What God Tastes Like

"Ray told us the story of a morning he spent in a Jewish classroom on the first day of school. It was the first year of school for this particular class of kids, and at the beginning of the morning, the rabbi stood before his students with a stack of brand-spanking-new copies of the Torah, the first five books of both the Jewish and the Christian Scriptures. From that moment, the words in those books would be the axis on which all their studies would turn. Everything else to be learned or known would be secondary, would bow to this. They'd learn the Hebrew language on the pages, memorize large portions by heart, and orient their lives based on what it said. The rabbi placed a copy of the Torah on each of his pupils' desks, and the five-year-olds scooted forward, amazed at the gifts. Next the kids watched with awe as their teacher positioned a small square of waxed paper on the cover of each book. Then, from somewhere at the front of the room, he produced a palm-sized, bear-shaped plastic mold. Honey. Walking around the room once more, he squeezed a single sugary globule onto every waxed paper square. The lesson that morning could have centered on study and memorization; on culture and religion; on yarmulkes and long curly sideburns; on menorahs instead of Christmas trees. It could have referenced the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, about how God had made them into a nation and had rescued them out of desert wandering to call them to Him. It could have been about how God had promised a sacrifice in blood, about how the author of life had appeared to their people throughout history, wrapping Himself up in a pillar of fire, a cloud in the sky, a voice in the bush, consuming flames from Heaven. The options for an impressive introduction to Jewish school were endless. What the rabbi chose was honey drops.
He told his classroom full of five-year-olds to stick out their pinkies. They did. 'Dip your finger in the honey!' he said. 'And bring it to your lips!'
The roomful of excited kindergarteners sampled sweet, sticky honey. Then there was a long, expectant pause as they waited for the rabbi to speak. When he did, it was with a voice that boomed along the walls and echoed across the ceiling:
'Never! Forget! What God! Tastes like!'"
-Craving Grace by Lisa Velthouse [I'm almost finished with this book, and haven't really been too impressed...but this story really struck and blessed me. I hope it does the same for you. Never forget!]

-Leah

Filling in the blanks.

Date: Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Time: 11:09 a.m.

Thought/Quote/Verse/Idea for the day: "For lo, the winter is past, the rain [snow] is over and gone;"-SOS 2:11

I got up at: 7:30 a.m.

I am listening to: When we're together-Mark Harris

I most recently ate: A pretzel rod.

I am currently working on: The things I'm teaching this afternoon

Comfort food/beverage at the moment: Nothing at the moment...

I am looking forward to: GNC this afternoon!

I am reading: Nothing, shockingly enough...I finished Freckles this morning, and haven't started anything new! :-o

I am memorizing: Nothing for today

I am thinking: About many different things, as always.

Plans for the day: GNC in a few hours and Truth Project this evening.

In my hair: A braid and a bun.

Most recently wrote: A to-do list

I am thankful for: The incredible weather!

I am wearing: A denim skirt, green t-shirt, and white shrug

Latest gift listed in my notebook:

Christian self-help book I am currently reading: Nothing!

My surroundings: Unless I get a laptop, the answer to this question pretty much doesn't change. Just saying...

I am craving: A bunch of random things (fresh berries, string cheese); nothing super strongly, though.

I should be: Cleaning my room

Tomorrow I will: Go to a friend's house in the morning, GNC in the afternoon, and Western Civ in the evening.

Book I am contemplating reading next: Hm....not sure. One of my library books.

Random fact about myself: I get migraines when I don't wear my glasses :P

The weather is: Gorgeous--sunny, warm (!) and breezy.

Any library books at the moment: Just about always! :)

Movie(s) I watched within the week: Captain America

Indignant about: The fact that my glasses officially broke this morning. :( 

Random movie/book quote that's running through my head: Um...can't think of any at the moment.

Scratchy pen or smooth pen: Smooth.

Last thing I threw away: A tissue...

Last book I bought/received: Honestly don't know...

I am wondering:

Song stuck in my head: 'When we're together' :D

Most recent crazy plan:
 

Under the clip: Garden plans, GNC paperwork, my handbook for the missions trip this summer...

Random English word, compliments of the word-a-day on the dictionary app on my phone: Esculent--something edible, especially a vegetable

I learned today: Most recently? That esculant means 'something edible, especially a vegetable'...:P

Picture-thought: 

 Because I'm working on gardening plans and can't wait to have flowers in our yard! :)

On Remembering

The topic of remembering has come up in my life a lot lately. I don't think I ever realized how important it is until I realized how often it comes up in relation to Israel.

When it comes to remembering things I need to take with me, things I need to tell/ask or give to people, I have a pretty good memory. When it comes to things that have happened in the past, funny memories or things from my childhood, I have a pretty good memory.

But when it comes right down to it, none of that matters nearly as much as my 'spiritual' memory, if I can call it that.
Far too often, I'm afraid I have a bad case of what Ann Voskamp likes to call spiritual amnesia.

At my women's Bible study this morning, our teacher said this about the Israelites while reading portions of Psalm 78:
"They refused to believe what God told them today; they refused to remember what God told them yesterday...therefore, this nullified their future."

Memory, at least spiritually speaking, is a choice.

When Satan is bombarding me with lies about myself, I need to choose to remember who God says I am. When Satan is bombarding me with lies about God, I need to choose to remember who God says He is.
When I'm struggling and things are hard and I'm tempted to give in to discouragement, I need to remember who is in control. When I'm worried about the future, I need to remember who is planning out my life. When I'm tempted to sin, I need to remember the consequences for my sin; I need to remember what God says my sin is and how it grieves Him and hurts my relationship with Him. I need to choose to constantly remind myself of everything God says and everything He has done in the past. 

Well, it isn't particularly eloquent or complete, but that's what's on my mind and I thought I'd share quick.

So, til next time!

Learning to remember,

Leah