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Today was better than yesterday. Got up on time, actually did some productive things in both the morning and the afternoon. Still sat in front of the computer for too long, but still WAY better than yesterday.
Enjoyed listening to a come follow me podcast today, talked about several of the chapters in New Testament - Matthew 8, Mark 2-4, and Luke 7. The title of this week's lesson is "Thy Faith Hath Saved Thee." There are several stories of the Savior healing people in these chapters. There is also the story of the Savior being out on the ship with his apostles and they are afraid because of the storm. He wakes, and calms the elements.
I'll share one thing that I don't think I knew... or if I did learn it once, I have since forgotten... Luke is apparently know for teaching using "doublets." where he tells one stories, then tells another one right after that provides almost opposite contrasts. In this particular pairing, it is the story of the Centurion who come to Jesus, asking him to heal his servant, contrasting with the story of the widow of Nain, who's only son has now died.
Here is a quote from the podcast, Dr Joshua M Sears is the one speaking:
...think about how much these two stories are complete opposites of each other. You've got the centurion is a man and the widow is a woman. The centurion is a Roman and the woman is Jewish. The centurion is rich, the woman is poor, and in bad economic circumstances. He came to Jesus with faith and expressed request for help, whereas she had no idea who Jesus was and Jesus came to her without being asked. His servant was only dying, but her son is already dead. There's all sorts of ways in which you can see a huge contrast between these I think Luke has paired them because they're very much opposites in almost every way you can think about.
I think there's an important lesson there, if you just had one healing story, you might be tempted to think, "Well God loves people in this kind of a situation, or God is going to respond in these circumstances." But by showing the complete opposite, it breaks that down. God doesn't just love him because he's a man or he's rich or he came with this humble request, God is willing to heal and help us in all the opposite situations as well.
I liked that reminder. and I am going to have to be on the lookout for more "doublets" in Luke
Food log:
Breakfast - overnight chia seed "pudding' topped with (unsweetened) coconut, almonds, strawberries, cinnamon, & blueberries
Lunch - Two piece of multi-grain toast, topped with mixed nut butter, one with honey & bananas, the other with low sugar raspberry jam. Also a large handful of Terra vegetable chips. (the chips are growing on me...)
Dinner - homemade person pizzas on whole wheat pita bread. I made mine 1/2 pesto & 1/2 regular red sauce. Topped with plant based cheese, chopped peppers, tomatoes, and spinach. It was tasty, quick and easy.
