New Week

It's Saturday afternoon here.  I just got home from a nice walk inside the  Mirdif City Centre Mall....the first true walk I taken since we arrived.  The mall was hopping with locals....out for the day with their families.  Fun to see.  I walked around the outside perimeter inside the nice cool mall four times.  My phone app reports it was 3 1/2 miles.  

The picture above is outside the mall and the picture below is of the main concourse inside the mall.

                              

Yesterday we took several friends with us to Redeemer.  Was a very good service.  Have you ever heard a sermon on Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38?  What a challenging passage...but the pastor, Dave Furman, was up for the challenge.  I've never really liked this story - deception and deceit at every turn...yet God has a plan.  The outline:  Judah's Sin, Judah's surprise, Judah's Savior

Judah went his own way.  He didn't want to give up his third son to Tamar after the two older brother died.  He blames her for their deaths.  After Tamar sets the trap and he falls for it, he doesn't want to be laughed at - he wants to hide his sin.

 

Are you hiding something you don't want others to know?

Judah was surprised when Tamar exposes his sin - brings it to light.  He tries to blame her.

Are you any better?  Do you blame others for your sin?

At this point Dave gives a list of sins prominent in our culture and in our churches.  Don't think I have ever heard a pastor challenge the congregation so clearly and directly with these sins...gambling...overspending...physical abuse...adultery...stealing...pornography...Internet affairs... bitterness...cheating...anger...

Repent...don't just say the words, change...go in a different direction.

Are you really walking with God?

Yet, God shows mercy and grace to Judah.  He even gives him two additional sons.  He names them Perez (break through) and Zerah (new day).

In Matthew 1 Judah, Tamar, Perez and Zerah are all named in the genealogy of Jesus.  God is in charge.  It's all grace.  

What a Savior!

The afternoon was filled with interaction, preparing dinner for twenty or so, and a trip to the mall with a friend.  I was completely exhausted when I fell into bed at about 9:00.  I had been on my feet most of the afternoon...morning came too soon.

And now?  It's time for bed again.