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?

Evil Weeds

Day 15 - Job 2:11-4:21

Job 4:8 “As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.”

Doesn't this seem like common sense?  It also sounds like karma a little.  "What goes around, comes around."  "Reap what you sow."  Using a farm reference makes sense for the Bible.  Back then people lived off the land and understood the plow and sow concept.  The before mentioned sayings are used today, but I wonder what reference the verse would have if it had been written today, hmm....  It would have to have something to do with texting and Facebook no doubt!  Seriously though, was there ever a time in your life where there was evil, even the slightest bit, in your heart?  How well did that work out for you?  I remember a time in my life where just a seed of evil had been planted in my life.  For me this evil was like the weeds people hate to have in their yards because it doesn't take much to keep it alive and it spreads like wild fire taking over everything.  This evil took over my life.  I didn't know how to control it.  I became a hateful person, a judgmental person, selfish, and because of it an unhappy person.  In this situation, God had to be my weed killer first to remove the evil and then the Miracle Grow to make me a better and stronger person because I know longer had the evil keeping me down.  If we are not careful, even the smallest seed of evil will grow into a big weed that will suffocate all the beautiful and strong things we are as Christians.  I challenge myself daily to ensure I keep the weeds out of my life and out of my heart.  It is not always the easiest thing to do, but I know it is the best.

What do you think the saying for the texting and Facebook generation should be?

Good, Never Challenge

Day 14 - Job 1:16-2:10

Job 2:10 “He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not
trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.”

Sometimes we believe that the only way God provides to us is through good.  Isn't there a saying "God won't give us more than we can handle"?  Why would that saying even be around if we only got good from God.  Job is really sick because God is testing his dedication to Him to prove to Satan Job's belief in Him and more importantly Job's unwillingness to curse God.  God tests people all the time, but back then people knew it as such and would handle it as a test from God.  However today we hit a rough patch and instead of asking for God's guidance and help through it, the majority of us blame Him and curse His name and so on.  I wonder why our attitudes towards His tests for us have changed over the years.  I wonder who the first person was to curse God because of a test.  Is it just because it is easy to blame and curse Him?  Is it because we believe He won't "get all in our face" like someone might if we blamed and cursed them out?  I am challenging myself to recognize challenges in my life as tests from God and pray for His guidance during these times rather than look to blame someone.  More than likely, the challenge will be there because of something I had done.