel tells her that if she gives her the root than she can sleep with Jacob. Rachel gets the root and Leah heads out to meet her man when he gets home from work. She goes up to him and says, "You must sleep with me. I've hired you with my son's mandrake roots." (NIV) Quite a steal! Jacob relented and slept with her, producing Issachar and then the babies keep coming!

The good news for Rachel is that even though Jacob had produced 11 children from 3 different women, he didn't give up on her. Finally, after years of trying, Rachel gets prego with Joseph and then, to her demise, brings Benjamin into the world. Four women and thirteen kids later, Jacob's sitting in the middle of a family that is absolutely huge!

Now I understand that things were different in the time of Jacob and I understand that families were different and I know that God's plans are perfect and I think that's where I want to sit for a minute. God's plans are perfect. God used Jacob who was a deceiver. God used Jacob who was a horn ball. God used Jacob who was very carnal to usher in the 12 tribes of Israel. God used him.

In our culture I believe that we are too quick on writing people off and forgetting that God can work through weaknesses and God can work through mistakes and God can incredibly impact a generation through one person - you! It's easy to not give up on God sometimes, because He's so big and so awesome. The one that we have the hardest time giving up on is ourself. Draw the truth from this scripture that even in the midst of Jacob's weaknesses, God used him. Even in the midst of his lies and deceit, God used Him. Even in the midst of his infidelity, God used him (these slave women were not his wives even if we use the case of Biblical polygamy being alright).

God has a plan for you and it's bigger than your weaknesses! Don't let these things get you down and, more than anything, don't ever give up on yourself because God sure hasn't given up on you.

GP

Let's Take the Focus off Lot's Wife

Well, I'm reading in the book of Genesis and we come across a familiar story. What? Sodom and Gomorrah. If we were to take a random survey of things that we think about when we hear the story we would probably say homosexuality, God's wrath, and a pillar of salt. Even though these are truthful recollections of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, I am saddened by the lack of discussion that has been raised over this individual 'Lot'. On a simple comparison with Lot and his wife, the wife truly is getting a terrible rep. Why? She looked back. Terrible. Disgusting. How could she? That is horrendous! She looked back at her home of sin. She looked back at the disparity of humanity. She disobeyed God. She transformed from flesh to salt, marinated in the smell of sulfur. And then there was LOT.

Now, let's just highlight some of the accomplishments of this fine, upstanding individual. He did show some hospitality to some angels and that was very nice of him. However, when the sex crazed town surrounded his home - all the men both young and old - and demanded that these visitors be given to them so that they could rape them, he came up with a better idea. He steps out the door and tells them - "why don't you leave these strangers alone. I have a better idea. I have some daughters and they're virgins. How about I bring them out and y'all can just rape them. Doesn't that sound like a great idea?"

WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE? YOUR DAUGHTERS? YOUR FLESH AND BLOOD? YOUR KIDS OVER SOME STRANGERS? YOU'D GIVE YOUR PERMISSION TO A BUNCH OF PERVERTS TO RAPE YOUR DAUGHTERS IN SOME CITY GANG BANG? THIS IS SICK!

Well, the daughters don't get given over. Instead the angels step in and take over the situation. They blind the crowd, tell the family to get out of there, the wife looks back, and eventually you have Lot and his two daughters living in the desert alone. Well, the daughters get a great idea to get their dad drunk and have sex with him so that they can have children. Next thing you know, the daughter's pouring shots for dad and then going in to have sex with him. Drunk or not drunk - he had to be semi concious to impregnate a woman. So she gets pregnant. The next daughter does the same thing and she gets pregnant. Don't tell me that Lot was unaware of what was going on. Here they are living in the middle of the desert anhd mysteriously (immaculate conception?) one daughter gets pregnant and then the other?

THIS PERVERT WAS HAVING SEX WITH HIS OWN DAUGHTERS. INCEST! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING! THIS GUY WAS A SLIME IN THE THIRD DEGREE. WE DON'T READ MUCH ABOUT LOT AFTER THIS, BUT I BET HE LIVED WITH THE REMINDERS OF HIS SIN SURROUNDING HIM EVERY DAY.

Next time you hear about Lot's wife and the grievous sin of turning back - think about Lot. Next time someone tells you how bad her sin was - think about Lot. She turned to stone and he went out and continued in his sin. Let's refocus from the turning back to the sins of a Level 3 sex offender. Today, this is what he'd be!

GP

Bucking the Parents Can Come Back to Bite You

Wow! Here it is - as plain as day. I mean I've read about Jacob and Esau and the stew and the hair and the hunt and the goat. I even knew about the mom getting involved to help her beloved son. I knew about how angry that dad got that he had been 'duped' by his son and his wife. However, i never knew the why behind it. Sure, we can rest on divine providence and God's overall will being done, but i see something very practical for us to look at.

The Bible reference is from the book of Genesis chapters 27 and 28 and the key 'smack you in the face' verse is found in Genesis 26:34-35.


"When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah."

Who was a source of grief? Esau and his wife. Now, Rebekah already favored Jacob and it seems like this was the last straw for her to begin her mastermind scheme to position her favorite son in the place of honor. This is reaffirmed in the next chapter of Genesis 27:46

Then Rebekah said to Isaac, "I'm disgusted with living because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from Hittite women like these, my life will not be worth living."

Well, what's the moral of the story here? Listen up to your parents. You may think that you're getting away with something by throwing their advice to the side, but there may just come a day when they wrap your brother with some fur and medium rare goat legs and steal away the one thing that means more to you than anything. Esau figured out after he lost it all why his parents were so disappointed in him later and tried to make it right. How? Polygamy of course. He married another woman hoping that she could cover over the mistake of the Hittite woman. Too little. Too late. The damage was done.

Don't wait on this one - it's not worth it! Listen up to those in authority over you because they really want the best for you. Even if you don't understand the 'why' - talk with them and get to the bottom line. You don't want to be scambling around after the damage's done trying to make things right!

Until next time... GP