Job!

I have been reading through the book of Job lately, and here are some things that I have found interesting:

Ch. 9: 33-35 says "If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strenth."

I find these words fascinating and such a beautiful picture that foreshadows what Christ did for us through the cross. God brought us together by his blood. Ephesians 2:13 says, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." No longer do we have to live in fear of punishment. He took the punishment for us. We can now speak to him without fear because His "perfect love drove out fear." We cannot brag or boast because this was not done from our own strength.

Another passage I love is ch. 19:25-27 "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes, I am overwhelmed at the thought!"

This thought does overwhelm me, and I think it speaks for itself. Praise the Lord!!!!

I also find it fascinating that right after Job lost all his 7,000 sheep, 5,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen and 500 female donkeys, almost all of his servants and his 7 sons and 3 daughters he "fell to the ground to worship." Okay I don't know about y'all but I had to take my car in today to be worked on, and I can honestly tell you that the last thing I felt like doing was falling to the ground in worship. Maybe falling to the ground in the fetal position or falling into despair but that's about all of the falling I felt like doing. I know that many of us have gone through crap in life, and some of us some very hard life situations. Some of us may still be in the middle of them, but has your response been to fall down and worship no matter what loss or heartache or grief you've had to suffer? Wow.

I also love the short verse at the end of chapter 31 that simply states: "Job's words are ended." After 31 chapters of trying to prove his point he finally is silent. It's interesting because I know I am a person who is not usually at a loss for words, especially when I am trying to prove a point or trying to state my case. We are so quick to respond aren't we instead of waiting for the Lord to respond. He'll often let us rant and rave but what would have happened if Job had remained silent? What would happen if I remain silent? Waiting for the Lord. Waiting on Him to answer. He does answer. Oh Lord, please let me have ears to hear you and the strength to wait silently and patiently on you in the face of adversity.

Detox for the Day

This is where I will detox and let my brain unwind. Today has been a very long day (and it is only 5PM) Things I have thought today: (I warn you this is me rambling)

The pic is of my territorial malamute (more about her below) protecting my nephew Maxwell.

1. That I do not fit into a clothes category (at least at Kohls) I am somewhere between Juniors and Women's. I don't really know what this means other than to simply state that I like the style of the Juniors section, which made me start wondering if I am going to be one of those women who are 60 trying to fit into 20 something year old's clothing because I simply refuse to look my age. Maybe this should come at no shock to me because I've always said that when I am 80 I do not want to have the grandmotherly bob that seems to be all the rage for women of that age. I would rather opt for long flowing hair, however I am not 80 and perhaps my hair will not cooperate in such a way and this may be the real reason behind all of the blue hair bobs. On the other hand women's clothing tends to fit me better in places that I suppose are natural. However the style at times (in my opinion) can be left wanting a bit. So I have learned that I am in a clothes category crisis.

2. I have pondered this thought today as it says in Ecclesiastes, "As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words." It seems to me that one can be fooled into thinking all kinds of nonsense when they are not in a church body. They may love the Lord, but it seems like they so easily believe nonsense when there is no accountability. I'm so sick of people saying that they don't go to church because it's not important. It is important! Christ gave His life up for the church!!! And as far as saying that Christ has very harsh things to say about the church just look at Revelation-yes, I agree Christ does have a lot to say to the churches to reprimand but also to build us up and whatever happened to the first church in Acts where it says that they met together "every day"? (Acts 2:46) This is our earliest example of the church so I would say that meeting with other believers is extremely important. Wouldn't you? I will step off my soap box now....

3. My dog is extremely territorial over food. I already knew this but experienced this at a heightened level today. Oh my sweet malamute....sigh....

4. Major mouth surgery knocks you out. I am caring for a friend that has had all of her teeth pulled, and she's been out since noon (it is 5:30) They told me she would be, but I feel so bad for her. I pray her pain is not too great.

My doorbell is ringing........