Aha

I was finishing up II Chronicles today and God let me have several  “Aha” moments with the section about Josiah. Josiah became king in Jerusalem when he was only eight years old. He was a mere boy, but “in the eighth hear of his reign, while was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David, his father.” (II Chron. 34:3)
That was my first “Aha.”  We don’t have to be old and experienced in life to be wise and worthy of leadership. We just have to seek and obey God. That puts a new light on Children’s Ministry. Maybe we should all get more involved and let the little ones teach us as we show them how to seek God.
Another “Aha” moment came later in his life. As part of Josiah’s clean up project, he declared that the temple should be restored. While that was being done The Book of the Law was discovered. It was brought to Josiah and he wept and tore his clothes in grief when he realized the evil that had been done in Israel.
The next chapter talks about how Josiah revered the Lord and restored the Passover celebration so that, “No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet.” (II Chron. 35:18)
That is all great, but then, later in chapter 35 came the surprise. Josiah really wanted to fight the King of Egypt. We aren’t told why, but we are told that Neco, the King of Egypt tried to stop the battle. God was speaking through Neco and Josiah refused to listen. Josiah was wounded in the battle and died.
The biggest “Aha” for me is this. I can’t live off of what I did yesterday, good or bad. Through repentance, God’s grace covers my bad days, days when I am disobedient wasting my time and God’s blessings. But His grace is also needed for my good days, when I am walking in the adventure of moment-by-moment obedience with expectancy and anticipation.
I ‘d love to hear some of your “Aha” moments.

July 1st and I'm no Dodo

How would you like to be listed as the daughter of Dodo? It’s funny the things that catch my attention while I'm reading through Chronicles. I'm sure there are more spiritual things to search out, but it’s the odd things that make me stop and think.
Like the reason that Shimei’s clan was small, by comparison, was that while he had sixteen sons and six daughters, his brothers weren’t as prolific in their procreation.  Why was that nugget important? Maybe just because it would answer a question, or make someone like me sit with my Bible open while I pondered things.
I have been feeling particularly un-spiritual this past week, so as long as I am reading the Bible, and as long as the Bible causes me to stop and wonder why God put these kind of odd bits in His book, I am still growing in knowledge.
The book that is helping me grow in grace is still, What’s So Amazing About Grace. I have to stop and ponder that one a lot. It is very challenging to me and I highly recommend you grab a copy and read, but be prepared, it should make you stop and think about a thing or two. If it doesn't we need to talk
I am praying for you today. Take some time to read your Bible and let the odd bits catch your attention. Why did God put that in His book?
“Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works.” 1 Chronicles 16:9
Do me a favor and tell me of one of His wondrous works. I’d like to hear what He is doing in your life.

Happy Memorial Day?

It doesn't sound right to say Happy Memorial Day, but I have had several people say that to me.
I am so grateful for those who gave their lives physically, but I want to remember those who have served and lived, and never been the same because of what they have seen and experienced. I cannot even imagine what life is like, day to day, when you have been exposed to the horrors of war.
Thank you seems so trite, but I have no others words. Thank you!
I pray your Memorial Day is reverent, and your heart full of gratitude. The price of our freedom is unimaginable.

Lucy tales

Nothing spiritual today, just cuteness.
Preparing for another memorial service tomorrow I looked up from the flurry of e-mails and said, "I am so tired that I have lost the ability to think."
"Gogo, you lost your bility?" asked Lucy
"Yes, I lost it."
Jumping to her feet she said earnestly, "I find it for you Gogo. I find your bility."
After searching diligently for two minutes she emerged from my room and proudly handed me a box of kleenex. "Here Gogo. Here's your bility."

Tim VanTongeren is in glory

Psalm 43 was his Psalm today. Verses 3 and 4, "O send out Thy light and Thy truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Thy holy hill, and to Thy dwelling places. Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise Thee, O God, my God."
God did lead him to His holy hill and Tim is in God's dwelling place.
My heart breaks for his wife Jeni and their three children, and I don't get it.

The waiting room

It's interesting the way we can suddenly be equalized. I have been coming up the the hospital to sit with a friend, the one from the last blog. It doesn't matter what people look like in a waiting room. The old or the young, the big or the small, the various languages spoken, the tattoo and pierced or the conservative, the bikers, hippies and preppies are all the same.
We smile nervously or compassionately at each other, listen (while we try not to listen) to intimate phone calls and conversations meant to update loved ones who have to be far away. We are all in the same place, especially in the ICU waiting room where loved ones are in critical condition. There is fear and faith, weeping and laughter, and prayer.
In times of crisis it seems as if prayer is no longer controversial, it's comforting.
It's the National Day of Prayer, so I will be praying with a grateful heart. I don't have to hide my prayers or find a secret place. I can pray openly in the waiting room and know that my Father in heaven is listening, and if others in the waiting room hear, it's okay, they don't mind.

Friendship interuptions

I just read Ruth and got some new insights, which is good. Boaz was apparently not very handsome and significantly older than Ruth. You'll have to read it for yourself, but Ruth 3:8-10 may bring a smile to your face.
I also noticed that Ruth paid attention. She noticed which of Naomi's relatives were upstanding citizens before deciding where to glean. Boaz mentions twice for her to stay close to his women and then Naomi mentions to stay close to the women in Boaz's field because she will be safe, so it seems that there was real danger for a stranger off by herself gleaning the fields.

But for the past week, my heart has been with a friend who's husband is still not fully awake after surgery. It was supposed to be a short repair to his heart, but things went wrong and he was/is sicker than they thought. So I have been praying for them from home and then driving up to hang out when I can. I wonder at her composure, as have many. I am not sure I would have the faith and gentle spirit she has. I have listened to others and it is amazing to hear the different theories for what would cause a wife to remain so calm during a time of uncertainty.
I will work on being like Ruth, which is hard for someone who likes to talk. I will watch and observe and study so I may learn from Jeni. There is a depth in her, a calm certainty, and I want to learn from her. It may not be convenient to drive an hour and a bit each way, but it is more than worth it to be blessed, and hopefully be a blessing.