Genesis 30-32
There was a lot of stuff that went down in this passage. But I think the most interesting part is the last verses, where Jacob is wrestling all night with this man that turns out to be Jesus. Jacob asks for his name in the morning, but I wonder if he knew all night that it was His God? He obviously knew the man had the ability to bless him, and I am not sure how blessings work, but I don’t think you would just ask anyone for one. I thought it had to be God or your blood father? Either way, it’s a intriguing story.
Question: What emotions has this passage stirred in you? It makes me feel sorry for Sarah and Leah, who have this massive struggle over who is the best wife basically. Poor Leah knows Jacob loves Sara more, but then the tables turn because Leah can have babies, and Sarah can’t. But God grants them both children, which is cool. Still though, I can’t imagine having to share my husband. I couldn’t handle that.
Psalm 12
“Into the hovels of the poor,
Into the dark streets where the homeless groan, God speaks:
“I’ve had enough; I’m on my way
To heal the ache in the heart of the wretched.”
Question: What is the Spirit saying to you through this Psalm? That even in the most tragic sight of a homeless person groaning from lack of food, lack of clothing, lack of love, that the whisper of God is there. When we go on soup run, the hope of God is moving in that place. The promise to come back and set things right has not been forgotten. With out hope we are nothing, but with hope we are everything. God whispers, “have hope.”
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Day 12
Genesis 27-29
There is a lot of craziness that goes on this passage. I almost wanted to skip it because I know the stories so well, but instead decided to focus on finding a part of the story I might have missed before.
I had forgotten about how when Jacob reached his Uncles place, and found some shepherds waiting to water their sheep, he asked them why they hadn’t watered the sheep yet, and they said the stone covering the well was much too heavy, they had to wait for more shepherds to come and help. But then Rachel started coming towards them, and I guess because he wanted to impress, and God gave him the ability to, Jacob moved the stone all by himself! Too much testosterone if you ask me..haha.
“So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel. But it only seemed like a few days, he loved her so much.”
Question: Find yourself in one of the characters. What do you hear God saying to you through him or her? I think most about Rachel, and how special she must have felt knowing that this guy was going to work 7 years in order to marry her. God must have been whispering encouragement for her when the time seemed to go by so slow. Then again, the Bible doesn’t say if she loved him back, but during those days, I don’t think love was always a necessary prerequisite to marriage.
Psalm 11
“But God hasn’t moved to the mountains, his holy address hasn’t changed. He’s in charge, as always, his eyes taking everything in, his eyelids unblinking, examining Adam’s unruly brood.”
Unruly brood = disorderly children. And isn’t that what we are? The disorderly children of Adam. Sinners. Disruptive, chaotic, all turned around kids. But He’s in charge, ah, comfort.
Question: What is true in your life because God is like this? It reminds us that there is not a place in this world where God isn’t present. We are told to run to the mountains in the end times, and David is saying here, why? Did God move to the mountains? And he reminds us that God has never moved. He stays where he has always been, which is, everywhere.
Genesis 27-29
There is a lot of craziness that goes on this passage. I almost wanted to skip it because I know the stories so well, but instead decided to focus on finding a part of the story I might have missed before.
I had forgotten about how when Jacob reached his Uncles place, and found some shepherds waiting to water their sheep, he asked them why they hadn’t watered the sheep yet, and they said the stone covering the well was much too heavy, they had to wait for more shepherds to come and help. But then Rachel started coming towards them, and I guess because he wanted to impress, and God gave him the ability to, Jacob moved the stone all by himself! Too much testosterone if you ask me..haha.
“So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel. But it only seemed like a few days, he loved her so much.”
Question: Find yourself in one of the characters. What do you hear God saying to you through him or her? I think most about Rachel, and how special she must have felt knowing that this guy was going to work 7 years in order to marry her. God must have been whispering encouragement for her when the time seemed to go by so slow. Then again, the Bible doesn’t say if she loved him back, but during those days, I don’t think love was always a necessary prerequisite to marriage.
Psalm 11
“But God hasn’t moved to the mountains, his holy address hasn’t changed. He’s in charge, as always, his eyes taking everything in, his eyelids unblinking, examining Adam’s unruly brood.”
Unruly brood = disorderly children. And isn’t that what we are? The disorderly children of Adam. Sinners. Disruptive, chaotic, all turned around kids. But He’s in charge, ah, comfort.
Question: What is true in your life because God is like this? It reminds us that there is not a place in this world where God isn’t present. We are told to run to the mountains in the end times, and David is saying here, why? Did God move to the mountains? And he reminds us that God has never moved. He stays where he has always been, which is, everywhere.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Day 11
Day 11
Genesis 24-26
“After the servant told Isaac the whole story of the trip, Isaac took Rebekah into the tent of his mother Sarah. He married Rebekah and she became his wife and he loved her. So Isaac found comfort after his mother’s death.”
It is really cool of God to have brought Isaac someone to be with him as he was grieving. I can’t imagine losing my mother, much less losing her and not having someone to go through it with. It was a definite display of God’s love.
Are your prayers different or similar to the ones in this passage? : Similar. I also pray that I will find a husband, well, the husband that God wants me to marry. I pray about my family. I pray about where I should live, and what I should do with my life. Times may have changed since the Bible was written, but the things we need help with in life havent.
Psalm 10
“The hapless fool is kicked to the ground, the unlucky victim is brutally axed. He thinks God has dumped him, he’s sure that God is indifferent to his plight. Time to get up, God - get moving. The luckless think they’re Godforsaken. ....I dare to believe that the luckless will get lucky someday in you. You won’t let them down: orphans won’t be orphans forever.”
Where do you see your life in this Psalm? : Sometimes I get frustrated with God, when bad things are happening to people, when I know those who are struggling with the love, with the existence of God. And I think God, please show them a sign, show them something, help them! And God can show as many signs as he wants, but there is still free will, and the choice to accept God and his love is one we make. He is here with us, he has always been here, whether or not we choose to see him in the mess of the world is a decision we make. I choose God, any day, everyday, all day.
Genesis 24-26
“After the servant told Isaac the whole story of the trip, Isaac took Rebekah into the tent of his mother Sarah. He married Rebekah and she became his wife and he loved her. So Isaac found comfort after his mother’s death.”
It is really cool of God to have brought Isaac someone to be with him as he was grieving. I can’t imagine losing my mother, much less losing her and not having someone to go through it with. It was a definite display of God’s love.
Are your prayers different or similar to the ones in this passage? : Similar. I also pray that I will find a husband, well, the husband that God wants me to marry. I pray about my family. I pray about where I should live, and what I should do with my life. Times may have changed since the Bible was written, but the things we need help with in life havent.
Psalm 10
“The hapless fool is kicked to the ground, the unlucky victim is brutally axed. He thinks God has dumped him, he’s sure that God is indifferent to his plight. Time to get up, God - get moving. The luckless think they’re Godforsaken. ....I dare to believe that the luckless will get lucky someday in you. You won’t let them down: orphans won’t be orphans forever.”
Where do you see your life in this Psalm? : Sometimes I get frustrated with God, when bad things are happening to people, when I know those who are struggling with the love, with the existence of God. And I think God, please show them a sign, show them something, help them! And God can show as many signs as he wants, but there is still free will, and the choice to accept God and his love is one we make. He is here with us, he has always been here, whether or not we choose to see him in the mess of the world is a decision we make. I choose God, any day, everyday, all day.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Day 10
Tenth Day
Genesis 21-23
"They arrived at the place to which God had directed him. Abraham built an altar. he laid out the wood. Then he tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood. Abraham reached out and took the knife to kill his son."
Question: What character do you associate with the least in this passage? : Isaac. How must it have felt to have your father be ready to sacrifice you! The Bible doesn't say how Isaac was feeling, or what he was thinking, whether or not he was crying or screaming or just laying there or what. But I mean, it must have been traumatizing . These days we would probably prescribe hundreds of hours of therapy for that, some pills too haha.
Psalm 9
"God's a safe house for the battered,
a sanctuary during bad times.
The moment you arrive, you relax;
you're never sorry you knocked."
To relax in God is rare. It is so hard for us to set aside a time for relaxation. To actually fully and completely hand it all over. But in those rare and desperate moments, we gain so much. We live so much. We feel so much. We are reminded that we are not alone, we were never meant to be alone. And the joy of relaxing, the joy of knowing you are taken care of, is moving.
Genesis 21-23
"They arrived at the place to which God had directed him. Abraham built an altar. he laid out the wood. Then he tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood. Abraham reached out and took the knife to kill his son."
Question: What character do you associate with the least in this passage? : Isaac. How must it have felt to have your father be ready to sacrifice you! The Bible doesn't say how Isaac was feeling, or what he was thinking, whether or not he was crying or screaming or just laying there or what. But I mean, it must have been traumatizing . These days we would probably prescribe hundreds of hours of therapy for that, some pills too haha.
Psalm 9
"God's a safe house for the battered,
a sanctuary during bad times.
The moment you arrive, you relax;
you're never sorry you knocked."
To relax in God is rare. It is so hard for us to set aside a time for relaxation. To actually fully and completely hand it all over. But in those rare and desperate moments, we gain so much. We live so much. We feel so much. We are reminded that we are not alone, we were never meant to be alone. And the joy of relaxing, the joy of knowing you are taken care of, is moving.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
DAY 9
Day Nine
Genesis 18-20
"Abraham and Sarah were old by this time, very old. Sarah was far past the age for having babies. Sarah laughed within herself, "An old woman like me? Get pregnant? With this old man of a husband? God said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh saying, 'Me, have a baby? An old woman like me?' Is anything to hard for God? I'll bbe back about this time next year and Sarah will have a baby. " Sarah lied. She said, 'I didn't laugh," because she was afraid. But he said. 'Yes you did; you laughed."
When was I last Sarah? When have I laughed at God, told him no way, that's not possible? How much must that hurt God for us to laugh at Him. For us to lose faith, lose hope, lose trust. God's power is our power. Whatever we ask for in prayer, according to His will, He will do. Sarah is a perfect example of how our prayers are not always answered, but she is also a reminder to us to not give up faith simply because we feel God has not answered in time.
Question: What strikes you as the theme in these chapters? God displays not only his power, but also his mercy. He answers prayers. He follows through with what he says will be done, but he listens to His people.
Psalm 8
"I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
your hand-made sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why did you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way?"
I adore this passage. It is so beautifully written. So touching. So revealing. So true.
Question: In what ways do we participate in God's world? God gave us the part of care taker. He gave us charge of the animals, and of the land. And sometimes we do the right thing, we take care of the animals, we take care of the land. Sometimes we are cruel to His animals, his creations, and sometimes we are cruel to the planet, we trash it.
Genesis 18-20
"Abraham and Sarah were old by this time, very old. Sarah was far past the age for having babies. Sarah laughed within herself, "An old woman like me? Get pregnant? With this old man of a husband? God said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh saying, 'Me, have a baby? An old woman like me?' Is anything to hard for God? I'll bbe back about this time next year and Sarah will have a baby. " Sarah lied. She said, 'I didn't laugh," because she was afraid. But he said. 'Yes you did; you laughed."
When was I last Sarah? When have I laughed at God, told him no way, that's not possible? How much must that hurt God for us to laugh at Him. For us to lose faith, lose hope, lose trust. God's power is our power. Whatever we ask for in prayer, according to His will, He will do. Sarah is a perfect example of how our prayers are not always answered, but she is also a reminder to us to not give up faith simply because we feel God has not answered in time.
Question: What strikes you as the theme in these chapters? God displays not only his power, but also his mercy. He answers prayers. He follows through with what he says will be done, but he listens to His people.
Psalm 8
"I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
your hand-made sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why did you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way?"
I adore this passage. It is so beautifully written. So touching. So revealing. So true.
Question: In what ways do we participate in God's world? God gave us the part of care taker. He gave us charge of the animals, and of the land. And sometimes we do the right thing, we take care of the animals, we take care of the land. Sometimes we are cruel to His animals, his creations, and sometimes we are cruel to the planet, we trash it.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Day 8
Well turns out I have been lame at doing this everyday...But I am going to keep trying. I have skipped day 7 because it was a day of reflection and prayer. So...on to day 8!
Genesis 15-17
"Sarai said to Abram, "God has not seen fit to let me have a child. Sleep with my maid. Maybe I can get a family from her." Abram agreed to do what Sarai said"
later...
"And Sarai your wife: Don't call her Sarai any longer; call her Sarah. I'll bless her - yes! I'll give you a son by her! Oh, how I'll bless her! Nations will come from her; kings of nations will come from her."
This is crazy to me. Here Sarah, despite Gods promises to Abraham to bless him, doubts God. Doubts that she will ever be able to have children, and does something drastic. She has her maid sleep with the man she loves. Like WHAT!? I wouldn't want a girl to be calling the man I love, much less sharing in our most intimate moment. But she's desperate I guess. So her maid sleeps with Abraham and sure enough the maid gets pregnant. But rather than condemning Sarah and her maid, God not only promises the maid a large family and comforts her, but he also promises to bless Sarah! He doesn't yell at her, doesn't scold her, doesn't punish her, he blesses her!
Question: What is your response to the way God works in this passage? Basically...He is showing us what he is all about. In this passage there are promises, there are blessings, and there is comfort. Mixed in with that there is also, betrayal, sinning, and anger. But God works through it all.
Psalm 7
"I'm feeling so fit, so safe: made right, kept right..."
I love how in the message version, Psalms sometimes sounds like rapping. It really makes it flow and makes it hit you. This Psalm has such raw honesty. David tells God at one point "If my hands are really that dirty, let them get me, walk all over me, leave me flat on my face in the dirt." David knows what he deserves if he has really acted so badly, but he also knows what he deserves if he hasn't when he says "I'm ready, confident in your verdict: Innocent". David closes my thanking and praising God. How often do we close the terrors and blessings of the day by praising and thanking God?
Genesis 15-17
"Sarai said to Abram, "God has not seen fit to let me have a child. Sleep with my maid. Maybe I can get a family from her." Abram agreed to do what Sarai said"
later...
"And Sarai your wife: Don't call her Sarai any longer; call her Sarah. I'll bless her - yes! I'll give you a son by her! Oh, how I'll bless her! Nations will come from her; kings of nations will come from her."
This is crazy to me. Here Sarah, despite Gods promises to Abraham to bless him, doubts God. Doubts that she will ever be able to have children, and does something drastic. She has her maid sleep with the man she loves. Like WHAT!? I wouldn't want a girl to be calling the man I love, much less sharing in our most intimate moment. But she's desperate I guess. So her maid sleeps with Abraham and sure enough the maid gets pregnant. But rather than condemning Sarah and her maid, God not only promises the maid a large family and comforts her, but he also promises to bless Sarah! He doesn't yell at her, doesn't scold her, doesn't punish her, he blesses her!
Question: What is your response to the way God works in this passage? Basically...He is showing us what he is all about. In this passage there are promises, there are blessings, and there is comfort. Mixed in with that there is also, betrayal, sinning, and anger. But God works through it all.
Psalm 7
"I'm feeling so fit, so safe: made right, kept right..."
I love how in the message version, Psalms sometimes sounds like rapping. It really makes it flow and makes it hit you. This Psalm has such raw honesty. David tells God at one point "If my hands are really that dirty, let them get me, walk all over me, leave me flat on my face in the dirt." David knows what he deserves if he has really acted so badly, but he also knows what he deserves if he hasn't when he says "I'm ready, confident in your verdict: Innocent". David closes my thanking and praising God. How often do we close the terrors and blessings of the day by praising and thanking God?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Day Six
Day 6
Genesis 12-14
“Leave your country, your family, and your father’s home for a land that I will show you”
This passage was relatable for me, because this is what I have done. This year I have left my country, my family, and my home, for a land God has shown me. I know how blessed God made Abraham and it’s encouraging because sometimes I lose focus of the blessing I am getting by being here.
Question: Give a voice to Sarai in this story. What might she be feeling, doing, and saying?
She must have loved Abraham to do all this moving around. I am sure she was feeling like she had to do whatever God told Abraham to do. If she had a strong faith, then it wouldn’t have been too hard for her, however, if she was struggling with God, I am sure it would have been frustrating always having to up and move your whole family.
Psalm 6
“Break in, God and break up this fight;
if you love me at all, get me out of here.
I’m no good to you dead, am I?
I can’t sing in your choir if I’m buried in some tomb!”
I’ve said words like these to God. I’ve lashed out and cried out. I’ve felt like he’s forgotten about me. Felt like he’s leaving me to die on my own. Sometimes we feel like we should have such a high respect for God that we hide our "bad" feelings from Him, in my opinion, that is disrespect. To assume that he’s “too good” or “too mighty” to hear how we really feel. If you’re mad at God tell Him! He already knows anyway.
I love Psalm 6. It’s not very long but goes from feeling completely deserted to completely protected. It’s a story. The story of David’s life, the story of our lives.
Genesis 12-14
“Leave your country, your family, and your father’s home for a land that I will show you”
This passage was relatable for me, because this is what I have done. This year I have left my country, my family, and my home, for a land God has shown me. I know how blessed God made Abraham and it’s encouraging because sometimes I lose focus of the blessing I am getting by being here.
Question: Give a voice to Sarai in this story. What might she be feeling, doing, and saying?
She must have loved Abraham to do all this moving around. I am sure she was feeling like she had to do whatever God told Abraham to do. If she had a strong faith, then it wouldn’t have been too hard for her, however, if she was struggling with God, I am sure it would have been frustrating always having to up and move your whole family.
Psalm 6
“Break in, God and break up this fight;
if you love me at all, get me out of here.
I’m no good to you dead, am I?
I can’t sing in your choir if I’m buried in some tomb!”
I’ve said words like these to God. I’ve lashed out and cried out. I’ve felt like he’s forgotten about me. Felt like he’s leaving me to die on my own. Sometimes we feel like we should have such a high respect for God that we hide our "bad" feelings from Him, in my opinion, that is disrespect. To assume that he’s “too good” or “too mighty” to hear how we really feel. If you’re mad at God tell Him! He already knows anyway.
I love Psalm 6. It’s not very long but goes from feeling completely deserted to completely protected. It’s a story. The story of David’s life, the story of our lives.
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