Creation Day 6 Continued

Here, again, is the Bible story about day six - this time from the New King James Version:

"Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind"; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.  Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so.  Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day."(Genesis 1:24-31 NKJV)

As I started looking at this passage again this morning, I started once again to look up meanings of words, but found myself looking at some words I THOUGHT I fully understood - the ones translated "and God saw that it was good".  I first looked up the word translated "saw" and discovered it meant "to see" in MANY applications, "direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative".  That word "causative" jumped out at me.  Then I looked up the word "that" and saw something similar: "indicating causal relations of all kinds". The word "good" comes from a root word meaning "to be do or make good" (emphasis mine).  This simple statement, "God saw that it was good", implies causation!  This strikes me two ways:

1. The way God looks at things CAUSES them to be good!  In other words, He approaches His observations from a positive standpoint, looking for the good in them.  How often do I do the opposite?  How often when I look at something I've created, do my eyes focus on the flaws?  It's easy to make excuses, telling myself that God's creation was perfect so of course He couldn't focus on the flaws.  But He knew what was coming!  He knew what was going to happen to His beautiful creation and the downward spiral things would take.  That IS NOT what He focused on.  Am I willing to make a similar choice and focus on the good?
2. God wasn't just looking at creation and saying it was good.  It appears He was also telling Himself, "I did a good job" - appreciating not only what had been created, but that He had been the one to create it!  I've often thought that to appreciate that I had a hand in creating something beautiful was to become prideful and was bad, but here I see God doing it. Obviously there must be a difference between appreciating something one has done well and becoming prideful.  As I think about this, I realize that as I've observed life, I've seen that often those who seek the attention of others to compliment their work - those who seem prideful - are in fact often the opposite.  They don't have faith in their own abilities, so seek praise from others.  Perhaps as I acknowledge the things I do well, knowing God has given me the abilities that I have, I can simply be grateful and not seek the approval of others.  It also reminds me that I can appreciate and acknowledge those things that I see are "good" that others have done and express my appreciation for that, too.

I haven't gotten nearly as far as I expected in looking at day six, but I feel I have my food for thought for this day.  It's time, and past time, for me to look at what I've created thus far and recognize that it is good.  There are aspects that have been discouraging.  Things haven't always gone as easily as I had hoped or come together the way I expected.  But I know that "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28) and I can look for that good!  I can appreciate what's been accomplished - what I've accomplished.

Thank you, Father.  I know that "every good and perfect gift" comes from you (James 1:17), and that includes any abilities I am discovering that I have.  You created me and I am dissing YOUR work when I denigrate myself!  Forgive me!  Since I KNOW all things work together for good, I can also KNOW that there is a reason for the challenges I've faced and the seemingly blocked roads and wasted effort. I can KNOW that what you are creating in me is VERY GOOD, because that is the kind of creator you are!  I can even see some hints about what the reasons might be for some of these things, but I know your plans are far beyond anything I can imagine.  And I know your plans for me are for my good (Jeremiah 29:11), and that you give good gifts to your children (Matt 7:11).  Thank you that you are my Father! I am so grateful to have your guidance! I once again ask that your will be done in my life, and I thank you, Father!  Please work in me as I move forward in this day, that all may be according to YOUR plan, for then I know indeed it will be VERY GOOD! 

Creation Day 6

Day 6 of creation was a busy day indeed:

"Then God said, "Let the earth be filled with animals, each producing more of its own kind. Let there be tame animals and small crawling animals and wild animals, and let each produce more of its kind." And it happened. So God made the wild animals, the tame animals, and all the small crawling animals to produce more of their own kind. God saw that this was good. 

Then God said, "Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals on the earth."  So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female. 

God blessed them and said, "Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth."  God said, "Look, I have given you all the plants that have grain for seeds and all the trees whose fruits have seeds in them. They will be food for you.  I have given all the green plants as food for every wild animal, every bird of the air, and every small crawling animal." And it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and it was very good. Evening passed, and morning came. This was the sixth day." (Genesis 1:24-31 NCV)

Father, what is it that you want me to understand for today?  And how does this apply to my life and what you are seeking to create in and through me?  Several thoughts cross my mind as I read this passage:

• What do the differences between tame animals, wild animals, and small crawling animals signify that they are spelled out separately like that?  
• I note again that each creates after it's kind.  This is a fundamental aspect of creation - what we focus on creates more like itself.  It's SO important to focus on the positive!
• I note the creation of humans comes with instructions - what they are to do and what they are to eat.  What does this signify?

There's a lot here, and I won't try to get to it all today.  I'll start by looking at the significance of the different animals; looking up their meanings in Strong's Concordance.  

• First the word translated "animals" means "breathing creature" and is used literally (bodily) and metaphorically (mentally).  Once again it's a reminder to me to watch my thoughts as they have a life of their own.  They will create after their kind, so I want to focus on the positive!
• Tame - the word comes from a word meaning to be "mute", and means a "dumb beast"- particularly a
  "large quadruped or animal (often collective)".
• Small Crawling - The word itself means a reptile or any rapidly moving animal, and comes from a word that means to glide swiftly, to crawl with short steps, or figuratively to swarm.
• Wild - This word simply means "to be alive - raw, fresh, strong - literally or figuratively" and comes from a word meaning "to live - literally or figuratively". 

As I think about these types and the way the produce "after their kind", I am reminded not only to watch my words and my deeds to ensure they're ones I want to to reproduce, but also that there is a time for everything.  There is a time to think about and create big common things, a time to think about and create many small quickly moving things, and a time to think about and create fresh new strong things. Once again, Father, I seek your guidance.  What do I need to understand for today?

As I think about these things, I realize I am much more drawn to the "wild" animals.  I want to focus on those "fresh" things.  I love thinking about and creating things that are new to me.  Those "dumb beasts" to me seem rather boring - yet they were so important for the people being spoken to here!  Those "dumb beasts" were the ones that got things done - plowing the fields, carrying people where they wanted to go, providing milk for cheese and butter.  The wild animals might have been beautiful to see and really strong, but they weren't particularly "biddable".  Later as people began to eat meat for food, though they enjoyed wild venison, the meat from their domestic animals was a staple. 

I realize I need to focus more of my attention on domestic issues.  I don't like stopping my creative work to do the more mundane household chores, but they are IMPORTANT and life sustaining!  I need to be willing to take the time necessary to take care of myself.  

What about those small crawling things?  There are many small chores that are a part of my daily life.  Each seems pretty insignificant by itself, but they have a way of quickly becoming an almost overwhelming "swarm" if not attended to on a regular basis.

Father, once again you show me how stubborn I am!  I don't want to "waste time" on all those household chores that seem to get in the way of my spending time doing the more creative work that I love.  And yet, life sustaining certainly is not a "waste of time"!  Father, I once again need you both to WILL in me and to DO of your good pleasure (Phil 2:13) in my life !  I see how resistant I am to spending much time on domestic issues - especially right now when other issues seem so pressing and deadlines so close!  Father, I want to do a good job with these new things you are bringing into my life!  I also want YOUR will to be done, and I recognize that your creation includes the more mundane as well as the new.  Father, please increase my willingness and desire to follow through with the mundane issues that need attention.  Please guide my thoughts and my activities today that they may be in alignment with YOUR will.  Thank you, Father, as I once again remember "the way that you keep everything running right" and shout your praises (Psalms 119:164). So be it - on earth (especially the earth of my life) as it is in heaven! (Matthew 6:10)

Creative Process Day 5

Summing up the guide to the creative process as seen in the first chapter of Genesis, so far we have:

• Day 1 - Thinking (Brooding) and Getting the Basic Idea
• Day 2 - Dividing the Negative Thoughts and Emotions from the Positive ones and putting a Barrier between them.
• Day 3 - Dealing with Negative Thoughts and Emotions by Gathering them Up and Examining them in the Light of God's Love so a Firm Foundation for the upcoming Creation can appear.  This day also brings the Promises - Growth, Results, Power, and Delight!
• Day 4 - Before moving farther, it's time to Create Beacons or Signs that will serve as Reminders to continually separate the negative from the positive and always point out Cheery aspects no matter how discouraging things may appear.  Here we Set a Clear Intent to Focus on the Positive.

Now, it's time for Day 5 and an explosion of active created beings:

Then God said, "Let the water be filled with living things, and let birds fly in the air above the earth."  So God created the large sea animals and every living thing that moves in the sea. The sea is filled with these living things, with each one producing more of its own kind. He also made every bird that flies, and each bird produced more of its own kind. God saw that this was good. God blessed them and said, "Have many young ones so that you may grow in number. Fill the water of the seas, and let the birds grow in number on the earth." Evening passed, and morning came. This was the fifth day.  (Genesis 1:20-23 NCV)

It strikes me that land-based life forms were created last - water and air creatures came first.  What does this signify?  Why create first in the water & air?  Perhaps this symbolizes the proliferation of feelings (water-based) and ideas (air-based).  Previous days have cleared out the negative thoughts and feelings and made way for exciting new things.  The air around us is just teaming with ideas - this time quite concrete! We know exactly what we want to do!  The waters are full of joyful exuberance.  We try out all sorts of ideas and they spark more - "each producing more of its own kind".  One enthusiastic response breeds more - each after it's own kind. NO WONDER we wanted to separate the light from the darkness FIRST! This creative proliferation would be hard to take if it weren't positively focused!!!!  What a wonderful day to be alive!  

Father, thank you for this process!  Thank you that the abundance of creation "after it's own kind" doesn't pour forth until AFTER we've separated the light from the darkness, gleaned what we can from the challenging experiences of our lives, and moved forward with a positive focus.  What a horror would be created if this weren't so!  Father, this gives me greater clarity about the importance of waiting for YOU to determine that the time is right!  Thank you, Father, for doing so! 

It also strikes me that when all this proliferation occurs, there is no need to pick and choose among them.  ALL are created!!!!  I think about what I'm dealing with right now.  Lots of opportunities seem to be opening up and I haven't been sure I could handle them all and thought maybe I would have to pick and choose (which threatened to bring back some of those "worry" thoughts about how to choose the "right" ones).  But I don't have to pick and choose!  Somehow we'll (God in me) be able to create them all!  How amazing is that?????   

Thank you, Father!  How wonderful to be able to just be open to all opportunities coming my way, knowing YOU are in charge!  Father, I ask that my mind be kept focused on you - my thoughts fixed on you.  I think of the promise from Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!  (Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.)  Thank you, Father!

Creation Day 4

"Then God said, "Let there be lights in the sky to separate day from night. These lights will be used for signs, seasons, days, and years. They will be in the sky to give light to the earth." And it happened.

So God made the two large lights. He made the brighter light to rule the day and made the smaller light to rule the night. He also made the stars. God put all these in the sky to shine on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw that all these things were good. Evening passed, and morning came. This was the fourth day."  (Genesis 1:14-19 - NCV)

According to Strong's Concordance, the word translated "lights" figuratively means cheerfulness.  As I seek to understand how this story might apply to my life today, I LOVE the idea of God creating spots of cheerfulness to "rule" our days and nights!  These lights were put in the "sky" - that boundary that can symbolize a boundary between negative and positive emotions (see previous post about day 2) - to shine on the earth (that firm foundation discovered on day 2 as a result of dealing with our "negative" emotions). 

It always interests me when I come across a word whose meaning in the original language is quite different than what I expect.  This time, it's the word translated "seasons". The created lights are to be used for signs, seasons, days, and years (emphasis mine). When I think of season, I think of summer, fall, winter, & spring - the four seasons.  But this is not really the focus of the original word, though our four seasons could certainly fit within the definition.  The original word means an "appointment". It is applied to meetings (including the people there and the place they meet), and to festivals - especially those commemorating a specific event - like celebrating an anniversary of it.  It can even mean a preplanned signal.

These lights, these spots of cheerfulness, were to RULE over the day and over the night, to separate the light (word has a wide variety of figurative meanings, including happiness) from the darkness (word includes the ideas of misery, sorrow, and ignorance), and to serve as reminders of appointments, anniversaries of important events, and the recurring cycle of time (days & years). 

As I ponder all these things, thoughts begin to come:

• Do I allow spots of cheerfulness to rule my days and nights?  Or am I more likely to allow spots of doom and gloom to do so?  What is the focus of my attention?  Father, I DO want to focus my attention on those things of "good report" (Phil 4:8), on those spots of cheerfulness. I DO want to allow THEM to rule my day as you intended.  Thank you, Father!
• While the moon and stars are not as luminous as the sun, and the night can seem very dark at times, there are always these lights, these spots of cheerfulness, if I am willing to look for them.  If a cloud is covering them, I can be patient until it passes and allows me to see them once again.
• These lights were to "separate" (or distinguish) the light from the darkness.  Once again I see an emphasis on separating negative and positive emotions and am reminded of what I saw with regard to the 2nd day of creation.  I realize that in my own experience, at times it is far too easy to allow negative emotions to cloud everything and becoming all-consuming, but that is not meant to be.  There are always "spots of cheerfulness" designed to remind me that all is not doom and gloom. They are to separate out those dark nights of the soul, from the full light of day and the happiness it can bring.  They can serve to remind me that no matter how dark things seem, the morning is coming when I can experience happiness in the full light of day.  
• I think about some of the spots of cheerfulness I've experienced recently as the new creation in me is unfolding. One night in particular comes to mind. I needed to do something that I REALLY didn't want to do.  I was feeling out of sorts and the thought of putting myself out there and interacting with people the way I knew I needed to do was really challenging.  I didn't want to do it, but I prayed about it and felt pretty clearly that I needed to get out there regardless of how I was feeling.  I prayed for energy and a more positive outlook as I stepped forward to what I was being called to do.  Long story short, as I did so, God spoke through those I interacted with, lifting my spirits in an amazing way, and I am still feeling the effects several days later.  Those very interactions I was wanting to avoid turned out to be those spots of cheerfulness God was sending to keep the "night" of my emotions from overwhelming me!
• I think about how these lights were meant to be signs.  This reminds me to make better note of those spots of happy cheerfulness in my days, and to ask what God is indicating through them.  If they are meant to serve as guidance, I don't want to miss it!  This also remind me that God's will is designed to bring happiness. "For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for well-being, and not for calamity, in order to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11-12 ISV)
• I think of how these lights were for "seasons" or appointments, and this reminds me of the verse I've been holding to for some weeks now "Seven times each day I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right." (Psalms 119:164 - The Message Bible)  These spots of cheeriness can remind me that God is indeed in control and can serve as a reminder of the need to stop and praise God  - to keep that appointment, if you will.
• And I think about how these lights were "for days and for years".  This is not just short-term, but long-term as well.  The light I receive today not only illuminates my current experience, but will continue to illuminate things for me as days become years.  As they light the "earth", that firm foundation God is creating in my experience, I better understand any seemingly negative experiences as they are illuminated by God's light of love (see day 2).  This not only helps lift my spirits in the moment, but gives me experience that better grounds me in God's love and serves as an important reminder for the future when things look dark.

Father, thank you for your light! Thank you for the happiness you bring! Thank you for increased understanding of the path ahead as you light my way.  Thank you that your plans ARE for my well being!  Thank you for the joy you put in me!  I DO praise you for the way you keep everything running right.  I am so encouraged by the way you've brought me to understand my next steps and keep unfolding your plan for me.  Father, it is so exciting to be a part of this new venture!  Thank you for those lights that have allowed me to begin to experience the excitement, rather than just fear.  Your light really HAS separated that light (enthusiasm and excitement) from the darkness (fear).  Where once all I saw was fear, I now see so much good!  Thank you, Father!  Thank you for your continued guidance this day as I step forward into my tasks for this day. I am SO grateful for it!  Truly you are "my light" and the "strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalms 27:1) Thank you, Father.  It is so amazing the way you cast out my fear! (I John 4:18) I am SO grateful! Amen.

Creation Day 3 Continued

Last night, I went to bed unsure of my next steps in preparing for my class, and worried about how I am going to get everything done in time. I prayed about it as I went to sleep, but still slept fitfully.  This morning I awoke with a repeated phrase from the creation story running through my head - "And God said, Let there be . . . " And I realized that as God spoke, His words contained the power to make it happen.  No one WORRIED it into existence!  I felt God speaking to me about my new project saying, "I've told you that I'm building this house (Psalms 127:1) - just LET it happen!"  What a relief to once again remember that it's not all on MY shoulders!  

I'm needing to learn a whole new way of working - to "let go and let God".  From time to time I've been able to put that idea into practice when it comes to addressing various concerns that are out of my control, but now it is time to realize that I don't have control of ANYTHING!  It's ALL God's, and as I turn my life more fully over to Him, I need to LET HIM work through me, rather than expecting myself to figure it all out!  

Of course, saying this is much easier than actually doing it.  I know I'm not meant to just sit idle waiting for God to do it all.  I'm to let Him work THROUGH me.  That means I will be working, but under His power and direction. What does that mean?  How does that work?  I have to learn to recognize and follow His lead. My experience with dance teaches me a great deal about this. It is NOT automatic for me to simply follow a dance partner.  I have to learn the subtle cues and what they mean - this move on his part means I will need to be doing this or that. Part of continued learning in dance is learning better ways to lead and follow a partner for smoother execution of the moves.  

Perhaps this is part of why I've been guided to the creation story at this time. It can help me understand the process better so I can better understand and follow the guidance I am given from moment to moment in this wonderful dance with God as my partner.  So, today as I finish my look at Day 3 of creation, I continue to seek specific guidance for and understanding of my next preparation steps.  Once again, here's the account of creation day 3, this time from the New King James Version:

"Then God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth"; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the third day." (Genesis 1:9-13 NKJV)

In my last post, I looked at the first part of this account. Today I'll look at the second part. Two things jump out at me as I read this.  First is the question, "What does this "vegetation" represent in the personal creation God is creating in and through me?  And second is the note that there's a real focus on "seed-bearing" and "each kind containing its own seed".  What does that represent?  Once again I turn to God for understanding and then to reference books to seek out the nuances of the words in the original language.

• grass - literally a "sprout"
• herb - "any tender shoot" - from a root word meaning to glisten or be green
• yields - literally means "to sow", figuratively means "to disseminate"  (this one surprises me - I expected it to mean something about growing the seed rather than scattering it!)
• seed - from that word meaning "to sow" - literally means "seed", figuratively means fruit, plant, posterity (children), or even planting time.
• tree - from word that means "to fasten or make firm" it refers to "firm wood" - in tree form or simply wood of some kind
• fruit - means simply that, "fruit", but is also used figuratively (presumably speaking of "results")
• kind - word relates to sorting things into types or species
• in itself - among other things, this word can relate to "place", "time", "means", or "cause".  (This, I think, is part of what I was being told this morning in the focus on "let there be".  The power is in the calling or naming!  When God directed me to proceed in this new direction, He also put within me the power to do it - "the seed is in itself". I MUST trust this!  Thank you, Father, that you work within me both to WILL and to DO!  Please give me the faith and understanding I need to move forward, and may YOUR will be done! Thank you!)
• good - pleasant, delightful, favorable, pleasurable, beautiful (once again I am reminded that participating in creation with God is meant to be pleasant - delightful even.  It is not meant to be a burden or something to be feared)

I turn back to my initial questions: What does this "vegetation" represent in the personal creation God is creating in and through me?  What about the focus on seed bearing and each kind containing it's own seed?  As I contemplate these questions, I find myself moved to tears, because this passage for me represents some amazing promises!  

1. First is the promise of growth - those "herbs" are green and growing, not brown or withered! Also, those seeds are not just static, but are disseminated! Father, I am so grateful for the spiritual growth taking place in me, and for the promise of growth in my new endeavors.
2. Second is the promise of fruit (results) - this passage did not simply speak of trees, but specifically of fruit trees.  This class that I'll be teaching is at a time/place where people have warned me few people will come - and yet I felt strongly guided to move forward into the opportunity presented.  Here I am promised that there WILL be fruit!  
3. Third, is the fact that the power to create what is needed is already in me, placed there by God.  I've often heard the phrase, "every bidding, is an enabling", when describing the way God works with us.  This is another way of saying that He works in us both to WILL and to DO (Philippians 2:13).
4. And finally, there is the assurance that this is all good.  It is meant to be pleasant, delightful, favorable, pleasurable, beautiful.  There is nothing to fear, and it is not meant to be a burden.  It is designed to be a fun, rewarding experience for me.  Thank you, God!

Father, I am always so amazed at how you can teach me from the most unexpected places.  This passage in Genesis is no exception!  Thank you so much for your promises and reassurance!  That you care so much about my day-to-day activities is such a source of amazement to me and makes me feel so cherished!  Thank you for your love, thank you for your guidance, thank you for your power!  You are an amazing God, and I am SO fortunate you chose to adopt me as your child!  Thank you, Father!  And now, as I move through my day, please keep me in your arms.  Guide me into your paths, that your will may be done in my life. Please cast out my fears and worries and keep my mind focused on You and Your power. Thank you, Father.  Amen. 

Creation Day 3

I am finding this look at creation to be so helpful in my daily life!  Understanding the creation process in this way really helps me begin to relax into the new things God is creating in my life. 

Day 1 - that "lightbulb moment" that in reality often is the culmination of a much longer period of "brooding".  There's not a lot to be seen in that brooding or thinking stage, but it is so important to pave the way for later accomplishments.  It really helps me accept those times where I'm in the idea stage and don't have much to show for it.  I needed to relax and trust things will happen as God sees the time is right.

Day 2 - separating lower emotions from higher ones and putting a barrier between them.  Wow, is this ever important for me as I work to create something!  I have to "put a lid" on those feelings of inadequacy and fear and focus instead on God's power and direction, allowing myself to feel the joy and peace that are also there but had been hidden by those "lower" feelings!

That brings us to today's topic - Day 3:

"Then God said, “Let the water beneath the sky come together into one area, and let dry ground appear!” And that is what happened: God called the dry ground “land,” and he called the water that had come together “oceans.” And God saw how good it was. Then God said, “Let vegetation sprout all over the earth, including seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each kind containing its own seed!” And that is what happened:  Vegetation sprouted all over the earth, including seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each kind containing its own seed. And God saw that it was good. The twilight and the dawn were the third day." Genesis 1:9-13 ISV

The first thing that strikes me is that God doesn't wait until the end of the day to evaluate His work this time.  His work is in two major parts, and He stops to appreciate the results of each when it is finished.  This is something I still don't always do in my life.  It is so easy for me to get caught up in everything I have to do that I'm always looking to the next thing that needs to be done rather than taking the time to pause and appreciate what God in me has already accomplished. I guess this is part of why I was given that text about stopping and shouting praises 7 times a day! (Ps 119:164)  Hopefully as I continue to focus on that, I will become more adept at acknowledging accomplishments.

Looking at the first part of day 3, I start to wonder what the gathering together of water beneath the sky, and land appearing might symbolize.  I note that this specifically refers to that water that has been "depressed", and it is the gathering together of THIS water that allows the dry land to appear.  I then look at the meanings of a couple of the words in Strong's concordance.

• The water was to "come together".  This word literally means to bind together.
• The water was to be gathered into one "area".  The word translated "area" literally means "a standing" and comes from a root word that means "to rise".
• The word translated "dry ground" comes from a root word meaning "to be ashamed, confused, or disappointed"!
• God called the dry ground "land".  That word that was translated "land" here, comes from a root word that means "to be firm".
• The water that had come together was called "ocean".  That word translated "ocean" comes from a root word that means "to roar". 

I feel like I'm beginning to get a better picture of how to deal with challenging emotions.  Part of the problem we often experience with them is that we let them take over everything.  If we are feeling bad about something, let's say it's a mistake that we've made, we often tend to dwell on it until it becomes a huge thing in our minds.  We begin to feel not simply that we made a mistake, but that it's something we "ALWAYS" do, and sometimes even begin to think that we ARE a mistake.  This is part of why we need that barrier discussed in creation day 2 to contain those negative emotions and separate them from the positive ones so we can clearly see that they are not ALL there is!  But there is more to the story than that!

The negative emotions are not even allowed to just sit there below the barrier, but are to be gathered together into one place.  This is what allows for the dry land to appear; and that dry land is what allows for the firm foundation for what is being created.  Yes, as those painful emotions are gathered together in one place, they can do some "roaring"; and when the dry land appears, we may recognize previous feelings of shame, disappointment or confusion.  But as we continue to prayerfully bind them together, trusting God and using His "bands of love" (Hosea 11:4 KJV) to tie them together, we find ourselves begin to rise - to be able to stand tall, knowing that He will be refashioning this very shame, disappointment, and confusion, into a firm foundation for what He is building in our lives!  What a picture! Thank you, Father!

This third day of creation was indeed was a very full day.  Just the gathering of the waters and having the dry land appear is amazing enough.  No wonder God paused and recognized how good it was!  I'm going to follow His example and pause here, contemplating God's goodness.  It's enough for me to take in for one day.  I'll look at the rest tomorrow (unless re-directed, of course!).

Father, thank you so much for your amazing ability to bring triumph out of tragedy, and victory out of victimization!  This morning I again pause to shout praises for the way you "keep everything running right"!  You are so amazing.  That you would take the time to work so individually with us to take our own private shame, confusion and disappointment and use it to build something wonderful is almost beyond my ability to comprehend, but I am SO grateful!  Thank you for all that you do and are doing in my life this day.  May my will be totally turned over to you so that it is in full alignment with yours, I pray.  May your will indeed be done on earth, including my little part of it, as it is in heaven.  Thank you, Father!

Creation, Day Two

In my last post I shared how I was starting to look at the story of creation as a model of how to bring something new into our lives. Yesterday I continued this study with a look at creation day number two as told in the story in Genesis, but it's taken a couple of days for me to digest the ideas enough to get them ready to post.

Day Two of Creation seems very short.  We are simply told:

"Then God said, “Let there be a canopy between bodies of water, separating bodies of water from bodies of water!”  So God made a canopy that separated the water beneath the canopy from the water above it. And that is what happened:  God called the canopy “sky.” The twilight and the dawn were the second day." Genesis 1:6-8, ISV

What does this mean?  He made a canopy to separate bodies of waters and called it "sky".  Was this the creation of earth's atmosphere?  I started looking up the words in Strong's concordance to see what insight I could gain there.  The word translated:

• "Bodies of water" can refer to several different liquids - including juice, urine, and semen.  Semen to me represents creation and I wonder if this "canopy" was to separate out the one creation (earth) from the rest.  
• "Separate" can mean "distinguish".  I start to get the idea that of all the possibilities He's separating out the portions that would relate to our world.  
• "Beneath" can mean "depressed".  It appears to mean this literally as pressing something down, but it makes me start thinking about emotions which are often symbolized by water.  It also makes me think of pressing something together, making it firm.  And I start to think about quantum mechanics and the wave/particle theory.  When a photon is seen as a wave, there are infinite possibilities where it exists.  When seen as a particle, it is condensed to only one of those possibilities.
• "Above" is the same as a word that means "the top".  A song pops into my head, "I'm on the top of the world, looking down on creation".
• "Sky" is also translated "Heaven" or "Air", and could also refer to space where the celestial bodies move. 

Okay, there are several interesting ideas there. The important question for me is what possible application does the story of the 2nd day of creation have to the creation occurring in my life at the moment.  What do I need to understand to more fully embrace what God is trying to create in me? Father, I continue to seek your guidance.  What would you have me understand?

I let the various ideas swirl around in my head, as I thought about the issues I was facing.  The biggest thing on my mind was the way I seemed to be blocked about making progress on preparation for the class I was CLEARLY guided to agree to teach. It's coming up soon and I felt far from ready for it.  Of particular concern were some political aspects - coordinating with others who appeared to be blocking what I felt led to do. 

As I pondered this, along with the ideas from day 2 of creation, what stood out to me was the need to separate depressing feelings from my more uplifting emotions and perhaps put a barrier of sorts between the two.  I consciously chose to follow the advice in Psalms 119:164 - to stop and shout praises for the way God keeps everything running right.  Indeed, "it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord" (Ps 92:1)!  It really helps shift my thinking about things, and this time was no exception.

I had already seen that the first "block" I had experienced had been a blessing in disguise as I began to realize that if I had continued down that path, the first class would have been quite hard for my beginning students.  I needed to start with something easier so the students would experience success right off the bat.  This would give them the faith in me they needed to be able to tackle something more difficult in the future.  I had dealt with that and now was facing a second block.  Why?  I didn't know, but I DID know I could trust God's leading.

The story of Gideon came to mind (Judges 6-8).  He had his army, and hoped they were up to the challenge of facing the larger army of the Midianites.  But God came to him and told him that he had too many people and needed to pare them down.  So, he made an announcement to the effect that those that were too fearful needed to return to their homes. (Father, I don't want to be numbered among those too fearful!  Thank you for giving me courage!)  Two-thirds of Gideon's army left him at this point!  Imagine what Gideon was feeling as he watched them go!  But then God told him that there were STILL too many people in his army!  The next test weeded out 97% of those remaining! Father, what else are you wanting to weed out in me? I realize immediately that I can't rely on negative emotions here.  I need to let them go. I note that the numbers are closer to the truth than I want to admit.  FAR too much of my energy has gone into dealing with negative emotions such as fear, frustration, and discouragement.  I need to let those go and focus on what remains - hope, courage, faith, joy, gratitude.  These are what will win any battle and support God's creation in me.

As I continued to pray for guidance, I realized an e-mail had popped up in my in-box.  It was a note from a friend suggesting I approach the issue I was facing from a totally different direction. She made some good points, and I knew I needed to call the people involved and talk to them.  I've always approached politically charged things with some trepidation, but as I felt the fear in me, I once again prayed for guidance and support. Father, please guide as I move through this day.  May the right decisions be reached, and if it be possible, may things go easy with any discussions.  Please remove any fear and give me your thoughts and words in my interactions this day.  Thank you!

Well, I experienced a miracle.  I've never had such conversations go any easier.  It was like everything was sorted out ahead of time, and just waited for us to voice them.  Things were resolved quickly and with NO emotional pain.  Thank you, God!

I expect I don't know all the reasons for this second apparent roadblock, but I know it gave me a chance to practice some valuable skills:

• First listen to the concerns and ideas of others rather than just trying to present my own! 
• Remember that God is in charge!
• Keep seeking God's guidance.
• Proceed with a positive outlook.

Knowing God is in charge gives such freedom!  I don't have to push my ideas through with the strength of my arguments and personality!  I can listen to others, knowing that God might be speaking to me through them.  I can continue to seek God's guidance, knowing that He keeps everything running right!  Truly "His yoke is easy and His burden is light!" (Matt. 11:30)  Thank you, Father! Thank you! 

Day by Day

Yesterday was a very full day that really pushed me with regard to my new endeavors - a day where I found myself expected to do much more than I anticipated and really felt put on the spot quite publicly.  Yet I had prayed about it beforehand, specifically asking that it all go according to God's will, so I had to trust that that was happening.  It was also a day where some wonderful opportunities were presented to me that seem in many ways to be far beyond that for which I feel ready. And yet, I really feel I'm being called to step up to the plate and do this. 

I want to trust God, but this morning I find myself struggling with feeling overwhelmed by the tasks ahead of me.  I recognize I have a choice about how I respond to all of this, and this morning I CHOOSE to shout praises for the way God "keeps everything running right" (Ps 119:164 - Message Bible).  I hope and expect that as I continue to do so, it will indeed become that new song in my heart - a song of joy and trust replacing the song of doubt and fear that has been more my habit in the past.  

I am reminded that "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." (Ps 127:1 KJV)  And I am grateful for the reminder that God is directing this show. I need to relax and let Him direct! However, I still find myself wondering how I'm going to get everything done. 

As I was seeking guidance this morning for dealing with this, I found my Bible unexpectedly opened to Genesis chapter one.   I'll admit my first thought was, "Oops, that's not where I meant to go". :)  I think God must have a wonderful sense of humor to put up with such a slow learner sometimes!  Anyway, as I realized there was probably a REASON I was looking at those verses, it suddenly occurred to me - God certainly took on a pretty big project when he created the "heavens and earth" and everything in them!  Perhaps there is something here in the first chapter of Genesis for me to learn about how to handle a large project such as I am facing! 

So, I begin my exploration with a look at the description of the first day of creation:

"In the beginning, God created the universe. When the earth was as yet unformed and desolate, with the surface of the ocean depths shrouded in darkness, and while the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters, God said, “Let there be light!” So there was light. God saw that the light was beautiful. He separated the light from the darkness, calling the light “day,” and the darkness “night.” The twilight and the dawn were day one." (Genesis 1:1-5 ISV)

The first thing that jumps out at me is that God was pleased with each step of His creation.  He does His work, pronounces it "beautiful" or "good", and lets His day be complete. This is an example I would do well to emulate.  Too often, at the end of a productive day, I STILL find myself worrying about what is yet to be done rather than acknowledging the beauty of what has already been accomplished.  This is part of why I need to learn to "sing a new song" of praise to God (Is 42:10)!

The other thing that I think about as I read these verses is that I must be missing something.  When I compare what is listed for the first few days of creation with what is listed for the 5th & 6th days, it sure seems like God didn't accomplish nearly as much in the first few days as He did later on!

As I re-read this passage I realize something.  I've always seen the first sentence as simply saying "You know, God totally created the heavens and the earth and everything in them and here's the story of how He did it."  What if it really is saying he created the whole universe that first day - the foundations of it at least?  A few weeks ago, I saw a planetarium presentation about our solar system and various aspects of the universe.  It was pretty fascinating to see how intricately everything works together.  And yet, I know the sun, moon & stars weren't created until the 4th day - something that has always puzzled me since light was created on the first day.  Father, please guide my understanding here as I seek your guidance and how this story applies to what I am currently facing in my life!

Perhaps my working with paper crafts can help me with my understanding.  While I've had days where I seem to be able to accomplish a great deal, making quite a few cards or scrapbook pages in one day, that usually follows days where it appears I've done very little.  Sometimes I can spend all day working and not get a single card or scrapbook page completed at the end of the day - days where I spend a lot of time planning - thinking about different aspects of what I want to accomplish and organizing them into a logical sequence.  But that time of apparently accomplishing little, sets the groundwork for producing a great deal in the days to follow. Is that what's happening here?

I see a footnote that says the word "hovering" (where it says the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters) could also be translated "brooding".  Is this really describing the thinking and planning stage?  Most things I create start with looking at something that is "unformed and desolate" and imagining how I can make something of value out of it. Once I get an idea of what I want to make, I have to spend more time figuring out HOW I'm going to do it.  Next stage is laying the ground work before I'm ever ready to make much visible progress. Perhaps it is outlining the pages I want for my scrapbook and pulling together a variety of papers that go nicely together and reinforce the theme.  Or maybe it is working with a specific technique to produce a variety of focal elements for cards. Or, when it comes to fixing up a room, I might spend time pouring over catalogues or window shopping to find the elements I want to work with to organize and decorate the space.  When it comes to meal preparation, I can spend hours sometimes thinking about produce I need to use up and looking through recipe books or on the internet for inspiration about how to do so.  Etc., etc.  I know from experience that this stage can take a LOT of time, and I seldom feel I have much to show for it.

Perhaps this is what I'm being told this morning.  The thinking, planning, research, and experimenting all take lots of time and it is often difficult to see that something is being accomplished, but it is laying the groundwork for some EXTREMELY productive days in the future.  I must trust God's leading - must trust that even though I'm not seeing as much progress right now as I'd like, God in me is laying the groundwork for days where I'll clearly accomplish far more than I ever thought possible.  More than that, I suspect I'm being told that I need to put more time into the planning stage.  By mapping out what I'm trying to do and pulling resources together, I lay the foundation for quickly accomplishing what I need to accomplish in the future.

Thank you, Father, for your reassurance this morning that though initially I may not seem to be making as much progress as I'd like, everything is going according to Your plan, and will all come together as needed.  Thank you for the reminders that this is YOUR project and YOU will see it to completion - that I need to trust and rely on you. And thank you for the new song you are placing in my heart - one of praise instead of worry and gratitude instead of exhaustion!  Father, I AM choosing to "stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right." (Ps 119:164)  Thank you, Father!

When seeking to better understand a Biblical passage, I often find myself going to Strong's concordance to look up the meanings of specific words.  I know that it is easy for nuances to get lost when translating something from one language to another, so it can often help to go back to the meanings of words in the original language.  

As I do so this time, I am struck by something else.  The word translated "light" - when God said "Let there be light" can mean HAPPINESS.  It strikes me that this is what God wants for me.  There are so many passages that talk about delighting ourselves in the Lord, and rejoicing always.  God wants me to be happy, throughout the whole process, as I step forward into the new projects He has set before me!

Father, thank you so much for your love and guidance this morning - and always!  I ask that you continue to work in me both to will and to do of your good pleasure (Phil 2:13).  May You guide my thoughts and actions this day so that I accomplish that which is needful and is your will for me this day.  Thank you, Father!

O Give Thanks!

This morning, I'm feeling so grateful! I experienced God's guidance yesterday in a special way and learned some things that I hope I can remember in the days ahead.  Through it all, I experienced joy and blessing and am SO grateful.  Thank you, God!

As I shared yesterday, I've recognized there is a lot of work for me to do to get ready to teach this up-coming class.  It appears impossible to get it all done, but I know that "For humans it’s impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” (Mark 10:27, ISV)

I've also been reminded of this verse from Psalms:

"It is useless to get up early and to stay up late, eating the food of exhausting labor—truly he gives sleep to those he loves."(Psalms 127:2 ISV)

And yet, there's also the verse that reminds me, "Whatever the activity in which you engage, do it with all your ability" (Ecclesiastes 9:10 ISV)  It can be challenging to find that balance point between overdoing and wasting time -- and it's impossible for me to find that balance without God's guidance. 

Yesterday I faced some of those challenges.  I had SO much work to do, and suddenly several things came up regarding friends and family.  I had to decide whether or not I was going to participate as they were going to take huge hunks of time out of my day and prevent me from getting a lot of my tasks accomplished. I prayed for guidance and realized I was clearly being told to spend the time with family and friends. Afterall, how can I minister to any of them if I seem to be saying that my work is more important than they are?

So, I set about to do what I could work-wise around the other activities and to just relax and enjoy the time with family and friends.  Though I didn't get as much done as I might have liked, I got more done that I would have thought, and enjoyed the time with family and friends.  I woke up feeling very grateful, and ready to accept and ponder these words from Ecclesiastes:

"For what does a person gain from everything that he accomplishes and from his inner life struggles that he undergoes while working on earth? Indeed, all of his days are filled with sorrow, and his struggles bring grief. In fact, his mind remains restless throughout the night. This is pointless, too! The only worthwhile thing for a human being is to eat, drink, and enjoy life’s goodness that he finds in what he accomplishes. This, I observed, is also from the hand of God himself, for who can eat or enjoy life apart from him? After all, to the person who is good in God’s sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner he gives the troublesome task of acquiring and accumulating in order to leave it to someone who is good in the sight of God. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind. There is a season for everything," (Ecclesiastes 2:22-3:1 ISV) 

What benefit does the worker gain from what he undertakes? I have observed the burdens placed by God on human beings in order to perfect them. He made everything appropriate in its time. He also placed eternity within them—yet, no person can fully comprehend what God is doing from beginning to end. I have concluded that the only worthwhile thing for them is to take pleasure in doing good in life; moreover, every person should eat, drink, and enjoy the benefits of everything that he undertakes, since it is a gift from God. (Ecclesiastes 3:9-13,  ISV)

Now, everything has been heard, so I give my final advice: Honor God and obey his commands, because this is all people must do. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NCV)

For some reason, despite all the exhortations in the Bible to praise God and rejoice always, I feel like I missed something until my experiences yesterday.  I've been so SERIOUS about everything -- doing my best to seek God's will and follow it.  And there's certainly nothing wrong with seeking God's will -- it's the only real way to live!  But yesterday helped me to see that God does indeed want me to enjoy life -- within His will.  Afterall, He loves me!  Why wouldn't he prefer to see me happy and enthusiastic about the plans He has for me?  Afterall, that's what I want for my own daughter -- to live a happy and fulfilling life.  "So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who keep on asking him!" (Matthew 7:11 ISV)  As I found myself thinking of ways to share the fun we'd had yesterday with others of my loved ones, why would I think God would be any different?  He LOVES me and wants to share fun times with me!

Father, thank you for your love!  Thank you for your guidance!  Thank you for my experiences day by day! Indeed, it is a good thing to give thanks to you as I continue to learn to sing a new song.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

A New Song

This morning, I awoke with these words - "Sing unto the Lord a new song".  It is a sentiment repeated several times in the Psalms, and also in Isaiah (Ps. 96:1, Ps. 98:1, Ps. 149:1, and Is. 42:10).  This morning it spoke to me of the need to focus on something else in my daily life and my prayers.

Last night I found myself feeling overwhelmed with all I had to do.  I had worked hard all day and accomplished a great deal, but as I compared what I had accomplished with what I had yet to do and the deadlines in which to do it, it seemed impossible to accomplish it all.  I KNEW I needed to focus on the positive and thank God for what He had accomplished through me that day rather than on what yet needed to be done, but it was SO hard to turn off the part of my brain that was listing everything that yet needed to be accomplished!  Since that was what I had gone to bed thinking about, I knew this morning's verse about singing a new song was a reminder to me of my need to do so. I need to sing a new song of PRAISE instead of the old one of my overwhelming to-do list!  But I HAD been trying to do so and not succeeding as well as I would have liked.  Father, how am I to do this?  I want to "change my tune", but I'm having a hard time doing so.

Then another verse popped into my head:

"He put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God!" Psalms 40:3 ISV

Of course! I know that it is God that works in me both to WILL and to DO of His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).  He doesn't just tell me to do something and then sit back and watch me struggle to do it!  He works in me to accomplish it!  He will help me sing that new song - AND He will help me accomplish the things I need to accomplish since they are a required part of what He has directed me to do. He knows all that needs to be done, and will see that it happens as it should.  Thank you, God!

Father, today I am so grateful for your love and your power in my life!  I got far more accomplished yesterday than I would have believed possible, and I know I have YOU to thank for that.  Why then would I start worrying about the rest that needs to be done? OF COURSE you will help me accomplish what needs to be accomplished.  You're a loving God - not a capricious one that would set impossible tasks before me!  You will see me through it all, and I thank you!  Father, please help me remember this and rest in you.  Please help me keep my priorities straight and not allow concern about all I have to do to get in the way of interacting with those around me.  You know my concerns about the expected and unexpected guests so soon before we teach this class and how we'll manage to get our class prep done in time.  This too, must be your will - or else you will block it some way.  I trust you, Father to ensure that your will will be done in my little corner of the earth, as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10).  May your will be done in me this day and every day, I pray.  Thank you again for all that has been accomplished in the last few days, and for your promises that regarding what you have begun in me, YOU will continue to see it through (Phil 1:6). I am grateful that I don't have to worry about it. I trust you to see that everything gets done as it should. Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief! (Mark 9:24)  Thank you, God!

I am reminded of a quote - not sure where it came from.  It says something like: "Don't tell God how big your troubles are, tell your troubles how big God is!"  THIS is the new song I want to sing!  "How GREAT Thou art!"  Thank you, Father!

Rejoice!

"The Lord reigns!  Let the earth rejoice! . . .  He guards the lives of those who love him, delivering them from domination by the wicked."   (Psalms 97:1, 10 ISV)

What a wonderful thing it is to have God reign!  With God in control, we have nothing to fear and can rest in the shelter of His arms.  Verse 10 of Psalms 97 is such a wonderful promise!  It seems to me to promise far more than what is seen on the surface - and even that is pretty powerful.  Are there those who are seeking to dominate me today?  Who seem bent on making life difficult?  God will deliver me.  Thank you, God!

But I realize I don't have to look "out there" for forces trying to dominate me.  I think of Paul's words to the Romans:

"I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I want to do, but instead do what I hate. . . . I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out. For I don’t do the good I want to do, but instead do the evil that I don’t want to do. . . . So I find this to be a principle: when I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me. For I delight in the Law of God in my inner being, but I see in my body a different principle waging war with the Law in my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin that exists in my body. . . . Thank God through Jesus the Messiah, our Lord, . . . For the Spirit’s law of life in the Messiah Jesus has set me free from the Law of sin and death. . . .  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To focus our minds on the human nature leads to death, but to focus our minds on the Spirit leads to life and peace." (Romans 7:15-16, 18-20, 21-23, 25, Romans 8:2-3, 5-7 ISV)

I can so relate to these words of Paul's!  I see it - that force inside of ME that is trying to dominate me - a spirit of selfishness and self-seeking.  It causes me to do things that I really DON'T want to do. For example, I'll make a pact with myself that I will exercise regularly or eat more healthy meals and then find myself doing the opposite. Surely this too is an example of "domination by the wicked", and I am so grateful for God's promise of deliverance!!!  

 

This passage from Romans also gives me pointers to the "how" of it.  I need to focus my mind on the Spirit instead of on my human nature.  Isn't this what I was just writing about yesterday?  The need to focus not on my own weakness and beat myself up for it, but turn my attention instead to God's strength and rely on that!  The results speak for themselves. A focus on my weakness, does not work!  I just keep finding myself doing those things that I don't want to do and experiencing poorer health because of it.  But a focus on God's strength?  I know from other areas of my life where I do this more consistently that it makes a WORLD of difference, and I trust that it will make the difference here too.  

Thank you, Father, for your continued guidance in my life.  Thank you for your strength when I am weak.  May I learn to better rely on you, Father!  Thank you for your promise of holding me by your hand to keep me from falling - "He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." (Psalms 37:23-24 - Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.) What an amazing concept - to hold hands with the God of the universe! Thank you, Father, that you do indeed care about the details of my life and guide me continually.  May I remember to continually look to you for that guidance and strength that I may indeed be delivered from the domination by the wicked!   Thank you, Father!  Amen.

Grateful for Weakness???

This morning, I was reminded of a verse that was brought to me a few weeks back (see post "God's Strength"):

"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 - KJV)

As I watched myself this past week make some poor choices about what I was eating, I was reminded of some basic spiritual principles I've learned to apply in other areas of my life. I was thinking particularly of the financial/material realm where there are two principles that became quite important as I sought God's healing of my belief in lack instead of in His abundance. The first was the concept of being grateful in all things and the second was the principle of tithing to where I was being spiritually fed. I've come to believe that I'm being told to apply these lessons to my diet/health issues, and I've found it to be quite challenging.

Be Grateful in All Things: (Ephesians 5:20 - "Giving thanks always for all things unto God"; I Thessalonians 5:18 - "In every thing give thanks").  This advice sounds good at first glance, but it can be really difficult to apply in daily life.  You mean I'm to give thanks that I chose to eat that 2nd piece of pie or all those potato chips?  My habit has been to beat myself up about stuff like that.  How can I give thanks for something I wish I didn't do???? 2 Corinthians 12:9 has the answer - God's strength is made perfect in my weakness.  My clear weakness when it comes to certain food choices requires me to turn to God because I know that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 NKJV  Clearly I can gain the victory in no other way.  So, am I willing to "glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me"?  Am I willing to truly be grateful in all things, trusting Him to heal me?  And am I willing to turn my focus from myself and my failings to God and His strength?  I've seen the power of applying this principle in my financial life -- learning to focus my attention on the abundance coming my way instead of on the things I didn't have.  Now is the time to apply this principle to another part of my life - my diet and health.

Tithing: As I thought about applying spiritual principles I learned in the financial realm to the realm of diet and health, the other major principle I'd learned came to mind - that of tithing.  But how to apply it? My first thought was that giving a tenth of my food to the poor might be a way to do this - or perhaps a more conscious gifting of meals where I invite others into my home. But then I remembered what I learned in the financial realm -- the idea of tithing to where I've been spiritually fed to support those who serve as channels for God to feed me spiritually (these were the Levites in Biblical times).  Learning to do this has been such a HUGE blessing to me in the financial realm!  It required me to NOTICE where I was being spiritually fed and find a way to tithe there. God has SO MANY channels through which to feed me! Sometimes my spiritual food came in the traditional way, from a pastor at church, but often it came from other places - people I encountered in daily life that inspired me to grow spiritually, lessons from nature, a song that suddenly spoke to me.  I became quite creative in finding ways to tithe to some of these less obvious places where I had been spiritually fed.

So how does this tithing principle apply with regard to food choices?  How can I apply the concept of tithing specifically to food?  This is going to require prayerful consideration.  I really don't yet know the answer, but I'm looking forward to learning it! 

I am reminded of a passage found in Deuteronomy 14:22-29 that specifically speaks of the tithe of food (though it can also probably be considered regarding all tithe since at the time incomes would pretty much have come from farming):

"Be sure to tithe annually from everything you plant that yields a harvest in the field. Then in the presence of the Lord your God, in the place where he’ll choose to establish his name, you may consume the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your livestock and flock, so that you’ll learn to revere the Lord your God all your life. Now the way may be distant from you, so that you are unable to transport your tithe because you have been blessed by the Lord your God and the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish his name may be distant from you.  In that case, convert it into cash, secure the money, and then bring it to the place where the Lord will choose. You may spend the money to your heart’s content to buy livestock, flocks, wine, strong drink, and whatever you desire. You and your household may eat there and rejoice in the presence of the Lord your God.  But you must not forget the descendant of Levi in your town, because there is no tribal allotment for him as there is for you. Every third year, bring all the tithes of your produce of that year and store them in your cities so the descendants of Levi—who have no tribal allotment as you do—foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your cities may come, eat, and be satisfied. That way, the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.”  ISV

Here it seems that two out of every three years, the annual tithe was to be set aside and used to provide for a spiritual retreat and feasting for the family. Can you imagine consuming a 10th of the annual crops all at once? Even if your retreat lasted for a couple of weeks and you DID share it with the Levites and anyone else around you, that would be a LOT of food!

Every third year it was to be stored to feed the local priests, foreigners, orphans and widows. This idea is repeated in Deuteronomy 26:12-13:

"Every third year you must offer a special tithe of your crops. In this year of the special tithe you must give your tithes to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, so that they will have enough to eat in your towns." Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Can you imagine what life would be like if everyone did this? Hunger would be wiped out!  This has all given me much food for thought. One of the things I've come to understand is how much the disease of overeating is based in selfishness and self-seeking and it seems clear that practicing tithing can help us learn to be less selfish. Perhaps that's the real point here. Can I approach food and eating from a totally unselfish perspective?  Am I willing to give of my food to others?   Even those favorite foods that I might be tempted to keep for myself? How often do I want what I want instead of seeking to support what others want when it comes to food?  I know that when I allow myself to be selfish in one area of my life, it starts to creep into other areas as well.  In the same way, when I practice unselfishness in one area, it begins to change other areas as well.  It seems to me that I am being given an opportunity here to practice unselfishness.

Father, thank you for your guidance!  I know you will continue to guide me as I continue to think about these things and seek your will.  Father, it's clear I need your power in my life.  I can't make healthy food choices on my own, but my body is YOUR temple and I want to keep it clean and healthy for you.  I look for Your strength to be made perfect in my weakness - for your power to flow through me and your will to hold sway in my life.  May things of the material world - including food - hold no more sway over me. May these bonds be broken that I may be free to live in a healthy way as you would have me do. You know my weaknesses better than I do.  And I know Your strength!  Thank you for working your will in my life this day and for the miracles I've seen you work to help me make more healthy choices.  Thank you, Father! 

Transformation Required!

This morning I saw something new in a verse that I've read over and over through the years:

"And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2 NKJV)

In the past, I've always focused on the first part of this verse - the importance of not being conformed to the world around me, but allowing God to transform my mind.  Today I realized more fully the importance of this!  How many times have I sought God's will on something, crying out to him for guidance?  This verse points me to what will ensure that I can prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God! I need that transformation - that renewing of my mind.

It is so easy to be "conformed to this world".  One place I've seen it especially this week has been when it comes to my challenge with eating in a healthy way.  When those around me are eating things that I think taste good, but I KNOW are not in my best interest, it can be very challenging for me to make the choice to leave those foods alone!  I've never before thought of being "conformed to this world" in this way, but as I heard myself making excuses about the temptations around me, it seems pretty clear.  It doesn't matter what those around me are doing - I am not to be conformed to those examples, but am to be transformed by letting God renew my mind.  Thank you, Father, for this reminder!  Thank you for letting me fall into this trap so I could see it for myself.  And thank you, even more, for releasing me from the trap once I fell into it!!!!  You are an awesome God!  May I be willing to follow your guidance - in my eating, and in my entire life!  Thank you, Father!

As I think about this, I see clearly that the more I eat of foods that do not serve me, the more "foggy" my thinking becomes and the less able I am to hear that still small voice of guidance within me.  Clearly, allowing God to transform my mind - with regard to eating and everything else in my life - is needed if I am to clearly understand God's will. 

The ISV puts it very plainly: "Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect." (Romans 12:2)  This adds that additional thought - CONTINUOUSLY being transformed by the renewing of my mind.  There is no time when I have "arrived" and can rest on my laurels.  "Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing securely should watch out so he doesn’t fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 ISV) In order to live a victorious life, I must CONTINUOUSLY seek God's transforming guidance in my life.  Father, you know how challenging this seems to me.  Too often it seems I seek your will, get it, take the next step, and then forget to check in with you again for a time.  May I drink continually from this fountain of living water that is you in me! May my eyes be kept focused on you, this day and every day of my life!  Thank you, Father!

Let Me Now Glean

I often read my Bible out of a software program on my computer.  It also has a lot of other study helps and one of the things it has is a devotional written by Charles Spurgeon that pops up with a daily message each time I open the program.  This morning I particularly liked what it had to say.  It started with this verse:

"Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn." — Ruth 2:2

I love the way God speaks to us from some of the most unlikely verses!  In this case, Spurgeon suggested that no matter how down and out we may feel, we can always go to the field and glean.  He reminded me that there are thousands of promises in the Bible just waiting to be gathered and treasured.  It is so true!  I think of several this morning that have come to me again and again in the last few days - gleanings from my morning studies:

• "It is useless to get up early and to stay up late, eating the food of exhausting labor—truly he gives sleep to those he loves." (Psalms 127:2 ISV)  What a wonderful promise for those who feel overwhelmed with duties or who have difficulty sleeping!

• "O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth;" (Psalms 119:64 Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.)  I am SO grateful! Even in those times when it seems like no one cares, God is ALWAYS there! Father, your love means the world to me.  No matter how discouraged or upset I may be feeling, you are there to comfort and to guide me!  Thank you, Father!

• “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed and to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:1-3 ISV)  On those days when I am feeling depressed or am grieving or feel held captive by sin or circumstances, this is such a wonderful promise.  Good news to the oppressed! Freedom for the captives! The oil of gladness instead of mourning! A mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair! Thank you, Father!!!!

• "Then God’s peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiah Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 ISV)  There are times when I've experienced this wonderful peace in the midst of the most challenging circumstances. What an amazing thing! There are times that I worry I'll forget to check in with my guide and Savior - but He's promised to guard my heart and mind!  Thank you, thank you, Father!

• "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."  (Luke 11:9-11 NKJV)  For those times when I feel like I'm just going in circles or pounding my head against a wall - that there are no doors opening to me, this is a marvelous promise - and a reminder to continue to "seek first the kingdom".

• "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over" (Luke 6:38 KJV) Another great promise - and reminder to cultivate a generous spirit.

• "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11 NIV)  This is such a wonderful promise! I am so grateful for His guidance! 

• "See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." (Revelation 3:8 NIV)  How grateful I am for those open doors God sets in front of me!  I appreciate the closed doors too because they keep me on the right path. But when it comes to those open doors, what a blessing to know that when God sets an open door in front of me, NO ONE can shut it!  It can be scary sometimes to walk through that door into the unknown, and there can be fear that things won't work out, but God promises that when He sets an open door in front of us NO ONE can shut it!  Thank you, God!

• "He will never let your foot slip, nor will your guardian become drowsy." (Psalms 121:3 ISV) Another amazing promise.  God can indeed be trusted to keep us on the right path!  Thank you, God!

As I think of these promises, another one comes to me in the form of a new habit I'm developing: 

• "Seven times each day I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right." (Psalms 119:164 from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

God indeed DOES keep everything running right and I am SO grateful!  I have seen such amazing examples of Him reminding me so I get done the things that need to be done.  His timing is amazing!  Father, indeed this morning, I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right.  May I continue to remember that YOU are in charge and all is well!  Thank you, Father!

What are YOUR favorite promises?