Happy Mardi Gras!!!
As we enter the Lenton season--my mind travels through the past readings to the number 40! What's up with this number? For Noah--it rained for 40 days! For Moses--he was on the mountain for 40 days--twice! For the Israelites--they wandered in the desert for 40 years! For Jonah--40 days in Ninevah! For Jesus--40 days of temptation in the desert! For the apostles--40 days with Jesus after the resurrection and before the ascention! For Rick Warren-- it is 40 Days of Purpose! For Alex and Stephen Kendrick--it is a 40 day Love Dare. On one website it is explained as a number of trial, testing, or probation.
For Christians everywhere, beginning tomorrow--it is a 40 day wait for the miracle of Easter. This period of time might be seen as one of trial, testing, or probation. Many people decide to "give-up" something for Lent--put something or themselves "on probation". The purpose of this is a symbolic trial or test--a time in which one stops doing something that they will truly miss in hopes that they will be reminded of the trials and tribulations that Jesus went through. Or that when they begin to miss the thing that they are giving up, it will remind them to think of Jesus and what He gave up to come down to earth and experience life as a human. Some people do it in hopes of having more time to spend reading the Word or praying by replacing the activity that they usually do with these activities instead. By doing this, one can sometimes add a healthier activity to their lives.
So what are you going to give up? One of my family is going to fast in some way, one has given up video games in the past, I have given up chocolate before and will probably try that again! I would love to hear about some new and creative ideas as well! But whatever we all decide--let's not give up our Bible readings!!
God--thanks for standing beside us during these 40 days! Help each thought move us closer to you so that this Easter season will be one of the most meaningful and the events of the season will be very real in our hearts and minds.
Reading the Bible in One Year-Feb. 15
I just love how organized God is! He really thought of everything when he planned this "adventure" for the Hebrew people. I got an e-mail today that really puts it all into perspective! Thanks, Lee!
from e-mail, original author unknown
A new way to think about how Moses fed everyone...
Read and feel comforted.
Amazing Data on Moses
Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them?
They had to be fed, and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food.
According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day,
two freight trains, each at least a mile long, would be required!?!
Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood
to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains,
each a mile long, just for one day.
And just think, they were forty years in transit.
And Oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes,
it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring water!
And then another thing!
They had to get across the Red Sea at night. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights o get through.
So there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night.
But then, there is another problem...
each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long.
Think of it! This much space for camping.
Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt ? I think not!
You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him.
from e-mail, original author unknown
A new way to think about how Moses fed everyone...
Read and feel comforted.
Amazing Data on Moses
Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them?
They had to be fed, and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food.
According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day,
two freight trains, each at least a mile long, would be required!?!
Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood
to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains,
each a mile long, just for one day.
And just think, they were forty years in transit.
And Oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes,
it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring water!
And then another thing!
They had to get across the Red Sea at night. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights o get through.
So there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night.
But then, there is another problem...
each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long.
Think of it! This much space for camping.
Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt ? I think not!
You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him.
Happy Valentines' Day!
original source unknown
Can you say "I love you" any better?
What Love means to a 4-8 year old . . Touching words from the mouth of babes.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?' The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
Can you say "I love you" any better?
What Love means to a 4-8 year old . . Touching words from the mouth of babes.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?' The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
Reading the Bible in One Year-Feb. 13
Okay-so I've made it through all those rules and regulations in Leviticus. Now for Numbers. Before heading there I thought I better write a little about all those rules.
I can really see how people can get in arguments about what God wants us to believe today when I read this ancient book. I mean, most of it is just great advice for healthy living, especially in those days. The rules about the offerings and which parts to eat and which parts to burn make sense when you consider that the animals we were dealing with could contract diseases and such from the ground. I don't know that much about animal husbandry and such (city girl that never had 4H!) but from what I understand, those animals get worms and stuff!! And eating everything before the next day makes sense when you don't have refrigeration!
I can see where we get our traditions of giving to the church as well. In doing so, the people were providing for the priests and their families (I liked that they had families, compared to some of our religions that don't allow for that today.) much like we do today. It really allowed the priests to freely do their job without having to think of provision. As the wife of a part-time preacher, I see times when the two worlds can really pull at each other for time and concentration. And the idea of giving to God first has stuck in our lives with tithing. I know our budget works best, when the first line is our tithe.
I thought it interesting the way that the poor are taken care of. If they could not afford the offering, there was a lesser offering alternative, but they were still expected to give. (Wish we would take this approach with taxes!) And everyone left food in the fields for the poor to gather. Notice how they didn't gather it for them and hand it to them. They had to work for their own provisions. (Wish we would take this approach with our welfare!)
The arguments come in when we take some of the rules and follow them, but don't follow others. Some seem to make sense in our world, some seem antiquated. Some seem to fit even though times have changed, some seem to not fit anymore. The trouble is--which are which? Can you follow some rules and not others? Can you justify why they had to but we don't? Which do you pick and choose?
If you follow some, do you follow all?
Like how about the ones that have death as their penalty and yet it also says don't kill? That's the easiest one to see a glaring contradiction with because both rules are written right there. But then some get harder--especially the sex ones. Some of us want to say--well, they didn't understand or have access to the medicine and medical knowledge that we do today. What may have been unhealthy to them is not unhealthy to us--we understand more than they did at the time. But consider that the laws were from God---He knows all about what is healthy and not healthy, both physically and mentally, both socially and spiritually.
I don't have any answers and I need time to think it through more. But if anyone out there has any thoughts about it--I'm open!
God, help us in our times of questioning. Thanks for giving us strong brains and free-will. Help us to keep those brains open and seeking the truth--even when that gets hard. And keep us grounded in love for You and one another!
I can really see how people can get in arguments about what God wants us to believe today when I read this ancient book. I mean, most of it is just great advice for healthy living, especially in those days. The rules about the offerings and which parts to eat and which parts to burn make sense when you consider that the animals we were dealing with could contract diseases and such from the ground. I don't know that much about animal husbandry and such (city girl that never had 4H!) but from what I understand, those animals get worms and stuff!! And eating everything before the next day makes sense when you don't have refrigeration!
I can see where we get our traditions of giving to the church as well. In doing so, the people were providing for the priests and their families (I liked that they had families, compared to some of our religions that don't allow for that today.) much like we do today. It really allowed the priests to freely do their job without having to think of provision. As the wife of a part-time preacher, I see times when the two worlds can really pull at each other for time and concentration. And the idea of giving to God first has stuck in our lives with tithing. I know our budget works best, when the first line is our tithe.
I thought it interesting the way that the poor are taken care of. If they could not afford the offering, there was a lesser offering alternative, but they were still expected to give. (Wish we would take this approach with taxes!) And everyone left food in the fields for the poor to gather. Notice how they didn't gather it for them and hand it to them. They had to work for their own provisions. (Wish we would take this approach with our welfare!)
The arguments come in when we take some of the rules and follow them, but don't follow others. Some seem to make sense in our world, some seem antiquated. Some seem to fit even though times have changed, some seem to not fit anymore. The trouble is--which are which? Can you follow some rules and not others? Can you justify why they had to but we don't? Which do you pick and choose?
If you follow some, do you follow all?
Like how about the ones that have death as their penalty and yet it also says don't kill? That's the easiest one to see a glaring contradiction with because both rules are written right there. But then some get harder--especially the sex ones. Some of us want to say--well, they didn't understand or have access to the medicine and medical knowledge that we do today. What may have been unhealthy to them is not unhealthy to us--we understand more than they did at the time. But consider that the laws were from God---He knows all about what is healthy and not healthy, both physically and mentally, both socially and spiritually.
I don't have any answers and I need time to think it through more. But if anyone out there has any thoughts about it--I'm open!
God, help us in our times of questioning. Thanks for giving us strong brains and free-will. Help us to keep those brains open and seeking the truth--even when that gets hard. And keep us grounded in love for You and one another!
The 3 Gifts
Gifts are often clues to others' personalities and how they match your personality. I loved the gifts I got for my birthday last year from my kids. They not only were little windows into them, but helped me to see how they view me in their lives.
My first gift was an antique doorknob chime. It spoke of valuing the old while creating something new and recreating something to make it valuable again. From my child that finds value in everything and can make something beautiful from anything!
My next gift was some mocha mix. It said be decadent, enjoy life! From my child who lives most days that way. It's only worth doing if it brings you joy.
My last gift was bangle bracelets! Beautiful and noisy--just like my last child!!
But each gift made me realize the quality that each of the children liked best in me. First, how I value each of them and all that they try to be. Second, how I try to help them understand true joy in all situations. And third, how beauty and life should be expressed in praise by making a joyful noise!! I guess those qualities are worth celebrating!
My first gift was an antique doorknob chime. It spoke of valuing the old while creating something new and recreating something to make it valuable again. From my child that finds value in everything and can make something beautiful from anything!
My next gift was some mocha mix. It said be decadent, enjoy life! From my child who lives most days that way. It's only worth doing if it brings you joy.
My last gift was bangle bracelets! Beautiful and noisy--just like my last child!!
But each gift made me realize the quality that each of the children liked best in me. First, how I value each of them and all that they try to be. Second, how I try to help them understand true joy in all situations. And third, how beauty and life should be expressed in praise by making a joyful noise!! I guess those qualities are worth celebrating!
Reading the Bible in One Year
Wow-am I behind!!!! This is tough but I'm not giving up! I've been reading everyday but I can't seem to get it all read and still be thoughtful about it and I don't want to just plow through it.
I don't seem to have time to write about it either. I go back and forth about trying to catch up with the reading or wanting to stop and write down thoughts about what I've read so far.
I've jotted down a few thoughts on paper, but it just seems rushed these days. I guess that's why God called Moses away from his regular life for 40 days to get it all down!
So--I'm amazed at the detail with which the worship of the Jewish people was designed. I'm interested in how they gave offerings of first fruits (in thankfulness) and sin offerings (for forgiveness)--two times that we turn to God the most. I have some thoughts about how that applies to us today, our approach to God in these times, and the relationship of these habits to Jesus' life and death on this earth. And when I catch up on my reading, I'm going to write in more detail about these and be more thoughtful about them.
Until then--I'm going to remember to eat an elephant you just have to take one bite at a time---So I'm going to keep chewing!!
I don't seem to have time to write about it either. I go back and forth about trying to catch up with the reading or wanting to stop and write down thoughts about what I've read so far.
I've jotted down a few thoughts on paper, but it just seems rushed these days. I guess that's why God called Moses away from his regular life for 40 days to get it all down!
So--I'm amazed at the detail with which the worship of the Jewish people was designed. I'm interested in how they gave offerings of first fruits (in thankfulness) and sin offerings (for forgiveness)--two times that we turn to God the most. I have some thoughts about how that applies to us today, our approach to God in these times, and the relationship of these habits to Jesus' life and death on this earth. And when I catch up on my reading, I'm going to write in more detail about these and be more thoughtful about them.
Until then--I'm going to remember to eat an elephant you just have to take one bite at a time---So I'm going to keep chewing!!
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