Kris Ann

Today, when we think about animals, we think of pets. Even if we don't have a pet, we tend to have a favorite type of animal. An animal that we associate with or relate to in some way. They bring us joy and comfort. Further more, we don't like to think about death, let alone the death of this creature. Yet when we have meat for dinner every night, we don't think of it as having been an animal that brought about comfort and joy to our world. It is simply food for our bellies. People that have the experience of living and working on a farm or ranch make a living of raising animals for meat. They too feel the joy and comfort that pets can provide, but know the neccesity of killing for food. (Every vegetarian would disagree that it is a neccesity. Where there vegetarians back then?) And these farmers/ranchers kill animals daily. Perhaps this is why they use the term 'livestock'... It is an impersonal act to kill 'livestock' as apposed to killing your most favorite, your most prized sheep. (As modern city dwellers, we might be better off thinking of this prized sheep as our precious pet.) This is what GOD requested for sacrifice. Our most prized, most favorite, most costly to lose, most important, animal. I think that this sacrifice would be difficult for even the rancher who is used to killing livestock everyday, let alone a city dweller.

Anger signals that an action taken was not acceptable. If we do not become angry, we signal that an action was acceptable. Many of us today do not become angry when we should. Or we act on our anger such that it causes further destruction. We tend to think of destructive anger as being loud and physically hurtful. But sometimes it comes out in very quiet, personal, and perhaps even subconscience ways. It does no good to become angry in that manner. But GODS anger is soley for the purpose of justice. As Christians, we know what sin is, and that it causes anger and desctruction. But how can we know that we are acting on anger appropriately? What does it mean to act on anger in such a way that it brings about justice? I'm not sure I can answer this question. Perhaps someone can give me some insight.

The next day John [the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!' (John 1:29) Q1. How do you know that John the Baptist's statement about the Lamb of God refers to sacrifice? (John 1:29). How was the comprehensiveness of "sins of the world" so radical a concept? John refered to the Lamb and the fact that this Lamb would make atonement for our sins. John knew that Jesus would be the one to take away our sins. But did he know that Jesus would ultimately be sacrificed? Since lambs where commonly used for sacrificial atonement, John was prophetic in describing Jesus as the Lamb. It is hard for me to forgive, so it is also hard to imagine that Jesus forgives me, let alone the entire world. And in order to atone for my sins, Jesus becomes the bearer of my sins. That is even more difficult to imagine. But not only my sins, but the sins of the world! Even the sins of my enemy?! WoW. The sins of my decendents and the sins of my future family? So that anyone can be forgiven, atoned for their sins!!! It is incredible to imagine! It is still incomprehensable today. I simply put my trust in God and the Lamb of God. I can only imagine how they responded when John described the Lamb of God taking the sins of the World! That God was willing to forgive all, and not just those who humanity considers to be the most worthy- I imagine that was a very tough new concept.

God tells Gideon that He will be with him, and that, together, they will win the battle. Given the fear of failure that our society drives into us, and a history of others having failed at the same task, and other consequences of failure... Wow, that is alot of heavy things weighing us down. But when it is God's Will to be done... It WILL be done. I have feared many steps in my life, yet here I am. And with each step, my faith has grown. I praise God for bringing me thus far. It is He who has carried me much of the way. I pray that He will continue to strengthen me and use me for His Will. I pray that I will hear Him and follow Him always. God Is SO GOOD!!!

Hello everyone, I am Kris Ann. I live in Bellingham, WA - Near the Canadian border, and 1 hour from Seattle. I am a member of a small Methodist church. I have not attended a bible study for a long time. I hope to become ever closer to Jesus as I study the bible with you. I look forward to hearing from you and sharing what I can. PS Check out my website link below, and feel free to IM me with AIM anytime.