Details

I posted a few weeks ago that I am reading my Bible daily.  I told you that it was good for my soul; which it is.  I will admit though certain chapters in certain books of the Old Testament can be difficult to read.  I am being very honest here. 

If you  have ever read the entire book of Exodus you know what I mean about certain chapters being difficult to read, and what I mean by difficult is boring.  Yikes, did I just call the Word of God boring?   Don't get me wrong the parts about God using Moses to lead His chosen out of Egypt is riveting stuff, but then we get to where God is settling the Israelites and the building of the Tabernacle.  You read about God being very specific to Moses about the number cubits of fabric, and rings of gold and brass and where the candelabra will be placed and then you go through the detailed repetition of that again when the Tabernacle is built.  I mean is it important to know how many cubits of fabric will flank the sides of the Tabernacle or how many rings will secure them or even what side the candle holders will be put on??

The answer to that question is YES; we do need to know!  And why?  Well the answer would come to me days after finishing Exodus, but I knew if God breathed these words then they were words worth reading and not skimming over.

A few days after I finished the book of Exodus I was brushing my teeth and I couldn't get out of my head why these seemingly trivial items were in a book of the Bible and why they were worth repeating?  That is when He placed on my heart the word DETAILS.  I felt Him say to me "Child the details are important.  The details of your life are important to me".  YES!  That is the answer! Our God is a detailed oriented God.  He is a God that cares about the little things.  You see God uses His word to teach us. Where do we find His word; well in His book, The Bible!  We won't know what He wants for us or how much He loves us unless we READ IT!

For me the book of Exodus was not just about God saving His people, but about confirming to me that God doesn't just care about the big stuff around us; He cares about every detail in our lives. You see when I started reading these chapters of Exodus I didn't know why they were important to God.   You see we often say why God?  Why am I going through this?  Why am I reading over and over about cubits of fabric?  Why is this important to you?  We ask why because we don't understand.  Asking Him why is okay because He wants to answer you and He will if you are listening to Him.  Sometimes He wants you to read the whole book or go through the whole storm before He answers you.  See He knows exactly what you need and He knows when you need it. 

The lesson for me in this is that every word of the Bible is significant and is important to take in.  God will explain it to me when and how it relates to my life when He knows I need it. 

If you don't believe our God cares about the details I challenge you to look at the things around you He created.  Tell me you don't find attention to detail in yourself?  The freckle on your face?  Your talents?

Happy reading! 

Matthew 10:30

^"And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

 

Grace to you!

 

Jenny

Daily Dose(s)

So this year I resolved to read my Bible cover to cover, but more importantly I resolved to take that reading daily; daily doses if you will.  Twice daily; once in the morning before I get out of bed and when I return to my bed to sleep.  Like medicine; it is so good for my soul. 

Sunday was a rough night for me, so I skipped my Sunday night reading and Monday morning I slept and didn't get my morning passages in.  My Monday was AWFUL!  I was irritated and easily frustrated at work and it made me feel so ugly. 

Monday evening I got back into my routine and Tuesday morning I was up reading first thing and you know what I had a much better day.  Now I want to be very clear I had many struggles and "irritations" at work on Tuesday, but I had my daily dose of His word and I was able to handle what came at me because I was dependent on Him and reading His book of instructions on how to handle life.  Reading His word keeps the Holy Spirit burning inside of you; it feeds the fire. 

I cannot tell you how important it is to be in His word daily.  At least once a day if not more!  In order to grow you must know His word.  In order to help others find His Kingdom you must envelope yourself in His word.

Folks get your daily dose(s)! 

He speaks to me with His word.  He loves me with His word.  He comforts me with His word.  He instructs/disciplines me with His word. 

Grace to you!

Jenny

Why blog?

This blog is dedicated to the memory of Janet Pate (December 25, 1962- December 26, 2013), http://janetpate.blogspot.com/.  I read her blog for almost 2 years and prayed for her healing and peace.  After I read Janet's post on December 11, 2013 titled "It Is Well With My Soul", I started reflecting back on her 2 year blog. You see if you are like me you say "why God" a whole lot instead of "okay God how will this situation be used to glorify you?"  That is the question we should ask. Janet always glorified our Lord. 

I didn't know Janet; never met her. I found her on Kelly's Korner one day when I was blog hopping. Well as I read the history of post and reflected on her current situation I could see God in every detail.  I could see Him like never before and I thought to myself wouldn't it be nice to keep a journal of life and then reflect on it and if I ever question if God is with me then I would be able to look back and see He always was. 

Janet's impact on me was profound.  I realized one morning after she passed that God had put on my heart that I should blog about my life with Jesus and not just me, but ask my sister and best friend to share their lives as well.  My hope is the tapestry that we will weave with our post will show you Jesus is in every detail of our lives. This blog will be used to glorify God.  Thank you, Janet for putting your life out there for us.  Thank you, for always giving God the glory. 

Isaiah 43:7“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” (KJV)

Side note: The name of the blog comes from Natalie Grant's song Hurricane. 

  The song says "and when you feel the rain, call His name; He'll find you in a hurricane."

He most certainly will!

Grace to you-

Jenny

Hello God, it's me Bridgit....

Anyone old enough to remember The Golden Girls …if so …picture this:  

December 28, 2013.  Small town USA.  Single Mom –had  pushed thru holidays though she dearly missed her deceased Mother, stressed over finances and  all her buttons were being  pushed by 2  small children.  She could not muster the energy on this cold rainy morning to attend church.   Her children had begged and pleaded for the maple flavored mini pancakes that had been purchased.  Yet this morning – they refused to eat them.  

RED!! I was seeing RED – have you been there before?    

I quickly packed up the uneaten breakfast.  Loaded up my children and myself (all still in pajamas)  and drove off in the down pour of rain for an early start to the weekly Sunday visit with their Dad. The 20 minute ride allowed the hopelessness to take an even tighter hold on me.   Once my children were safely inside I turned the car around and headed home.   I barely started my trek back when the tears began to roll down my cheeks.   I felt alone.  I felt overwhelmed with life.   Tear stained face,  nonstop rain drops on the windshield and me crying out I NEED HELP …I NEED HELP!   Out of nowhere a voice  came through loud and clear:  I am with you my child.    

Yes I did pause and look around  my car as if to say ….did anyone else hear that …there is no one in here with me …right?  I was not afraid of the voice.  It comforted me.  At that very moment the weight I was carrying was lifted.  Praise God for each and every time we think He has forgotten us or is not listening to us – He proves us wrong.   I think more often than not God is speaking but the problem is we are not listening. 

 

Genesis 28:15

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.