His Wondrous Works Still Speak Truth Today: Psalm 104

A while back I wrote a post describing how God eliminated a wrong way of thinking I had. It had to do with this big ball we call the Earth. My misconception was born from incorrect teaching and my failing to research and ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance in the Word. Thank goodness for time and the people that God places in your life because He finally showed me through correct teaching and my own seeking what the truth really was. Talk about freeing and invigorating and walking on cloud nine. Chucking the old and replacing with the new was such a great experience I love to go back and reminisce quite often about this particular lesson with the Lord.

NASA Photo

I notice that once the Lord lays your foundation of faith through letting Him teach you, He likes to build upon it. He did this for me today when I was reading more about His wondrous handiwork in Psalms 104. What a beautiful, poetic passage! The title of the chapter in my Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible is God is the Creator.  The first line starts with "Praise the Lord, O my soul," and mine was soaring as I continued reading the description of our Maker's personal involvement in His creation.

At verse 30  I had to stop and smile because this verse talks about sustainability. A word our culture and the modern, industrial age has embraced. The word is everywhere; ads, marketing, teaching material, documentaries. I see time and again a negative ploy against humans because we are 'destroying the Earth' our carbon footprint is the cause supposedly. I don't spend too much time on the issue because it is an absurd one. Don't get me wrong, I am for stewardship and conservation; humans need to be responsible, no argument there. BUT....let's get down to the nitty gritty of the matter. The earth is eternal and it will stay that way by the grace and plan of God.

Psalm 104:30 states God, the magnificent Creator of the Earth; the great ball we live on and use, is also its Sustainer. "...and You (God) RENEW the face of the earth."

And may the Lord get the glory (verse 31) for it.

The Hebrew word "earth" translated from verse 30 is 'Adamah' and means "ground" "land" and "country". It refers to the soil, agriculture, fruit, produce , region and even the ENTIRE EARTH. ( page 1575 - Lexical Aids to the Old Testament)

The Merriam Webster Definition of the word: Sustain: 1 to provide with nourishment 2 to keep going: prolong 3 to hold up:prop 4 to hold up under: ENDURE 5 to support as true, legal, or valid: prove corroborate.

A Godly perspective of sustainability sure does take a weight off the human race! Knowing God will nourish and prolong the earth through eternity and the fact His previous, present and future actions proved valid and true in His word should make us REJOICE!

Since the last verse in Psalms 104 rightly states my sentiments I'll quote it now, "Praise The Lord."

The Wondrous Works Of God

Photo by Alex Brown

My daughter Alex and I have our best chats just before bedtime. Pillow talk has become a pastime we both look forward to. Often we end up talking about God and that always leads into a late night and more subject matter to build on for our future pillow talks.

One night Alex said, "Mom, why don't we make a list of all the awesome things God has done in the Bible," after we just got done listing a few things He had done for us personally. We started with a few from the top of our head and realized we would need to get a pencil and a lot of paper as we proceeded to list things from the Bible.

We started this exercise as something fun to do and it has started to branch into something more. We started in the very beginning, Genesis. I began to think, "since God has done all this why do I fret, and get anxious especially when he has proven over and over again through His Word and through His active participation in my life that He IS ALL that He says He is and DOES ALL that He says He's going to do.  The phrase, "O, ye of little faith" from Matthew 8:26 just hung in the back of my head as a mirror of my frailty for not always fully trusting Him when evidence is so easily documented. (I won't get into all the ways in which this is born out, that is another post)

No one likes being reminded of the things lacking or in need of refining in their life, yet the task in writing out the amazing, awesome things God has performed for our well-being, benefit and strengthening of our faith makes me reflect on His utter goodness, His plan, His glory and through this I am strengthened with a new perspective.

Take a look at this list packed full of amazing wonders God personally performed for you and me. We barely made it out of the first chapter of Genesis. ( Alex said we will probably take a year to get our list done..she's probably right!)

CREATION:
1.   Universe (Heavens and the Earth)     Genesis 1:1
2.   Angels                                                 Job 38:1-7
3.   Light                                                   Genesis 1:3
4.   Day and Night (Time)                        Genesis 1:4,5
5.   Water                                                  Genesis 1:6
6.   Atmosphere (Firmament)                   Genesis 1:8
7.   Land                                                    Genesis 1:9,10
8.   Sea                                                      Genesis 1:10
9.   Plants                                                  Genesis 1:11
10. Moon (lesser)                                      Genesis 1:14,16
11. Sun (greater)                                       Genesis 1:1,4 16
12. Stars                                                    Genesis 1:16
13. Sea Life                                               Genesis 1:20,21
14. Birds                                                    Genesis 1: 20, 21
15. Animals                                               Genesis 1:24
16. Man (In His image)                             Genesis 1:26, 27
17. Food (vegetarian)                                Genesis 1:29,30
18. Rest                                                     Genesis 2:2

If you ever have a chance to watch the documentary God of Wonders your spirit will rejoice in the creation of our Intelligent Designer.
Another must watch documentary series for educational viewing is, Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution with Dr. Jobe Martin.

Netflix had both of these on the instant watch recently.

What wondrous things has God done in your life?

When The Going Get's Tough...

The tough go to their daughter's school and have lunch with her....
The winter break is over and the kids go back to school. Sometimes we are ready and sometimes we wish we could all have just one more day to push the grind away. My husband and I dropped my daughter off at school and she said, "do you have to work today?" before rolling her backpack inside. I shook my head yes, and she replied, "darn, I wanted you to have lunch with me."

I received some not so good news the minute I got home from dropping her off from school but life must go on so I headed to my one job that is out in the boonies only to have the door locked and I wasn't able to enter. So I ran errands and came home early. What a fretful first day back from break. With the morning that just wouldn't work out in my schedule and my thoughts attacking my nerves, a little sanity was just what I needed so I decided to take my daughter up on her offer and go to lunch.

Seeing my daughter, friendly and tall, walking with her lunch sack to find her seat brought a smile out of the brooding mess I was in. She didn't see me sitting on the stairs waiting for her so I snuck up behind her and tapped her shoulder and she beamed a huge smile and in a super excited tone said, "Mom, you came to lunch," then she grabbed me and hugged me in front of at least eight packed tables full of kids.

The cafeteria was louder then women at a hen party, the constant murmuring drowned out the onslaught of hounding questions that just don't have answers. Who knew a cafeteria full of yammering kids would be relaxing? 

The state of limbo is the docket for the day, I feel myself squirming and writhing and wanting to run around with my head cut-off like a chicken but what good would any of that do? I wrote a post in the beginning of my blog escapade called Doing Nothing.  If I get any wiser as I age, I think I better listen and just rest for now. How does one do that without a pill or a distraction especially when human nature tells you to figure it out, manipulate til the cows come home, bang out a miracle or else you'll be labeled a failure? Gratify, gratify, gratify on my terms!

I've got my answer.. BE STILL, GO TO GOD!  PSALMS 46:1-10

I find it interesting (as I always do) that to be still in Hebrew is raphah. It has many meanings but the one that hit me was; to desist. This is what I thought after seeing that meaning: Let God do His work and don't try to meddle so that you can see His handiwork and He can take the Glory.

Jason Jackson made a good point in his article, Be Still and Know that I am God in this quote, "Here is the irony in this term “be still.” While we must take the initiative to fulfill our responsibilities and live our lives, the uncertainties of living in a world of sin and woe will continually challenge us. Personal initiative is no substitute for reliance upon God (cf. James 4:13-17)."

Of course I read James 4:13-17 and immediately knew I better sit on it and submit to God.

(One thing I can say with absolute confidence: I am blessed...remember my New Year's Salutation...God is active in my life and for that I can PRAISE HIM!)

When shaky news finds its way to your door; what do you do?

Have A Blessed Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

I have done a lot of reading about Christmas and its history this year. It has been quite a trip down timeline lane. The details are fascinating regarding how we got to our mixed, modern celebration; some things represent Christ and others are taken from pagan rituals, it is an interesting mix of world wide traditions. During my reading I came across an article that discussed how the word "Merry" has changed over the centuries in meaning. The author of the article, Sharon, writes "the word merry does not refer an excess of seasonal good cheer, nor yet to drunkenness. Those meanings date from the 14th century onwards. However, the original meaning of merry was pleasing or agreeable." Since I like words and how they are used (and I've been liberal with a few myself) I thought this was something to take notice of.

I sat down to begin reading the true account of why we celebrate Christmas. I started in Luke chapter 1 and got to verse 48 and stopped on the word 'blessed'. It was underlined meaning there was some more to learn about that word, so I read the text note and was pleasantly surprised that the meaning of this word had a profound effect on what Mary meant when she said, "from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed." It was not as I always assumed that word to mean, when I think of the word 'blessed' I think of happiness, material blessing, favor (even the dictionary says that) but the way Mary used the word showed she wasn't talking about how we would look back on her with a view of luckiness or happiness but that she was obedient and submissive to the will of God in her life and she endured in peaceful satisfaction . Her FAITH was what she was talking about. She knew she was going to go down in Biblical history just like Abraham, Isaac, David, the Prophets because she was willing to do whatever God had planned for her life. The neat thing is we can be called 'blessed' too if we choose to do the same.

Since the description of the word  'blessed' in the Hebrew Greek Study Bible is too good to not share I am copying the entire lesson for reference. Note the highlighted red parts are important.

"This verse contains one of the most misunderstood words of the N.T. It is the word makarios, used repeatedly in the Beatitudes. The verb of the adjectival noun makarios, "blessed," is used here. The translation says, "all generations shall call me blessed, " but the Greek says makariousi, the Attic future of makarizo, which in reality means "they shall bless me." But since the meaning of makarios is to be indwelt by God and thereby to be fully satisfied, the Virgin Mary was declaring that because she was indwelt by God, this fact was going to be recognized and declared by generations to come. In connection with the meaning of the word makarios, note that in verse 45 it states, "And blessed is she that believed." Makaria (feminine) is what Elizabeth called her cousin Mary when she saw her and realized she was indwelt by God. If you go, however, to vs. 42, you will find that the word translated "blessed" there is not makaria, but is a totally different word, eulogemene, which in its literal meaning is "eulogized, well spoken of." The verb eulogeo is the more commonly used verb in the N.T. of the two verbs: makarizo, "to be declared as indwelt by God and therefore fully satisfied," and eulogeo, "to speak well of" When we bless (eulogeo) God we are speaking well of Him which is equal to praising or thanking Him. When, however, we ask God to bless us or speak well of us, we are asking Him not merely to approve our plans but to interfere in our lives. God's words are God's actions. Therefore, there is a very definite distinction between these two words. The verb makarizo occurs only in Luke 1:48 and Js. 5:11 in which it is totally mistranslated as "we count them happy which endure." Happiness has absolutely nothing to do with makariotes, 'blessedness," an inner quality granted by God. The word "happiness" in its equivalent on Greek and as used in the Classics, eudaimon and eutuches, "lucky" never occurs in the N.T. The Lord never promised happiness, good luck, or favorable circumstances to the believer but makariotes, "blessedness". This means His indwelling and the consequent peace and satisfaction to the believer no matter what the circumstances may be. Js. 5:11 should be translated, "Behold, we recognize those who endured as blessed," that is to say, having been indwelt by God and in Him finding their full satisfaction in spite of their suffering."

With that I leave you with a 'new' salutation: Have a pleasant Christmas and may many opportunities present themselves through circumstances to humble and submit yourself to God so he may be active in transforming you in the New Year!

Politically Correct Propaganda In Teaching Material

The school system provides yet another rant for post fodder.

I gave permission for my daughter to be tutored under a school program to improve her handwriting skills. I wrote a nice long e-mail regarding what I felt would be beneficial for her improvement to the teacher as well as tutor. I asked my daughter if she had begun any of this supplemental work. She came home the other day with a reading comprehension worksheet instead. She said, "Mom, I know this is not right," as she handed it to me to review. Boy, was she on target!

As I read How The Camel Got His Hump, the goose prickles made their way up my neck. I'm getting used to their frequent appearance this semester. This story was written by famous poet, novelist and Nobel Prize winner, Rudyard Kipling. We all know him better for The Jungle Book. Rudyard was born in India but raised in Britain, the majority of his writings have strong Hindu influences. This is found in the fact he made the swastika, a Hindu good luck charm, his favorite printed logo near Ganesha the goddess of wisdom on his books. (When the Nazi's came on scene he was smart enough to have the swastika removed from further printings as he did not want to be associated with this group). Although Hinduism and the Culture of India was a main theme for Rudyard, How the Camel Got His Hump is influenced by Muslim legend. It talks about a spiritual figure called a Djinn that affects the lives of men and women. ( this information is taken directly from the worksheet)

 Photo by: AIDOUDA

HOLD THE PHONE!

This story may be about a camel that needs to learn to be a productive member in the animal kingdom but it should bother you, like it did me, the lesson is learned by a DEMON.

Why would a school's curriculum support such a lesson? Yes, the third grade is learning about myth and legend but this piece sure is a humdinger for introducing spiritual issues to a very malleable young mind. Yes, fact and fiction need to be addressed and the differences pointed out but this lesson is a slippery slope. Call me rigid, call me intolerant, call me over-sensitive but I won't apologize for protecting my values, my daughter and the TRUTH. Anytime a lesson supports a demon as the hero I'm going to ring the bell, sound the siren, tell you this is a piece of trash and it is WRONG! Here we go again, Chandra is going to tell you your school is trying to undermine the concept of Right and Wrong. You better count on it.

If you don't believe me that the "Djinn of All Deserts" is a demon, read one place where demons dwell. Matthew 12:43 and Luke 11:24.

The only good that came from this lesson was the opportunity to reinforce TRUTH to my daughter. The world is full of deception, whenever a spiritual guide is mentioned it is a demon. God is our only true, pure source for spiritual guidance. I was thanking the Lord as I read Job 5: 12-13. "He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away."

Worksheet Version of How The Camel Got His Hump

(Oh ya, one more thing...there seems to be a veiled socialist message in this story) can you point it out?

Socialism 101

On a blackboard at my daughter's school

The Great Museum Experience-The Blanton (2)

I chose a piece by Matias Duville he was born in Buenos Aries, Argentina in 1974. He likes to depict landscapes and nature in his art. The art he displayed at the Blanton is called, Guardian spirit. It was a forest scene, with a bunch of trees but they had no leaves. There was a lake, a car, a few cabins and there wasn’t much grass. I think a natural disaster happened in the painting. The effect of a mighty wind could be seen in the way the items were painted on the wood. The painting looked like the aftermath of a storm. It made me feel calm like a light breeze against my face. It made me want to jump in the painting and live in one of the cabins.