The Bible does NOT have ALL the answers...

Go ahead, call me a heretic and a heathen. I can take it, because I still think that statement is true. It just sort of hit me to think that through a bit yesterday at church. So many times I think we do non believers and even fellow Christians a disservice by pretending it does. Someone please give me a reference if I'm wrong, but I don't recall where it ever claims itself to be completely exhaustive on everything. Where did we ever start trying to promote that idea like that? John 21:25 explicitly says it doesn't even tell us all the things Jesus himself did. It doesn't give us details on the dinosaurs or many other mysteries of science. It doesn't specify the best type of government, and certainly doesn't endorse a specific party we should follow without question. (no lightning yet?). Anyway, before I digress way too far, what I'm trying to get at is the Bible alone is not all we need. I'm just saying if the Bible in and of itself had all the answers, anyone who read it cover to cover wouldn't need anything further. However, what the Bible really shows us is that Jesus is the answer. He is what we really need. The Holy Spirit, through the Bible points us to Him who provides us what we need when we depend on Him. And what He really wants (according to the Bible) is us to depend on Him.
I guess my point could come down to saying that just knowing in your head what you've read doesn't mean anything, unless you believe in your heart also.

I know I should probably save this one for a time when I could better articulate it, but if I did that, it would probably never get done, so instead you just have my apologies for the poor writing. -T

Some thoughts on Genesis 37-50

I've been doing some reading and thinking about Joseph's story in Genesis lately. There is much wisdom in those passages. Even though our process ended a while ago now, I'll be honest with you in that I still struggle sometimes with what happened to us. We were hurt and hurt badly on multiple occasions by both the agency staff in Kansas, and by the missionaries who are the hogar directors in Guatemala. I'm working on forgiveness, and I am personally finding it to be a process more than a single event for me. So with that said, one of the first thoughts that got me circling around this story had to with Joseph's brothers. I have sometimes gotten the feeling that some people would have me celebrate and applaud those who hurt me, without even truly acknowledging the fact they did so. After all, you might say, they were used as a part of God's plan and J did arrive in God's perfect timing. Well, yes, and yes. However, so were Joseph's brothers. They threw him in a well, (only after deciding killing him immediately was a bad idea since it wouldn't gain them anything) and planned to leave him for dead. Then they sold him as a slave so they could pocket the money. Money really does interfere with good judgement sometimes, doesn't it? Anyway, what I was thinking about is even though God did certainly work their evil for good, never does God or anyone else call what they actually did 'good'. It was evil, it was wrong. And I can't find any commendations handed out to them. Forgiveness from Joseph, yes, but not celebration of their evil deeds. I think Judas Iscariot falls in this category also. Certainly his actions were used in the plan of God, but that didn't mean his actions were to be celebrated. Working out forgiveness doesn't mean the actions of those being forgiven were right, even if they were part of the plan. I know this seems obvious, given I know my sin is forgiven by God even though it still was sin. However, when some people want to lift up those who hurt me like infallible saints, I needed some reassurance.

Some other stuff that's come to mind:
I hope I haven't been like Reuben. You see, he planned to save Joseph later, when it was more convenient, hence the throw him in the well instead idea. Trouble is, by not standing up immediately for what was right, and just trying to work around it, Joseph was gone before Reuben could help him. I do fear this sometimes for some of my friends who were also hurt deeply by these people. Is there anything I could have done differently? My story does have a 'happy ending' by most measures. This isn't the case right now for every family. Though I know God has a great plan for their lives also.

Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers also took time. I mean, think about it. Joseph rose to be 2nd in command in Egypt. As best I can tell his family never really moved too far from where they were when the story began before eventually coming to Egypt. Isn't it likely Joseph had the resources to seek them out if he desired? Even upon them coming to him, in his first few encounters, 'he spoke harshly to them'. It was quite a while and only on their 2nd trip that he opened up his heart to them.

Prior to Joseph's forgiveness of them, the brothers faced the reality of and had to admit the evil of what they had done. See Genesis 42:21-22. Those who lied to me, and threatened to keep my son from me still seem to have no remorse, and continue to often treat other families harshly, boldly telling families not to ask more questions, scolding those who might provide info by other means, placing convenience above expediency, etc.

There's obviously much, much more to be gleaned, including using care in how we relate our stories (Gen 37:5-11) which I have tried to do, but those are a few thoughts I've tossed about. Maybe you will toss them about, too, and can share more or discuss these if you want.

Good night and my prayers are with you all.