The Rabbi

Sorry everyone, but I am a little lazy so you get a repeat from last year. Anyhow, let me know what you think
gsjr

My name is Peter
I am in Rome
tomorrow is my day

If you have the time, I have little left
let me relate three events that brought me here
my denial, his resurrection, and his call

Three years but I never got it
it is really rather simple from this side
then, hardly,
in spite of what he said
we always thought otherwise
the Day of the LORD came
God's judgment of mankind, more than Israel
It's just that he hit him, not us

I loved him--what he said, how he touched, with whom he spoke
no one ever did it like he did
so when they came I defended, I attacked
he reproved, he restored, he surrendered
I followed

I was recognized by a girl; I was afraid
(aren't you ever afraid?) they probably would hurt, hurt me
I lied, but I stayed

It happened again, this time I swore
I am not one of them; I could not leave

My tongue gave me away
All I wanted to do was see what happened to him
my impetuousness took control--I DENIED him!

The rooster crowed, instinctively I looked at him, he at me
his eyes burned through me, but
they were not angry,
they were sad,
they cut deep
my soul hurt beyond belief
never would I forget those eyes
I could not be consoled
eventually I saw him die, from a distance

Three days later three ladies told of his disappearance
I ran, I went in, it wasn't ransacked but neatly departed
I was amazed, I doubted, how could this be true?

if it was, what would he say to me?

As you know, it turned out to be true
I dreaded meeting him, would he ask?

A few weeks later, in my venue he showed up
we ate breakfast, it was good, so was the conversation,
I almost forgot, he didn't

Then he asked
how could I say that I still loved him,
when I had previously denied him
I wanted to die, he commanded service, leadership nonetheless

he asked again, I still couldn't go back to where we once were
he wanted me to lead his people
what could I say?

Finally, he met me where I was
we agreed

So that's my story
I am to die tomorrow, he told me that too
Punishment you ask? No, he has given me the opportunity
to atone for those terrible words I spoke many years ago

Thank you Jesus, I love you

You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures (James 4:2-3).

So how many of our prayers focus on our pleasures? For instance Kathryn suggests that many of our prayers concern external peace, prosperity—not a lot but we want to live comfortably, and good health. Contrast what Paul prayed for the Colossians:

“I ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (this means that they will know what is spiritually important), so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects” (Colossians 1:9-10).

Is the will of God for our lives good health? peaceful coexistent with our coworkers, neighbors, and family? or, to put it in my simplistic vocabulary, stuff? Why not instead choose to walk God’s way? That’s a no-brainer; God’s way ain’t easy!—he has randomly strewn boulders along the way, dug potholes that hinder a smooth ride, and laid out a narrow track with a rate of climb that wears out the best. No wonder the broad way attracts!

But then go back and read Paul’s prayer, reference to the circumstances governing those believers’ present lives goes wanting. Paul, knowing first hand the lot of the Christian (just read 2 Cor. 11:23–28), takes for granted the challenge that his readers have, are, and will live out. But he holds them accountable for their behavior in spite of circumstances. James agrees: “Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door” (James 5:9). How readily the tongue turns a test from God into a failed temptation. What God meant for good, we make into evil. No wonder the US church does not prosper (spiritually, though many prosper financially).

We would do well to heed James’ advice: humble yourselves; let God be the one who exalts you, and that on account of your deeds of service, not your claims of relationship.

Not a nice read at all, but a necessary one all the same. Muslim women are second class people. Not much of a review here, Ali's words are too powerful; mine would only diminish their force.

So I ask, what does the word "submit" mean in Paul and Peter's letters? Hopefully nothing as what Ali describes.