Saturday, May 27, 2006
Games
We played games tonight as a flat after we all ate dinner together. Steph cooked lasagne, it was awesome. Yesterday was Norbert's birthday, so we made an ice cream cake and sang to him. I really enjoy spending time with my flatmates and God continues to grace me with wonderful conversations with them and time spent. Charlotte had to move out a few days ago very suddenly because a friend needed her to move in. It makes me sad, but I've praised God for Charlotte's great ability to love other people and be one of the most giving and gracious people I've ever met.
I need to clarify one thing about my "spying on Rob" posting. When I say spying I mean walking by his window in order to get home from Kath's flat and seeing him through it, not actually sneaking up and straining my eyes to see through. If he would have looked out, he would have seen us as much as we could see him playing solitare. I don't think all the time, but I'm not unintelligent :). I've gotten enough comments from people that I knew it needed to be addressed. At least I know people read the blog, maybe I'll put more controversial things on here so people will comment.
I finished reading Exodus today, great book, lots of laws and specifics. Exodus contains a few of my life passages, one of which is found in chapter 23 starting in verse 29, "I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land....I will give the inhabinants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you...they shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me." For space's sake, that's all I'll use because the lessons are found in these words. It's amazing really, the actual intelligence and plan of God. I'm sure you know the story, the Israelites have come out of Egypt and beheld the plagues, seen the sea part, collected manna from the ground, gotten water from a rock, and all kinds of other "everyday things". Yeah, there's the stage set for you. So here in chapter 23, after God has seen their backsliding, he continues to be gracious and makes it so easy for them to take the promised land. "not...in one year, lest the land become desolate"- Life is a slow process. I will go slowly so you are able to withstand the strain. See here God giving them just enough for the day, never too much to handle. God uses evil for good- He uses the Canaanites and other dwellers of the land to take care of it until the Israelites can conquere them. God had his "hook in their nose" and is able to use ALL things for His purpose. 2nd thing- God gives the inhabitants to the Israelites, but the Israelites have to drive them out. That's life- God does the miracles but we have to have the faith to do what He commands. He's prepared the way, we just have to walk in His steps and stay in the canopy. 3rd- "they shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me"- Have you ever noticed yourself pick up a habit or saying that one of your friends does or says? Inevitably, if you spend enough time with someone, you will. Bad company corrupts good character. This doesn't mean don't hang around "bad influences," like my parents call them, it means beware who you're letting influence you and how you're spending your time. "In your land" is too close to stay holy for the Israelites, which for our modern world means too much time spent. Remember, even Jesus had believers as His closest friends and as much as we want to be different and love everyone, the base believers to share life struggles with is vital.
I'm very preoccupied right now, so I'll go.. not really sure if all that made sense.. ??
I need to clarify one thing about my "spying on Rob" posting. When I say spying I mean walking by his window in order to get home from Kath's flat and seeing him through it, not actually sneaking up and straining my eyes to see through. If he would have looked out, he would have seen us as much as we could see him playing solitare. I don't think all the time, but I'm not unintelligent :). I've gotten enough comments from people that I knew it needed to be addressed. At least I know people read the blog, maybe I'll put more controversial things on here so people will comment.
I finished reading Exodus today, great book, lots of laws and specifics. Exodus contains a few of my life passages, one of which is found in chapter 23 starting in verse 29, "I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land....I will give the inhabinants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you...they shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me." For space's sake, that's all I'll use because the lessons are found in these words. It's amazing really, the actual intelligence and plan of God. I'm sure you know the story, the Israelites have come out of Egypt and beheld the plagues, seen the sea part, collected manna from the ground, gotten water from a rock, and all kinds of other "everyday things". Yeah, there's the stage set for you. So here in chapter 23, after God has seen their backsliding, he continues to be gracious and makes it so easy for them to take the promised land. "not...in one year, lest the land become desolate"- Life is a slow process. I will go slowly so you are able to withstand the strain. See here God giving them just enough for the day, never too much to handle. God uses evil for good- He uses the Canaanites and other dwellers of the land to take care of it until the Israelites can conquere them. God had his "hook in their nose" and is able to use ALL things for His purpose. 2nd thing- God gives the inhabitants to the Israelites, but the Israelites have to drive them out. That's life- God does the miracles but we have to have the faith to do what He commands. He's prepared the way, we just have to walk in His steps and stay in the canopy. 3rd- "they shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me"- Have you ever noticed yourself pick up a habit or saying that one of your friends does or says? Inevitably, if you spend enough time with someone, you will. Bad company corrupts good character. This doesn't mean don't hang around "bad influences," like my parents call them, it means beware who you're letting influence you and how you're spending your time. "In your land" is too close to stay holy for the Israelites, which for our modern world means too much time spent. Remember, even Jesus had believers as His closest friends and as much as we want to be different and love everyone, the base believers to share life struggles with is vital.
I'm very preoccupied right now, so I'll go.. not really sure if all that made sense.. ??
