Have you ever read something a lot and when you read it one more time the light bulb goes off in your head and you suddenly "get it"? I fell like that happened to me the other day when I was reading in the book of John. Now I have read that same piece of scripture many times so it is not new. I know I have even hear sermons and teachings on that scripture yet still reading it last week was like a revelation. I think it might have been one of those moments where understanding became UNDERSTANDING!
John 13:1-17 is describing the last supper and Jesus washing his disciples feet. Many of us have read that or at least heard the story many times. What caught my attention is when Jesus gets to Peter and Peter says no way you not washing my feet! Well Jesus says if He doesn't wash Peters feet then Peter is not part of Jesus. ( please note I am paraphrasing the passage). Well of course Peter being Peter goes overboard and says well then wash everything! Jesus says no He only needs to wash what is dirty. That is the part where the light bulb went off.
Peter did not need a full wash he only needed cleaned those parts which were dirty. We believers do not need to take a bath when our feet are the only thing that is dirty. I equated the full washing with salvation and the dirty feet with sin. When we sin we do not need to seek salvation again, we have that already, we just need to get the part of us that is dirty washed. We need to admit we need to have our feet washed and allow Jesus to wash.
If you need your feet washed, let Jesus do that. Don't be afraid or ashamed or what ever. Just let Him wash you and accept the cleansing (forgiveness)
Monday, August 22, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Boxes
I have been listening to a series of sermons which has been about boxes and how believers can keep God in a box and only pull Him out when they need him. A quote from that series that stands out is "When you live your life like you have God in a box, you are the one with limitations not God".
The last sermon is the one I am focusing on here because I could relate to it and I think others can too. This one focused on us, me, being the one in the box and not wanting to come out. The pastor asked the question, What could God do with you if you stepped out of your box? That is a great question. What could God do with you if you chose to step out of your box or comfort zone?
Check out this teaching. I thought it was good and kind of challenging. Let me know what you think about it.
You might need to paste the link into the address bar to get to it.
http://www.vimeo.com/9987305
The last sermon is the one I am focusing on here because I could relate to it and I think others can too. This one focused on us, me, being the one in the box and not wanting to come out. The pastor asked the question, What could God do with you if you stepped out of your box? That is a great question. What could God do with you if you chose to step out of your box or comfort zone?
Check out this teaching. I thought it was good and kind of challenging. Let me know what you think about it.
You might need to paste the link into the address bar to get to it.
http://www.vimeo.com/9987305
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Father Knows Best
How many of you out there remember a show called "Father Knows Best"? I do but of course I am way too young to have actually watched it when it was first on but I have watched the reruns.It was a great show that was clean, family oriented and anyone could watch it with out have to use any kind of filters. Sigh...the good old days. :)
Well what made me think of that was something I read in Matthew 6. Verses 25-34 focus on worrying and how we are not supposed to worry because God will provide. What specifically caught my eye was in verse 32 the word "Father" is used. It says "...your heavenly Father knows that you need them". In the verses before Jesus was talking about how God provides/dresses the lillies of the field and provides for the birds of the air and how much more will He provide for us. "...Your heavenly Father know that you need them"
I looked up the word Father in the Greek text and the word used here is "pater" which means father, male parent, or ancestor. This is the same word used when talking about an earthly father. That is really cool. In these verses it seems Jesus is showing God not as the almighty but as father, dad, the one who knows what is best for us kids. He is showing us the type of relationship we can have with God.
Something else I noticed in reading these verses is when Jesus was talking about animals or plants he used the name God but when referring to people, us, he used the name Father. This shows how much more important we are to God than animals or plants. He considers us His kids!
I know a lot of people have not had a good earthly father so their view of a "father" is not a good one but our Heavenly Father is a good Father. He is the example earthly fathers should follow. I know this is easy to say and hard to do but trust this Father. He will never let you down, disappoint you, abandon you, or forsake you. This Father really does have YOUR best interest at heart at all times. Trust this Father because THIS Father really does know best!
Well what made me think of that was something I read in Matthew 6. Verses 25-34 focus on worrying and how we are not supposed to worry because God will provide. What specifically caught my eye was in verse 32 the word "Father" is used. It says "...your heavenly Father knows that you need them". In the verses before Jesus was talking about how God provides/dresses the lillies of the field and provides for the birds of the air and how much more will He provide for us. "...Your heavenly Father know that you need them"
I looked up the word Father in the Greek text and the word used here is "pater" which means father, male parent, or ancestor. This is the same word used when talking about an earthly father. That is really cool. In these verses it seems Jesus is showing God not as the almighty but as father, dad, the one who knows what is best for us kids. He is showing us the type of relationship we can have with God.
Something else I noticed in reading these verses is when Jesus was talking about animals or plants he used the name God but when referring to people, us, he used the name Father. This shows how much more important we are to God than animals or plants. He considers us His kids!
I know a lot of people have not had a good earthly father so their view of a "father" is not a good one but our Heavenly Father is a good Father. He is the example earthly fathers should follow. I know this is easy to say and hard to do but trust this Father. He will never let you down, disappoint you, abandon you, or forsake you. This Father really does have YOUR best interest at heart at all times. Trust this Father because THIS Father really does know best!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Stuff happens
You know things always seem to happen in three's. If you work in a large enough company (meaning there are more than 4 people) if one woman gets pregnant you can sure bet it won't be long till there are THREE. Happened at my company and for a while I was afraid to drink the water!
Well that saying seems to have happened in our life.
Number One: My car was crashed about 4 weeks ago and we have been living off one car. It has been challenging but so far doable. We have been saving money to get a new and while we are waiting for a new car we (me, hubby, and daughter) are getting lots of great exercise by riding our bikes. Even though this has been a challenge there have been benefits.
Number Two: We had a medical curve ball thrown at us about 3 weeks ago. My hubby suddenly became violently ill and ended up in the hospital for several days. Still not exactly sure what was wrong but the general consensus has been a viral infection somewhere. That has led to several wonderful tests ( you know the rear entrance kind of tests). As the supportive wife I have told hubby I would NOT post any video on facebook (not hehe)
The medical curve ball really did throw me. After hubby was hooked up to all the machines in the ER and I could see his heart was ok so I was able to quit worrying about that and work on helping him to feel better. Of course this curve ball includes the ever dreaded (insert dramatic music here) BILL! We know they will be coming soon.
Up until number 2 I thought we were doing pretty good dealing with number one and two and then the dreaded NUMBER THREE happened.
Number Three: About a week ago the ONE working car began to not want to work so well. The transmission was suddenly NOT shifting out of first gear and we spend a lot of time driving 10mph. You can imagine we were not well liked by the other drivers. What made this situation worse, hubby was leaving town for a week. Because the problem began on a Saturday afternoon there was nothing much we could do to fix it. Repair shops were closed or too full to take the car and suggested coming in on Monday morning. That was not helpful or doable.
I ended up on the couch that day crying out to God. I was asking "What do you want me to learn?" "Really how much more can I take!!!" After saying that for a while and, yes, feeling sorry for myself, I knew that we are never given more than we can handle. Obviously we have the capability to deal with all these situations . "I can do all things through Christ" became my mantra for the rest of the day. I did not know how things were going to get taken care of but I just knew they would. I put my hope in God and not in me or my hubby and our abilities.
About this time I managed to run across a LOT of "hope" scriptures. Hebrews 10:23 says "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is faithful" spoke the most to me. The word unswervingly was what caught my attention. The dictionary definition for unswerving is "not turning aside; constant". We are to NOT turn aside no matter the situation. We are to cling to hope (Christ) even when we can's see a way out of a situation.
Yes I know this is easier said than done. That is why I keep reminding myself of this daily. That is what we should all do. Keep reminding ourselves that our hope is in God and he made a lot of promises and he is a God of His word. He WILL keep His promise!
Knowing this did not automatically make everything rosy or fix the car or pay the medical bills but what it did was to fill me with peace. It reminded me that I need to keep myself anchored to God and even when I think it is too much hang on anyway.
Now as an added note:
Number One: recently found out that the car is repairable and is currently getting fixed for much less than buying a new car!
Number Two: well the bills are starting to come in and they are not as bad as we thought they would be. Still putting my hope in Him.
Number Three: we turned to the internet, found out what the problem was with the ONE working car and for about 20 dollars fixed it! All before hubby left town!
God is so good!
Well that saying seems to have happened in our life.
Number One: My car was crashed about 4 weeks ago and we have been living off one car. It has been challenging but so far doable. We have been saving money to get a new and while we are waiting for a new car we (me, hubby, and daughter) are getting lots of great exercise by riding our bikes. Even though this has been a challenge there have been benefits.
Number Two: We had a medical curve ball thrown at us about 3 weeks ago. My hubby suddenly became violently ill and ended up in the hospital for several days. Still not exactly sure what was wrong but the general consensus has been a viral infection somewhere. That has led to several wonderful tests ( you know the rear entrance kind of tests). As the supportive wife I have told hubby I would NOT post any video on facebook (not hehe)
The medical curve ball really did throw me. After hubby was hooked up to all the machines in the ER and I could see his heart was ok so I was able to quit worrying about that and work on helping him to feel better. Of course this curve ball includes the ever dreaded (insert dramatic music here) BILL! We know they will be coming soon.
Up until number 2 I thought we were doing pretty good dealing with number one and two and then the dreaded NUMBER THREE happened.
Number Three: About a week ago the ONE working car began to not want to work so well. The transmission was suddenly NOT shifting out of first gear and we spend a lot of time driving 10mph. You can imagine we were not well liked by the other drivers. What made this situation worse, hubby was leaving town for a week. Because the problem began on a Saturday afternoon there was nothing much we could do to fix it. Repair shops were closed or too full to take the car and suggested coming in on Monday morning. That was not helpful or doable.
I ended up on the couch that day crying out to God. I was asking "What do you want me to learn?" "Really how much more can I take!!!" After saying that for a while and, yes, feeling sorry for myself, I knew that we are never given more than we can handle. Obviously we have the capability to deal with all these situations . "I can do all things through Christ" became my mantra for the rest of the day. I did not know how things were going to get taken care of but I just knew they would. I put my hope in God and not in me or my hubby and our abilities.
About this time I managed to run across a LOT of "hope" scriptures. Hebrews 10:23 says "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is faithful" spoke the most to me. The word unswervingly was what caught my attention. The dictionary definition for unswerving is "not turning aside; constant". We are to NOT turn aside no matter the situation. We are to cling to hope (Christ) even when we can's see a way out of a situation.
Yes I know this is easier said than done. That is why I keep reminding myself of this daily. That is what we should all do. Keep reminding ourselves that our hope is in God and he made a lot of promises and he is a God of His word. He WILL keep His promise!
Knowing this did not automatically make everything rosy or fix the car or pay the medical bills but what it did was to fill me with peace. It reminded me that I need to keep myself anchored to God and even when I think it is too much hang on anyway.
Now as an added note:
Number One: recently found out that the car is repairable and is currently getting fixed for much less than buying a new car!
Number Two: well the bills are starting to come in and they are not as bad as we thought they would be. Still putting my hope in Him.
Number Three: we turned to the internet, found out what the problem was with the ONE working car and for about 20 dollars fixed it! All before hubby left town!
God is so good!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Another borrowed blog
I am borrowing a blog from Good Housekeeping magazine. Quinn Cummings, a blogger for GH, had a great blog about a topic that many women will understand. I figured if you did not read her blog I would share with you what she wrote. I do hope you enjoy her words of wisdom.
The Unkindest Wrinkle
There's a whisper going around among women over 40. Perhaps you aren't there yet. Perhaps, owing to some wonderful cornucopia of self-esteem, you never will be. But for the rest of us, there's the question that cannot be stopped: "Can I still wear shorts?"
Even in shorts that don't do more than expose the bottom half of one's leg, it's still a minefield. Sure, knees are adorable on toddlers, are hopefuly functional on athletes, and are what separate us from cacti, but can anyone say they're attractive?
Depending on genetics and lifestyle choices, when you no longer have just the Not-Very-Attractive knee, you reach the age of the NVA knee with newly flaccid skin above it. You're standing there, waiting for your dry cleaning or your number to come up at the deli and you look down to see- aarg! - the dermatological version of an origami crane. But it's the last warm day of autumn, so you cover up and try to forget.
Then it gets warm again, and corduroy pants look incongruous. So, shorts. What to do? Go with the mid-knee style, which covers the offending area while giving you the "Elderhostel in Prague" look? Apparently skirts are what Italian and French women wear instead of shorts. In theory, a skirt should take no more effort than walking shorts, but I don't have to think about shorts. In a skirt I'm either doing battle with a hurricane-force updraft that seems to be following only me, or I'm in search of my zipper which should be in the middle of my back yet is constantly migrating toward my belly.
A few of us moms were discussing this Monday while our kids ran up and down the field, their healthy legs lean and firm, their knees surrounded by taut skin, when we were interrupted by the impatient clicking of a tongue. One of the kids had been delivered by his grandmother, who rolled her eyes in mock contempt. "I don't know why you girls worry about these things," she said. "You all look fine. Besides, my friends and I wear shorts all the time."
It was an epiphany. I might not be wearing shorts this year, but once I hit 70, I can wear them again. I'll be so delighted that I'll wear them in all seasons, with textured stockings just as they do in the fashion magazines. They'll contrast nicely with my sequined holiday sweaters.
The Unkindest Wrinkle
There's a whisper going around among women over 40. Perhaps you aren't there yet. Perhaps, owing to some wonderful cornucopia of self-esteem, you never will be. But for the rest of us, there's the question that cannot be stopped: "Can I still wear shorts?"
Even in shorts that don't do more than expose the bottom half of one's leg, it's still a minefield. Sure, knees are adorable on toddlers, are hopefuly functional on athletes, and are what separate us from cacti, but can anyone say they're attractive?
Depending on genetics and lifestyle choices, when you no longer have just the Not-Very-Attractive knee, you reach the age of the NVA knee with newly flaccid skin above it. You're standing there, waiting for your dry cleaning or your number to come up at the deli and you look down to see- aarg! - the dermatological version of an origami crane. But it's the last warm day of autumn, so you cover up and try to forget.
Then it gets warm again, and corduroy pants look incongruous. So, shorts. What to do? Go with the mid-knee style, which covers the offending area while giving you the "Elderhostel in Prague" look? Apparently skirts are what Italian and French women wear instead of shorts. In theory, a skirt should take no more effort than walking shorts, but I don't have to think about shorts. In a skirt I'm either doing battle with a hurricane-force updraft that seems to be following only me, or I'm in search of my zipper which should be in the middle of my back yet is constantly migrating toward my belly.
A few of us moms were discussing this Monday while our kids ran up and down the field, their healthy legs lean and firm, their knees surrounded by taut skin, when we were interrupted by the impatient clicking of a tongue. One of the kids had been delivered by his grandmother, who rolled her eyes in mock contempt. "I don't know why you girls worry about these things," she said. "You all look fine. Besides, my friends and I wear shorts all the time."
It was an epiphany. I might not be wearing shorts this year, but once I hit 70, I can wear them again. I'll be so delighted that I'll wear them in all seasons, with textured stockings just as they do in the fashion magazines. They'll contrast nicely with my sequined holiday sweaters.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
A borrow Blog
I am borrowing this blog because I thought it spoke volumes. It was posted on Liberty University Online ministries. In case you did not know I received my masters from Liberty. Enjoy their blog.
Word Power!
Word Power!
“If don’t have anything nice to say, then . . .” You probably know the rest. If we actually lived by this rule then the world would be a much quieter place. It seems our words carry a great deal of power and potential. Words can express undying love and vindictive hate. In one moment a person might share word of encouragement. You feel empowered, then another person barks out a critical hurtful statement and the mood falls. This statement may not have even been directed at you, but the atmosphere still thickens.
It is amazing how words can change the very atmosphere in a room. It is no wonder Solomon provides some amazing wisdom concerning word power. He explains the importance of crushing gossip and speaking the truth in love. James chimes in as well. He cannot rationalize how blessing and cursing come from the some mouth. As if to drive it home, he proclaims, “It’s not supposed to be this way!”
But it still is. It seems easier to speak poorly of someone than to find some trait that speaks highly of them. Sometimes we make an attempt to say something nice, but only after saying ten critical things about the individual. Of course, there are excuses, “But you don’t know them like I do!” or “You should put yourself in my shoes.”
Life is difficult and people are most of what makes it difficult. It is those close to you that will hurt you the most. It can be easy to cut them down and return the hurt through our critical words. But I am reminded of the words of Jesus on the cross, “Father, forgive them.” Talk about powerful words!
If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.
Sometimes the most power words are the ones not spoken.
Read: Proverbs 26, James 3
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Cars: Gotta love 'em!
Yesterday as I was having a “moment” with the car I thought “I need to vent and think I will use this blog to do that!” Well that was yesterday and I don’t need to vent but I will tell you what happened.
First I have to tell you, I loved my car. Did you notice the use of the past tense? Yes that is right my car met an untimely demise. One week ago my car was totaled in an accident that was not my fault. In fact I was not even driving the car or even in the car. Someone else was driving. So again I will say, I loved my car. It ran great even though it did not look perfect. It was soooo close to turning 300,000 miles. Oh so close. The car fit me and I fit it. We went so many places together. Can you tell I might not be over the loss of my car? Yes I know it is a material object but still….
So because my car is no longer among the living I am driving my hubby’s car. I am not fond of his car because it is bigger drives different the windshield wiper knobby is on the wrong side of the steering column. It just is not my car but since it is the only one we have for the time being I use it. In fact 3 people juggle using it. Fortunately it has been warm enough where hubby can ride his bike most places as well as the daughter.
So yesterday. When I arrived to work and turned off the car the doors all automatically locked, which I thought was strange but did not think anything of it. After work when I open the door I am greeted with the blaring and annoying sound of the car alarm! On the set of keys I use is the magic button to make it stop except the magic button is not doing its job. Finally the alarm stops and I am thinking Whew I can now leave. Oh no again the alarm entertains me and several other people in the parking lot. So after MANY times of going through this and several phone calls to hubby, it is decided that the battery in BOTH remote controllers are dead and a walk to the store is needed. Just to let you know by this time I was beyond unhappy. I was frustrated, hot, irritated and all those other adjective you can use to describe frustrated. The thought of having to walk ALL the way to the store was not my idea of fun but it had to be done so I collected my backpack and began the trek.
As I walked I of course continued to fume. I was fuming at the loss of my car, fuming at the person who drove my car when it died, fuming because the darn store was so far away and fuming because I was going to be late for my other job! But as I walked I began to fume less and had a realization hit me. I needed to forgive the person who hurt my car. I know that sounds silly it is only a car but I was holding on to the anger of losing it and all the inconveniences that went with it (coordinating 3 schedules). As I tell clients forgiveness is not for the other person but for you AND forgiveness is not a feeling but a choice. I knew if I did not let go of this frustration over losing my car bitterness would begin to set in. I did not want there to be bitterness there so called my frustration what it was, confessed it to God and have begun working on remembering I have forgiven.
It is amazing how short the walk was back to the car with the fresh batteries and how quickly the problem was solved. Both hubby and I now know what to do when the car suddenly decides to spaz out and I know what size batter the remote needs.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
May 22
Well as most of you might have come to realize we are still here. Did I really think anything was going to happen yesterday. NO. Was it fun to make tons of funny comments and jokes about it. YES! The jokes and comments were completely endless at work Friday and yesterday. My cheeks hurt from laughing at the silliness.
Even though it was fun to joke about this there were people who actually believed yesterday was it! Someone reminded me of that and how sad it is for them. When they discovered NOTHING happened what did they feel? What did they do to prepare for this? Did they sell stuff? I read on one website where a person quit her job in order to spend the "last" month on earth with her family. My heart does go out to these people who put all their hope not in God but in a man.
Everyone has been talking about all the scriptures that say no one will know the time or date etc but what about the person making these prophesies? Deuteronomy 18:22 says "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him". The man who predicted yesterdays end also predicted the same thing was going to happen in 1994! Yet people still believe him even today. I do not believe this mans predictions or prophesies are from God.
Scripture is clear that we as believers are to test spirits. How do we do this? By using the Word of God as the measuring tool. 1 John 4:1 says "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." When people do not test or do not search the scriptures for themselves they can fall for what ever anyone says. 1 Thes. 5:19-20 says the same thing: 19" Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil." The consequence of not testing is what was experienced by many who did believe this man: bewilderment, confusion, maybe a feeling of being lost not to mention the possible financial consequences.
I do pray for those people who believed this man's prophesy. My hope is they will realize man is flawed but
God is NOT and will begin to work on a right relationship with God.
Even though it was fun to joke about this there were people who actually believed yesterday was it! Someone reminded me of that and how sad it is for them. When they discovered NOTHING happened what did they feel? What did they do to prepare for this? Did they sell stuff? I read on one website where a person quit her job in order to spend the "last" month on earth with her family. My heart does go out to these people who put all their hope not in God but in a man.
Everyone has been talking about all the scriptures that say no one will know the time or date etc but what about the person making these prophesies? Deuteronomy 18:22 says "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him". The man who predicted yesterdays end also predicted the same thing was going to happen in 1994! Yet people still believe him even today. I do not believe this mans predictions or prophesies are from God.
Scripture is clear that we as believers are to test spirits. How do we do this? By using the Word of God as the measuring tool. 1 John 4:1 says "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." When people do not test or do not search the scriptures for themselves they can fall for what ever anyone says. 1 Thes. 5:19-20 says the same thing: 19" Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil." The consequence of not testing is what was experienced by many who did believe this man: bewilderment, confusion, maybe a feeling of being lost not to mention the possible financial consequences.
I do pray for those people who believed this man's prophesy. My hope is they will realize man is flawed but
God is NOT and will begin to work on a right relationship with God.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Melissa's Thoughts: Bread
Melissa's Thoughts: Bread: "I LOVE bread! There I said it. I love bread almost as much as I love chocolate. My favorite bread is the kind that is fresh baked. It is s..."
Bread
I LOVE bread! There I said it. I love bread almost as much as I love chocolate. My favorite bread is the kind that is fresh baked. It is still warm and wonderful. The inside is soft and wonderful while the outside is crunchy. YUM. I have been known to pass up dessert in order to have more bread.
Ok so why all this talk on bread? What does that have to do with anything? Absolutly nothing. Well execpt what I have learned about the bread served at the passover meal. Yes my thoughts tend to run in this rambling direction sometimes.
What is really interesting and cool about the bread served at the passover meal is how it is made. I did some searching and learned the bread, made without yeast, has to be made within 18 mins. Apparently flour and water will begin to rise after that amount of time. The process of making the bread is done quickly. After the flour and water are mixed together the dough is flattened out and then is pierced (interesting) with either a fork or a speical rolling pin. The purpose of this is to keep the dough from rising. The dough is then placed in an over at 600-800 degrees. The bread is fully cooked in about 20 seconds but it is not pulled out until the brown strips begin to appear. So this bread is pierced and striped.
The bread during the passover feast is broken and half is hidden away to be found later.
What I found cool was the piercing of the bread and the extreme temperature the bread is baked at. Christ said he is the bread of life (John 6:35). He was pierce and striped for us.
The extreme baking temperature makes me think of the scripture in 1 Cor. 3:13-14. This talks about everything built will be tested by fire and if what is built survives man will receive his reward. I know this scripture is talking about the life of men and if their lives are built on the foundation of Christ or not but Christ came as a man. He built on the right foundation, the foundation of God. From that foundation he built his life, relationships, everything he did. He was tested by fire and he came through NOT smelling like smoke.
The passover feast points to Christ in more ways than any one can imagine. Don't miss it. Communion is the same way. The cup was poured out for us. It is by HIS blood we are saved. It was HIS body that was broken for us. The greatest part is the bread is NO LONGER HIDDEN!!! the bread is in plain site all you need to do is reach out and accept it.
Ok so why all this talk on bread? What does that have to do with anything? Absolutly nothing. Well execpt what I have learned about the bread served at the passover meal. Yes my thoughts tend to run in this rambling direction sometimes.
What is really interesting and cool about the bread served at the passover meal is how it is made. I did some searching and learned the bread, made without yeast, has to be made within 18 mins. Apparently flour and water will begin to rise after that amount of time. The process of making the bread is done quickly. After the flour and water are mixed together the dough is flattened out and then is pierced (interesting) with either a fork or a speical rolling pin. The purpose of this is to keep the dough from rising. The dough is then placed in an over at 600-800 degrees. The bread is fully cooked in about 20 seconds but it is not pulled out until the brown strips begin to appear. So this bread is pierced and striped.
The bread during the passover feast is broken and half is hidden away to be found later.
What I found cool was the piercing of the bread and the extreme temperature the bread is baked at. Christ said he is the bread of life (John 6:35). He was pierce and striped for us.
The extreme baking temperature makes me think of the scripture in 1 Cor. 3:13-14. This talks about everything built will be tested by fire and if what is built survives man will receive his reward. I know this scripture is talking about the life of men and if their lives are built on the foundation of Christ or not but Christ came as a man. He built on the right foundation, the foundation of God. From that foundation he built his life, relationships, everything he did. He was tested by fire and he came through NOT smelling like smoke.
The passover feast points to Christ in more ways than any one can imagine. Don't miss it. Communion is the same way. The cup was poured out for us. It is by HIS blood we are saved. It was HIS body that was broken for us. The greatest part is the bread is NO LONGER HIDDEN!!! the bread is in plain site all you need to do is reach out and accept it.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Passover
Recently I have heard two teachings on Passover and the wine taken during the celebration. What caught my attention was not the wine but that there are 4 cups of wine involved in the ceremony. That made me sit up and take notice. I never knew that. So of course that meant I needed to do some research and find out about the 4 cups of wine thing.
The 4 cups follow the "I will's" of Exodus 6:6-7 which states, 6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians." How cool is this! When I read this I felt such hope!
So back to the cups. During the Passover mean the 4 cups are taken and there is meaning and importance that goes with each cup.
Cup one is the cup of Sanctification/Thanksgiving. This is the time the people give thanks and praise God for His promise of bringing them out of such a cruel environment that Egypt was for them. How many of us have ever been in a "cruel environment" and have been brought out of that? Gods promise is for us as well today He promised and He WILL make good on His promise. We have to trust and wait on Him.
Cup two is the cup of Judgment/Deliverance. Here it is remembered that the people were freed! They were delivered from slavery and bondage. And the Egyptians were judged. Like today we are freed we are no longer held in slavery to our sin (our Egypt). We can celebrate this.
Cup three is the cup of Redemption/Blessing. I like the word "redeem" so much so that I am going to add the definition here. Redeem: to buy or pay off; clear by payment, to buy back, to recover. Synonyms: repurchase. Redeem, ransom (www.dictionary.com). How cool is this. Exodus 6:6 promises that the people would be bought back, ransomed, repurchased etc. What is even better that promise goes for US today! It is with this cup that the people were reminded there was a cost to being redeemed. Blood had to be involved, sacrifice had to be involved. During Exodus from Egypt it was the blood of a year old lamb. For us it is the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 9:22 says 22 according to the Law, one may (A)almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and (B)without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. The Israelites knew that without the blood of the lamb they would have died. It is the same with us today without the blood of Jesus having been shed we would have died.
Cup four is the cup of restoration. The relationship between God and the Israelites was restored. They were celebrating this. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and confess it we are brought back to a right relationship. You could say we are restored. There is a lot of praise that goes with this cup and during Passover Psalm 136:1-16 is read. I would encourage you to read it too. (kind of long to put here).
This for me was so cool and just continued to show how things in the Old Testament were telling about Jesus. The wine of Passover from "then" is still valid and applicable "NOW".
The 4 cups follow the "I will's" of Exodus 6:6-7 which states, 6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians." How cool is this! When I read this I felt such hope!
So back to the cups. During the Passover mean the 4 cups are taken and there is meaning and importance that goes with each cup.
Cup one is the cup of Sanctification/Thanksgiving. This is the time the people give thanks and praise God for His promise of bringing them out of such a cruel environment that Egypt was for them. How many of us have ever been in a "cruel environment" and have been brought out of that? Gods promise is for us as well today He promised and He WILL make good on His promise. We have to trust and wait on Him.
Cup two is the cup of Judgment/Deliverance. Here it is remembered that the people were freed! They were delivered from slavery and bondage. And the Egyptians were judged. Like today we are freed we are no longer held in slavery to our sin (our Egypt). We can celebrate this.
Cup three is the cup of Redemption/Blessing. I like the word "redeem" so much so that I am going to add the definition here. Redeem: to buy or pay off; clear by payment, to buy back, to recover. Synonyms: repurchase. Redeem, ransom (www.dictionary.com). How cool is this. Exodus 6:6 promises that the people would be bought back, ransomed, repurchased etc. What is even better that promise goes for US today! It is with this cup that the people were reminded there was a cost to being redeemed. Blood had to be involved, sacrifice had to be involved. During Exodus from Egypt it was the blood of a year old lamb. For us it is the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 9:22 says 22 according to the Law, one may (A)almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and (B)without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. The Israelites knew that without the blood of the lamb they would have died. It is the same with us today without the blood of Jesus having been shed we would have died.
Cup four is the cup of restoration. The relationship between God and the Israelites was restored. They were celebrating this. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and confess it we are brought back to a right relationship. You could say we are restored. There is a lot of praise that goes with this cup and during Passover Psalm 136:1-16 is read. I would encourage you to read it too. (kind of long to put here).
This for me was so cool and just continued to show how things in the Old Testament were telling about Jesus. The wine of Passover from "then" is still valid and applicable "NOW".
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Patience - Practice makes it easier
Have you ever asked God for patience and then was involved in a situation where you needed patience and God did not answer your prayer for patience? At least not the way you wanted Him to answer you. I know when I have said this prayer I was hoping for the magic wand of God to come out, hit me on the head and POOF I had patience. Unfortunately it does not work that way. Patience really is a choice and God gives us the opportunity to make that choice.
The other day I had the opportunity to “practice” patience. I had a meeting to attend and my husband drove me. While I was in the meeting my husband went to the store to pick up a few things. Only problem with this situation, my cell phone was at home. So if my meeting ended early I could not call him and let him know. But then again just how long could it take to run to the store for a few items?
Guess what? Meeting was done in about 20 minutes, not the hour I thought, and hubby was not back from the store. So there I stood outside where of course it was cold and windy. I began to get frustrated because he knew what he was going for at the store how long could it take. My thinking was beginning to go down hill and I could feel frustration and some anger beginning to start. It was at this point I stopped myself and made a decision. I was not going to go down that road, you now the frustrated and impatient road, but was going to stop that thinking and made the choice to be patient.
Now the battle begins! It was cold and windy and getting windier by the nanosecond (of course) and my thinking still takes the turn: WHERE IS HE!!! Then I remember no I am practicing patience I am NOT going to let these thoughts take over. I had made the choice to be patient.
He eventually arrived to pick me up and when I got in the car I did not feel frustrated or angry because his errand took longer than I thought it should have. I felt, well peaceful. Why, because I had made the choice to be patient and stop those thoughts that would lead to frustration and more than likely anger.
One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Notice the word TAKE. That is a verb which means we have to do an action. We have to take those thoughts that lead to destruction and stop them. That is a choice.
Once those thoughts have been stopped we have to think on something. We are humans with active minds. Not too many of us can actually think nothing. So what do we do? We can change what we think about. My second favorite verse is Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Find something right and worthy to think about. When I talk to people and tell them this I encourage them to have a “go to verse”. One they can pull out and repeat to keep their mind focused on what is right and not what is destructive.
That is what I did while waiting for my husband. I made the choice to stop the destructive thinking, change my thoughts to what was right.
Many might think: “yeah right easier said than done.” You are so right that is why it is called a battle. No battle is easy but battles can and are won! This is also why we have to practice patience. It is not something that comes naturally or easily but things practiced soon get easier and soon become second nature. In the end practicing patience and working through the battle is worth it. For me my car ride home was pleasant not angry. I felt victorious not defeated. Will I struggle the next time a patience situation comes up, YES. Will I always remember make the choice for patience: NO. Will I keep practicing: YES. And I encourage you to do the same thing.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Weeds
I guess I am that ready for spring that I am thinking weeds. More importantly how do I get rid of them. I don’t know about your yards but mine has always seemed to be full of dandelions. I go out and pull them up and kind of feel success when the weeds are gone. The yard looks good, clean, weed free. Only problem is I usually do not get the full root when I go out weeding. While the yard may look good now in a week or so those pesky dandelions will be back!
Dandelions have a long tap root and if you do not get it all, it will just grow back. When weeding you have to be willing to dig and work to get the full root out. I don’t know about anyone else but I usually don’t have the patience to dig and get the full root. I am usually happy with making the yard look good. But if I would just put in the time I would NOT have to repeat this weeding thing every week.
In our own lives we have “weeds” that go deep and a lot of times we are willing to do what it takes to make the surface look good. While the surface looks good the weed is regrowing and will soon mar the surface again.
What is the weed(s) in your life? Is it lack of forgiveness, anger, bitterness, shame, fear? How do we know what the weed is in our life and how do we get the full root? We know by allowing God to show us the weeds in our life. The weeds that can keep us from having a full relationship with Him. I don’t really like having my faults pointed out or “weeds” that need to be pulled up, but I have learned when I listen to God and I do something about it, my life ends up better and less weedy.
When I have to “go weeding” in my life I know I have to take the time to get the full root. That means I might get hot, sweaty, dirty and in the end I might have muscle aches and pains. But again it is worth it. That weed will be out of my “yard” and if it shows its ugly head again I can catch it before the root goes deep.
What is your “weed” that you have been avoiding or only removing from the surface? I would encourage you to read Ps 139:23-24 and allow God to show you what the weed is and then work with Him in removing the weed.
Dandelions have a long tap root and if you do not get it all, it will just grow back. When weeding you have to be willing to dig and work to get the full root out. I don’t know about anyone else but I usually don’t have the patience to dig and get the full root. I am usually happy with making the yard look good. But if I would just put in the time I would NOT have to repeat this weeding thing every week.
In our own lives we have “weeds” that go deep and a lot of times we are willing to do what it takes to make the surface look good. While the surface looks good the weed is regrowing and will soon mar the surface again.
What is the weed(s) in your life? Is it lack of forgiveness, anger, bitterness, shame, fear? How do we know what the weed is in our life and how do we get the full root? We know by allowing God to show us the weeds in our life. The weeds that can keep us from having a full relationship with Him. I don’t really like having my faults pointed out or “weeds” that need to be pulled up, but I have learned when I listen to God and I do something about it, my life ends up better and less weedy.
When I have to “go weeding” in my life I know I have to take the time to get the full root. That means I might get hot, sweaty, dirty and in the end I might have muscle aches and pains. But again it is worth it. That weed will be out of my “yard” and if it shows its ugly head again I can catch it before the root goes deep.
What is your “weed” that you have been avoiding or only removing from the surface? I would encourage you to read Ps 139:23-24 and allow God to show you what the weed is and then work with Him in removing the weed.
Welcome
Welcome to Melissa's Thoughts. There are times as I read through the Bible that random thoughts come to mind and I like to write them down and share them. Or I might have run across a cool website that I think needs to be shared.
Come back often just to check for anything new and interesting.
Melissa
Come back often just to check for anything new and interesting.
Melissa
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