Brothers!

Growing up with brothers is an experience quite unlike anything else.

Yet, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Having brothers provides me with a different outlook on the world.

Basically...

I love my brothers!

One of the "many" funny brother/sister pictures of Graham and I. This is from CBI choir tour trip to the East Coast! This is the Liberty Bell!


This is my "little" BIG brother. He obligingly took a picture with me because I was leaving early on Christmas break.

Philip and I conquering the kitchen, with egg-rolls! This is just one of the many adventures that we have had...:)

Did I mention my brother Joel? He is just simply funny! He always gives me a hard time and wants to do "boy" stuff...go, figure! :)

Graham: the musician, adventurer, *slightly* narcissistic, king of the grill, mechanic, fellow-road tripper, friend.

Sam: Mr. Incredible, football player, role model, "teddy bear", my "little" BIG brother, breakfast chef, friend.

Philip: the character, amazing sense of humor, photographer, painter, computer savvy, fellow egg-roll maker, friend.

Joel: 100% boy, always moving, ornery, joke-ster, great smile, always sporting a "new" hairstyle, friend.

I am so thankful for the family that God has placed in my life! I love all the different personalities and persons that make up my family. I wouldn't know what to do without even one of them. I am thankful for the friendships that we have, and I know that my brothers will always be my friends! I am thankful that even though I am not able to be with them all the time, I know that they love me and are thinking of me. (especially when I can't be apart of their lives, go to all their sporting events, or concerts, or movies, or just be around to "hang out".)

God is good through all the seasons of life!

Moses movies, an unbelieving nation, and the faithfulness of God

We all know the classic 1956 Charlton Heston adaptation of the movie "The Ten Commandments." It was epic for its time. One of the most financially significant movies of all time, and earned a spot in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

But what about "The Ten Commandments: the Musical"? Or the more recent 2006 remake of "The Ten Commandments"?
Typically, any type of movie that is based on a historical Biblical account is not going to be portrayed accurately by the movie-makers. This Christmas break, my aunt and I decided to watch parts of the later two of these movies. It was interesting to see how the accounts were told by the actors and what was Biblically accurate and what was not.

*(However, I cannot evaluate the musical version of this account, because it was too ridiculous to finish!)

Things that I enjoyed from the movie:
- They seemed to present a historically accurate account of Moses and the nation of Israel. There were references to Joseph, and the reason for Israel to be in Egypt in the first place.
- There was a lot of stress on what the man Moses was going through emotionally throughout his being raised in the palace of Pharaoh, leaving Egypt, living in the desert, and being called by God to be the human element that God used to free His people from slavery.
- They showed to be the rebellious and stiff-necked people that the Bible ascribes to them.

Things I didn't like about the movie:
- They down-played the revelation from God to Moses.
- They didn't emphasize God's promise to be with the Israelites as He led them out of Egypt to the promised land.
- They brought out things like Moses telling the people in one scene that all they had to do was trust in God, and the next he was saying that now that God had delivered them from Egypt, THEY were responsible to go from there.
- They explained the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness as some sort of test that God was making the nation pass before entering the promised land.

The result:
After watching some good and not so good re-tellings of a great Bible story, I wanted to go back through the Bible and see what it said for itself. As I surveyed through the very familiar passages, I was struck again with the character of God and His plan unfolding to His chosen people.
Here is a quick summary of what I learned:

God's promises to His chosen people

Exodus 2:24 - God hears the groaning of the Israelites in Egypt

Ex. 3:5-22 - ENTER MOSES, God speaks directly to Moses through the burning bush

I AM the God of your fathers,

I have seen the affliction

I know their sufferings

I have come down to deliver them

I have seen the oppression

I will send you (Moses) to Pharaoh

I will be with you (Moses)

I have sent you (Moses)

I AM WHO I AM

I have observed what was done in Egypt

I promise I will bring you out

I will do wonders in Egypt

Ex. 4 - The Lord gives Moses the signs that show Pharaoh that he was sent by the One True God.

Ex. 6:2-8 - I AM the Lord your God!

Ex. 7:1-5 - I AM the Lord (all people shall know this. How? the 10 plagues)

purpose: Ex. 10:1-2 - that you may know that I am the Lord.

Ex. 12:51 - "that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts." Moses told the people to remember, always remember, what the Lord had done for them!

Ex. 13:18, 21 - The Lord led the people...the Lord went before them.

Ex. 14:4, 13-14, 17-18, 25, 30-31 - the Lord fights for His people so that they may know that He is the Lord!

People grumble...after 3 days! (Ex. 15:22) = I am the Lord your healer (vs. 26)

no food (Ex. 16:2) = the Lord gave them bread from heaven (vs. 4)

no water (Ex. 17:2) = the Lord gave them water from a rock (vs. 5)

Israel defeats the Amalekites (Ex. 17:15-16) = the Lord is my banner

Ex. 19:4-6 - Moses goes up to God on the mountain

Ex. 20-31 - the Lord gives Moses the Law as the regulations of righteous living for a called out people, and a nation of priests (which righteousness comes by faith!)

the people made a golden calf as a god when Moses didn't come down from the mountain for many days (Ex 32:1-10) = Moses intercedes for the people

Ex. 33:1-3 - God commands the people to go to the promised land:

I will send an angel before you

I will drive out your enemies

I will not go up among you, but before you--because of your stiff necks

Ex. 33:9-11 - the Lord spoke to Moses face to face

Ex. 33:12-23 - Moses asks to be shown God's ways so that he may know Him to find favor in His sight. The Lord said: My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.

Ex. 34 - the Lord allows Moses to remake the tablets of stone (the first ones being broken on the golden idol)

Ex 35-40 - Moses and Israel set to making the tabernacle as God commanded them. Israel was obeying the voice of the Lord.

Ex. 40: 34-38 - the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle

"Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud (God's glory/presence) was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out."

The cloud of the Lord was before them by day and by night (!) throughout ALL their journeys!

God never failed in any of His promises to Moses or to the people of Israel. And what is cool to be reminded of (or at least I love the reminder) is that the same God who spoke to a man through a burning/yet not burning bush, who caused terrible plagues to totally ravish a whole country, who opened the Red Sea to be crossed, who sent bread from heaven, who provided water from a rock, who defeated all their enemies...is still my God!

Do all to the Glory of God!

I have been reading through 1 Corinthians in my devotions,

and have been struck again with Paul's desire to glorify God in all that he did.

This is one of the themes that can be seen throughout the book,

and I wanted to put some of the verses together so that

others could see the relationship as well.

Background: Paul is writing to a church of believers in the city of Corinth. This city was often known for some of the sinful activities that regularly happened there. In the midst of a very sinful place, there is a group of Christians whom Paul is seeking to encourage and exhort.

He addressed them on a couple of key things concerning some divisions and sins of immorality that were happening within the Body. In his exhortation, he declares to them the importance of glorifying God in whatever they do. Whether it is a question of Christian liberty or calling, the main thing is that God is glorified through the actions done.

"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2

"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:11, 16

"This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." 1 Corinthians 8:12-13

"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you." 1 Corinthians 9:19, 22-23

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved." 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

What is the calling? Do all to the glory of God!!!

Thoughts from Bekah's brain: the start of school

Ahhh...rest is a needed thing! I love to rest.

Thankfully, she let me rest for a while.

For almost three weeks, she didn't ask me to do anything.

Well, maybe not anything, but at least nothing too trivial.

Now, she asks me to work.

to think.

to do.

to study.

What does she think I am...a brain???

Well, yes, actually!

You see, Bekah's brain has been on Christmas break for the last 3 1/2 weeks. During that time, she only asked her brain to preform simple and relaxing tasks. She used her brain to think, and read "fun" books (technically Dickens' is worth thinking about, so her brain did mull over that book), do a little cooking, and other crafty projects. Now, however, she is back to school and asking her brain to start working again. Don't you think it's a little too soon to be asking so much of the little thing? I mean, seriously, I am majorly lacking any kind of motivation to do homework.
No!

Oh, start of school, please be gentle with my brain!!!

a missed opportunity

Do you ever have those moments when don't do what you know you should do?

You see an opportunity, and think "I should do something".

But then you don't stop.

You don't do anything.

You pass the opportunity by, and then what do you feel like doing?

Give yourself a good scolding!

I drove past her.

Twice.

She was just sitting there, on the curb, with her face in her hands. She looked sad. And scared. And tired. And alone.

I don't know what was wrong. I couldn't have fixed the situation. I don't even know what I would have said. But I could have shown her the love of Christ!

Instead, I drove on by....

twice,

and rationalized the fact that it probably wasn't safe to stop and talk to a person sitting on the side of the road. Or that I had too much to do. Or that I had to get back because others were waiting for me.

But she still sat there...

What have I missed? Why didn't I do the thing that I should have? Why didn't I do what was right? Why was I so concerned about my safety to forget the person who might spend eternity separated from God? Why was I more concerned about my own schedule? Why didn't I stop?

Then this song was playing on the radio...(Chris Sligh, "Only You Can Save".)

I saw a man today, his whole world across his back

A living monument opposed to my success

I tried to look into his eyes as his shuffled past my car

Sweat beading on his skin, his clothes and hair a mess

As the light turned green and I pulled away, he slowly disappeared

Just a memory of another chance I failed to show your love here

I wanna love because You love

I wanna give because You gave

I wanna reach my hand out to the lost

because I know Your hand can save

Only You can save

Only You can save

Sometimes I have to wonder if I really want to know

The struggle and the pain that others feel

Do I want to hear the stories I see echoed in their eyes

Or is this love I say that I’m reflecting even real

As the light turns on inside my head and I slowly disappear

I steel myself cuz what you call for me is to show your love here…

I wanna love because You love

I wanna give because You gave

I wanna reach my hand out to the lost

because I know Your hand can save

Only You can save

Only You can save

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig_kzwSlot0

I can't change the past, or correct what I didn't do. But I can do what is right the next time I see someone in need. I can go to the lost in the strength of the Lord. I can not fear my own safety because I rest in God's sovereignty. I can do what God has called all of us believers to do for His glory.

This means risking my own comfort for the sake of the gospel.

And most importantly, so that...

Jesus Christ, Magnified

All over the world

Lifted High, glorified

All over the world

Only One thing

Is Worth everything

Jesus Christ, Magnified

All over the world...

(Matt Papa lyrics "One Thing")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9rwsHAsdgU

Christmas break, family times, crocheting, reading, cooking, and loads of games...

This is the last week of my wonderful Christmas break! I thought that I would do the "normal" bloggish thing and add a bunch of pictures to chronicle the adventure.

Not only did I get to see family, but good Hot Springs friends!

LOVED the time with my brothers!!!

baked 3 pies for Christmas dinner!

decorating Christmas cookies with my sisters...we made quite the interesting

red, green, and white angels...:)

Crocheted a total of 5 hats!

Sam's was part of his Christmas gift, mine was just for fun!

Well, I think they opened presents? But, you wouldn't be able to see

from the evidence!

some of my gifts from Mom and Dad: a cookbook, scarf, coat, and sweater!

The egg-roll adventure! It turned out to be a great time of bonding in the

kitchen with Philip! And, I didn't burn myself...:)

Game time!

Apples to Apples was hilarious as always.

Philip: Quite, Repulsive, Friendly

Emily: Cruel, Dainty, Cute

Dad: Weird, Calm, Chewy, Spicy

more Christmas presents & people who are willing to pose with them!

Joel and his headlamp...+ nerf gun!

He's proud of his new shorts and sweater.

*no comment! :)

All in all, the few weeks at home, at Grandma and Grandpa's, and Aunt Teresa's was

a wonderfully relaxing time!

I am looking forward to going back to school (for just one more semester, Lord willing!)

I want to see all my friends!

I am looking forward to the structure being returned to my life.

Thank you, God, for family and friends!

"A Tale of Two Cities" and a look at the heart of man.

It has become my intention of late to read more classic literature and broaden my scope of literary works. I have been enjoying the books thus far, and have just finished "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens.

I really enjoyed this book set during the French Revolution. It was a tale of mystery, intrigue, love, hate, revenge, honor, courage, and devotion.

Yet, through all of this, I was shocked and sickened by some of Dickens' descriptions of horror behind this Revolution. The blood that flowed for the name of "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity!" was unimaginable. And yet, it gives truthful insight into the sinful nature of mankind.

An interesting example of this is in chapter 35, entitled "the Wood Sawyer". So as not to ruin the book for anyone else still planning on reading it, I will spare some of the details.

It is in this chapter that Lucie sees a wild display of the nature of man's sinfulness when it is given reign to control. Lucie is waiting beside the shop of a wood cutter. She is hoping for a chance to see her husband, who is in prison, or a least allow him to see her. While she is waiting, she sees some of the citizens of Paris dancing the wild Carmagnole.

Dickens describes the scene:

"There could not be fewer than five hundred people, and they were dancing like five thousand demons. There was no other music than their own singing. They danced to the popular Revolution song, keeping a ferocious time that was like a gnashing of teeth in unison. Men and women danced together, women danced together, men danced together, as hazard had brought them together. At first, they were a mere storm of coarse red caps and coarse woollen rags; but, as they filled the place, and stopped to dance about Lucie, some ghastly apparition of a dance-figure gone raving mad arose among them. They advanced, retreated, struck at one another's hands, clutched at one another's heads, spun round alone, caught one another and spun round in pairs, until many of them dropped. While those were down, the rest linked hand in hand, and all spun round together: then the ring broke, and in separate rings of two and four they turned and turned until they all stopped at once, began again, struck, clutched, and tore, and then reversed the spin, and all spun round another way. Suddenly they stopped again, paused, struck out the time afresh, formed into lines the width of the public way, and, with their heads low down and their hands high up, swooped screaming off. No fight could have been half so terrible as this dance."

What is interesting about this dance is the continued description that Dickens makes:

It was so emphatically a fallen sport--a something, once innocent, delivered over to all devilry--a healthy pastime changed into a means of angering the blood, bewildering the senses, and steeling the heart. Such grace as was visible in it, made it the uglier, showing how warped and perverted all things good by nature were become.

Why is it that good things become perverted? Why is something innocent, delivered over to devilry?

The Bible tells us in Romans 3, that all men have sinned and have fallen far short of the glory of God. This means that man is so far from the standard of God's holiness that he is far short of reaching it. He will never reach it! The point is that sin has perverted all that was good in the world. It started in the the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sin entered the world. Because of sins effects, man is now separated from God and unable--apart from Christ--to have fellowship with God.

So to answer Dickens questions: Why is it that good things become perverted? Why is something innocent, delivered over to devilry? The answer is: sin.

What I found enlightening in this section is the way that Mr. Dickens pointed out this truth. In the midst of brutal murder and gruesome war, there is the past-time of dancing. Once a good activity, now turned sour.

But don't we always do that?

Solution: Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! As we continue more and more to see the downfall of the sin filled society around us, may we ever live to glorify God in the face of Jesus Christ!