Ok, I'm here and I'm hi speed!! But really, let's not get carried away, its stil ME :). So I have been thinking about Deut. 4 (or so, can't get up to check) where God tells the hebrews to obey His commands, but not to add anything to them or take anything away. I thought how well He knows us in that reminder. He knows how prone we are to become like Pharisees and add a ton of stuff to His commands, or to just do things our own way, not obeying at all, or maybe only w/ partial obedience. But then He shortly goes on to give the ten commandments. In them, the Sabbath day really grabbed my attention. I've been working on this a lot. God said we are to do ALL our work in 6 days, and the 7th day is a sabbath TO THE LORD. Not a day to poo poo free of toil, the day was set aside and made holy (Gen.) for Him. Why havent' I noticed this before? He gives us 6 days for our work and only commands we dedicate 1 to Him. So I've been hashing this out for how this will look in my own life. I also wonder why this isn't emphasized more often. We are all over the other 9 commandments (well, honor your parents is iffy too...) but this one we (I'm really saying we to tell you of my own mindset, I just don't want to be alone in this, so I am hoping there are others in my boat :) )just consider out of date or something. We go to church on Sunday, but what does the rest of the day look like? Is it really a sabbath TO the Lord?? Any thoughts on this?
- Sonia :)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Where, oh where.....
Oh where, oh where have my little partners gone??? It has been too long and I don't want to let this blog or this commitment go. So, accountability talking here, how are we doing? Let's hear from you! I want to have a post or two from some of you!!! Seriously, don't feel like it has to be right where we are today, just in the last few weeks or so of reading....anyone have any thoughts, comments, questions???? Okay, let the comments and emails begin!!! :)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What does this have to do with me???
Well it has been a week or so....how is everyone doing? I pray that the Lord has shown you some wonderful moments to sit quietly with His word and read. :) I have been reading my Bible in bed instead of my silly fiction books and am really amazed at how much I DON'T miss the silly books and how wonderful it has been to know that I am reading the Living Word that has been given to me! I have to admit that I find the old testament to be filled with great little "fiction books" because of the way that we follow one persons life in detail. :) Please don't think that I am comparing the Bible to a fiction book, just saying that I find myself reading the Bible and the chapters fly by just like one of my silly books because I want to know what comes next. :) Hope this makes sense.
Okay, so I totally slacked on my review post for the Feb. 5Th slot. :( I found the beginning of Leviticus to be a hard one (okay a little boring) at first because it kept going into so much detail about the steps that needed to be taken to successfully bring a sacrifice before the Lord. So, I was tempted to go to outside sources to see what they could teach me that would be relevant to my life, but resisted the urge. I prayed before starting the third day of reading that I would find the lesson for me, for my life right now and here is what I came up with:
First off, THANK YOU JESUS! :) I know that we say this to often without even really honestly weighing the phrase, but look what we were freed from. Look at the gift that Jesus gave us. He took our sins, he carried them to the cross for us and he was the ultimate sacrifice that covered us. WOW! To consider it this way and to know that before the gift of the cross followers of the Lord were living with constant need to bring sacrifices and receive cleansing...we are blessed.
Secondly, along the same lines, did you notice that over and over it would be said that if the sinned unintentionally sinned and were not aware, to this I say THANK YOU FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT!
Lastly, I wanted to point out that while the specific subject of bringing a sacrifice and preparing the animal in such a way is not exactly relatable to us today directly, I believe it has a wonderful indirect reminder for all of us. I believe that it is very easy to smooth the edges of the Lords commands. Meaning that in today's world of extreme relativism I fear that even I can become complacent and dare I say even a little bit to comfortable with specific actions or attitudes that are not acceptable or pleasing to the Lord. We are given very specific instructions on how to live and what is right and good and I must admit that at times, I soften these truths to "suggestions" in my mind to give myself permission to overlook an issue, attitude or situation that is just not right. Again, I am not saying that we are to be right fighters and approach the world with a fire and brimstone attitude, because after all that is not what we are called to do either, but I do think that at the very least we each need to take a moment on a very regular basis and evaluate and compare our lives and how we are living to the Biblical truths layed out so clearly.
Okay, who is next? What are you learning? What do you want to share with all of us? Can't wait to hear what you have to say!
-T
p.s. Please join me in welcoming Alyssa to our group of readers! :) Now that you have made yourself known Alyssa, I am going to start hitting you up for a post soon :) HAHA :) Seriously, I am really excited to have you join us!
Okay, so I totally slacked on my review post for the Feb. 5Th slot. :( I found the beginning of Leviticus to be a hard one (okay a little boring) at first because it kept going into so much detail about the steps that needed to be taken to successfully bring a sacrifice before the Lord. So, I was tempted to go to outside sources to see what they could teach me that would be relevant to my life, but resisted the urge. I prayed before starting the third day of reading that I would find the lesson for me, for my life right now and here is what I came up with:
First off, THANK YOU JESUS! :) I know that we say this to often without even really honestly weighing the phrase, but look what we were freed from. Look at the gift that Jesus gave us. He took our sins, he carried them to the cross for us and he was the ultimate sacrifice that covered us. WOW! To consider it this way and to know that before the gift of the cross followers of the Lord were living with constant need to bring sacrifices and receive cleansing...we are blessed.
Secondly, along the same lines, did you notice that over and over it would be said that if the sinned unintentionally sinned and were not aware, to this I say THANK YOU FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT!
Lastly, I wanted to point out that while the specific subject of bringing a sacrifice and preparing the animal in such a way is not exactly relatable to us today directly, I believe it has a wonderful indirect reminder for all of us. I believe that it is very easy to smooth the edges of the Lords commands. Meaning that in today's world of extreme relativism I fear that even I can become complacent and dare I say even a little bit to comfortable with specific actions or attitudes that are not acceptable or pleasing to the Lord. We are given very specific instructions on how to live and what is right and good and I must admit that at times, I soften these truths to "suggestions" in my mind to give myself permission to overlook an issue, attitude or situation that is just not right. Again, I am not saying that we are to be right fighters and approach the world with a fire and brimstone attitude, because after all that is not what we are called to do either, but I do think that at the very least we each need to take a moment on a very regular basis and evaluate and compare our lives and how we are living to the Biblical truths layed out so clearly.
Okay, who is next? What are you learning? What do you want to share with all of us? Can't wait to hear what you have to say!
-T
p.s. Please join me in welcoming Alyssa to our group of readers! :) Now that you have made yourself known Alyssa, I am going to start hitting you up for a post soon :) HAHA :) Seriously, I am really excited to have you join us!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
A case of doubt or longing for the known?
(2/4/09)***MAN, I wrote this a week ago and did not come back to edit it and get it up...sorry! :) I am working on my February assignment right now...but until then, here you go. hope you can remember way back to Genesis :) - T
I am way behind in my reading. I just finished the book that I was reading and am not going to start another one until I get back on track with my Bible reading. So, sorry if this is something that you read weeks ago....I just could not go on until this was posted. I was really convicted and moved by my reading last night.
In Chapter 19 of Genesis the angels enter the town of Gomorrah and allow Lot, his wife and their daughters to leave the town before it is destroyed. The first think I noticed was that the angels had to grab Lots hands and physically help him in order to get him to actually leave.(v.16) Though it seems that he did not agree with the state of the town it was amazing that even on the brink of destruction it was hard for him to actually take the steps needed to removed himself from the comfort of the known. This is so understandable but from the outside looking in, I say "what are you doing? Why are you not running away the first chance you get?"....but if I were to make this a more personal application, what do I know is not what I should be doing with my life or my time or my finances but I just can't bring myself to make that uncomfortable move to a safer place.
Along these same lines, I was struck by Lot's wife turning to salt because she turned and looked back after the angels had lead them away (v.26)AND after the clear warning NOT to look back. I asked myself why? Why did she do this? Why would she look back and that is the question I am going to open up to all. Did she doubt the truth and the extreme nature of the situation? Did she have second thoughts because just as Lot had trouble leaving the comfort of the known was this her moment of second thoughts? Whats she one of them at heart and this action proved it? What do you thing? Please share! :)
-T
I am way behind in my reading. I just finished the book that I was reading and am not going to start another one until I get back on track with my Bible reading. So, sorry if this is something that you read weeks ago....I just could not go on until this was posted. I was really convicted and moved by my reading last night.
In Chapter 19 of Genesis the angels enter the town of Gomorrah and allow Lot, his wife and their daughters to leave the town before it is destroyed. The first think I noticed was that the angels had to grab Lots hands and physically help him in order to get him to actually leave.(v.16) Though it seems that he did not agree with the state of the town it was amazing that even on the brink of destruction it was hard for him to actually take the steps needed to removed himself from the comfort of the known. This is so understandable but from the outside looking in, I say "what are you doing? Why are you not running away the first chance you get?"....but if I were to make this a more personal application, what do I know is not what I should be doing with my life or my time or my finances but I just can't bring myself to make that uncomfortable move to a safer place.
Along these same lines, I was struck by Lot's wife turning to salt because she turned and looked back after the angels had lead them away (v.26)AND after the clear warning NOT to look back. I asked myself why? Why did she do this? Why would she look back and that is the question I am going to open up to all. Did she doubt the truth and the extreme nature of the situation? Did she have second thoughts because just as Lot had trouble leaving the comfort of the known was this her moment of second thoughts? Whats she one of them at heart and this action proved it? What do you thing? Please share! :)
-T
Monday, January 26, 2009
February Reading Schedule
Here is the reading schedule for February:
1. Leviticus 1-4
2. Leviticus 5-7
3. Leviticus 8,9
4. Leviticus 10-12
5. Leviticus 13
6. Leviticus 14,15
7. Leviticus 16-18
8. Leviticus 19-21
9. Leviticus 22,23
10.Leviticus 24,25
11.Leviticus 26,27
12. Numbers 1-2
13. Numbers 3,4
14. Numbers 5.6
15. Numbers 7
16. Numbers 8-10
17. Numbers 11-13
18. Numbers 14,15
19. Numbers 16-18
20. Numbers 19-21
21. Numbers 22-24
22. Numbers 25,26
23. Numbers 27-29
24. Numbers 30,31
25. Numbers 32,33
26. Numbers 34-36
27. Deuteronomy 1,2
28. Deuteronomy 3,4
Just a reminder that we are going to start each month at the same spot. Meaning if you are behind, read quickly, skim or jump ahead. The goal is to be able to discuss and encourage each other as we read through the Bible in 2009!!! Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!!! :) To really try and be pushy I am going to suggest dates and people to send me posts sharing their finding and/or the way the Lord is teaching you during this month of reading!
Feb. 4 - Teresa Feb. 12 - Bree Feb. 21 - Sonia Feb. 28 - Char *** Anyone else want to help out. I am not sure who is out there and who is reading...say hello and I will add you to my list :) HAHA
1. Leviticus 1-4
2. Leviticus 5-7
3. Leviticus 8,9
4. Leviticus 10-12
5. Leviticus 13
6. Leviticus 14,15
7. Leviticus 16-18
8. Leviticus 19-21
9. Leviticus 22,23
10.Leviticus 24,25
11.Leviticus 26,27
12. Numbers 1-2
13. Numbers 3,4
14. Numbers 5.6
15. Numbers 7
16. Numbers 8-10
17. Numbers 11-13
18. Numbers 14,15
19. Numbers 16-18
20. Numbers 19-21
21. Numbers 22-24
22. Numbers 25,26
23. Numbers 27-29
24. Numbers 30,31
25. Numbers 32,33
26. Numbers 34-36
27. Deuteronomy 1,2
28. Deuteronomy 3,4
Just a reminder that we are going to start each month at the same spot. Meaning if you are behind, read quickly, skim or jump ahead. The goal is to be able to discuss and encourage each other as we read through the Bible in 2009!!! Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!!! :) To really try and be pushy I am going to suggest dates and people to send me posts sharing their finding and/or the way the Lord is teaching you during this month of reading!
Feb. 4 - Teresa Feb. 12 - Bree Feb. 21 - Sonia Feb. 28 - Char *** Anyone else want to help out. I am not sure who is out there and who is reading...say hello and I will add you to my list :) HAHA
Friday, January 23, 2009
Updates and short term goals for February!
Wow...it has been a little quiet around here for a few weeks and for that I apologize. :) I do not want this to be a wonderful new years resolution idea that fades into the background of life as the months go on. So how is everyone doing??? Any reading that stuck out to you? How about walking...anyone set up a good schedule yet? Well, I am going to be honest and confess that I took my Bible to Bend with me and it did not get opened once. :( This is pretty sad because I did manage to find time to read my fiction book...what do you know :) I also have not been walking much...I was on a better schedule before I decided to make a goal. AHHH!! So as we enter into a new month soon i thought that we could make some short term goals to keep us on track and to keep the tasks from looking so large. Here is what I was thinking:
Sonia and I had a wonderful conversation the other day and she mentioned how she really wanted to read the Bible with a group because it is always fun and encouraging to hear how the Lord is working in other peoples lives as well as seeing the growth in your own life. She was concerned that we are all at different places in the Bible because of missed days and such. I totally agreed and so I thought that instead of telling people to just hurry and catch up we can each make a personal decision at the beginning of each month. Meaning, we all start at the same place on the 1st of each month. If you are behind you can choose to skim to catch up, cuddle in a blanket and read like crazy or you can just jump ahead. My thinking behind this is that we will continue to stay in the Word and will still get something out of the reading that we are able to do while at the same time be in the same passages and chapters of the Bible which allows us to share with each other!!! :)
Since we are on the sharing issue, I would love to have a rotation and each commit to adding at least one post a month on a section that you have read. What do you think???
Okay, onto the walking....
My only short term goal for the coming month is to figure out a schedule to walk on a regular basis and stick to it. :) I also think that we should set one day in February to all get together and walk a longer walk together! This will start bringing us together and hopefully give us some encouragement to keep on keepin' on! :) What do you think? Would a Saturday morning be best? An evening? One weekday morning? You tell me! :) We could bring kids in strollers (with blankets) if this works best!!! Feed back please!!!! :)
Okay, now it is your turn. Who is out there and what do you think???
- T
Sonia and I had a wonderful conversation the other day and she mentioned how she really wanted to read the Bible with a group because it is always fun and encouraging to hear how the Lord is working in other peoples lives as well as seeing the growth in your own life. She was concerned that we are all at different places in the Bible because of missed days and such. I totally agreed and so I thought that instead of telling people to just hurry and catch up we can each make a personal decision at the beginning of each month. Meaning, we all start at the same place on the 1st of each month. If you are behind you can choose to skim to catch up, cuddle in a blanket and read like crazy or you can just jump ahead. My thinking behind this is that we will continue to stay in the Word and will still get something out of the reading that we are able to do while at the same time be in the same passages and chapters of the Bible which allows us to share with each other!!! :)
Since we are on the sharing issue, I would love to have a rotation and each commit to adding at least one post a month on a section that you have read. What do you think???
Okay, onto the walking....
My only short term goal for the coming month is to figure out a schedule to walk on a regular basis and stick to it. :) I also think that we should set one day in February to all get together and walk a longer walk together! This will start bringing us together and hopefully give us some encouragement to keep on keepin' on! :) What do you think? Would a Saturday morning be best? An evening? One weekday morning? You tell me! :) We could bring kids in strollers (with blankets) if this works best!!! Feed back please!!!! :)
Okay, now it is your turn. Who is out there and what do you think???
- T
Friday, January 9, 2009
General Marathon info
BEGINNER MARATHON TRAINING SCHEDULE
Here are some sites that I found with walking plans for the marathon.
http://www.marathonwalking.com/schedule_beginner.html - this site has a great chart to follow and is set up for a 24 week plan (6 months!)
http://www.active.com/story.cfm?CHECKSSO=0&SIDEBAR=22&CATEGORY=Walking&STORY_ID=82 - I really enjoyed this article and the plan was something that sounded more personal. Please take a moment to read this article!
Here is the official site for the 2009 Portland Marathon!!! Go, look around and get excited!!!!
http://www.portlandmarathon.org/
I must say that I am really excited and would like to start having a long walk at least once a month with everyone involved! I think a good goal would be to have our first long walk in March or April....any thoughts???
ALSO....Sonia has suggested that we walk for a cause, lets get some feedback on that and then figure out what we are going to do AND DO IT! :) Here is what i am thinking, I love the idea of walking for a cause but I HATE asking people for money....especially in these economic times :) Honesty at its best. Lets dialog about this for a week or two and then come to a consensus.
How is everyone doing? Any walking going on? Get those booty's shaking and those hips a swingin'!
-T
Here are some sites that I found with walking plans for the marathon.
http://www.marathonwalking.com/schedule_beginner.html - this site has a great chart to follow and is set up for a 24 week plan (6 months!)
http://www.active.com/story.cfm?CHECKSSO=0&SIDEBAR=22&CATEGORY=Walking&STORY_ID=82 - I really enjoyed this article and the plan was something that sounded more personal. Please take a moment to read this article!
Here is the official site for the 2009 Portland Marathon!!! Go, look around and get excited!!!!
http://www.portlandmarathon.org/
I must say that I am really excited and would like to start having a long walk at least once a month with everyone involved! I think a good goal would be to have our first long walk in March or April....any thoughts???
ALSO....Sonia has suggested that we walk for a cause, lets get some feedback on that and then figure out what we are going to do AND DO IT! :) Here is what i am thinking, I love the idea of walking for a cause but I HATE asking people for money....especially in these economic times :) Honesty at its best. Lets dialog about this for a week or two and then come to a consensus.
How is everyone doing? Any walking going on? Get those booty's shaking and those hips a swingin'!
-T
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