KNOWING GOD THROUGH THE PSALMS

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWIsHJ6ifhd6vXUbgqbaFyDoUgqbUse4KXTUAewWPwlGFGM7vkbL1LWQbrUxvZ_Qx176fV4p7jRugejyILOAT2DcMYk6MSMmzMdLHkCZewa3Dg2DiTHll8a1dwE5HUdO8HDsmUv7zbY8X/s1600/SS+2-2-14-stonegableblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWIsHJ6ifhd6vXUbgqbaFyDoUgqbUse4KXTUAewWPwlGFGM7vkbL1LWQbrUxvZ_Qx176fV4p7jRugejyILOAT2DcMYk6MSMmzMdLHkCZewa3Dg2DiTHll8a1dwE5HUdO8HDsmUv7zbY8X/s1600/SS+2-2-14-stonegableblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo source</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every new semester of Bible Study I ask the girls in my group 3 questions... "tell us your name"... "tell us about yourself" ... and "what is your favorite book of the bible TODAY".</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the fifteen + years I have been teaching, the hands down favorite book of the bible is Psalms.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I find this so so interesting. What makes this book written over 3,000 years ago still so very popular?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's my guess at the answer...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The book of Psalms is a collection of  songs of worship. It is a book of prayer and praise.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To truly understand this we need to dig out the meaning of three words...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Worship</span>... verbalizing the WORTH of God. Like if you could put God on a scale and measure all He is and then in amazement you got to tell the world how much His glory weighs because you actually got to see it! That is worship.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Praise</span>... is the Hebrew word is Halal (haw-lal'). Can you hear part of  the word Hallelujah? Like the Hallelujah chorus? The word carries with it the idea of shining a big huge spotlight on someone and then when you can see clearly talking about what you see. In God's case, boasting and shouting about what you see!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Prayer</span>... communicating, talking, a two way conversation with the Creator of ALL... and yes, He IS listening and if you give Him a chance He will communicate to you too!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So if the book of Psalms is a book of worship and praise and prayer... then the book must be like that huge scale and a giant spotlight on God... on God's glory and worth. It must magnify...show forth... the very character of God. And in amazement you get to tell Him what you saw!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that is exactly what it does!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you want to know God read the Book of Psalms!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">150 Chapters of who God is... God's character... God's accomplishments... God's abilities... God's personality... God's exploits... and more.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This ancient book was mostly written by a "man after God's own heart". A man who was the king of Israel. It was written by King David.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">David was a boy chosen  by God to be King. And the spirit of God Himself rested upon David.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him (David) in the presence of his (David's) brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.</span> 1 Samuel 16:13</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So this king chosen by God, who was a man after God's own heart, and one that God's very spirit rested upon wrote songs of worship and praise and prayer. All of these psalms were breathed by God and given to David and then given to us!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the book of Psalms.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="line" style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every once in awhile the word SELAH (say-la') appears in the book of Psalms. It is a Hebrew word that means... "This is so magnificent! Stop and think about it!</span></div><div class="line" style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because the Psalms were set to music as a way of worship "Selah" was usually a musical interlude so the listener could... stop and think about what was just said. It was a way for the listener to stop and soak in all the bigness and wonder of what they had just learned about God!</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Selah is one of my favorite words!</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The book of Psalms is not a book to be rushed through. It is a book, when read, that we should often stop and close our eyes and really take in the glory of the Lord! SELAH!</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes I am so overcome by what I have learned about God, I literally put my head down on my desk and cry! Liquid Selah!</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When my children were growing up I often said... "How can you serve a God you do not know"?  Read the Psalms to know Him better!</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's look at Psalm 146...</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="poetry" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;"><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-146-1" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-size: large;">Praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span></span></div></div><div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;"><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-146-1" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-size: large;">Praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16343A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span> my soul.</span></span></div></div><div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;"><div class="line"><span class="text Ps-146-2" id="en-NIV-16344" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> all my life;</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;">    </span><span class="text Ps-146-2" style="position: relative;">I will sing praise<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16344C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span> to my God as long as I live.</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"></span><span class="text Ps-146-3" id="en-NIV-16345" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-146-3" id="en-NIV-16345" style="position: relative;">Do not put your trust in princes,</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-146-3" id="en-NIV-16345" style="position: relative;"></span><span class="indent-1"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;">    </span><span class="text Ps-146-3" style="position: relative;">in human beings,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16345F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></span> who cannot save.</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"></span><span class="text Ps-146-4" id="en-NIV-16346" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-146-4" id="en-NIV-16346" style="position: relative;">When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-146-4" id="en-NIV-16346" style="position: relative;"></span><span class="indent-1"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;">    </span><span class="text Ps-146-4" style="position: relative;">on that very day their plans come to nothing.</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"></span><span class="text Ps-146-5" id="en-NIV-16347" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-146-5" id="en-NIV-16347" style="position: relative;">Blessed are those<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16347I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></span> whose help<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16347J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></span> is the God of Jacob,</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-146-5" id="en-NIV-16347" style="position: relative;"></span><span class="indent-1"></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;">    </span><span class="text Ps-146-5" style="position: relative;">whose hope is in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> their God.</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"></span></span></div><div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;"><div class="line"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He is the Maker of heaven<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16348K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></span> and earth,</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;">    </span><span class="text Ps-146-6" style="position: relative;">the sea, and everything in them—</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"></span><span class="indent-1"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;">    </span><span class="text Ps-146-6" style="position: relative;">he remains faithful<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16348L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></span> forever.</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"></span><span class="text Ps-146-7" id="en-NIV-16349" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-146-7" id="en-NIV-16349" style="position: relative;">He upholds<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16349M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></span> the cause of the oppressed</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-146-7" id="en-NIV-16349" style="position: relative;"></span><span class="indent-1"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;">    </span><span class="text Ps-146-7" style="position: relative;">and gives food to the hungry.</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"></span><span class="text Ps-146-7" style="position: relative;"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-146-7" style="position: relative;">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> sets prisoners free,</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-146-7" style="position: relative;"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-146-7" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-146-7" style="position: relative;"></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-8" id="en-NIV-16350" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"><br /></span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"></span></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-8" id="en-NIV-16350" style="position: relative;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;">    </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">gives sight</span><span class="crossreference" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16350Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to the blind,</span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-8" id="en-NIV-16350" style="position: relative;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"></span></span></span><span class="text Ps-146-8" style="position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> lifts up those who are bowed down,</div></span><span class="indent-1"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;">    </span><span class="text Ps-146-8" style="position: relative;">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> loves the righteous.</span></div></span><span class="text Ps-146-9" id="en-NIV-16351" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> watches over the foreigner</div></span><span class="indent-1"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;">    </span><span class="text Ps-146-9" style="position: relative;">and sustains the fatherless<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16351V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></span> and the widow,</span></div></span><span class="indent-1"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;">    </span><span class="text Ps-146-9" style="position: relative;">but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.</span></div></span></span></div><div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;"><div class="line"><span class="text Ps-146-10" id="en-NIV-16352" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> reigns<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16352X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></span> forever,</span></div><span class="indent-1"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="indent-1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;">    </span><span class="text Ps-146-10" style="position: relative;">your God, O Zion, for all generations.</span></span></span></div><span class="indent-1"></span><br /><div style="font-size: 16px;"></div></div><div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;"><div class="line" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="line" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-146-10" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-146-10" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is a whole lot we can learn about who God is from this psalm.</span></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I like to do is to make a running list entitled "GOD"... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On that running list I write down all the things I learn about who God is. I keep it in a notebook.  And after I make an entry I SELAH, and tell God just what I have learned about Him and how I have seen these attributes of Him working in my life (which is worship and praise and prayer).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't tell you how much more I retain from making my own list... by pulling things out of the bible and writing them down myself!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is an example...( my Selah thoughts are in parenthesis) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In Psalm 146 here is what I have learned about...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">GOD...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~ He is the Maker of heaven and earth, and the sea and everything i</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">n them<span style="color: #666666;"> (yes, I see your great hand everywhere Father! Praise you for your creation. Thank you for sharing it with me!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~He remains faithful forever <span style="color: #666666;">(Great is Thy faithfulness, O God  my Father!... song)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~He upholds the cause of the oppressed<span style="color: #666666;"> (The oppressed need you Lord, they are so vulnerable and hard pressed! Show me how to be your hands and help them)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~He gives food to the hungry <span style="color: #666666;">(Without you I would starve! But even more than that, I need your spiritual food even more! Thank you for my full cupboards and frig! Help the hungry of the world today!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~He sets the prisoner's free <span style="color: #666666;">(Lord, I know this well! You have set me free from the bondage of sin and death and from the family of the evil one. You have given me clothes of righteousness through your son, Jesus. I was once a prisoner and now I am free. I would never want that life again!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~the Lord gives sight to the blind<span style="color: #666666;"> (I know how Jesus gave sight to the blind. Amazing! Loving! Compassionate! Jesus also took me from spiritual blindness and gave me perfect vision... vision of you Father!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~ He lifts up those who are bowed down<span style="color: #666666;"> (Just like you lift up the humble, you make those who are proud to bow down. Help me Lord to be humble)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~ the Lord loves the righteous <span style="color: #666666;">(You are the giver of being in right standing. It is a fee gift. A gift beyond measure. It is ALL about YOU!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~the Lord watches over the foreigner<span style="color: #666666;"> (Lord, your word says that we... all who are saved by the works of Jesus... are aliens... foreigners in this world. Thank you for showing great favor to me and watching over me. Please watch over and protect my family. I put them in your hands.  And those who are foreigner's to your Son's saving grace, Lord watch over them. Show Jesus to them!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~He sustains the fatherless and the widow<span style="color: #666666;"> (Thank you for giving physical and mental help to the fatherless. There are so so many in our nation. Be close to them today Lord! Help them.  I have some friends Father who have lost their husbands through death and divorce... keep them close to you! Let me be mindful of them.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~He frustrates the ways of the wicked<span style="color: #666666;"> (You are my protection... thank you!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~the Lord reigns forever<span style="color: #666666;"> (Lord you are eternal. You had no beginning and no end. You are king now, were king in all eternity past and will be forever into the future. I am so so blessed to be yours... to be the daughter of the king! What an amazing thought. Let me live now, here on earth, as a part of your kingdom. Let me show others just who you are my, KING!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Look what I have learned about God this morning... just from 10 little verses! I can go back  during the day and reflect or pray or even tell God again what I have learned about Him. I am amazed by what I have learned!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have gotten to know the GOD OF EVERYTHING better! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And what difference does that make in my life? A BIG BIG difference.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Knowing God helps me to trust Him more... believe Him... cling to Him in troubled times, give credit to him in happy times and live my life in light of who He is!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Knowing God makes me want to be like my Father. It makes me want to please Him and work for Him while I am on earth... and look forward to eternity with Him!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think so many of the ladies in our bible study love Psalms because they can see who God is and they can praise God right along with King David... and all of heaven! What an amazing thing...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What a SELAH!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's my challenge to you today... Do you want to know God more? Do you want to know life changing things?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then start reading Psalms everyday. Start with Psalm 1 and read just a few verses. Write down what you have learned about God and Selah!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Worship and Praise the God of heaven and earth. Say it out loud... what a prayer you will pray!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It will be your own Hallelujah Chors!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>

KNOWING GOD THROUGH THE PSALMS

photo source Every new semester of Bible Study I ask the girls in my group 3 questions... "tell us your name"... "tell us abo...

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LOOKING AT THE REAL CHRISTMAS STORY

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINOIAatMr3bB5E8MtLmBAbZR8Q6lpfxCHVTJKW9dc9vacP7ErIrtSga0cDMseR_gOIUKZNk277q-jXUk3sV_PePDsm3XAziovWnA6AKQg7F3eI8A4fJ2_YaYxCQGs8XobHJpuUPB_Noxf/s1600/SS+12-23-13+Looking+At+The+Real+Christmas+Story-stonegableblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINOIAatMr3bB5E8MtLmBAbZR8Q6lpfxCHVTJKW9dc9vacP7ErIrtSga0cDMseR_gOIUKZNk277q-jXUk3sV_PePDsm3XAziovWnA6AKQg7F3eI8A4fJ2_YaYxCQGs8XobHJpuUPB_Noxf/s400/SS+12-23-13+Looking+At+The+Real+Christmas+Story-stonegableblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I often think God is a God of few words... He writes and reveals for a purpose! To me, He does not often give lots of colorful background, the thoughts and feelings of the people in history or a flowery description of life and the culture of the times.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">God is purposeful... He has a message and wants us to clearly understand His main points. It is literally a matter of eternal life for eternal death!<br /><br />Today we are adding some cultural background and human thoughts to the real, raw and unrated Christmas story...<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">God's message in the Christmas story is... </span><br /><br />I am coming...coming to you in the form of a human. I will be called Jesus, GOD SAVES!  I, God will live with you... close and intimate. You will be able to hear and feel and touch me for a little while. I will love you with an everlasting love just like I have from the very beginning... and then I will sacrifice myself in your place because I want you to be with me forever. I want to share my riches and relationship with you forever. I love you more than you can think or know!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Most of us read about the birth of Jesus as a nice and pretty and sanitized story. Ah, the shepherds, and sweet Mary and faithful Joseph, and the mean inn keeper and the lowly donkey and the shining star and the multitude of girly angels in flowing gowns and halos playing harps and trumpet thingies, and the sweet smelling hay and the rosy cheeked blond haired baby and oh, the beauty and formality of the King's English version of the story!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I hope to change our  "squeaky clean" version of the Christmas story and let's get real...let's go to 1st century Israel... a time of terrible occupation by the Romans. To a time when a young Jewish girl lived in a once pioneer village of no more than 35 homes. A speck of a village on the side of a hill occupied by a Roman outpost. Let's visit THIS Christmas story...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKnjRtgJvRacv8DBLQP_GqvfB3ipt-E3UiCw2HjfE46vt7MkAyQLLGiWRHQJtqyqa2M197hovN2oHQkml2wvvvGIQQ57cbRfjkdaBlqlubDhQQHrbcZWrMBoczG0jEZjQbO6b61Uig2Hf/s1600/Copy+of+DSC05416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKnjRtgJvRacv8DBLQP_GqvfB3ipt-E3UiCw2HjfE46vt7MkAyQLLGiWRHQJtqyqa2M197hovN2oHQkml2wvvvGIQQ57cbRfjkdaBlqlubDhQQHrbcZWrMBoczG0jEZjQbO6b61Uig2Hf/s640/Copy+of+DSC05416.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqPBX3BIKh57y3tn45g2fOm4bX3yLHoYSf5Q0t1D41D8CMeCtePVQSWodEY0zDJbwIYc4a_8UqBXdLrWxopjk17rtUARHaGZ31Jz1nIkKDDDvnejrwovx_NRWZCtbDXOAr1UN4AppROpL/s1600/DSC05432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqPBX3BIKh57y3tn45g2fOm4bX3yLHoYSf5Q0t1D41D8CMeCtePVQSWodEY0zDJbwIYc4a_8UqBXdLrWxopjk17rtUARHaGZ31Jz1nIkKDDDvnejrwovx_NRWZCtbDXOAr1UN4AppROpL/s640/DSC05432.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />Nazareth today... a far cry from the tiny village in Mary's time<br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLEWqPmLr16uifZu1C1jJfvDvoouGYkSkMKt14v6fQP7lctdXprs91RGYe4_jz_k9-IJfxMyie3g1ddQr3oozn0s2oJwTaw05zT1TXDw0D_dkloQudgGAqtdzIqYmE8It6FWeG9O-e56d/s1600/Copy+of+DSC05413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLEWqPmLr16uifZu1C1jJfvDvoouGYkSkMKt14v6fQP7lctdXprs91RGYe4_jz_k9-IJfxMyie3g1ddQr3oozn0s2oJwTaw05zT1TXDw0D_dkloQudgGAqtdzIqYmE8It6FWeG9O-e56d/s640/Copy+of+DSC05413.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Site in Nazareth of original Nazareth of Mary's time... now next to the Church of the Annunciation (the church that houses Mary's ancient  home)<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">First, Jesus was not, in all probability, born on December 25. I'm not going to speculate when, but we can be pretty sure that it was not December 25. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's also a sure bet that there was no snow or evergreens or mistletoe! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mary was a young Jewish girl... some say probably around the age of 15. She was not formally educated but was probably well taught in the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the bible), the Law and the Prophets by her parents and also by her brothers who would have attended Synagogue.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She lived in a small home with her extended family. Not a whole lot of privacy there! In those day's a family animals were often taken into the back of the home at night in a dug out area. There they would sleep and eat from a feeding trough called a manger. No running water, no toilets, no heat or air conditioning, no Wallmart's, no electricity, no books or tv or computers or modern day conveniences. Just living! Basic and cramped and smelly!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXeXmFL7hep49SNAwZRa4HmXdX20YCa8yGhFF3OUPcvjKfS1dBGUBWeRpcrqdNeymuU6GrX_-VZAj3o9t4dEjinbBKfc0upjpUbBAjYwuxBcZvjC7L5iNIIzc6ET4PD4XyMoyxkjPEwnU/s1600/Copy+of+DSC05427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXeXmFL7hep49SNAwZRa4HmXdX20YCa8yGhFF3OUPcvjKfS1dBGUBWeRpcrqdNeymuU6GrX_-VZAj3o9t4dEjinbBKfc0upjpUbBAjYwuxBcZvjC7L5iNIIzc6ET4PD4XyMoyxkjPEwnU/s640/Copy+of+DSC05427.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Mary's home... contained in the church of the Annunciation, Nazareth Israel<br />See the smoke from oil lights and fires?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Like all young girls, Mary might have thought about being the mother of the Messiah ( the anointed One who would lead the Jews out of bondage and be the great ruler of Israel).  Never in Mary's wildest dreams could she imagine what her life would hold.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Her life was meager and common and everyday first-century-in-a-small-town-on-the-side-of-a-hill-in-Israel!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One day an angel, named Gabriel, appeared to her and  told her she had found favor with God.  Can you imagine an angel (not one of those girly angels... btw there is NO SUCH THING as a girly angel) appearing to you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He said...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm sure this scene had Mary in quite a state! But in true Godly form, we don't really get to see her emotion or thoughts!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But God does reveal how she answered the angel...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Mary, even though she was contractually bound to be married to another villager named Joseph, had not slept around! She and Joseph did not live together or had any intimate contact. They were good Jews and follower's of God's Law.  In Mary's day and age, according to God's word and His law, Marry kept herself pure. In Mary's time the penalty for sex before marriage was stoning... stoning to death! Can you see how important sexual purity was (and still is) to God? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Mary, could not understand how she could ever conceive a child...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The angel replied...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> the Son of God. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:35-37</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">I like my English Standard Version translation of  verse 37... it says...</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!</span></b></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">The bible does not tell us Mary's feelings or trepidation or fears or inner thoughts. God does, however give us Mary's obedient and succinct answer...  </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This was a pretty together young lady!!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">We are never told of the detail of the reaction of her family or the village but we can see a glimpse of her espoused husband (sorta like engaged) Joseph...</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Joseph. The bible calls him a righteous man. Meaning one that followed God's law and was found in right standing with God.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Joseph, hears the news of Mary's pregnancy and what does he think? He probably thinks that she has been unfaithful to him and broken a sacred contract. This must have shaken him to his core! </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">According to God's law Joseph has every right to have her stoned to death. And it would be the right thing for him to do.  In doing so he would totally vindicate himself. It would let everyone know that he was not the child's father... he had not slept with her before marriage. He was a follower of God's law.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stoning would save him for the shame (a very big deal in Joseph's time and culture) of a pregnant espoused wife!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we get a glimpse of Joseph's character! Here is what Joseph chose to do...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Joseph chose life for Mary and her baby... even though he knew the baby was not his.  I'm not sure how quiet you can divorce someone in a small town. But the fact is... he chose life!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">Now the plot thickens... and Gabriel enter's the story again...</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div class="reg" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”</span></b></div><div class="reg" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).</span></b></div><div class="reg" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Not only did Joseph chose life for Mary and her unborn baby... but by marrying her  he also took responsibility for Jesus as his son.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">To the villagers and the rest of the people of Israel the marriage of Josehp to Mary was as good as admitting that he was indeed the unborn baby's father and he along with Mary were guilty of fornication (that's a word we don't hear often, meaning sex before marriage).</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">This probably brought great shame to the couple and great hardship within the community!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">Mary and Joseph lived real lives, in real history, in hard times!<br /><br /><br />As the Christmas story progresses... can you see how agonized Joseph was when he got the news that he had to travel with his expectant wife to Bethlehem, the town of his ancestral birth, to take part in a census of the Roman government occupying beloved Israel? The time for this baby to be born was now... this baby that was God's son... This baby that he had charge over!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">Can you see Joseph and Mary making a 10 day trip over craggy mountains and valleys to reach Bethlehem. Mary so uncomfortable and ready to give birth. Was it easier for Mary to walk or to ride a donkey?</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">Can you imagine "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" a real town just 8 miles outside of the capital of Jerusalem ... a small town but swelling and teaming with ancestors of David to take part in a decreed census.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbKgude_d7QxSNN_HU2dhVFwIKYt_x7R3Pzb5hheGXkzACwQyTkb6y3MMp86yRFgwViPzSJ7OUUK13_Od-RFaxbb8tGQrj8B3Hd57v6_uRWamC1KobJB7T5BBn_AtTtbi0GEU2RzjgBbh/s1600/SS-12-22-13+stonegableblog.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbKgude_d7QxSNN_HU2dhVFwIKYt_x7R3Pzb5hheGXkzACwQyTkb6y3MMp86yRFgwViPzSJ7OUUK13_Od-RFaxbb8tGQrj8B3Hd57v6_uRWamC1KobJB7T5BBn_AtTtbi0GEU2RzjgBbh/s640/SS-12-22-13+stonegableblog.com.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bethlehem today<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">Can you imagine that Mary and Joseph, tired and worn out,. were probably taken in by distant relatives... and as Mary went into labor she was taken to the back of a small crowded home where the family kept their animals?</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">Can you see Mary in real life labor with everything that involves?</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">And out of necessity can you imagine Jesus, God in human flesh, being laid in an animal eating trough?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNjpMjRslkNSIJAnoiXNbvSUdVFA7r5_rSDbbP9IyhuI5YuJsWMi9frLhBX393M-ZcQ0CohrzjGlMhEohH5OnlP315ce6pGS_AZwmxpKG1yZ_iP_OD0XI4Ar2jXxAvpPoIMauHZ2OQU0A/s1600/DSC05775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNjpMjRslkNSIJAnoiXNbvSUdVFA7r5_rSDbbP9IyhuI5YuJsWMi9frLhBX393M-ZcQ0CohrzjGlMhEohH5OnlP315ce6pGS_AZwmxpKG1yZ_iP_OD0XI4Ar2jXxAvpPoIMauHZ2OQU0A/s640/DSC05775.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />Inside the Church Of The Nativity~ place of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48TCCaTAHNGY0iuG4Hkvin5WH6oj9tSVVBHfI7luvX6RNC_c-uwuGjnetX1z26v-JH5rv6TckCiSZhTML2BuVOU8gUY4K4vVF4crGARHYR4x16H0aRM6nRiPTfNybiodLWZd5QV-TBRVS/s1600/DSC05783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48TCCaTAHNGY0iuG4Hkvin5WH6oj9tSVVBHfI7luvX6RNC_c-uwuGjnetX1z26v-JH5rv6TckCiSZhTML2BuVOU8gUY4K4vVF4crGARHYR4x16H0aRM6nRiPTfNybiodLWZd5QV-TBRVS/s640/DSC05783.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />My sister-in-law Sue kneeling under the alter to touch the ground through the hole in the floor of the church... the place of Jesus' birth.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">Can you see the shepherds out in a craggy, ravine like valley at night. Shepherds... the lowliest of the low... being visited by a multitude of angels... of supernatural beings.. telling them the long awaited Savior had been born.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdCZzY3IYnTEUnsBxJ9nillKWnm8mcNXjR_VFrZqOTPKiY_rdVERvwrjuhtuy36G2VA0HfryPQecYLxOky8iXMuPDKMtpkoxUpg_bzcvSRWqvaJukE6N_ZiVqOU556kRxBw9yJIMrJU_I/s1600/DSC05796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdCZzY3IYnTEUnsBxJ9nillKWnm8mcNXjR_VFrZqOTPKiY_rdVERvwrjuhtuy36G2VA0HfryPQecYLxOky8iXMuPDKMtpkoxUpg_bzcvSRWqvaJukE6N_ZiVqOU556kRxBw9yJIMrJU_I/s400/DSC05796.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdF1mmdNc-QHMjZiWfY3ZS6a-3Wr5GxWn-QmFvPUnt_GwQtQHT5a9yq7Ie_Ql0CKBQAmjLV92IsAdlEN31ILKyZi0erFb1rmpUF5oUIPD7dRmlJolRmiKN8PLSzSd42zqzvFpozoYCeI7h/s1600/DSC05798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdF1mmdNc-QHMjZiWfY3ZS6a-3Wr5GxWn-QmFvPUnt_GwQtQHT5a9yq7Ie_Ql0CKBQAmjLV92IsAdlEN31ILKyZi0erFb1rmpUF5oUIPD7dRmlJolRmiKN8PLSzSd42zqzvFpozoYCeI7h/s400/DSC05798.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Shepherd's field today... still a field<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">Can you see them with dirty fingernails and dusty clothing... worn and tired... but determined to find the babe. Filled with wonder and awe... an probably a great deal of human confusion! </div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">Can you see God's love in sending His Son to be born in this time... in this place ... in this way!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">It's important to see the drama and the struggle of the Christmas story! We need to feel the emotions of two people given a choice to make... a hard choice... to follow God's will knowing that following it will most likely reap some very unpleasant consequences from the world around them. We need to see the Christmas story from the customs of a first century, ancient, orthodox, oriental viewpoint. We need to smell the manure and hear the animal sounds and see sweat and dirt of the story!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">We need to know that the three wise men were not present at the Christ child's birth. That they don't belong at the manger until almost two years later.</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">We need to know the world and times God chose to come to humanity! </div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">We need to get this story right and real!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">Do you know the<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>real, nitty-gritty, raw and beautiful story of Jesus' birth? Does it fill you with amazing wonder!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">This Christmas I hope we will all keep Christmas<span style="font-size: large;"><b> REAL</b></span>!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;">Here are more real aspects of the Christmas story and images from Israel</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2012/12/sunday-scripture-dec-16-2012.html" target="_blank">MARY'S STORY</a></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2012/12/sunday-scripture-dec-23-2012.html" target="_blank">THE REAL STORY OF THE MAJI OR WISE MEN</a></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>

LOOKING AT THE REAL CHRISTMAS STORY

I often think God is a God of few words... He writes and reveals for a purpose! To me, He does not often give lots of colorful background, t...

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DRAW YOUR LINE... WITH INDELIBLE MARKER!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQ-x8UXOA5lTT6G7qdSDhP-ucTe8p9ZIppZgU8pYnesaFgltmLmkeTjipYeulVY889-idhHOzEC0lqf5K0adfjI5NnO5d0W_1_E3NCa4ZY4t31e_PQTcybnzVThCaxzuINNsqs_IMMEdo/s1600/SS+DRAW+THE+LINE...+IN+INDELIBLE+MARKER+10-27-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQ-x8UXOA5lTT6G7qdSDhP-ucTe8p9ZIppZgU8pYnesaFgltmLmkeTjipYeulVY889-idhHOzEC0lqf5K0adfjI5NnO5d0W_1_E3NCa4ZY4t31e_PQTcybnzVThCaxzuINNsqs_IMMEdo/s400/SS+DRAW+THE+LINE...+IN+INDELIBLE+MARKER+10-27-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Office_and_Stationer_g145-Writing_Instruments_p64852.html" target="_blank">photo source</a></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Before my children learned how to drive, they were a captive audience.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Because they were very active in sports and ballet and cheerleading and church and drum lessons and the sort, we spent A LOT of time in the car! Lot and Lots of time! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There they were, safely strapped into the back seat ... a captive audience. We talked about everything under the sun and I imparted my very best wisdom to them from the driver's seat...</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a name="more"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I loved even the thought of a long drive with my kids. We would talk and laugh and sing and pray and connect and learn and have some pretty deep conversations!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We did not shy away from tough conversations, we encouraged them. We always felt, as parents, we wanted our children to hear a true and wise and biblical view on every topic before the outside world screamed in their precious ears!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sensitive topic of the birds and the bees was no exception! I don't every remember having "THE TALK" with our kiddos... it was more of an ongoing conversation from the time they were very little. It was natural. When our children asked, and boy did they ask, we would answer and have the most marvelous Godly conversations!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***********</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Right now I am teaching the book of Daniel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Daniel was a young Jewish lad. He lived during a horrific time in Israel's history. A time when the Babylonian empire destroyed the Southern Kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem and the Holy Temple. Daniel was captured at the age of about 15 and ripped from his family. He was taken away to live in the land of his captors and as far as it is known, never returned to his beloved home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unspeakable things happened to Daniel!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> He lost his home, his family, his name, his country, his religious practices, his place of worship, his culture, his language, his friends and was probably castrated... make a unick at the age of 15!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But Daniel not only survived all that trauma... he thrived... and did so well that he was promoted and loved by many kings! He thrived by never giving into the religion of the Babylonians... he thrived by being faithful to God and God's ways in an idol worshiping debased society!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At times Daniel's faith caused him big problems! Life threatening problems... like being thrown into a lion's den. And he faced them never turning away from God... but clinging onto Him all the more!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">God was with Daniel! And Daniel knew exactly where his strength, protection and eternal well being came from. Daniel remained faithful to God through all the bad, terrible times and all the good, as well!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*************</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I remember one particular car ride.  I had picked up my daughter and son after school ready to chauffeur them to some activity. There they were, safely strapped in and a captive audience.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although I can't remember how the conversation started, I certainly remember the topic! One of my 7th grader's classmates was having sex.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So sad, but a perfect opening for a discussion with my captive audience!  We talked at length about "girls have sex for love and boys love to have sex". We talked about hormones and heady feelings and reputations  and regrets.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And we talked about "THE LINE"! I would talk about "THE LINE" a thousand times to my kids, even and especially, when they were no longer a captive audience.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I said to my kids, who were intently listening, that the time to decide to have sex was not when they were in the back seat of a car with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Because when they were in that situation they had already made a fatally bad decision and probably crossed quite a few LINES!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I told them the time to decide was now... way before those situations happened to them. I told them to think about where they were going to draw "THE LINE"... a LINE they would never cross... no matter what! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I asked them to think about were God would draw that line. We talked about how God's line and their line should be the same... I told them, where God draws a line they should draw their line on top of His with INDELIBLE MARKER!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After dropping my children off at their activities, I sat in the parking lot and prayed!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I prayed for my children and "THE LINES" they would draw in their lives!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">********</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In chapter 1 of Daniel our bible study met him already a captive of Babylon, taken into the a three year long brainwashing program. Here he was facing a trial. One of many he would face in his long lifetime!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And how did Daniel face this trial and every other situation in his life? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">DANIEL MADE UP HIS MIND NOT TO DEFILE HIMSELF...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Daniel 1:8</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Daniel had drawn  a LINE too! A LINE that was God's LINE. A line that, if crossed, would cause defilement.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"THE LINES" Daniel drew kept Him in God's will his whole life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the bible version that says...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">DANIEL PURPOSED IN HIS HEART NOT TO POLLUTE HIMSELF</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the day's of Daniel the mind, the will, the intellect and the emotions were all called the heart.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, Daniel placed BOUNDARY LINES in  his mind, will, intellect and emotions. Pretty awesome!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think young Daniel has a very big lesson for us all... no matter what our age! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We all need to think about THE LINES we draw in our lives! Lines not to defile or pollute ourselves!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today, I'm asking you to take a good look at your LINES. Where are they? Do some need to be reset or  drawn for the first time? Do you even know where God's LINES are drawn? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">God is very clear about our abundant freedom and sin in His Word. First, we need to read and and determine to obey God's Word! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Be like  children... a captive audience by the Word of God... ready to love God's word and align your life to it!  We all look for the boundary LINES in life. Find out where the real one's are...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and draw YOUR LINES in INDELIBLE MARKER over them!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>

DRAW YOUR LINE... WITH INDELIBLE MARKER!

photo source Before my children learned how to drive, they were a captive audience. Because they were very active in sports and ballet and c...

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DON'T EAT YOUR SEED

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1z8Da7qFXvrqkwosrWBo5MRec85D-r4I5rfJyNPT5FVocL_T6EGPZiERTOtudrc462CnyJR8UtNlLlD-Kj60H1KsC071gRwmpEuOWIzskRHVEKHcNhOQW9tlu3qD3cHOC8UQ3aAddiUV4/s1600/BLOG+SS+Don't+Eat+Your+Seed+++9-22-13++stonegableblog.com.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1z8Da7qFXvrqkwosrWBo5MRec85D-r4I5rfJyNPT5FVocL_T6EGPZiERTOtudrc462CnyJR8UtNlLlD-Kj60H1KsC071gRwmpEuOWIzskRHVEKHcNhOQW9tlu3qD3cHOC8UQ3aAddiUV4/s640/BLOG+SS+Don't+Eat+Your+Seed+++9-22-13++stonegableblog.com.png" width="426" /></a></div><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/" target="_blank">source</a><br /><br />For the last four weeks I have been sharing the Universal Truths Of Sowing And Reaping.</div><div style="text-align: center;">How GOD literally shows us examples on earth... practical everyday examples... of great spiritual truth. Jesus was the master at this when He walked the earth. He called these earthly stories with heavenly messages parables.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I want to share a parable with you too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This story is called</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">DON'T EAT YOUR SEED...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a name="more"></a><br /><br />My story takes place in Africa. And it really isn't MY story but one told by Beth Moore, a gifted bible teacher and speaker. I heard this story years ago and it had such an effect on me that I have never forgotten it and the meaning behind it!<br /><br />The story goes...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beth and a group of missionaries flew to a poverty stricken village in Africa with a shipment of seed. I can't remember now what kind of seed they were delivering, but I do know it was to be planted to give the village a harvest... and a harvest that could sustain them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When the team landed they were enthusiastically greeted by the whole village. Beth toured the village lead by most of the villagers.  When she arrived back in the area the plane had landed she was surprised by what she saw.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Huge sacks of seed had been dragged from the plane and stacked up in a pile. That was not so unusual. What really surprised Beth was that the sacks of seed were being guarded.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Why are people guarding seed?", she questioned.  A missionary told Beth that if they did not guard the seed the hungry villagers would eat all the seed and have nothing left to plant.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then in flamboyant, passionate Beth style she took that story and turned it on it's spiritual ear!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You see... we can get full of hearing great sermons and listening to Christian radio and hearing wonderful Christian speakers and reading Christian books and even reading Christian content in blogs... and we can become so so full of good seed... Godly thought and ideas. There's nothing wrong with that.<br /><br />BUT...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We also can become spiritually fat and lazy when we just take in and take in and take in... eat all the seed... and not give out.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">God wants us to be full of good seed, but He also wants us not to take it all in and have nothing to plant it in the lives of others.<br /><br />The messages of Truth that God sends our way is for us to grow and become more like Jesus. BUT, it is also for us to share. To plant in the lives of those around us so they can be fed on Truth too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">God expects a harvest! And we are His workman. If we get spiritual fat and lazy how good of a worker can we be?<br /><br />Unlike those dear hungry souls in the African village, God has a constant source of holy seed for us. He lavishes us with good that will continually satisfy us and produce a huge harvest!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">For we are God's (own) workmanship (handiwork). Recreated in Christ Jesus (born anew) that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which he prepared ahead of time), that we should walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live).</span><br />Ephesians 2:10<br /><br />So today, as God lavishes your life with good and has good work that will produce a harvest...<br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">DON'T EAT YOUR SEED!</span></b><br /><br /><br />Broadcast it into the world.<br /><br />God has predestined you to be a sower of his WORD... a missionary to your family, friends, neighbors and community... and even the world. Plant God's message of love, forgiveness and salvation into the ready lives of others that God has already prepared for you!<br /><br />Be patient... water the seed you plant with prayer... and be ready for a harvest!<br /><br /><br /></div></div>

DON'T EAT YOUR SEED

source For the last four weeks I have been sharing the Universal Truths Of Sowing And Reaping. How GOD literally shows us examples on earth....

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