Friday, January 29, 2010

How delightful

Our family is reading in 2 Samuel during morning readings, and I loved a verse in chapter 22, verse 21 says something about how the Lord delivered David because He "delighted in him." Isn't that the coolest thing ever? I think it's awesome that David could say with such assurance, "Y'know what? The Lord delights in me."

I think verses about delight are cool in the Bible. I was just memorizing this verse from Isaiah the other day, and it said to let your soul delight itself in fatness. I thought it was pretty amusing, but nobody else did, I don't know why.

But verses about delight are such fun to read, for some reason. I love reading about people in whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and how the Lord delights in His saints, et cetera. I think I just like to hear the word "delight." But just think: we delight in what the Lord has given us, and He delights right back at us.

Enough to keep one smiling till the rapture, don't you think?

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Saul & Co.

There are some stories in the Bible that just make me sad. Anything to do with Tamar (either one, really), stuff about eating children, etc. But our family was just reading about the time there was a famine in the land, and it was because the Gibeonites were feeling upset because of the whole Saul thing (for a more complete rendering, please read 2 Samuel 21).

Anyhow, long story short, David up and killed a ton of descendants of Saul, just to make the Gibeonites happy. I think it's nice that the famine stopped, but seriously, at such a cost? That story just hurts me to read. Not to mention that it's not long after the whole Absalom story, which breaks my heart every time. Regardless, I'm discussing David and Saul.

I just find that whole Old Testament thing so hard to swallow sometimes. I mean, really, they had to kill those dudes to stop the famine? Wasn't there something else they could have done? Couldn't they have sent them some gift certificates to Camels, Ltd. or something? And when you think about Rizpa, the unfortunate concubine of Saul whose two sons were killed and left out to rot in the sun, you realize what a cruel situation it was.

Of course, I always wonder about Michal in all of this. Did she care about any of these going's-on? You'd better believe she was keenly aware of the fact that her sons with her ex-husband Adriel were being strung up by her current slash also-ex-husband David. How could she not? But did she care about Rizpa's sons? Did she care that Mephibosheth was living in the city, maybe even not too far from where she lived? I wish there was some way we could get a peek into the lives of the minoresque characters in the Bible. The dynamic between Michal and David is fascinating to me, and I often wonder if Michal, Jonathan, and David hung out, back in the day, when David was still just that kid who played the harp part-time for Saul. I know family dynamics these days aren't quite what they were back in the OT times, but still, the sense of family is pretty important, I think, no matter what era you're living in.

So the moral of the story is simply that the whole situation with David and Saul's kin makes me sad. Mephibosheth got a pretty good deal, but nobody else seemed to end up too happily. So much for the life of royalty, eh?

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

That's a wrap, Acts

So, I was corrected about my erroneous Acts assumptions. Apparently I missed the part where the ship didn't crash until they cut away from those awesome four anchors.

So, disregard my rant. Though... I still find it somewhat intriguing that those anchors carry such weight amongst us all. I mean, why don't we wax eloquent on the 153 fish that the disciples counted after the night they did all that fishing with Jesus?

Apparently smaller numbers are easier to interpret...

Monday, January 25, 2010

Change

My title was inspired by a post in another friend's blog; thanks Joy.

This past weekend we had a big Sunday School bash, where we rent out a school, all the Sunday School classes put on little plays, and there is way too much pizza and candy. So pretty much, a lot of fun. Fun when you're a kid, I guess I should say, and a little more harried and crazy when you're a teacher of one of these said classes.

Not that I don't love my girls, because they're pretty much awesome. I have 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds, and they are truly amazing. And hilarious. And they all love vampires, a less hilarious subject which I find myself shooting down during class nearly every Sunday. Come on, how many different segues are there into the subject of Twilight, anyhow? Apparently, a lot.

All that aside, I was thinking about how awesome my play was on Saturday. Not because it turned out insanely well (though, considering the talent levels of both the actors and me, the writer/director/ahhh, it really did turn out impressively), but because our story was a cool lesson.

We did the story of John Newton--we started with his mother dying and him being shanghaied by the British Navy, and moved on to his disregard of all things nice and polite, and finished up with his getting saved, marrying the pretty girl, and writing Amazing Grace. We covered a lot in roughly seven minutes.

Anyhow, there was something I didn't even notice until the play actually began, and we were live in front of the audience--which is to say, the happy mix of girls in my class. John Newton was a slave trader, and doing the play on Saturday, I was incredibly thankful for how much had changed. A little Hispanic girl played Mr. Newton (she did a pretty good job of convincing the captain to search for "his" son until John was found), and a little African-American girl played a captain--the very captain who talked John into dealing slaves in the first place. It didn't even dawn on me when we were doing the "auditions" (auditions comprised of all the girls wanting to be Mary, the eventual wife, and everyone being sad when they realized they couldn't all have the same part) that I could have done the casting differently. But I don't think I would have changed it if I could have, you know? Who cares that my slaves were played by little girls who look more Swedish than African, anyhow? This is what we've moved beyond, and I'm thankful that I honestly don't even notice it any longer.

So this is a tribute to those brave men and women who fought for what was right, who did the hard thing, who sacrificed personal comfort for the good of others. I'd like to think I would follow in their footsteps, given the chance (yes, yes, I know there's a lot I can be doing now--see what I mean? I'm not as impassioned on the subject as they obviously were), but I'm scared that it's just another thing that I'd ignore in favour of "protecting the family" or something like that.

Food for thought, this change stuff is...

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Asking about Acts - Part II

Let's talk for just a minute about Acts 27. Great chapter, truly it is, but there's one thing I always hear about it that sort of gets to me. Which is to say, Acts 27:29. "Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for day."

The romantical side of me just likes to hear about a ship full of people wishing for day. Sounds cool (especially since you know they all survived at the end, phew), but it's the four anchors I hear a lot about. I'm not sure if any of the rest of you hear about these four anchors, but I highly recommend that if you're not familiar with a good sermon or two on the subject, that you head over to Google and, well, google it. "Acts 27 four anchors" is all it takes to come up with dozens of thoughts on these anchors.

I hear all sort of thoughts about them. Article number one on that Google search says that the four anchors are representative of Paul's steadiness in the storm. 1. He was in the presence of God, 2. He was God's possession, 3. He had a sense of purpose, and 4. He had a positive confession of his faith.

Well, these things are all good and right, but is that really what those four anchors represent?

Another article (also in the top ten Google listings under the search for "Acts 20 four anchors") says that the four anchors were that Paul 1. Prayed, 2. Had the Word of God, 3. Obeyed God, and 4. Had the hope of salvation. Once again, great things, but is that what those anchors mean?

I've heard other things. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, if you'll believe it, were once referred to as the four anchors. In Acts 2:42 mentions new Christians continuing steadfastly in 1. The apostle's doctrine, 2. fellowship, 3. Breaking of bread, and 4. prayers. That's pretty popular from what I've personally heard.

Anyhow, there are more, which doubtless I'll remember in the middle of the night tonight, but you get the idea.

Now, I'm not trying to be contrary (although I realize I come off as sort of contrary sometimes), but I'm trying to be practical, I guess. My hang-up with this whole situation is this: why are we comparing things to these anchors, anyhow? The anchors sure didn't help the ship, did they? This was a ship that, if we're trying to compare apples to apples, wouldn't even be qualified as a Christian ship (re-read the chapter, I'm sure it'll make sense in a moment!). So the illustration is already a little flimsy, in my opinion.

So, like I say, we have a ship who'd been trying, on its own merit, to reach land, cast these four anchors into the sea, and, well, that didn't work either. The ship broke in pieces, much like Humpty Dumpty, I imagine, only with less yolk.

May I reiterate: why do we like this illustration so much? These four anchors gave those sea-sick people not one ounce of help, and I'd like to keep viewing prayer and obedience to God as something that'll help me, thanks for asking. I once decided that I was going to sermonize all on my own, and started telling people that I thought that the four anchors referred to Jacob's four wifely things. Moral of that story? Have just one wife. For some reason that doctrine never really caught on, funny... =)

This really solved nothing, I suppose, but it felt nice to spit it all out.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Asking about Acts - Part I

So here's a good question: how do we know that Luke wrote Luke and Acts? I've been pondering this recently, and have been doing my best to look it up, but everyone just says that "it's generally acknowledged" Luke wrote them. We know the author was a traveling companion of Paul, and that he uses "we" starting whenever he jumped aboard Paul's journeys, but Paul had lots of companions.

No seriously, why are we all so certain that he wrote the books?

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Contented

I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. ~Paul

That Paul was an amazing fellow. Content in every situation? That's some seriously amazing stuff. There are a lot of things that make me content, of course, like freshly-fallen snow, or seeing people read books, or my room being tidy, or watching old people who still love each other, but I'm the first to admit that I'm a long way away from being content in every situation.

My brother and I were discussing last night about whether or not it's possible for a Christian to be perfect. I think yes, he thinks no. The Lord gave us a new life, and it we let the flesh talk us into sinning, then it's our fault. I think we should be able to live our life as the Lord intended us to. Not because we're perfect people (we've already sinned, so it's not like it would change that), but because we're changed. Changed for most situations means a different colour of paint, or less time in the principle's office. Changed for a Christian means entirely, %100 different. That's huge.

So maybe I should take my own thoughts to heart and take a look at what makes me discontent and change my feelings on the matter. After all, if Paul, who was beaten and stoned and eventually killed could be content in all situations, than who am I, with my roof over my head, the coziest bed on planet earth, and a family never far away to be discontent in any situation?

Put that way, there's really not much left to say, is there?

Monday, January 18, 2010

An earthly home

I'm pretty sure that most young girls (maybe not most, but some, be among them) know that sure, earthly things are only temporal, but wouldn't it be fun to have your own house to decorate with these swell most-and-rust-will-certainly-corrupt type objects? But moth-and-rust aside, honestly, it's a fun thought.


I'm not saying it's really that fun when it comes down to it, of course, especially since most newly married young ladies tend not to have an overabundance of money to spread around for useless things like fun-shaped bookcases and turquoise spatulas, but the idea is a fun one. For instance, I've always wanted walls painted with that chalk-board paint, or maybe the dry-erase paint, so you could just write all over your walls. Wouldn't that be so awesome for a kid's room? Terribly messy on the carpet if you went the chalk route, but overall worth it, perhaps.

Sometimes I wonder what life must be like for people who aren't expecting the rapture. It's not that I avoid life down on earth in deference to the rapture (I have a job. In insurance. 'Nuff said.), but it's something that crosses most of my thoughts.

For instance, my parents are going away this weekend, Lord willing. Half of that Lord willing is acknowledging that something could happen to them or their car and they might not go, but half of it is simply acknowledging that the Lord could come, um, now. I love pondering that!

So if the Lord doesn't come, and I marry a rich-type guy, stop by my house... who knows? Maybe I'll have sweet-looking bookcases everywhere!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Funny labels

This really has nothing to do with anything, but I happened to notice something amusing this morning that had to do with my labels. Maybe not amusing, but... sad?

I have mentioned Neverland and Nancy Pelosi the same number of times at some point during the last 75 posts on here. (Cars, creation, and insurance are on par with Nancy and the Neverland gang, apparently, though that doesn't seem quite as amusing.)

So this is just a note to say that I'm glad I started labeling my posts. If nothing else, it provides temporary amusement.

I just realized that I think I've mentioned death more than I've mentioned Heaven. I'm not sure how that discrepancy happened... Ipes.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Question me

I like Amos.

The book in the Bible, I'm too young to have known the actual Bible Character. =)

But I like to read Amos. It's straightforward, when Amos has a question, he asks God for a little insight. The Lord answers, sometimes with a lot of information, but usually not. The Lord would ask Amos to pay attention to what was going on around him, "What do you see, Amos?" and Amos would answer to the best of his ability, "a plumbline," or "a basket of fruit," and the Lord would carry forth about what it meant.

Wouldn't it be awesome if we just listened when the Lord asked us things, and asked Him questions in simplicity? "Lord, Jacob is small, how's that going to work out?" (A question from Amos, not me, I personally don't worry much about the shape or size of Jacob.)

None of this, "So anyhow, Lord, if indeed Party A does exclude me from Event 7c at the urging of Unlikely Candidate 13, what am I going to do??" But rather a simple, calm, "Lord, what's going on?" In a word, to ask, and not question.

Ah, for the faith of Amos.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Take the lead

I don't like to just throw myself into the middle of everyone else's business. For those who know me, you'll realize that I'm pretty non-confrontational, and I dislike telling people what to do. Which is why it's odd that I tend to step up and get things going in groups. Here's the deal: I don't really enjoy being the one to stand up and get a game of Four Men on the Couch going. I'd prefer it if someone told me what to do or what games to play. But for some weird reason I'm the one who rolls her eyes and tells everybody what we're going to do.

It freaks me out that I do that, and I think it makes me sound bossy. Being bossy is one think I'd certainly like to avoid, it at all possible. But it usually makes more sense for someone to just do it, you know, to just get some game started, to just tell people to stop bumming around and start actually doing something together.

I guess this is coming up because I just have been noticing recently how often I'm the one jumping in the middle of the circle and organizing the game. I guess I should be thankful that organizational skills are an ability I have, but, like I say, it mostly makes me feel bossy.

Which is why I was so surprised when not one, but two people thanked me in California for being willing to organize stuff. I hope that one of them will feel like stepping up next time, since it's something they've noticed, but mostly I hope that if organizational-type stuff is something the Lord wants me to do without a feeling of grudging, I will do it to the best of my abilities, and without murmuring.

Amen!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Finally

Well, I've not posted for a long time, because every time I get on to post, I end up reading mrg's trip blog, which is long enough to keep me occupied for ever. So I haven't written in forever. I had a most excellent winter break, by the way, and I wasn't too wiped out coming back to work, which was certainly an answer to prayer!

I love the New Year, by the way. I've decided that there are a lot of holidays in a year, and the New Year is one I really like. Not because I like the feeling of "turning over a new leaf," but rather because it reminds me that, as a Christian, I can turn over a new leaf any time I want, and the Lord will help me with the problem/resolution/whatever at any point during the year! Isn't that such a great thought? For those of us humans out there who always think we should make a point of doing this or that at a certain time, it's a good reminder that we don't need to wait for these certain times, we can do this or that (Lord willing), whenever we want to! I like that.

New Year's Eve was awesome, as well. I was really tired, so I left the party were at, and came home and Bible'd my way into the new year. Most exceptional. I felt vaguely badly for ditching out on everyone at the party (my pregnant sister stayed for about three hours later than I did, if you want to hear something pitiful), but I had been feeling so anti-social the last few days of conference that I decided it was OK to take some down time.

Speaking of anti-social. So at conference we were talking about being lonely versus being alone. Honestly, I like to be alone. I sometimes just go out on the roof in the summer just to escape the feeling of being in a house with other people. That doesn't mean I love my family an less, but rather that I value my alone time. Very much.

That was all rather random, so I leave you with this one thought. Happy January! Make it a good one.