Rejoice, In the Lord

Again, I Say Rejoice!

Lessons from the book of Philippians:

Ever gone through a hard time and wondered why was this happening?

What was your reaction during the hard time, did you fret and worry, did you loose faith, did you cry?

Did you cry out and curse God?

I've had moments where I have done all of that.  I am not perfect and I often do not react the way I would like to say I react.

We had a moment not so long ago - where our support levels fell to dangerously low levels.  We were encouraged to do all we could to raise those levels by a certain date about three weeks in the future.  It was decided if our levels didn't move up in that time we would have to return home to support raise.

The thing about support is it never stops being needed, we were not doing a great job reminding people of their commitment to us and to the work here in Moldova.  We realized that we were mostly to blame in why our support wasn't coming it - because while people had said they would partner with us we had gotten busy in the daily living here that we forgot to connect with people back home.  We slipped off the radar I think.

Right away my dear husband started making the two mile walk to work in the dark after the kids went to bed to make the calls back to America.  I stayed home.  Our internet at home wasn't working very well most of the time and at that time it was working awful.

So as he trudged that first night, I prayed.  I read my journal - because when your support levels fall that low and you are facing returning home a year earlier than planned you start to wonder,

"Am I suppose to be here at all?"

You feel a bit discouraged, you feel like just when things are coming together and you feel like you are starting to belong that something new comes a long to knock you about again.

My doubts, my worries, rear up and I had to decide how was I going to face this?

In fear worrying each night that we would be returning home before planned or what?

I turned to the word, I'm not sure how I decided on what book to read but I settled in Philipians, and I am so glad I did.

If you haven't read Phillipians recently - go get it and read it.

It is that good.

The whole book spoke to my situation, spoke to my trust of God, of my willingness to let him do the work and the worry and to really trust him.  It didn't mean that the support would all come in, what it meant was even if it didn't that I could rest in the fact that God is in control.

Makes me think of my favorite Psalms - 46

When my brother died in 1996 God gave me this Psalms as a rope to cling to.  When bad things happen  or I start to stress out about something I turn to this Psalms to remind myself that it isn't about me, or the situation I happen to be in but it is about the big picture.  I am to rest, truly rest in God and allow Him to work things out.

While this doesn't mean we can sit back and do nothing it does mean that we can move forward in prayer and with a hopeful expectation of God's provision and or that in the end it will all make sense.

Our support levels while a bit low are no longer dangerously low, our supporters came through for us.  It just reminds me again that we are not here on our own strength that we are only as strong as our supporters - because without them we would not and can not be here!  

Thanks for your support, both financial and prayers!  We are so thankful for you!



Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4:4-9 ESV)

Two very different books: Two radically different messages

This year I have read many books - but none that I have pondered over more than the two books below.

I'm not even sure how to write the thoughts I think about these books.

I have since reading Book 1 of the yada yada prayer group read through book 6 and book 7 the last in the series I should read before the end of the year.  (shh it is a Christmas present.)  But when I read the first book I wasn't sure I liked it.  Maybe because the lead character is too much like me, she seems to have many of the same thoughts I have.  But what I love about the series is that these are "American" women.  The diversity of the group speaks to the "melting pot" of American culture and how messy a melting pot gets!  This group of women are faced with the challenge of how does a prayer group move into putting their prayers into action.  Putting the words into deeds and doing that while working, raising families and growing spiritually.  These are women with questionable pasts, tragic futures and whom form a bond of friendship with each other that changes their lives forever.  I can't promise you will love the series but you will grow to feel like these women are real women - because they are in a way all of us.

The Yada Yada Prayer Group (The Yada Yada Prayer Group, Book 1)

My reaction to reading this book while reading Yada Yada - well lets just say they are completely different.  First of all the above book is fictional but reads like "real" life.  The Heavenly Man, will really I wish this book was fictional, only in the awful things that happen to this real live person.   I'm glad this book is true because of how Brother Yun inspires, shocks and humbles me!  I can't say that I've read a missionary Biography where the person suffered more and did not die.  God is glorified and I am amazed at the underground church in China.  WOW!
The Heavenly Man: The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun

As I was reading these books I really felt that I was to learn something from each of them.  Not sure exactly what yet - God doesn't call all of us to suffer the way Brother Yun suffered but he does ask us to be ready to.

Am I ready?  Hmm maybe more in the way the ladies suffered in Yada Yada - (there is some suffering in this series) - but my prayer is that I would be capable of withstanding the suffering that Brother Yun bore.

Musings on Spiritual Growth

This summer we took in a puppy that was abandon by its owners.  It was left in a box to die.  A friend of ours found it on the side of the road half dead.

For the first few weeks we fed it from a bottle with goat milk and yogurt.  As I was feeding this puppy from a bottle and as the puppy grew, I wondered on my own spiritual growth.    Moving from the milk to the spiritual meat in God's word.

After a few days I had to start giving our puppy real food - meat - dry dog food soften with the milk and  as she started to gobble this up I ended up taking away the bottle milk.  At first she didn't want to change from the bottle, I had to spoon feed her the real food to show her how it would satisfy her so much more than the milk.  She grew and began to eat her food quicky and soon she didn't need the milk at all.  

What is the difference between spiritual milk and spiritual meat?  Why do we need the meat, why do we need to grow up?  What happens if all we consume of God's word is milk? What does this say about us spiritually if we don't move beyond milk?

 If we stay on an all milk diet we may grow but we won't have any muscle.  God's word is like that - the more we consume of it the more it changes and strengthens us. 

What does spiritual growth look like?  What does the Bible say about growth?  What does this mean for me?

I don't have all the answers - these are things I am still learning and growing in myself.  I have not had all the meat there is from the word. 

For our puppy - it meant that once she was laying at deaths door - but the milk revived her and caused her to grow stronger.  The meat then caused her to develop and mature.  She ended up growing far larger than we ever realized she would.

We don't have the puppy anymore - she has been moved to grow further in a country village.  But while she was with us she taught us that true growth comes from the meat in life not the milk.  That true growth isn't easy and sometimes requires hard decisions like giving away a beloved puppy so that human relationships can thrive and improve.  

What about you?  Are you satisfied with the milk or do you want more meat?

The day we said Goodbye.  We do miss her!

Welcoming Fall!

I planned this post a month ago - I should change it to anticipating winter.  Fall here in Moldova is very nice.  The grapes came into season and for the first time I realized where the fake candy grape flavor comes from.  The deep purple grapes actual taste just like that.  The seeds aside, the taste was fabulous!  I can't even explain it but just go out and eat a grape Lifesaver and imagine it being the flavor of a real grape!

The leaves are changing and falling covering the walkways and creating a nature carpet.  Moldovan Churches have all held their Fall Festivals thanking God for the provision that as been laid up for winter.

The Ukrainian Grandmother next door is canning the harvest from her huge garden.  One day her grape vines were heavy with fruit the next day they were picked clean.  She is stealthy like that working in the in between while I am busy with other things. 

We started homeschooling for the year on Sept. 6 and are currently enjoying the middle ages.

God has been teaching me in his word with Philippians that in all things He has a plan to work out for my good.  In that as life still presents its problems I am working out rejoicing always.

Soon we will have lived in Moldova a year.  I've hesitated to write much about my impressions this first year as we adjusted and learned the language.  Growing in our understanding of the country and culture.  I think I am ready to share more about life and ministry here in Moldova in future posts.

The Lord is My Shepherd - His Spirit is water to my Soul!

I wish I was perfect - wouldn't that be awesome to be perfect.  

To never say or do the wrong thing.  

To just wake up every morning and know that your every response to someone would be just the right one.  

The perfect words to every situation would fly out of your mouth without thought.   

Every action, deed and thought would be beyond question and reproach. 

I am not perfect!  

I'm struggling now. 

- Struggling with everything it feels like a big weight of nothingness has settled over me and well spiritually I know that this isn't from God.  I'm so not right within myself that I wonder what am I doing?  

What does God's word say about this?  

I've not been in the word lately!  I've been avoiding it actually - what does that say about me?  I have been praying but most of my prayers are about God helping me through a situation.  Or helping me figure out what to say and how to say it.  What to do.  Asking God to forgive me for my not so nice thoughts and feelings as of late.  

I think that most of this just means I'm normal.  

A Christian, not in the word, under stress and full of emotional responses as my first line of defense.  Seriously, I've cried all I can today.  

While I haven't been in the word lately,  I had been studying the 23rd Psalm.  

Studying it along with  a book written by W. Phillip Keller.  

I'm such a sheep!

The Shepherd Trilogy: A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm / A Shepherd Looks at the Good Shepherd / A Shepherd Looks at the Lamb of God

I'm glad that I was studying this before this time in the valley because I can see how much of a sheep I am!  During this time without water, when my enemies seem to be other sheep kicking me.  Why do we sheep do that to each other?  Why do I do that to other sheep?  

I am a sheep in need of rest,  I am a sheep in need of a good Shepherd.  

In need of a Shepherd that during this dry time is waiting for me to meet Him up in the meadow.  Better yet is waiting for me to allow Him to safely lead me to this quiet place of rest. 

The song Better is One Day -  is going through my mind.  The part that talks about 

Your Spirit is Water to My Soul!

There it is the water that I need that everyone needs.  Good thing I don't need to be perfect or I'd be doomed - well damned really. 

Let this be Water to your Soul too!

This is true for me - is it true for you?  Is one Day with God better than 1,000 somewhere else?

Water to your soul?

Oh things are not suddenly perfect now.

I'm still not perfect, 

right now I still feel down and my spirit is still heavy the valley is still a bit dark. 

But there is that meadow over there and I'm going to head to it because 

He is a good Shepherd.  

And well He is perfect. 

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my dshepherd; I shall not ewant.

2 He makes me lie down in green fpastures.

He leads me beside still waters.1

3 He grestores my soul.

He hleads me in ipaths of righteousness2

for his jname's sake.

4 Even though I kwalk through the valley of lthe shadow of death,3

I will mfear no evil,

for nyou are with me;

your orod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5 You pprepare a table before me

in qthe presence of my enemies;

you ranoint my head with oil;

my scup overflows.

6 Surely4 goodness and mercy5 shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall tdwell6 in the house of the Lord

u forever.  (ESV)

Water from the Well

One of the outreaches this summer was the trekking outreach.  One day our guide had a friend he wanted our team to meet at a well.  This friend I’ll call him Peter and he always have lots of good conversations about the Lord and the end times.  He wanted us to meet Peter and to talk with the other man that was with them.  The meeting was at a covered well with a picnic table on the edge of a field in Southern Moldova.

Reflecting back I find it interesting that the entire conversation took place at a well.  Jesus met the women at the well and he knew her sin.  She realized that He was the Christ.  She then told everyone who she had met and many people through this sinner came to know Jesus.  

At this well the first gentlemen - I’ll call him Bob.  He wanted to bring up all these issues concerning conflicts with other nations, between nations and wars.  Since I am an American he brought up 9 11.  We tried to steer the conversation to himself and his own relationship with God, but he didn’t want to go there.  

During this conversation with Bob - a drunk man from the field came to see what was going on - he may have heard us singing.  I’ll call him Dan.  He wondered in disrupting the already confusing conversation and added more confusion.  Then he wondered off.  Then he came back and sat down.  He smelled strongly of alcohol.  

I told Bob that I could sense his heart was for peace and that his concern was for people.  That the word of God says that all nations will bow and know that He is God.  God will judge the nations.   That in the end we all go in front of God alone.  That we were there because we were concerned about him.  

Then 1 Peter 1 - 2:2 was read.  The entire tone relaxed after this, the confusion seem to dissipate.  It was very interesting the calming effect the scripture had. 

The gospel was clearly shared.  Dan the drunk man heard some of this but it was like he was fighting himself.  Did he stay and listen or did he run off.  You could see on his face sadness and heartache. 

I felt a strong impression to share with him about my own brother and how he died of a drug overdose.  About how he had told me that he wanted to stop the addictions but that ultimately it killed him.   I was just about to start when suddenly Dan got up stood looking off into the distant field and said.  “My brother died right over there...”  He started to cry. 

Wow - I knew then for sure that I was to share this.  

Through sharing this connection of loosing our brothers, we were able to get at the root of his addiction.  When he stopped drinking the pain of his brother’s death would overwhelm him and he would start drinking to numb the pain.  I told him he needed to let the grief come he needed to cry for his brother.  That the drinking was ruining his life and would cause his death.  There was more said and shared with him.  By the time we left there was hope on his face.  

It was suggested that a Bible study be started with our guide and these men.  Pray that they do get together for fellowship and to discuss God’s word. 

Pray for both Bob and Dan that they allow God to change their hearts.

Pray for the men of Moldova - it is so hard to be a provider here.  God made men to need respect, to have a desire to provide for their families and when you can not provide because there is no work...  When alcohol is cheaper than water and sold in large quantities a country ends up with a whole host of family and social problems. 

Moldovan men need purpose and hope.  

When Jesus met the women at the well - He told her that he could give her living water.  Living water the one that makes us not thirst again.  

The water from this well is only found in Christ.  

LETTING GO

There is an American Resource Center here in Moldova where anyone can go and sign up to check out books and movies that are American.  Meaning the movies are all in English and most of the non-fiction movies are Historically about the US.  There are computers that can be used and you can print out 20 pages a day if they are related to topics concerning the USA.  I for some reason find that funny.

The kids are happy because they have a lot of kids movies and I am happy because they have grown-up movies and TV shows as well.  I checked out House, M.D.: Season Six.   House interests me because he is so anti God and yet he himself has a bit of a God complex.  He is completely irreverent and sometimes I really dislike him.  But mostly I feel sorry for him.  I know he is a character in a show but sometimes I think about the writers.  What are they thinking when they write these shows.  When they portray God and religion in general in such a negative light.  There are so many episodes where a great discussion about God, sin, evil, good and the meaning behind it all is just waiting to be had.

What is and isn't God's "fault" I find it all kind of fascinating really.

One episode was about a Vietnam Vet from Canada - who had his hand cut off while trying to save a boy.  The episode is called "Tyrant" because this Vietnam Vet is very angry and mean.  He makes House back down which is not usual.  During an angry conversation with House he explains that he is still holding that boys hand 35 years later and is in a lot of pain all the time because he can't let go of that boys hand.

House in his usual way goes into the man's house, drugs him and forces him to put his stub into a box, which he has rigged with a mirror, so when he puts in his good hand he can see a mirror image.  Making it look like he has two good arms.  House tells him to squeeze both hands like he is holding on to something really hard and "If you believe in God pray that this works and while your at it you might ask him why he let you loose your hand to begin with."

So he squeezes both hands really hard and then House says, "Now, let go!"  He lets go and starts to cry because for the first time in 35 years he has no pain.

No pain - for 35 years he had pain and now it is gone.  Can you imagine the sweet release of living with something for 35 years and having that pain removed by Letting Go!  Really Letting Go!

In what ways do we not let go?  How do we hold on to pain in our lives and relive them.  We relive our mistakes, we hold on to grudges, we choose to be angry about things we can't control.

House tells him - ..."Ask God why he let you loose your hand." - Sometimes those kind of things are hard - why does God allow these bad things to happen?  Why did one of my team members get leukemia?  Why did just this weekend another team member got married and then the bus that was taking some family members and friends from her village home had an accident and the only fatality was her sister.  ON HER WEDDING DAY!  WHY?

Is God big enough for these questions?  Is God strong enough?  Are we wise enough to know that DEATH,  SICKNESS and PAIN never make sense because it wasn't part of God's plan.  That God did not create a world of pain, sickness and death but that we created that.  That instead of pointing at God and blaming him we have to bow our heads and pray that God gives us the strength to praise him through it.

That Christ's death on the cross - there He took that PAIN, SICKNESS and DEATH and that we don't have to suffer forever anymore.  That this debt is paid and we can choose it freely.   We can LET GO and let God be in control.

When someone dies we hurt and are in pain because this is not the way we were created to be.  We were created to be in fellowship with our God, to walk with Him, to talk with Him and to cling to Him to live with Him praising Him forever.

I had a dream not to long ago and it won't leave.  I've shared it with a few people and I will share it here. I am in a car in Moldova (I think) and the road is very rough.  I am not driving the car - I don't know who is but the car feels somewhat out of control.  We leap off an embankment and fly through the air.  (I know this can't end well.)  But in the midst of it I start praising God.  I am thanking Him for how good He is and that even though I know that I will probably die I want to die praising Him.

Then we seem to skip like a rock skipping on a pond of water hitting the ground and bouncing back up into the air again.  Then we land smack dab in a bunch of mud.  (There is a lot of mud in Moldova.)  I open the car door and suddenly there are people all around me talking in a language I can't understand but I can't contain myself I have to share the gospel so I just start asking.  "Do you know Jesus?"

I've thought about this dream - I wasn't driving because I am not in control of my life, but I am in control of how I respond to the situations that happen around me.  I can choose to praise HIM, or I can choose to blame Him.  Thankfully in my dream I chose rightly.  My aim is to do that when I am awake too.

Lets Let Go and Let God!

Devotional: For Easter

He is Risen!

We rotate who does the weekly women’s Bible devotion at work - we have been working through learning from the women of the Bible.  I was given Mary Magdalene.

I had things I thought I knew about her but what I found out proved to show that she is an excellent women to study the week before Easter!  

Who was Mary Madalene?

She was a Christ follower!  (Mark 15:41)

Her name lets us know that she was probably from Magdala in Galilee

She was healed from 7 demons (Luke 8:2)

She was a key witness to Christ’s:

Death:                          (Matt. 27:56)

    Burial:                          (Mark 15:47)

Empty tomb:                      (Luke 24:1-10)

First one to encounter the risen Christ:  (John 20:18)

As a women and a disciple of Christ myself, I always love when I find gems like this in God’s word.  

Here was a women so devoted to Christ that she was there at the cross.  I can only imagine that once Mary Magdalene was healed she recognized who Christ was and that was the only place she wanted to be was near Him.  

Can you imagine suffering with “7 demons”  it may have been a number of physical or mental illnesses, or it could have been actual demons but regardless she was free from her infirmities.  She was healed, she was forgiven and she knew that Jesus was worth her devotion.  

She was a witness at his Death - there at the cross.  Can you imagine the oppression when Jesus took our sin upon himself and died.  The weight of all that sin darkening the sky, the utter darkness.  I can’t really even imagine it.  When all the weight of the world’s sin was paid by the ultimate sacrificial lamb and the curtain in the Holy of Holy’s was rendered from top to bottom.  Only God could have done that!  

When the body was taken away and she saw it laid in the tomb and she knew because of the Sabbath she couldn’t treat Jesus' body the way she would have wanted. So she went home and waited for the Sabbath to be over.  

When she approached the empty tomb, wondering how they could roll away that heavy stone.  Wondering - thinking about all she had learned as she followed Jesus - what did He mean, “In three days I will...?”  What did he mean by that.  Grief stricken and then the stone is already rolled away.  Running inside and - He is gone.  Where is He she asks the gardener.  

“Mary!” (John 20:16)

Not a gardener - but her Lord!  Rabboni!  

Clinging to Him - not wanting to let Him go ever again.  But his quiet voice saying tenderly, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father...” John 20: 17.

What I am struck by here is Mary not recognizing Jesus until He says her name.  Then she knows that this is her beloved.  The lover of her soul.  She knows without a doubt who He is and her immediate reaction is to cling to Him.  

In John 10: 1-3 it says:  “Truly, truly I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.  But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.  To him the doorkeeper opens and the sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

He calls his own sheep by name and the sheep hear his voice!

She heard his voice call her name and she knew this was the one to cling to.  Here was truth in the flesh, risen from the dead, worthy of her utter devotion. 

He told her what to do - John 20:17  ...”go to My brethren and say them, I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.” 

And what does she do - she runs to the disciples announcing,  John 20:19 ...

”I have seen the Lord...”

This is what our own response to our own encounter with the risen Christ should be.  We are also witnesses to His work in and through us.  Here was a women utterly devoted to Christ, she followed Him, she learned from Him and she told about Him.  She is a awesome example for me as a disciple of Christ’s to share with others...

“I have seen the Lord.”

He is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!

My Bible Reading Plan

I've used many plans to read my Bible.

The current plan that I am using is  Professor Grant Horners Bible- Reading System.
How is that for a title?




What Professor Grants suggests to do is read 10 chapters a day.  Yes, I said 10.  He says to get one Bible and stick with it.  Read the 10 chapters briskly but with understanding.  Don't get bogged down, don't journal.  Not that your not thinking but your going to be coming back over these books quicker than in any other Bible reading plan you've ever done.  Your going to become so familiar with your Bible as you continue with the plan.

So what are the 10 chapters
1.  The Gospels you read through them over and over.
2.  Genesis - Deuteronomy
3.  Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians,
     Philipians, Colossians and Hebrews
4. 1 & 2 Thessalonians 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon,
     James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude and Revelations
5. Job, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon
6. Psalms
7. Proverbs
8. Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings,
    1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
9. The Prophets
10. Acts

What I like about it - I like that there are no dates on this plan.  I don't ever have to feel behind.  I pick up where I left off and read as much as I can.  Some days I don't read all 10 in one day.  I might read 5 one day and 15 the next or I might end up reading 3 chapters in one book because I just love it so much and in the end I end up reading 9 chapters total but not of the whole 10 list.  This is a flexible plan you could read 5 in the morning or 5 at night.  I do jot notes down - right in my Bible though I know some people would be aghast to do that.  I have nice wide margins and my Bible was made as a study bible to be written in and highlighted with symbols and colored pencils.   I've been using this plan since January and I plan to stick with it for a long time.

Other "systems" I have used in the past are:

The One Year Chronological Bible NIV (One Year Bible: Niv) is one that I used for many years.  This was my devotional Bible not the Bible I brought to church with me.  Since it was in Chronological order I found it really helped me focus on the Bible as one whole historical account not just random books.  There is a logical sequence of events.
  

The One Year Bible NLT (One Year Bible: New Living Translation-2)  I would do this one when I got tired of doing the Chronological Bible this is not my favorite format but it is good to get you in the habit of reading the whole Bible in a year.

I once did something similar to Horner's system which was to read:
1. The Books of the Law
2. Everything between the Law and Psalms
3. Psalms
4. Proverbs
5. Everything after Proverbs up to the Prophets
6. The Prophets
7. The Gospels
8. The rest of the New Testament

I did this for a period of about 3 months then my life changed and I dropped it and went back to the Chronological Bible.  I think that Horner's suggesting of reading Acts each month is a good one since it is such a missional book.  He says if you don't know why you should read through Acts each month - that just shows why you should read it every month.

Developing the habit of reading through the Bible in a year was one thing that really grew me as a Christian and my walk with the Lord.  I can't say I have less questions but I do have a richer understanding of God and my relationship with Him did deepen.  

Surprised by Grace

The Big Fish - Phillip Ratner

I'm almost finished with this book Surprised by Grace - about the account of Jonah - You know the one about the prophet that doesn't want to go, the boat, the storm, the big fish, three days in the belly of the beast and then spit out on the shore.

Most of us have heard about Jonah or seen the Veggie Tales movie but have you ever really thought about it?

Well Tullian Tchividjian has.  As he walks us step by step through the account weaving into his retelling historical artists paintings, sculptures and from Herman Melvill's Moby Dick  he extrapolates on Mapple's sermon he helps us to see what God is telling us through Jonah's life - his human life, someone who loved God yet ran from him, a sinner, a prophet, and ultimately shares something about God and ourselves.



A quote from the book:

"God owes no explanation to Jonah (or to us) for what he has done with the Ninevites.  But in his overflowing grace, he works to help Jonah (and us!) to understand it all better.  God is still coming after Jonah (and us!) to teach us more about his grace.

"God never gives up on you.  There's no one whose patience and forbearance toward you will ever be greater or longer lasting than God's.  Your wife or husband won't be this patient with you - your kids won't, your friends won't, your coworkers won't, your pastor won't.  They'll all fail you at some point.  You'll feel dehumanized, cheapened, discouraged, depressed, or radically disappointed by everyone and everything in this world.

"But not by God. Nothing and no one will ever be as patient and forgiving toward you as God is.  In all of existence, God is the only reality who refuses to give up on those he knows.

"In unforgettable events and imagery, the story of Jonah reveals how this perfectly patient God pursues fugitives - a God who has every right to give up on rebels like us and to move on, but doesn't.  It's a story that reveals forever the heart of God for sinners from every race, every age, and every social class."
- Tullian Tchividjian in his book Surprised by Grace -  (pages 138-139)



Surprised by Grace: God's Relentless Pursuit of Rebels

Video from Author

Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ

I just finished reading this devotional - you can download it free from here:
Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ

I really liked this walk through of who Christ is.

He isn't a hippy Jesus that we can contain in our pocket bringing Him out to comb His flowing hair like some kind of Ken doll. He is the Savior, He is Mighty, in Power and He is worth knowing. Not inventing our own version of who He is but loving Who He really is. This is a very Biblical look at Jesus. Come See and Savor Him.

Devotional: Psalm 34:8

God and His sense of Taste

How can we Taste and Know Him?

Psalms 34: 8

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.

God and the sense of Taste

When taste is mentioned in the Bible it is often paired with the word honey there seems to be a metaphor  between the taste of honey and our relationship with God.  

What is the figurative meaning of this honey? 

I’m always struck by the imagery in Revelation 10:10 of the account of the scrolls and honey in.  I always imagine this giant angel straddling a lake holding this huge scroll.  That I am there - in the position of (John)  and I have to eat that scroll.  For whatever reason the scroll is easy to eat as it tastes good like honey but when it hits my stomach it gives me the worse heart burn.  The taste is then bitter.  What were the words in that scroll?  The bitterness did it come from the knowledge of the world turning it’s back on God?  Was it about our time or was it about biblical times?  Or could it be about both?  How would that sit in your stomach?  How did that sit in John’s?  That knowledge?  I imagine it is me and how it would sit in mine.  

Okay so what? 

God wants us to taste Him, through his word.  To develop a liking for his word even when it is bitter.  The knowledge given to John by the words on that scroll were sweet.  God wants us to know him, to taste him through his word - The Bible.  To taste and know that the Lord is good.  Better than honey, better than the sweetest honey comb.  

My response to this is what

How can I taste God, what can I physically do.  With my mouth with my body to be a living sacrifice to him.  Tasting God ....

For some reason I am thinking of: 

The prodigal son. 

I’ve been thinking about this - since hearing my husband read the account to my daughter Lucy from one of our children Bibles.  The story illustrates how the son asked for his inheritance and left and then after experiencing the world, realizes how good he had it with his father and goes back to him ready to grovel and be a servant in his house.  The father has missed his son and when he sees him from a long way off runs to him and embraces him.  

How good of a Father - he throws a cloak of a master on him, kills the fatted calf and has a party.  He is ecstatic his son is home.  

That is such a picture of our world and God.  God is the father - we are his “Sons.”  He came and died for us all and we can all have part of his inheritance.  There is in fact two inheritances.  We have the gift of this world from our Father and then if we choose we can take part in the gift of our inheritance in heaven.  

Like this prodigal son - we can reject the Father’s heavenly inheritance and take what we can get right here and how.  We can reject his authority in our lives and live the way we want and forsake the inheritance of heaven or we can live under our Father’s loving authority working for him and gain not only the inheritance of heaven - the treasure that we are storing there - but we can enjoy a loving relationship with our Father.  

So what does this have to do with taste?

Taste and see the Lord is Good - 

Taste and see that God has your bests interests in heart.

If you are not a prodigal - don’t be like the older brother - jealous of those who come into relationship with God after living a life of sin.  Rejoice with the Father at their coming home.  Seek to find those prodigals and introduce them to your Father and spread the gospel of Christ. 

We can live our lives with a bitter taste in our mouths or we can taste the honey that is from God’s word and live as a sacrifice to God.

Our taste gives us such joy - lets use it to taste the Lord and see how Good He is.