Tag: Cherry Tree

On Birthday Blessings and Old Testament Sacrifices

On By Tim ValentinoIn General1 Comment

Another lap around the sun is almost complete, so it’s a good day to count my blessings. The boys came over this past Sunday night to help me celebrate, and they were so excited about the occasion that Levi blurted out what they had gotten me before I opened the gifts. Samuel was just dropping hints, so he’s starting to get how surprises are supposed to work. I guess that’s the difference between a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old. At one point, Sonya told Levi that he had cake on his face, and he said, “I don’t mind.” Too funny.

Every year their parents ask them, “What do you think Papa would like more than anything else in the whole world?” Samuel’s answer this year was a Lego wrecking ball. (Last year it was a Lego steamroller.) Levi’s answer was a pull-string racecar. Nothing could be more special to this birthday boy. Why? Lego contraptions are built together, and racecars that run under their own power are best played with two people. So, that’s what makes this little tradition so wonderful. We get to build things and play together, which is the best kind of celebration.

Believe it or not, the whole thing helps me understand the Old Testament sacrificial system a bit better, especially vis-à-vis the customs of the nations surrounding Israel. Unlike the foreign gods of the ancient Near East, Yahweh does not get hungry or need to be fed (Psalm 50:9-13). Rather, Israel is to “offer thank offerings to God” (Psalm 50:14). For him, it’s all about the relationship with his people. He knows the Israelites will want to give him gifts to express their love to him, so he lets them do so by way of the sacrificial system.

Same with this Papa. I don’t need another trinket in the house, but I absolutely treasure the time spent with my boys. I want to be near them. And—right now, anyway—they want to be near me. Even if I help pay for the gifts they give, as God likewise makes the creatures that get sacrificed back to him, I will enjoy the racecar and wrecking ball more that they will ever know. They even told me what kind of cake I wanted this year (white with white icing and sprinkles), and we were happy to oblige. They were genuinely wanting me to have a special time. And we did.

Other gifts this year included an English/Hebrew Torah, a 2-volume set of Greek New Testament manuscripts, 96 K-cups of Eight O’Clock Dark Italian Espresso, several other theology books, and a whole bunch of clothes and shoes for the upcoming wedding. (I undergrew my black suit, so I needed a new one.) And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There were so many other cards and gifts, but it was time spent with family that made it all so special.

That and my flowering cherry tree, which fully blossomed today. It was like a little wink from heaven. Yes, I am indeed blessed.

Falling for Fall: Just a Brief Update amidst the Flurry of This Week

On By Tim ValentinoIn GeneralLeave a comment

1.  It’s a rich and full week here in our neck of the woods. Students from all over the country are coming to campus for the Doctor of Theology residency week. It will be exciting to meet many of these folks in person for the first time, as we’ve been doing our residencies online for the past year and a half because of the virus. People are better than pixels, even for us introverts! In addition to the residency this week, there’s my regular course load to teach, a new ICL class starting tomorrow, and a wedding to conduct this Saturday. All good stuff.

2.  It was gratifying to help my first student across the dissertation finish line last month to complete his Th.D. degree requirements. His research project focused on the semiotics of Genesis 1, and it was filled with marvelous insights. If he can expand his work through Genesis 3, it would make for an excellent book that may well get a sizeable audience. We will do his hooding ceremony next May, Lord willing. I have another ThD student in the pipeline right now who is focusing on contextual evangelism.

3.  Years ago we had a parishioner from Missouri whose dilapidated pickup truck was nicknamed “Old Blue.” We stole that name and applied it to our 2000 Chrysler Town & Country minivan, which we now use like a truck (e.g., hauling green waste, helping people move, transferring cardboard to the recycling center, etc.). Well, Old Blue is getting older—like the rest of us. I’m not sure if most of the brake fluid drained out, or if the brake pads need to be replaced, but it’s no longer safe to drive. Still, I’d like to get a few more years out of it, so I need to troubleshoot this puppy.

4.  Speaking of repairs, the wind blew my shed door closed last week right as I was pulling the lawn tractor into it. The resulting collision bent the axle and tie rod, so that’s another equipment repair bill. The tractor is about 24 years old, and an upgrade is probably in order soon, but I’d like to get a few more years out of it if I can. On a happier note, our two main vehicles are running great. Ha!

5.  My Zinnia’s revived and flourished throughout the summer, and they’re a definite go for next year. They made a great follow-up to my stunning red and yellow tulips, which really exploded in the spring. The petunias were just kind of meh, so we may go back to impatiens next time around. Alas, the dogwood tree had to be removed because of disease, but the holly tree is still soaring into the sky. I may need to get it trimmed again next year. My cherry tree is doing o.k., but it needs some TLC. We had too many aphids munching on it this summer, and I didn’t know how to handle them. After a little bit of research, I now have a plan. (Hopefully it will work!)

6.  It’s now time to switch gears and get our mums into the hanging baskets. Fall has a magic to it like no other season. Bring it on!