I have so often been intrigued by the ceremonial Jewish wedding. The significance of how the wedding rituals relate so closely to our relationship with God is astounding to me.
My problem has been trying to find a source of explanation that uses the full Bible rather than starting at the belief then trying to fit the facts to the belief system. Several have excellent premises then falter when it comes to fitting biblical facts to their own belief system so the whole tumbles down because of faulty interpretation. An example if this is here.
I did find Don Ratcliff's "Jewish Wedding in Bible Times" which gives some insight.
The arrangements made before the betrothal (Fiddler on the Roof) required a matchmaker. The first one in the Bible is God who created Eve for Adam. The next one recorded is Abraham's servant sent out to find the bride for Isaac (Genesis 24).
Adam paid a most personal bride price--his rib. Abraham paid a bride price rich with gold and with life (the camels etc.), but more importantly, God answered the Abraham's supplication and the servant's prayer by showing him who He had chosen for Isaac's wife.
Then comes the question put to Rebekah, "Would you go with this man?" She said, "I will go." This is a point often missed because it indicates the willingness of the maid for the betrothal. She is asked and she says yes. Her willingness to be betrothed was crucial and planned for before this point because the Abraham told his servan if the woman refused to come, then the oath was canceled.
How interesting...
If she refused, the servant would not be held to his oath. What was it? To go to the country from which Abraham came to his family and take a wife for Isaac. If she refused then the servant would not have to bring the bride home to Isaac.
This meant that God only desired a willing bride. Rebekah was fully cognizant of what was required of her in this betrothal. She placed her trust in the servant of Abraham and faith that Isaac would be a good husband. She stepped out on faith.
But, let's not put too much awe into this. She saw the abundance of the camels, the silver, gold and clothing which told her that this was a rich man and not just something for show. She was willing to fill the troughs for ten camels to drink. That was considerable work considering thirsty camels can drink anywhere from thirty to fifty gallons of water. Rebekah drew water until the camels were satisfied. She most likely did this as part of her every workaday world. However we must note that camels can go as long as seven months without drinking water, so she might not have had this hard work on an everyday basis. Regardless of her other duties, going with Abraham's servant, she would be a princess so to speak and her status would be exponentially increased. It didn't take her long to recognize this.
So we have a betrothal with the willingness of the bride as priority. (Please read the comments to this post because the discussion is very interesting.)
What other parallels have you seen in this Genesis story that depicts our relationship with God?
Blessed by Kelly Beaver, 2001
Blessed
My soul shines bright
With Jesus' light
As He gently guides me through
A life of trials
and joys and smiles
and things that I must do.
He found me mired,
Distraught and tired,
'Midst the rushing tide of sin;
He reached out and
He grabbed my hand
And pulled me out again.
He'd not condemn
me of my sin
But offered me His grace;
He'd died for me
at Calvary
With love, He took my place.
My heart now sings,
my soul has wings
my mind and spirit glow
My life is blessed --
Who would have guessed
Such happiness I'd know?
and now...
He gives me voice
to pose the choice
to those who have not heard
The Good News of
His precious love
Spoke loud; without a word.
Kelly Beaver, 2001
I have not heard from Kelly in a very long time, we've lost touch over the years. How often that has happened to me. Sweet friends that I remember with such poignant fondness have large places in my heart and memory, but sadly I do not write or call. Praise God one day we will all be in Heaven, and after about the first million years of sitting at my Lord's feet, I'll look them all up and we'll catch up with hugs and smiles and I be able to tell them all how much I love them... how much they all have enriched my life.
Christians are hate-filled hypocrites and other lies you've been told
I've been studying this work by Bradley R. E. Wright, and reference it a lot because there is so much truth to be found. I reviewed it on my review blog when it first came out.
Frankly, statistics can be molded to make any point you want. It is all in how you word the question. On another blog, someone wrote that he could get the exact answer you wanted if you gave him carte blanche in wording the questions.
Recently I have noticed so many using statistics and tweaking them into what they want, rather that facing bald facts. Politically, we should be acting like Paul when he wrote the Corinthians in his first letter...
There is something there, but wait until the smoke clears before charging into a situation (or quote a statistic). How often do we hear something shocking, form an opinion, then run around shouting/gossiping a message that may or may not be true? What usually happens is we hear a stat from one source, and a few days later the same stat from another source until the thing becomes true without having ever been checked out in the first place.
We've lived in this Soap Opera generation where drama is the norm, therefore shock value has sky rocketed.
If I had ever turned in a newspaper story without fact checking, I'm sure I'd have gotten more than a slapped wrist. But, I had already learned my lesson before that could ever happen. When the truth is known, not even Satan can shout you down. There is something about truth that stops the mouths of liars, and something about liars who will deny truth or believe truth is a lie simply because of their own nature.
Unfortunately, there is this thing going around in the political circles which is growing like cancer. Twisted Truth, which is actually a lie, is being used to clog the cogs of justice. When all a person has to do is accuse without presenting any evidence, there is something horribly wrong with the system. It isn't a new thing, either. It is pervading our culture and is insidiously creeping into our churches, harming our pastors and undermining church leadership. It reminds me so much of the Salem Witch Hunts... modicum of truth wrapped with gargantuan lies, and people lost their lives.
Question: Have you ever experienced this kind of accusation in your work or in your church?
The Groom, the Bride, and the Bridesmaids
Several years ago, I wrote a post about this parable found in Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus used so many parables to teach the principles and each one is rich with cultural background as well as spiritual truths.
Matthew 25:1 Then the kingdom of Heaven shall be compared to ten virgins who taking their lamps, went out to a meeting of the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five foolish.
3 Those being foolish, taking their lamps, did not take oil with them.
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 But the bridegroom delaying, all nodded and slept.
6 And at midnight, a cry occurred: Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins were aroused and prepared their lamps.
8 And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, No, lest there not be enough for us and you. But rather, go to those who sell and buy for yourselves.
10 But they going away to buy, the bridegroom came. And those ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.
11 And afterwards, the rest of the virgins also came, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But answering, he said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you.
13 Therefore, watch, for you do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man comes.
2 And five of them were wise, and five foolish.
3 Those being foolish, taking their lamps, did not take oil with them.
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 But the bridegroom delaying, all nodded and slept.
6 And at midnight, a cry occurred: Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins were aroused and prepared their lamps.
8 And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, No, lest there not be enough for us and you. But rather, go to those who sell and buy for yourselves.
10 But they going away to buy, the bridegroom came. And those ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.
11 And afterwards, the rest of the virgins also came, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But answering, he said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you.
13 Therefore, watch, for you do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man comes.
There are as many interpretations of this parable as there are Bible scholars. I have always been intrigued by the Jewish Wedding Ceremony coming first when I saw Fiddler on the Roof, and wondered why the groom stomped the glass (recalling the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem). But why the groom? Something we will have to explore soon.
I have prayed for understanding about Jesus’ parables over the years and there are some things that I have noticed about this one. The first thing to take note of is this is not about the Bride. Jesus is describing what it will be like when He is bringing His bride, not coming to His Bride. He says the lesson is to watch and be ready for no one knows the hour or the day in which He will come!
Who is the Bride of Christ? It is the church, of course. So, this story isn’t really about the Bride. However, if the Bride lived too far away for her friends to come, then it was necessary for the Groom to provide “ladies in waiting” for the Bride or if she had no friends to go with her. These girls were waiting for the Groom to bring His Bride to his home for the Seven Days within the chador (chamber) or chuppah (honeymoon chamber). The Bride of this parable lived too far away for them to be with her during the wedding ceremony. They were provided by the Bridegroom to bring comfort to the Bride to light the way for the Groom and His Bride in case they arrived during the night, therefore the lamps. What happens during the Seven Days, one need only read the Song of Solomon. These seven days correspond to the days between the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. The Feast of Trumpets Rosh Hashanah which occurs on the first and second day of Tishri and is the Jewish New Year which I talk about in my post Day of the Shofar Blast.
I have been lost in homesickness. You know, that aching and longing to be with the One you know the best in all the world.
I go to church and love studying our lessons about how God is God. He doesn't need us but we need Him desperately. I sing with all my heart that He is my All in All. I study about the travails of Jesus as a baby when Joseph had to take his little family to Egypt to get away from Herod while my dear pastor preaches from Matthew and Luke.
I laugh and chat with my friends at church before we go out to eat, often time seeing people we know and love, laughing and chatting with them. On the way home one Sunday, this wave of missing my dad washed over me. I miss him so much. Then I thought jealously about where he is and Who he is laughing and chatting with. A yearning so deep and so poignant rushed through me. I cried out, "Come, Lord Jesus, come and get me and take me to my real home, Father!"
Studying the Bible, studying for these columns, and praying seems like it would be enough, but it is not. I am not satisfied. I want more. Nothing here satisfies. There are instant gratifications that satisfy some people for seconds smoking, alcohol, sex. They consume time with thoughts and with actions but they do not last even a tenth of the time that satisfaction lasts from true worship of my God. Sin has a way of enticing but not fulfilling.
Nothing here satisfies....
I have family, and it is sweet. I have a ministry and it is sweet. I teach Sunday School. I sing in the choir, yet, that is not enough. It is enough that Jesus died for me and that He has saved me. Yet, I know in my Spirit there is more, so much more and I yearn for my Beloved Bridegroom.
NPR Execs have foot in mouth disease
The conservative activist James O'Keefe posted a video of National Public Radio's president of fundraising, Ron Schiller, saying nasty things about conservatives and the Tea Party. Evidently, he has a major problem with foot in mouth disease because he said members of the Tea Party are racists. Then he retracted that statement, issued an apology and said that wasn't his own personal belief.
This is nauseating because it only stereotypes sales people as liars and our verbiage is only that of what you want to hear. Poppycock! I'm disgusted with Schiller's statements and his actions. It doesn't matter that he had already resigned from his position. He met with two activists posting as members of a Muslim group for purposes of raising $5 million for NPR which they had offered.
What was he doing meeting with them when he had already resigned?
This is a clear example of honesty being the best policy always. Handling oneself within the highest of ethical standards is the best cure for foot in mouth disease.
This is nauseating because it only stereotypes sales people as liars and our verbiage is only that of what you want to hear. Poppycock! I'm disgusted with Schiller's statements and his actions. It doesn't matter that he had already resigned from his position. He met with two activists posting as members of a Muslim group for purposes of raising $5 million for NPR which they had offered.
What was he doing meeting with them when he had already resigned?
This is a clear example of honesty being the best policy always. Handling oneself within the highest of ethical standards is the best cure for foot in mouth disease.
DEMS file complaint against Gov. Scott Walker
Remember that phone call from a blogger posing as campaign contributor David Koch? Oh, yeah, that was really funny... Almost as funny as filing so many bogus ethics complaints against Sarah Palin she stepped down from the governorship of Alaska so the tax payers of Alaska would not have the foot the millions of dollars of legal fees for ethics investigations. Before she left office those fees totaled more than $2 million which she states in her book "Going Rogue". I reviewed it here.
This is proof that what Sarah Palin went through is the kind of thing that ALL Republicans will go through when they stand up for what is right and good in this nation. It is a wicked and dishonest trick to weigh down the Republican governor to waste tax payer dollars that Wisconsin doesn't have. How stupid is that?
These tricksters do not care that we must pay our bills and we must live within our means but these Demo-rats think and act otherwise.
This is another campaign designed to blow smoke in the eyes of the general public and to create the look of a fire when there is nothing there. It worked really well for them against Sarah Palin, so now they are trying the same tactic with Scott Walker. What happened to the promise of no wild rhetoric?
Democrats and Socialists' thought process indicates a future economic collapse unless something drastically changes. When will The People realize that? How long will it take the teachers, police, firefighters and government workers to understand THERE IS NO MONEY to pay their collective bargained salaries?
This is proof that what Sarah Palin went through is the kind of thing that ALL Republicans will go through when they stand up for what is right and good in this nation. It is a wicked and dishonest trick to weigh down the Republican governor to waste tax payer dollars that Wisconsin doesn't have. How stupid is that?
These tricksters do not care that we must pay our bills and we must live within our means but these Demo-rats think and act otherwise.
This is another campaign designed to blow smoke in the eyes of the general public and to create the look of a fire when there is nothing there. It worked really well for them against Sarah Palin, so now they are trying the same tactic with Scott Walker. What happened to the promise of no wild rhetoric?
Democrats and Socialists' thought process indicates a future economic collapse unless something drastically changes. When will The People realize that? How long will it take the teachers, police, firefighters and government workers to understand THERE IS NO MONEY to pay their collective bargained salaries?
Can you say "I forgive you"?
When someone hurts you, can you tell if it was intentional or if it was in reaction to something or someone other than you? Do you snap back without even thinking it through? I've done it plenty of times and to my dear sweet mother, too!
Well, when a brother or a sister has a field day with your feelings...
First, pray. Ask God for guidance in how to respond. You know He'll say, forgive. That's a given when dealing within the Body. Don't even think differently because Jesus spoke plainly about that to Peter.
Second, tell your sibling exactly how you feel. Do not let the sun go down on your anger! Be as direct and as explicit as you can, but spread it all over with kindness and don't be mean. You must consider that the hurt should stop with you and not let it keep spreading like cancer. Is that the way the world behaves? Of course not. Is that the way your Father would have you behave? Of course.
Third, when an apology comes forth, it does not matter how it comes, accept it graciously and then let the thing go!
Holding grudges only makes you miserable and completely spoils your peace and totally destroys the beautiful relationship with Father. It is so self-absorbed and self-directed.
Rejoice in having your sibling restored to you! Listen... you will spend eternity with this sibling so you might as well learn how to get along while still here on earth. Amen? Come on and say AMEN!
How has forgiving someone transformed your life?
Well, when a brother or a sister has a field day with your feelings...
First, pray. Ask God for guidance in how to respond. You know He'll say, forgive. That's a given when dealing within the Body. Don't even think differently because Jesus spoke plainly about that to Peter.
Second, tell your sibling exactly how you feel. Do not let the sun go down on your anger! Be as direct and as explicit as you can, but spread it all over with kindness and don't be mean. You must consider that the hurt should stop with you and not let it keep spreading like cancer. Is that the way the world behaves? Of course not. Is that the way your Father would have you behave? Of course.
Third, when an apology comes forth, it does not matter how it comes, accept it graciously and then let the thing go!
Holding grudges only makes you miserable and completely spoils your peace and totally destroys the beautiful relationship with Father. It is so self-absorbed and self-directed.
Rejoice in having your sibling restored to you! Listen... you will spend eternity with this sibling so you might as well learn how to get along while still here on earth. Amen? Come on and say AMEN!
How has forgiving someone transformed your life?
What do you consider stealing?
For that matter, what is lying and are we allowed to do it in certain circumstances?
Rahab told a couple of lies to the Jericho police who were searching for the two men who were spying out the land by order of Joshua. James says she was justified by her works for the men of Israel (James 2:25). One could make the argument that lying is a lack of faith, but James and the author of Hebrews clearly state Rahab acted on faith.
We could split hairs here and say that the command in the ten commandments is "thou shalt not bear false witness". However, God says that lying lips are an abomination in His sight. So is lying relative?
What about stealing? I have been having problems with security on my computer. It seems to be too secure. I can't copy/paste something from another website to blog about it. The "accelerator" doesn't accelerate. Was that God "saving me from sin" by blocking my ability to "steal" something from another website?
I remember sitting in church one Sunday with worship on my mind. Bro. Kriss is preaching on the 10 commandments and we got to "You shall not steal".
You know, I really thought I was an honest person until Sunday's sermon.
Yes. I have taken pens and notepads and calendars from work to use at home. Oh, not like slipping a handful into my pocket, or anything like that. I just stick it behind my ear or in my notepad and think nothing about returning it to work. I've taken calendars for organization. I've used work internet for writing blog entries.
There are so many ways we rationalize and justify the things we do that maybe aren't entirely wrong but are still on the shady side of right. Okay, so I did put in a huge amount of overtime with no comp time or salary upgrade. That still doesn't make it right, does it?
Just when you get to thinking you've got a handle on living Christ-like, along comes God and pretty much slaps you on the wrist to say: "You aren't there, yet. Keep working. Keep striving. You are still under construction."
That, my siblings, is very humbling. It isn't painful, but crow doesn't taste very good no matter how well it's served.
What do you consider is stealing? Lying? Are there gray areas?
Rahab told a couple of lies to the Jericho police who were searching for the two men who were spying out the land by order of Joshua. James says she was justified by her works for the men of Israel (James 2:25). One could make the argument that lying is a lack of faith, but James and the author of Hebrews clearly state Rahab acted on faith.
We could split hairs here and say that the command in the ten commandments is "thou shalt not bear false witness". However, God says that lying lips are an abomination in His sight. So is lying relative?
What about stealing? I have been having problems with security on my computer. It seems to be too secure. I can't copy/paste something from another website to blog about it. The "accelerator" doesn't accelerate. Was that God "saving me from sin" by blocking my ability to "steal" something from another website?
I remember sitting in church one Sunday with worship on my mind. Bro. Kriss is preaching on the 10 commandments and we got to "You shall not steal".
You know, I really thought I was an honest person until Sunday's sermon.
Yes. I have taken pens and notepads and calendars from work to use at home. Oh, not like slipping a handful into my pocket, or anything like that. I just stick it behind my ear or in my notepad and think nothing about returning it to work. I've taken calendars for organization. I've used work internet for writing blog entries.
There are so many ways we rationalize and justify the things we do that maybe aren't entirely wrong but are still on the shady side of right. Okay, so I did put in a huge amount of overtime with no comp time or salary upgrade. That still doesn't make it right, does it?
Just when you get to thinking you've got a handle on living Christ-like, along comes God and pretty much slaps you on the wrist to say: "You aren't there, yet. Keep working. Keep striving. You are still under construction."
That, my siblings, is very humbling. It isn't painful, but crow doesn't taste very good no matter how well it's served.
What do you consider is stealing? Lying? Are there gray areas?
Defense of Marriage Act repealed by Obama and Eric Holder
Once again we see a blatant disregard for federal law instituted by Congress and signed by President Clinton a decade ago. The Dept of Justice is supposed to defend the Laws on our books, but Eric Holder has now donned the robes of Judge and DOMA will no longer be defended.
Practically, this won't ultimately be a problem because Congress does have an obligation to uphold its own laws or to repeal the laws, the President does not have the power to declare any law unconstitutional, however this just shows the problem of arrogance that is exuding from the White House.
Practically, this won't ultimately be a problem because Congress does have an obligation to uphold its own laws or to repeal the laws, the President does not have the power to declare any law unconstitutional, however this just shows the problem of arrogance that is exuding from the White House.
Loose lips of Obama admin are a dangerous liability
Bradley gets in a twit of anger and leaks all kinds of state secrets and what's happened to him? Now two lamebrains from the White House blab out loud to the AP about some secrets and want to remain anonymous because they aren't authorized to talk about that particular secret. Self-preservation only applies to their own hides and either for love of money or love of the press casting them goo goo eyes, they eagerly share all rumors whether fact or fiction.
It's the kind of thing that is happening regularly in the Obama admin. From Obama advertising full-page in every newspaper in the country what day U.S. troops are pulling out of Iraq to Secretary of State letting fly with some other military strategies in another country (was it Argentina?) somewhere in South America, to White House aids who heard one of our own is, was, maybe a CIA agent. The White House shoots back that Pakistan had already accepted the man into the diplomatic corps at the US Embassy.
This proves beyond any doubt those in control of our highest office don't care one whit for the lives of our citizens who are risking life and limb in service to our country.
Why can't they clap a trap over their protruding flappers when it comes to the safety of our own over seas?
It seems no government personnel who is above pay grade 12 can slap a muzzle on their tongue to keep all the juicy tidbits to themselves. They are so hungry for attention and for, oh let me just be blunt, hungry for the temporary rush spilling their guts to the press gives them. Or is it they aren't making enough money and need to go on the AP's payroll, or pitch a post to the Washington Post, or Huff a song to Huffington?
I am beyond indignant. I am furious that traitors are not tried and convicted of treason and as convicted traitors are not executed. In my estimation, capital punishment is the only just punishment for anyone who puts American families in the line of fire.
The Circle of Light
Luke 15:8 Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma does not light a lamp and sweep the house, and look carefully until she finds it? 9 And finding it, she calls together the friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I lost.
The drachmas, in Jesus time, was equivalent to the Roman denarii and was worth about 18 cents, so ten coins was worth about $2 or approximately ten days wages. James Merritt told his congregation back in March of 2002 that these ten coins this woman possessed were her engagement ring and that losing one was equal to declaring herself a prostitute. I could not find a source that stated that. However, I found a wealth of information concerning the Jewish wedding traditions… some of which give me chills and thrills when put into Christian context.
The first tradition is the matchmaking. Our first indication of matchmaking is when God created Eve for Adam. Now, hold that thought a moment. Abraham sent his servant to search out a bride for his son Isaac (Gen. 24:2-4), for he had no desire for Isaac to have a Canaanite woman as bride, thus Rebecca came to Isaac’s side, went into his tent and became his wife. All very simple, but there are some wonderful Christian truths here.
Our matchmaker is the Holy Spirit. John 14:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit teaches us all things and reminds us of all we learn about our Father and our Bridegroom. But, Act 1:2 until the day He was taken up, having given directions to the apostles whom He elected, through the Holy Spirit, indicates who we come to Jesus through. Peter points out in Acts 2, the prediction that God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh (Then being exalted to the right of God, and receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He poured out this which you now see and hear.) It is only through the Holy Spirit that we are able to understand, are drawn to, and through the Holy Spirit we are chosen by God. God is the Great Matchmaker, for He desires all to come to Him and none to perish (2 Peter 3:9). By His design, we are made perfect through the Bride Price.
The Bride Price. Abraham sent ten camels to the house of his brother, Nahor, to pay the Bride Price for one of his daughters. Abraham had no notion who God would give to Isaac, but he gave as much as he deemed the bride to be worth—which was a considerable amount even by today’s standards. He also sent bride gifts of bracelets weighing ten shekels and a nose ring for the Bride. The servant asked for God to show by sign who would be Isaac’s bride. The tradition continued with Isaac’s son, Jacob who gave something of considerable value—his time in hard labor. In all, Jacob spent about twenty years in service to Rebekah’s brother, Laban. Something of value was exchanged for something of value, the Bride. The traditional Jewish reason was for the provision of the woman in case something befell the husband, or in case of divorce.
Our Bride Price was the life of the most perfect man ever to be born on earth. Jesus our Savior and Lord, paid the price the Father set for us. His blood was of such great worth, it paid for all (1 John 2:2). Oh, what price that was.
In Jewish tradition and literature, the Marriage is called kiddushin which means sanctification or dedication. Our kiddushin begins with our acceptance of the Bride Price and the bestowing of the Seal of Promise. Often the bridal contract or ketubah are found the words “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. Set me as a seal upon your heart.” How sweet is that promise sealed with Christ’s commitment. We celebrate the cycle of the seasons as we are sanctified in our walk with Christ. May we be ever sitting at His feet, drinking in His word which is so powerful that it brings an army to its knees. May we spread His Circle of Light and bring hope to the perishing. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.
Keeping God First
This is precisely how I feel sometimes: the depths of despair, as Lucy Montegomery has Anne Shirley sigh in Anne of Green Gables.
It feels like forever. The constant waiting and waiting. When, Lord? When will You go to my defense? When will You fix this problem? When will I see daylight? When will I feel normal again? When will I be able to look up from this problem and focus on others again? When will You release me from this prayer vigil? When can I stop and rest?
That's just it. We must rest or we burn out. God knows just how long we need because it was He that issued the 6 day work week and the 1 Day of Rest. Only that day of rest is supposed to be completely devoted to God and the worship of Him.
Huh?
Isa 58:13 "If you watch your step on the Sabbath and don't use my holy day for personal advantage, If you treat the Sabbath as a day of joy, GOD's holy day as a celebration, If you honor it by refusing 'business as usual,' making money, running here and there-- 14 Then you'll be free to enjoy GOD! Oh, I'll make you ride high and soar above it all. I'll make you feast on the inheritance of your ancestor Jacob." Yes! GOD says so!
I am not preaching "no football" on Sunday afternoon. What I am saying is that I have to sit down with God everyday or the anxiety takes over. I have to practice giving it all to Him or I'll take it back and try to "fix it" all the while making the matter worse. Some problems fix themselves, other problems need the hand of God. I have a lot of the latter kind of problems, yet I get in God's way while He's trying to fix them... or teach a lesson. You can go ahead and admit you are like that, too, because I know I'm not in the boat alone. We are skimming over the water far too fast, I can't row that fast so I know I'm not the only one rowing.
Keeping God first is a DAILY thing, not just a Sunday thing. Peter sank when he took his eyes off Jesus. The disciples couldn't remove the demon from the boy because they didn't have the faith of a mustard seed. David was lollygagging at the palace when he should have been at the war front with his men and that's when he lounged on the roof and caught sight of Bathsheba. The Bible is full of all kinds of examples of life situations that went awry when folks quit putting God first and that was the first step down their path to trouble.
Not so, Joseph. He got up in the middle of the night and went to get his bride who was pregnant and brought her home with him, effectively silencing any recriminations against her. The likelihood of Mary being stoned was almost certain. I think about my life and I don’t see one problem that has that kind of likelihood of an end result. So why am I so anxious? Was Mary anxious? How did Joseph feel when he looked upon his swollen bride?
It is one thing to read about an event, to imagine the sweat, the dust, the cold, the animal smells, but it is something different to live through it.
And that is just the beginning of trials and tribulations. God never promised easy living. What would we ever learn if life's most pressing decision was which bon bon to eat next? Job had an easy life until God allowed Satan to put his foot in it. So, guess who's messing with us now?
Did God allow Job to be harmed past endurance?
Did God share with Job that Satan was the one playing havoc in his life?
Were any of us around when God laid the foundations of the world and when He hung the stars in place?
The correct short answer is, “No.” Although, I’m quite sure that if I had been there, I would have given Him a suggestion or two about how to hang the world. I would have completely not known that it hanging crooked in space is a good thing, not a bad thing. If it didn’t hang crooked, then we wouldn’t have our seasons, and I love the changes as the year progresses.
My new book...
I have the final galley proofs of my new book Refreshment in Refuge, published by Westbow Press.
It is exciting to know that God will be touching lives through this book.
I visited Michael Hyatt's blog this morning and his post about Temptations has been something I've been praying about for a long time. It isn't that I think since my book is published that I'm some kind of female Elvis or the like. Fame scares me.
It scares me because of what it has done to so many people. Then I recall what Jim Roan said in one of his motivational speeches. "Fame and fortune only bring out what's already in the soul to begin with. It magnifies generosity or stinginess." I also remember the illustration of one of my favorite authors shared with me, that the only thing separating us from the garbage is the garbage can lid. Amazing how that brings one down to earth rather quickly.
It is exciting to know that God will be touching lives through this book.
I visited Michael Hyatt's blog this morning and his post about Temptations has been something I've been praying about for a long time. It isn't that I think since my book is published that I'm some kind of female Elvis or the like. Fame scares me.
It scares me because of what it has done to so many people. Then I recall what Jim Roan said in one of his motivational speeches. "Fame and fortune only bring out what's already in the soul to begin with. It magnifies generosity or stinginess." I also remember the illustration of one of my favorite authors shared with me, that the only thing separating us from the garbage is the garbage can lid. Amazing how that brings one down to earth rather quickly.
Psalm 46
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song For Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
The Sons of Korah who stood in all their pride in front of the Tabernacle and Moses and dared to point fingers saying, "You take too much upon yourself, you and Aaron. The whole congregation is holy and the LORD is among them." Numbers 16:1
How presumptuous, and how arrogant, and how wrong they were. The ground fell out from under them and they went into the pit, two hundred and fifty of them along with all their belongings and all their households with them. All because of pride. They wanted more than what God had set for them to do, they wanted to be priests, but were not of Aaron.
I rejoice that we live today under grace and though we are held to a higher standard, we are given so much strength to live to that standard. We are not alone, we have God with us, indwelling us so that we are not of baser things, but new creations to bring God glory. Praise His holy name, Amen.
He doesn't take sides
Jos 5:13 And it happened, when Joshua was beside Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked. And, behold! A Man stood in front of him, and His drawn sword was in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, Are You for us, or for our foes?
Jos 5:14 And He said, No, for I now come as the Commander of the army of Jehovah. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped. And he said to Him, What does my Lord speak to His slave?
Jos 5:15 And the Commander of the army of Jehovah said to Joshua, Take your shoe off your foot, for the place on which you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so.
With sword in hand, Jesus was ready for battle. But, He said "No," to Joshua's question.
No, He doesn't take sides. He is the God of Republicans and of Democrats. He is the God of Northerners and of Southerners, of blacks and of whites, of rich and of poor.
Why don't people see this?
He doesn't take sides, He is ready to take over if only we would move over and let Him take over. We are not in control, no matter how much we'd like to be in control, we are not. It's that simple, but not simple to understand or accept. It rather boggles the mind.
Joshua fell to his face. He knew. Without God humans can do nothing. Joshua was facing a daunting task...take over of a country. The Canaanites had weak stomachs for they had heard about God parting the waters for the Israelites. Rahab told them this. But when God parted the Jordan for them to cross over, the people of Canaan lost all hope and their stomachs melted!
When God takes over, things just go right. Joshua and the Israelites stomped around Jericho for a few days and the walls came tumbling down. Cool. They ate well, and all was right with the world until Ai.
Look what happened there. It is much more than one tiny town defeating the huge army. That defeat put some of the heart back into the Canaanites. All for a purple robe and a gold bar. A family was lost into the depths of the earth.
When we take the sword back, we not only hurt ourselves but hurt those around us. Yes, it is best to let God take over. He's much better at it than we are and, besides, He can see the whole picture while we only see a few pixels.
Jos 5:14 And He said, No, for I now come as the Commander of the army of Jehovah. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped. And he said to Him, What does my Lord speak to His slave?
Jos 5:15 And the Commander of the army of Jehovah said to Joshua, Take your shoe off your foot, for the place on which you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so.
With sword in hand, Jesus was ready for battle. But, He said "No," to Joshua's question.
No, He doesn't take sides. He is the God of Republicans and of Democrats. He is the God of Northerners and of Southerners, of blacks and of whites, of rich and of poor.
Why don't people see this?
He doesn't take sides, He is ready to take over if only we would move over and let Him take over. We are not in control, no matter how much we'd like to be in control, we are not. It's that simple, but not simple to understand or accept. It rather boggles the mind.
Joshua fell to his face. He knew. Without God humans can do nothing. Joshua was facing a daunting task...take over of a country. The Canaanites had weak stomachs for they had heard about God parting the waters for the Israelites. Rahab told them this. But when God parted the Jordan for them to cross over, the people of Canaan lost all hope and their stomachs melted!
When God takes over, things just go right. Joshua and the Israelites stomped around Jericho for a few days and the walls came tumbling down. Cool. They ate well, and all was right with the world until Ai.
Look what happened there. It is much more than one tiny town defeating the huge army. That defeat put some of the heart back into the Canaanites. All for a purple robe and a gold bar. A family was lost into the depths of the earth.
When we take the sword back, we not only hurt ourselves but hurt those around us. Yes, it is best to let God take over. He's much better at it than we are and, besides, He can see the whole picture while we only see a few pixels.
Why do we argue?
I love to bounce thoughts off brothers and sisters in Christ. I have to be so very careful which discussions I enter though because some of them go into phaser blast mode where no one learns anything.
Now, it seems that everyone has an agenda.
Why is that?
Why can't everyone have patience with their siblings in Christ? I do not understand where some people get their interpretations, either. I know we are reading the same Book, but I do not think we are reading the Whole Book and taking into consideration the Whole of Scripture. That must be the case and why we have such a difficult time agreeing. I find agendas exhausting.
Some want just the OT without the inconvenience of obeying the commands of Jesus-all 1001 of them.
Some want just the warm fuzzy God, who will let everyone into Heaven just because He is so good and loving.
Some insist that only a very few will get into Heaven because God predestined them.
Some do not know what the resurrection means.
Some do not believe in the Triune God, even though Jesus speaks of the Triune.
Some are content with half-truths.
Some are content with half-lies.
Some would judge rather than love.
I find it very exhausting.
Come Lord Jesus, come quickly and settle this unsettlement
Now, it seems that everyone has an agenda.
Why is that?
Why can't everyone have patience with their siblings in Christ? I do not understand where some people get their interpretations, either. I know we are reading the same Book, but I do not think we are reading the Whole Book and taking into consideration the Whole of Scripture. That must be the case and why we have such a difficult time agreeing. I find agendas exhausting.
Some want just the OT without the inconvenience of obeying the commands of Jesus-all 1001 of them.
Some want just the warm fuzzy God, who will let everyone into Heaven just because He is so good and loving.
Some insist that only a very few will get into Heaven because God predestined them.
Some do not know what the resurrection means.
Some do not believe in the Triune God, even though Jesus speaks of the Triune.
Some are content with half-truths.
Some are content with half-lies.
Some would judge rather than love.
I find it very exhausting.
Come Lord Jesus, come quickly and settle this unsettlement
Outlawing Bully Talk
I have written a lot about bullying, and I still find it appalling that children are still doing it. What I do not find surprising is that the LGBT proponents have tucked that verbiage into their bag of tricks to twist the arm of America into believing homosexual lifestyle is normal. How you ask?
Space Shuttle Challenger remembered
I know that debris from the shuttle was found across Louisiana and Texas and it all came from a ruptured O-ring.
Isn't it strange how the smallest thing can cause the greatest trouble? The old saying goes For lack of a nail, the shoe was lost. For lack of a shoe the horse was lost. For lack of a horse the rider was lost. For lack of the rider, the battle was lost, all for the lack of a nail. Or something like that.
I mourn those seven adventuresome astronauts who accepted the challenge and set their faces toward space. I admire their courage and their intestinal fortitude. May God Almighty be with their families as the world remembers that long ago explosion.
NASA: Most distant galaxy found by Hubble
I can't help but chuckle every time a scientist goes on national TV and talks about things that are more than a billion years old, or for that matter more than 20,000 years old. The reason is that scientist aren't considering God in their equations.
Of course, there are more scientists that do not believe in God than that do believe in God or so Scientific American have told us time and again. That does not eliminate those scientists who do believe in God, including those who didn't then couldn't help but believe because of their scientific findings corresponding so closely with the Bible.
Here we have the classic example of Universe-Longevity. Why, I wonder, is it so imperative that we are comforted by the longevity of our home's existence?
God chose this space to plant earth and our sun, He chose to give us heavenly bodies to study and wonder about, then in the proper timing He has allowed us to explore further and further into space with the telescope and with our limited space ships. God created the universe as it is, uncrowded and vast, and He created it old, just as He created Adam a full grown man and Eve a full grown woman.
Of course, there are more scientists that do not believe in God than that do believe in God or so Scientific American have told us time and again. That does not eliminate those scientists who do believe in God, including those who didn't then couldn't help but believe because of their scientific findings corresponding so closely with the Bible.
Here we have the classic example of Universe-Longevity. Why, I wonder, is it so imperative that we are comforted by the longevity of our home's existence?
God chose this space to plant earth and our sun, He chose to give us heavenly bodies to study and wonder about, then in the proper timing He has allowed us to explore further and further into space with the telescope and with our limited space ships. God created the universe as it is, uncrowded and vast, and He created it old, just as He created Adam a full grown man and Eve a full grown woman.
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