Fear or Respect

Day 22 – Job 28

Job 28:28 “And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”

Why is it that so many are afraid to ”fear” the Lord?  Not afraid because of God, but because of others.  Why is it norm to deny God rather than openly love and fear Him?  If it is wise to fear Him, why don’t more people?  In today’s society most of us have grown to believe that we should fear nothing.  When did fear become so horrible?  Especially fear of God.  A power so strong He could wipe us all out.  Shoot, that is someone to fear!  However, I am starting to wonder if the fear should be more of a respect.  For example, when we are children we do or don’t do things because of fear of punishment from our parents.  As we grew it became more knowing and understanding right from wrong.  As we reached “adulthood” our decisions, becoming more intense, we’re not only driven by right versus wrong, but I truly believe also out of respect for our parents.  I no longer fear my parents, but still keep them in mind out of respect.  Some decisions I make are a reflection of who I am, and therefore a reflection of them.  As it is this way with parents, I believe it is the same with God.  I don’t believe I will ever NOT fear God, but I believe Christians do a lot of our decision making based off of a respect for such an awesome power.

When the Sun Goes Down

Day 21 – Job 24-27

Job 24:13-17 “There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths. When daylight is gone, the murderer rises up, kills the poor and needy, and in the night steals forth like a thief. The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, ‘No eye will see me,’ and he keeps his face concealed. In the dark, thieves break into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they want nothing to do with the light.  For all of them, midnight is their morning; they make friends with the terrors of darkness.”

These verses make me think of the saying “nothing good happens after midnight”.  I don’t know who the first person was to say that to me and I have some of my own versions.  “Nothing good happens after the bars close”, etc.  But if we think about these verses and then look at how our society is now, they are still very relevant and not just to the extremes.  I am guilty of doing things after dark that I would be less likely to do during the daylight.  Not necessarily bad things, but for example getting drunk and allowing a man who is unknown to me dance inappropriately with me.  That situation is not uncommon for a lot of single 20 something females.  Now there may be some people thinking “I do that during the day light” and I am sure it happens, but is the bar/club lit?  My guess is, it is not.  The mood inside the bar/club is that of night.  Lights off, only dimly lit.  This is because people are more free with the lights off.  I have never seen a dance floor with every single light on full.  Shoot, even at wedding receptions the lights are dimmed for the dance.  I am fully aware that not all sin happens after dark and that not all Christians behave differently after dark.  I, myself, have already made that change in my life.  Not only do I just not go out as much, I do my best to act as a lady no matter what time of day it is.

Do you behave differently when the sun goes down?

Justify This

Day 20 – Job 20-23 (9/7/10)

Job 21:22 “Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?”

I believe this to be one of the first ever rhetorical questions.  Anyone who believes now or believed then knows the answer, so no answer is really needed.  The question is just thrown out there.  At any rate, how many times do we humans try to tell God about how it is or what should be?  While we believe ourselves to be all knowing only one is.  He is.  We are taught that and shown that but we still try to tell Him and teach Him about things.  I believe any time I have tried to tell God about the way things are, it was about justifying something I had either done, said, or thought which was not in good standing with Him.  Man, we can justify anything can’t we.  Anything from making fun of someone to the extreme of murder.  We hear murderers justifying their actions all the way to their prison cell and beyond.  Why do we do that?  I would say on average, I am justifying my actions regularly.  Not with God necessarily, but with friends, sometimes family.  Not bad actions, just day to day actions.  Why do we do this?  Why do we demand justification from others?  Why is it our business?  I challenge myself to not believe I am needing of justification from others and let God do His job.

You? A Bible Reader?

Day 19 – Job 15-19

In these four chapters I didn’t find anything that “spoke” to me.  It is possible that nothing did because I am a little distracted, so I am going to write about what is distracting me.  I was telling a friend of mine the other day about the day I was having and I mentioned reading the Bible.  She looks at me and says “I didn’t know you were a Bible reader”.  I said “Well I don’t put it on my resume, but yeah.”  She chuckled and quickly changed the subject.  For some reason I have been thinking about these two statements a lot.  If she is my friend shouldn’t she know how I spend my time? And I guess that isn’t even the point.  I don’t tell people in passing conversation that I read the Bible and we had first met at work so it had never come up before, but the assumption that I don’t read the Bible is what I believe has got me bewildered.  So I have been thinking about what it is that I do or say which has people assuming I am not Bible reading material.  Yes, I curse, but I have heard pastors curse.  So being a developer and cursing equals not Bible reading material?  I am a kind person who works hard and won’t let anyone walk on me at work, so because I don’t allow people to take advantage of me means I can’t possibly read the Bible?  Being stubborn as an ox, does that make me someone who wouldn’t read the Bible?  I am very perplexed by this.  For the last 8 years I have stopped wearing my beliefs on my sleeve and believe it is a good thing.  But now I am perceived by people who are my friends to not be someone who reads the Bible.  Okay for the last eight years I have mostly lived a life of a non Bible reader, but these folks met me in the last couple years.  Met me in a time of change for my life.  Is it because I go to clubs and drink and dance?  Because I know that a lot of the folks they run into at bars on Saturday either went to church before or will go Sunday morning.  Why is it that so many people perceive Bible reading Christians to be boring, non social individuals?  And why is it that those who don’t read the Bible and are my friends assume I don’t?  Is it something I need to do differently or is it them?

God's Ying/Yang Power

Day 18 – Job 12-14

Job 12:13-25 “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; those he imprisons cannot be released. If he holds back the waters, there is drought; if he lets them loose, they devastate the land. To him belong strength and insight; both deceived and deceiver are his. He leads rulers away stripped and makes fools of judges. He takes off the shackles put on by kings and ties a loincloth^[a] around their waist. He leads priests away stripped and overthrows officials long established. He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders. He pours contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty. He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light. He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them. He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he makes them wander in a trackless waste. They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.”

In these verses, God’s power is spelled out in a sort of ying/yang way.  Explaining all the things God can give and all the things God can take away.  Job is making sure we understand that God works the full range of the spectrum.  As I mentioned a couple days ago.  I think we forget that God will give us “tests” as He did Job, and why shouldn’t He.  No one ever told me in Sunday School that being a Christian was to be easy.  However, I will say the focus was on how much good God does and it seems to me the only tests we are told about are those Satan gives.  I don’t recall talking about God’s tests.  I will admit that it has been some time ago, but as I think back conversations of God’s tests didn’t start until confirmation days.  I wonder why that is.  Or did we talk about it, but all I can remember is the good.  We talked about the flood but focused on Noah, not why God destroyed the Earth and everything on it.  Shouldn’t we learn that it is important to both love and fear God?  He is the strongest power.  These verses are a good reminder of how quickly and easily it would be for God to take away anything I have or He could just as easily double it.

Wit or Wise

Day 17 – Job 8-11

Job 11:12 “But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born human.”

I think I just like this verse.  Didn’t really read anything that compelled me to write.  But if I think about this verse, the more I think there is some truth to it (but of course, it’s the Bible).  I do not know a single wise witless person.  However, is it their lack of wit that makes them unwise?  Only reason I pose the question is because I also know some witty unwise people.  But the verse says “become wise”, so witty unwise people could BE wise, but un witty people cannot.  Glad I was given the gift of wit!  I may not be the wisest person, but at least I have hope!!! J

Do you envy?

Day 16 – Job 5-7

Job 5:2 “Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.”

Are you like me and find yourself falling into the role of a fool and/or simple person?  Your heart occupying resentment and envy?  Man, these are two things that so easily creep up on us!  Why is it that so often we are not happy with what we have or have accomplished?  Why do we tend to look at others and desire their belongings or accomplishments?  Sometimes I think we can lose opportunities when we are looking at someone else’s’ life.  Opportunities that give us a chance to have our own accomplishments.  We are too busy wanting what others have that we don’t take care or appreciate what we do have.  It is foolish and simple to have resentment and envy in our hearts, but so hard to avoid.  Shoot, everyday I think “I wish I had…” or “If only I had…” or “I want to do…”  And to change that might just be one of the biggest challenges to myself, but I am going to give it a shot!  Start thinking “I am so lucky to have…” or “I’m glad I did…” or “I am happy to be able to…”  And what about the other end of resentment and envy?  Why is it we want to be the object of resentment and envy? “I will be the envy of…”  Why is it we strive for that?  Should that really be the goal?  It seems to motivate so many of us, but why?  I am not sure that is any better than being envious.  Shouldn’t we just want to do us and live the life we are given?  Who are we trying so hard to impress?  Why do we even care so much?  God is the judge and He isn’t going to be envious.

Resentment and envy free… my new model… I hope!

An Unexpected Weekend for My Soul

This weekend I came to Des Moines to spend Friday night with my sister and her husband.  My sister and I then went the most fun Cyclone football game.  I was originally going to go up to Minnesota to see Anthony, but because of an unfortunate death in his family I did not.  So, I got to spend the evening with my sister.  This morning I got up and went to church with my sister and Jon.  It has been an awesome weekend and I have gotten a lot of eye opening things happen.  So this blog doesn't tie to a anything specific I have read from the Bible, but I am still feeling pulled to write about it.

Friday, I arrived at my sister's place and was able to participate in their Harvest party.  The folks attending were young married couples.  They carved pumpkins for fun prizes.  Had fellowship with others in the same stage of their lives.  They also played some fun, light hearted games.  Although I was the "odd" one out, I was welcomed into this party, the fellowship, and the games.  I cannot remember the last time I had so much fun!!!  It was just what I needed.  It was child's play at an adult level.  We had fun and at least one lady learned something about her husband she didn't know before. :) I was able to be myself without reservation and I had just met most of these people that night.  It is amazing to me that when you surround yourself with the correct people how much you are allowed to be yourself and have fun!  I thank these young people for being so wonderful and helping me see what real adult fellowship can be.  Maybe I can be at this party every year?!?!

Saturday, Tiffany and I got up early for a Saturday and went to a local French bakery to get breakfast.  After we all ate and ran some errands we began to get ready for the ISU game and family tailgating.  As we were walking to get into the car I realized that I had left the tickets to the game in Omaha!  I was SO frustrated with myself, but sister to the rescue.  She called daddy and we got the number to the ISU ticket office from mom and I was able to get in touch with someone who said they could reprint the tickets... whew!!!  Tiffany and I got to Ames, met mom and dad and drove into the stadium.  We enjoyed some time together and saw a few friends in the parking lot and then packed up to go into the stadium.  Tiffany and I got to our seats and we were so glad the seats were as good as we thought they would be.  2nd level and right on the 50 yard line!!!  The game was so much fun!!!  The NE player wanted the ball more in the last play of the game for the win, but it was still a VERY exciting game and the type of performance during the game that makes us Cyclone fans, fans!!!  Many wonder if the fake PAT was the right move and I think it showed true belief in the players by the coach and belief in their teammates by the team.  Since the game was in OT it was the best time to go for 2 points because NO ONE in that stadium expected it.  It was a good play, the NE player just wanted it more.  Even though we lost, I still won my Starbucks bet with boss! :) The game was fun and I am still PROUD to be a Cyclone!!! :)  This team has helped me to see what it is to have 100% trust and faith in those who are suppose to support and guide you.  The Cyclone football team also shows us what a group of people can accomplish when they have a common goal and truly work as a team.

Sunday morning I went to church with Tiffany and Jon.  It was nice to see all the chairs full! :)  Jon didn't preach this morning, Paster Molly did and I enjoyed hearing her preach (not that I don't enjoy Jon's sermons).  I have had quite a few things on my mind lately as I am trying to change my life and Molly's sermon spoke directly to it.  There were things she said that put some of my struggles into perspective.  As most who know me, understand that at one point in time my life was lived for Christ and anyone who knew me or talked to me knew this because I wore my beliefs on my sleeve.  A reaction to an event in my life about 8 years ago lead me away from this life.  I lived for me.  My priorities were different.  I got away from everything that I knew and entered a life of what I thought was a life of love and fun.  It wasn't until the last 6-8 months that I realized I was not truly happy and what I thought was love was empty.  So as I move to this new life where I am trying to become equal with the important things (mind, body, & spirit) I am beginning to realize that I may lose some of my friends with this change.  I do not want to lose these friends, but everything inside me is telling me that I will lose some of the friends I currently have.  Although, this shouldn't keep me from changing because it is a positive change and if my friends can't accept me for who I am they really are not my friends, it is a worry for me.  Molly's sermon today put this worry into perspective for me.  She spoke of people who are becoming Christians and embracing the love of Christ and the life of Christ with open arms even though they could face possible death because of this choice.  Here I am struggling with the possibility of losing people in my life who may not support me, but will not lose my life.  I thank Molly for her sermon today because I am now going to continue with my change and those who cannot support this positiveness in my life will not be able to also enjoy the love of Christ in fellowship with me!  I love my friends, but I need to put Christ first!

I challenge all those who have slowed or been struggling with changing their lives to live for Christ because of people in their lives, to really think about who you are holding out on Christ for.  Are they really worth eternal life with Christ?