Okay...confession time!
I last posted on September 1st...that is the last time I read! I hate to admit it, but there is no way around it. I know, I said it was going to be a daily thing...it lasted on two weeks before I fell.
But, I'm back on now! I'm going to have to double up on my reading, but I am going to catch up.
I'm down to the last few chapters of Genesis and the last chapters about Joseph. It amazes me how he feels about his brothers after all they do to him. This goes right along with something that has been on my brain quite a bit for the last few weeks. Forgiveness. For the bulk of my adult life I have been struggling with the idea of forgiveness. One person in my life (or who used to be in my life) pops into my brain everytime the sermon of forgiveness is preached. Each time I always believe I have already forgiven this person, and each time all those same feeling come flooding back all over again, and each time I realize I've just really pretended to forgive.
During the last sermon on forgiveness a few weeks ago, a new concept was introduced...one that I had never heard before. Forgiveness is not an automatic happening; it is a process, a three step process. 1. Deciding to forgive 2. In the process of forgiving 3. Forgiven. At least that's the way I remember what was said. It is comforting to know it doesn't all happen overnight. I pray each day I can move from that second column and show that all is forgiven.
On a lighter note, in my absence, the middle drama daughter turned 6 and the oldest drama daughter will turn 10 tomorrow. It amazes me how two infants have grown up so fast to become such beautiful young ladies. While they may both be beautiful, they are NOTHING alike in personality. I am grateful for every moment I've spent with these girls, and I pray that I have many more wonderful moments to come!
By the way...I have to share that I was powned (powerfully owned) by Drama 6 a couple of weeks ago. Story...she got a new Bible for her birthday as her other one was "too babyish" for her. As she was looking through and reading certain passages and asking me questions that appeared in her Bible, she came across one I already knew the answer to, or so I thought. She asked me what kind of fruit Adam and Eve ate in the Garden. I immediately said an apple. Even after I had been reading and studying (at the time anyway), I still answered this question wrong. All of my life, I have been taught it was an apple...stories, drawings, etc; however, Drama 6 looked me straight in the face and said, "Nope. You're wrong." How could I be wrong, I knew that story? She looked up the verse and said, "No. It just says they ate fruit, but it doesn't tell us what kind." I took her Bible and read. I took my Bible and read. I looked at my online Bible and read. I changed the translation and read. Well I'll be John Brown. She was right! It helped me realize that no matter how much I believe I know a story from the Bible, I cannot just gloss over the information. If I'm truly going to study it, I need to take it seriously and studying all of it completely.
Ok...before I pray, I just would like to take the time to say thank you to everyone, mainly Drama husband, for helping me keep pushing towards my weight-loss goal...to date I have lost 20lbs. I think now that I've begin working out every day on top of the better eaing habits it is going to help take the pounds off even faster. I'll definitely continue to post and pray!
Dear Lord, Thank for you this wonderful day and for allowing me to wake up and be a part of it. Even in the midst of chaos, I ask you help me continue to remain faithful to you understanding that everything is on your time not mine. Please help me to remember that even though dieting and exercising has a been a difficult adjustment, it is worth it in the long run to be able to be more energetic and spend more quality time with my family. Please continue to brings us this beautiful weather...it is amazing! Please keep my family safe as we go out in the world to make this temporary stop in this temporary body a place where everyone knows and accepts you as the One True Creator of All! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Genesis 32-42...Days 11-14
Boy...it's definitely been a long week in the house o'estrogen! Sick children, tired Drama parents, new addition to the already busy schedule...soccer season has begun!
I just read and reviewed what I'd already read so I could remember what I hadn't written about in almost a week!
I think I posted this last time, but I cannot believe how, for lack of a better word, EVIL these people seem to be. Killing each other when they don't get their way, selling their siblings into slavery, posing as prostitutes to get what they want, and the list goes on and on. It's so hard to believe how the world was "back in the day." I may be naive, but I don't think the world is anywhere near that bad today. Again, maybe I live in Drama reality, but I would like to believe things have changed.
Specfically, I want to comment on Joseph. God gives him the gift of dreams and his brothers try to get rid of him because they don't like his dreams portraying them as "servants" to him. When he's sold into slavery, he becomes Potiphar's personal attendant, but because his Potiphar's wife can get him to sleep with her, she accuses him of rape (BTW, I remember this was the topic of a sermon series a few months ago at my church...I can't for the life of me rememeber what it led to though). So many women are raped each day, and someone falsely accuses someone of it?! Again, the EVIL of people during this time is awful!
Dear God: As we add to the already busy schedule in the Drama household, I pray that you keep me focused on what's really important. Keep my focus on You and my relationships with my family. Help me to remember to think before I speak because as the stress of the outside world piles up on my plate, sometimes I have a tendency to take it out on those closest to me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
I just read and reviewed what I'd already read so I could remember what I hadn't written about in almost a week!
I think I posted this last time, but I cannot believe how, for lack of a better word, EVIL these people seem to be. Killing each other when they don't get their way, selling their siblings into slavery, posing as prostitutes to get what they want, and the list goes on and on. It's so hard to believe how the world was "back in the day." I may be naive, but I don't think the world is anywhere near that bad today. Again, maybe I live in Drama reality, but I would like to believe things have changed.
Specfically, I want to comment on Joseph. God gives him the gift of dreams and his brothers try to get rid of him because they don't like his dreams portraying them as "servants" to him. When he's sold into slavery, he becomes Potiphar's personal attendant, but because his Potiphar's wife can get him to sleep with her, she accuses him of rape (BTW, I remember this was the topic of a sermon series a few months ago at my church...I can't for the life of me rememeber what it led to though). So many women are raped each day, and someone falsely accuses someone of it?! Again, the EVIL of people during this time is awful!
Dear God: As we add to the already busy schedule in the Drama household, I pray that you keep me focused on what's really important. Keep my focus on You and my relationships with my family. Help me to remember to think before I speak because as the stress of the outside world piles up on my plate, sometimes I have a tendency to take it out on those closest to me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Genesis 27 - 31...Day 10
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
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
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)