Thursday, April 5, 2012

Judges 16:1-18:31 Reflection

As I was reading this morning, what stood out to me the most was Judges 16:22 that said, " 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved." Now perhaps I am reading too much into this, but it always astounds me how God is so faithful to us when we are so rebellious to Him.
And even further, God didn't hold a grudge against Samson for a while...or give him time to think about what he'd done...No, he started regrowing his hair (the sign of the Nazirite vow) RIGHT AWAY. Boom. We sin, we screw up, God's right there, ready to pick us up, dust us off, give us a little pat, and send us back into the crazy world we call life.
God's love is perfect love- He doesn't remember our wrongs, He doesn't hold it against us. He doesn't dredge up old stories or flaunt our inadequacies in our face. His forgiveness is complete and eternal, and He gives us another chance, every time. How blessed are we?

Friday, March 30, 2012

All out?

Reflection on Joshua 22:5

"Hold fast to Him." wow, what a great word picture! Holding fast to Him--I'm picturing myself clinging to the Lord, in the midst of the storm. Holding fast is not just coming near...holding out one finger...or a casual association. Holding fast is a desperate, passionate move to hold onto the Creator for dear life.

Also, notice the use of the word 'all.' We are to walk in ALL His ways....serve Him with ALL our heart and ALL our soul.......hmmm how hard is it to actually serve Him with our whole heart? Not begrudgingly, not half-heartedly, not hesitatingly. No, the whole thing. Completely sold out. Which is a hard thing to do, especially in America and in a culture that tries to pick and choose what parts of the Bible to believe.  This is our challenge: Are you living ALL out for God?
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Joshua 22
 1 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh 2 and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. 3 For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your brothers but have carried out the mission the LORD your God gave you. 4 Now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of the Jordan. 5 But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.”

Monday, March 26, 2012

Joshua 13:1

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Joshua 13:1
Subheading: "Land Still to Be Taken"
When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, “You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.
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Reading about the way the Lord was so straightforward with Joshua is eye-opening. God doesn't tiptoe around the fact that Josh wasn't a young buck. But nonetheless, there was still work to be done.
What "very large areas of land" are still to be taken over in my life, in yours?
As long as we're breathing, God has a plan for us.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Happy blogging birthday to me!

So...It's my first day blogging. I've gotta say I never really thought I would have a blog. Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against it, I just didn't picture myself having one. I tried unsuccessfully to be the last person on earth not to have Facebook, but as soon as companies started offering coupons/discounts via Facebook, I was toast. (There are few things I enjoy more than a good deal.) Since then, my husband David would tell you that I have fully embraced Facebook. So, if this is any sign, I'm sure I will fully embrace blogging as well.
So why am I starting this blog, you may ask? Well, I do enjoy reading other people's blogs. But the main catalyst for this foray into techno-writing is because some friends of mine blog about the Bible verses they read and they invited me to join them. (Thank you!) I think this is a great way to grow closer to the Lord and to other Christians....so count me in! Bring on the cake and candles, it's my blogging birthday!