The Not-So-Great Exchange!

Check this out.  Psalm 106:19-20 says,

19 At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped an idol cast from metal. 20 They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass.

Now, I just have to tell you that when I read this chapter in Psalms recently, I had to re-read these two verses several times.   When you read verse 19 you might almost let it go by because of the familiarity of the story, but then if you're paying attention when verse 20 rolls around.... WHAM!  They exchanged their WHAT?  For WHAT?  

"They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass."

Let me just say this; although I was stunned as I read those words, I can too easily relate.  No, I haven't recently exchanged my Glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass.  But, I have exchanged my Glory for many other lesser things.   Well, all things are lesser when compared to the Glory referred to in this verse.


Have you been exchanging your Glory for lesser things?  It is certainly something to pause and consider.  I'm sure with very little effort we could come up with an extensive list of other things that we settle for or look to:  food, shopping, hobbies, ministry, alcohol, sleep, friends, spouse, comfort, pets, money, reputation, power, religion... the list goes on and on.  One last question.  Why did they do this?  Why do we do this?


Check out verse 21:

21 They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt,

They forgot.  We forget.  (See James 1:23-24)   


Let us be thoughtful and remember;  there is nothing worth the exchange of our Glory.  Nothing.


"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."    2 Corinthians 3:18

The Answer by Fire!

What comes to your mind when you think of fire?  Warmth?  Light?  S'mores?  Getting burned?  How about the fact that our God is a consuming fire? (Exodus 4:24; Hebrews 12:29)

Recently, I was reading 1 Kings 18.  It is a familiar story involving the prophet, Elijah.  However, we should never let familiarity keep us from studying a passage again.  Let's jump right into the middle of the account where Elijah issues a challenge to the prophets of Baal  (vs.22-24):

"Then Elijah said to them,  'I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.  Get two bulls for us.  Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it.  I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it.  Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord.  The god who answers by fire — he is God.'"

The prophets of Baal, miserably unsuccessful in the attempt to get their god to answer them, are about to experience the One True God.  It's Elijah's turn to call on the name of the Lord,  and he has set up the altar and directed the prophets of Baal to completely soak it in water.  Let's look at verses 36-39:

"At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed:  "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.  Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."  

Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.  When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The Lord he is God!  The Lord — he is God!"

Are you facing odds that seem insurmountable?  Look to the One who answers by fire.... He is God!

Note:  I want to thank my friend, Lisa DeVinney, for the awesome fire pictures!

Happy Birthday, Josiah!

October 15, 1996, was the day he arrived on the scene.  I must admit that he captured my heart from the moment I first heard his beat.  Now, all he need do is smile, and I am pretty much conquered.  I have never been the mother of a fifteen year old boy, so this year will unveil a new part of our journey together.  

Josiah with Super Lolli!

Happy Birthday, Josiah!  Even though this post is showing up a few days late, I did actually type it up on your birthday.  My plan was to have a few more pictures; from your beginning days to present.  No such luck.  I scanned them in, but could never figure out how to get them from there to here...  One of these days I'll get all of this tech stuff figured out (maybe).  You could probably do it.  Why didn't I think of that?  Oh yeah, it was supposed to be a surprise.  Oh well, maybe next year.  I love you!

Something to Say

It has been longer than I would like since I last posted.  As I have often done in life, I went from one extreme to the other:  trying to write a new post every day to skipping entire weeks!  One of these days I hope to find a normal rhythm and stick to it!  The fact of the matter is.... though I always have "something to say", when I sit down here to type it, my mind just seems to go blank!  It is a rather frustrating thing because my mind seems to go non-stop!  Life is so full of inspiration, be it difficulties we go through, the beauty that surrounds us, family moments we want to remember, the list goes on and on.  So, I'm going to get back in to the swing of this blog thing by just saying... something!

I decided to go with something I'm looking forward to.  There is a new book coming out this week by one of my favorite authors.  I encourage you to get a copy and see what you think.  It's called, "Beautiful Outlaw", by John Eldredge.  http://g.christianbook.com/g/product/9/960881.gif    I have been looking forward to this for a while now.  If you can get your hands on a copy, I say DO IT!  I don't think you will be disappointed, and if you are you can come back and tell me about it (nicely)!  : )  God bless you all!   By the way, I'd love to hear about something you're looking forward to.  Just click on comments below, and tell me about it!