Story, part 1

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Proverbs

The idea of Story is intensely powerful, even today. Though many have turned away from the story of the universe as the story of God's creation, we can still feel its power, however diluted. For Christians especially, Story is an amazing thing--that is, a thing which amazes us. The Bible itself is a story, just as it is also the truth. Think of all the emotional dramas, all the epic tales contained in just the Old Testament. Moses, David, Gideon, for example. And the Story itself continues beyound the Bible. All of us are part of it and our small stories help to make up the wonderful pattern which is the Story.

For the next few weeks, I would like to talk about stories and about Story, and about the ways in which the smaller stories interact with the larger. Feel free to respond, to agree or disagree, as we go along.

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"To observe nature closely is to follow the finger of God."

~Thomas Cole

Thankfully for those of us who are a little dense God makes it very obvious.  This picture was taken last Friday, outside our house by my sister Stephanie.

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90 Day Bible Challenge, Week Twelve LAST WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Acts 6:8 thru Acts 16:37

Acts 16:38 through Acts 28:16

Acts 28:17 thru Romans 14:23

Romans 15:1 thru 1 Corinthians 14:40
 
1 Corinthians 15:1 thru Galatians 3:25

Galations 3:26 thru Col. 4:18

1 Thess 1:1 thru Philemon 25
 
Heb 1:1 through James 3:12

James 3:13 through 3 John 14

Jude 1 through Revelation 22:21


You're done!!! Great job!!!

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Update!

Hello All!!!

No, we haven't deserted you.  We've just had a busy spring.  Some of the girls have gotten full time jobs, graduated, or moved across the county, or in my case, their keyboard has gone wacko....

Rebecca is out with our Mom so I thought I would take the opportunity to borrow her laptop and give you all an update.

We are planning, God willing, to be back almost full time this summer.  We're hoping to get back into the swing of things and have posts every week for you to read. 

In the meantime let's have some discussion! 

1) Are there any specific topics you would like to see us write about?  Now is your chance! Speak or forever hold your peace :)

2) I was thinking about how the Bible instructes us to encourage, edify, and exhort one another.  So, what verse do you hold onto when things are rough, the verse that encourages you the most?  Or what is your favorite verse.

As a musician, songs tend to help me more than words but the chapter that always encourages me is Psalm 42.

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

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90 Day Bible Challenge, Week Eleven

Matthew 26:57 thru Mark 9:13

Mark 9:14 thru Luke 1:80

Luke 2:1 thru Luke 9:62

Luke 10:1 thru Luke 20:19

Luke 20:20 thru John 5:47
 
John 6:1 thru John 15:17

John 15:19 thru Acts 6:7

You're in the homestretch!!!!

How is everyone doing??

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90 Day Bible Challenge, Week Ten

Daniel 9:1 thru Hosea 13:6

Hos 13:7 thru Amos 9:10

Amos 9:11 thru Nahum 3:19
 
Hab 1:1 thru Zechariah 10:12

Zec 11:1 thru Matthew 4:25
 
Matthew 5:1 thru Matt 15:39

Matt 16:1 thru Matt 26:56

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Stand still

I've had this article bouncing around in my head for a few weeks... I can't put it together exactly... so bear with me.  Here are my thoughts...

1) Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. ~ 2 Chronicles 20:17

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. ~ Exodus 14:13

2)How many times have you heard that verse?  A thousand? Maybe. I always thought... "right, just wait on God." But then I thought... "wait a sec....You don't get to just lie around on your couch and wait for God to move.. or just do your thing and watch him move.  You have to stand."  I looked the word up in the Strongs and it means: to stand, in various relations (literally and figuratively, intransitively and transitively): - abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be [over], place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, + serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.  So obviously it doesn't really mean you get to lay down....  You have to stand, just stand, not walk not run, not fight, just stand.

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

3) Final thoughts... God asks us to trust him to believe that he is with us.  And from personal experience I can tell you He is. So in those times when you wonder if He's deserted you or you get to the point where you say I can't stand anymore God! Remember His grace is sufficient and "it was then that I carried you".  When you feel like you can't go on, know that all you have to do is stand your ground and you will see the salvation of God.

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