Thru the Bible - Exodus

Several weeks have passed by and we are to the end of January and already done with the book of Exodus. The time is flying by. The three chapters a day, the rich discussion in my home and with my church family is making this journey very exciting for me.

So, what impacted me about the book of Exodus was the detail God gave his people. I think of a child learning to bake cookies. The flour gets every where, the cookies have egg shells in the them and there are many finger prints on everything. It would be easier to just NOT allow the kids to bake; but they would miss the effort and how much sweeter the finished product is when they have participated. Since God could have willed any event to happen, how precious that he gives us the chance to roll up our sleeves and participate in His plan. How even more impressive that he is teaching foundational lessons to His people so that they would understand the life and death of Jesus Christ generations later.

The plagues. I have to admit I had a little bit of a difficult time with the plagues. I finally came to reconcile my understanding of God's plan by trusting that God had a purpose. For the first time, my study led me to understand that the plagues had a direct correlation with Egyptian gods that God was showing Himself to be mightier than them to the people. He was proving his majesty before their eyes. I just struggle with the fact that so many awkard things had to happen.

I don't understand how the people where able to "create" some of the same things with their magicians. This made me even more afraid of these types of events.

I questioned why there would be locust in Revelations if God said that there would never be a plague of them again. Kelly was really helpful in looking up the answer to me on this one.

I was convicted with why I did not keep the Sabbath holy any longer. John explained one time the difference between why the Jewish worship on Saturday and us on Sunday. I am not sure where I stand on this particular issue right now with regards to housework, cooking, cleaning and etc. It is listed as a lasting convenant but no one seems to make that big of a deal of it.

Loved looking at the fact that so many of our laws are based upon biblical principals. Exodus is a great example of the American judicial system in the simplest of forms.

I loved the verse that talked about the fact that Moses face was radiant because he spoke to the Lord. I would have loved to have heard their conversations.

My favorite verse was Exodus 14: 14 "The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still".

Now, on the Leviticus.....

Challenge One - Question 30

"What is the most important new item you want to buy this year?"

I have already answered this question and the answer is a HOME!

When a Man Loves A Woman

I am watching one of my favorite all time movies - When a Man Loves a Woman. Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia do a great job. There is a great sound track to the movie, good acting, great memorable lines and many other things to love. Yet, the story line is unbelievable to me how realistic it seems.

Meg Ryan is an acholohic. Andy Garcia is a loving, devoted and endearing spouse. He is trying to give her everything, be her everything and love her past her own issues. He is doing just what a good husband should - except it is not enough.

I love the struggle of Meg Ryan having to learn to accept herself. She has to learn to live on her own and to be the person she needs to be for herself so that she can be a better person, teacher, mother, friend and wife.

I have never struggled with acholism directly; but have the seen the effects of it on people I love dearly. I don't know the parts about that are accurate enough for the pain that this disease can cause families.

Yet, I do know first hand that I am only a better person when I am accepting who I am(flaws and all). When I hide the struggles I have or pretend they do not exist the ugly monster of self-loathing will appear. Even when I try to look at myself thru the eyes of someone else, I can be very disappointed. Even more, when someone you love tries to tell you it is all okay in love without understanding the validation of why you are feeling the way you are - it hurts too.

I struggle but I have found a few things that work for me when this feeling overtakes me:
1. Knowing the God sees the struggle, knows any pain and already has a rememdy for me is comforting.
2. Reminding myself that every single imperfection is what has made me be who I am. When I think of the fact that because of who I am - I get to call certain people my family and friends it makes me smile. Without the imperfections some of those relationships would have never been found.
3. A glass of soda and some chips also work well in this situation. If it is an emergency, well Cherry cheesecake or butter cream frosting can always do the trick - :-)

Seriously though, I just love a movie that makes me feel connected and understanding. I cry, I smile, and I hope for the characters to reconcile their differences. It is a great love story.

Challenge ONE - Question 29

"If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it"

First question- I honestly have no idea

Second question - I guess it would depend on the person and what the advice was.

Third question - I would HOPE that if it was sound advice from a valued source I would listen to it.

I guess I did not really answer this question, but it was the best that I could do :-)

Challenge One - Question 28

"What one biblical doctrine do you want most to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?"

(Cartoon from www.mightymag.com)

As most people know, my church is collectively reading thru the bible this year. As we do, I am hoping that I will learn much more biblical doctrine than I know today.

To start though, I think I am struggling most with why we don't do somethings that God's word clearly says not to do or to do. Are we, as the body of Christ, watering down God's word to make us fit into the world better? Are we falling back on the excuse that says "that is old testament law and no longer applies" because we just don't want to do something?

My biggest fear is that "my religion" might be allowing me to hold to doctrine that is not biblical. If God says ALWAYS and FOREVER, then I am certain that he actually didn't mean until I say so later?

With that being said, I do understand that some laws of the Old Testament no longer apply once Christ was born and became the living sacrifice for me. Troy did a great job the other day explaining the difference between some laws are eternal and some laws were dissolved because of God's provision in other ways.

Yet....

But...

However.....

What forever laws am I neglecting because of either "not wanting to" or just "ignorance"?

I don't want to read God's word over and over and miss the point of what God is telling me. I can cling to all the encouragement the bible gives, memorize the history and the parables but if I am missing the INSTRUCTION then that is a problem.

So, for this year I am going to begin to compile a list of God's instructions. If I am not doing them for a reason, I want to know why. If it no longer applies,then I want to understand what took the place of the previous instructions. Most importantly, I want to begin to pray for the strength, the understanding and the acceptance of what I might not be ready to do. As we all know, the fact is I am a sinner and not perfect. I will fail BUT I would rather fail trying!

P.S. No this does not mean I am become legalistic or a freak. We are not going to move into a cult society. Just going to try to live life the best way I know how!

Challenge One - Question 27

"What the single most important thing that you could do to improve your commute this year?"

I love my commute. During my morning commute, I talk to my mom every morning of my life. She and I check in with one another and it is a wonderful way to start my day.

During my mornings I can laugh my butt off, cry like a baby or just spend a few minutes complaining or rejoicing over something that is happening in my life. In my approximate 30 minutes of a drive each morning I get some "mommy time" with my mom! I get the pep talk I might need or the wise advice on a number of situations.

The most precious part of this time is that I get to find out what is happening with her and my Daddy. I get to know they are okay and be a part of their life.

As for my commute in the morning, I could not think of anything better to do with my time!

For the afternoon, I try to take care of any calls I need to make, appointments to be made, or petty/routine issues that I need to do. It is the few minutes I can handle business during "work hours" of a normal business.

Of all the things I want to improve, I am actually pretty happy with my commute. Plus, if all else fails I turn the music up, open my sunroof and sing like a crazy women! It is just what the doctor would order on some days!

Challenge ONE - Question 26

"To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount of time this year?"

The CWF (Christian Women's Fellowship) at our church. I love the ladies of NBCC and am excited to be a part of a group of ladies who are always there for one another.