A thought or two or three

So I fell off with my blogging. It was going well, I was managing to post once a week. Then summer hit. Blogging wasn't the only thing to fall to the wayside, school has been a major challenge with all of the nice days that we have had! With this beautiful weather it has been great to be able to be outside enjoying God's creation.

Anyhow.

A lot has happened in the last two months. The Israelites were sent to Babylon. Now they came back from Babylon and are rebuilding the temple. Going back through the pages, I just wanted to highlight a couple of things that struck me:

My verse:

"You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!"
Isaiah 26:1-19

A very special friend of mine (that's you kt) gave me this verse on a card a few months ago when I was struggling with worrying. Reading and praying this verse has helped me to leave my worry when I fix my eyes on the Lord. It's still a struggle, but I do feel less anxious than I did six or so months ago. I enjoyed coming across this in the reading. This part of Isaiah had a note that it belonged to a set of prophesies that didn't have a specific connection to any events. So amazing that Isaiah shared these thoughts about our restoration with the Lord. We have these words to enjoy and ponder for our own lives.

Two of my favorite Bible stories happen in the book of Daniel. Maybe Daniel is just one of my favorite books? For me this book shows, not only God's faithfulness to his people, but that through faith all things are possible including being saved from a firey furnace and the mouths of hungry lions.

The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3:1-30) tells about the faith of three men who refused to bow down to the king's statue of himself. In the end they were protected in the furnace that was to be their death. Their faith and God's saving grace helped to soften King Nebuchadnezzar's heart.

Much later, and under a different Babylonian king, Daniel is also punished for his faith (Daniel 6:1-28). Once again a law is passed that all people should worship the king only. So Daniel goes home and prays openingly in front of a window just as he has always done, he is "caught" and subsequently thrown in the lions den. In the den, the Lord sealed the mouths of the lions so that Daniel was safe. This act of faith and God's intervention to save Daniel, also caused the current king, King Darius, to have his heart softened towards God. King Darius sent out messages to his kingdom that the God of Daniel was the true living God.

Great stories. Veggie Tales also has a great version of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (which will also be the names I pick if I were ever to have triplet boys. ha.). I think how often I decide to hide my faith in little things in life, and how these four men had the opportunity to go with the crowd, hide their faith, pretend that everything was ok, but chose not to. They chose the straight and narrow path, the one that I struggle daily to remain on, and were greatly rewarded when faced with great adversity. Now we usually don't throw people in with real lions or fires, but there are definitely many metaphorical punishments for not going with the flow. We can be ostracized or made fun of or ignored. We may offend someone who is in a position of power. Or we may be surprised with what happens when we do not deny our faith and proudly claim Jesus as Savior and Lord. I know I struggle with being open about my faith, but may I know that Him who offers perfect peace, will not leave or foresake me when I step out in faith and acknowledge him before others.

Catching Up...part 1

So much for my goal of catching up and staying on top of things!!!!  I was at my sister’s one night while reading from Song of Solomon and made some remark about the blog for the week.  She responded that she couldn’t wait to read what Kristi and I had to say J  Really, what can you say?  I noticed Kristi neatly avoided saying anything at all J  I never felt all that comfortable reading this book, and now that I’m married, I think that there is a different understanding of some of what is being said…..still not that comfortable with it.  It almost seems that you stumbled upon a stash of long-lost love letters of your grandparents and in reading them find out some things are best left unknown.  It is just such an intimate book.  On the other hand, the love and desire expressed is beautiful and somewhat incomprehensible when put in the context of God’s love and desire for each one of us.  However, there are other metaphors that are much more comfortable for me to ponder.  Moving on……

Next we are repeatedly told the history of the kings of Israel and then Judah/Israel.  Most times it seemed I should be creating an actual time line of dates and names to keep my head straight.  It still amazes me how they see so many physical signs from God, or aren’t too far removed from a generation that has, and yet completely turn away from Him, adopting all the traditions and practices of worship to all the false gods.  In July I was on a trip and was discussing this challenge/blog with a lady sitting next to me on the shuttle bus (she and her sister were wonderful to talk with by the way J).  We were talk about how Kristi is so much more empathetic where as I have more of a harsh outlook on the events we’ve been reading about, especially regarding the Israelites and their constant turning from God.  The thought crossed my mind that yes, the Israelites had the privilege of witnessing many might works of God, but could it be that my/our spiritual eyes just are not open enough to see the works that God is trying to display to us?

Though I’m not building golden calves, sacrificing my child, etc., my sins are sins period.  All of our sins are the same.  As humans, we like to assign rankings to transgressions; murder, rape, etc. at the top while lies, not speaking up when we see something wrong, and anything pertaining to ourselves personally are at the bottom.  The reality is, in God’s eyes our sin is sin.  It all separates us from His presence.

I’m just going to jot down some things that have stuck out to me/thoughts that have come to me since my last blog.  Hopefully I can get them in some sort of cohesive flow.

Ecclesiastes can seem to have a very depressive tone.  The author talks about all of these things he tries to in life to achieve meaning and fulfillment but basically ends up saying it is all meaningless.  Often times I feel life is meaningless.  Maybe the real meaning of life lies in realizing everything really is meaningless without an active relationship with our creator.  Through Him we find the only lasting source of joy, peace, comfort, and satisfaction.  Ecclesiastes 6:9 tells us to enjoy what we have rather than desiring what we don’t.  Even just to dream about nice things is meaningless-like chasing the wind.  Ecclesiastes 6:10 reminds us that it is no use arguing with God about the destiny he has for us.  The author compares a lot of things to chasing the wind throughout his book.  His repetitive advice seems to be that we should eat, drink, and enjoy life.

Ecclesiastes 9:9 tells husbands that their wife is their reward.  This made me think that I’d better be a reward my husband wants, a reward worth having instead of a reward he wished he’d never claimed. 

Ecclesiastes 10:4b “a quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes” 

Amos 7:14 God seems to really like to use shepherds.  King David was a shepherd, Amos and other prophets were shepherds, Jesus is often called a shepherd. 

Isaiah 9:3 “You will enlarge the nation of Israel….in Galilee of the gentiles…..as believers are we the enlargement of Israel? 

Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron so a friend sharpens a friend.  This is a great verse and could be the cornerstone of this challenge.  Kristi and I have set out to share our thoughts with each other and others reading in hopes of  learning and seeing things in a different light.

Proverbs 27:20 Reminds us that human desire is never satisfied.  How very true!  Anybody watch Veggietales Madame Blueberry?  No?  How about Hoarders: Buried Alive?   We buy all of this stuff to cram pack our houses and feel ownership of possessions but it never fulfills us.  Once we achieve that object our desire is focused on, it doesn’t take long to fixate on the next thing we just have to have or achieve. 

Psalm 44 shows us that we are not the only ones who question where God is and what He is, or rather isn’t, doing.

I love how Isaiah 49:16 says “you have written your name on the palm of my hand”.  It made me think of the nails that were placed there due to my sins (yes, I know they were actually through the wrist). 

Isaiah 52-53 foretells Jesus’ beating, crucifixion, and death.

This verse has really stuck with me: Isaiah 64:6 “When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.”  No matter how good of a person we think we are, this verse reminds us that we are absolutely nothing without Christ.  Our human “good enough” and even perfection, is not nearly good or perfect enough.

Week 25: A Couple of Proverbs

King Hezekiah collected many of Solomon's proverbs, which we have been reading this week. I thought that I would share a couple of my favorites:

"Patience can persuade a prince,
and soft speech can break bones"
Proverbs 25:15

I like the idea that a quiet presence is effective, especially since I am a quiet person. I also was wondering if this could be a warning as well - that temptation comes in all forms...

"A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning
will be taken as a curse!"
Proverbs 27:14

The non-morning people rejoice!

"As iron sharpens iron
so a friend sharpens a friend."
Proverbs 27:17

I really like this verse. It is a reminder that we need others to help us through life - that other people will help to make us better. I also am extremely thankful that I have my friend kt, who keeps me sharp!

Week 24: Jonah and the Whale

The story of Jonah and the whale is a favorite Sunday School story. Jonah receives directions from God, Jonah runs from God, God has Jonah swallowed by whale, Jonah is in the whale for three days, Jonah prays to God, and Jonah finally goes to Nineveh to delivery God's message to the people there.

What I found interesting was the story after the story of how the people of Nineveh turned from their evil ways and toward God. In Jonah 4:1-11 it tells of Jonah's reaction to God's decision to not destroy Nineveh (Jonah 3:10). Basically Jonah pouted, and gets angry with God because God showed compassion and mercy toward the people of Nineveh. Jonah then sits and waits to see what will happen to the city, and the Lord has a plant grow to shade Jonah. Eventually the Lord has the plant die. The Lord asks Jonah if it is right for him to be angry about the plant dying, in Jonah's anger he believes he does. And the Lord responds with (I think this is great), "...'You feel sorry for the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a great city?'"

How often do we get angry and upset with God for his decisions? I know that I can be that pouting whining child when life doesn't happen the way I think it should go. I think that this story of Jonah is reflective of much of our experiences in not wanting to accept God's plan or a change in what we thought was the plan. This story reminded me of how I often get upset at small things without understanding or considering that there is a bigger picture at work. I pray that I may accept and humbling walk in the path the Lord has laid out for me. I'm afraid of whales.

Week 23: Elisha's Army

I like the story of Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6:8-23. In this story, Elisha has just warned the King of Israel about the King of Aram's intent to go to war. The King of Aram decides to take his frustration out on Elisha by sending an army to seize him. One morning, Elisha's servant went outside to find that they were surrounded by King Aram's army. The servant, understandably, panicked and cried out to Elisha asking him what they were to do. I imagine that Elisha calmly turned to the servant as he said, "'Don't be afraid!' Elisha told him. 'For there are more on our side than on theirs!'" (2 Kings 6:16). Then Elisha prayed and asked God to reveal to the servant God's army that surrounded them.

Can you imagine what it would be like to feel as though you were in a hopeless situation, only to find that you have the exact support and care that you needed? I know I want to be more cognizant of how God is working in my life. I want to have my eyes opened to the glory, love, safety that is surrounding me.

Week 22: Israel's Many Kings

I can't say that I've ever read first or second Kings. And both Chronicles and Kings record Israel's many kings. Buried within the revolving door of kings in both Israel and Judah is the story of Elijah. Elijah is one of the remaining faithful to God. The continual misdirection of the kings has led the people of Israel to turn their backs on the God of Jacob. Elijah listens and goes where the Lord send him in order to work in the hearts and minds of the people.

In a very dramatic fashion Elisha challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest of who's god is stronger (1 Kings 18:1-40)? The challenge is to have the true god light a sacrifice on fire. Needless to say, God demonstrated his mighty power by not only sending fire to burn up the sacrifice, but the altar that it was offered on. Baal forgot to show up that day. While God's power was made unbelievably real that day, people still did not believe and Elijah ends up fleeing.

It continues to strike me how similar we are to the people in the old testament. We are hit over and over again with God's faithfulness and we continue to choose to put our faith and trust in false gods such as money, or the security of human relationships. I know that I struggle with this misplaced faith as well. I pray that I don't need to have a column of fire come from heaven for me to see that God is in control. I pray that I give thanks even for the things that I do not understand and give my control over to God.

"...Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you."
2 Chronicles 15:2 

Week 21: More Proverbs and Wise Thoughts

I really enjoy the book of Proverbs. I like all of the nuggets of truth and directions for life. There is just so much in those short 31 chapters. Here are some of my favorites from this week's reading

"Get all the advice and instruction you can,
so you will be wise the rest of your life."
Proverbs 19:20

"You can make many plans,
but the Lord's purpose will prevail."
Proverbs 19:21

"The Lord directs our steps,
so why try to understand everything along the way."
Proverbs 20:24

"People may be right in their own eyes,
but the Lord examines the heart."
Proverbs 21:2

I find comfort in these words. My human struggle is not new that for centuries people have had to be reminded that the Lord is the one in control.