Where Life and Faith Meet
4Ü Logo

4Ü #253

The Lamech Factor

21 September 2006

WASSUP - Politicians behaving badly

Isn't it about time we told our politicians that their standard of behaviour is unacceptable?
Debate, that is no more than a petty slanging match, is deplorable.
The quality of private decisions (for better of worse) will always come to the surface in some kind of public way.
The affairs of the heart do impact the affairs of the nation.
For out of the mouth the heart speaks.

God help us!

Please pray for our leaders

Back to Top

INSIGHT OUT - The Lamech factor

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Matthew 18:21-22

Ask an amount question and you get an amount answer.

Or do you?

Most people reading this verse focus, like Peter on the limits of forgiveness. How many times? Isn't that how you think? You'd be a fool to forgive a person more than seven times wouldn't you? Jesus' reply stretches it a bit more, seventy - seven times (or seventy- sevenfold), meaning go to the end of your limit and then some!

However, that's not the point.

Dig a little deeper with me.

The first time and only other time in the Bible the word "seventy-seven times" is used, is of Lamech (Genesis 4:23-24). Lamech had inherited his father's (Cain) pattern of taking revenge. Cain would pay back with revenge seven fold. Lamech would pay back with revenge seventy sevenfold!

So when Jesus used the word seventy sevenfold he was saying don't be like Lamech.

Revenge seeks a punishment that would exceed the offence.

Revenge will destroy you.

Forgiveness seeks a grace that exceeds the offence.

Forgiveness will set you free.

Back to Top

OUTSIGHT IN - Matrix

Many organizations use a form of matrix to organize and shape their way of thinking and being. It is moving from a lineal sequential thinking process, to one that engages a far greater range of possibilities and options. Think matrix, two, three or even four dimensional. The opportunities are unlimited!

Here's another thought for you.

The origin of the word matrix has little to do with a mathematical chart or the movie.

Matrix comes from the word . matricis "pregnant animal" in L.L. "womb," also "source, origin," from mater gen.matris "mother."

Matrix: think womb, source or origin, or in the words of Julie Andrews, "Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start".

A matrix is the source of origin.

From where did you start?

For that will tell you where you are going.

Back to Top

SEE YA SUNDAY - Xtreme Forgiveness

This Sunday morning 8.30 & 10.30 am Xtreme Forgiveness

Xtreme life, how to life a life beyond ordinary
Kick the rut, let go and take some risks that will make a huge difference.

  • Week two: Xtreme forgiveness
  • Week three Xtreme service
  • Week four: Xtreme adventure

Bread & Wine - 9.45am - Weekly Communion

This Sunday evening
Poets and Artists - Created to be creative

A community of artist and poets who have a desire to connect life and faith through their creativity. St Columba 7.00pm.

Thanks for this time to chat.

Andrew
St Columba
Where Life and Faith Meet
andrew.norton@stcolumba.org.nz

Back to Top

It's free but don't steal

If this is of help to others, you are welcome to forward it. This e-mail letter is 97% original - 3% cut and paste & 100% fat free. 4U is copyright to Andrew Norton. That means you can't cut and paste it and call it your own (that's stealing). I'm happy for it to be used but please refer to the author.

Back to Top

LAST WORD - The greatest human quest

The greatest human quest is to know what one must do in order to become a human being.

Immanuel Kant


© 2008, St Columba Presbyterian Church, Auckland