tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.comments2013-05-01T07:23:27.888-06:00Prairie PassagesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comBlogger3183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-49775514166249339062013-05-01T07:23:27.888-06:002013-05-01T07:23:27.888-06:00I love how God can reveal truths to us from ANY sc...I love how God can reveal truths to us from ANY scripture when we are truly patient and expecting Him to speak. Thanks so much for sharing how he showed you truth in this chapter. When I read that chapter earlier this week I journalled about boundaries. About how they are there to protect us, to lead us into health and righteousness and how important it is to recognize and stay within those boundaries. For me I am recognizing that God wants me to recognize the boundary line of perfectionism and insecurity that when I cross over into certain patterns of thinking/behaving I am no longer safe and blessed. Darrell hit on this in his sermon on Sunday, when he talked about list people and it maybe not being a good thing to bind yourself to this list of "do this once a day" if you are that kind of person. I am so a list person. So erroneously chasing after the false god of self confidence hinged to what I accomplish or then shrivelling up and hating myself when I don't accomplish it. I start to live in the mentality that if I just "perform" a certain way or amount, or achieve a certain thing or attain a certain goal, that I will be happy with myself, and that is not living and walking and worshipping God in the security of who I am in Christ. In WHO I am,not what I do.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-24939109629288454672013-04-30T04:07:14.964-06:002013-04-30T04:07:14.964-06:00I usually don't like to post comments, because...I usually don't like to post comments, because I feel like I don't have much noteworthy to say. I didn't want you to feel lonely, though, P.C., so here goes. <br /><br />This is about Monday's reading, Ex. 19. At first reading, I didn't see much to comment on in this passage -- it seemed very straightforward. Things happened. In fact, the warnings that people or animals were not to touch the mountain, and were to be stoned or shot with arrows seemed very harsh. <br /><br />But as people have said in the past, a person needs to pray when reading Scripture, asking the Holy Spirit to teach us, and then approach the Bible with an attitude of expectation. So I read it again. I pictured all the smoke, and the mountain trembling, and the Lord descending with fire, and the sound of the trumpet getting louder and louder. It must have been awe-some, in the true sense of the word. When you think of it, for someone to see all the supernatural activity and still go against the warning would show a tremendous amount of unbelief and/or rebellion. God must have really wanted to show the Israelites how much greater he is than us in every possible way and how unworthy we are to even approach him. I saw the grace of God, though, too. In all of His immenseness, He did want to communicate to people. He spoke to a representative -- Moses and later Aaron, too. He also gave repeated warnings about touching the mountain. He obviously didn't want anyone to die, but he did want to show that he was not to be trifled with. It was kind of neat to see things in the passage as I took the time to listen and look closer.<br />Loisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-63221644692794005042013-04-25T08:33:44.673-06:002013-04-25T08:33:44.673-06:00mind blowing majesty.... we can't even compreh...mind blowing majesty.... we can't even comprehend. So good to see your virtual faces here, ladies :) I sometimes stop sharing here feeling like I'm talking to myself but always love to see a face show up in my email that I am not alone :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-14014755395148175922013-04-25T07:50:33.147-06:002013-04-25T07:50:33.147-06:00I like that :)I like that :)Loisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-78523478388582937642013-04-24T09:59:09.448-06:002013-04-24T09:59:09.448-06:00My commentary compares the majesty of God as shown...My commentary compares the majesty of God as shown in Psalm 93 to earthly majesty of royalty. It suggests that earthly majesty is like a glow-worm compared to God's majesty. Imagine the difference!!Sheilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-37393564125569097212013-04-19T07:49:13.620-06:002013-04-19T07:49:13.620-06:00I hate computers sometimes. I typed out a pretty ...I hate computers sometimes. I typed out a pretty long check in about all that God has been doing in and around me the past week and a half and the screen suddenly just disappeared on me. As Denise has been climbing to new heights in the Himalayas, I have been climbing my own mountain in my spiritual journey. And not alone, as I prayed for allies in my journey, God provided them in miraculous ways that clearly stood out to each of us as Him the one with the map to freedom, Him the one handpicking the team, and lumping us together, it has been truly miraculous and beautiful how what seemed like coincidences were God incidents and I am thrilled at how God cares for us, reaches down and says "come, walk with me." <br /><br />This morning the chapter was so depressing but one thing set my heart aflutter. When God said "write down todays date because today is the day."<br /><br />On March 26th I had a similar impression to "write down the date", not just that but to record in writing my confession and plea for emotional/spiritual healing and my request for God to give me allies on this journey. Within weeks, within days of each other he was CLEARLY answering that prayer by putting me on the doorstep of, across the table from, receiving emails from the women he had selected to be my allies, and I never broached the subject with them, they broached it with me. I stand in awe of God's care and concern, love and compassion. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-73391066132584800242013-04-11T07:50:49.312-06:002013-04-11T07:50:49.312-06:00Jer 29:7 and work for the prosperity and peace of ...Jer 29:7 and work for the prosperity and peace of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it for its welfare will determine your welfare." <br /><br />Wow. This verse packed a punch for me this morning. I am the kind of person to just get overwhelmed by the corruptness of society and feel like there is no turning the tide of corruption or evil represented by a secular society and I just pull back, turn off, and hole up in my own little paradise of belief. <br /><br />Of course Satan doesn't really care if I do that, if I am just "avoiding" the issues, or segregating myself from them. Since Denise signed up for the Freedom Climb I have been coming to realize more and more what it means to defend justice and fight for it. To be activists for God reaching out to the oppressed and fighting against bad legislature in parliament. And of course, above all, fighting for God's will in the heavenlies.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-76093064992576366772013-04-09T07:41:21.591-06:002013-04-09T07:41:21.591-06:002 Samuel 6. I remember finding it so hard to reco...2 Samuel 6. I remember finding it so hard to reconcile the harshness of God striking Uzzah dead. It just seemed so severe for people who were trying to do something that seemed right and good. Only now do I see how wrong it is to think that we can use our own rulers to measure and decide what is right and good and what is really devotion to God. The bible tells us very clearly what God requires of us. Just like we can't achieve salvation through any other means than the shed blood of Jesus, we can't do anything "right" unless we are measuring it according to the "rightness" of scripture. Everything that they were doing here in regards to the ark was WRONG. They had zero honor for God's commands regarding the honor due the ark. How often do I do the same, try to come up with my own way of honoring God when what He requires of me is very clear. One way that I have been very convicted in this recently is in regards to the Lord's day. I know that we are not bound to laws, but I also know that the principles of the laws remain and that they are for our benefit, not for our restriction. As such, I feel very convicted to treat the Lord's day as holy and not treat it loosely as just another day that I can choose whether to go to church or do something else. I have 6 days of the week I can be choose to spend however I like. But the firstfruits of my week will be held sacred to him and corporate worship. Period.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-6162891182013770832013-04-08T08:17:32.238-06:002013-04-08T08:17:32.238-06:00Exodus 16 "“I’m going to send you food from h...Exodus 16 "“I’m going to send you food from heaven like rain. Each day the people should go out and gather only what they need for that day. In this way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow my instructions."<br />this morning I just felt so strongly that this was a picture of our daily bread! It is so clear to me, but I never saw the correlation before. I think it is thanks to the John McArthur stuff I have been reading on being a dilligent exegete of the word. Last night Pietro and I read together; <br /><br />"Therefore I must define the ultimate goal of<br />exegesis so as to embrace the heart as well as the head. The Scriptures aim to affect our<br />hearts and change the way we feel about God and his will. The exegete, who believes that<br />this aim is the aim of the living God for our day, cannot be content with merely<br />uncovering what the Scriptures originally meant. He must aim, in his exegesis, to help<br />achieve the ultimate goal of Scripture: its contemporary significance for faith. It is the<br />will of God that his Word crush feelings of arrogance and self-reliance and that it give<br />hope to the poor in spirit."<br /><br />I am so excited to be in a place of passionate revival once again about my time in the LIVING Word!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-75779350193880287502013-04-08T08:06:59.435-06:002013-04-08T08:06:59.435-06:00I am so frustrated with Blogger this is the third...I am so frustrated with Blogger this is the third week in a row it doesn't let me post new reading schedules, or even save the draft. Not sure why? I tried for three days last week and it finally just "went through" but now back to no go. :(Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-9953614655844271982013-04-07T08:07:13.961-06:002013-04-07T08:07:13.961-06:00Revelation 5. I love this chapter. I have loved ...Revelation 5. I love this chapter. I have loved it since about 10 years ago I listened to a sermon revealing its meaning to me in a way I had never grasped. This "scroll" with the seals, if you understand the culture to which it was written, it was very clear to them what this scroll was. It is the last will and testament of God for the planet and his "family" of people. The only person who could break the seal, was the executor. Jesus was and is the executor of God's last will and testament. The worship of Christ and his position of glory and power and his right to execute God's judgement and blessing are the theme of this chapter. What a fit message for easter. Worthy is the lamb who was slain, to receive blessing and glory and honor and power for ever. Amen.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-24141944051009397572013-04-05T08:30:43.618-06:002013-04-05T08:30:43.618-06:00Ez 22:8 "You despise (literally dis-esteem) m...Ez 22:8 "You despise (literally dis-esteem) my holy things and violate my sabbath days of rest." v12b "they never even think of me and my commands."<br /><br />I don't want to be guilty of any of these things, and it is very easy to become so. I don't want to take personal days on Sunday any more, I have 6 other days of the week I can do things and don't have to miss corporate worship in order to "take a day off" or "enjoy a day with the family". Especially when we have the REST of the day to enjoy. I want the firstfruits of my day and my week to be sacred to the Sovreign Lord, no exceptions. I want to send this message to my kids, that these times are sacred and set apart and not to be "dis-esteemed" by replaceming it with any other pursuit.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-43980268087424455302013-04-05T08:18:25.519-06:002013-04-05T08:18:25.519-06:00>>I believe that the Bible is God’s Word. Th...>>I believe that the Bible is God’s Word. Therefore I must define the ultimate goal of <br />exegesis so as to embrace the heart as well as the head. The Scriptures aim to affect our <br />hearts and change the way we feel about God and his will. The exegete, who believes that <br />this aim is the aim of the living God for our day, cannot be content with merely <br />uncovering what the Scriptures originally meant. He must aim, in his exegesis, to help <br />achieve the ultimate goal of Scripture: its contemporary significance for faith.<br /><br />Exegesis that does not sooner or later touch our emotions, and through us, the emotions <br />of others, is ultimately a failure because it does not mediate the effect which the Scripture <br />ought to have.<br /><br />Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that <br />by the steadfastness and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have <br />hope. (Romans. 15:4)<br /><br />We both want to understand and state accurately what the original Biblical authors <br />willed to communicate.<< John Piper<br /><br />Reading this is doing what I desired, whetting my appetite and sparking my passion re-immerse myself in the word with new vigor, to dig deeper, meditate longer, and reach higher during my time in the word.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-73107302206540634722013-04-04T09:26:04.934-06:002013-04-04T09:26:04.934-06:00"Daniel Fuller trembled under the privilege a..."Daniel Fuller trembled under the privilege and responsibility of studying and <br />teaching the Word of God like few people I have ever met. Each word of God was <br />precious; each proposition of Scripture was not merely a pearl on a string, but a link in <br />the chain. And the study of this Book mattered."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-84169407103366209202013-04-04T09:19:15.890-06:002013-04-04T09:19:15.890-06:00” Thirdly, we need to learn how to
read with the ...” Thirdly, we need to learn how to <br />read with the kind of care that corresponds to the preciousness of the Book.<br />In this pamphlet, John Piper passes on to us a way of reading the text that he learned from <br />Daniel Fuller, Professor-Emeritus at Fuller Theological Seminary. There is nothing <br />magical about this method. It is simply designed to help us slow down, let the author <br />invite us into his world, and follow his train of thought. It teaches us how to discover the <br />author’s main point and to see how the other points illustrate or support the main point."<br /><br />yes, this is what I am desiring. I want this.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-68275372774130963522013-04-04T08:24:44.932-06:002013-04-04T08:24:44.932-06:00feeling led to a different approach to the scriptu...feeling led to a different approach to the scriptures. I have been reading this plan for over 10 years now and while I love the overview it gives I want to dig in and chew on the more meaty portions of scripture that I know have something really essential to my personal growth. I am looking into the John Piper approach to "arcing" a verse as well as Kay Arthur's inductive approach. Looking at this today: <br /><br />http://cdn.desiringgod.org/pdf/booklets/BTBX.pdfAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-47875310482391101072013-04-03T07:56:25.281-06:002013-04-03T07:56:25.281-06:00psalm 90 "teach us to realize the brevity of ...psalm 90 "teach us to realize the brevity of life." <br /><br />to live in the moment and not wishing we were in a different stage, to give our energies and be fully aware of the chance to glorify God in the moment we are in. this is what it means to truly live. Awake, alive and purposeful.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-18217274547480490232013-04-02T09:00:51.299-06:002013-04-02T09:00:51.299-06:002 Sam 5. "The Lord told...." and later...2 Sam 5. "The Lord told...." and later "the Lord replied..."<br /><br />Reading this book on listening for the voice of the Lord just has me seeing all these texts with fresh eyes. I know I was always taught that God speaks through the bible today, and I believe He does of course, He has always spoken to me through the Bible. But I am seeing how expectation plays alot into it. I EXPECT Him to speak to me through the Bible. So that is where I come with open, listening ears. Now I am learning to EXPECT God to speak to me in other ways, and He does and it is beautiful. There are so many verses in the bible about hearing His voice, about the prompting of the HS and tangible instruction for every day choices. Yes He lives within us, yes He wants to live in COMMUNION with us, communicating, walking, talking. This is marvelous in my eyes.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-86067685153748677032013-04-01T08:44:57.666-06:002013-04-01T08:44:57.666-06:00Thanks Lois! The week kind of ran away with me an...Thanks Lois! The week kind of ran away with me and I didn't take time to sit down and look into this but that perspective is helpful. I am having trouble posting new schedules on blogger, both last week and this, it won't save and post the new schedule :(Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-76149638032726611162013-03-30T07:50:51.495-06:002013-03-30T07:50:51.495-06:00Notes in the Quest Bible say: "Interpreters ...Notes in the Quest Bible say: "Interpreters have struggled to harmonize these apparently contradictory passages. One possibility is that 21:3-4 is talking about the exile of the city's residents, not the death of individuals. With his sword (a symbol here of the Babylonians) God would cut off all citizens from Jerusalem. Both the righteous (like Ezekiel) and the wicked would go into exile. At the same time, in the midst of this seemingly indiscriminate judgment, God would take special note of righteous individuals and protect their lives. Loisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-4326429331805958092013-03-29T08:39:53.015-06:002013-03-29T08:39:53.015-06:00Ezekiel 21:3-5 "I am your enemy, O Israel, a...Ezekiel 21:3-5 "I am your enemy, O Israel, and I am about to un-sheath my sword to destroy your people- the righteous and the wicked alike. Yes, I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked! I will draw my sword against everyone in the land from south to north. Everyone in the world will know that I am the Lord."<br /><br /><br />This verse puzzles me. It reminds me of the time of the end... when God's sword of judgement will once again do it's work of purification in an evil world. But whereas we read that one verse from Rev. last week to the righteous that "I will keep you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world." Here we see none of that. No protection, just the good and the bad falling by the same sword. I will need to look at this verse more closely.<br /><br />the other verse that stood out to me was "Destruction! Destruction! I will surely destroy the kingdom and it will not be restored until the one appears who has the right to judge it. Then I will hand it over to him." v27 So does that mean that Israel will not be restored until the millenium? I need to look at this verse more closely as well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-38822915893446233092013-03-24T15:47:35.797-06:002013-03-24T15:47:35.797-06:00so today I got carried off on a little word study ...so today I got carried off on a little word study from rev 3:10. I find it interesting how there are more and more people questioning and doubting that there will be a rapture. They believe we will have to go through the great tribulation. <br /><br />so I wanted to look closely at verse 10 in the original language.<br /><br />"I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world."<br /><br />protect: tereo: attend to carefully, take care of, guard, reserve.<br /><br />from: ek: out of; from; away from.<br /><br />in no way does this word refer to keeping "through". Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-17506759809434621512013-03-23T07:47:19.883-06:002013-03-23T07:47:19.883-06:00Matthew 28:20 "and be sure of this. I am wit...Matthew 28:20 "and be sure of this. I am with you always. even to the end of the age." <br /><br />wow. I don't know why but these words take on a deeper depth to me today than they ever have. Jesus is here. with me. within me. I am not alone. this is not MY life. thiis is my journey into purshing Him, knowing Him, following him and obeying him. How can I do all of that if I am not listening to Him. <br /><br /><br /> Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-1444646811922521252013-03-22T08:52:04.717-06:002013-03-22T08:52:04.717-06:00so I just laid my bible aside and picked up the bo...so I just laid my bible aside and picked up the book I am reading on "listening" and here is what it said;<br /><br />In Psalm 25:14 we read that the Lord confides in those who fear Him. (In this context the word fear carries the sense "obey"). "Confides" is a beautiful term that implies the intimate sharing of personal secrets. The Lord Jesus is looking for friends with whom he can share his secrets, confidantes who can be trusted with the sensitivities of his heart."<br /><br />and then he has some practical advice on how to cultivate a relationship with God that doesn't just confide IN Him, but learns to be God's confidante. This is the theme that God has set before me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103130965496559660.post-71583114522787094792013-03-22T08:44:37.025-06:002013-03-22T08:44:37.025-06:00Ezekiel 20:1-2 and 49
"Some of the leaders o...Ezekiel 20:1-2 and 49<br /><br />"Some of the leaders of Israel came to request a message from the Lord. They sat down in front of me to wait for his reply. Then this message came to me from the Lord... "How dare you come to ask me for a message? As surely as I live I will tell you nothing!" <br /><br />God is not a vending machine that we go to when we "want" answers. God is a living breathing person who wants to empower us daily through His living breathing spirit to be in tune with His will and on course under His direction. If we are going our own way without any regard for the will of the Lord, of course He is going to roll His eyes when we get to a fork in the trail and want Him to miraculously shine a light on which way we should go now. <br /><br />Commit your ways, your steps, your every step to the Lord and He will direct your paths... He is not a genie to just come along and help you jump over the puddles or pull you out of the quicksand. And the other verse that came to mind was one about "listening" for that voice that will direct you to go to the left or the right. Again, the listening theme this morning. <br /><br />the talking of riddles part is interesting to me too. God is like the puzzle master or weaver of magical tapestry. His words work together in a kazillion pieces or threads to slowly piece or weave together the "big picture". The more time you spend examining the pieces, valuing them, trying to see how they fit, the more things come together, just like with a puzzle. Some pieces just seem to allude you, some just don't seem to fit anywhere but then, oh yes, eventually you "see" how it fits, and that is a great feeling!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587382812669823711noreply@blogger.com