Tonight's post...short and sweet.
You know, as I read about Rebekah, Jacob, Esau, Rachel, Leah, and Laban, I can't help but think how manipulative and out for their own well-being all these people seem to be. I don't want to believe the people of today are still like that, but I bet they are. I would love to think about the idea of everyone worry about everyone else before themselves, but it's probably just a dream state I'm living in.
Dear Lord, thank you for this cool and cloudy day and for allowing me to be a part of it. Please help me to remember to think of others before myself. Please help me to remember that even though I may be going through some tough stuff, there are others out there who may be going through more. Thank you for being there as I struggle to get back on track with my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
BTW...12lbs
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Genesis 22 - 26...Days 7-9
A very tiring beginning to a new year...I have read but not written since Saturday. Hopefully I'll be able to settle my brain and get back into the word more deeply and write about what my brain is thinking as I read.
Wow...Abraham is so loyal to God when God told him to sacrifice Isaac, he was going to do it! I know we should always trust in God, but to sacrifice my own child...I'm not sure I would do it. I know God was only testing him and wouldn't actually make him go through with it, but I don't know that I'd even take it as far as Abraham did.
Isaac and Rebekah...I know it says by the end of verse 24 that they had a great love, but it still blows me away how women were treated as property...and still are in some places in the world. The servant came and said I want her for Isaac, and they gave her to him. I know he was able to convince them he was sent by God, but it's not always like that. Regardless of a person's gender, he/she should have the right to decide who they marry.
Why is it that so many of the women of the Bible have difficulty having children. Sarah and Rebekah both...now on the bright side, they both prayed and received; however, unlike Sarah, Rebekah waited for God's time table. Based on the math, it sounds like it was 20 years before her prayer was answered...again, not what I would call immediate in terms of our fast-paced society.
Lots to think about...
Father: Please help me to shut my brain down so I can get some sleep. It's an exhausting week already without the added stress of no sleep. Praises that Mr. Drama's new job is going to well, but I pray he can feel less stress as he adjusts to a new schedule and lifestyle. I pray that the big girls continue to have good days at school. I pray that the baby continues to grow healthy and maintain that HAPPY personality of hers. In your Son's name. Amen.
Wow...Abraham is so loyal to God when God told him to sacrifice Isaac, he was going to do it! I know we should always trust in God, but to sacrifice my own child...I'm not sure I would do it. I know God was only testing him and wouldn't actually make him go through with it, but I don't know that I'd even take it as far as Abraham did.
Isaac and Rebekah...I know it says by the end of verse 24 that they had a great love, but it still blows me away how women were treated as property...and still are in some places in the world. The servant came and said I want her for Isaac, and they gave her to him. I know he was able to convince them he was sent by God, but it's not always like that. Regardless of a person's gender, he/she should have the right to decide who they marry.
Why is it that so many of the women of the Bible have difficulty having children. Sarah and Rebekah both...now on the bright side, they both prayed and received; however, unlike Sarah, Rebekah waited for God's time table. Based on the math, it sounds like it was 20 years before her prayer was answered...again, not what I would call immediate in terms of our fast-paced society.
Lots to think about...
Father: Please help me to shut my brain down so I can get some sleep. It's an exhausting week already without the added stress of no sleep. Praises that Mr. Drama's new job is going to well, but I pray he can feel less stress as he adjusts to a new schedule and lifestyle. I pray that the big girls continue to have good days at school. I pray that the baby continues to grow healthy and maintain that HAPPY personality of hers. In your Son's name. Amen.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Genesis 16-21...Days 5...and 6
Okay. So I didn't write yesterday. I didn't even read for that matter...I fell asleep on the couch while trying to watch a movie with Mr. Drama. I thought I could make it, but I guess after a long exhausting week, it just wasn't possible; however, I caught up tonight, and I'm ready to go.
Lots of stuff happens...
Abram's wife Sarai tells him she's not going to be able to give him a son so he needs to be with her servent Hagar. Even though Ishmael was born from this union, it just goes to prove once again that we are on God's time table not ours. Had Abram and Sarai just listened and waited, they would have had a child too...much later than they anticipated, but again...God's time table. Isaac was born when Sarah was 99 years old...like I said the other day, I was 24 when my first was born...I couldn't imagine having a child at 99 years old!
Speaking of Ishmael...all I could think about as I read about him was Moby Dick. It's been a while since I've read it, but if I'm not mistaken, the first sentence of the book is, "Call me Ishmael." I wonder why Ishmael though. I don't remember if we ever get much background on the Ishmael of the book in order to make a connection.
Abram and Sarai both get new names...Abraham and Sarah. I'm going to have to do a little research over this one...why Abraham and Sarah? There has to be a significance to this...God wouldn't just give them random names would He?
This is also the section of Sodom and Gomorrah...besides the destruction of these places for evil doing, the part which makes me cringe is how freely Lot was willing to give up his virgin daughters. It'sstill hard to think about the fact that women were treated as pieces of property...
However, the daughters turn around and do something just as disturbing by having children with their own father...it was their ideas even!
Dear Lord: Please help me to get some rest so I can be ready for a new week. Please help me to be able to feel stress free so I may spend some enjoyable time with my family. Please help my girls sleep well and feel prepared to begin the new school year. Please help my husband be stress free as he begins a new career on Monday. I know he will do well, but help him realize that he will do well. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lots of stuff happens...
Abram's wife Sarai tells him she's not going to be able to give him a son so he needs to be with her servent Hagar. Even though Ishmael was born from this union, it just goes to prove once again that we are on God's time table not ours. Had Abram and Sarai just listened and waited, they would have had a child too...much later than they anticipated, but again...God's time table. Isaac was born when Sarah was 99 years old...like I said the other day, I was 24 when my first was born...I couldn't imagine having a child at 99 years old!
Speaking of Ishmael...all I could think about as I read about him was Moby Dick. It's been a while since I've read it, but if I'm not mistaken, the first sentence of the book is, "Call me Ishmael." I wonder why Ishmael though. I don't remember if we ever get much background on the Ishmael of the book in order to make a connection.
Abram and Sarai both get new names...Abraham and Sarah. I'm going to have to do a little research over this one...why Abraham and Sarah? There has to be a significance to this...God wouldn't just give them random names would He?
This is also the section of Sodom and Gomorrah...besides the destruction of these places for evil doing, the part which makes me cringe is how freely Lot was willing to give up his virgin daughters. It'sstill hard to think about the fact that women were treated as pieces of property...
However, the daughters turn around and do something just as disturbing by having children with their own father...it was their ideas even!
Dear Lord: Please help me to get some rest so I can be ready for a new week. Please help me to be able to feel stress free so I may spend some enjoyable time with my family. Please help my girls sleep well and feel prepared to begin the new school year. Please help my husband be stress free as he begins a new career on Monday. I know he will do well, but help him realize that he will do well. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Genesis 12-15 - Day 4
As I picked up my phone to read tonight, I realized the plan I had selected was one in chronological order based on the history of the events. While that's not necessarily bad, I really wanted to read the Bible from beginning to end. I ended up changing my reading plan to the canonical version...the only one which takes you from start to finish. I didn't realize there were so many different plans.
So...Genesis.
I don't know if there was so much today that was profound; however, I was really impresses with Abram's loyalty to the Lord. Every new place he traveled, he built an alter to worship God. I try to make sure the things I do always glorfiy God...I know I don't always do, but Abram's loyalty and the glory he displayed toward God is most definitely present and impressive.
Allusion...Abram meets with and is helped by Melchizedek. In one of the books I teach, Melchizedek is a main character...a character who guides one of the other characters to do what he needs to do...just like he did for Abram. Really neat to see how much authors include biblical ideas into their books...even if everyone doesn't catch the allusions, at least some will, and that makes all the difference!
Dear God: Thank you for the little rain we received today...any small amount helps. Please help me be strong as another one of my girls begins kindergarten. Please help her be strong as she goes to school for the first time. Please help one of my girls as she tries to live without medication. Thank you for allowing me to live in this temporary body with temporary stuff while I await the day I will be taken to heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen.
So...Genesis.
I don't know if there was so much today that was profound; however, I was really impresses with Abram's loyalty to the Lord. Every new place he traveled, he built an alter to worship God. I try to make sure the things I do always glorfiy God...I know I don't always do, but Abram's loyalty and the glory he displayed toward God is most definitely present and impressive.
Allusion...Abram meets with and is helped by Melchizedek. In one of the books I teach, Melchizedek is a main character...a character who guides one of the other characters to do what he needs to do...just like he did for Abram. Really neat to see how much authors include biblical ideas into their books...even if everyone doesn't catch the allusions, at least some will, and that makes all the difference!
Dear God: Thank you for the little rain we received today...any small amount helps. Please help me be strong as another one of my girls begins kindergarten. Please help her be strong as she goes to school for the first time. Please help one of my girls as she tries to live without medication. Thank you for allowing me to live in this temporary body with temporary stuff while I await the day I will be taken to heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Day 3 - Genesis 8 - 11
I'll get to the reading in a moment, but first I just need to say WOW! In the midst of the chaos of inservice week, my principal spoke from his heart and was amazing! It is an incredible feeling to know your principal is on the same page as you in more than one aspect...Praise the Lord!
A verse I was reminded of today..."What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions?" - James 2:14 So many times these last couple of years I've said I have faith in God, but in what I have done, it has not been evident. I am such a huge worrier, and it multiplied during this time in my life. I've been working really hard to let God worry for me...not always an easy task!
Ok...the reading. A couple of things I noticed tonight...
In all the stories I've ever been told or read about Noah and the flood, I've only ever remembered a dove being sent out; however, as I read tonight, a raven popped into the picture...the only raven I know about is Edgar Allan Poe's, and I'm thinking not exactly the same thing. But, a raven is such a different bird from the dove...black and white...don't know if it means anything, or maybe I'm just looking too deep.
Also, I know the story of the Tower of Babel, but I've never put two and two together about the title of the city...DUH! What I don't get is why God did what He did...is it because of the things they were doing were for themselves and not to glorify God?
I guess we never know why things happen the way they do...I don't know if we are really supposed to either.
Dear Lord: Give me the strength to begin a new day tomorrow and make a difference in someone else's life. Please help put my mind at ease so I can sleep well tonight...it makes for difficult days when no sleep happens. Please help me to be an example to my girls...I don't think I did a god job of that this evening, and I pray tomorrow will be better. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this day. In Jesus' name, Amen.
A verse I was reminded of today..."What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions?" - James 2:14 So many times these last couple of years I've said I have faith in God, but in what I have done, it has not been evident. I am such a huge worrier, and it multiplied during this time in my life. I've been working really hard to let God worry for me...not always an easy task!
Ok...the reading. A couple of things I noticed tonight...
In all the stories I've ever been told or read about Noah and the flood, I've only ever remembered a dove being sent out; however, as I read tonight, a raven popped into the picture...the only raven I know about is Edgar Allan Poe's, and I'm thinking not exactly the same thing. But, a raven is such a different bird from the dove...black and white...don't know if it means anything, or maybe I'm just looking too deep.
Also, I know the story of the Tower of Babel, but I've never put two and two together about the title of the city...DUH! What I don't get is why God did what He did...is it because of the things they were doing were for themselves and not to glorify God?
I guess we never know why things happen the way they do...I don't know if we are really supposed to either.
Dear Lord: Give me the strength to begin a new day tomorrow and make a difference in someone else's life. Please help put my mind at ease so I can sleep well tonight...it makes for difficult days when no sleep happens. Please help me to be an example to my girls...I don't think I did a god job of that this evening, and I pray tomorrow will be better. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this day. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Genesis 1-7 - Days 1 and 2 Reading
Recap
The first 7 chapters of Genesis...let's recap. God created everything in 6 days. Devil tempts Eve. She and Adam eat the fruit and are banished from the garden. Adam and Eve had Cain and Abel. Cain kills Abel.
Chapters 4 and 5...as my students would say...THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE TO REMEMBER. And holy cow...everyone is so old! It brings a whole new meaning to having children later in life. I had my first child at the age of 24...I couldn't even imagine having a child after the age of 100.
Okay...I digress...back to the recap. God gets angry with the humans...except Noah and his family. Noah builds the Ark. He puts lots of animals on it. God floods the earth. Noah and his family and the Ark animals survive.
Comments and Questions
Something I noticed with Adam...God gives him the task of naming the animals; however, he had already named birds "birds". Adam I guess named all the individual types of birds, but God had already come up with the word bird.
Question I had...what are days in the Bible? Is it the same amount of time as today? I have no doubt God created everything in 6 days, I just want to know how long those days are. Especially considering people lived to be 900 years old!
Allusion I figured out...in a book I'm teaching for school this year, one of the girls' names is Adah...didn't know it was a biblical name until tonight.
Finally, I always heard the story two by two for the animals. I didn't realize more "holy animals" went...in fact 7 of each. What are holy animals anyway? Animals for sacrifice...sheep, goats, etc.?
Looking forward to tomorrow's information.
The first 7 chapters of Genesis...let's recap. God created everything in 6 days. Devil tempts Eve. She and Adam eat the fruit and are banished from the garden. Adam and Eve had Cain and Abel. Cain kills Abel.
Chapters 4 and 5...as my students would say...THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE TO REMEMBER. And holy cow...everyone is so old! It brings a whole new meaning to having children later in life. I had my first child at the age of 24...I couldn't even imagine having a child after the age of 100.
Okay...I digress...back to the recap. God gets angry with the humans...except Noah and his family. Noah builds the Ark. He puts lots of animals on it. God floods the earth. Noah and his family and the Ark animals survive.
Comments and Questions
Something I noticed with Adam...God gives him the task of naming the animals; however, he had already named birds "birds". Adam I guess named all the individual types of birds, but God had already come up with the word bird.
Question I had...what are days in the Bible? Is it the same amount of time as today? I have no doubt God created everything in 6 days, I just want to know how long those days are. Especially considering people lived to be 900 years old!
Allusion I figured out...in a book I'm teaching for school this year, one of the girls' names is Adah...didn't know it was a biblical name until tonight.
Finally, I always heard the story two by two for the animals. I didn't realize more "holy animals" went...in fact 7 of each. What are holy animals anyway? Animals for sacrifice...sheep, goats, etc.?
Looking forward to tomorrow's information.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
New Life Journey - Days 1...and 2
For the last couple of years, my life has been a whirlwind...better put...chaos! However, my life has begun a chapter, and with that new chapter, I have decided to take the initiative to make some other changes in my life...some changes that are way overdue!
First, I AM GOING TO LOSE WEIGHT! I have been saying this is going to happen for way too long, but now it's really going to happen...I'm counting on everyone around me to hold me accountable too! I started working on this about a month ago. I started out strong, but as it got closer to school starting, I've reverted again. I know it's the stress, but I'm going to stop making excuses for why I can't and just do!
Second, but I think most importantly, I am going to spend each day reading the Bible. I found a reading plan on my phone, and over the last couple of days, I've read each night before bed. I figure, I'll read, blog, pray and sleep. What better way to end the day than with Scripture and prayer?! My plan takes me through the Bible in 1 year. Confession time...I've never read the Bible from cover to cover. I've studied different sections of the Bible but never the entire book. I know it's sad to admit, but that's about to change as well.
Third, I am going to keep a record of each day...the struggles, the aha moments, the questions I have. This blog is more for me than anyone else I think. I'm hoping by keeping this active, it'll keep me active in my other two ventures.
Even in the chaos of my life, I WILL make God my priority knowing he has a plan for all of us...including me. I will change my life and my body and make it His temple and keep it as a sacrifice to Him. I see at light at the end of this dark tunnel I've been in, and I know He's the only one who can guide me through the darkness.
Dear God: Thank you for this wonderful day, even as hot as it is outside, and for allowing me to be a part of it. Please guide me through this incredible journey I am about to live. Please take care of my family, and help me teach my girls what it's like to be a true Christian woman who loves the Lord with all her heart. Amen.
First, I AM GOING TO LOSE WEIGHT! I have been saying this is going to happen for way too long, but now it's really going to happen...I'm counting on everyone around me to hold me accountable too! I started working on this about a month ago. I started out strong, but as it got closer to school starting, I've reverted again. I know it's the stress, but I'm going to stop making excuses for why I can't and just do!
Second, but I think most importantly, I am going to spend each day reading the Bible. I found a reading plan on my phone, and over the last couple of days, I've read each night before bed. I figure, I'll read, blog, pray and sleep. What better way to end the day than with Scripture and prayer?! My plan takes me through the Bible in 1 year. Confession time...I've never read the Bible from cover to cover. I've studied different sections of the Bible but never the entire book. I know it's sad to admit, but that's about to change as well.
Third, I am going to keep a record of each day...the struggles, the aha moments, the questions I have. This blog is more for me than anyone else I think. I'm hoping by keeping this active, it'll keep me active in my other two ventures.
Even in the chaos of my life, I WILL make God my priority knowing he has a plan for all of us...including me. I will change my life and my body and make it His temple and keep it as a sacrifice to Him. I see at light at the end of this dark tunnel I've been in, and I know He's the only one who can guide me through the darkness.
Dear God: Thank you for this wonderful day, even as hot as it is outside, and for allowing me to be a part of it. Please guide me through this incredible journey I am about to live. Please take care of my family, and help me teach my girls what it's like to be a true Christian woman who loves the Lord with all her heart. Amen.
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