Job 14 – 16 -- Arise, My Soul, Arise

Today was beautiful here in Florida. In fact, for a little while, I had to have my A/C on. It’s supposed to go down to 45 tonight, but that’s not too bad. I don’t really have to go out early at all.

I purchased a small laptop stand today so I can better use my computer. The only problem with it is that it is at an approximate 30 degree angle but there is nothing to keep the laptop from sliding off. I have no idea who engineered this, but I’ll have to add something at the bottom of the desk part to keep it from sliding onto the floor. The stand has wheels, so I can move it around a bit.

Job 14 – 16

From Job’s words in chapter 14, it is evident that Job himself thinks God is angry with him and wishes God would hide him in the grave and forget about him until God’s anger has passed. Then, of course, good old Eliphaz speaks his mind, calling Job a windbag. We should have such friends: NOT!

Job is certainly not afraid to speak his mind to his “friends,”  accusing them of blowing hot air. He again expresses his need for someone to mediate between him and God.

Aren’t you glad you have a mediator, someone to take your case before God? One of my favorite hymns is Arise, My Soul, Arise by Charles Wesley. It is made so clear that not only does Christ stand before the Father to mediate in our favor, but to intercede and to bear the guilt and punishment for our sin.

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Nor let that ransomed sinner die!'

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And 'Father, Abba, Father,' cry.

To hear the music, go to:

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/r/arisemys.htm

The lyrics are visible if you page down a bit. Sorry, I couldn’t find the traditional music and lyrics together. I did stumble on a more modern version which I thought was awful, but I’m sure there are some who find it pleasing.

Mission Impossible 4 and Job 10 – 13

Today, I saw Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol starring Tom Cruise. The only other person in the movie I had seen before was Paula Patton, who was in Jumping the Broom. The scenes involving the Kremlin and a sandstorm hitting Dubai were very interesting. It was an action-filled movie that I really enjoyed.

Job 10 –13

Can you believe it’s been 6 days and we are already reading Job 10 – 13? With the 11 chapters we read in Genesis, that’s a total of 24 chapters in 6 days.

After discussing his life and how God guided Job’s conception and formed him in his mother’s womb, Job once again asserts his desire to die.

I hope none of you has friends like Job. Job’s friend Zophar the Naamathite  makes what I took as very snide and mean remarks. He even says that God is probably punishing Job less than he deserves. He tells Job to prepare his heart and lift up his hands in prayer

We also see Job respond with some sarcasm: “You people really know everything, don’t you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you.

Job finally speaks directly to God, asking him for two things: “remove your heavy hand and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.” He wants to know what he has done wrong. Apparently, he buys into the arguments his friends are making, that he is suffering because he did something wrong.

Actually, if you think about it, we should all be thankful that we are not treated as we deserve to be. Instead, God commends His love toward us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.

Tomorrow it’s Job 14 – 16.

Until next time…

Job 6 – 9

In Job 6, Job responds to Eliphaz’s words, his accusation that these calamities would not have assailed Job if he had been living righteously. Job just wants God to put  him out of his misery. He asserts that “Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.”

Job, in chapter 7, really gives an indication of what he is going through:

1. He has terrible boils all over
2. He scrapes these boils with pottery shards
3. His body is covered with maggots and scabs
4. His skin breaks open, oozing with puss
5. He is having nightmares (Job 7:14)

After talking with Eliphaz, Job talks directly to God, asking him to put an end to his misery. He certainly recognizes that God can forgive his sin and take away his guilt. I can’t imagine what I would be like if I were Job and all of this happened to me. I guess it’s a natural thing to think it’s because of something we have done wrong. But, as Job said to his wife: “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” 

Ephesians tells us “give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Note it doesn’t say everything good; it means everything good and bad. If you are like me, praising God for the good is much easier than for the bad.

Of course, then Job’s other friend, Bildad the Shuhite has to put in his two cents. He sounds a lot like Eliphaz “But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home.” Have you ever said in jest tome someone -- “wow, you must have done something good to be so lucky” or “you must have ticked someone off to have such bad luck.” 

Job says God destroys both the blameless and the wicked and there is no way he can argue with God or take Him to trial. Listen to this: Job 9:33 – If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together.” Thank God for this verse in I Timothy 2:5  “There is only one God and one Mediator between God and humanity- the man Christ Jesus.

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Job 10-13.

Kale for Dinner

Tonight, I made some kale to go with my cubed steak – it was really delicious. Amazing though how I started with a huge bag and ended up with a small bowl of greens.

Until next time…

Job 1 – 5 and Lunch with Esther

How exciting! Day 4 and we are already reading from the book of Job.

The book of Job is probably the oldest book in the Bible. The subject of the book is quite a guy:

1. Lived in the land of Uz (no one knows for sure where this was, but probably in the Mid-East since some of his attackers were Chaldeans (remember Abram was from Ur of the Chaldees))
2. Very wealthy, “in fact, the richest person in the area”
3. Owned a lot of animals
4. Had a large family: seven sons and three daughters

While all of this is very impressive, more importantly, Job was described as “blameless--a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.”

In the book of Job, we get a lot of insight into God and how He deals with and members of the heavenly court. Most of what we learn, at least in the first chapter of Job, is:

1. Satan is called the Accuser
2. As a member of the heavenly court, Satan presents himself before God
3. Satan patrols the earth, watching everything that is happening
4. God brings up Job to Satan, not the other way around, telling him that Job is the finest man on the earth and that he fears the Lord because God has put a wall of protection around him
5. Satan is allowed to test Job in terms of his possessions and his family, but not his personal health and comfort

Satan has been called the deceiver, but it appears from this that Satan is deceived. He really thinks Job will curse God if everything is taken from him, but Job proves him wrong. When everything he has is taken away, he does grieve, but instead of cursing God, he falls to the ground and worships Him.

What wonderful words Job speaks: “The Lord gave me what I had and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord.” Wow!

Of course, Satan doesn’t admit he was wrong when he appears before God again. Instead, he tells God that Job did not curse God because he still has his health.

In spite of his painful boils, Job does not curse God. In spite of his wife urging him to “curse God and die,” Job does not curse God.  Instead, he states a philosophy we should all adopt: “… Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? …” (Job 2:10) And he still said nothing wrong.

After awhile, we see his “friends” show up. They sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights straight and never uttered a word.

He curses the day of his birth. You can see by his words that he falls into a deep depression. I tell you what: I would be whining and carrying on.

In my opinion, the main thrust of what Eliphaz the Temanite says to Job is found in Job 4:7 “…when have the upright been destroyed?” In other words, everything that has happened to you is because you committed some wrong.

Wouldn’t you like to have a friend like Eliphaz? Not me.

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Job 6 – 9.

Hope you are enjoying these reading as much as I am.

Lunch with Esther

Today, while I was in the middle of eating lunch at home, Esther called and invited me to lunch. We met at Mimi’s where we had a great lunch.  The food was great and the fellowship was fine.

Until next time..

Alvin and the Chipmunks and Genesis 8 - 11

Genesis 8 – 11:

Did you ever spend any time imagining what it must have been like to spend more than a year on the ark? For example, think about the smells:

• Animals and birds produce a tremendous amount of waste;
• The ark was waterproofed with tar – an unpleasant smell all by itself;
• There were eight adults who probably did not spend a lot of time bathing
• There was one window in the ark and an 18-inch tall opening that went all around the ark below the roof, but what would have circulated the air throughout the ark?

Granted, the boat was 450 feet long (about the size of length of 4 ½ football fields), 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Still, I don’t think it was probably the most pleasant-smelling place to spend. And, I don’t know about you, but imagine being confined the same seven other people day after day after day.

Of course, being in the ark was better than drowning. Think how you have felt going into the boat having to leave friends and family outside. Oh yes, there had to be some close family members that were left, but by their choice. Noah preached to these people – do you suppose he felt like a failure some times?

Do you suppose any of the ark’s occupants suffered from sea sickness? There was no rudder to direct the boat and no modern equipment to lessen the effects of what must have been some rough seas – after all, the windows of heaven were opened and the fountains of the deep spewed forth water. It was 150 days from when they entered the ark until it came to rest on Mt. Ararat. It is apparent that these folks didn’t have any idea how long their boat ride would take.

Did you notice what Noah waited until the Lord told him to leave the ark, even though he could tell the ground was drying up?

What was the first thing Noah did after leaving the ark? (I would probably have kissed the ground.) He built an altar and offered sacrifices to the Lord of the animals approved for that purpose, i.e., the clean animals. Then God, pleased by the sacrifice, promised He would never again destroy all living things. God gave a sign of that covenant – the rainbow. Did you ever wonder if everything seemed black and white before that?

The animals and birds saved by the ark were released to multiply and replenish the earth. Noah and his family were also admonished to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth.

Until Noah and his family left the ark, every animal and human were vegetarians. After they got off the ark, they were told by God that they could eat meat, provided the lifeblood was not still in it.

I must admit to being a little puzzled by the curse God placed on Canaan. We are so bombarded by nakedness, even on TV, that we could not understand the problem. Of course, that is if we take the words “saw his father’s nakedness” in the simplest sense of the words. However, there is some speculation that it may mean Ham had sexual relations with his mother and Canaan was the result, or Ham may have been had sexual relations with Noah. I kind of lean toward the literal meaning because of what Ham’s two brothers did – took a robe and backed into his father’s tent so they did not see their father’s nakedness.

Capital punishment was established here – if any person or animal takes a human life, it shall be killed.

Do you know anyone who is a genealogist? Obviously, genealogy was important in the Biblical account. While Genesis does name the descendants of Shem, Ham and Japheth, it doesn’t name all of the sons and daughters of everyone. Most of the genealogy in the Bible is directly concerned with the line of Christ. Just check Matthew 1, where Jesus’ genealogy is traced back to Abraham. Or, check Luke 3, where His genealogy is traced back to Adam. So important!

Did you ever wonder why God confused the people with different languages at Babel? God says it is because nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them. Unsaid, but still important, (at least I think so) is that the people were not following God’s instructions to “fill the earth.”

A very important person is introduced in Genesis 11: Abram (known later as Abraham).

Tomorrow, we move to Job 1 – 5.

Are you finding it difficult to read the daily chapters?

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

What a great movie for kids (and I am just a big kid)! I enjoyed it thoroughly and know you will too.

Until next time…

Clever Ideas and Genesis 4 - 7

My cousin Susan sent me the following. You won’t believe how ingenious some of these are.

25 clever ideas to make life easier

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Via: amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com

Why didn’t I think of that?! We guarrantee you’ll be uttering those words more than once at these ingenious little tips, tricks and ideas that solve everyday problems … some you never knew you had! (Above: hull strawberries easily using a straw).
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Via: apartmenttherapy.com

Rubbing a walnut over scratches in your furniture will disguise dings and scrapes.
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Via: unplggd.com

Remove crayon masterpieces from your TV or computer screen with WD40 (also works on walls).
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Via: athomewithrealfood.blogspot.com

Stop cut apples browning in your child’s lunch box by securing with a rubber band.
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Via: marthastewart.com

Overhaul your linen cupboard – store bedlinen sets inside one of their own pillowcases and there will be no more hunting through piles for a match.
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Via: realsimple.com

Pump up the volume by placing your iPhone / iPod in a bowl – the concave shape amplifies the music.
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Via: savvyhousekeeping.com

Re-use a wet-wipes container to store plastic bags.
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Via: iheartnaptime.net

Add this item to your beach bag. Baby powder gets sand off your skin easily – who knew?!
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Via: realsimple.com

Attach a velcro strip to the wall to store soft toys.
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Via: flickr.com

Look up! Use wire to make a space to store gift wrap rolls against the ceiling, rather than cluttering up the floor.
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Via: instructables.com

Gotcha! Find tiny lost items like earrings by putting a stocking over the vacuum hose.
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Via: realsimple.com

Make an instant cupcake carrier by cutting crosses into a box lid.
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Via: stephmodo.com

For those who can’t stand the scrunching and bunching: how to perfectly fold a fitted sheet.
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Via: sprwmn.blogspot.com

Forever losing your bathroom essentials? Use magnetic strips to store bobby pins (and tweezers and clippers) behind a vanity door
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Via: realsimple.com

A tip for holiday packing. Store shoes inside shower caps to stop dirty soles rubbing on your clothes. And you can find them in just about every hotel!
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Via: familyfun.go.com

A muffin pan becomes a craft caddy. Magnets hold the plastic cups down to make them tip-resistant.
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Via: unplggd.com

Bread tags make the perfect-sized cord labels.
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Via: kiboomu.com

Bake cupcakes directly in ice-cream cones – so much more fun and easier for kids to eat. Definitely doing this!
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Via: squawkfox.com

Microwave your own popcorn in a plain brown paper bag. Much healthier and cheaper than the packet stuff.
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Via: photobucket.com

Brilliant space-saver: install a tension rod to hang your spray bottles. Genius!
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Via: 9gag.com

Win friends at breakfast with this heart-shaped egg tutorial. Aww shucks!
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Via: wilton.com

Turn your muffin pan upside down, bake cookie-dough over the top and voila – you have cookie bowls for fruit or ice-cream. Click here for recipe.
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Via: realsimple.com

Freeze Aloe Vera in ice-cube trays for soothing sunburn relief.
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Via: lifehacker.com.au

Gutter garden: Create a window-box veggie patch using guttering.
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Via: re-nest.com

Use egg cartons to separate and store your Christmas decorations.
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Genesis 4 – 7:

The chapters we read today made it very clear how much sin affects what happens on this earth. There is evil in the world and evil and sin have consequences.

Adam and Eve essentially lost both of their sons when Cain, jealous of Abel, murdered him. I’ve always felt that so-called hate crimes are ridiculous. How can we know the motivation of someone when they commit a crime, that they did it because of hatred. But God certainly recognized something amiss in Cain’s attitude before Cain ever took his brother’s life. In fact, God rejected Cain’s offering. Cain brought “some of his crops” to the Lord. Abel brought the “best of the newborn lambs” to God.

Interesting how God asked Adam where he was after Adam ate of the fruit. God asks Cain where Abel is. He gives us the opportunity to confess. Adam did and God shed blood to provide a covering for Adam and Eve. Cain, on the other hand, asks, “Am I my brother’s guardian?”

Cain is banished to be a vagabond who wanders through the earth, but God takes pity on him, giving him a mark so people will know not to harm him. Notice also that Cain recognizes he is banished from God’ presence (see Gen. 4:13). Cain marries and has children and grandchildren who seem to be skillful individuals.

We then see that Adam and Eve have another son whom they name Seth. Genesis 5, in relating the initial descendants of Adam, never mentions Cain, but provides information about the line of Seth and ancestors of Noah. We see the wickedness of man and how God is sorry, how it breaks His heart. He states His intention to wipe man off the earth, BUT NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD. As we see, Noah “walked in close fellowship with the Lord.” God grant that we all may do that.

God shares what He is going to do with Noah and commands him to build an ark. According to Hebrews 11:7, “it was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith, Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith. Noah tried to tell people there would be a great flood. Imagine his faith…Noah preached for years and years without one convert. But did you see Genesis 6:22: “So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.” Not only did Noah have faith, he also was obedient. In this “now” generation, I can’t imagine anyone doing this.

This flood was catastrophic. The water stayed on the earth 150 days. Those of you who have lived through local floods can just imagine how devastating it was.

Well, tomorrow, we’ll be reading Genesis 8-11.

Until next time…

A New Year

Today marks the beginning of a brand new year, a time of reflection and a time of looking ahead, a time of hope, a time to consider how we might do better. Do you make resolutions? I ususally don’t. After 85% of people who make New Year’s resolutions break those resolutions before the month is over.

As those of you who follow this blog know, back in 2010, I decided to make it a practice to post something on this blog every day. I was inspired by Lewis and Clark who wrote in their journals every day they were on their famous expedition and I don’t face any of the challenges they faced. I know I was a little late a couple of times (but not more than a few hours), but I have published something every day since that time.  I know, I know, some of it was drivel, but at least I did it.

Yesterday, I suggested everyone join Joni Eareckson Tada and her husband Ken in reading the Bible through during 2012. It usually amounts to about 3 chapters a day, which everyone should find do-able. It can’t hurt, but it could provide all of us with insight, hope, peace, faith, and any number of spiritual benefits. We all probably have different spiritual needs, but God can speak to us and supply to us what we need through the wisdom and truth of His Word. Join me, won’t5 you?

I’ll try to write some commentary on how God is speaking to me. I hope all of you will share as well.

With that in mind, today we are scheduled to read Genesis chapters 1 – 3. A you know, Genesis means beginnings and there are many beginnings spoken of in Genesis. My world view is based, in great part, on the book of Genesis: the creation, the fall, the flood. God’s love for us and His willingness to forgive.

Genesis chapters 1 – 3:

I read these chapters by listening to them on my Kindle Fire. I listened to both the New King James translation and the New Living Translation. What a great place to begin reading the Bible – at the very beginning. There are some tremendously important doctrines introduced in these first 3 chapters:

1. There was a beginning
2. God created the heavens and the earth ex nihilo (from nothing)
3. He did this in six days
4. He rested on the seventh day – but not because He was tired; He was finished with His creation work
5. There was a definite order to His creation
6. He pronounced His creation “very good”
7. Man was created from the dust of the earth
8. Woman was created from man’s rib bone as a helpmate
9. There is an enemy at work in this world -- Satan
10. When man sinned, i.e., did what God told him not to, man sought to hide from God, but God still sought him – see Gen 3:7-9
11. Both man and woman tried to blame what they did on someone else – how often do we do this… always looking for someone to blame
12. Blood had to be shed to cover the sin and shame of the man and woman – as Hebrews 9:22 says, “…without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.”?
13. Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden of Eden so they could not eat from the Tree of Life and live forever – imagine if they had not been
14. Humans now have to work and women have pain in childbirth as a permanent result of their sin.

I’m sure I could spend hours and hours on the basic truths found in Genesis 1 – 3, but I know you all would be so bored.

Do you believe in creation or evolution or some combination of the two?

I fully believe in creation because I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. Romans 1:18-20 makes it clear that man can know God and that He created the world. This is because they can see it in the things He created “…Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities –His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

We are so blessed that God provided a way for our forgiveness. What Adam and Eve brought to us was not just being able to know what evil is, but – even more daunting – knowing what good is and how often we don’t just do the wrong thing, we also fail to do the right thing.

We can praise God that “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” (Romans 5:6

Wow, kind of wordy tonight. I’ll try to make this post shorter tomorrow.

Until next time…