Passover, Season of our Redemption

On the 29th March, we will celebrate Pesach. Melodies such as "Chad gadya, chad gadya" and the smells of bubbe's matzo ball soup remind us that once again the calendar pages arrive at the 14th of Nisan: a time to remember our deliverance—a time to recall our rescue from Pharaoh and Egyptian slavery. Pesach is a happy family time when we can enjoy one another, feast on delicious home cooking and then remember what God has done for our people. Most Jewish people know and love Pesach more than any other Jewish holiday; yet if being Jewish is ever to have more meaning to us than gastronomic preferences and a lunar calendar, we must take all of our holidays more seriously and learn about them from Scripture.

The First of Months: Calendar Confusion

Many of our people rarely if ever consider that Passover was also designated by the Creator as New Year's time.

The Bible tells us that Nisan, the Passover month, is to be first. Yet Rosh Hashanah, which is celebrated in Tishri, is acknowledged as the start of the new year. Should it make a difference when Jewish people celebrate New Year's?

The answer must be "Yes!" God established a calendar for us so that certain times and seasons might have a significance—a higher significance and at the same time a more profound significance—so that we might know and be shown that life has a meaning beyond immediacy.

God's calendar for the Jewish people began with the month of Nisan and Passover. He created a whole feast that would cause the children to ask "Why is this night different from all other nights?" And then, noting those differences, they would discover what was important to remember about this night. Then God commanded other holidays in the Torah to punctuate our lives with times that would make us stop, look and listen.

There is something about taking Holy Scripture for what it says. If the Almighty wanted us to celebrate the new year any time, with no particular concern for a specific meaning about it, then it stands to reason that he would have either said nothing or something like, "Concerning times and seasons, I have nothing to say on the matter."

However, God says that Nisan should be "the first month of your year" (Exodus 12:2). The primacy God designated to the season of Pesach indicates that he expected us to give top priority to celebrating our redemption, and to remembering that he reached down into Egypt to rescue and lift us up from bondage with his z'roah netuyah v'yad hazakah (outstretched arm and mighty hand).

In case we missed the significance of God's command to elevate this holiday of Pesach, even the first of the Ten Commandments is preceded by the statement that we should remember the Lord our God who "brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery" (Exodus 20:2). Here, as in many other passages, God identifies himself to us as the God of Passover. He is not some unknown, impersonal force, but rather God who brought us out of the land of Egypt. That is how he wants to be known!

Before we consider anything else, it is our duty to remember God's redemption! He owns us. We owe him our existence. Were it not for God's hand, in Egypt, in Sinai, in Babylon, in Roman days—and yes, even in the days of Nazi darkness—there would be no Jewish people! We Jews exist because God, who chose us, exists.

As the Sabbath was commanded to remind us of our Creator, the Redemption and the First Commandment also speak to us of the need to commemorate the mighty deeds of our Creator and to submit to him.

Yom Kippur versus Passover: Calendar Contest

Many Jewish people perceive Yom Kippur as the holiest day of the year. On this awesome day we reflect on our sins and petition God's forgiveness. We literally beg for his gift of atonement.

For most of world Jewry this has become the most solemn event of the year. Many of our Jewish people today are entirely secular in outlook, with little regard for religion. Yet even they become somewhat reverent as the tenth of Tishri approaches. Why is that?

The Scripture says that Yom Kippur should be the Sabbath of Sabbaths (Leviticus 23:32). God raised up Yom Kippur to be the most exalted day of the year. Yet that fall observance is not alone. It is listed in this chapter of Leviticus as one of seven feasts required of Jews. It is integrally linked with the other six. The holidays are like a chain by which God's power tows us toward a greater understanding.

The Day of Atonement, in fact, is to be the summary of them all. In Yom Kippur we see first the heightened awareness of God, the reality of God's redemption in our lives, and the thanksgiving we should offer to the Almighty for that great redemption. But to get it right, the whole idea of reconciliation must begin with the Passover process.
What Passover tells us about God: Holiday Revelation

Modern-day Jews can be faithful to God or can disregard God. We could hold a morbid and hopeless view of him like Rabbi Harold Kushner, who seems to believe that God is limited—that concerning our welfare, the Creator might wish to help at various times, but just might be unable to do us any good.

Whereas Rabbi Kushner seems unaware of the passages of Scripture demonstrating the unlimited power of God, the light of the message of Passover is that although we had been left in slavery, seemingly forgotten by the Almighty, he did not, and does not, forget. He is not helplessly sympathetic to our human plight. Isaiah the prophet records God's cry, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" (Isaiah 49:15). We Jews are a people prone to forget God's promises and even his actual fulfillment of them.

How long does it take?

God is not really slow about fulfilling his promises as some regard slowness. Neither is God inept. Scripture shows that God is going to do what God intends to do in his own good time.

Think of Abraham. He wandered for 38 years from the time he left his Chaldean home until God's promise was fulfilled in the land called Canaan.

Think of Joseph. He was left in prison for two full years awaiting the exaltation that would surely come through the darkness of the imprisoned ingrate, the cupbearer to Pharaoh.

Think of David Hamelech. King David was chased in the wilderness, first by Saul and then by his sons, for innumerable years. He even hid in caves like an animal as he awaited the fulfillment of God's faithful promise to re-establish his theocratic government through David.

The Prophet Isaiah cried out:

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:2-6).

How long would it be from the time he uttered those words until that promise might be fulfilled?

God chose to be involved with us

Not only is the Eternal One beyond our time limitations, he is not ruled by our wishes. Our God is not a God who left his Jewish people alone in Egypt, nor did he abandon us in the wilderness. He did not merely provide us with instructions on how to get to the Land of Promise. Rather he is a God who gets personally involved. He is an Imminent God. We are never out of his reach.

The miracles of Passover were not the work of Moses alone or Moses with Aaron carrying on the family business. The rod was in Moses' hand, but it was God who split the Red Sea and swept Egypt with his power. God himself hardened Pharaoh's heart; God himself delivered us at the Red Sea. God himself provided manna in the wilderness.
God is Awesome

God's power is unstoppable! He led the Jewish people out of Egypt "with an outstretched arm and a mighty hand." There were supernatural events attending the Exodus: the plagues, the instantaneous slaying of the firstborn, the opening of the sea, the pillar of cloud and fire that led the Jewish people. There were miraculous provisions like water coming from a rock touched by Moses' rod. All these things happened because God intended to communicate his awesome presence.

That same God is with us today. The One who parted the Red Sea is ready to be involved in our daily lives to the extent that we give him a place there. We recite the Passover liturgy over the matzo, "Lo, this is the bread of affliction which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. Then we were slaves, now we are free." And in so doing, we attest to our integral link with all Jews who came before us. We are to see ourselves as having been in bondage in Egypt, and in the same way we are to see ourselves as having been redeemed from that bondage by an all-powerful Redeemer.
What Passover tells us about ourselves: Holiday Reflection Our utter need for God

As we contemplate Passover, it becomes obvious that we are a people unable to separate ourselves from the bondage that entraps us.

Were it not for the hand of God, we might still be in Egypt bemoaning our fate. While we entertain idealistic dreams about being able to change our life situations, very few have the strength to make more than small adjustments without the strength of God. We might move from one part of "Goshen" to another, but real Exodus events take the power of God. Only he can initiate the change, bring us to the place where he wants us to be and sustain us there.

We long for significant changes in the quality of being. We long to be free, but we are unable to overcome the inertia of human nature. If God does not lift us out of our life situations, and all that oppresses us, we shall never transcend the sin and selfishness that shackles us and pulls us down.

Yet how is God going to do this today? How shall we ever find rescue from the daily trivialities that bind us and the sins that beset us? Mysteriously, the means of redemption then and now have a sameness. It begins with a happening.

First, God fastens our attention on an event—the killing of a lamb. This lamb becomes an enabling sacrifice—the agency of rescue, the means of redemption.

The Passover lamb was meticulously chosen. The regulations concerning the lamb are extensive. And it was that one-year-old baby sheep that had to be sacrificed so that the Hebrew family could be spared the final plague, the slaying of the firstborn. If the family were not inside the house celebrating the Passover, or if they did not place the blood on the doorposts of their house, they would not be spared from the ravages of that plague. Redemption was incomplete without the slaughtered lamb and the appropriately applied blood.

This might seem a bit gruesome to our twentieth-century minds, but it was very ordinary in Bible times. Without the shedding of blood there would have been no redemption.

Isn't this consistent with all of God's covenant promises?

Even the brit milah, the covenant of circumcision, is accompanied by blood. It seems fitting then that as God was about to usher in a covenant with Moses at Mt. Sinai, he would precipitate the event with the shedding of blood through the Passover sacrifice.

A prophet of the Jewish people named Yochanon (John) used the image of bloodshed as an act of a covenant. He pointed to Jesus of Nazareth and proclaimed: "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." By using that metaphor, he linked the redemption of the Passover event to a passage in Isaiah 53 which indicated the promised Messiah would die for our sins.

In light of this, it is not surprising that Y'shua (Jesus), the one who would in fact be identified as "the lamb of God" by his followers, should die an innocent, sacrificial death. In fact, Y'shua shed his blood even as the Passover lamb had to. His death accomplished another, more lasting redemption than redemption from slavery in Egypt.

Y'shua as the lamb of God secured for us the forgiveness of sins which separate us from God. In our enslavement to sin and inability to change, we are worthy of the slaying, that is the separation of our souls from God for eternity. But through Y'shua's sacrificial death, the Angel of Death is made to pass over.
But his sacrifice is not enough

The Passover not only had to be killed, but its blood had to be placed on the doorposts of the individual Jewish homes to save the firstborn sons. So, too, it is not enough that Y'shua died for the sins of the world. It is not enough that he was God's provision to secure atonement for the entire human race. If they are to live, individual sons and daughters must appropriate this provision in a personal encounter with the Lamb of God.


Passover for us today

Some of the meanings of Passover are apparent and easily ascertained or derived. We are told over and over again that Passover commemorates the redemption event. But each time it is told it fastens our minds and our attention on a different facet of God's nature. For example, one time Scripture says that he brought us out of the land of Egypt with his own right arm and thus we see the omnipotence of God, that he is truly mighty to save. At another time it talks about God in terms of the plagues and judgments upon the household of Egypt. In this, we see the facet of God as judge and dispenser of justice.

At still another time, the Passover account talks about God begetting Israel in affection and we see that God is love:

"But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt" (Deuteronomy 7:8).

In other words, when we look at the Passover event historically, we not only see that the Hebrew people escaped Egypt. We begin to see some of the attributes of the God of the Hebrews.

Sometimes the images are juxtaposed, i.e. sometimes the strong right arm as being God's instrumentality is emphasized, and at other times the emphasis is upon the perfect lamb. When we look at the lamb we see that it was not merely to be food but a sacrifice—and not merely a sacrifice, but an unusual kind of sacrifice. Whereas all other sacrifices were consumed while sitting or reclining, the Israelites were to stand as if ready to go and to eat the whole feast that way.

Passover presents images upon images, pictures upon pictures, paint brushes and palates, each one painting part of a pattern that one cannot see by standing too close or by examining the strokes. The beauty of what is being depicted must be seen from a distance to allow the colors and strokes to merge. And we Jewish people have always been too close to our history to gain the true picture of what was happening.

A final word on the first of months

So we return to the question of why the calendar was changed to make new year's be in Tishri, instead of Nisan.

Historically speaking, one of the important facets to be discerned about Passover is that life, whether it is national life or personal life, begins with redemption—a bringing out, a calling away. It is a time when the individual or the people come away from their ordinary relationship to the world and enter into a special relationship with God. Holy Scripture indicates in many places through the prophets that God wanted a new beginning for the ancient Israelites, and he wants it for you now. Whether you celebrate the beginning in the spring or the autumn does make a difference. Let your life begin with the life of the Passover lamb, new life in Y'shua, the Lamb of God.

Do It Now

Gilgus Do It Now
Originally uploaded by bobmendo

"Do it now." What a motto! In only three words, and Nike changed the 3, but kept the sentiment, an admonition to live life today. Maybe a modern "carpe diem" or even a longer antecedent is found in Psalm 90. The text is at the bottom of this blog.

Moses, who didn't write any other psalm that we know of, wrote Psalm 90 and may have been burying someone at the time. In light of the tentative and terminal nature of humanity, Moses asked God to 'teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom.' Seeing the end of days was a motivator to Moses to learn how to spend our current days.

Maybe it's morbid; maybe it's artistic, but I like to visit cemeteries. You can find many of my visits in my Flickr set called "Cemeteries and Synagogues and Churches" http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobmendo/sets/72157594315892381/

And last weekend in Kansas City, I visited the cemetery where my mother and father are buried. The synagogue Kehilath Israel bought that block of land 100 years ago for congregants who passed,and it's fairly well maintained. Sure, there's a lot of history and information for families in trying to find their roots. But beyond that, what else is going on?

Moses says in the psalm that we might live 70 or 80 years, but that we are all terminal. And maybe Mr Gilgus had it right, if they are quoting him. "Do it now!" Let's not wait to do the right thing; we might not be here tomorrow to do it. See, that might sound morbid, and if you hear it that way, I'm sorry. I hear it as a motivator, not out of fear, but out of the reality that all things end.

Fear or worse, terror, are not the response God wants for us. He wants us to appreciate the days we have, and use them to the full. Seize the day? Ok, that one works, too. Just do it, ok, that works also.

Our days are finished like a sigh.

Was Dylan Thomas right? "Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day"

Use your days and nights to make life happen, in you and in others. You don't have a promise of tomorrow. But today? What is the 'right' thing you are supposed to do. What did you always want to do, but were postponing it. Do it now!
90.0 ¶ A Prayer of Moses the man of God.
1 ¶ Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born, Or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.
3 ¶ Thou dost turn man back into dust, And dost say, “Return, O children of men.”
4 For a thousand years in Thy sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or as a watch in the night.
5 Thou hast swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep; In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew.
6 In the morning it flourishes, and sprouts anew; Toward evening it fades, and withers away.
7 ¶ For we have been consumed by Thine anger, And by Thy wrath we have been dismayed.
8 Thou hast placed our iniquities before Thee, Our secret sins in the light of Thy presence.
9 For all our days have declined in Thy fury; We have finished our years like a sigh.
10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.
11 Who understands the power of Thine anger, And Thy fury, according to the fear that is due Thee?
12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.
13 ¶ Do return, O LORD; how long will it be? And be sorry for Thy servants.
14 O satisfy us in the morning with Thy lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad according to the days Thou hast afflicted us, And the years we have seen evil.
16 Let Thy work appear to Thy servants, And Thy majesty to their children.
17 And let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And do confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.

Crossing Over...there's more.

bridge24.JPG
Originally uploaded by bobmendo

Every few months I get to take a trip, to one city or another country. This requires anticipation, preparation, motivation and any number of other long nouns. The idea is to finish my work in Sydney well enough so that I can leave it without regret, with mind forward looking to the next place. Check. That's the idea. It doesn't always work out that way.

Apprehension (oh, another long noun) often comes to play in my head. What if more things come into my 'in' tray before I leave? What if the plans I set up don't eventuate or the people and resources I put into the solution don't pan out? What if ...what if.... what if....

That's not going to help, will it? I build situations and set up action plans to solve them. Then contingencies to solve the odd 'what ifs'...ok, check, that's done.

Now I turn my attention to travel plans and then the reason for the travel as well. I mean (chicken notwithstanding), who goes to the other side, just, you know, to get to the other side? We go to do something, or to meet someone, or to experience whatever. It's not about the journey; it's about the other side. Check.

But sometimes I really do enjoy the bridge. I do like the layout. I like the positioning. I like the mode of transport. I do take time to smell the exhaust. (Plenty of that in Seoul, even across the Han River)

Life is a journey, they say. That means, it's about readying and about going and about arriving. All three. (Check)

So if your head is over here, on this side, in the pre-trip, ok, enjoy it, but there's more. If your head is over there, across the way, ok, enjoy it, but there's more. If your head is in the middle, in the neither/nor, there's more.

Life is about readying, and behaving, and about learning and working and playing. It's about the yesterdays that taught us, that embarrassed us, that warned us, that corrected us, that surprised and startled us. But wait, there's more.

Life is about the future, the endgame, the final buzzer, the Awards ceremony, the marriage, the heaven of it all. Check. But wait, there's more.

Life is about now. It's the moment you are reading this blog. It's about the time in traffic. It's about the things we do to get to the other side.

I love my life, and my wife and kids, my work, and my time off. I love the Lord Y'shua and his desire for all people to know him personally. I enjoy traveling, this week to Kansas City for a fortnight. I may even enjoy the plane ride. It's a day out of my life. 24 hours door to door. I hope the flight will be as calm as the Han River in the photo. But even if not, it's about preparation and readying and landing and working.

Getting from point A to point B is rarely only about the points, or the bridge, but it's all of it. There's more!

Public speeches

The Hon David Clarke
Originally uploaded by bobmendo

Pictured is David Clarke, the Liberal Party powerbroker, known as the leader of the ''religious right." He survived a challenge for his upper house seat last night led by his former lieutenant Alex Hawke, which will ensure he can serve in the Legislative Council for another eight years.

Mr Clarke fought off David Elliott, the chief executive of the Civil Contractors Federation, for pre-selection for the seat known in the party as north-west province. He won the pre-selection by 50 votes to 36, with four votes going to a third candidate, Brett Murray.

Also on Friday, Tiger Woods made a public appearance, although the press corps didn't cover it. Ernie Els called Tiger Woods 'selfish' for making his first public appearance in the middle of the Accenture Match Play Championship. The word doesn't begin to describe how furious Els is with Woods.

The South African said: ''It's selfish. You can write that. I feel sorry for the sponsor. Mondays are a good day to make statements, not Friday. This takes a lot away from the golf tournament.'' Especially since Accenture used to be one of Tiger's sponsors and then they axed him after his multi-indiscretions. Oh, let's call it what it was. Adulteries. Sex scandal extra-ordinaire. Tiger doesn't do anything minimally.

Also on Friday the pope made a speech about Aussie Mary McKillop and almost guarantees this Australian educator and nun to gain sainthood. Something Tiger would love to achieve. The pope made the announcement in Rome that Ms MacKillop will be canonised in a ceremony at the Vatican on 17 October. Pope Benedict XVI announced the date at a meeting of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints.

It is thought she will be known as St Mary of the Cross.

Making a public speech is intimidating to some high school kids; it's the joy of the egocentric in the same class. So a speech can ring true, it can afford an occasion for crocodile tears or can be a call to the masses to mutiny or to massacre or to mend the hurts of the ages. Speechmaking is an art and a pleasure if it's done well.

I enjoy a good yarn. I enjoy a good talk. Think Paul Harvey. Think Garrison Keillor and the Prairie Home Companion. (photo on left)Think Jesus.


Yup, that's right Jesus, the Jewish messiah, foretold by Jewish prophets in the Jewish scriptures. It's all there. Nobody labelled him Saint. So few actually gave him their ears, Julius.

But to him who has ears, what Jesus (or as we often call him, Y'shua) said is life and death. It's not only informing about today; it's compelling and demanding for the future. Y'shua is not from the religious right. He is the right. He's not describing life in heaven; he is the Life.

Listen, give yourself a chance to hear, read the Newer Testament. Then the forgiveness sought will be found, without fake tears, but with a pure heart. God will do that for you. Privately, just for you. How awesome is that!

Second chances

"Road Trip 2010"
Originally uploaded by bobmendo

My son's commercial, airing now on Channel 10 in Australia, is advertising a segment of "So you think you can dance." For those who don't know about the show, here's how it works. Dancers try out in many cities around the country, in October and November. The selectors and judges choose 100 people from all the cities to come to Sydney for the "Top 100" shows. That's the show which is aired each January on the television.

Then after the first three shows are aired, the "Top 20" are selected (by de-selecting the other 80). Then each week, 2 more dancers lose and the show culls the Top 10, and finally Australia's Best Dancer. That's how the season works.

So what Nate is talking about on this video clip is that "Top 20" dancers who lose one week will join him on this road trip, and teach others on the road. So although they lose, they get a second chance (and maybe more) to be on the show.

That's really a great idea.

But wait, there's more. The folks on the road, who will meet Nate, his crew, and the others are also being given a second chance. You see, some of them might have been those who tried out and auditioned in Perth or Adelaide. And then got knocked out of the tryouts. But now they are being given a 2nd chance.

I like that.

I like second chances.

God is the God of the second chance. And third chance. And more chances than you ever deserved. He's a generous, merciful and loving Creator. Consider Jonah the prophet. He was called from Joppa (Israel) to preach the message from God to the people of Nineveh. He chose to go elsewhere and as a result got in trouble, swallowed by a whale, well, you might have heard that story.

That said, you should know that the story doesn't end there. The prophet from inside the whale began to think/ rethink the go/ don't go thing and changed his mind. God had given Jonah another chance, and he was able to turn around, make the message clear and saw the Ninevites come to faith, including the king of Nineveh, who arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat on the ashes.

The Bible says, "The LORD sustains all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down." (Psa. 145.14) So when you fall, it's still not over. There's more chance. Come on, reach up, God raises up those who are down and (not) out!

This isn't only about dancing. It's not only about television. It's about your life. Maybe you had everything going and then it fell apart. Maybe you had a great relationship, now it's gone. But wait, there's more. It's not (necessarily) over.

Look up, God's hand is reaching out to you. Trust Him. Reading this blog could be the beginning of the next chance for you.

_________________________
If you want more on this, from a man we respect at Jews for Jesus Australia, see Robinson

Creativity: Imago Dei

WhiteCrucifixion on the streets
Originally uploaded by bobmendo

Why do we draw? Why do we listen to good music? What other animal draws for no (other) purpose? A spider spins her web, although beautiful and fantastic in design, to acquire food; a salamander weaves its way along a beach, leaving a pattern of beauty, but not for an arts degree. The beaver builds an impressive dam, but mostly for survival.

Mankind alone uses creativity for beauty's sake.

CS Lewis wrote much about creativity. For instance, "Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it." Wonderful understanding of application and style.

More to the point of being unoriginal, Lewis wrote "Creation as applied to human authorship seems to me to be an entirely misleading term. We rearrange elements God has provided.... we are recombining elements made by God and already containing his meanings." There, in a few short phrases is imago dei. It's God who is the Creator. It's God who pours his life into us, including his image, and including this entirely human characteristic of creativity.

Some people say I'm a creative person. And I think the closer I get to Jesus, the more creative I feel. I feel closer to the Creator and thus his image and his creativity is awash in me. Right now, I'm thinking about my time this morning, about my reading of the Bible, the singing I was able to do with some sacred songs from Hillsong, and pondering the Creator. As a result I feel uninhibited and free. I feel like dreaming new thoughts and writing this blog and calling others to join me in creativity.

Priscilla drew this crucifix on the streets of Melbourne during one of our outreaches there. She used her artistic talent a la Chagall to communicate "This Jew died for you." Some write songs; some draw chalk art. My first cousin Barbara Mendelsohn married a man named Fred who for decades has gone to the streets with sketch art, to help people around to understand the message of the Gospel of Jesus.

Listen, perhaps you don't believe in God. Fair enough. You have to ask yourself why you enjoy music. From where does that pleasure come? Do you like art or posters or television shows or movies or theatre? What's the point of that? Friend, you have discovered imago dei. And if there's an image of God, it doesn't prove, but it certainly points to a God who has such an image. I wish that for you soon.

Time on the clock

Time management is crucial in sports and at universities these days. Crowds clamber for coaches to call time out or to stall and use up all the clock if their side is ahead by a goal or two. As I blog today I'm watching the US gridiron contest, the grand final, The Superbowl between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. It's taking place at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida next to Ft Lauderdale.

As the first half ended the crowd was not happy with the decision of the coach for New Orleans, but he was vindicated as their kicker helped trim the Colts' lead to 10-6 at the interval.

Many students will be back in the classroom tomorrow, and I have some advise on time management.

1) Blocks of study time and breaks
Try to use blocks of study time every week. Blocks ideally are around an hour, but maybe you become restless after only 15 minutes? Some difficult material may require more frequent breaks. Shorten your study blocks if necessary—but don’t forget to return to the task at hand! What you do during your break should give you an opportunity to have a snack, relax, or otherwise refresh or re-energize yourself. For example, place blocks of time when you are most productive: are you a morning person or a night owl?


2)Dedicated study space
Determine a place free from distraction (no mobiles or SMS) where you can maximize your concentration and be free of the distractions that friends or hobbies can bring! You should also have a back-up space that you can escape to, like the library, a study center, your folks' house, even a Gloria Jeans where you can be anonymous.

3) Weekly reviews
Each week, like on Sunday afternoon, review your assignments, your notes, your calendar. Be sure that as deadlines and exams approach, your weekly routine must adapt to them!

4) Prioritize your assignments and work
When studying, get in the habit of beginning with the most difficult subject or task. Always do the hard thing first! You’ll be fresh, and have more energy to take them on when you are at your best. For more difficult courses of study, try to be flexible: for example, build in “reaction time” when you can get feedback on assignments before they are due.
Blessed are the flexible; they do not break.

5) Get something done.
The Chinese adage of the longest journey starting with a single step has a couple of meanings: First, you launch the project! Second, by starting, you may realize that there are some things you have not planned for in your process. Details of an assignment are not always evident until you begin the assignment. Another adage is that “perfection is the enemy of good”, especially when it prevents you from starting! Given that you build in review, roughly draft your idea and get started! You will have time to edit and develop later.

6) Postpone unnecessary activities until the work is done!

Don't be distracted. Postpone tasks or routines that can be put off until your school work is finished! This can be the most difficult challenge of time management. As learners we always meet unexpected opportunities that look appealing, then result in poor performance on a test, on a paper, or in preparation for a task. Distracting activities will be more enjoyable later without the pressure of the test, assignment, etc. hanging over your head. Think in terms of pride of accomplishment. Instead of saying “no” learn to say “not now”.


7) Identify resources to help you
Maybe you need to find people or books or websites. Are there tutors? An “expert friend”? Have you tried google to get better explanations? Are there specialists in the library that can point you to resources? What about professionals and professional organizations. Using outside resources can save you time and energy, and solve problems.


8) Use your free time wisely
Take blocks of time for study and do the same with exercise. Take 3 hours for the gym and don't feel guilty. Play an extra set of tennis. But you will still have extra time. And it won't be a block. So what do you do? Think of times when you can study "bits" as when walking, riding the bus, etc. Perhaps you’ve got music to listen to for your course in music appreciation, or drills in language learning? If you are walking or biking to school, when best to listen? Perhaps you are in a line waiting? Perfect for routine tasks like flash cards, or if you can concentrate, to read or review a chapter. The bottom line is to put your time to good use.


9) Review notes and readings just before class
This may prompt a question or two about something you don’t quite understand, to ask about in class, or after. It also demonstrates to your teacher that you are interested and have prepared. I'm not talking about cramming, that is putting things into your head that never were there during the term.


10) Review lecture notes just after class
Then review lecture material immediately after class. The first 24 hours are critical. Forgetting is greatest within 24 hours without review! Use another method of review, like re-writing your notes, or studying with another person. Using another sense, like hearing will also help.

Hope this all helps. It certainly is helping the Saints.