the old testament has always been, in my mind, a collection of stories. sure, there are prophets and poets, but mostly it's about stories. i always thought it would be easy to retell the stories because you could leave out a lot of the details--the repetition, the genealogies, the unpronounceable names and places.
but, with this exercise in telling the stories without reading the stories, my eyes are opened to new revelations and appreciation for all of this.
maybe in the coming weeks, i'll blog about all the stuff i've learned. i'm ashamed to admit that i had a college level class in this and i barely remember any of it (sorry dyke, you can list me among your failures even though i passed).
still, i encourage you to study (that's more than just reading) genesis and work your way through. it's fascinating, but above all, it's helpful.
it's where i've come from (and the prophecies tell where i'm going). win/win!

why do we do this to ourselves? what were we thinking and when will we learn to keep our mouths shut?
yesterday posed one such scenario to rhonda and i. our first thought (the offer) was correct, the subsequent questions are what threw me off. but, in answering those pesky questions, i am strengthened in our resolve to the original offer.

• we do this because we are Christ's servants. to serve people is to serve Him. we want to have within us His heart of compassion. we offered help because help is needed. if the offer is not accepted, we're not out anything, but at least we made an effort. if our offer is accepted, then we'll work as we are able as unto Him. this person is created in the image of God--she's not kept up that image very well with her choices, but still we know that under the crud of live is imago dei. as much as it depends on us, we will work to discover that and let her see it of herself.
• at first, i wasn't sure that we were thinking. the offer fell out of my mouth before i stopped to consider it. but actually, that encourages me upon deeper reflection. it came out so quickly because it is becoming second nature to me. (when it becomes my first nature--replacing my natural instincts--that'll be a day of rejoicing.) in truth, we didn't need to stop and think. we just need to do the will of God. i'm saying we approach this wrecklessly, for we have boundaries and saftey mechanisms in place. still, to pursue others for the sake of Christ is humbling. but with that humility, we know from experience, comes strength and empowerment to accomplish the task.
• i sometimes my mouth runs the opposite of what it should--open when i shouldn't speak, closed when i should speak. however, i am more deeply convinced, convicted and resolved that the offer of help is always appropriate whenever i am able. may i never shut my mouth to withold assistance; may i never shut my mouth from proclaiming the glory of God. and yet, may i never speak, lest they be the words of Christ. let me never sing, save for the glory of our Risen Lord.

Lord God, giver of life and sustainer of all things, we need so much from You in this endeavor. we need Your words--they are valuable for training, teaching, rebuking, chastizing and building up. we need Your words to teach, show, model and demonstrate True Love. we need Your wisdom to discern and sort through the lies. we need Your strength to withstand all the critism that may come; we need Your strength and sustenance to live from day to day. above all, we need Your grace--we need it for we are unworthy sinners and we need to so we can administer it to others that needs it as desperately as we do. thank You, Holy Father, for Your faithfulness even when we are not.

an old friend

this old song was found deep in the recesses of my memory banks and just struck a chord with me today. you may remember it; you may not remember it. and while the tune is dated, the words resound strong and true.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

I don't know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.

I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden's getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.

There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

I don't know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.