Stone cold stiff, but pretty

I chose this picture because I would look just like this if I were an Old Testament woman, stiff, proper and pretty, but afraid to move. I have been reading though Deuteronomy and some of the laws seems kinda' quaint and cute, and then I read on. I am so grateful that I am a New Testament woman married to a man of God. Back in the '70's there was a movement in the church that took up some of the Old Testament traditions. I remember Steve asking why some laws were chosen to be followed while others were rejected. It was a good question. We live in an age of grace and I pray that I can be a source of grace to those around me. There is enough law and Jesus fulfilled it to free me from the life of a bronze statue. I can be real, be forgiven, be loved and be effective, not because I am wonderful, but because Jesus is amazing and sacrificed it all for me, and you too. Get up off the bench and be gracious. Bless someone for no reason other than that God took the time to make him, or her.

Is there a Moses for America?

Today's reading took me into Deuteronomy where, once again, I saw something I hadn't noticed before. Israel wasn't all that.
In Deut. 9:4 Moses tells Israel that it isn't because of their righteousness that God is giving them the promised land, but because the enemy is so wicked. Then in verses 7 and 8 he reminds Israel how their own sin provoked the Lord. Further on in chapter 9 I saw that it was Moses' intercession that moved God to allow Israel to continue to exist.
I watch the news every morning and today I wonder, where is our Moses? Is someone interceding for us? As a nation we have so much but are, apparently, never satisfied. I love being an American but the truth is, we aren't all that, any more than Israel was.
Are AIG executives and bankers judged out of righteousness or envy? The anger and self-righteousness I see on the news scares me. The venom spewed from the lips of our politicians is unworthy of anyone is their position. The cry for justice seems motivated by bitterness and suspicion. I don't want that to be me. I would rather be like Moses, on my knees, pleading for God to be merciful to His people, recognizing my own need for mercy rather than becoming the accuser. I have gone to the National Day of Prayer site to find out how I can pray more effectively. Here is the link if you'd like to do the same; www.ndptf.org. Moses made a difference, so can we.
This picture of a graveyard and a church was taken in St. Andrew's Scotland. The legacy of prayer in that place left me speechless.

Get Naked

Okay, Dashiell isn't naked, but I thought a naked baby picture might get me in trouble. I read this quote yesterday and did a double take. "Eros will have naked bodies; friendship naked personalities" C.S.Lewis
I see naked, blatant adoration in Dashiell's face. I want to be like that with God. He sees what I try to hide anyway, so I don't know why I expend the energy. How freeing to be naked before Him.
How scary to be naked in the same way with friends. I will pray for one or two that I can get naked with, personality wise of course. I think that would be wonderful. Actually, there is one who knows me that well already, besides my precious Steve. I love you Lorrie.