Remember Whose Child You Are

Remember Whose Child You Are

I don't know when the idea came to me but I do remember the thoughts, feelings, and circumstances that lead to it. I was in my previous marriage  at the time and my husband was heavy into drugs and alcohol often raging about something, real or made up.  I was doing my best in the circumstances I lived in to raise my children for the Lord. I knew I had made mistakes and would make more in my endeavor to try an shield my kids from the ugliness of some of the things in their world. 

At a young age I tried to get them to understand that there will be times I fail them or wouldn't always be there for them. There might even be times they were afraid and I wouldn't be able to be there to protect them. But there was a God, a Father in heaven who would always be there and who loved them more than I ever could. He went wherever they went and was aware of everything they did. I told them that before they were my children, they were the Lord's. And that's where the phrase came from, "remember who's child you are." 

As my children grew older, I knew they would not always be around me. They would gain more independence,  have friends of their own to go off with, and I wasn't going to be there to influence or correct their actions. So each time they left the house out into the world with out me, besides saying, I love you, I would tell them, "remember whose child you are." It was later followed up with a reminder, "You're a child of a King and you should act accordingly." I wanted them to always be aware of their actions and know that I'm not the only one who holds them accountable. I could only hold them accountable for what I knew about, but God sees all and they would one day answer to Him for their actions good or bad.

Therapists and doctors today will tell a person that the poor choices they make are due to the mistakes their parents made while raising them. It takes the blame off the one making poor choices, gives them an excuse, and frees them from accountability. There comes a point in everyone's life, or at least it should, when you know right from wrong. If you know right from wrong, you're  able to decide for yourself which you'll choose. 

 Like I mentioned in my first blog post, in my late teens I faced some major depression and anxiety; accompanied by alcohol and  other means of self destruction. Of course I had an excuse for it. I was living in a home that was often out of control, that, and I was a teenager. Was I aware of God in my life? Yes. Did I lean on Him in times of trouble and when I had feelings of desperation? Not as I should have. Did I drink and sleep with guys in order to drown out the pain and confusion, to find self worth and experience love and acceptance? Yes. Could I have brought all of my hurt, shame, and anger to the Lord? Would He have comforted me? Did He send people in my life to influence and guide me? Yes, yes, yes to it all!!! It's all a spiritual battle we can chose to fight or give in to, yet rarely do people see it that way. I didn't act that way and give into the depression, anxiety, and all that other stuff because of the way I was raised or the things I experienced in life. It was because I failed to recognize the spiritual battle and listened to the lies of the devil. Having this knowledge hasn't left me anxiety free and with out any bouts of depression, I am still human living in a broken world. However, when I take it to the Lord, who's very name covers and protects me, I gain freedom from it!

God is, Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is there. He is Jehovah Jireh, The One Who Provides.  Jehovah Shalom, the Lord of Peace, and He is El Elyon, The Most High God. If He is my Heavenly Father then I am the daughter of a King!  In my poor choice to turn from Him, the most high God, who is always there, provides a way out, and offers peace, I looked to the world, and what it had to offer instead. My choices damaged family relationships and further damaged my self esteem. It wasn't my upbringing, it was how I chose to deal with my upbringing.

 My teenage and early adult years, a time of life I don't talk too much about, I'm not at all proud of it, as it shows me in an ugly light. However, God always saw me as beautiful. A beautiful mess perhaps, but beautiful. The way I dealt with my life just brought me more guilt and shame. I had aunts boldly, sometimes harshly, pointing out my sin, it made me pile on even more guilt. I held on to it instead of giving it to the one who had already redeemed it.  Instead of facing it, I let it eat at me. Sometimes I would try to turn to the Lord in my own power, but I never made the full commitment to give over everything, all of my ugliness.

 It wasn't until then, when I completely gave it all to Him did I begin to find peace. When you live in fear of being found out that you're a big fake, you're not the perfect person you're trying to be...When you live in fear that nobody will love you the way you are, or that you'll never fit in, or have  fear of anything, you won't have peace. The opposite of peace is fear. When we hold on to fear we can't have peace. Through Jehovah Shalom we can live in peace, or freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Through that peace we can live as the child of The most High King, just as we're called to be.

I have had an idea for quite a while about blogging on the idea of being the daughter or a child of the King, but I wasn't sure from what perspective to take it from. It wasn't until after listening to a speaker at Saturday's Morning Tea for the ladies at church, sharing a piece of my testimony with another woman there, and dealing with some family issues that echoed the very loudly the need for everyone to keep in mind that they are a child of The Most High and we should act accordingly.

As much as I had always told my children through out their lives to remember who's child they were, I hadn't turned it around to myself. I didn't really start doing that until almost three years ago when someone handed me a book they thought I should read called, His Princess by Sheri Rose Shepherd. The point in wanting my children to remember who's child they were wasn't just because I wanted them to take responsibility for their actions but to know they were special and loved, not just by me, but a king! This book is written as a collection of letters from The King to us his Princess. Apparently it was something I needed to read.

We are children of the Most High King and we should act accordingly. What does that look like? It's funny that the speaker Saturday discussed the very idea of being a child of God. She used an illustration that pricked my heart a bit, because I couldn't relate to it. She described what it was like to be a little girl holding on to her daddy's strong hand, and while her hand was in his she felt safe and strong and that she could do anything. She related that feeling to what it is like to return and trust in the Lord. I have absolutely no idea what that is like. I never had a touch from my earthly father that felt safe. Although I longed for that very feeling, to put my hand in a big, strong, encouraging hand, that steadies my steps. Not having that left a hole in my heart that I tried to fill with so many worldly and self destructive things, everything but God. The one who had been holding out His hand all along. All I had to do is reach out and take it. When I finally did, He lifted me up, set me straight, and as long as I hold on He keeps me steady. 

18 “I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,

Says the LordAlmighty.”( 2 Corinthians 6:18)

Being a child of The King means to walk in faith. With faith, you can't have doubt. There's no doubt which way to go in life if you trust Him enough to follow Him. Isaiah 48:17 reminds us to listen He will tell us which way to go. "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,The Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go." And, "For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught." (Proverbs 3:26) Life is going to be hard, in our humanness we will make mistakes but those mistakes are what we do, not who we are. He will keep us from being caught or unable to escape. Keep moving in the direction He calls you.

Your crown may be a little beat up, tarnished, and it may be missing a few jewels, but your title of Prince or Princess of The Most High can never be taken away. Walk in the position you hold, with your mangled crown on your head, looking forward to Him, and keep going! My hope and future are in Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is there; Jehovah Jireh, The One Who Provides; Jehovah Shalom, the Lord of Peace, and in El Elyon, The Most High God, My Heavenly Father. 

Remember Whose Child You Are.

**

Jehovah Shalom- the Lord is Peace Judges 6:24

Jehovah Shammah-The Lord is there Ezekiel 48:35

Jehovah Jireh- The Lord Will Provide Genesis 22:14

Elyon- The Most High God 

Genesis 14:18

All Things are Lawful for Me, but All Things are Not Helpful

Oh the little things that make you think big! After typing this blog post, my 50th one, I kinda wonder who ever reads what I post, if it matters, and if it gets people thinking. All I can see is that people read it and where they are from, but I don't know the names or if it makes a difference or even gets anyone thinking like I hope my blogs do. Although, if it gets to just one person, I suppose it's worth it. 

As some know, I work in a primary life skills classroom for children with special needs. In the past 15 years working in public schools and at special needs summer camps, I have worked with children and young adults who have minor to major learning and physical disabilities. I've worked with those who have Autism, Down's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy,  Fragile X, Myotonic Dystrophy, Muscular Dystrophy, Williams Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and many more.

 I have such a soft spot in my heart for children with special needs. As a child I struggled with learning and was put into special education classes up through Jr. High, not much was offered in High School. So I have compassion when it comes to children struggling to learn. However, the young people I work with more often than not, have greater challenges than I ever had. While they all have their own unique physical and or mental abilities, and some may come from broken homes or difficult lifestyles, they are all so precious. 

True, there are days I'm so physically and emotionally worn out after dealing with attitudes and strong wills, temper tantrums, fits of anger, accompanied by objects thrown at me, multiple "Code Browns", AKA messy diapers, and just the constant noise...Still, I don't loose sight of the fact that they are God's first. When they learn something for the first time or take my hand and randomly say, "I love you", or when I watch them explore things for the first time and get a glimpse of the world through their eyes it makes it all worth it. Matthew 25:40 says, "And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’" Sadly it doesn't pay the bills.

Now I hear that schools used to have prayer in them. When I was in school it didn't happen much, however if you felt the need to do so, nobody condemned you for it either. I also have heard that The Pledge of Allegiance is being taken out of schools. I personally haven't seen that happen at any schools I have worked. I have however, witnessed as students move up in higher grades, the lack of respect and understanding for the pledge, the flag, and our country in general, even respect for a Creator God, has greatly decreased. Although, the school I currently work at has a 30 second moment of silence every day. I take that time to pray over our day. That quick 30 seconds is followed by the pledge. A couple of days ago, I was looking at the faces of the students as one yelled the pledge, another mumbled or babbled as that's about the only way she speaks, another one misses a few words and adds others, but they all looked in the general  direction of the flag with a right or left hand somewhere on or near their chest or belly and recite or acknowledge the flag in their own way. 

Then, it hit me like a ton of bricks! People don't realize how blessed they are to live in the USA!! In other countries children like these precious trying, ones I work with, wouldn't be allowed to live. Their lives wouldn't be as cherished by the community as my students are.  If they were able to live they would not be attending school. They might be sheltered and or hidden away, and maybe not given the medical treatment needed.  This line of thinking led me to the think about how many people take for granted, the blessings right in front of them. Too many people are not satisfied with what they have.  They wanted to be handed more, feel they deserve more, all because some sort of disability or lack of certain ability, or even minority status. Not that every one with a disability or children with a disability or even minorities in the U.S. all think like that, but there is a growing number who do. 

In fact there are becoming a greater number of people in our country, in this world who feel entitled to gain something just because they feel they deserve it, nothing more. There is such a high number of people who continue to add labels to themselves or children to gain monetary support, health care, and other benefits or special treatment. 

The priorities and ideals our country once held in high esteem are being eroded away by selfishness, laziness, feelings of entitlement, and failure to acknowledging The God our country was founded on, whether  those who rewrite history want to admit it or not. Our country as a whole, not every individual person, is so focused on their little corner of the world. They don't seem to see past the community they live in, or the needs and desires they feel are more important than others. People don't often think bigger. Bigger than their, home, town, city, state, hardly bigger than their country. There is more to this world than The USA. We're a country, part of a global community. 

Yet, we as a society don't seem too concerned or pay much attention to what goes on in the rest of the global community. We think that none of the issues of the world affect us. So we go on not paying attention to what's going on around us, cry about some made up entitlement we're not receiving.  While others in the world we ignore are literally dying to drink clean water, have enough daily food to sustain them, attend school, and even worship the very same God our country was founded on, but is now trying to kick out. 

Our country was supposed to be a beacon of light, a place of hope, an example to the world. A good example. We may still have more freedoms than many other countries and be just about the richest country in the world, but we are spoiled and self centered. 

It is true that the Declaration of Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." However, this statement isn't a license to be selfish, choose to be ignorant, or think you're more deserving than others. 

Unalienable means, unable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor. Who is the possessor mentioned in the Declaration of Independence? "Their Creator".  If you ask the average American whether  they are religious or not, most would understand "their Creator" (note spelled with a capital C) refers to God with a capital G meaning, the one true God. So it is understood, God, whom our country is founded on, gave the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.   

Liberty is the freedom from external foreign rule. There was a reason why people sought out a new land, the rulers of their time and country were oppressive and took away many of the basic necessities they felt they needed to live a full and productive life. Whether current historians want to recognize it or not, worshiping God, the way they felt He was leading them, was one of the major pushes in finding new land. 

Happiness, as most anyone understands, according to an online dictionary, means: good fortune, pleasure, contentment, or joy. Notice in the Declaration of Independence it says, "the pursuit of happiness." It doesn't say that we are guaranteed or owed good fortune, pleasure, or joy, but we are free to peruse it. When thinking about that one freedom given to us by God, it reminds me of the quote, "... For to whom much is given, from him much will be required;..." It's not just a great quote from the Spider-Man comic or movie, it is from God himself in Luke 12:48. Our country has great freedoms but what they choose to do with them, isn't necessarily wise. 1 Corinthians 6:12 says, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any..." Just because we are able to use our freedom, it's how we choose to use them and what we use them for that matters.

As a country I think we have corrupted our freedom and made poor choices. It's time to turn back to God. I think we are so far away from what our Founding Fathers intended for us. Those who consider themselves a Christian, need to take a greater stand for our country before it is lost.  I think we are extremely far from what God would like to see in us. He never required much of us as Christians. "and if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayers made in this place." (2 Chronicles 7:14-15)

Those who don't consider themselves Christians need a true example of what it means to live for the Lord and not forsake Him. We have warnings about turning from the Lord, and I think we're on the edge of great danger. 2 Chronicles 7:19:20 says, “But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a by word among all peoples." Do we want to be a proverb among all people? A proverb about a country richly blessed and as an example to the world, lost it all because we turned from the original purpose and plan for our life and country?

As Christians, we hold a high calling, I think most are failing to see. “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6) Are we conducting ourselves worthy of being called God's treasure? Once we accept God's gift of salvation through Jesus we are considered a chosen people.  He chose to give freely and we chose to accept. Proclaim what He has done and wants to do in the lives of others. "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9

While I desire Christians to make a stand and for our country to turn back to the Lord, I fear we've already gone too far and God is just going to give our nation over to itself. God did warn against such things.

"So will I choose their delusions, And bring their fears on them; Because, when I called, no one answered,

When I spoke they did not hear; But they did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight.” (Isaiah 66:4) "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matthew 24:21) 

I know I risk sounding like one of those people holding up a sign saying, "REPENT THE END IS NEAR!" It's not the first time I've been a little on that edge. Although, sometimes I feel a desperate desire to scream just that. Looking at the world as it is going now and looking to scripture, it's hard not too. 1Timothy 3:1-7 Sounds just like today: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." However there is some redemption in vs 14-15, "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

Many in our country seem to have or practice a "form of godliness, but denying its power..." They are fooled into thinking, because they are "good" and do "good" things they are Christians bound for heaven. They fail to see it's more than that. It's learning how to have and keep fellowship with the Lord, walking in His ways, not our own. It's grabbing hold of the truth in God's power that comes with salvation to everyone who believes, as spoken about Romans.  

Weak Christians can't be good witnesses to unbelievers and set the example we should be setting. Instead in our weakness we risk leading them astray or turning people away. Our lives, country, and world may seem out of control. That's when we should be careful to look to the ONE who holds our future in HIS hands and point others to the One who gives us HOPE. My hope and future rest in the one true God, Father, Creator, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. Where is yours when you see the uncertainty in our world?

Spring Forth

10 Life's been a bit of a struggle lately. It's amazing how finances can put such a strain on a person and on relationships. My husband works so hard for us both. He works at two jobs, neither are his calling or what he wants to be doing. He's an ordained minister and he works in a restaurant and is a trainer in a factory.  Be that as it may, it puts money in the bank. One job is slightly more demanding, physically, while the other requires a little more mental stamina. Both keep him on his feet the whole time.

While at one time I have worked at three jobs, mentally and physically they completely wore me out! Currently I'm just working at my one job. Being a special education teaching assistant in a primary life skills classroom is something I've done for many years, I love it! Yet, recently I feel, all of the years have taken a toll on me mentally and physically. The average turnover rate for such a position is about 5 years. I've lasted 15, not all in the same school, though. Taking a huge pay cut almost two years ago when I changed school districts, makes the job a little harder to enjoy. On top of that, if there is a snow day, two hour delay, or some sort of break, I don't get paid. With student loans, car payments and other unforeseen debt we have acquired, along with daily living expenses my job isn't helping much.  Which puts further mental strain on my husband and I both.

 I've come to the realization that to keep with the current theme of my life, it's time for a new change. A career change. Who knew getting your foot in the door to some place new in a new town would be so difficult? Adding more stress and strain to a relationship. Now, we know neither God nor Satan caused this situation we find ourselves in to happen. It's just part of life in this broken world we live in. That doesn't mean that Satan won't get in there and start whispering lies. Trying to get me to believe that " I'm not good enough or worthy enough to find a better job." Or telling my husband that "I'm lazy and I'll never get a job and he'll have to be doing all the work to provide for us. All the bills and all the pressures will always be on him." It is Satan's goal to destroy families to destroy relationships. If he can get you to believe lies that your spouse is not going to contribute, work together in supporting each other, and care about you, It can really drive a wedged between two people. When this happens, people will either lash out at each other or withdraw for fear of hurting the other. Neither action is good for a relationship. It's important not to let Satan have that foothold. 

My marriage may not be perfect, but in my eyes I think it's pretty darn close. Here's a glimpse into my day today and how my Amazing Man shows his love and how he cares for me: My morning had already started off pretty bad. I had nothing to wear all my clothes (not that I have a lot, compared to most) are either dirty or I've gained too much weight to wear them. I was too tired at three in the morning to take my dog out when she was whining about it. Like a horrible mom to my little Roxy I made her wait until after I took a shower. I forgot about her wanting out at 3 until she was whining at the bathroom door. The poor dog, she didn't make it, and peed right outside the bathroom door. After dragging out the carpet cleaner, wearing my uncomfortable clothes and cleaning up the dog mess, I proceed to the kitchen where there's NO COFFEE, nothing to make breakfast, and nothing to make for lunch. We hadn't gone to the store in a while. This day just isn't looking great at all! 

I go to my room where my husband is still laying. I lay beside him and began to complain about my rough morning. He quietly listens while I lay beside him ranting, and then he gently remind sme it's time to get moving, we have to go to work. We get into the car and make our way towards my work he makes a little detour and I'm sitting there in all my grouchiness, wondering what he's doing. I'm going to be late. My Amazing man pulls into The closest Circle K, goes right in and buys me some coffee, breakfast, and something for lunch. Who's heart isn't going to melt at that?  He presented to me and said, you gotta have your coffee to face today and something to eat.  

We arrive at the school as the busses are lining up. I kiss my man good bye, feeling blessed as he leaves. I take two steps and drop my coffee on the ground. Like a water balloon, the cup bursts open and coffee is splashed across the sidewalk. I stood there just like a child looking back to see my husband driving away and I began stomping my foot and letting out a loud groan of frustration.  A near by bus driver sees me and says, "you didn't want that coffee anyway." I'm pretty sure I gave her the evil eye. Isn't that how life is? It's the accumulation of the little things that trip you up and cause you to do, say, and think things that aren't always of good character. So I ended up texting my husband to complain more, " I DROPPED IT ". Ya  know what? He made a special trip and brought me more. 

Now you know my Amazing Man works two jobs. However, today he got up a little bit earlier because we're down to one car for now, and he wanted to have time to go do laundry before he went to his first job. After finishing laundry and going to his first job at a restaurant he did the grocery shopping! At the end of my day, 

My day continued to go on just as it started, little irritations and minor conflicts kept parading themselves throughout my day. All the while my mind battled between focusing on our current financial situation and trying to give it up to the Lord and Ficus on Him, and to do my job as if I were doing it for Him. At least I have a job. It seemed like the day was a constant spiritual battle. 

Tim picked me up at work and I didn't really want to continue to complain more about my day, but man! So as we make our way to his second job he listened to me vent. Before I left him at his job, he suggested that I don't go straight home, I should stop at the park and hang out by the river and have some time with the Lord. He also suggested I should have the women at my Bible study pray over me tonight. I didn't want to do either, but what would it hurt? 

As I absorb the warm sun reflecting off the water, I close my eyes, exhale and just give it all to the Lord. It was there I noticed all the signs of spring, a new season was finally here. It was there I was led to the following verses:

Mercy and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth,
And righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good;
And our land will yield its increase.

Psalm 85:10-12

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall springforth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Isaiah 61:11 

God is doing a work, my current situation is just a season in life. He is making a way and soon our situation will change like winter changes to spring. Peace washed over me as He whispered these truths to my heart. He is about to do great things. I stayed a while to enjoy the view and take a couple pictures.

At Bible study I gained the courage to ask for prayer. I've never done that before, especially from a group of people. I haven't really ever had friends who would just pray for or with me, here I had a group of women who lent a hand and prayed powerful prayers over me. I don't know if they felt it or not. But I felt the presence of the Lord in a way I never have before. I can't really even put into words what I felt. It was physical, emotional, and I suppose spiritual feeling all at the same time. I wanted to hold on to that feeling as long as I could. I replayed the the prayers of the women in my head as well as the time at the park on the drive home. 

God is making things new again. They will spring forth and all will be for His glory and righteousness. Like struggling through winter and knowing with out a doubt spring and all its beauty is sure to come, so is my life right now. 

Thank you Lord for planting the seeds of hope in my heart today, help me not to forget to take the time to watch  and see what springs forth.

My hope and future will always rest in the promises of the Lord and the knowledge that situations in life are just like seasons, I will take time to look for the righteous in each one. 

Where is your hope and future today?

The Plan Revealed Through Copies, Shadows, & Symbols

The Plan Revealed Through Copies, Shadows, & Symbols 

Did you ever think, why? Why didn't God have a plan B? Does he have a plan B? After Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden wasn't that end of God's plan; the plan to dwell with and fellowship with His creation? Once sin began to entangle and infuse itself into the world, God couldn't have that same fellowship, yet He never gave up on us, His creation. The Lord is always giving us glimpses of His love  and His desire for us to be near Him, creating structures, symbols, and relationships to reflect His love and desire to be near us.  

One interesting thing  I have learned in my current Bible study, is that God loves us so much, and wants to be near, and have fellowship with us, that He is constantly creating ways to get closer. He uses symbols to keep us reminded of Him or to give us glimpses of the Heavenly Realms where He resides. The Lord uses copies and shadows of the heavenly things. Hebrews 8:5 recounts how Moses was instructed to build the portable tabernacle where He could fellowship with His people: "They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: ‘See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.’” (Hebrews 8:5)

The Tabernacle and the things to be placed in it and around it was a copy and shadow or pattern straight from God in His heavenly realm. The garden of Eden built by God, for Adam and Eve, where He could fellowship with them, is another copy and shadow of the heavenly realm. If you look at the description of Eden in Genesis and the description of New Jerusalem in Revelations they both contain a river and the Tree of Life. Eden and the Tabernacle both had an East Gate that was guarded. 

Once Adam and Eve were kicked out of Eden, the gate wad protected by Cherubim wielding fiery swords, to keep them from returning and taking from the Tree of Life. The Tabernacle contained the  contained the lamp stand that not only represented the tree of life but had rich symbolism about who God is. God's use of symbolism is to keep us reminded of Him. Each of the seven branches on the lamp stand represents the seven (perfect number of completion) attributes of God, with the center one standing by itself as the Spirit if God, surrounded by the other six: wisdom, understand, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear. 

Through out the ages God has been trying to get closer to us. However, due to our sin nature, there is a separation.  A separation that is caused by that sin that took hold of the world in the time of Adam and Eve. As plan A continued, Jesus came to make a way for us to be reconciled to God so that we can again have that fellowship. Sadly, each time God creates new ways to be near, man finds a way to mess it up. Jesus is the final way, it is only through Him that we will have that fellowship that will last into eternity. It is through Jesus, God the Father continues to pursue a relationship with us.  

There is one problem, we are human and by our very nature we will continue the cycle of sin. Unless we desire God and the blessings He has for our lives, more than our life itself, and accepting the gift of God's son, Jesus we won't get to experience the closeness and the presence of God. 

While our sin separated us from God, He never had a plan B. We're still living plan A! I know as much as I seem to fail in life, each failure, if I let it, pulls me further away from God.  Who, by now must have exhausted an alphabet of plans and had to borrow letters or characters from other non-English alphabets, to keep me going. Especially after today, I fell pretty hard. I'm still trying to brush the dust off. 

However, even though on days like today when it is hard to believe, and the life plan doesn't seem to line up just right, either the way we planned or thought God was planning, we  (I) need to remember to praise God. (Especially after I did the complete opposite today). When it doesn't line up the way you thought, hoped and prayed it would, know God has a better plan for you. (Boy, I said something like that in small group last Monday, how quickly my human heart forgot!) Good thing He’s not surprised at the turn of events, of what has come our (my) way, or how you’ve (I've) reacted to it. I'm still a part of plan A, we're still a part of plan A and He is still creating ways to show us His love, pulling us along until the day we get to see Him face to face and He can say, "well done good and faithful servant." 

Look around and see what He is doing in your very midst: your friends, where you work, through your relationships, and the place you live. Find out what He’s doing. It's very hard for me to see today, yet I know and trust He has a calling, that purpose and plan spoken about in Jeremiah 29:11. God knows what you need more than you do. Not only does he have a better view of the bigger picture, don't forget, in His need to be near us and love us in the flesh, He came as Jesus!  "Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted."(Hebrews 2:17,18) not only did Jesus allow himself to be tempted, while hanging on that cross he felt the weight of the world's sin, pain, and suffering. He felt and experience everything we could ever go through. If he knows what it's like to be broken, then He knows what will fix us. With that knowledge, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father praying on our behalf. 
He still gives us glimpses, copies and shadows, of what's to come today. Some of these copies and shadows include our marriages, they are to mirror His love and devotion for us, as described in Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3. His Word is full of not just stories, but examples and symbols of His love. Even the structure of the church is to keep us encouraged in moving forward in that love He has for us, even when we can't see or feel it. 
2 Timothy goes on to say, " who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began" ( 2 Timothy 1:9). The grace and calling were there before time began! That is when Plan A was set in place. God created time and space for mankind.  Through out that time and space we have been given glimpses copies and shadows of great things to come in our life as well as the great love He has for us each day. So, although things didn't go as planned today, I know and trust God has a better plan, plans to prosper, not to harm, plans to give you hope and a future like it says in Jeremiah 29. Look for the copies, shadows and symbols along the way. It's part of the great adventure! Life.

 

The Seen and Unseen History of the Past Present and Future All at Once

The Seen and Unseen History of the Past Present
and Future  All at Once

Long long ago in a land far far away...That’s  where it all begins, everyone’s story, it begins at the beginning.

I love history, and I love words, and learning their meaning and where they originated. I just love learning, but I’m not always so good at retaining  the details. I often find myself  going back and researching  subjects over again to get a better grasp of it or to refresh my memory. Isn't  that kinda the same with society any more? We have so much  information right at our fingertips with the Internet, but how much of it do we retain? We don't  really need to, if we can always just go on line and look it up whenever we want. When is the last time you had to memorize a phone number? Now you just touch a picture in your phone’s contact list  to call them, or better yet, tell your phone to call them. How easy is it for mankind to forget history, whether  it is recent or stretches  far into the past.

 I think it is very important  that we don't  forget our history, we learn from it, and don’t forget where we came from. I'm  sure that is why God had Moses start writing down what he witnessed, experienced, and learned. To keep a record of mankind's  history. So we could learn from it. You've  heard the saying, “those who don't  learn from history are doomed to repeat  it.” Since the time of Moses, and probably  earlier, man has had a desire to record history, leaving a legacy behind for the future generations. If keeping a record of history is so essential to man’s life experience, why is it so easy for us humans to forget it or discount its  importance?

I believe God knew this would be a problem for us humans with our limited minds and our ever decreasing attention span. Which is why the Holy Spirit spoke through and inspired  not only Moses, but prophets and even “regular” people to keep record. It is why Jesus  promised direction from the Holy Spirit  and Paul was able to write so much of God’s inspired word. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable  for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” God worked through individuals who yielded to His will,  to bring them to a place where  they could record history without  being wrong.

The very unique  thing  about the Bible is that it isn't  just a book of history  but a book that gives a glimpse  of the past, present, and future  at the same time. Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, “The thing that has been, is that which shall be; and that which is done, is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” God doesn't  change, and Satan continues to use the same tricks of the trade including: fear, doubt, and accusations  to keep us from looking to God. Man’s reactions to life events are influenced by the devil’s very  predictable and harassing tricks, more about that later.

Many ask about the validity  of the Bible with the seemingly  many contradictions. What people fail to realize is, The WORD is God inspired, not the people who penned it. The word “inspired”, in 2 Timothy  is translated from the Greek word theopneustos meaning divinely breathed in, or God-breathed. Which makes it inerrant  or unable  to  be  wrong. While the original Hebrew and Greek Word of God is given by inspiration, the trouble that is often found in the Word we have today, is due to the fact that we have a translation of a translation. We have copies of the inspired word. However, the main point is always the same: Jesus Christ is coming, He came, died for our sins to redeem mankind so that we may have fellowship with God the creator, and Jesus is coming again.

 In the meantime we are to live in God’s will, in relationship with Him. Jesus said in John 14:26, “But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father  will  send  in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance  all that I said to you.” It’s important we have that relationship  so that the Holy Spirit can help us understand what has already been written in our hearts. Although, as more archaeological  and historical evidence is revealed, less contradictions  seem to be found in God’s Word, The Bible. Besides that, God’s word was written to and for His followers, those who seek to have a relationship  with Him. If you're  not seeking a relationship  with  the one who inspired the Word, so that you are able to learn from history, then your understanding  will be very  limited.

History's mark on the world has never been as important  as it is today. All the events from the beginning  of time have been building up to what is happening  in the world today  and what will take place in the not so distant  future. As time goes on and major events are taking place in the world and in our own personal lives, history is being created. History is His story! The story God has been writing from the very beginning, is the same one that has been written on our hearts. God is the author of His story we are the characters that are continually developing to fulfill the end He has already planned. We are unique characters in the fact that we have a free will to do and live as we choose, the end will always be the same but the course we take to get there and the people God chooses to use to bring the the story about will change depending on our actions. Whether the actions are in our personal life or actions taken by global leaders, they all have an affect on the outcome of His story.

People emerge throughout our personal life whether for a short paragraph, maybe even  a chapter or two, or for the whole epic tale. During that space on the pages of His story we are to fellowship, love and look together  to the one who is still in the process of creating. Seek out how He wants us to fit into the plot. When we turn to the Creator God our personal stories flow more smoothly into history. As our lives impact those around us we need to always consider the way in which we want to be portrayed. If we're incorrectly portraying the one who is still in the process of developing our character, then future chapters may be erased, so that His will to bring about an appropriate end will be fulfilled. In those deleted chapters we may miss out on a key blessing along the way.

Like every good story there is always an adversary, in this case we know and understand him to be Satan, the devil. Life events as I mentioned before whether in the personal or global areas are influenced by the devil’s very  predictable and harassing tricks. Face it, life happens! People have free will and make dumb and not so dumb choices. We can learn from them, turn to God for forgiveness and guidance, and move on; or we can listen to the devil and give into the lies and deception he throws out there. He does it through relationships, government, workplaces, religious choices, anything that influences a person or group of people. Lies and deceit can be used by that not so crafty devil who uses the same old tricks to get us forgetful humans to fall every time. He doesn't need to create situations or cause events to happen, we do that on our own. All he has to do is throw out a few lies here and there and if we're not careful to learn from history we fall. He did it in the Garden of Eden and he is doing it today! 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Today people who are considered  conservatives, progressives, Christians, Jews, atheists, plain ol’ religious, religious zealots or just religious nuts, those in political power and those who aren't, and those who think they aren't a part of any of the above, all are very aware of the wars and rumors of wars, rise of ISIS and it's false doctrine, as well as other terrorist organizations. They all are people who  have bought into many of the devil’s lies a time or two that have gotten us to this place in the story. The plot has truly thickened. We've reached the climax of history and we know the end of this story is close. There shouldn't be any fear in the end however, as the end brings about a new beginning. It is at this point in the story decisions are being made about which characters get to be included in the next volume of the same story, His Story. While we have the book of histories, the Bible, it is very important to learn as much as we can, follow the lead of the creator and let your life flow and continue to be woven into the greatest story ever! Where is your hope and future, is it reflected in History, His Story? All of us have a story, our own history.  It's important to tell, because your history is His Story and there is much to learn from those pages!