Wise Counsel

Wow, I'm so enthralled with the O.T. right now!

Who knew that some of this stuff could be So Interesting!?!?

I flew through 1st and 2nd Samuel and am now over halfway through 1st Kings.

Did you know that David's son Absalom was the first baby kissing, handshaking, mumbo jumbo talkin' politician? Yep, he sat at the town gate, shaking hands, kissing cheeks and promoting his cause trying to overthrow his dad.

David had a serious problem keeping his kids under control. In fact, pretty much all of the major guys in the Old Test. had family issues. Why is that? Makes you really think about how sometimes we loose focus on what really matters even though we are doing something good....like running a country...

When it comes to advice, time and time again, wise counsel is so Important!

David's son Absalom had the rebellion in the bag...until, he followed the advice of someone secretly loyal to David. His plan to attack David played on Absalom's pride and led to his defeat and death.

Solomon, the wisest man on earth (and whoa, did he seriously fall or what?!?), obviously didn't pass any of it down to his kids. Maybe he was too busy entertaining people from all over the world who came to just sit and listen to him... His son, Rahoboam, completely ignored the advice of his father's elders when it came to dealing with his new kingdom.

The good advice was to serve his people and they will serve him. Humble, serving...not really the awesome lifestyle of a King.

His friends told him to flex his muscle, show them who's boss---if you thought my father's yoke was heavy, mine will be even heavier still! And the people rebelled, and he lost most of his kingdom (Israel split from Judah)....just as God told Solomon would happen because of his disobedience.

So, whose your counsel? Oprah? Horiscopes? Dr. Phil?  Self Help Books?

Reading through the O.T. has been so eye opening...learn from our fathers' mistakes...grow from their wisdom and experience.

And most of all, look to God! He lays it all out for us. Sometimes it seems as clear as mud, but He won't ever steer you wrong!!!! He knew you before you were born, formed you in your mother's womb...molded for His good works.

Don't waste yourself on shoddy advice or fads---God's word stands the test of time!

These are all things that we have been in deep discussion about with Jamie. He's getting to that delightful age where he knows best, we know nothing. I really want to instill this sensitivity to where he gets his knowledge.

O Lord, give my sons discerning hearts--let wisdom be their guides--grow in them hearts that follow after you, that walk in your ways and follow your statutes! Bless them with wise counsel when the time comes and protect them from fools with selfish motives at heart!

Dress to Impress?

I haven't written lately on my progress reading through the Bible cover to cover.  I just finished 2 Samuel this afternoon.....so I thought that I'd write about one of the things that really struck me.

In 2 Samuel 6, David was bringing the ark into Jerusalem.   He had started this journey earlier.  But when Uzzah fell against the ark and died, David became afraid and dropped it off at the closest place.   

When he finally came to terms with what had happened (and saw how greatly God was blessing the house where the ark stayed), David decided to give it a second go around.   This time, they stopped every few feet to offer sacrifices to the Lord.  David danced and sang with all of his might during this procession into Jerusalem.

He danced and sang with All His Might....so much so that his wife was embarrassed by his undignified manner. 

He replied that he would praise God with all of his might--undignified or not--God chose him, made him a prince and after all of that running around and hiding out in caves God's promise was finally coming true!   I'll dance to bring God glory, more recklessly than this--I'll look like a total fool because of all that he's done for me!

Here's where I was convicted....God has given us so much...yes, we are still in our own little barren desert right now, but we are still blessed so very much.

So, what or who do I keep this dignity for?

I should be shouting from the rooftops His praises....dancing down the street, singing with all of my might---Loco in the Spirit!  

Filled and totally over the top on fire for the Lord!   That's where I want to be!!!

I will celebrate, sing unto the Lord..I will sing to him a new song!

Investments

I've been thinking a lot lately about what we invest ourselves in....our time, our devotion, our love...our money....  


So far in my journey through the Bible, I've read up to 1 Samuel. Joshua and Judges were hard chapters for me to bring to a conclusion.   Such sad chapters, but also so true today.   They lost focus.   Sure in Joshua, they were doing "the Lords work"....casting out the nations, building up their own...but they still lacked something.   Easily swayed by other gods, they forgot to build up the next generation everything that Moses had told them not to forget!   Then they'd come under hardships...cry out to God (after many many years), He'd save them...then within a matter of years, they'd be right back to doing what got them into the mess in the first place!!!!!


This all got me thinking, we are raising the next generation---the faith that I am instilling in my children today, will probably have some effect on their children and so on and so forth.   That's kind of scary when you think about it!!!  


Are these boys my at the top of my investment list?   What habits am I instilling--idols or a faith in God that moves mountains?   Will they look first to God when the going is good, not just when they're in trouble?   What is my faith modeling?


Then when I felt like all hope is lost the book of Ruth comes in and glimmers hope!   Here is Naomi, a woman who lived her life in such a way that Ruth, even though she was no longer bound to stay with her mother in law, begged to go wherever she went.   And through their hardships, they lived this life of honor that God in turn blessed...and through them, blessed us all!   Ruth, a foreigner, and Boaz, a descendant of Rahab (the prostitute that helped the spies), gave us the family line of David...which led to Jesus!  Imagine that!

As I'm starting 1 Samuel, this is really a pressing issue...when looking at Eli and Samuel, they started off so good, then in the end...their children disobeyed God to such horrid extents that they too fell away from God.


Seems like everything boils down to how we raise our kids, doesn't it?  Not something that I want to take lightly and definitely something that needs a lot more attention on my part!!!!!

Flying Higher

Yesterday we broke out the kites.....

...and then we BROKE the kites!

Super Bummer!


Not much happening today other than hiding out from the rain and these 50 degree temps....yes....50's!!!!!!  Gag!   Oh well, tomorrow I get to have supper with two awesome ladies and this momma is Stoked!!!   


The Lovely Lori posted some pics of the area where Jim's working.....Crossroads Community Church Construction Outreach Team....I can't wait to see what all they accomplish this week!  


LOVE YOU JIM!!!!  MISS YOU LIKE CRAZY---BUT WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU STEPPING UP LIKE THIS!!!!!  Did I mention that I LOVE YOU?!?!?  YEPPERS <3 U!!!!

Remembering....

(http://www.sunrisegardens.ca/photos/1137083228-1.jpg)

This post was to be written so many posts ago....but I've filled with fluff, instead of wrapping my head around it!   I just can't seem to concentrate long enough to write anything meaningful!  (even now, my neighbor is mowing his lawn..the boys are arguing...it looks like it's going to rain and I have a dinner menu floating around my head that I really don't feel like making tonight!)

So, I'll say a little prayer for God to draw me in, settle my heart and focus my mind!!!

Do you ever have one of those days where the bottom just seems to drop out?  Where, really, if only one more thing could go wrong you'd be admitted to the loony bin?

That was my day when I read Numbers 9.   Honestly, I am not manic....my life is such a roller coaster...up on the mountain one day, down in the valley the next!   Alright, Numbers 9: 22-23 (the message)

It made no difference whether the Cloud hovered over The Dwelling for two days or a month or a year, as long as the Cloud was there, they were there.  And when the Cloud went up, they got up and marched.   They camped at God's command and they marched at God's command.   They lived obediently by God's orders delivered by Moses.

My NIV Study Bible made note that the Israelites weren't always looking ahead to the next big move, they kept their eyes focused...God had a purpose for their encampment just as much as He had a purpose for moving them.   Hmmmm.....    God likes to give me a V8 smack upside the head every so often.   This was one of them.

As I read further through Numbers, things were constantly deteriorating, then swinging up...ebb and flow... a faithful group of doubters.   This world has a way of pulling our eyes off the true GPS  and planting them squarely on ourselves...our needs, our hurts, our waaaaaants.   God was faithful to always provide for the Israelites.   But from the time they left Egypt until the minute they arrived (again) at the foot of the Promised Land, they only could think of their hardships (do you have any idea how Many times they said "why did you bring us out into the desert to die?  If only we had stayed in Egypt"?!?).   

How could being enslaved in Egypt even compare to being led by The Lord?   

I got my answer last weekend at church.   The sermon was on remembering what to remember....or at least that was the part that hit me the most.   Basically we remember the things that we should forget and forget the things that we should remember! (thank you Pastor Keith for that insight!!)   

Israel was so wrapped up in remembering the food and "comforts" of Egypt that they forgot What God brought them out of...they couldn't see the daily blessings of manna and water from rocks...and most of all...they forgot to see that God was right there with them--Leading and Providing for them the entire time!!!

Moses in Deuteronomy is continually saying--Be Careful---Remember---Do Not Forget.   God was preparing their hearts by having them constantly rely on Him for their every need.   He knew that once they got into this wonderful land, where things would be easy, that they would be drawn by life and turn their hearts from him.   Hmmmmmm....

So, what am I trying to remember?   God always is faithful, always provides, His Timing Is Everything!   He has plans for me, for you too....plans to give us a hope and future, not to harm us....even when we think that we are being harmed, it is for our benefit....growth doesn't happen during the easy times, but when our faith is stretched to the point of us breaking, humbling us low...taking our eyes off ourselves and back on God!

Remembering......

Livin' Leviticus

 Wow, thank you so much for all of your kind words and support!   This has been such a journey, painful..yes....but the depth of faith I am reaching wouldn't be possible without it.


Numbers has become such an amazing chapter this week....but before I reveal that, I really need to get my thoughts cleared from Leviticus.


"Leviticus" was actually the translated from the Latin, Liber Leviticus.   But while searching for the meaning of Leviticus (pertaining to the Levites), I found that the Hebrew word wayyiqra' (and He called) was the term the Jews used mostly for the book.   He called...not He dominated...not He smothered everything joyful out of life with so many rules....He called.   Amazingly, He is still calling today, we just have to answer!


Leviticus is a guide book to holy living.   Holiness is mentioned more in this book than any other book of the Bible.   These guidelines and rules, whether for offering sacrifices, clean living, or keeping themselves set apart from the pagan nations that they would encounter,  were given to set them apart as a holy nation, following a holy God.   Just quickly, before this post becomes a book itself, the need for a perfect blemish free sacrifice for atonement mirrors the perfect sacrifice of Jesus....how amazing that these guidelines from the very beginning were set in place for our full and complete redemption!  I am so thankful for that covering!  


The tale of two hearts in Chapter 26 really struck home for me:


The obedient were rewarded with bountiful harvests, peace in the land, favor and fruitfulness, God would keep his covenant and put His dwelling place among them:  I will walk among you and be your God and you will be my people.  Who wouldn't want that?!?  


The disobedient were punished with sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever..You will plant your seed in vain, I will set my face against you, you will be defeated by your enemies...


And still if you won't listen, I will break your stubborn pride....


This keeps going on until enough was enough, if you remain hostile towards me, I will be hostile towards you.  You will be punished, I will cut you down, turn your cities into ruin and you will waste away in the land of your enemies (hello, Babylon?!?).


And then...my favorite part...BUT...if they confess their sins, humble their hearts and pay for their sins, I will remember my covenant.  I will not reject them so much as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them.  I am the Lord their God, for their sake I will remember.


I am so thankful for a God who, although I mess up and harden my heart, remembers...forgives..loves me enough to not give up on me!!!!!

Exiting

I finished Exodus a few weeks ago...actually I just started Numbers, so I'm a smidge behind in posting my thoughts.

Today though, just feels right for a grumbley complainy Israelite rant. Jim got word that he didn't pass his test...which is ok..remember...I typed those words "in Your timing God"...I typed them so I must have meant them right?!? I laid it down, gave it to God...and promptly picked it back up once things didn't go my way!

The Israelites saw miracles and signs of wonder...yet they still were filled with unbelief. They were passed over, set free, walked on dry ground to safety and had the pillar of cloud to guide them--a Visible sign of God's Presence! They couldn't make a wrong turn, He guided them day and night!!! Yet, they still doubted when it got hard---Why have you brought us to the desert to die?

They could have experienced God face to face on Mt. Sinai, but the were too afraid so they sent Moses up alone. And then, when he didn't come down right away, they made their own version of a god.

It makes me wonder, am I too afraid? Do I say, "my life is yours Lord, use me, mold me, fill me"...but only if it doesn't hurt or get too hard? Do I mold God into what I think He should be...how I think He should act?!? Am I afraid to show God my hidden dark places? Or worse...afraid of what He'd reveal in me! I don't want to waiver, I want to trust.

Even though I want nothing more than to be in NM this very minute, I know that God is directing our path. He is strengthening us, teaching us, shaping us into usable vessels. I see that...I believe that...but I am still So Impatient!!!

Tear off the bandages Lord, heal the quick fixes, glossed over yet so very open. Help me to meet you at the foot of the mountain---I want to know you on a Moses level. Break up this fallow ground Lord, plant in me a beautiful garden that will bear much fruit--fruit for you, that will bring people Your Hope! You are trustworthy, perfect and loving--you deserve my unhindered, full on praise and adoration!

Man, I Feel Like A Woman

The other day, I decided to start reading the Bible, cover to cover....chapter by chapter....starting at "In the Beginning" through to the last Amen!

Wow, that's a huge task..one I've never attempted....and in the last 3 days, I've been a reading/learning and I can't get enough!   This was supposed to be a 3 chapter a day deal.....but I can't stop!   Everything else seems to pale in comparison to these words saturating my soul :)  Our ladies small group has been going through the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan.   Last week he talked about reading through the Bible like you've never heard any of it...so that it is all fresh...not with the chains of "religion" or denomination....just God's Word speaking to His people.   Wow...I'm not even through Genesis and I already have learned so very much about the heart of God and how He is going to rock my world through this journey!

Genesis 32 is where I stopped today.   Boy, is God kicking me in the pants so far!!!!   Back track here a bit:  Jim and Shelly go to NM, fall in love with the town and all God is showing them there...Jim doesn't get job....Jim and Shelly are crushed.....Shelly has a huge heart to heart with God...begins pushing Jim into keeping going....pushing...pushing....pushing (come on, lets go, lets go, lets go!   God's plan hasn't changed!  Don't give up!   Here's a job, here's a house....I just want to get down there, yesterday was too late in my mind!)    Now, I'm just trying to be a good cheerleader, keep your eyes on the prize....  Yes, I know....I've been terrible.

Anywhoooooo, Genesis 32.....

Have you ever noticed how like Every wife in Genesis pushes her way....and everything gets totally messed up?!?   Of course, we all know how it started with Eve....tempted to eat the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.   But the kicker is that she gets cursed to painful childbirth and to desire her husband...say what!?!?  Desire is a curse?  Well, not the lusty lovey desire.....but a desire to overcome, over throw....control (hello, I'm raising my hand....sending job listing emails to Jim and on and on!)   Then there's Sarah.  She couldn't just wait for God's promise of a child.   She pushed it along when she had Abraham lay with Hagar....talk about marital strain!   Then to be the mothers of two fighting nations!   Let's see, up next....Rebekah...oh dear Rebekah!   Helping to trick her husband into giving the blessing to Jacob instead of Esau....got her son basically run out of town.   Funny thing was that Esau had already given his birthright over to Jacob....all they had to do was wait.  (are you seeing a pattern?   Is it just me or does waiting stink, Big time!).   Does it stop there?   Nope....Jacob marries his sweetheart Rachel, but not before being tricked by their father and had to marry Leah.   Rachel couldn't conceive, but Leah did.....jealous!   So, Rachel pushed it and took a cue from momma Sarah and had Jacob lay with her maid servant.   Then Leah's womb shuts up so she has her maid servant lay with Jacob.....and THEN Leah also gets pregnant...and then Rachel twice!  (momma drama!)  Everybody fighting, whose child is best.....   I haven't gotten much farther into this part of Genesis, but we all know that little Joseph doesn't earn much respect and love from his bro's.

So, what does that whole big whoppin paragraph have to do with me?   I've been pushing.   I've been impatient.   God's timing is never late.   God's timing is never late!   Never Late....no matter how much I want it today, His planning is perfect.   I've backed off the push train.   I'm trying not to muck it up by pushing my way into this plan God has laid before us.

Praying....Reading...Stretching....Learning......

Edited to Add----I let go, I stopped pushing..and Jim all of the sudden, on his own picked up the ball and is running with it!!!   We thought that we were going to hit another road block with test date issues (he had to take his national test before the end of the month)....been praying about it for the last 2 days....God, I'm giving it to you.  In Your Perfect timing Lord!   Guess what?!? A few minutes ago, Jim finally got through to the office he's been trying for days to connect with....it's all good!!!  He can take the test, won't need the refresher class in the middle of now where Iowa....God is so good!!!