Take time to pray . . .

I had such a day at work. Not from the outside but within! Where was all this animosity coming from? I just didn’t understand.

Why was my day taking a spinning spiral straight down the loo!! 

After I ended my day I had a conversation with the Lord on my way home.

“Where have You been all day?”

 “Why did You let them treat me that way?”

“Why aren’t You talking to me?”

It is funny, the answers came almost as fast as the questions did.

“I’ve been here all along, this is the first time in the day you’ve even spoken to Me.”

“Did they really treat you that bad or was it the way you perceived it because you were out of sorts? Did you stop and pray this morning? Did you even ask a blessing over the lunch you inhaled in 30 seconds?”

“I am talking to now you My child, if you would be still and listen.”

I spent my morning trying to be quiet and quickly leave the house.  I had not stopped to pray for His hedge of protection around me.   And yes I still throw temper tantrums with the Creator of the universe. The funny part, He still loves me. Calms the storm in His child, and holds me close to Him.  

Amazing!!!  I still forget to pray but I am glad to know He still is there even when I get too busy. I am glad to know He is never too busy for me.

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God.

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth!”

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Lesson learned until the next time.  But I am afraid I am a slow learner, but I am blessed that God is patient.

Blessings,

SJ

Memories – our best comfort or our worst enemy.

Do you have a memory that gives you joy?

Or does it rob you of your joy?

Do you use your memories to keep you from repeating a mistake?

Or are you like many of us who allow memories of past mistakes keep us from going forward?

Psalm 103:11-12

11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12as far as the east is from the west,

so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

God has forgiven us and removed our sins.

However the enemy brings those sins to our mind and uses it against us, to stop us from using our gifts that God gave to us.

God gave us the memories so that we don’t forget His love and from where he has brought us.  However Satan takes those very same memories and tells us we cannot succeed, why would someone like us, be used for the good of God. 

One of my favorite Christian songs is by Casting Crowns;

“. . . . . And they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times

I've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me

Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"

"You'll never win!"

[Chorus]

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"

The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth”

If God can forgive me, I guess I better start forgiving myself.

Hugs

SJ

Study of Deuteronomy Day 4

Yesterday I talked about needing to see, today let’s talk about listening:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: (Sh’ma)

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Listen.

In Hebrew sh’ma occurs 80 times in Deuteronomy. This emphasis on listening goes together with the title and theme of the book. The great events of creation, patriarchs, exodus, Sinai, and the wilderness are at an end. What remains now are the words; the story of what happened, and the commandments to be fulfilled. Israel’s job is to listen, to learn the story, and to do the commandments.

Let’s take a look at Deuteronomy 6:23

“And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give our fathers.”  (ESV)

We have to leave our houses to get where we need to be; Church, work, market, dinner, friends, etc.

God brings us out of the wilderness to bring us to the promised land.  Sometimes we just keep wandering around.  God has a better plan. He wants to get us to the promise land, however we need to listen to His call.  He calls us from the wilderness to bring us into something better.

As parents we keep repeating things to our children, including the question “are you listening to me?”  We want them to listen to us so that they don’t repeat mistakes, to keep them from danger and to give them a better life than what we had.

If they would only listen!! Sometimes I would hear my Mom and Dad’s words come out of my mouth as I repeat them to another generation, lessons taught to me. I have been blessed, not only with Parents who took the time to make me listen but for daughters who would listen to me.  As I lose more and more of my hearing, I treasure what I can hear, because I know that the day will come when there will be no more that I can hear. But I can still listen with my heart, because He speaks to me with His words.

Study of Deuteronomy Day 3

We have heard that it is hard to see the forest for the trees. Today we are going to do some jumping around Now let’s relook at Deuteronomy 1:8.

“See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.”

A key word in verse 8 is “see”.  Sometimes we need to regain our vision.  How many times have you searched for something that was right in front of you.  I remember growing up hearing, “if it was a snake, it would have bit you.” Has our vision of God gotten to the point that we don’t “See” what He has for us?   Glance ahead to Deuteronomy 31: 9-13.

The Reading of the Law

9 Then Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. 10 And Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the set time in the year of release, at the Feast of Booths, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

 Do you have an alarm clock to remind you of something? Do you set reminders on your cell phone to remember important details? This book was to be read to all the people- at a set time. They were to be reminded of the promise as long as they live in the land

He was reminding them of His vision, reminding them what His goal was, and how it was supposed to be shared with everyone.    He did not want them to forget whose they were and the promises He had for them. He set an alarm for them.  Every seven years in the year of release at the feast of booths. . . . .  bbbrrrrrriiiinnnnnggggg  No snooze button. Time to “see” what He has for us in our promised land.

Study of Deuteronomy Day 2

The name “Deuteronomy” developed for the book when the old Testament was translated into Greek. The Greek word means “The second Law” which centers on Deuteronomy 1:5 as it conveys more of the book’s relationship to the original giving of the law The Hebrew name of the 5^th book of the Pentateuch is “Devarim” which translates into words.  Hebrew books were known by the first few words of the book. For example “In the Beginning” – Genesis.  The first words of Deuteronomy is  “These are God’s words”. Elehhadevarim.

Lets look at  Deuteronomy 1:1-8

1 These are the (God’s) words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. 2 It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea. 3 In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the people of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him in commandment to them, 4 after he had defeated Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth and in Edrei. 5 Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to explain this law, saying, 6 “The Lord our God said to us in Horeb, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. 7 Turn and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negeb and by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. 8 See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.’

At this point God had lead the children of Israel in the wilderness for 40 years.  A complete generation had died. Someone had to explain “Clearly” the commandments and other laws given to an earlier generation. 

The Book of  Deuteronomy recaps the Ten Commandments and the Laws governing the Covenant between God and the Israelites. There were also additional Laws in the Deuteronomic Covenant not present in the Sinai Covenant, such as the provision for warfare, to allow the conquest of Canaan; a provision for Kingship; and the Law given for one Sanctuary. (Biblescripture.net)  We will get to those later.

I have several commentaries that I rely on,  including, my Torah Commentary, my Bible Believer’s commentary and my Vines.  To be honest there are days that “I just don’t get it”.  Those days I need a clear and concise explanation of what I am looking at.  Moses in these verses were reminding the people where they had been and what God’s plan was for them. A second chance to do God’s will and the promises God had for them.  A “review” of God’s words.

Study of Deuteronomy Day 1

Ever lost anything?

Ever forgotten something important?

And then find it again? What Joy!!!

Deuteronomy is a series of speeches by Moses on the plains of Moab opposite Jericho. Moses proclaims the Law gives instruction concerning covenant renewal at Shechem  and gives Israel new laws.  You can think of it as God’s “commentary” and clarification of what was intended in the first Books of the Bible, the Torah, or the Law,  referred to in English as "Pentateuch”

 But to help us to understand Deuteronomy we need to take a look at 2 Kings 22.

Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law

8 And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9 And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord.” 10 Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.

11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. 12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying, 13 “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”

The missing element on what was wrong had been found. The missing piece of the puzzle. “the Book”  - they found the book.

Chris and I have been cleaning and rearranging the garage to make it his man cave. In the junque, I found a treasure. Not only for me, but for my beautiful daughter Rae. Letters handwritten to us by my Uncle Jerry. Words of wisdom and encouragement.  I miss him and still can’t believe he is not a phone call away.  It was wonderful to have a piece of him again. I am sorry that Caedee was not here yet for Uncle Jerry to give her a letter, but I can share. 

More tomorrow. . .  

Happy New Year!!!!

I pray that this new year is a blessing to you and that you are happy beyond belief.  As an update on us since I don't do a Christmas letter. (Aren't you glad?)

January saw Caedee's 23rd birthday and her return to Texas from Florida. We were glad to have her home with us again. 7 Months was a long time and even though I flew down frequently it was not the same as having her here with us. We also lost our beloved cat, Trixy. She did not come home one day and we could only fear the worse. After a weeks, we realized - she was not coming home.

February was Chris and I's 32nd wedding anniversary! Time just flew by and we were here before we knew it. Also started to learn Tai Chi

March was a scrapbooking retreat in which I was surprised by a surprise birthday party by the other retreats and my friends. I felt very very loved!!

April brought my birthday and not enough rain - but we had some awesome activities at our church which we were able to do a parking lot praise service to minister to the community around us. It was great to get outside the four walls. We also said good bye to our beloved Esther. The pain was too great for her, and so we let her cross the rainbow bridge.

May brought some changes. Caedee was given her class ring in a special ceremony at SFA. I was able to take off work and go down and see her dip her hand in a mess of purple goo.  It was a special day for all of us. We did not plan on wearing the same colors it just kind of happened LOL.

May also brought the wedding of two very special people Chelsea and Kyle. We were honored to be part of her special day. We also learned that my iPhone 3 was kapoot so I got a new phone!! Happy Mommy!


June was the end of an era for me as Sherri and Keith announced that after 10 years they were closing the scrapbook store that had been home for years. It was a sad day.

July and August brought hot but not unbearable temperatures. It did however bring work on the A/C as ours went out. Thankfully we had some friends with a portable A/C units until the parts came in. Also got to spend 7/4 with some friends on they balcony watching the fireworks over the lake. Very pretty. Also Ms. Sadie joined Rae and Justin's merry band of misfits.

September  Debra and I took Mom to Memphis, Arkansas and Oklahoma. It was a an awesome trip. We had a visit from my Cousin Mike. Always a joy to have family and he is one of my Favorites

October brought some changes as we bought my new ride!!! I was able to get Buick Encore. I love it

November and December brought cooler weather and a promise of a wet winter. We also said goodbye to a beloved member of our extended family. We miss her so much that she would be mad at us for missing her that much.  But I hope that time heals the emptiness that her passing caused.

Christmas has come and gone and hopefully this next year will be a blessing for all of us. As I sit here by my cozy fire I am fixing to read my new books and pour me a fresh cup of coffee. I hope you all have a wonderful year.

Hugs to all,

SJ