Don't Look Back--Talk to God

Well, today has been a typical Monday. I was going to take a break from Genesis tonight, but knowing that the next couple of chapters were on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, it just seemed to be “apropos” :]

(Genesis 18-19)

The Lord appeared to Abraham one day while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. Three visitors came (angels), and Abraham hurried to meet them and bowed before them, ready to assist them. He offered to bring water for them to wash their feet, and offered refreshment for them while they rested. When they were ready to leave, the Lord decided to let Abraham know about the grievous state of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The Lord said,

The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know. (18:22)

Then Abraham stood before the Lord and pled for the salvation of these cities. This is the first record of a person praying for the sparing of another person in the Old Testament. Abraham asked,

Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are 50 righteous people in the city?...Far be it from you to do such a thing--to kill the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right? (18: 23-33)

Abraham continued to be so bold as to beg for 45, 40, 30, 20, and finally 10 people. The Lord agreed, “For the sake of 10 [righteous people], I will not destroy it” (18:32).

When the two appointed angels arrived at the gateway of the city, Lot happened to be there. When he saw them, he offered for them to stay in his house, where they could clean up, eat, and rest from their journey. Lot feared for their safety and sought to protect them from the perverted men in the city square. Soon, men of all ages surrounded the house and called for Lot to bring the men outside. Lot went outside to make them go away. He remembered his two virgin daughters inside and offered them to the men. They refused and tried to break down the door. The men inside (the angels) reached out and pulled Lot back inside the house and shut the door. Then they struck the men outside with blindness so they couldn’t find the door.

The two angels instructed Lot to leave the city with any others who belonged to him, because they were sent by the Lord to destroy this wicked place. So Lot went to speak with his future sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. They thought he was joking, so they did not leave. At dawn, Lot hurriedly left with his wife and two daughters. The Lord was merciful to them.

One of the angels said to them,

Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away! (19:17)

Lot pled with them to let them go as far as Zoar, a smaller town nearby, instead of the mountains. Then the Lord rained down burning sulphur on Sodom and Gomorrah; but, before it was all over, Lot’s wife disobeyed and looked back, and she turned into a pillar of salt (19:26).

God remembered Abraham’s appeal for the safety of the righteous. His pleading with the Lord is similar to a "prayer of faith", and that is why his nephew Lot was spared.

In the New Testament, James (a brother of Jesus) explained the importance of praying by faith. Such a prayer can make a sick person well, bring physical and emotional healing, and cover a multitude of sins:

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make them well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring them back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the way of error will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (James 5: 13-20)

Circumcision of the Heart

When Abram was 99, the Lord appeared to confirm his earlier covenant with Abram. He desired for Abram (and mankind) to "walk before Him and be blameless" (Genesis 17:1).

God declared that Abram would no longer be called Abram, “exalted father”, but Abraham, “father of many”. God also told Abraham to no longer call his wife, Sarai, “my princess”, but Sarah, “a princess”. She would be the mother of nations, beginning with her firstborn son, Isaac.

Abraham fell face down and laughed, thinking to himself, “Will a son be born to a man 100 years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of 90?” Having lived in Canaan for about 23 years, Abraham was still considered a foreigner, but God pledged to give this land to him and his descendants as an everlasting possession (Genesis 17: 7-8).

Then Abraham remembered his firstborn son Ishmael (from Hagar). He pled to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” God reassured Abraham that Ishmael would not be forsaken; he would be blessed and his descendants would increase in number. He would be the father of 12 rulers, and he would be made into a great nation. This covenant, however, would not be established through him; rather through Abraham and Sarah’s son, Isaac.

As an outward sign of the everlasting covenant made between Abraham and God, all the male members of Abraham’s household, including those to come in future generations, would be required to undergo circumcision. This act would be expected of every male at least 8 days old, including those bought with money from a foreigner. Any male, who would not circumcise the flesh, will have broken the covenant requirement and will be cut off from his people.

So on that very day, Abraham (age 99), Ishmael (age 13), and all other males in the household were circumcised. For Abraham to undergo this procedure (and require it of his entire household) signified his belief in the faithfulness and judgment of God.

It was not merely for physical reasons that circumcision was required. It was to show outwardly what had been pledged inwardly--a total submission and devotion to God. The cutting away and removal of flesh was symbolic of the cutting away and removal of fleshly desires (carnality) in the life of a person who is said to be godly, or righteous. This is symbolic of a "circumcision of the heart", by the Spirit of God.

This spiritual "circumcision of the heart" is available to all who walk in the footsteps of faith of Abraham (Romans 4:12, 20-25).

Not Quite Ready

In the years to follow, Abram and Sarai continue to wonder when they will have children. When Sarai is approximately 76 years old, she persuades Abram to sleep with her Egyptian maidservant saying, “Perhaps I can build a family through her”. Sarai believes the Lord has kept her from having children so she decides to find a solution. It was not uncommon at the time for a woman to do this and legally the child would belong to Abram and Sarai.

So Abram agrees to the plan and sleeps with Sarai’s maidservant. When Hagar discovers she is pregnant, she despises her mistress. Sarai complains to Abram that this turn of events is his fault and scolds, “May the Lord judge between you and me”. Abram reminds Sarai that Hagar is still her maidservant (not his wife), so he instructs her to do with Hagar whatever she thinks is best. Then Sarai mistreats her, and Hagar flees to the desert.

The angel of the Lord finds Hagar near a spring in the desert. He graciously addresses her by name and tells her to remember her position as a servant and to go back to Sarai and submit to her. The angel declares that she is with child and she will have a son. The Lord has heard her misery and the boy will be named “Ishmael” (God hears). The angel promises that her descendants will be too numerous to count.

Hagar is humbled at the encounter, and addresses the Lord, “You are the God who sees me…I have now seen the One who sees me.” Hagar obeys and returns to submit to Sarai. By doing so, Hagar is able to see fulfilled what the angel said would happen. Abram was 86 years old when Hagar bore him a son, and he named him Ishmael.

While reading this story, I couldn't help but notice some contradictions. Previously, Abram had believed what the Lord promised concerning his future, but now he is agreeing to a plan devised by his wife. Sarai believed the Lord kept her from having children; yet, she tries to have a child anyway (by Hagar). When the plan works and Hagar conceives, Sarai mistreats her. Hagar runs away, nearly forfeiting her place in Abram's household--this might have caused her to eventually lose her health, her baby, and possibly her life. Similar to a modern-day soap opera, nothing is working out as planned, and although Ishmael is eventually born, it is under less than ideal circumstances with a foreshadowing of pain and difficulty for Ishmael, his mother, and future generations. It would be 13 more years before the Lord appears again to confirm the previous covenant with Abram (and Sarai).

A Solemn Covenant (Genesis 15)

The Lord God Most High promised to Abram that he and his descendants would be blessed. In Genesis 15, Abram appeals to the Lord explaining that he remains childless and the only heir in his household is his servant, Eliezer of Damascus. The Lord reassures Abram that this man will not be the heir, but a son that will come from Abram’s own body, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars…so shall your offspring be” (v. 5).

The Lord instructed him to bring a sacrifice, and Abram prepared it. As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep. A dreadful darkness came over him, and the Lord explained to him what would happen in the next four generations.

Abram’s descendants would be strangers in a country and enslaved and mistreated for 400 years. Afterwards, the Lord would punish the nation they served in as slaves, and they would come out of the land with great possessions. Abram would be at peace and die at an old age. At the end of the 4^th generation, the descendants would return to the land of Canaan.

When the sun had set and it was dark, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces of Abram’s sacrifice. It was on that day that the Lord made a covenant with Abram,

“To your descendants I give this land [of Canaan], from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates--the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites." (v. 20)

It was stated that Abram believed what the Lord promised him, and the Lord credited it to him as righteousness (v. 6). Though God was trying to reassure Abram, it would take many years before Abram understood and saw the fruition of this promise.

A Blessed Escape

I am finding that the only way to keep track of all these names is to write them down. Thus, my list:

In Genesis, chapter 14, battles are taking place in the Valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea, or Dead Sea).

The 4 kings are:

1. Amraphel (of Shinar)
2. Arioch (of Ellasar)
3. Kedorlaomer (of Elam)
4. Tidal (of Goiim)

They waged war against 5 kings:

1. Bera (of Sodom)
2. Birsha (of Gomorrah)
3. Shinab (of Admah)
4. Shemeber (of Zeboiim), and
5. Zoar (of Bela)

In the 14^th year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites, the Zuzites, the Emites, and the Horites. Then they turned back to Kadesh and conquered all the land of the Amalekites and Amorites, who were living in Hazazon Tamar.

This resulted in the 5 kings marching out and drawing battle lines in the Valley of Siddim against the 4 kings.

The valley was full of tar pits, so when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah tried to flee, some of the men fell into the tar pits, while some escaped. The 4 kings seized all the goods and food belonging to the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. They also captured Abram’s nephew, Lot, who had been living in Sodom.

One man who escaped made it to Abram and reported what had happened. Abram called the 318 men who had been born in his home (belonging to his household), and they went to find and rescue Lot. They defeated the 4 kings and returned to the Valley of Shaveh (the King’s Valley). The king of Sodom met Abram there. Also, a king named Melchizedek, king of Salem.

The king of Salem was a priest and brought bread and wine to Abram for nourishment. He also blessed him, saying:

Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand. (Genesis 14: 19-20) 

The king of Sodom told Abram to give him the captured people and, in return, Abram would be able to keep the captured goods for himself. Abram declined taking anything from the king of Sodom (since he was declaring his dependence and blessing from the Lord, God Most High). Abram did not want this king to be able to declare, “I made Abram rich”. He only accepted what his men had already eaten, and would allow for the men who went with him (Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre) to receive their share.

Why is this detailed account so important?

After reading this, I decided that Abram’s rescue of Lot is in one way symbolic of the sacrifice and effort required to save any person from evil. In modern language, this could also refer to any controlling power, substance, or situation. It was Abram, 3 men, and 318 other trained men from his household, who went out to find Lot and defeat the notorious “5 kings”.

Likewise, Abram’s encounter with the king and priest Melchizedek is symbolic of another king and priest named in the New Testament. In Hebrews, chapter 7, Melchizedek is mentioned again, as the “king of righteousness”, the “king of Salem”, and the “king of peace”. He is a person referred to in the Bible without a father or mother, without a genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God [Jesus], a priest forever (Hebrews 7:1-3). The symbols of offering bread and wine to Abram are significant since these are the elements that Christians are told to “take in remembrance of Him” during communion.

Additional notes from online commentaries can be found at biblos.com. I liked Matthew Henry’s at: http://bible.cc/genesis/14-18.htm.

Traveling Mercies

I am finding out there is too much information in the Old Testament for a daily (or weekly) blog. Therefore, here is a list to briefly highlight the "family drama" in Genesis, chapters 12-13!

1. The Lord God tells Abram to leave his country, his people, and his father's household and go to the land God would show him.
2. Abram sets out with his wife (Sarai) and his nephew (Lot). They leave from the land of Haran, with all the possessions they have accumulated and the people they have acquired (so far).
3. They arrive in Canaan, and the Lord appears and promises, "To your offspring I will give this land". Abram builds an altar there, in Shechem, and also later in the land between Bethel and Ai.
4. Due to a severe famine, they travel on to Egypt, where Abram fears for the safety of himself and Sarai. They pretend that Sarai was his sister, not his wife.
5. Pharaoh's officials believe Sarai is beautiful and report this to Pharaoh. He lets them in the palace and lavishes gifts and praise on them, for Sarai's sake.
6. The Lord inflicts diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai.
7. Pharaoh questions Abram about this sudden curse. He is furious with Abram for misleading him into thinking he could take Sarai into the palace to be his own wife. He orders his men to send Abram away, with his wife Sarai, and all that he has.
8. Abram, Sarai, and Lot head for the Negev, with all the people, animals and possessions they have acquired.
9. The land will not support them all in one place and the different herdsmen begin complaining and fighting.
10. Abram doesn't want hostility between himself and Lot since they are "brothers" (relatives...since Lot was actually his nephew). He instructs Lot to choose which direction of land he would prefer.
11. Lot chooses the land to the east, near Sodom. It would turn out that the men there were very wicked and sinning greatly against the Lord.
12. After Lot leaves for the east, the Lord reminds Abram that one day all the land in every direction will belong to Abram and his offspring. Abram moves his tents and goes to live near the trees of Mamre at Hebron. He builds an altar to the Lord there.

In the New Testament, references are made to the significance of Abraham's faith in God at that time in history. His wife Sarai was barren, but (like Noah before) Abram believed God, "and He credited it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). In the chapters that follow, we will read of Abram and Sarai's doubts, their efforts to bring this promise to fruition in their own timing, and the mercy God would eventually show to them and Hagar.

Noah Found Favor

In Genesis, chapters 6-9, we read of the flood, Noah's Ark, and the covenant God made with Noah after the flood.

The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air--for I am grieved that I have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:5-8) 

How did Noah find favor? The only people to survive the flood were Noah, his wife, his three sons (Shem, Ham, Japeth), and their wives. If he had God's favor, then he must not have been like the description above. Noah was not wicked, not evil, not causing grief, not causing pain. The Bible describes Noah as a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and one who "walked with God". 

The earth was corrupt in God's sight and full of violence (Genesis 6:11). The rebellious ways of mankind were multiplying, and this sin would only be stopped by Noah obeying God's directions. So, "Noah did everything just as God commanded him" (6:22). When Noah was 600 years old, the floodwaters came on the earth for 40 days and 40 nights. Noah and his family were safe inside the ark because "the Lord shut him in" (7:16).

After the rain stopped, Noah and his family waited in the ark. Noah sent out a raven, and it flew back and forth looking for dry land. Then he sent out a dove, but the dove could not find a place to set its feet because there was still water on the surface of the earth; it returned to Noah. After 7 days, Noah let the dove out again. It returned with a freshly picked olive leaf. After 7 more days, Noah let the dove out again, and it never returned. This was when Noah knew the land was dry. God instructed Noah and his family, and all the living creatures, to come out of the ark, to live, be fruitful and increase in number. Noah offered a burnt sacrifice from among some of the clean animals. The Lord smelled the aroma and said in his heart:

Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. (8:21)

Then God blessed Noah and his sons and gave them power over all the beasts of the earth and birds of the air, upon every living creature, "Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything" (9:3). But they were instructed to not eat meat with its lifeblood in it. God would require an accounting of life from every animal, including man, an accounting for the life of his fellow man.

God established a covenant with Noah and his sons and promised to never destroy the earth with a flood again. God said:

Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. (9:12-15)

Noah was 601 years of age when he and his family descended from the ark. After the flood, he lived 350 years. He died at 950 years of age. Noah's sons went on to have their own sons, and their descendents are listed among the Japhethites, the Hamites, and the Semites in Genesis 10.

Day 3 - Our Creator God

Our Creator God and the Supremacy of Christ in Creation

For this is what the Lord says--he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited--he says: “I am the Lord, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:18)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:1-5)

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  (Hebrews 1:1-2)

He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:15-20)

From these passages of scripture, the Bible teaches…

1. God is the Creator of earth.
2. God is the Lord, and there is no other God.
3. Jesus is the Word of God.
4. Jesus was with God in Creation.
5. Jesus holds life and the light of mankind.
6. Those who know Jesus, have light to shine in the darkness of this fallen world.
7. Those who don’t know Jesus, live in darkness.
8. In the Old Testament, there are accounts of God speaking to mankind through other men, or prophets.
9. The Good News of the New Testament is that God has now spoken to us by His Son, Jesus Christ.
10. Jesus is the heir of all things and through whom God made the universe.
11. Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
12. All things visible and invisible, even thrones or powers, rulers or authorities were created by Him and for Him.
13. In Christ all things hold together.
14. Jesus is the head of the church.
15. Those in the church are called the “body of Christ”.
16. God was pleased to have the fullness of Himself dwell in Jesus.
17. God wanted to reconcile all things on earth or things in heaven to Himself.
18. God made peace with all things through the shed blood (crucifixion) of Christ on the cross.
19. Just as a perfect sacrifice was required in the Old Testament for the forgiveness of sins, Jesus came to this earth to live and die as the sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins for all mankind.
20. Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

What a blessing to believe in our Creator God and to have confidence knowing that the invisible God came to us in the visible form of Jesus Christ! His death on the cross and resurrection freed us from the bondage of this sinful world. Jesus is the light shining in the darkness, and through believing and accepting Him, we are reconciled to God. In so doing, we can have full assurance of our place in this world and gain a new identity of who we are in relation to our Heavenly Father. 

Further teaching by Dr. Charles Stanley, "In Touch Ministries":

http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/names-of-jesus/the-lamb-of-god.html

Day 2 (Genesis 3-5)

Well, day 2 of my devotions has extended into another week! The topic “The Entrance and Extent of Sin” (Genesis 3-5) deserves much more study and treatment than a little blog entry. This lesson is very deserving of more time, but here are some thoughts about it in brief.

In the Old Testament, Genesis, Chapter 3, we read about the disobedience of Adam and Eve, often called the “fall of man”. Satan (a fallen angel) had already rebelled against God and was persistent to sell his “product of sin”. He made false promises to Eve, deceived her, and then she, gave the fruit to Adam, resulting in them both being guilty. I have heard sermons on this before, some believing that the guilt rests on Eve, while some regard Adam’s indifference as the cause of his wife being led astray. But, God punished and cursed all involved: the serpent, then Eve, and then Adam. Their disobedience and shame resulted in sin being passed down to the next generation. Cain became jealous of his brother, Abel, and murdered him.

This lesson saddened me, as I read painful words, such as: sin of the family, downward spiral, God’s judgment, wickedness of the world. Eve is finally comforted with the birth of another son, Seth, believing that God has appointed another son to replace Abel. Then Seth has Enosh, and finally we read, “Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:25).

Since I am a wife and mother, this account cautioned me to not be like Eve, led astray by my own imagination of what is “better” for myself, my kids and family, my home, my career, my time, and the list goes on and on. It is easy in this modern world to lose focus on what is really important in life. Who really matters. What really matters. I hope I can be one, “who calls upon the name of the Lord”.

Jesus was tempted. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus is described as being led by the Spirit [of God] to the wilderness to be tempted. He fasted 40 days and 40 nights. He became hungry. The tempter came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.” But He answered, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the Mouth of God.” He was then carried away to be tempted again; first, at the pinnacle of the temple, to see if he jumped down, if the angels would save Him. He repeated the Scripture, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test” (Deuteronomy 6:16). Finally, He is taken to a mountain top, and asked to bow down and worship the devil. He is promised all the kingdoms of the world; He quotes the commandment, “You shall worship the Lord, your God, and serve Him only” (Deuteronomy 6:13).

As Christians, we are to remember and strive to live by the example of Jesus Christ. The author (of this devotional guide) describes Him as being tempted by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. We are to do as James instructed in the New Testament, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (4:7). Only then can we find the perfect peace and will of our Heavenly Father, to live a life holy and blameless in Jesus Christ.

Day 1 of devotions

A change in focus! I found this great online daily devotional, Your Daily Walk, by Bruce H. Wilkinson. I've decided to share a brief summary of each one, with what I learned from the reading. Enjoy!

 

Day 1 – Genesis 1

Corresponding to Jan. 1 from this online devotional guide, page 16.

By God’s design the world was created, and then mankind. The first verse in the English Bible answers these very important questions often asked by people of all ages.

Questions:

1. What is there?
2. How did it get there?
3. Did it have a beginning?
4. What or who is responsible?

Answers from Genesis, Chapter 1:

1. The heaven and the earth.
2. It was all created.
3. Yes, it had a beginning.
4. God is responsible.

For you and I to believe this is true, requires our acceptance by faith that God IS, and He IS our Creator. Only then can we understand our (individual) identity and purpose. This has eternal consequences, for it determines how we spend our time (eventually) in heaven and (presently) here on earth.

So, if God created mankind, then He created you and me. For what purpose?

Try to read and complete this statement, with whatever words come to mind: “By God’s design, I am ___________.”

What comes to mind?

The author of this devotional study gives the following scripture references to help us understand how we fit into God’s design, or plan. Look up these verses in a printed Bible, or online.

1. Psalm 139:14
2. 1 Corinthians 11:3
3. Ephesians 2:10 then Ephesians 5:21-6:9
4. Titus 2:14

From the readings above, we learn that from God’s design, you and I are:

1. Fearfully and wonderfully made.
2. Members of the body of Christ. Christ is the head of the church.
3. Created as God’s workmanship, designed to do good works as planned by God beforehand.
4. Holy and blameless in Christ.
5. Redeemed by Christ. His own, belonging to Him.
6. Purified from all sin and lawlessness.
7. Intended to be zealous for good deeds.

Prayer of Application:

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for having a plan and design for this universe, for mankind, and for me. Help me to understand how to walk daily with You, to serve you with my whole heart in obedience, and to be willing to serve You and others in good deeds, out of a sincere faith. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Patient in Affliction

One of my favorite verses is Romans 12:12, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer". Today as I read it, I realized that "affliction" is the word I often overlook. Affliction is defined as a state of pain, trouble, or distress; misery. This condition is more common place than first realized. It may be a disease, or it may be a mental state. For the Christian, who is supposed to be living by faith, an "affliction" of some sort, can rob his or her spiritual joy, hope, faith, and ability to pray.

The Bible commands us to be patient in affliction. This is not to say that we deny a problem, we just recognize it and persevere through it. These problems may come in many forms, such as: doubt, fear, insecurity, lack of confidence, lack of faith, physical pain or illness, anxiety. These are examples of many types of affliction, and they are in contrast and conflict with God's plan for our lives.

In Hebrews 10, believers are encouraged to persevere..."Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful..." (22-23).


Paul faced hardships for the sake of the gospel. In 2 Corinthians 6..."as servants of God, we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love. . .sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything" (4-6, 10).


Even the Son of God, Jesus Christ, faced trials, ultimately crucifixion, offering himself up as the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of all mankind. It is not only human nature to have trials come our way, it is an inevitability since we are living in a sinful world. Our hope rests on our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, our advocate, who has gone to prepare a home for us in Heaven. This does not cause us to despair; rather, we seek God more, pray more, and act on our faith more, "for he who promised is faithful".

It seems that there is a great connection between our emotional, physical, and spiritual conditions. In 2 Peter 5:7-9, we are instructed:

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

In the good times and the bad, whether in joy or in affliction, we are called to be patient, alert, and to persevere. This is the model of Christ, and it is a command from Paul to the early church. "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:11-12).

The Condition of the Heart

The religious person feels justified in keeping the commandments and doing all the right things to please God and man. But in contrast to what we read in the Old Testament, we see Jesus changing the rules in the New Testament. In the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5, Jesus emphasizes how it is the condition of the heart that pleases God, rather than outward acts alone. Jesus says, “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

The sixth commandment in Deuteronomy 5:17, is “Do not commit murder”; but Jesus clarifies, “I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Fool!’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You moron!’ will be subject to hellfire….” (HCSV). So we see that with God, it is the condition of the heart that is plain before Him. He is more pleased with our relationships to one another than our offering sacrifices of praise and prayer to Him with an unforgiving heart.

In reading 1 John, we are reminded that love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. “The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (4:7-8). Furthermore...

God’s love was revealed among us in this way; God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (sacrifice) for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us (4:9-12).

This is how we know that we remain in Him and He in us: He has given to us from His Spirit. And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God--God remains in him and he in God. And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him (4:13-16).

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and sending your Son, Jesus, to be my Savior. Help me to see that you love me unconditionally. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, and help me to forgive and love others you have placed in my life. In the name of Jesus, I pray. -Amen.

Godly Character

I was encouraged by the letter from Paul to the believers in Corinth. He reminds them that we are to not be a stumbling block to others, or to allow circumstances to alter our faith in God. Whether in the good times or the bad, God asks for our all.

"But in everything, as God's ministers, we commend ourselves: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by pressures, by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the message of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report; as deceivers yet true; as unknown yet recognized; as dying and look--we live; as being chastened yet not killed; as grieving yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing yet possessing everything."

 Lord, please stir in us the Holy Spirit and help us to develop a godly character. Strengthen us to serve you in gladness and to not lose hope. -Amen.

Treasuring God's Word

I have imported some personal reflections from another blog I started and abandoned. It is a collection of daily bible study to build up my faith and encourage others. The idea for this entry came from reading Psalm 1, a reminder to me and my family that we should be meditating on God's Word day and night. So then, why? Here are a few reasons from the Old and New Testaments.

1. To educate myself and my family. 

In Deuteronomy, Chapters 5-6, Moses reminds the Israelites that they were rescued from the hands of Pharaoh in Egypt and instructed to fear the Lord, so that they would enjoy prosperity and preservation despite their enemies. They were instructed to not turn aside from the commandments of God, to not turn to the right or the left, so that they might live, prosper, and have a long life in the land they were promised to possess. Concerning God's commandments, they were told to...

“Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:7).

2. To take the road less traveled, the road to obedience and righteousness.

In the first chapter of Psalms, King David contrasts the two ways that a man can take in life, the way of the righteous, or the way of the wicked.

“How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join the group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

“The wicked are not like this; instead they are like chaff that the wind blows away…they will not survive judgment, and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin” (Psalm 1).

3.  To be equipped for every good work.

In 2 Timothy, Paul reminds Timothy to not be ashamed of the Gospel, to be loyal to the faith, and to be a worker approved by God, capable of correctly teaching the Scriptures. In Chapter 3, Paul warns that there will be difficult days ahead, when people will be corrupt and lack understanding; however, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (v. 16).


So it is my desire to be obedient in this task, to be faithful to reading and applying these truths to my life and to be a positive role model for my children and family and friends.

May we be blessed with understanding, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to apply God's Word to our hearts and minds, in the name of Jesus, we pray. -Amen.

The Best Cookies Ever

It took only about 30 minutes, but I made the best cookies ever. I came across this recipe in an older cookbook, but it has always been one of my favorites. It’s great for baking on a budget, too--only a few staple ingredients: flour, sugar, butter, baking powder, and almond extract.

With this morning’s cold and stormy weather, I was content to be reading and listening to the rain. As I was getting sleepy, the kids were getting hungry. Remembering that Lillian ate only half of her Frosted Mini Wheats, I thought it couldn’t hurt to make them a little treat?

Problem 1. We have no chocolate chips. Can any dessert be good without chocolate in it? Ah, yes! Almond cookies!

Problem 2. Convincing children that a cookie that starts with “almond” can be good. Luke muttered, “What kind?” I answered, “Well, they’re really sugar cookies, but they have an almond flavor, but not really. Trust me--you’ll like 'em!”

As I shaped the dough into balls, Luke rolled them into sugar and put them on the cookie sheet. His skepticism turned into anticipation. “Well...they smell good!”

The result? They were perfect! Light, soft circles of sugary goodness. I poured another cup of coffee and delighted in the heart-warming outcome. We took a picture just for the blog--just in case you, reader, find yourself in a storm and out of chocolate chips.

Almond Cookies

2 sticks butter or margarine, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp almond extract
Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Yields: 18 cookies

It's so beautifully arranged on the plate - you know someone's fingers have been all over it.

~Julia Child

Spoken from the Heart

ISBN 978-1-4391-5520-2
Scribner, May 2010

I’ve been reading the former First Lady’s book, “Spoken from the Heart”. It is truly a Texas treasure. She speaks of her growing-up years in Midland, her relationship with her parents as an only child, and how she came to know George, enjoyed raising her two girls, Barbara and Jenna, and faced the reality of enduring politics and public service.

What surprised me was her sincerity in describing her feelings as a daughter, friend, wife, mother, and First Lady. I found myself breaking down in tears as she recalled her childhood, and then also again during the events of 9-11. I didn’t want to read that chapter, but I did, and it opened up the flood gate of emotions that all Americans must have felt on that horrific day. She explains how she dealt with the media’s opinion of her during those many years, and how she leaned on the help and advice of many friends and advisors. The book closes with how she and George were relieved to return to private life, yet they were sad to say good-bye to the many people they worked with at the White House. She often longs for a quiet, anonymous life, similar to her childhood in Midland, but she settles for the busy, post-presidential life in Dallas and in Crawford, at the Prairie Chapel Ranch.

I was blessed by her book in that it was indeed “spoken from the heart”.  Great time was put into recording specific details about both personal and national events during their presidency; but in her notes, she recorded how she felt and the people she met during the highs and lows of the decade. Her pride in being a mother, daughter, and loyal wife is evident and contagious. I was left knowing so much more about her complex and interesting life. This is a must-read for all Texan moms, of course.

White Chicken Chili

Our family got back from a long road trip to Amarillo. I started to write about West Texas, but my entry was turning into a book, so I stopped. Maybe that will be for a later date. We all needed a change from the typical fast food and Valentine's candy, so I searched online for something good to eat.

I had all the ingredients for White Chicken Chili, and I found a great recipe here. I'm not familiar with this author, but she has many tasty recipes listed on her page. I made a few modifications, like cutting the ingredients almost in half to serve 4-6. I also didn't have Tabasco, so I used cayenne pepper.

Ingredients:

1 can (16 oz or so) of white beans (Northern beans)

1 large yellow onion, peeled and chopped

1/2 stick light margarine

1/2 of 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup chicken broth (find the kind with no msg)

1/2 cup half and half

1/2 cup 2% milk

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

3/4 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 can (4 oz) mild green chilis, drained and chopped (can use less to make milder)

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or about 1 lb.)

some extra margarine or oil to cook them in

Optional condiments: grated Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese, chopped tomatoes, sour cream

Instructions:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add margarine or oil. 
2. Coat the chicken with salt, pepper, and chili powder. Cook the pieces in the skillet for five minutes, do not turn it over until after 5 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and cook the other side until nicely browned.
3. Remove the chicken from the pan. When it is cool, you can shred it with your fingers or a fork, or leave it as is.
4. While waiting for the chicken to cool, cook the onion in the same pan with 2 Tablespoons of margarine or butter until the onion is softened. Set aside.
5. In the same heavy pot, melt remaining 3 Tablespoons of butter or margarine over medium to low heat. Whisk in flour. Cook and whisk constantly, for about three minutes.
6. Stir in the onion, gradually add the broth, half and half, milk, and continue whisking.
7. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
8. Stir in the cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. 
9. Add beans, chilis, chicken. Continue to cook and stir over low heat for about 20 minutes.
10. Serve alone or over rice, with cheese, tomatoes, etc.

The original recipe called for a cup of half and half, but I used 1/2 cup, with 2% milk to make up the difference. My version was still spicy, but delicious! We had enough for about 4-6 servings, if served over rice. Enjoy!

A man is in general better pleased when he has a good dinner upon his table, than when his wife talks Greek. ~Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

The family who eats together, stays together. ~Anonymous

Wii and Me

We enjoyed another snow day today. I think this was the fifth day within a two-week period, but it was still fun waking up to that phone call. This would have been my third consecutive day to work out at the gym, so instead, Sarah set me up a profile on the Wii Fit Plus. It was a Christmas present for all of us, but so far, I had only watched from afar. Too lazy. Turns out, it's a lot of fun!


Luke is the champion of the Super Hula-Hoop. Sarah scored big on the Ski Jump. Lillian likes to bowl and run. Tim and I took turns trying to upset Sarah's 1st place standings, but she held on to a few. After trying about a dozen exercises, including running in place for about 15 minutes, I only burned about 180 calories. Not too effective, but I provided some inexpensive entertainment for my family :)


I think Luke and Lillian hugged me more today than they have in a long while. What a nice feeling.

This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

A happy family is but an earlier heaven. ~George Bernard Shaw

The Valley Experiences in Our Life

The Valley Experiences in Our Life

The above link will take you to a video of a sermon I found today while in my sickbed. It was so comforting and true. Enjoy!

On Civility and Shopping with Kids

ISBN 978-0312281182
St. Martin's Press, Feb. 2002

Shopping with kids (however old they may be) evokes real drama.  This was the case today after school, running in for a few groceries at the store. You can just imagine two kids--one quickly pushing the cart, and the other sarcastically trying to help. Jokes and mockery, competing for attention (although just acting their age)…what might have taken 5 minutes, turned into about 25. So, this is normal behavior for tired kids at a store after school, right?

Following the teasing in the parking lot, quarrelling over how to share a candy bar--okay, I was part of that--and, fighting traffic, I was reminded of the national media coverage today on the topic of "civility".  Maybe this is something I need to read about and pass on to my children!

One author and civility expert in the news today was Dr. P.M. Forni. He is an award-winning professor at John Hopkins University. His book, Choosing Civility, was written based on these 25 rules:

1. Pay attention
2. Acknowledge others
3. Think the best
4. Listen
5. Be inclusive
6. Speak kindly
7. Don't speak ill
8. Accept and give praise
9. Respect even a subtle "no"
10. Respect others' opinions
11. Mind your body
12. Be agreeable
13. Keep it down (and rediscover silence)
14. Respect other people's time
15. Respect other people's space
16. Apologize earnestly
17. Assert yourself
18. Avoid personal questions
19. Care for your guests
20. Be a considerate guest
21. Think twice before asking for favors
22. Refrain from idle complaints
23. Accept and give constructive criticism
24. Respect the environment and be gentle
25. Don't shift responsibility and blame

 We could have used more of #13 at the store, and less #17. Just sayin'.

As citizens we have to be more thoughtful and more educated and more informed. I turn on the TV and I see these grown people screaming at each other, and I think, well, if we don't get our civility back, we're in trouble. ~Emmylou Harris

Children are natural mimics who act like their parents despite every effort to teach them good manners.  ~Author Unknown

Teaching civility is an obligation of the family. ~Stephen Carter

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)

Have Mercy on Mom

So, last night, our eighth grade daughter was upstairs studying so very intently. Skeptical, after a couple of long hours of her quietly keeping to her room, I went to check on her. Imagining she would be bent over her desk, arduously studying for a test, I found her laying on the floor, falling asleep--in front of the TV. My pity and empathetic sorrow went out the window.

I turned into a mom. What followed were a few minutes of interrogation, scolding, and traditional nagging. Feeling so self-assured and "right", I marched back down the stairs…

…and proceeded to lose my confident footing and fall down the last three steps, slip on the tile floor, break a nail, land on my arm and hurt my back, and stand there sheepishly, while she and her dad stared at me (trying not to laugh).

It took about a minute to "get over myself", but we all got a big chuckle at my expense!

My buddies, Summer 2010

Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.  ~Robert Fulghum

Seize the Snow Day!

We were so happy this week to have a pretty, steady, snowfall. The kind that sticks, and even forced the school system to allow for a snow day. It was the next day that I was still in hibernation mode. My idea was to build a fire, make some coffee, watch TV and enjoy the snow from our comfy, cozy living room. Our 4-year old, Lillian, just wanted to go outside and play. "When can we build a snowman?" --"Not now, it's cold, and you'll get sick." --"But it's okay, I've got my pink boots, and my coat!"  So, after much persuasion, Tim took the three of us out for a quick lunch. Lillian insisted on wearing her sunglasses and then later found her very favorite pink umbrella at Mimi's. Her enthusiasm for the day was contagious and even brought on a few smiles from onlookers at Steak -n Shake! She seized the day and reminded me of the joy of being a little girl, full of life and energy when waking up to SNOW!

Begin doing what you want to do now.  We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand, and melting like a snowflake.  ~Marie Ray

Siblings Share Secrets

My first "motherly words to live by" post will have to be, of course, one all about my children. Tim and I have been blessed with three wonderful gifts from God, each very unique and different in personality from the others!

Sarah loves reading, especially historical fiction and mysteries. This year she was in choir at school, and she has been in band for three years, playing the clarinet (because Mom and Dad did). We have moved a lot, so she doesn't mind traveling, meeting new people, and making new friends. She's a big helper.

Luke is in first grade. Very easy-going, friendly, and quiet, Luke loves all things boyish--cars, trains, Star Wars, Transformers, and videogames. He is learning to read, enjoys drawing, and likes figuring out how things work.

At age 4, Lillian's enthusiasm for life keeps us all on our toes! She treasures her Barbies, Polly Pockets, coloring, puzzles, and animals.

How thankful we are to have this time to watch them grow up and help them learn how to live and love. My hope is that they can appreciate each other throughout their lives, always treasuring each other's company and companionship. May it be so, Lord, may it be so!

  

To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time.

~Clara Ortega

To Blog or Not to Blog

To blog or not to blog? This is a common question these days. What is a blog, and why create one? I googled "blog" and even "mom blog" to see what the current trend is all about.


One definition from this web site is "an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a web page." Blogs can be updated daily, and they often reflect the personality of the author. Etymologically, it is the shortened form of Weblog. Usage includes blog, blogged, blogging (v), and blogger (n).


Moms are blessed with an amazing responsibility to nurture and pass on tidbits of instruction, wisdom, and much-needed humor--even when you least expect it! A proverb, book, recipe, photo, fact from history, even a grammar lesson--these are opportunities to connect one generation to the next.


So, this is my hope with this blog. Perhaps, while I create and share my experiences, you and I can be reminded of those valuable, often neglected, motherly words to live by.