This is the inspiration section of Hebrews. Some call it the “Hall of Faith.” These Old Testament believers didn’t have the clear picture of redemption that we have in the completed Scriptures. They saw it by faith from afar off, believing in God’s promise of a Messiah. They obeyed what God told them to do, even when they didn’t fully understand. For them, and for us, the requirement for pleasing God was believing Him. For ...without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (11:6)
THE EVIDENCE OF FAITH
Read Hebrews 11-12
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:1, 3 NKJV
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Lord, reading about these heroes of the faith, we are put to shame. Help us to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1b-2 NKJV
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These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth....But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13, 16 NKJV
Read Hebrews 11-12
I AM WHO I AM
Read Exodus 2:11–3:15
"One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand." Exodus 2:11–12 NIV
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When Moses was young, God had already given him a heart to deliver his people–but his youthful, impulsive actions forced him to flee to the desert, where he lived as a shepherd for forty years. Finally, God's time had come to use the spark ignited in Moses' heart so long ago.
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Out of a burning bush, God said, "I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." Moses' response was, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (3:10–11) When Moses was young, it was all about who he was, the son of a princess, but now God says, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (3:14)
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How prone we are to act impulsively in our own strength, with disappointing results. But our failures don’t necessarily prove that the desired end was wrong. It may just indicate that we need to wait patiently for the Lord’s perfect timing.
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Lord, when I am impatient to know what is ahead, help me to be willing to wait for your guidance and timing. Renew my strength and confidence as I wait upon you.
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But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
From Fishing!
We ended 2009 with a wonderful fishing trip up past Meeteetse Wyoming. I must admit, I had only been ice fishing one other time in my life, and that was quite some years ago. So, yea...I was a little nervous. My husband assured me all was safe, and of course I trusted him. Still, as I watched him slide the sled full of fishing supplies across the lake, I felt a twinge of apprehension.
There he was...he hadn't fallen in! Surely I could be brave enough. So, the kids & I followed. A little ways out, I heard this MOANING...SLAP sound. OK...I was just about ready to turn around...but Bill hadn't fallen in! So along we trudged. Once out by my dear husband, he informed me that the sound was the water moving & slapping against the ice. OK. I soon was preoccupied with facination as I watched him drill holes in the ice.
What really reassured me was the depth of the ice in those holes.
I love to fish, and I thought these little poles were so cute! So, after 7 holes were drilled, and the poles were all set, we set up for some warmth inside & out...
We cleaned the ice out of the holes...
We patiently waited....
And then...
The excitement was non-stop for awhile! We ended up catching 6 beautiful Cutthroat Trout, and I (no, I'm not really bragging) caught the 3 pound 20 inch one! So exciting! My husband might just be building my confidence, but he told me that he was a little jealous!
So...as we ended 2009, we started 2010. Today we went to a different location, Buffalo Bill Resevoir. Beautiful!
I'm not so nervous to ice fish anymore, and as much as I love fishing, I love to cook up the fish! So, I have a feeling 2010 will be full of fishing expeditions...regardless of the season!
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher
He had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer
He had no army, yet kings feared Him
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
Feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher
He had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer
He had no army, yet kings feared Him
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
Feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.
This evening at around 6:30, I was passing out snack to my Building 2 residents at Delta Rehab, while Sister Act played on the VCR in the TV room. In between scooting and re-situating wheelchairs, and spooning yogurt, my mind drifted. Fact 1: Life can be both painfull and Joyfull. Fact 2: Life can NOT be all about me. I realized today one reason that I love caring for people. So often, try as I may, I can't really figure out exactly who I am. Which crowed I belong in. In highschool-I wasn't in any crowd really. To tell you the truth, I've felt like the black sheep ever since ellementry school. I don't seem to fit anywhere. I almost thought I fit in Church--but that was shortlived. I don't fit there. I never will, I was an idiot to try-but I do belong caring for people. I belong making Char laugh and singing George of the Jungle with George. When I'm caring for people, I don't have to worry about being miss-understood, because only one thing matters. I care, and no matter the extent of the brain injury-I know they know that. It's a freeing feeling to know that my past doesn't matter, my position doesn't matter, my lack of popularity doesn't matter-all that matters is..I care. And I can love-Unihibitid in anyway, and un-afraid of what they are thinking. Everything else about who I am...Melts away, and all there is, is this moment, and in this moment, someone needs me, and I have something I can give. In this moment...I'm not a blacksheep- or an outcast- or a slutt. I'm just a caregiver. As tired as I get-I like getting lost in that. I like finding some identity in what I do. I love giving love.
Here are my entries for the Show Us Your Christmas Photo Quest. Hope everyone had a Blessed Christmas!
HOLIDAY CRAFTS...
SPECIAL ORNAMENTS...
CHILDREN'S MUSIC...
CHRISTMAS GOODIES...
CHRISTMAS LIST WISHES...
SPECIAL SURPRISES...
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE REAL REASON FOR CHRISTMAS...
An anonymous authority reports that it takes 70,276 drops of water to fill a gallon bucket. Once full, the observer had a bucket full of water instead of a bucket full of drops.
Perhaps it's another way of saying that the little things in life add up. They really count. Although you are only one in a world of several billion people, you are important. Your relationship to God, friends, family, and church make a difference.
Never think that you're just a drop in the bucket, but the last drop that makes it full. And withou that final drop it measures less than a gallon.
You are important to God. Jesus says in Matthew 10:30, "But the very hairs of your head are numbered." Ann Ross
Thank you, Father, for caring for me. I'm sorry for when I doubt myself, or belittle myself in my mind. I'm sorry for the little "pity parties" and feeling so inconsequential at times, Lord. At times I feel like what I do each day doesn't matter to anyone or I'm not having any affect on others. Please forgive me and help me be a stronger person, Father. I thank you for blessing me with so much.......too much to count. I love you, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen
PROPHESY FULLFILLED
Flight to Egypt
Read Matthew 2:1-15
Read Matthew 2:1-15
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” Matthew 2:13 NKJV
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Centuries before this, God instructed the family of Jacob (Israel) to settle in Egypt because of a great famine in the land. Now the family of Messiah, descendants of Jacob are forced to flee to Egypt once again. This time just until the death of Herod, but still a significant event in the light of prophesy.
What was to both generations a time of sorrow and testing was actually the moving of the providence of God in bringing about the salvation that is so freely offered to us today. Jesus, the Son of God, was also a descendant of Jacob through his mother Mary, and the fulfillment of a promise made to Jacob. God's perfect plan was being worked out in spite of the acts of wicked sinful men.
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Lord, help us to trust you and your plan for our lives, in spite of the circumstances we face. You are the God of history and You have our future in Your hands. Help us to never forget that as we look with dismay at threatening world events shaping up around us.
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When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” Matthew 2:14-15 NKJV
RACHAEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN
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Read Matthew 2:1-23; Genesis 35:9-19; Jeremiah 31:15
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When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under– Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: Matthew 2:16–17 NIV
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More than 1400 years before Christ was born, the patriarch Jacob buried his beloved wife, Rachel. We read, "So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel's tomb." (Genesis 35:19–20) The prophet Jeremiah predicted a future day when children would be slaughtered near Rachel's grave. (Jeremiah 31:15) This was fulfilled when Herod killed all of the male babies under two, trying to destroy the Jewish Messiah.
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We live in a day where it could be said "A voice was heard in America of weeping and mourning for children, because they are no more." The travesty of millions of babies aborted over the past thirty plus years must grieve your heart, Lord. Don't let us become apathetic to the cries of unborn babies, or the grief caused to women in our day.
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"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." Matthew 2:18 NIV
Is their any shame in admitting you don't have all the answers..if any at all? Maybe that's a loaded question. If anyone reads this..or if anyone who used to read my blog even still cares, (highly doubtful)I'd hate to hear what they'd have to say. They'd probably tell me...You know. You know the answers-or more specifically-you know THE answer that is the singular answer to any question you may have about life in general. The truth is though, that as I'm approaching my 24th year of life...I feel like I know both less and more than I ever have in all of my years combined. I used to be so sure of Heaven, and Jesus, and the angels looking out for me. It used to bring me comfort, and made me feel like I wasn't alone, that no matter where I was, someone was always listening, and to one celestial, superior being, not one of my own thoughts was insignifigant or stupid. I've tried to act so tough-but the truth is, that the death of one's faith is painfull. Even if the freind wasn't even really real in the first place-it feels like the death of a freind...A freind that was your reason for being alive. A freind that inspired what you could have sworn were meaningfull words you didn't even know yourself capable of speaking-but that seemed to come as naturally as breathing when you or someone you loved needed them most. It's a lonely feeling. And even with a life now so full of joy and love...It's the joy that makes me miss my makebelieve freind the most-because i don't know who to say thankyou to. Thankyou for my sister still being alive, and for the truest love I've ever known.
I lost my faith the last time I was hurt by people who call themselves God's people. People who seem to be convinced that they are capable of hyperanalyzing someones intentions before they even give the person a chance to explain. When my heart broke....my faith broke. It was like someone hit the lights-and in an instant everything whent dark. I no longer cared who heard what, or what I said to people-I didn't care about people's feelings-I felt a hatred for the church. It all seemed hypocritical to such a fault that I wanted to vommitt at the thought that I had once been a part of it. But I've decided..I'm not going to give up. I've made it through worse things-and I am not alone. I'm increadibly in Love with one of the wisest people I've ever known..who reminds me that my beef really isn't with God. Deep down I know he's right. But if God isn't who I thought he was, who is he, and how do I approach him....I'm pretty sure telling him to Fuck off wsan't such a good start..but hopefully he knows my heart and my pain and can be mercifull as well as understanding. I'd like to still believe that whoever God really is...he knows me enough to know that I'm flawed, but I'm not THAT bad. A God that doesn't assume I'm a creepy slutt. I hope that God knows that with or without his church, my plan is to love everyone I come in contact with, and try my best to touch their lives with a smile. I hope God knows that what I really want to be known for is my gentleness. I woudln't hurt a fly on purpouse. I'd much rather help a person to heal. Just because I don't handle hurt and greif well at times...doesn't make me evil. In a perfect world...I could just talk to God like I used to and know he was listening and ok with me. In a perfect world, I wouldn't be so confused. I
