"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
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
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:
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
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
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
Monday, February 20, 2012
On Peace
"We often confuse peace with safety, but they are not the same. Peace is a great venture. It's a dare to trust God completely. Peace requires us to give up our illusions of safety and security to rely on Almighty God alone."-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Not a Day Goes By...
After seeing this on facebook many times back in the day, it was recently 'resurrected', so to speak, on several blogs, so (in order to get a bit of life on here), (goodness, how many commas can I use in one sentence?) I'm jumping on board the iPod game. You can too! Put your iPod on shuffle and use the songs that come up to answer the following questions. Enjoy! :)
1. What do your friends think of you?
The taming of Smeagol-Lord of the Rings soundtrack [Well!]
2. If someone says "Are you okay?" you say:
He died for me-Christy Galkin
3. How would you describe yourself?
Any way-Point of Grace [Ha...]
4. What do you like in a friend?
Beautiful Girl-Singin' in the Rain soundtrack [Well, all of my (girl)friends are, but....]
5. How do you feel today?
Praise to the Lord-Michael Card
6. What is your life's purpose?
We will find Him-Michael Card [sounds like I'm a crazy stalker or something]
7. What is your motto?
To the Pirate's Cave! -Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack [Say it all the time.]
8. What do you think about very often?
The Black Rider-Lord of the Rings soundtrack
9. What is 2+2?
'Till the answer comes-Paul Overstreet
10. What do you think of your best friend?
Hidden Away-Josh Groban [mmhm...I keep my best friend in a box in my closet.]
12. What is your life story?
Am I not merciful?-Gladiator soundtrack
13. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Be anything but a girl-Meet me in St. Louis soundtrack [Ha!]
14. What will you dance to at your wedding?
Sorcery and sudden vengeance-Prince Caspian soundtrack [Goodness, I certainly hope not!]
15. What will they play at your funeral?
Why walk when you can fly-Andrew Peterson [Lol, well, why not? :D]
16. What is your hobby/interest?
Amazing Grace-Charlotte Church
17. What is your biggest fear?
Handle with Care-Horton hears a Who soundtrack
18. What is your biggest secret?
Isn't it love-Andrew Peterson
19. What do you think of your friends?
The calm at the center of my storm-Paul Overstreet
20. What will you post this as?
Not a day goes by-Lonestar
Interesting....well, I hope you enjoyed this little diversion.
Till next time!
Leah
1. What do your friends think of you?
The taming of Smeagol-Lord of the Rings soundtrack [Well!]
2. If someone says "Are you okay?" you say:
He died for me-Christy Galkin
3. How would you describe yourself?
Any way-Point of Grace [Ha...]
4. What do you like in a friend?
Beautiful Girl-Singin' in the Rain soundtrack [Well, all of my (girl)friends are, but....]
5. How do you feel today?
Praise to the Lord-Michael Card
6. What is your life's purpose?
We will find Him-Michael Card [sounds like I'm a crazy stalker or something]
7. What is your motto?
To the Pirate's Cave! -Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack [Say it all the time.]
8. What do you think about very often?
The Black Rider-Lord of the Rings soundtrack
9. What is 2+2?
'Till the answer comes-Paul Overstreet
10. What do you think of your best friend?
Hidden Away-Josh Groban [mmhm...I keep my best friend in a box in my closet.]
12. What is your life story?
Am I not merciful?-Gladiator soundtrack
13. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Be anything but a girl-Meet me in St. Louis soundtrack [Ha!]
14. What will you dance to at your wedding?
Sorcery and sudden vengeance-Prince Caspian soundtrack [Goodness, I certainly hope not!]
15. What will they play at your funeral?
Why walk when you can fly-Andrew Peterson [Lol, well, why not? :D]
16. What is your hobby/interest?
Amazing Grace-Charlotte Church
17. What is your biggest fear?
Handle with Care-Horton hears a Who soundtrack
18. What is your biggest secret?
Isn't it love-Andrew Peterson
19. What do you think of your friends?
The calm at the center of my storm-Paul Overstreet
20. What will you post this as?
Not a day goes by-Lonestar
Interesting....well, I hope you enjoyed this little diversion.
Till next time!
Leah
Friday, January 20, 2012
Psalm 136...revised. (Sort of)
When the gas runs out (read: no hot water and no heat) and it's 5 degrees outside:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good....His love endures forever.
When the pickup breaks down in a less-than-convenient spot and it's an expensive, frustrating repair that's needed and you can't plow the long driveway:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When you're struggling spiritually and God is working in painful ways:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When the vehicles and the household appliances are dropping like flies, or so it seems:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When you have so much stuff going on and you feel strangely like a hamster in a wheel and you're overwhelmed and tired and behind:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When, because you're going through things spiritually you let the stupidest things bother you and you fight with siblings and both parties end up miserable:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever. (And saying you're sorry helps too.....I'm truly sorry. You know who you are. <3)
When you live in such a messed up, fallen world and the temptation to give in to fear and worry and discouragement is constantly knocking at your door:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When you're tired and in pain and you have to get up early in the morning and it's just all of those little things that add up:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When the gas guy eventually does come but even if he hadn't there's a fire in the fireplace and cozy seats by the fire:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When you have hot, healthy soup for dinner and heated vehicles and wonderful friends and the best family ever:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When you have a roof over your head and warm clothes and blankets and more blessings than you could count in your lifetime (and you're counting them anyway!):
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When you know that the sovereign God, the King of the Universe, loves you with an everlasting love and is always at work in your life, shaping a miserable, sinful worm into His image and continually drawing you closer to Him:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good....His love endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...and His love endures forever.
Learning to remember,
Leah
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good....His love endures forever.
When the pickup breaks down in a less-than-convenient spot and it's an expensive, frustrating repair that's needed and you can't plow the long driveway:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When you're struggling spiritually and God is working in painful ways:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When the vehicles and the household appliances are dropping like flies, or so it seems:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When you have so much stuff going on and you feel strangely like a hamster in a wheel and you're overwhelmed and tired and behind:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When, because you're going through things spiritually you let the stupidest things bother you and you fight with siblings and both parties end up miserable:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever. (And saying you're sorry helps too.....I'm truly sorry. You know who you are. <3)
When you live in such a messed up, fallen world and the temptation to give in to fear and worry and discouragement is constantly knocking at your door:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When you're tired and in pain and you have to get up early in the morning and it's just all of those little things that add up:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When the gas guy eventually does come but even if he hadn't there's a fire in the fireplace and cozy seats by the fire:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When you have hot, healthy soup for dinner and heated vehicles and wonderful friends and the best family ever:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When you have a roof over your head and warm clothes and blankets and more blessings than you could count in your lifetime (and you're counting them anyway!):
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...His love endures forever.
When you know that the sovereign God, the King of the Universe, loves you with an everlasting love and is always at work in your life, shaping a miserable, sinful worm into His image and continually drawing you closer to Him:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good....His love endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...and His love endures forever.
Learning to remember,
Leah
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Just as I am
What's that on the ground?
It's what's left of my heart;
Somebody named Jesus broke it to pieces
And planted the shards;
And they're coming up green,
And they're coming in bloom
I can hardly believe this is all coming true.
(chorus)
Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
He showed me the day that
He shed His own blood
He loves me, oh He loves me, He does
All of my life I've held on to this fear
These thistles and vines ensnare and entwine
What flowers appeared
It's the fear that I'll fall one too many times
It's the fear that His love is no better than mine
(but He tells me that)
(chorus)
Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
He showed me the day that
He shed His own blood
He loves me, oh He loves me, He does
He loves me, oh, He loves me, He does
Well it's time now to harvest what little that grew
This man they call Jesus, who planted the seeds
Has come for the fruit
And the best that I've got isn't nearly enough
He's glad for the crop, but it's me that He loves
(chorus)
Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
He showed me the day that
He shed His own blood
He loves me, oh He loves me, He does
He loves me, oh, He loves me, He does
He loves me, He does...
-Just as I am, Andrew Peterson (emphasis mine)
It's what's left of my heart;
Somebody named Jesus broke it to pieces
And planted the shards;
And they're coming up green,
And they're coming in bloom
I can hardly believe this is all coming true.
(chorus)
Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
He showed me the day that
He shed His own blood
He loves me, oh He loves me, He does
All of my life I've held on to this fear
These thistles and vines ensnare and entwine
What flowers appeared
It's the fear that I'll fall one too many times
It's the fear that His love is no better than mine
(but He tells me that)
(chorus)
Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
He showed me the day that
He shed His own blood
He loves me, oh He loves me, He does
He loves me, oh, He loves me, He does
Well it's time now to harvest what little that grew
This man they call Jesus, who planted the seeds
Has come for the fruit
And the best that I've got isn't nearly enough
He's glad for the crop, but it's me that He loves
(chorus)
Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
He showed me the day that
He shed His own blood
He loves me, oh He loves me, He does
He loves me, oh, He loves me, He does
He loves me, He does...
-Just as I am, Andrew Peterson (emphasis mine)
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