Our son’s name, Lent Tree & One Year Bible Reading

Our Son’s Name…

Yes, we’re on both lists—for either a boy or a girl…BUT I feel pretty certain being #19 on the boy list and #30 on the girl list that we’ll get to #1 first on the boy list. You NEVER know…BUT—I’m excited to be able to tell you our son’s name…if in fact, we get a boy. Can you guess what the husband said YES to today??? OK, if you’ve been reading for awhile you already know. ISAAC.

This name has continued to rest on my heart. And yesterday as we pulled the ram out for the Lent Tree ornament, I really felt the Lord saying, “I am not going to ask you to give up your son either.” The story of Isaac and Abraham has been repeatedly put on my heart—and I have always wanted to name one of my children a Biblical name. I just have been praying for the right one. Here are just a few reasons (other than it remains on my heart) why I love this name…

…Isaac was the LONG awaited for son of Abraham and Sarah.

…he lived a long life (180 years)…the longest lived patriarch

…his sustained life reflects God’s constant provision and God’s desire for us to follow Him no matter what

…academic scholars describe him as a legendary figure—-while others describe him to reflect tribal history

…his name in Hebrew means “may God smile”

The husband said YES—that he loves it. Something changed I guess;). And although we may technically be farther away–I feel so much closer having a name to hold on to. NOW…if we end up with a girl, don’t worry it will not be Isaac-ette. But we’ll think of that if the numbers get really close. For now, I’m holding on to Isaac.

I will wait for you Isaac. No matter how crazy the wait may seem to be. No matter how crazy this momma ever looks. I will keep my eyes of Jesus…the sacrifice who stood in your place and mine…and I will rest knowing you are in His care RIGHT now. And one day…I will hold you in MY arms. And God won’t be the only one smiling:). May God smile down on you now, sweet Isaac.

The Lent Tree…

IMPORTANT to read if you are doing the Lent Tree with us! My dear friend Kelly who is Catholic reminded me today that we DO NOT do an ornament on Sundays during Lent! There are 40 ornaments—and there are 40 days of fasting between Ash Wednesday and Lent *IF* you don’t count Sundays! If you were like me and you were doing an ornament EVERY day—we need to just skip a day (I’m skipping today to get on the right day) so day 6 should actually be today. Because did you know…

“When observing fasting or abstinence during Lent, regard must be paid to the fact that Sundays are Feast Days, so there is no fast or abstinence. The days from Ash Wednesday to the day before Easter Sunday, excluding the Sundays, are forty, corresponding to the number of days Christ spent in the wilderness.” So…technically you fast for 6 days and then Sunday is a Feast day where you get to have what you fasted. Did ya know that??? I didn’t. Lent is a custom not a Biblical requirement–and traditionally you fast for 6 days and on the 7th day you celebrate the resurrection with a Feast day. OK…I may be 33 but I seriously didn’t know this until now. I thought people gave up someone on Ash Wednesday and didn’t get to have it again until Easter. I think different denominations teach and celebrate it differently…or don’t even teach Lent at all. I don’t even call myself a “denomination”…UM…well, I guess that makes me non-denominational;). We go to a Bible church…where we believe the Bible and what God’s Word says. And because Lent teaching isn’t in the Bible, we don’t teach it or *have* to do it. We do practice fasting like the Bible does, and I think many give up something for Lent like Jesus did in the dessert…but really I had no idea for this Lent tree that we would skip Sunday’s. SOOOO…all that being said…to make it to the end of Easter on track…SKIP SUNDAYS with the ornaments. And forgive my ignorance;). And thank you for bearing with me!

One Year Bible Reading: Leviticus 20-22:33

Leviticus 20 – The Lord is very clear and spells out disobedience here. Most of these offenses seem pretty obvious…yet in our culture—these offenses take place more often than we might realize…

20:2-5…the Lord warns about worshipping another god…giving up our children to another god…What are some things that our culture worships? Sports. Celebrities. Status. Acceptance. Do you think we struggle today with giving up our children for these? Think about it. What does God say He will do here if we put these things before Him?

20:6-8…think spiritual prostitution doesn’t exist??? That people don’t put their trust in mediums or seek spirits of the dead? Well, I was just invited to a “angle party” last week where “an angle of light” will let you meet your angel and you can consult someone that you love that is dead. DON’T WORRY…I’m not going. But someone from church invited me. Someone next to you at your next service may think this is okay. This still happens today.

20:9…ever dishonor your parents. Even as an adult, no longer under their care—do you bring honor to them even in the many ways you disagree with them? How can you honor them even when you don’t agree?

The list goes on…and although I can shake my head at first and say…well of course all of that is bad—I want to reflect on my heart and ask the Lord ot make me holy. To live holy. To stay SO CLOSE to Him and His truth! Chapter 21-22 reminds me that the Lord wants us to present ourselves before Him in holiness. I am reminded where my heart should be when I come to His table. Is there someone I need to ask forgiveness from? Is there someone I need to forgive? Have I confessed my sins? Help us Lord to live holy lives and to trust You to be our Redeemer. You, O LORD, are enough.