Mar 28 - Which Seed Did You Say You Were?

Moses is doing a recount of all the bad stuff the people of Israel did by disobeying and not having faith in the Lord even after seeing all the miracles that happened from Gods anger and through his love. He is telling them so they won't repeat the same mistakes by not obeying the Lord as the are getting ready to cross the Jordan River into the land they were promised. The Lords mighty hand is going to destroy the current inhabitants because they are evil. He points out a few times that they are getting the Land because the people there are evil and worship false gods and because of His promise to their ancestors. Not because they were good. Moses lays it out there saying "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good." "Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn."

You can look at that as a bully God just making us do what he wants and kiss his tush all day. Or you can see it as I believe it to be, that He loves us so much and only wants the best for us. It's not like I see him everyday the best way for me to keep my focus on God is to stay in His word, pray and sing praises. Thankfully I don't need to go all Friday The 13th on some goat twice a week.

I as a father expect my kids to listen and obey what I am telling them not because I'm a bully but because I love them and know, better then they, what is good for them. Doubt I can ever get them to sing praises about me but hey if I can at least keep them from doing incredibly dumb stuff I'll consider that a step in the right direction:) I am blessed to have children but my children are gifts from God so it is also my duty to teach them about Him and what great things He's done for us so they will love Him as much as Boo and I do. I love my kids but it's not even possible for me to love them as much as God loves them......That's the way I see it:)

Luke today it's the cool parable about the farmer scattering seeds. If you've never read it you have to check it out: Luke 8:4-15

Jan 5 - English, Japanese, Chinese....huh?

So there was a time when everyone spoke the same language using the same words and we could all understand each other. They began to migrate east and found a piece of land in Babylonia and settled there. They said "Come let's build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world." You know the old saying tell God your plans it will make Him laugh? Well that's what happened here God came down and could see that the people were united and all spoke the same language and said "After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! Come, let's go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won't be able to understand each other." That is why the city was called Babel, (We watched the movie Babel, save yourself a couple of bucks and let that one go by) because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world. Now how weird would that be if Friday you're hanging out with all your buddies speaking the same language then on Saturday 1/2 your friends are speaking Japanese! It's funny how people always ask me if I'm going to learn Japanese. I'm still trying to figure out English and have my wife as a translator so I think no. But we are teaching the kids both languages. I do believe that in this day and age it is so important to be at least bilingual. If Vermont Hick ever becomes an official language I'll have my two done! The old testament this day also goes talks about Gods covenant with Abram to make him a great man and Abrams travels.

We mosey into the new testament and Jesus is talking about breaking a commandment so you have to present a sacrifice to the Lord...."So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God." Thank you God for your ultimate gift of your sons blood! We'll read later that the presentations of sacrifices are no longer needed as in the pre-Jesus days. How many times do you think you would have to leave the altar and return because someone popped into your head that you weren't right with! Well I guess we could now sit on the front steps and just shoot out "Forgive Me" and "I Forgive You" texts or Tweets......that I think would qualify??:)

Ultimately I think today is summed up best in what I see all around me. Yes I have some seriously crrrrrrrrrrrrappy days! I also have some Great days! But everyday I can see Psalm 5:12 "For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love." And that my friends is a fact!

My 2010 deal with God........

Ya how do you like that for an introduction title. My deal with God.....he's probably wetting his holy britches right now laughing at me. Like God's sitting around waiting for me to make a "Deal" with Him. The thought came the other day when my wife and I watched Julie & Julia, Very good movie I recommend it to everyone, and it made me realize that I also have a tendancy to start things and never finish. The only thing I have started, really held on to and don't want to ever finish is my search to become closer to God, the intense & incredible amount of love I have for my wife and raising our crazy kids while bringing in more crazy kids....which in turn I guess makes us even crazier parents I guess. That makes me think there has to be something behind this God thing right??? After all it's because of Him I met my wife a church she fell madly in love with me and stocked me for months until I said yes.....That's a whole different blog in itself.

So here it is! I will read the entire bible in one year. Not just read it like a novel but listen while I'm reading and see what's pointed out to me, see how it will change me and bring me closer to God. I'm no theological scholar I'm just what I feel is a good Christian man lollygagging through life trying to do the best he can. Should be quite interesting when I blurt out whatever comes to mind. Plus it's suppose to be the #1 selling book of all times so it must be pretty good too eh?

Will I go all crackers on ya and paint a cross on the hood of my car, start running through the streets tossing holy water on everyone chanting in tongues.......If I do lock me up, please don't punch me in the face first I no likey pain. I can't say I have an ultimate outcome I'm looking for or specific guidance, just looking forward to the journey! I've had a fairly interesting journey already but feel that I need to take the next step and stop skimming through God's word and actually plug in to His plan for my life, as it is said. So we'll see you on January 1st, 2010! Have a Merry Christmas and Safe New year!