Derek Weekly

It seems of late my blogging has taken the form of a weekly digest rather than a daily blog. I suppose that is due to several factors, not the least of which is the continual business brought about by the start of another school year.

Last week saw the start of high school, and this week brings the first classes up at USU. So...the store has been busier than a cat's tail in a room full of rocking chairs (did I use that one before?). Anyway, with sales over double our normal day to day sales, we have been kept busy keeping up with customers and returning the store to a "shoppable" state once we've shoo'ed the last customer out the door at night.

Pastor gave me the opportunity to do Sunday school again this past Sunday. The message was on leprosy as a type of the flesh. It was interesting to note that leprosy is rarely associated with animals, but is primarily a human disease. It is an outward manifestation of an inner problem (disease). What is the fruit of the flesh (or the deeds of the flesh) if not an outward manifestation of the sin nature or carnal nature in us? On the converse side, if the fruit of the Spirit is being displayed and evidenced, what does that say about the One who lives in us? Interesting questions.

I'll be teaching again this next Sunday, and will be finishing up this mini-series on the flesh by looking at God's covenant of circumcision. I have already been impressed by a couple of instances in the OLD Testament, that refer to a circumcision of the heart. A removal of the flesh from the heart. Add that to Paul's reference to the circumcision of Christ in Colossians, and we begin to see the separated, flesh-denying life that the Christian is called to. I believe the application will be in the commands to "put off" and to "put on"...not the least of which is where we are told to "put on" Christ Jesus.

In case you are wondering why this topic and if there is any correlation to the book of Ruth, well, I'm glad you asked! In a previous Sunday school lesson, we looked at Moab and her characteristics and found that she represents a "type" or "example" of the flesh. She was marked by one word, found over and again in references to her...pride. Anyway, with the supposition that Elimelech had turned to the flesh or had relied on the flesh to solve his problems, the study then turned toward application for us today. How do we approach the situations, circumstances and problems of our day-to-day walk with Christ? Do we try to live a day in our own strength, responding in the flesh rather than the Spirit? What fruit is visible: that of the flesh or that of the Spirit?

Well, I didn't mean to get all preachy, but just thought I'd catch y'all up on the latest in that regard. Beyond that, I've just been living life, attending church, and throwing in a few meals for good measure. By the way, I have been eating better (ie salads) and continuing with my excercise...so I should be in fairly good shape by the time I visit K-town.


(Eph 2:11-17) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.