Reading through in a year…just some thoughts on today’s reading…ok—a lot of thoughts…but today’s reading is REALLY good! Promise to not be so long winded next time;) BUT IT’S GOOD! I want to give my sweet blog friends a BIG HUG and thank them for reading this with me this year. I have to confess…it […]
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Category Archives: One Year Bible Study Look what I got in the mail today! Yes…2010 is my year of organization. It IS going to happen;). Step 1. The pantry…(I even went to Kroger in the snow to buy…NO not milk or bottled water…but AAA batteries so my label maker would work;) It’s the Brother PT-90 version and might I add I […] Oh my gosh, if you are anything like me (and it seems that you are) you will LOVE your label maker! I am also on an organizing frenzy right now! Although I can’t commit to labeling my cabinets because I change them all the time, lol! =) But one of my goals in 2010 is to find a home for everything…maybe it’s ambitous, I don’t know, but I’m striving for organization! I’ll read the verses in the morning and then post! Oh Happy Day! Beautiful entry (as always) Andrea 🙂 I love your heart. -R Hear your heart on marriage…and I completely agree…as I very wounded and baggage filled person (and 19 marrying a man ten years older) when I married, I had LOTS of emotions…and if I had went with my emotions all the time…well, let’s say sometimes I did and it WASNT GOOD! God gave me the person that completed me and who was perfect for me…even though from alot of peoples standpoint’s…we were nuts! (or more specifically they thought he was!) I love him now more than ever… LOVE studying the Word with you! Were we separated at birth? My label maker is going in my will as one of my treasured possessions 🙂 Love the post today…keep it up girl. Andrea, our family is too reading the bible together. Nightly works for us. We are using The Daily Walk. It has it broken down with bites to ponder the Word ! I have made a copy of your One Year Chronological Bible schedule and it is almost the same. Ya’ll have Chronicles added so I am going to do that too….I always get blue after our time together at night doing our Jesse Tree and that is when Doc suggested the daily reading together. Last night we missed but our Lord loves our hearts to be coming back even when we have missed Him only one day or years…doesn’t matter He is waiting and present. Some of the comments and things you write are exactly what we discuss after the readings. It tickles me to no end that we are all defying “the world” by doing something so precious by being in His word daily. Most of us do but it is spiritual exercise daily. I also noticed that Abraham took care of his estate. He still gave to every child, although the majority went to the promised seed, Isaac. One other thing I noticed is that when Abraham had another wife & more children, he sent them away as well. Do you think he was lacking a little faith there & trying to protect his “promised seed?” Or what? Not sure. I also loved that Isaac & Ishmael came together to bury their father. We don’t know all that went on there, but there’s no evidence of fightings. They were both mourning for their dad. So that must mean Abraham still reached out to Ishmael even though he sent him away. It says that Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah. Then he asked God to open her womb, so she was pregnant with twins. It also says that Isaac was 60 years old when the twins were born. Wow! 20 years of dealing with barreness! I can’t imagine that. My husband & I have been dealing with that for almost 3 & it’s been hard! But back to the twins, them struggle with each other in the womb basically represents their lives in the future. Always a struggle! God told Rebekah that the younger would prevail over the older. Jacob was grasping Esau’s heel, coincidence? I don’t think so. God has perfect plans & He sees them through. just wanted to say I hardly get to comment much about the reading but I’m with ya daily! I love your thoughts about the reading. I actually read your thoughts before I read so I know what’s ahead and I LOVE it! My husband and I are actually reading it together every night. If it’s something I think the kids could absorb, I usually read it out loud to them. Love the reading! What a great start to what will be a great year. We are bringing home our little girl from ET as well through AGCI. Help me with the lable maker thing. I actually have one but I inherited it. I’m all for organization but I must be a rebel. I have visions of one of my sons future girlfriends coming over and then telling her friends/family…”okay…his Mom actually has her pantry labeled…like I could not see where the hot cocoa goes…” and then she feels she can’t measure up…that expectations are high.( ahhh..insert my own experience here…now we are on to something!) I keep pulling it out and putting it back. On a positive note… I have a label stating the machine in the plasitic storage box is a “label maker”. Does that count? Most of the reading is about Abraham’s descendants. The part that stood out to me was when Rebekah cried out to God asking why she was having difficulties in her pregnancy. She was pregnant with twins and the two boys were fighting with each other even in her womb. God explained to her that her sons would be rival nations. The reason this stood out to me was because I remember feeling like this when I was pregnant with Skyler and throwing up for nine months. I remember crying out to God, “Why is this so hard?” I wish I would have received an immediate answer as Rebekah did. Instead, I received an answer much later. Later when we were planning for our second child, we felt God telling us that adoption was the route. It was very clear to us at that point that if I wouldn’t have had a “difficult” pregnancy, we probably wouldn’t even had considered adoption until much later down the road. From the beginning God was writing our story, and we look forward to His perfect ending!  Oh how I love Christmas…and today we are celebrating it in our hearts knowing that guess what??? It’s CHRISTMAS DAY in Ethiopia! Here’s a fun little informative article excerpt I found this morning to share written by About columnist Tanya Davis: Christmas is a major holiday in Ethiopia. More than half of the population of […] I love thinking about our sons both celebrating their first Ethiopian Christmas. The only better thought is that next year they will be celebrating the Ethiopian Christmas in our homes 🙂 All right stop collaborate and listen I won’t continue. But I could. I still *heart* that song. 🙂 Merry Ethiopian Christmas! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the quote by Lucy on Aslan! I even used it in worship one Sunday! No, our God isn’t “safe”….but boy, it sure is wonderful, wild, crazy ride!!! I wouldn’t want any other. You just have to hold on tight when you give your whole life to Him! Chap. 23- well of course this is all part of God’s plan. I believe that when people would die in the Old Testament, they would bury the body back in their hometown. Abraham stayed where God had promised him his land. He asked for a place to bury his wife, paid them (which I think they would’ve given it to him anyways), and buried & mourned for his wife. She was 127 years old! Can you imagine how long they were together!? That had to break Abraham’s heart! Chap. 24- I love this chapter too! Abraham sent out his oldest servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. The hand under the thigh oath, I believe is meant to be a personal oath. A study Bible that I read says that Abraham sent his servant back to his country to find Isaac a wife because the people of Canaan were pagans & his son was the “seed” & he wanted a godly woman. So here’s the awesome part! Abraham’s servant prays very specifically! He is waiting at the well & asks God to make it clear to him who he should take back to be Isaac’s wife. So he asks that the girl offer to draw water for him & his camels! WOW! The first girl that came up, Rebekah, did just what he asked! Before he even finished asking God!! He goes to stay with her family & he wants to leave soon. They want more time with her & ask her what she wants. She wanted to go with Abraham’s servant! Wow, don’t know that I could’ve done that. & by the way, Rebekah is Isaac’s cousin!!!!! She seemed to be respectful & submissive to her husband. Rebekah comforted Isaac in his grief for his mother. Later in the next few chapters we’ll see that one of their sons, Jacob marries his cousins (Leah & Rachel) as well. Their father, Laban, is Rebekah’s brother! All right stop, Collaborate and Listen. So much good stuff I’m not sure where to start! I guess first by saying “Merry Christmas!” I learned so much from your post about Christmas in Ethiopia-thanks for sharing. Second, both my husband and I were born in the 70’s and grew up in the 80’s…and still love the music from that era…especially my husband. I think he believes it part of his mission as a parent to teach our children to love and appreciate music from the 80’s. Even our 3 year old will occasionally give us an “ice, ice baby” tune. Now to the really good stuff! So much to this reading today, I love what both you and Charisa shared. I found myself once again grieving for Hagar and Ishmael-and for Abraham too. It makes me feel better that Abraham was distressed about the situation. It would be so disappointing if he easily let them go. And I can’t help but feel a little upset toward Sarah. Wasn’t she the matchmaker to begin with. I am so thankful that God came to Hagar. Jump to chapter 22…I can’t even imagine the incredible pain that Abraham must have felt when Isaac asked him “where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Ughhh…it almost takes my breath away. Yes, please let me look crazy in the eyes of the world if it means I’m being obedient to my Savior! Merry Ethiopian Christmas! And wow, I’m looking at Hagar’s story in a whole new way thanks to you!!! I like themes. Don’t you? So…if today’s post were to have one—it’d be just that! Happy day! I have all kinds of great stuff to share…still haven’t even gotten around to showing you the fun/funny auction purchases from last weekend. One day–they will make it on here;). But better stuff just keeps getting put ahead […] Your heart is soooo big and I love your enthusiasm! Hope to connect again sometime soon! Happy New Year!!! I finally read this morning — rather than at night — so I can perhaps contribute to the discussion. 🙂 I have to say that what floored me over and over again in today’s reading was the reminder of how sinful even the “righteous” are. I grew up learning about the fathers of our faith — Abraham, Issac, Jacob, etc — as sort of “supermen” with whom God was so pleased because they did everything right. Reading through it again and again as an adult, that image has definitely faded… but coming to the forefront is just HOW MUCH God can do with SO LITTLE. These men weren’t heroes; they were fallen, depraved, greedy, selfish, scared silly… just like ME. And if God can use them in the mighty ways He did, then surely I have hope. Praise our merciful and gracious God! Nikki I am so happy for the families that received their referrals yesterday. Such beautiful stories that only God could put together. I posted about our Bible in one year goal on my blog today. I hope others will join us 🙂 I sooo enjoyed reading the stories of the families at #1 and #2!!! Happy that your name is going up on the list….or is it “down” as in the countdown? 🙂 So excited about more referrals! Yay!!! Talk about answered prayers!! I just have to thank you for this post today. My heart just wasn’t really into the reading today, and then I come here and you are so upbeat, enthusiastic, and you learned so much! It made me rethink through the three chapters. I guess that’s why its important to do it as a group. When you are having a bad day, you can lean on those around you. So anyways, thanks! Thoughts I had: when I was reading ch. 18, in the commentary it was talking about how it was custom in those days to invite strangers in your home so that you could show how your beliefs and how you live your life so that they might believe too. I just thought that was cool and made me think…I’m often hesitant about inviting people into our home. And although you do have to protect yourself and your family, we need to think also from the perspective of showing people through actions what it means to be a Christian. The whole story of Lot was a little disturbing to me. Just full of preverse characters. I forgot how “real” the Bible is. Somehow though, it is kind of comforting to know that the world has been preverse since Genesis…sometimes I get so discouraged with how awful, sinful, ect. people are today. But it’s good to read stories like that, and see God’s forgiveness and how he blesses the rightous, and I guess just know that there is hope. Do you know what I mean? I had similar thoughts on ch. 20…REALLY? Claiming she’s your sister, AGAIN? Some people never learn…hahaha! =) Thanks again, and have a great day! Oh ANDREA!! With all the excitement I haven’t had a chance to really break down and let the tears of joy flow….but reading this and hearing our story from another person…oh it is just so much sweeter and the flood gates are open!!!! Thank you! Can’t wait to squeal over your call!!! Good grief! Whenever I think that our world has become as bad as it could, you just have to re-read these chapters! I love that Abraham was bold enough to plead with the Lord like that! Sometimes I feel as if my prayers are wimpy prayers. Like I am a begging child. Abraham approached the Lord and boldly asked Him. That shows the depth of closeness they had. Then Abraham decides to pull his favorite half-lie again. She’s my sister! same story..different king. Goodness Abraham, don’t you learn? How often do I repeat the same mistakes, just with different circumstances? It’s a boy! Isaac is born and named. Laughter…what a name. After Abraham is old and Sarah is worn out. (her words) Love it!! Is anything to hard for our Lord? (Gen. 18:14) I think of my friend Dawn with these words…Praying for you..Nothing is too hard for our God! I can so sympathize with Hagar not being able to watch her son die. After reading so many words from Ab’s mom and how she felt giving her son a chance at life. My heart breaks with those words. I feel her heartache and pain. So much enthusiasm! You basically said it all! One thing I noticed though, is that Lot’s daughters had been affected by where he chose to live. He chose what “looked” best, & look where it got him! His daughters were probably used to that life style because of where they grew up. They carried out the sinful ways of Sodom & Gomorrah by what they did to their father. They’re not all to blame though. Lot should have seen what his girls were learning. And I am amazed by Abraham doing the same thing again…lying about Sarah being his sister! But, how many times do I repeat the same sin over & over? I’ve just started following your blog today, and I must say I am astounded by your love for GOD’s Word, and I cannot wait to continue reading on :)) Hey Andrea! Just saw your facebook link to the simply love shirts…I am returning a Christmas gift to buy one for my hubby…his first adoption shirt! SO excited!!!  For the body OK. I wish I could say I’m a health nut. I’m not a health nut. I wish I cooked like my husband. I’m not a Bon Appetite reader. But give this girl a hotdog or hamburger–and I’m a happy camper. I’m also a shameless Adam Sandler fan. Sorry, I like his humor. […] |
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by admin
It was a good reading today! I enjoy reading the passages we know so well and then God speaking a fresh word. What hit me today is what do I not find valuable in my life? What would I trade for instant gratification such as a bowl of stew? On the surface, nothing…but when I dig deeper…do I trade a time of bonding with my children and husband for the instant gratification of tv? Do I trade off a deep relationship with a friend with the instant gratification of using my tongue in a hurtful way?
Geez….I’ve come so far….but yet am still filled with such junk at times. Thank God for His neverending circumcising of my heart.
by the way..love the song and sara groves…she is probably my all time favorite singer. such a worshipper
I nominated you for an award at my blog 🙂
Blessings,
Amy
Such good stuff! The Word changes people for sure! I think Rebekah & Jacob were worried that God couldn’t do what He said. God promised the blessing to Jacob, so they were just trying to help Him out. I’m thankful for the relationships I have with my husband, brother, & sisters!
Hello! Found your blog through another adoption blog! ;0) We are adopting from Uganda! So excited to follow your journey now! :0)
Can you believe that Esau actually gave up his birthright for stew! I’ve worked some long, exhausting days before, but I’ve never been so hungry as to make a stupid oath like that!
And then Isaac makes the same stupid mistake his father made time and time again! I just can’t even believe this family!!! And STILL Abimelech is kind to him, promising that if anyone harms him or his wife they will die. This ruler just continues to treat Abraham’s family better than they deserve!
Now I know we have talked about this before…back when Abraham deceived Abimelech…Sometimes we feel like God won’t use us for something big, something huge, because we’re not worthy. Somehow we have messed up one too many times and we have this skewed image in our head of how God views us. But watching Abraham (and Isaac) mess up time and time again and God not only still loves them, but uses them for amazing things! Reminds me that nothing is too huge for God, including taking a sinner like me and doing something amazing!
Then there is this conflict over water rights. Isaac and his family are just being pushed from one area to another. And why? Because he is doing too well. It just shows that there has always been an issue with people being jealous of the wealthy. Fortunately Isaac handles it in a very mature fashion.
On the story where Jacob steals Esau’s blessing…I can’t imagine as a mother favoring one child over the other. Not to mention to the extent that you would trick one out of something like this! This is what the commentary said in my Bible:
“It is heartbreaking to watch Rebekah and Jacob conspire to deceive Isaac. Notice the great lengths to which they go to fool the old man. They already knew that Jacob was the heir to God’s promises through Abraham, but through their deceit they were trying to make God’s plan happen. That never works without causing pain or added trouble somewhere else. God is in charge of the timetable of our lives. We need to stick with the truth and move at his pace.”
Wow! That really relates to the adoption for me! God’s plan is perfect. His timing is perfect. Why do I continue to try to rush or slow things down to make them happen the way I plan? Regardless of what I do, God has a handle on the situation and it will happen in His timing.
I love the story of Jacob dreaming about the staircase of heaven. I have daydreamed about seeing such a vision! I can’t even imagine how amazingly beautiful it must have been!
This is barely even touching all the thoughts swirling around my head this morning after today’s reading, but hopefully it has provoked some thoughts for you too!
What an amazing God we have. Is anyone else feeling extremely touched and blessed that our God loves us enough to leave us His holy, breathing word to reflect on?