Exodus 4
10 Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." 11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
I am constantly amazed when I show the least amount of intelligence, wisdom, skill, etc… I know that part of that comes from the feeling that I am inadequate. Part of it also comes from the fact that I’m not really that smart, I’m not that wise, I’m not that skilled. God gave me my brain, my intelligence, my skill. Every time I do something good it is because He allowed me to. Every good decision I make at work, every confrontation that I de-escalate, every decision I make on the Appeals Committee, every bad person I take off the streets, every person I protect is because He gave me that ability.
On Saturday night we were at Sam and Amy’s. Everybody there could sing except for me and Macguines. They decided it would be a good idea to play American Idol on the Wii. And guess who they picked to go first? Me. The game said I was doing so bad that it turned the song off. I really didn’t want to play American Idol but I wanted to play with our friends and I knew this game was right up Amanda’s alley.
Then Macguines sang and it did the same thing to him.
The second time I sang though I did pretty good. After watching for a while I figured out how to get it to let Macguines to sing a whole song. The rest of my turns weren’t too bad. I wasn’t close to Amanda, Sam or Amy but I wasn’t too embarrassed. I know that it wasn’t because of me. God helped me because I probably would have had a really bad evening if I sang as I normally do and I probably would have been embarrassed. Thank you God.
And when I was a missionary in Mexico we had to stand up on our next to last night there and give our testimony. Nobody had ever talked to me about my testimony. In fact when I started on the trip I wasn’t even saved. How was I supposed to give a testimony, I had been saved less than a week. But I stood up because everybody else was doing it and I didn’t want to be the stumbling block, or be embarrassed. So I stood up and started talking. I don’t know what I said. While we were there we were assigned translators. My translator had stood up when I did. The thing is afterwards she said that she hadn’t said anything. I talked for almost an hour. And to this day I can’t tell you what I said. I can’t even tell you in English what I wanted to say, let alone what I said in Spanish. I didn’t even have an idea of what I wanted to say in the first place. But when I was done? Wow. Everybody in the place went wild, so what I said must have been good. It was such an amazing experience that I will never forget it. I know that God took hold of me that night and used my physical body to accomplish what He wanted to. When I read the above passage I think that is what God means when He says He will help Moses speak. I still get chills thinking about that night.
Drason
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Kenya and Artwork
As you may know, Greg and Lisa S. are good friends of ours who have moved to Kenya for the next 2 years to be part of an orphan outreach.
Please consider supporting Greg and Lisa by purchasing prints from his website. This is an easy and convenient way to support Greg and Lisa and also to enjoy this great artwork.
Orphans there are more common than children with parents. Aids, disease, lack of medical care, and dead beat parents have left an entire generation of children, fatherless, motherless, and in many cases homeless. If you want to know where the next generation of child warriors will come from - it will be from third world countries where the children are left to fend for themselves.
I visited Kenya this past summer and I was left humbled and heart broken by the abject poverty we saw there. I had a very hard time describing this to my friends and family. When you see something like that it makes you rethink how you look at the world, how you look at money, and how you look at your life.
I remember coming back and my husband wanting to take me out to eat. My favorite restaurant would run over a hundred dollars for the two of us, but I could not justify eating there. I had a hard time eating at the Red Lobster. I remember doing laundry and seeing just how blessed we are, even after the fire, my children have enough clothes to clothe an entire village in Kenya.
The words I write, the pictures I took do not do justice to the things we saw there. There is a song by Sara Groves that sort of describes the way it felt to come away from that experience, but even that is lacking. The best testimonial I can give you for why this is so important is that two of my very close friends sold everything they had, to move to a third world country to try to help the orphans there.
Greg and Lisa, have been self employed for several years, Greg is an artist, and Lisa was a make-up consultant for Mary Kay. Greg's art is available online at Greg's garage of art or: http://www.gregsgarageofart.com/
Please consider supporting Greg and Lisa by purchasing prints from his website. This is an easy and convenient way to support Greg and Lisa and also to enjoy this great artwork.
You can order these prints very inexpensively, please check out the website for more information, below are samples of Greg's work - he is extremely talented. (The pictures below are samples, copyrighted and are very small resolution - they will not print.)
Greg's most recent print "Fire's Out" - is not shown below
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
News from Kenya
Below is a copy of the most recent email I've received from Greg and Lisa, I hope this will bless you. Please remember to pray for them , especially for rain, and to support them financially as the Lord leads you! If you know anyone who wants a very good condition Buick Regal - not sure of the year, but fairly new, OR a convertible 1968 Oldsmobile 442, in fire engine red, let them know they will be supporting African orphans by purchasing one, or both, of Greg and Lisa's cars. Enjoy the news from Kenya.
Amanda
Lisa writes:
"We were able to meet our neighbors who sold the land for the house. Be sure to read the news letter to see the gift we were presented. It is a mother, her two daughters and a daughter in law, two teenage sons and 5 little grandchildren. (Not sure about husbands, they might be working, or it is not uncommon for the couples to live separately) They are very friendly, and the communication is pretty good. We will invite them to our home for a meal and visit once we get moved into our home. We keep praying that our cars will sell so we can finish our home. There will be so many opportunities to invite people who are willing to come to our house.
Fridays at 3:00 we do game time with the children in school. They have a soccer ball, Net ball (girls, like basketball except it is all passing, too rough to dribble) and volleyball. We brought two Frisbees with us. Those are a great hit! We taught 250 kids and several adults how to throw and catch. They love it! They had never seen one. This week we saved the big grocery boxes that Franklin started bringing home; They are the heavy duty kind that are a bottom and a lid. We cut a hole in the top of each one and used a strip of cloth on each side to go over their shoulders, put them on over their heads so that the box is at waist level, and told them they are a race car. Much fun running around the teacher and back five at a time in a race. The boys really got into the motor sounds (imagine that!) Greg even used the Sharpie to put headlights, taillights, and numbers on the side. We promised to do it again next Friday.
Sandy brought bead supplies with her and they love the beads. They all have pierced ears, that has been a great activity with them, and several have a real knack for beadwork. We usually make some jewelry after Tue. Afternoon ladies study.
We have officially started Swahili lessons. There is no q or x in the Swahili. But words do have combinations of mbw, nzu, ng’u, (at the beginning ) and other tongue twisters. Now that we have knowledge of the vowels, Swahili is easier to spell and pronounce an unknown word than English. The vowels only sound like themselves and don’t combine to make new sounds. A as in ball, E as in long a, I as in long e, O is long o, and U as in Boo. The children love to sit with the school readers and help with the words, they are good little teachers. And of course it is hysterical when we mispronounce.
We have welcomed 2 new babies. One couple that we didn’t previously know. That is baby Lennox. And Andrew and Maureen , had baby Edison. Andrew is on the crew that is roofing our house. There is an official welcoming with a reading and prayer for the parents and baby. Then a week later is the official coming out of the baby. More prayer, this time with little triangular shaped donut type goodies and tea with milk, (chai).Last week they asked me to be the official “take out “mama. Edison really squinted and threw his head around when the sunshine hit his face. Fredrick chuckled and said “Well, this is the way the world looks!”
It is supposed to be the rainy season, but the rains have not started. It is very dry and hot. We are praying for the rain, there will be no crops without it.
Today(Saturday) was Appreciation Day for Anderson and Lydia. Sandy and I were invited. It was really nice to be included. There were about 15 women. They brought gifts for them and had prayers and a little sermonette. Lots of visiting and LOTS of singing. We are beginning to pick up the choruses. The lunch was a dish called pilau. It is rice with beans, or chicken. It is a seasoning that is called pilau. So Saturday lunch was pilau with chicken, supper was pilau with beans (the usual Sat eve meal) and Sunday lunch was pilau with beans for Edisons coming out party. Good thing we like pilau! ( I began this paragraph Sat evening and now it is Monday evening) Sandy and I walked to Andersons on Sat morning. The youngest son is Brian. He is about 3 (he is all that and a bag of chips!) Lydia sent him behind the kitchen to take his bath before the company arrived. (The kitchens are small buildings detached from the “house” which is mostly used for sleeping. The living is done outside under the shade trees) So we watched this whole process. He had a bucket of water to bathe in, splashing around like a bird in a spring puddle, singing at the top of his lungs and dancing. Brian was born with dancing in his bones; he always walks with a wiggle, a beat, a hippity hop, and is a very good drum player. He is #7 of 8 children, the family’s’ entertainment, always with a huge smile, he is just adorable. So we were watching, out of the corner of our eye because he didn’t need any encouragement from us. One more detail, he was naked as a jaybird-except for the flip-flops and sunglasses! Makes us laugh just to think about it!
Today was our day off. We needed a few things from M*****. We start with our very organized American list. Shops begin to open at about 10:00, close at around 12:00-12:30 until 2:00-2:30 for lunch and prayers. Last week we were at Kenya Airways to take care of tickets. This is one of the most professional businesses in town. Three agents behind the desk. Even air conditioned (even 90 feels cool). So we were the first in the office-time to fire up the computers-apparently if no one has been in yet, there is no need. Believe it or not, they were not working right! Unplug, replug, plug into a different monitor, unplug, apologize, start the process over. (Its air conditioned, makes the waiting a little more tolerable). We did finally get it taken care of (two weeks ago the computers never did start up). Usually about 11:30 we start to divide and conquer if we can, it’s not unusual for a clerk to follow us into the street trying to find change for a bill. Last week we went to a “hardware store.”It is a shop about the size of a class room. The opening (about ¼ the size of the shop) has numerous items wired to the wall to show some things available, The rest of it is behind a wire wall with a counter. Four clerks are back there with one price book. There is a good selection on the walls (none of which can be accessed) all of the prices have to be looked up-in the one- yes- one-book by four men waiting on about 10 customers. There are no polite American lines; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Each item is carried to you for examination, put back on the wall, the next thing brought over (“can we try the next size?, do you have one longer?, do you have one smaller?”) all separate trips, all interrupted by someone. Then there is the checkout process. The sales slip is written up, given to you for approval, taken back by the clerk, taken to the Mzee (older gentleman) who is seated behind a desk, given to him to be checked (this time with an adding machine) then the clerk takes your money, hands it to the Mzee, who is the ONLY one with access to a cash box, the change brought back and given to you, by a polite clerk who acts like the change is on fire! Whew! Greg was fantasizing about opening his own store; of course it was self serve with lines! Very efficient! There are a couple of newer grocery and Dollar General type stores that have opened. A little easier, not Wal-mart (which I typically avoided as long as possible in the states) but we are adjusting! So about 11:45 we realize we are only about 1/3 through the list, and there is no way we are going to get done, well organized list or not. So we are beginning to develop the African attitude of “well, maybe next time”. I will have to tell you about Sandy’s trip to the Dr in the next email. Shopping is fun and interesting if I have no expectations. Oh yes and I will have to tell you about the man we met in the Hardware Store.
Well I have written this in about six sessions, sorry if it sounds a bit disjointed. This living room is grand central, and our schedule is hectic. Now it is 6:45 Tue. Morning. I stopped typing last night to help Steven (a high school student with some homework). It was his class, he was totally lost, didn’t know how to use a concordance, which he needed to look up all of the information with. Then a visitor, then a counseling session, supper, shower, team meeting, bed. Now we are starting a new day!
Something I’ve been wondering-is it possible for a human being to mold behind the ears?
Well this is some day to day activities, the more spiritual side of our lives will follow shortly in the newsletter. If you have time, email us back with some news from home! We miss everyone, pray for you and talk of you often.
John and Sandy say hello!
Love Greg and Lisa
Please pray for rain"
Amanda
Lisa writes:
"We were able to meet our neighbors who sold the land for the house. Be sure to read the news letter to see the gift we were presented. It is a mother, her two daughters and a daughter in law, two teenage sons and 5 little grandchildren. (Not sure about husbands, they might be working, or it is not uncommon for the couples to live separately) They are very friendly, and the communication is pretty good. We will invite them to our home for a meal and visit once we get moved into our home. We keep praying that our cars will sell so we can finish our home. There will be so many opportunities to invite people who are willing to come to our house.
Fridays at 3:00 we do game time with the children in school. They have a soccer ball, Net ball (girls, like basketball except it is all passing, too rough to dribble) and volleyball. We brought two Frisbees with us. Those are a great hit! We taught 250 kids and several adults how to throw and catch. They love it! They had never seen one. This week we saved the big grocery boxes that Franklin started bringing home; They are the heavy duty kind that are a bottom and a lid. We cut a hole in the top of each one and used a strip of cloth on each side to go over their shoulders, put them on over their heads so that the box is at waist level, and told them they are a race car. Much fun running around the teacher and back five at a time in a race. The boys really got into the motor sounds (imagine that!) Greg even used the Sharpie to put headlights, taillights, and numbers on the side. We promised to do it again next Friday.
Sandy brought bead supplies with her and they love the beads. They all have pierced ears, that has been a great activity with them, and several have a real knack for beadwork. We usually make some jewelry after Tue. Afternoon ladies study.
We have officially started Swahili lessons. There is no q or x in the Swahili. But words do have combinations of mbw, nzu, ng’u, (at the beginning ) and other tongue twisters. Now that we have knowledge of the vowels, Swahili is easier to spell and pronounce an unknown word than English. The vowels only sound like themselves and don’t combine to make new sounds. A as in ball, E as in long a, I as in long e, O is long o, and U as in Boo. The children love to sit with the school readers and help with the words, they are good little teachers. And of course it is hysterical when we mispronounce.
We have welcomed 2 new babies. One couple that we didn’t previously know. That is baby Lennox. And Andrew and Maureen , had baby Edison. Andrew is on the crew that is roofing our house. There is an official welcoming with a reading and prayer for the parents and baby. Then a week later is the official coming out of the baby. More prayer, this time with little triangular shaped donut type goodies and tea with milk, (chai).Last week they asked me to be the official “take out “mama. Edison really squinted and threw his head around when the sunshine hit his face. Fredrick chuckled and said “Well, this is the way the world looks!”
It is supposed to be the rainy season, but the rains have not started. It is very dry and hot. We are praying for the rain, there will be no crops without it.
Today(Saturday) was Appreciation Day for Anderson and Lydia. Sandy and I were invited. It was really nice to be included. There were about 15 women. They brought gifts for them and had prayers and a little sermonette. Lots of visiting and LOTS of singing. We are beginning to pick up the choruses. The lunch was a dish called pilau. It is rice with beans, or chicken. It is a seasoning that is called pilau. So Saturday lunch was pilau with chicken, supper was pilau with beans (the usual Sat eve meal) and Sunday lunch was pilau with beans for Edisons coming out party. Good thing we like pilau! ( I began this paragraph Sat evening and now it is Monday evening) Sandy and I walked to Andersons on Sat morning. The youngest son is Brian. He is about 3 (he is all that and a bag of chips!) Lydia sent him behind the kitchen to take his bath before the company arrived. (The kitchens are small buildings detached from the “house” which is mostly used for sleeping. The living is done outside under the shade trees) So we watched this whole process. He had a bucket of water to bathe in, splashing around like a bird in a spring puddle, singing at the top of his lungs and dancing. Brian was born with dancing in his bones; he always walks with a wiggle, a beat, a hippity hop, and is a very good drum player. He is #7 of 8 children, the family’s’ entertainment, always with a huge smile, he is just adorable. So we were watching, out of the corner of our eye because he didn’t need any encouragement from us. One more detail, he was naked as a jaybird-except for the flip-flops and sunglasses! Makes us laugh just to think about it!
Today was our day off. We needed a few things from M*****. We start with our very organized American list. Shops begin to open at about 10:00, close at around 12:00-12:30 until 2:00-2:30 for lunch and prayers. Last week we were at Kenya Airways to take care of tickets. This is one of the most professional businesses in town. Three agents behind the desk. Even air conditioned (even 90 feels cool). So we were the first in the office-time to fire up the computers-apparently if no one has been in yet, there is no need. Believe it or not, they were not working right! Unplug, replug, plug into a different monitor, unplug, apologize, start the process over. (Its air conditioned, makes the waiting a little more tolerable). We did finally get it taken care of (two weeks ago the computers never did start up). Usually about 11:30 we start to divide and conquer if we can, it’s not unusual for a clerk to follow us into the street trying to find change for a bill. Last week we went to a “hardware store.”It is a shop about the size of a class room. The opening (about ¼ the size of the shop) has numerous items wired to the wall to show some things available, The rest of it is behind a wire wall with a counter. Four clerks are back there with one price book. There is a good selection on the walls (none of which can be accessed) all of the prices have to be looked up-in the one- yes- one-book by four men waiting on about 10 customers. There are no polite American lines; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Each item is carried to you for examination, put back on the wall, the next thing brought over (“can we try the next size?, do you have one longer?, do you have one smaller?”) all separate trips, all interrupted by someone. Then there is the checkout process. The sales slip is written up, given to you for approval, taken back by the clerk, taken to the Mzee (older gentleman) who is seated behind a desk, given to him to be checked (this time with an adding machine) then the clerk takes your money, hands it to the Mzee, who is the ONLY one with access to a cash box, the change brought back and given to you, by a polite clerk who acts like the change is on fire! Whew! Greg was fantasizing about opening his own store; of course it was self serve with lines! Very efficient! There are a couple of newer grocery and Dollar General type stores that have opened. A little easier, not Wal-mart (which I typically avoided as long as possible in the states) but we are adjusting! So about 11:45 we realize we are only about 1/3 through the list, and there is no way we are going to get done, well organized list or not. So we are beginning to develop the African attitude of “well, maybe next time”. I will have to tell you about Sandy’s trip to the Dr in the next email. Shopping is fun and interesting if I have no expectations. Oh yes and I will have to tell you about the man we met in the Hardware Store.
Well I have written this in about six sessions, sorry if it sounds a bit disjointed. This living room is grand central, and our schedule is hectic. Now it is 6:45 Tue. Morning. I stopped typing last night to help Steven (a high school student with some homework). It was his class, he was totally lost, didn’t know how to use a concordance, which he needed to look up all of the information with. Then a visitor, then a counseling session, supper, shower, team meeting, bed. Now we are starting a new day!
Something I’ve been wondering-is it possible for a human being to mold behind the ears?
Well this is some day to day activities, the more spiritual side of our lives will follow shortly in the newsletter. If you have time, email us back with some news from home! We miss everyone, pray for you and talk of you often.
John and Sandy say hello!
Love Greg and Lisa
Please pray for rain"
Saturday, March 21, 2009
David
I have been doing a study of David lately and it is very good. I would really recommend it. It is called Anointed, Transformed Redeemed and it is by Pricilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur.
I really feel like I need to share this, so while this is a long post, I hope it will bless you.
The story starts in 2 Samuel 5:17-25
17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down(S) to the stronghold. 18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in(T) the Valley of Rephaim. 19And David(U) inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the LORD said to David, "Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand." 20And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, "The LORD has burst through my enemies before me like a bursting flood."(V) Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.[b] 21And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
22And the Philistines came up yet again(W) and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23(X) And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24And(Y) when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself,(Z) for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines." 25And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba(AA) to Gezer.
When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed King they decided to attack - Sound familiar? Ever just get started on the path God has set before you when you come under attack - not once but twice! David handles this just right HE SEEKS GOD IN PRAYER - He's feeling the heat - so he doesn't run out to meet them, he doesn't make a plan, he makes a bee line for the Lord, and followed His plans even when they sound crazy.
Then, fresh off of his victory with the Philistines David and the 30,000 men who are with him start bringing the ark back to Jerusalem, and then something happens,
2Samuel 6:5-9
5And David and all the house of Israel were making merry before the LORD, with(G) songs[c] and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 6And when they came to the threshing floor of(H) Nacon, Uzzah(I) put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and(J) God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. 8And David was angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah,[d] to this day. 9And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and he said, "How can the ark of the LORD come to me?"
Right in the middle of the celebration, Uzzah dies. Has this ever happened to you? Right in the middle of what you think is going to be great, something terrible happens. I had a friend who thought they were being called in by the boss to be given a promotion, instead they were laid off. Stings, doesn't it. We want to cry out WHY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU DONE THIS?
We feel much like David did when this happened - Angry and Afraid.
How easy it is to sit down beside the road and say, I am not going another step until I understand this. When things happen in conflict with our assumptions about God, our ministry, our family, our homes, our jobs, our friends, our lives; it is difficult to pick ourselves up and move through the pain that is there.
David could have sat down beside Uzzah's grave and yelled questions at the sky, but if he had done that he never would have gotten to a place where God could bless him. David had to work through his anger and fear and just trust the Lord, and the Lord's will. That's hard, how do you do that? Remember the great things that God has already done in your life. Look at David - God anointed him at 15, He is 37 now. God kept his promise over a period of 22 years. God delivered David from Saul, from the Philistines, from every danger - even lions and bears when he was a shepard. With a little bit of perspective we can gain power over the strongholds of fear and anger. These are like weeds of the heart, they choke out all the good growth and leave you alone, angry and afraid. David sat around for about three months, and then he saw the good that God was doing in Obed-edom's life, which inspired him to try again.
2 Samuel 6:12-15
12And it was told King David, "The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God."(M) So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom(N) to the city of David with rejoicing. 13And when(O) those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps,(P) he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. 14And David(Q) danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was(R) wearing a linen ephod. 15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.
I have been asked why I do this blog, and why I share things that are deeply personal on here - This is why - because David saw Obed-edom and was inspired, because I have seen other's lives and been inspired.
See where this takes David
2 Samuel 7:8-13
8Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts,(M) I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9(N) And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel(O) and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place(P) and be disturbed no more.(Q) And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11(R) from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And(S) I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that(T) the LORD will make you a house. 12(U) When your days are fulfilled and(V) you lie down with your fathers,(W) I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13(X) He shall build a house for my name, and(Y) I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
The Lord blesses not only David, but the future generations of his family, and even us today, through this we see Jesus is foretold.
And I can just picture David - His mouth is hanging open, he is shocked awed - Beth Moore called it "scandalous grace" and I can't think of a better term.
Listen to what David says
2 Samuel 7:18-21
18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,
“Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And now, Sovereign Lord, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign Lord?[c] 20 “What more can I say to you? You know what your servant is really like, Sovereign Lord. 21 Because of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known to your servant.
Who am I that God has brought me "this far" and Do you deal with everyone like this, Lord?
God wants to bless you, He wants to bless you more than you can ever even imagine - are you stuck sitting beside a grave? A dream that died? A relationship that died? A plan that failed?
GET UP! Seek God and his blessings will follow - God wants to take all of "this far" God wants to do a mighty work in your life, stop hanging on to the past - run into the arms of the Lord who loves you and into the plans He has for you.
I really feel like I need to share this, so while this is a long post, I hope it will bless you.
The story starts in 2 Samuel 5:17-25
17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down(S) to the stronghold. 18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in(T) the Valley of Rephaim. 19And David(U) inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the LORD said to David, "Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand." 20And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, "The LORD has burst through my enemies before me like a bursting flood."(V) Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.[b] 21And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
22And the Philistines came up yet again(W) and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23(X) And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24And(Y) when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself,(Z) for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines." 25And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba(AA) to Gezer.
When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed King they decided to attack - Sound familiar? Ever just get started on the path God has set before you when you come under attack - not once but twice! David handles this just right HE SEEKS GOD IN PRAYER - He's feeling the heat - so he doesn't run out to meet them, he doesn't make a plan, he makes a bee line for the Lord, and followed His plans even when they sound crazy.
Then, fresh off of his victory with the Philistines David and the 30,000 men who are with him start bringing the ark back to Jerusalem, and then something happens,
2Samuel 6:5-9
5And David and all the house of Israel were making merry before the LORD, with(G) songs[c] and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 6And when they came to the threshing floor of(H) Nacon, Uzzah(I) put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and(J) God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. 8And David was angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah,[d] to this day. 9And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and he said, "How can the ark of the LORD come to me?"
Right in the middle of the celebration, Uzzah dies. Has this ever happened to you? Right in the middle of what you think is going to be great, something terrible happens. I had a friend who thought they were being called in by the boss to be given a promotion, instead they were laid off. Stings, doesn't it. We want to cry out WHY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU DONE THIS?
We feel much like David did when this happened - Angry and Afraid.
How easy it is to sit down beside the road and say, I am not going another step until I understand this. When things happen in conflict with our assumptions about God, our ministry, our family, our homes, our jobs, our friends, our lives; it is difficult to pick ourselves up and move through the pain that is there.
David could have sat down beside Uzzah's grave and yelled questions at the sky, but if he had done that he never would have gotten to a place where God could bless him. David had to work through his anger and fear and just trust the Lord, and the Lord's will. That's hard, how do you do that? Remember the great things that God has already done in your life. Look at David - God anointed him at 15, He is 37 now. God kept his promise over a period of 22 years. God delivered David from Saul, from the Philistines, from every danger - even lions and bears when he was a shepard. With a little bit of perspective we can gain power over the strongholds of fear and anger. These are like weeds of the heart, they choke out all the good growth and leave you alone, angry and afraid. David sat around for about three months, and then he saw the good that God was doing in Obed-edom's life, which inspired him to try again.
2 Samuel 6:12-15
12And it was told King David, "The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God."(M) So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom(N) to the city of David with rejoicing. 13And when(O) those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps,(P) he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. 14And David(Q) danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was(R) wearing a linen ephod. 15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.
I have been asked why I do this blog, and why I share things that are deeply personal on here - This is why - because David saw Obed-edom and was inspired, because I have seen other's lives and been inspired.
See where this takes David
2 Samuel 7:8-13
8Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts,(M) I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9(N) And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel(O) and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place(P) and be disturbed no more.(Q) And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11(R) from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And(S) I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that(T) the LORD will make you a house. 12(U) When your days are fulfilled and(V) you lie down with your fathers,(W) I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13(X) He shall build a house for my name, and(Y) I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
The Lord blesses not only David, but the future generations of his family, and even us today, through this we see Jesus is foretold.
And I can just picture David - His mouth is hanging open, he is shocked awed - Beth Moore called it "scandalous grace" and I can't think of a better term.
Listen to what David says
2 Samuel 7:18-21
18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,
“Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And now, Sovereign Lord, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign Lord?[c] 20 “What more can I say to you? You know what your servant is really like, Sovereign Lord. 21 Because of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known to your servant.
Who am I that God has brought me "this far" and Do you deal with everyone like this, Lord?
God wants to bless you, He wants to bless you more than you can ever even imagine - are you stuck sitting beside a grave? A dream that died? A relationship that died? A plan that failed?
GET UP! Seek God and his blessings will follow - God wants to take all of "this far" God wants to do a mighty work in your life, stop hanging on to the past - run into the arms of the Lord who loves you and into the plans He has for you.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
"I'm Singing"
I heard this on the radio today, and I just had to look it up when I got home tonight.
"I'm Singing"
by Kari Jobe
Only One name lasts forever
Only One fame stands alone
Only One King has an anthem
That goes on and on and on
And I’m singing to the God Who brings redemption to the nations,
Kings and oceans bow to Him in praise,
And I’m singing to the God Who wrote the book on our salvation,
To the One who covers me in grace, I’m singing.
Only one Word in the beginning
Only one Truth will prevail,
Only one Love brings a freedom
Only one man took the nails .
And I’m singing to the God Who brings redemption to the nations,
Kings and oceans bow to Him in praise,
And I’m singing to the God Who wrote the book on our salvation,
To the One who covers me in grace, I’m singing
Praise praise to the Savior,
Praise to the Lamb of God,
Praise in all of His Splendor,
Praise for saving my life.
And I’m singing to the God Who brings redemption to the nations
Kings and oceans bow to Him in praise
And I’m singing to the God Who wrote the book on our salvation
To the One who covers me in grace
And I’m singing to the God Who brings redemption to the nations
Kings and oceans bow to Him in praise
And I’m singing to the God Who wrote the book on our salvation
To the One who covers me in grace...
To the One who covers me in grace
I’m singing
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Opposition
Lately I have been hearing this mantra "roll with the punches"
Getting punched really hurts, maybe it hurts less to roll with them - I don't know.
I do know that I have been feeling really beat up lately.
This house situation is driving me nuts, I want it to be over yesterday. I realized today that our lease is up on April 19th, day before Marshal's birthday - about a month away - and right now I have no idea what is going to happen.
"When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all of Israel, ALL of the Philistines went up to capture him." 1 Chronicles 14:8
But I can chose to see this as a horrible problem and try to fix it on my own OR I can look at this as a sign that God is working in and through our lives. I must have been doing something right or all this wouldn't have happened.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
These verses talk about spiritual warfare - and they explain my role in all of this - Just stand firm and have faith in God.
How did David react when attacked? He didn't cower in fear, cry about it, consult 15 different advisers/friends to see what he should do, He went out to meet them and listened to God's counsel. It didn't matter what other people thought, or even what he thought, God had his back.
Little known fact - the Philistines were a warrior nation - they fought with everybody - because they could take whatever they wanted. Not only were they huge - but they also had knowledge of how to work with iron, they could smelt it to make weapons. The Israelites did not have this knowledge. It would be like trying to use a stick against someone with a sword. We know this because archaeologists have discovered the advanced weaponry only in the area where the Philistines lived, and not where the Israelites lived.
Ever feel like you are trying to fight off someone with a sword and all you have is a stick? When I feel threatened like this I tend to try to reason my way around it. For example - I could keep my focus on God or I could reason that I should spend all my time and energy on this situation to try and fix it myself, and that it wouldn't really matter if I involved myself a little bit more.
Why do I do this - because I think I'm smart and because of mixed values. I know that sounds silly - but it is true - Why do I try to reason things out, make an excuse to do what I want? Because my enemy says the same stupid thing he said in the garden of Eden - "you can be so smart" - LIAR!!
And mixed values - Drason's book - Every man's battle talks about this and I must say I had never thought of it that way before. It says that we have a goal of excellence - sounds good, right? WRONG!
If a company says they have an excellent safety record they mean that most of the time people are safe - what about the times when people aren't safe? Do they die? Maybe.
God has a standard of perfection - I know this is impossible to meet, but I also know that this should be my goal. If I set my goal on this - I will do better than if I set my goal on excellence or pretty good, or sort of good, or OK, or average, or "the best I can do."
So when I am tempted to focus all of my energy on the house situation, rather than having faith and standing firm in the promises of God, I need to remember
"That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:5
"Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place." 2 Corinthians 2:14
"In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us" Romans 8:37
"Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
Getting punched really hurts, maybe it hurts less to roll with them - I don't know.
I do know that I have been feeling really beat up lately.
This house situation is driving me nuts, I want it to be over yesterday. I realized today that our lease is up on April 19th, day before Marshal's birthday - about a month away - and right now I have no idea what is going to happen.
"When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all of Israel, ALL of the Philistines went up to capture him." 1 Chronicles 14:8
But I can chose to see this as a horrible problem and try to fix it on my own OR I can look at this as a sign that God is working in and through our lives. I must have been doing something right or all this wouldn't have happened.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
These verses talk about spiritual warfare - and they explain my role in all of this - Just stand firm and have faith in God.
How did David react when attacked? He didn't cower in fear, cry about it, consult 15 different advisers/friends to see what he should do, He went out to meet them and listened to God's counsel. It didn't matter what other people thought, or even what he thought, God had his back.
Little known fact - the Philistines were a warrior nation - they fought with everybody - because they could take whatever they wanted. Not only were they huge - but they also had knowledge of how to work with iron, they could smelt it to make weapons. The Israelites did not have this knowledge. It would be like trying to use a stick against someone with a sword. We know this because archaeologists have discovered the advanced weaponry only in the area where the Philistines lived, and not where the Israelites lived.
Ever feel like you are trying to fight off someone with a sword and all you have is a stick? When I feel threatened like this I tend to try to reason my way around it. For example - I could keep my focus on God or I could reason that I should spend all my time and energy on this situation to try and fix it myself, and that it wouldn't really matter if I involved myself a little bit more.
Why do I do this - because I think I'm smart and because of mixed values. I know that sounds silly - but it is true - Why do I try to reason things out, make an excuse to do what I want? Because my enemy says the same stupid thing he said in the garden of Eden - "you can be so smart" - LIAR!!
And mixed values - Drason's book - Every man's battle talks about this and I must say I had never thought of it that way before. It says that we have a goal of excellence - sounds good, right? WRONG!
If a company says they have an excellent safety record they mean that most of the time people are safe - what about the times when people aren't safe? Do they die? Maybe.
God has a standard of perfection - I know this is impossible to meet, but I also know that this should be my goal. If I set my goal on this - I will do better than if I set my goal on excellence or pretty good, or sort of good, or OK, or average, or "the best I can do."
So when I am tempted to focus all of my energy on the house situation, rather than having faith and standing firm in the promises of God, I need to remember
"That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:5
"Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place." 2 Corinthians 2:14
"In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us" Romans 8:37
"Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
"Maybe you should just pray about it, because I don't know what to tell you to do."
Comically, these very words came out of my mouth. "Maybe you should pray about it, because I don't know what to tell you to do."
What an attitude - this holier than thou approach hasn't won me any battles, and surely hasn't made my point - which must have been very important to whip out that old tried and true line - but for some reason I can't really remember what we were talking about.
Thankfully, Drason laughed.
How often do we have this attitude - let's pray about it as a last resort. For me I know it is far too often. Drason has said that I use this line to win arguments - I have to say I scoffed at the notion - until very recently.
I don't know about everyone else but I tend to think I know what to do in most situations - the problem is what I think and what God thinks could be polar opposites.
I have been working on a Bible study called -Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed with another lady at church, I can't wait to see her tonight and ask her what she thinks of it- It has been really good. Part of what this study has been talking about is understanding our calling as Christians -one of my very favorite verses kicked off this study.
"You did not chose me, but I chose you" John 15:16
What an amazing truth to realize - God picked me - even when I was still a sinner, before I ever did anything right, before I did anything at all - God picked me.
Max Lucado said it a different way "God's love never ceases. Never. Though we spurn him. Ignore him. Reject him. Despise him. Disobey him. He will not change. Our evil cannot diminish His love. Our goodness cannot increase it. Our faith does not earn it anymore than our stupidity jeopardizes it. God doesn't love us less if we fail or more if we succeed. God's love never ceases."
This truth heals many hurts, and drives home the point that God chose me =]
So prayer should come easier as a first resort, rather than a last, knowing that God picked me, and this realization makes it easier to trust, easier to just enjoy Him, and easier to have faith that He has all my best interests in mind.
Amanda
What an attitude - this holier than thou approach hasn't won me any battles, and surely hasn't made my point - which must have been very important to whip out that old tried and true line - but for some reason I can't really remember what we were talking about.
Thankfully, Drason laughed.
How often do we have this attitude - let's pray about it as a last resort. For me I know it is far too often. Drason has said that I use this line to win arguments - I have to say I scoffed at the notion - until very recently.
I don't know about everyone else but I tend to think I know what to do in most situations - the problem is what I think and what God thinks could be polar opposites.
I have been working on a Bible study called -Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed with another lady at church, I can't wait to see her tonight and ask her what she thinks of it- It has been really good. Part of what this study has been talking about is understanding our calling as Christians -one of my very favorite verses kicked off this study.
"You did not chose me, but I chose you" John 15:16
What an amazing truth to realize - God picked me - even when I was still a sinner, before I ever did anything right, before I did anything at all - God picked me.
Max Lucado said it a different way "God's love never ceases. Never. Though we spurn him. Ignore him. Reject him. Despise him. Disobey him. He will not change. Our evil cannot diminish His love. Our goodness cannot increase it. Our faith does not earn it anymore than our stupidity jeopardizes it. God doesn't love us less if we fail or more if we succeed. God's love never ceases."
This truth heals many hurts, and drives home the point that God chose me =]
So prayer should come easier as a first resort, rather than a last, knowing that God picked me, and this realization makes it easier to trust, easier to just enjoy Him, and easier to have faith that He has all my best interests in mind.
Amanda
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Stupid Baby, Eat Your Sandwich
I know I have been going through Genesis now and I will get back to that tomorrow but on my way to work today I was listening to a sermon on the way in and I got to talking it over with God and realized I was having my quiet time in the car on the way to work. I have gotten into a routine and have found that it calms me down and gets me ready for the day and that I learn something new. It has become a ritual, a small worship service. For Him to interrupt that means it must be something special, and it was.
As I said yesterday, it seems lately that if I have a question my quiet time answers it within a day or two.
We were discussing with friends on Sunday the following passage in Titus 1:5
"The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer[b] is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."
We were discussing specifically the part about being the husband of one wife. Could a man who had been divorced be an elder? Did one wife mean at a time or no divorce? My position at the time was it would be better to err on the side of caution and use both meanings. And then He started talking to me today. Would I say Mason can’t be a public speaker because he couldn’t talk right in kindergarten? Would I say Macguines can’t drive a car because of how he drives in Need For Speed? Would I tell Marshal that he can’t be in the NFL because he was afraid to get down in the mud last year? No. I
n the church today we tend to judge people on what they did as non-Christians. That is like judging an adult on how they did as a child. Granted there may be some indicators of what temptations they may be susceptible to but because they are changed when they are saved that makes them a whole new person.
We need to judge people on their Christian life not their sinful life.I believe that is what Paul means here. He says that he (the elder) must be blameless. It is impossible to be blameless before you are saved. If we looked at a person’s un-Christian life then nobody would be eligible to be an elder. So right from the beginning Paul, and through Paul, God, shows that he is talking about a person’s Christian life.
Is it possible for a Christian to get a divorce? Yes. Jesus even gives a reason why. Infidelity. But the person that God wants in the position of elder either shouldn't have committed the infidelity in the first place to cause his wife to divorce him, or forgiven her if she was the one that committed the infidelity.
The world allows divorce for many reasons but that is the world and we can’t judge people the same way the world does. If, as a Christian, a man divorces his wife for “irreconcilable differences” then he is ineligible to be an elder. Because as a Christian he should love her no matter what and as the head of the household find a way to repair their relationship. But that is as a Christian, not a heathen. I realize this can apply in may other areas too. Not just divorce. We shouldn't judge anyone on anything they do before they are a Christian. That would be like judging a child by adult standards. They are unable to please God, they are unable to stop sinning, they are unable to lead an upright life until they are a Christian, so why do we judge them when they are unable to do what they should?
Stupid baby why don’t you make yourself a sandwich. I know you don’t have the motor skills to stand, or walk, or use your hands to put the sandwich together, or the ability to digest it once it is made but I still expect you to. We would never say that, but that is exactly what we say to non-Christians. This is hard for me because I tend to be extremely judgmental and I need to stop.
Of course the hard part is, how do we know who is a Christian? I would say first we go by those who call themselves that. If they say they are then we judge them by Christian standards. If they don’t then we can’t judge them that way. If they do say that and their actions consistently show that they aren’t then we can’t judge them that way. If that is the case we need to help them find their way.What I learned today: The standards in the Bible only apply to Christians. We can’t, and must not, apply them to non-Christians because that is like judging a child by adult standards.
Drason
As I said yesterday, it seems lately that if I have a question my quiet time answers it within a day or two.
We were discussing with friends on Sunday the following passage in Titus 1:5
"The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer[b] is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."
We were discussing specifically the part about being the husband of one wife. Could a man who had been divorced be an elder? Did one wife mean at a time or no divorce? My position at the time was it would be better to err on the side of caution and use both meanings. And then He started talking to me today. Would I say Mason can’t be a public speaker because he couldn’t talk right in kindergarten? Would I say Macguines can’t drive a car because of how he drives in Need For Speed? Would I tell Marshal that he can’t be in the NFL because he was afraid to get down in the mud last year? No. I
n the church today we tend to judge people on what they did as non-Christians. That is like judging an adult on how they did as a child. Granted there may be some indicators of what temptations they may be susceptible to but because they are changed when they are saved that makes them a whole new person.
We need to judge people on their Christian life not their sinful life.I believe that is what Paul means here. He says that he (the elder) must be blameless. It is impossible to be blameless before you are saved. If we looked at a person’s un-Christian life then nobody would be eligible to be an elder. So right from the beginning Paul, and through Paul, God, shows that he is talking about a person’s Christian life.
Is it possible for a Christian to get a divorce? Yes. Jesus even gives a reason why. Infidelity. But the person that God wants in the position of elder either shouldn't have committed the infidelity in the first place to cause his wife to divorce him, or forgiven her if she was the one that committed the infidelity.
The world allows divorce for many reasons but that is the world and we can’t judge people the same way the world does. If, as a Christian, a man divorces his wife for “irreconcilable differences” then he is ineligible to be an elder. Because as a Christian he should love her no matter what and as the head of the household find a way to repair their relationship. But that is as a Christian, not a heathen. I realize this can apply in may other areas too. Not just divorce. We shouldn't judge anyone on anything they do before they are a Christian. That would be like judging a child by adult standards. They are unable to please God, they are unable to stop sinning, they are unable to lead an upright life until they are a Christian, so why do we judge them when they are unable to do what they should?
Stupid baby why don’t you make yourself a sandwich. I know you don’t have the motor skills to stand, or walk, or use your hands to put the sandwich together, or the ability to digest it once it is made but I still expect you to. We would never say that, but that is exactly what we say to non-Christians. This is hard for me because I tend to be extremely judgmental and I need to stop.
Of course the hard part is, how do we know who is a Christian? I would say first we go by those who call themselves that. If they say they are then we judge them by Christian standards. If they don’t then we can’t judge them that way. If they do say that and their actions consistently show that they aren’t then we can’t judge them that way. If that is the case we need to help them find their way.What I learned today: The standards in the Bible only apply to Christians. We can’t, and must not, apply them to non-Christians because that is like judging a child by adult standards.
Drason
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