Genesis 25-26
Abraham married again and had other sons, but when he died, it was Isaac and Ishmael who buried him. He had sent his other children away and yet, the son he had first banished was there on the day of his death. Ishmael lived away from everyone else "in defiance of all his relatives" (Genesis 25:18) and God blessed him. He had twelve sons -- each a prince of his own tribe. Though Ishmael was not the son God had promised to bless Abraham with, he still kept that promise and made Ishmael a great nation. Yes, the nations of Isaac and Ishmael would come to war against each other, but in their time, they were each blessed by the God of their father.
Friday, September 23, 2011
365 Day Challenge Day 7
Genesis 22-24
Man if only finding your future spouse was as easy today as it was back then: go ask a girl for water at the well and if she says yes, that's the one for you. However simple that seems, and however willing Rebekah was, I'm sure it must have been hard to leave her family and go with a man she'd never met to marry his master -- another man she'd never met. And yet, her family wanted to keep her a bit longer and she was the one who decided to go right away. I think of young she must have been and how serene she was. It was apparent that the whole situation was from God, so she had faith and went. Would that I trusted so completely.
Man if only finding your future spouse was as easy today as it was back then: go ask a girl for water at the well and if she says yes, that's the one for you. However simple that seems, and however willing Rebekah was, I'm sure it must have been hard to leave her family and go with a man she'd never met to marry his master -- another man she'd never met. And yet, her family wanted to keep her a bit longer and she was the one who decided to go right away. I think of young she must have been and how serene she was. It was apparent that the whole situation was from God, so she had faith and went. Would that I trusted so completely.
365 Day Challenge Day 6
Genesis 19-21
I've never understood how Lot could offer his daughters to the men of Sodom. As a father, how could he do that? I know my dad would never do anything like that, but putting myself in those girls' place, I would feel so betrayed and unloved. I would lose respect and trust in my father and wold not feel valued by him. The fact that the angels did not rebuke Lot for offering them has also bothered me. Yes, he was trying to protect the angels, but does that mean it was ok to give his daughters instead? I wish God had addressed that.
In Chapter 21, God allows Abraham and Sarah to drive Ishmael and Hagar out of their camp. I never understood that either. Sarah brought the jealousy and discontent on herself by giving Hagar to Abraham. And how could Abraham cast his own son into the desert to either die or somehow find his own way? Yes, God looked out for him and provided for him, but still, talk about loving fathers and dysfunctional families.
I've never understood how Lot could offer his daughters to the men of Sodom. As a father, how could he do that? I know my dad would never do anything like that, but putting myself in those girls' place, I would feel so betrayed and unloved. I would lose respect and trust in my father and wold not feel valued by him. The fact that the angels did not rebuke Lot for offering them has also bothered me. Yes, he was trying to protect the angels, but does that mean it was ok to give his daughters instead? I wish God had addressed that.
In Chapter 21, God allows Abraham and Sarah to drive Ishmael and Hagar out of their camp. I never understood that either. Sarah brought the jealousy and discontent on herself by giving Hagar to Abraham. And how could Abraham cast his own son into the desert to either die or somehow find his own way? Yes, God looked out for him and provided for him, but still, talk about loving fathers and dysfunctional families.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
365 Day Challenge Day 5
Genesis 16-18
Chapter 16 -- Sarah doesn't think God will give her a child and so takes matters into her own hands so that God's promise to Abraham will come true. She gives Hagar to Abraham who conceives a son. And like most women, Sarah didn't really think through what she was doing and wasn't happy with this result. I think as women, we want so badly for our men to succeed that we often try to help God's plans along. Waiting on His timing can be very difficult and sometimes it's hard to see what harm could come from giving it a little push; but there are always consequences for our impatience.
Chapter 17 -- God's compassion is so great. Though Sarah and Abraham tried to find their own solution to their problems, God doesn't Ishmael for it. He doesn't have an easy life, but nor is he cursed for the failings of his father. God made room for Ishmael in His plans for Abraham's future generations. I wonder how hard it must have been for Ishmael, growing up in the shadow of his promised half-brother. I wonder if he felt like he was not enough to please his father. I have always felt pity for him for he could not help the circumstances of his birth. I wonder if he felt loved at all or simply passed over.
Chapter 18- The way Abraham talks to God has always amazed me; the familiarity and ease (with respect) but with very little fear. I always thought it was crazy how he bartered with God in this chapter, sighting His character and sense of justice not to destroy the righteous along with the wicked in Sodom and Gomorrah. Would that I had that courage in my prayers. I often get stuck in one-sided conversations and don't really expect to receive a real answer. I know God answers prayers, but I don't really expect or look for them as I'm going about my day. God, please make me aware of Your presence and voice in my life. I want to talk with You, not at You.
Chapter 16 -- Sarah doesn't think God will give her a child and so takes matters into her own hands so that God's promise to Abraham will come true. She gives Hagar to Abraham who conceives a son. And like most women, Sarah didn't really think through what she was doing and wasn't happy with this result. I think as women, we want so badly for our men to succeed that we often try to help God's plans along. Waiting on His timing can be very difficult and sometimes it's hard to see what harm could come from giving it a little push; but there are always consequences for our impatience.
Chapter 17 -- God's compassion is so great. Though Sarah and Abraham tried to find their own solution to their problems, God doesn't Ishmael for it. He doesn't have an easy life, but nor is he cursed for the failings of his father. God made room for Ishmael in His plans for Abraham's future generations. I wonder how hard it must have been for Ishmael, growing up in the shadow of his promised half-brother. I wonder if he felt like he was not enough to please his father. I have always felt pity for him for he could not help the circumstances of his birth. I wonder if he felt loved at all or simply passed over.
Chapter 18- The way Abraham talks to God has always amazed me; the familiarity and ease (with respect) but with very little fear. I always thought it was crazy how he bartered with God in this chapter, sighting His character and sense of justice not to destroy the righteous along with the wicked in Sodom and Gomorrah. Would that I had that courage in my prayers. I often get stuck in one-sided conversations and don't really expect to receive a real answer. I know God answers prayers, but I don't really expect or look for them as I'm going about my day. God, please make me aware of Your presence and voice in my life. I want to talk with You, not at You.
Monday, September 19, 2011
365 Day Challenge Day 4
Genesis 12-15
God is so extremely patient with Abram. He tells him over and over again that he will have a son and that the number of his descendants will be too great to count. But each time, Abram begins to doubt as time goes on and he still doesn't have a son. And yet, God doesn't grow impatient or frustrated with him, instead God just reassures him again. Abram asks God how he should know that these things will happen and instead of righteous anger that the Word of the Lord is truth, God simply makes a covenant with Abram so he will know what God has said will come true. God's patience with our unbelief is so incredible. Genesis 15:6 says that Abram believed in the Lord, and yet only 2 verses later, he's asking for more tangible proof. What I am seeing over and over is that God keeps His promises and willingly makes them to us. He isn't grudgingly bound to what He says, but rather goes out of His way to assure us He will keep His promises. He gives us signs and reminders we can look to when our faith weakens. God truly is a loving, understanding God.
God is so extremely patient with Abram. He tells him over and over again that he will have a son and that the number of his descendants will be too great to count. But each time, Abram begins to doubt as time goes on and he still doesn't have a son. And yet, God doesn't grow impatient or frustrated with him, instead God just reassures him again. Abram asks God how he should know that these things will happen and instead of righteous anger that the Word of the Lord is truth, God simply makes a covenant with Abram so he will know what God has said will come true. God's patience with our unbelief is so incredible. Genesis 15:6 says that Abram believed in the Lord, and yet only 2 verses later, he's asking for more tangible proof. What I am seeing over and over is that God keeps His promises and willingly makes them to us. He isn't grudgingly bound to what He says, but rather goes out of His way to assure us He will keep His promises. He gives us signs and reminders we can look to when our faith weakens. God truly is a loving, understanding God.
365 Day Challenge Day 3
Genesis 8-11
It's interesting to think that before the flood, the rainbow didn't exist. It wasn't something God created during those first six days and called 'good'. It's something extra special: a reminder to both God and man of God's covenant promise to all living things of the earth. There is nothing else like the rainbow; no phenomenon in creation quite like it. It is unique and special. God calls it "His bow" and is a sign of His love and care for us. Every time we see a rainbow, we should think of God's compassion and mercy. Through it, He shows His continued favor for us and reminds us that He is faithful. As I said on Day 2, God keeps His promises and we should have faith in the truth of His words.
Reading this passage reminded me of something I had written in my journal during my trip to Northern Ireland this past summer. Here is the entry:
It's interesting to think that before the flood, the rainbow didn't exist. It wasn't something God created during those first six days and called 'good'. It's something extra special: a reminder to both God and man of God's covenant promise to all living things of the earth. There is nothing else like the rainbow; no phenomenon in creation quite like it. It is unique and special. God calls it "His bow" and is a sign of His love and care for us. Every time we see a rainbow, we should think of God's compassion and mercy. Through it, He shows His continued favor for us and reminds us that He is faithful. As I said on Day 2, God keeps His promises and we should have faith in the truth of His words.
Reading this passage reminded me of something I had written in my journal during my trip to Northern Ireland this past summer. Here is the entry:
"I went walking on the beach tonight. I felt totally broken and alone. My heart is in pieces, I've lost good friends I thought I knew and I feel like I'm not where I'm supposed to be. I walked alone simply praying and talking to the only Friend I always have. As I was walking back along the beach towards the church, the sun came out while a fine mist still fell. I pushed my hood back and walked with my eyes closed and face lifted up towards the light. The warmth eased across my face and soothed the pain inside. For some reason, I stopped, opened my eyes and looked behind me. The sight that greeted my eyes brought joy to my heart and laughter to my lips. There before me was the brightest, clearest double rainbow I have ever seen. One end stretched out to the middle of the ocean while the other came to rest on the beach near me. As I stared out at the gulls dancing and diving under His Bow, I was filled with a sense of deep gratitude. In the middle of my distress, God sent me a reminder of His constant faithfulness and continually kept promises. A voice, strong and wonderful, sounded within my mind: "I will Never Leave you nor Forsake you. I am with you Always." I have heard this voice but a few times in my life and each instance remains in my memory with perfect clarity for I know this voice is not my own. Tears fell down my face as I was wrapped in the love of my Father. I knew at that moment that I was not alone, that I was never alone. No matter how great the pain and loneliness, there is One who understands. No matter how many people have and will desert me, there is One who never will. -- May 30, 2011"
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Through the Glass
I hate this feeling; this need for some kind of contact. It is a constant yearning, an ache made worse by memories and reminders of a past life. That world goes on without me; I am no longer part of it. All I can do is look on from a distance. I am stuck outside the window, looking in on what I used to know. Only now, it is so very different. The scene once bathed in a golden glow is now cast in a sickly green light. The unseen facade as been removed and what lies beneath is but the mockery of a brilliant thought. Maybe I am better off on this side of the glass. Maybe I see things clearer, suspended here in the night sky. Maybe. All the same, it is so very hard to fly away.
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