TLC BIBLE STUDY

Wait for the Lord!

2009-03-26T11:32:00.004-04:00

Psalm 27 1:14

You heard that old saying Déjà vu! Well, I was looking through my new bible and flipped to Psalm today, which by the way always comforts me. Anyway, I was going to read Psalm 26 because today is March 26 and started reading Psalm 27, and when I got to the end…I felt the presences of the Lord reconfirming what I’ve already said in one of my last blog entries. This just confirm it again....Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for LORD! Psalm 27:14…. Need, I say anymore.

Do Not Worry 2

2009-03-26T04:48:00.002-04:00

How interesting that many of our readings have circled back to this basic message: "Do not worry."

Last night, as I was waiting for people to arrive for the soup supper, I chose the Bible passages that we read before our Labyrinth Walk. So far, I've been choosing a Psalm and a Gospel passage. I flip through the pages, and try to be alert to the promptings of the Spirit.

Last night, I chose Matthew 6: 25-34, which spoke to many of us around the table, since it talked about worry. I love the closing verse: "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."

We were so moved by the passage that we decided not to sing a Taize song before we walked, as has been our custom. We wanted to focus on those words.

Worry and fretfulness is something I struggle with, even as I know that it's useless to worry. Often, the things I worry about don't come to pass, while I'm blindsided by something I didn't anticipate, didn't worry about in advance.

More importantly, I should have more trust in God and these words that we all keep coming back to. In the words of the old song: "Have no fear, little flock."

Turns out, I'm the problem

2009-03-26T04:39:00.003-04:00

I returned to Genesis after spending much time with Paul because I tend to over-intellectualize everything. Paul feeds into this because of of the nature of his writings and I was drifting too far into the mind and away from the heart (balance, people, balance!).

So I am enjoying Genesis in my NIV Study Bible, when our Lutheran study Bibles arrived. Beautiful editions of the NRSV...(awkward pause)...NRSV?....well what the heck is the difference between NIV and NRSV?....ooooooooooooooooookay....here we go again....

The NRSV comes down from the King James version (the favorite of Protestants) and tries to maintain the literal translation and ambiguities while rendering the Bible into a contemporary language. The NIV will go a step further including use of gender-neutral language but still trying to preserve the literal translation. The literal part is critical for me; I'm super-sensitive to people trying to slip their personal business into my Bible! I want my ambiguity!

Now I absolutely will NOT take my reading and then start trying to compare the two translations, a nightmare of intellectual temptation during my morning faith moments. Here, what does noted NT authority Raymond Brown say? (hold on, wait for it, wait for it) "...one should choose a translation carefully. No translation is perfect, and readers can learn much from comparing them." OF COURSE, DR. BROWN, AND THANKS, THANKS A LOT.

Our "GOD is awesome!

2009-03-24T17:05:00.009-04:00

Luke 13 10:35 / Luke 14 1-35

During my reading today, I have been enlighten again about how our “GOD” is just awesome… He teaches us to believe and shows us through scriptures. The sowing of the mustard seed and how he has healed the crippled women are just the beginning of his marvelous work; he teaches us to be humbled and hospitable in all his teaching. More and more people today forget that this existed and it shows…but if they would read the most famous book of all they will learn something that is small but powerful. Don't you agree?

Do Not Worry

2009-03-23T16:59:00.002-04:00

While, I was in church yesterday trying to ask the church secretary a question, I notice some baby blue bibles. And, while the blue was very energetic in color, I notice it was a Lutheran Study Bible. So, I asked if could be put on the list to purchase one and guess what? Sam, sold me her, wow how about that! She would not have parted with it otherwise, but she notice the font was a little smaller then what she would have liked. Well, when I open it, I knew it would continue to helping me in my journey of reading my bible and I started right away. I checked out the back and wanted to begin with the preferred Bible reading plan but realized, I have read most of the first week so, I jumped into the second week. It took me into Luke and I read about the Half-hearted followers and the Power of Pray…all good selections but I ended up with. Luke 12:22-34……Do Not Worry!

Well this goes with out saying from my last entry and a few before….the Lord is confirming this for me and I gotta listen. In verse 32….”Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.; well it makes all the sense in the world right. Next verse that hit home, verse 34…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Thanks be to “GOD”!

Missed you all!

2009-03-19T05:23:00.002-04:00

I've given up worrying about lapses in my daily reading; I've come to consider them as blessings from God. They always when come when God has visited an abundance of new challenges for me to manage and time becomes scarce; I get them under control and return to the Bible to recharge and fortify for the next set of opportunities to grow. This last set, though, was a real doozy-new responsibilities at TLC, layoffs and paycuts at work, temptations of the mind, body, and soul in my personal life.

But while my reading may lapse, my listening for Christ never ceases as I go through my day. And He has turned me back to my readings, guiding me away from the intellectual involvement of Paul and back to Genesis.

I have always bought into the notion that the Bible is a living document, that your interpretations will change over your life. But this is the first time I personally have returned to a Bible reading after experiencing my own growth as a Christian. And where I used to read the story of Creation from the point of view of a scientist, I now read from the point of view of a Christian. It is simply the clearest, most beautiful expression of God's work imaginable. In God's love, while He filled all that was formless and empty, He allowed a little of it to be filled by me. And I now don't just know my place as He has laid it out for me, but I feel my spot in His Creation as naturally as the spaces held by the Tigris or Euphrates. This bond is too strong to be disturbed by whatever temptations or tribulations may be cast my way.

In some respects, as I respond to the temptations and tribulations of the day with as much love or patience or forgiveness as I can summon, I find that God has allowed me to re-create at least a tiny windowsill Garden of Eden of my own. I enjoy it and reflect upon what life would be like with only love and no pettiness, no iniquity, no shame.

Who can you depend on?

2009-03-18T11:27:00.003-04:00

Hebrews 13-5:6
5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."[a] 6So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"[b]

I have a calendar on my desk and it said the quote of “God never leaving or forsaking you and how we should not be afraid. Well, you know this is easier said, because we are human and we allow that within it self to guide us instead of being confident that “Jesus will get us through this. The word confidence means to belief, trust and have faith in somebody.

What can man do to me or for me? The Lord is my helper; and I will not be afraid, because trusting in the Lord has always help me in many ways that man can not. So, for those of you who are reading this and have family members, or friends who don’t know what “GOD” can do! Just tell them to have faith, because I’m a witness that when I leave it all up to him he can do amazing and abundant things. You can’t depend on man like you can depend on “GOD” and that’s a fact, you better ask somebody.

I'm Back!

2009-03-10T15:08:00.003-04:00

After, service Sunday…I felt compelled to get back into the swing of reading my bible. I think it was brought on by our entertainment and not to mention PK’s sermon.
I called my mom later that evening and she had told me how she was reading the bible also and every time she reads it she always finishes with reading Psalms 23… So, I decided to read this Psalms today and as many of you know. We have all read this Psalm, a million times in our life time. However, today it seem to jump out at me and started me back on my journey… because it is the lord that leads me, to the paths of righteousness, even though we walk through many valley’s and go through many storms….he is always there to comfort us.

We Are the Light of the World, if We Can Stay Lit

2009-03-05T07:44:00.002-05:00

Last night, we had a brief service before we walked the labyrinth. I chose two Bible passages: Psalm 1 and the passage from Matthew that talks about our call to be the light of the world.

I haven't been feeling too much like the light of the world lately. I've been craving a nap for about a week solid. I'm in one of those work periods where we have lots of meetings, lots of 10-12 hour days. I feel fortunate to still have a job, but I'm wishing it came with a napping couch.

Last night, after I read the Bible passages, we lit candles in tall jars to take with us to the labyrinth. It was windy, so we didn't bother to set up the labyrinth with candles--experience has taught us that the candles won't stay lit.

It was tough keeping the candles lit even when we carried them. I cupped my hand over the flame, but the first moment that I was distracted from my task of keeping the little flame lit, it blew out. I think that only one of us (out of about 11 walkers) had a lit candle when we were done.

At first, I felt searing guilt over my inability to keep the flame lit. And then I thought about the experience as a metaphor.

In that passage from Matthew, chapter 5, verses 14-16, Jesus tells us that we are to let our light shine, but he doesn't tell us how hard it will be some days. As a child, I always thought that once the light was lit, the hard part was over. I would just shine and shine and not hide my light under a bushel and not let Satan pfff it out (as that old song goes).

How do we keep our light from going out? I suspect it's in the various disciplines that we adopt to strengthen our spiritual lives: praying, reading the Bible, reading other spiritual literature, fasting, tithing, charitable giving, working for social justice, practicing gratitude, noticing the wonders of the world, surrounding ourselves with like-minded people who help keep our lights lit.

Reading Old Testament Prophets During an Economic Implosion

2009-03-02T08:02:00.003-05:00

Last week, Carl and I read the book of Amos. Sometimes I like the Old Testament prophets, but lately, I find myself feeling a bit spooked. I listen to the news and hear tales of doom. I read Amos, and hear the voice of impending apocalypse.

This week, we'll return to the New Testament.

During our Lenten return to reading the Bible 15 minutes a day, I think we won't read our way through a single huge book, like we tried to do with the Psalms. While it's an interesting experience, all the Psalms at once, I found it difficult to return to our daily reading, as we got further and further into the book. It seemed repetitious, and I didn't like the negative emotions; it seemed excessive to me. I have a friend who says that's what she treasures about the Psalms, that naked honesty about the full human experience, but I find it tiring on a daily basis.

Reading the Bible Online

2009-02-24T08:17:00.002-05:00

I've been startled to realize how much of my reading is now online. It's often easier to read texts at a computer when I'm at work. If I'm reading a book, a lot of people assume I'm goofing off, even though I work in an academic setting. If I'm staring at a computer screen, people assume I'm working hard. If this situation is true for me, working at a school, I assume it's even more true for people working in an office.

More and more, I pray the daily office from a website, not my prayer book. As we recommit to Bible reading for Lent, I'm going to experiment with online resources.

I found this site which appears to have the whole Bible online. It's the ESV Bible, which isn't my favorite translation, but it's better than not reading and it seems to be an accurate translation, inasmuch as any translation can be said to be accurate. If you click through the tabs and connect to pages, you'll find all sorts of options, Twittering and audio options and a daily e-mail amongst them.

I thought I'd post these thoughts, just in case you, too, find it easier to read on a computer screen (or cell phone screen or e-mail text or . . .), in hopes that having more options will make it easier for you to get your Bible reading done.

THIS SUNDAY'S BIBLE STUDY BREAD RECIPE

2009-02-23T15:34:00.002-05:00

WHOLE WHEAT MATZO from Peter Reinhart’s Whole Grain Baking (an excellent book!)
1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour
½ teaspoon salt (optional)
¾ cup water
Extra whole wheat flour for adjustments

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine flour, salt and water in a bowl and mix to form a coarse, soft dough. Transfer to a lightly floured work surface. Dust the dough with more flour and kneed for approximately 3 minutes, adding more flour as needed to form a firm but tacky dough. It should not be sticky. Let the dough rest for 3 minutes and then resume kneading for another minute, adjusting flour or water as needed. The dough should feel soft and satiny, not sticky, and only a little tacky.
3. Divide the dough into 8 to ten pieces, round each into a tight ball and let them rest for 3 minutes. On a work surface (use minimal flour, if any, on the surface and the dough). Roll out each piece of dough into a disk or rectangle until it begins to shrink back, dusting the pieces with flour if you need to stack them.
4. Return to the first piece and, starting from the center, roll it into a disk or rectangle 1/8 of an inch thick. Dust the work surface with flour only if necessary.
5. Lightly flour a baking peel or the underside of a sheet pan and transfer the first piece to the peel. Dock the entire surface with a rolling docker or a fork then slide the dough onto a baking stone and bake until the matzo begins to turn a rich brown, carmelizing on both the top and bottom; this could take anywhere from 8 to 15 minutes depending upon how thickly rolled the dough is. Remove the matzo from the oven , place on a cooling rack, and continue baking the other pieces, rolling out the remaining balls of dough while the earlier ones are baking. The matzo should be crisp and snap easily after it cools. If not, return it to the oven briefly to crisp it.

WE'RE BAAAAACK! (Almost)

2009-02-23T13:17:00.002-05:00

I'll be posting weekly for our Passion of Jesus Bible Study and invite you to respond to those posts as well as posting on wha catches your fancy with your re-commitment to reading the Bible daily throughout Lent.

SONG OF SONGS

2009-02-03T12:09:00.002-05:00

Wow!
Haven't taken as trip to Song of Songs in a while - it got into scripture, many argue, by being read as a metaphor for the relationship between the Lord and his Church. Doubtful that it began that way. One playful frolic of a poem full of love and passion between two people seriously in love.

The Reward of Seeking Wisdom

2009-02-03T11:55:00.006-05:00

I have not kept up with my commitment to read my bible and of course, it is a reflection on my posting. I have allowed my human side to over come what I know the Lord would want me to do which is to pray and be a good steward, which will help in any circumstances. In addition, as I chose a bible verse to read today, I was compelled to Proverbs 3. I have a calendar on my desk from Thrivent for Lutherans, it has a picture of a cactus that has blooms on the top, and it said, “When the going gets tough, look for the Lord’s hand at work.” So, in reading Proverbs there were some verses that really hit home and I’m sure we all need to hear them once in a while so here they are- Proverbs 3:5 : Trust in the Lord with all your heart , and do not rely on your own insight.” 3:9 Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; 3:19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;
Proverbs 3: 21-22 My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion; let them not escape from your sight and they will be life for your soul. In addition, the one that really choke me up is 3:25-26… Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

Now, I’m sure you are saying the same thing I was saying when I read it! WOW! However, I believe it’s a message that we should not allow ourselves to be so busy worrying about what going on today. Perhaps we should really step back and let the Lord do his work. We have to learn to depend on the Lord to help us through the time where in. It’s hard for everyone, people out of work, not knowing how to make ends meet. Ultimately, the Master plan maker is in control and as long as you believe and do what he asks of you, he will work it out. It is hard, I know Lord knows, I know…but he is all we have that we can depend on, so let him work it out and be patient. (Easily said, right… I’m trying!)

CONFESSIONS and ABSOLUTIONS

2009-01-31T00:06:00.003-05:00

It is sooooo easy to fall out of the habit of reading Scripture each day (or most days, or some days...)
This week I have been reading Ezra and Nehemiah and Esther and Song of Songs and Micah and Amos. Not every day. But most days. Fits and spurts.
We'll be re-setting, re-booting, re-starting (you get the idea) this whole adventure for the season of Lent which begins FEB 25th. It is like stopping the Ferris Wheel for a moment for some folks to get on while others might choose a different ride. Lots to announce about Bible Study and Lent. Soon. Online stuff and after church stuff and so on. Soon, I promise.

BREAD AND BIBLE STUDY WEEK FOUR

2009-01-31T00:04:00.001-05:00

BREAD AND BIBLE STUDY WEEK FOUR
John 6 “ I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE”
PRELUDE
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people? 10Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost." 13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world."15When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

16When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.22The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

STORY PART I
When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." 28Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" 29Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 30So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

32Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; 38for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day."

STORY PART 2
Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" 43Jesus answered them, "Do not complain among yourselves. 44No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. 45It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

52The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 53So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." 59He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

60When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" 61But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? 62Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father."

POSTSCRIPT
Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" 68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." 70Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil." 71He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

Take ten minutes and read the entire story to yourselves.
Then in groups of three consider for 15 minutes the following questions and share your answers to one another:
(1) Do you think that the people followed Jesus just because they had received a good free meal? If not, why did they?

(2) Why does Jesus call himself the “Bread of Life?”

(3) How do you understand the promise that Jesus makes in this passage to those who believe in him?

(4) Why is this teaching of Jesus “hard” to those who heard it?

(5) What surprises you most in this passage?

Gather back together and as a group we will spend 20 minutes or so sharing some of the highlights from your conversations.

Confessional

2009-01-27T16:04:00.002-05:00

My 15 minutes a day has completely fallen apart. What is wrong with me? Why can't I find this time?

Carl and I had been reading at night, but lately, I come in and fall asleep immediately (lest you think I fall asleep at 6pm, let me add, I've been working evening hours). That doesn't foster good reading habits.

I've been forgetting to floss too. Or not forgetting, but falling asleep before I can get to it.

So, let me try and try again. I liked the bit of James that we read on Sunday. I'm going to quit playing around on this computer and read James.

Right now. Before it gets any later.

SUNDAY'S "BREAD AND BIBLE STUDY" WEEK THREE

2009-01-24T16:21:00.004-05:00

BREAD AND TEMPTATION
(1) In groups of three, review the three temptation stories from Matthew 4, Mark 1,
and Luke 4.
(A) In each case, what precedes the temptation story? What immediately follows it?
Do you think the order of these events is important? If so, why?

(B) How are the three temptation stories, themselves, the same? Different?

(C) As you read these stories, what do you find surprises you most?

(2) Read James 1:2-4; 12-16
(A) What does James add to our conversation about temptation?

(B) Do you find yourself agreeing with James or disagreeing?

(C) If you are willing, share a story of when you were tempted about something. What helped you or hindered you in your “time of trial” ?

SUNDAY'S "BREAD AND BIBLE STUDY" WEEK TWO

2009-01-17T15:58:00.001-05:00

WARM UP
1. Tell me what you remember about the feeding stories in the Gospels?
(5 minutes)

2. Break into nine groups and in your group compare one of the following sets of stories
(15 minutes)

Matthew 14 and Mark 6
Matthew 15 and Mark 8
Matthew 14 and Luke 9
Matthew 14 and John 6
Mark 6 and Luke 9
Mark 6 and John 6
Luke 9 and John 6
Matthew 14 and 15
Mark 6 and Mark 8

As you compare, consider the following questions:
What is similar between the stories? What is different between them? What impact do you think the events described had on the original participants (crowd and disciples)? On early Christians? What does the passage tell us about Jesus? What does it say to us now?

3. Share some highlights of what you discovered (3 minutes per group or roughly 30 minutes)

Man, talk about Wow...

2009-01-17T00:06:00.001-05:00

Hi Denise,

I carry a copy of that Phillipians verse in my portfolio at work.

Christian / Gospel music, are you really listening to the words and what do you think it’s trying to say?

2009-01-16T20:47:00.009-05:00

Zechariah 10 1:10

I started reading this passage and seem to get a little lost, but a gospel song that I heard distracted me and I can’t get it out of my mind. I have been having strange dreams about Christian or Gospel music lately and during that same day, something reminds me of the song or part of the song that make me say hum! I think its “God’s” way of making me listen to him…I don’t know what it is, either that or I’m going crazy. Nevertheless, a friend of mind told me not to question it just listen. Anyway,…It’s a gospel sound by Byron Cage…and I’m learning that any music that talks about Jesus is beautiful no matter how and what forum it’s in you just have to listen to the artist words. E.g., Zumba class, ha, ha! You have to be there to understand.

But back to my point, I hear Byron Cage song title “The Presence of the Lord” and the way the song goes is. “ The Presence of the Lord is here, The Presence of the Lord is here…I feel it in the atmosphere, The Presence of the Lord is here……… The next verse, The Blessing of the Lord is here, The Blessing of the Lord is here, I feel it in the atmosphere, The Blessing of the Lord is here, “The Blessing of the Lord is here. So sound the triumphant, ring the alarms, and tell all the people that the “Lord” is here.

Well, in this book it talks about the blessing of the lord. I had to go on-line to the NIV version so I can fully understand what I was reading. My interpretation is, we ask “GOD” for lemon aid and he gives us lemons, so we are blessed. So, share the good news with a friend or even a neighbor when he or she is down or disappointed with what life is dishing out. Let them know not to give up and keep praising “GOD” in good or bad times. (I know, I'm making it sound good right!)

But you have to believe and remember, “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us’! Philippians 4:13 this happens to be one of my favor bible verse by the way.

Wow

2009-01-16T07:12:00.003-05:00

I knew heading into my Covenant that their would come some challenges to my schedule, and sure enough...

I am in Romans still and have found two things. 1) In some respects, through all of the time I am spending with Paul, I miss Jesus through the Gospels. I think Kristin alluded to something similar as she and Carl work their way through Psalms. 2) That feeling is alright, though, because I've really leaned on the force of Paul's confidence as evidenced in the conviction with which he writes.

It's simple: even if I can't do 15 minutes, if I just get to a quiet moment at the beginning and end of each day, even if I fall asleep immediately, and have my Bible in front of me, I will stay on point. If I drift from Scripture, I drift in life. Funny how that works out.

Kind of neat on this blog how recent posts have touched on the impact of Scripture in mind (PK's theological study), body (Denise drawing strength to continue her program), and soul (Kristin's post on wants/needs).

From Romans (5:2-4)-And we rejoice in the hope and glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffereings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

I purchased a motorcycle back in June for a variety of reasons relating to mind, body, and soul. I got rear-ended this week and though I was fine physically, I took a real shot to my mind and soul. I left the accident and felt driven to call out of work for the day and hit the highway, which I did. Intellectually, I knew that riding in a state of shock was not the brightest thing to do (I have never claimed to be the brightest bulb in the Chandelier of Life), but on the deepest level I had complete faith that I would be safe and that I would restore the strength and confidence I had before some kid ran his car into me.

I think Kristin is right on point, especially in a larger context. I wish I were bigger, stronger, more confident and that, having hoarded an excess of strength, I motored through life's challenges with the greatest of ease. But I am not. I am human and so I persevere. Through Christ, I find just enough confidence and strength to get done what I have to do, or fix wherever I've dropped the ball, and smile enough to keep a happy home and workplace.

GRACE IS A FUNNY THING

2009-01-15T20:12:00.002-05:00

When we strip away some of the "problems" in Genesis - we still see the evidence of the hand of God through the grace that abounds. Therein the inspiration of the Holy Spirit holds sway. Joseph wasn't exactly a saint when his brothers went over board (some of them anyway) and faked his death while selling him as a commodity into slavery. prison, betrayal and more awaits him in Egypt, yet God opens a door and he chooses not the path of bitterness, but of redemption. Through the gifts and blessings of God, Joseph saves a nation and more from utter starvation. With revenge on his mind against his brothers, he breaks down in the midst of it, in tears, and embraces them in a moment of forgiveness and joy. Behold, the power of Grace!

Exodus and Anxiety

2009-01-12T07:56:00.002-05:00

As we talked about Exodus yesterday, I thought, I recognize these Israelites. Their prayers are answered, they're delivered from bondage, and within months--no, within weeks!--they're complaining (see Exodus 16). But what really resonated with me was their anxiety.

God promises that the manna that they collect will be enough; it will be exactly the right amount. But the Israelites gathered more than they needed. That impulse to hoard was impossible to overcome. God tells them that manna won't fall on the Sabbath. Yet still, they go out and look to see if perhaps some manna fell.

Now some people would tell us that the Israelites had been warped by their conditions, that slave brains are impossible to reprogram. Yet, I've never been enslaved in those kind of conditions, and I, too, find it hard to trust God. I, too, hedge my bets. I want to tithe, but it's hard for me to remember not to hoard my money (particularly with the news giving me grim statistic after grim statistic). Like the Israelites, my anxiety gets me into trouble.