Friday, December 29, 2017

Finished.

Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

I started the year with the intention to read through the entire Bible.  I've never done it entirely in one year before, and I thought it was high time I did it.

The reading plan I used was simply '3 + 1'...three chapters in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament every day.

I stayed fairly well on the plan;  I'd get a few days behind but then catch up again during a vacation or holiday when I had a bit of extra time.

I was on vacation in Gatlinburg at the end of October when I finished the book of Nehemiah in another catch up session.  I checked the list and I had only Zachariah and Malachi left.

Wait.  Only 18 chapters?  And I was behind?  I knew there was a little extra time but I'd never added it up.

I went back and looked at the numbers and realized that, reading three and one every day, you finish reading in mid October.   

There are 1,179 chapters in the Bible, dividing that by 4 is 295 days. Which leaves 70 extra days.  So if you stick to it...you'll finish in the late part of October.

Or, you can skip a day a week; 3 + 1 six days a week and you'll finish mid- December.

Or, you do what I did...realize you had two months to read fourteen chapters and spend some time doing other stuff, like writing a little study on a chapter in Exodus, so that you end up finishing with two days left.

I wouldn't recommend that approach; it was too easy to slack back.

Overall, though, I'd recommend this as a way to cover the Bible without getting too rigid about it.  There is a little slack time for vacations or extremely busy work seasons, or ...you know, life stuff that happens.  I did keep a journal, so I knew where I was in the reading and what I had to do when I got behind.  And I kinda sorta read through it in Chronological order, with a bit of exception (for instance, I started the New Testament with John, which was one of the last books written, because it began with ' In the beginning'...just like Genesis, then just read all of John's writings...1,2 3 John and Revelation before going back to Matthew).  I looked at what dates scholars believed the books were written and followed that, reading two from OT narrative, one from the wisdom books and one from the NT.  When I finished the Wisdom books I started reading three a day from the given book, going from 2 Chronicles to the prophetic books dealing with the last days of the kingdom and the exile before going back to Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah, finishing with the post-exilic prophets.

If I had been just a little more pro-active, I'd've finished Malachi during Advent, which would work very well with the season.

I read through my (relatively) new, unmarked NIV '84, marking as I went.  I'm actually thinking of starting again on Jan 2 with the ESV and going through again.

Wonder if I could just keep repeating the cycle with a different translation for the next few years...hmmm....

Monday, December 25, 2017

The Burning Bush: An Advent Study...the Imperative and the Promise

Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi





When I decided to do the study based on Exodus 3, I had in mind four little posts...perfect for Advent.  But, as I was actually writing it, I realized there is a fifth post that I couldn't ignore.

God told Moses...I have seen, I have heard, I am concerned, I have come.   Those were the phrases that echoed in my spirit as I considered what I would post this year.  Then a couple of weeks ago, another phrase crept in that was just as insistent.

See, He also told him something else...

"So now, go.  I am sending you...." ...And God said, "I will be with you...I will help you." Ex. 3:10a, 12a, 4:12a.

That sounds a little bit familiar, too.  Kind of like

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  - Matt 28:19 - 20

Here's what struck me...God's presence isn't just to make us feel better or get us out of trouble.

His presence is to empower us to do things beyond our natural abilities, for the purpose of freeing others.

We can't celebrate the coming of the Christ Child without accepting that responsibility.

That's a point that I will probably be pondering well into 2018.

Maybe I should move that bit of artwork to a more prominent place, to remind me that I am not just saved and delivered, I am also sent.

A Merry and Blessed Christmas to my fellow Sent Ones!

Friday, December 22, 2017

The Christmas Soundtrack...


Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


Mardel asked about Christmas Music on her blog; I started to answer in the comments and then realized it was WAY too long for a comment; better to just do a post...lol...

We have accumulated quite a collection of Christmas CD's over the years; and we have a 5-CD changer, so the music goes in and stays for a bit, then slowly gets rotated out.  That's been the SOP since, oh, forever ago....as long as we've had a 5 CD table (and this is the second one...).

And of course, there are Rules.   Christmas music goes into the CD the day after Thanksgiving, but it's obscure Christmas music.  Not-very-Christmassy Christmas music.  Stuff that is new and unfamiliar, or rather untraditional, or annoying to certain members of the family.  The mix changes frequently with less popular stuff in the changer.

That is the mix until Dec. 1.  On December 1st, some Mannheim Steamroller will enter the mix.  Some Narada.  Straight No Chaser.    I try to keep one instrumental group, one solo/acoustic instrumental, one a capella  group in the mix as we start in with the music that we love.

But the SERIOUS Christmas music...the stuff that was on the cassette tapes that we listened to when making the drive to and from Indiana for Christmas all those years we drove up with the kids...that doesn't go into the changer until the last week of Advent.

The Christmas Day list (or New Year's Day, depending on when we were actually in our house) hasn't changed since we got the 1st 5-disc changer, I don't think.

The inaugural Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CD, Andy Williams, Charlie Brown, a delightful (pun intended) CD I picked up from a bin at the Christian bookstore sometime in the early 90's from the Oklahoma Woodwind quintet (and I've looked for other recordings by that group with no luck).  I managed to find a couple of more copies the following year and gave them as gifts; it's a favorite from everyone in the family who has it.  And, finally, John Denver and the Muppets.

This was the playlist the kids liked growing up; it's what's in the CD player when we celebrate.

After Christmas, I still leave in seasonal music through Epiphany....or when I have to take the trees down, if I have to before Jan 6.  But it's all instrumental and sometimes just winter-related.  Windham Hill has a series called 'Winter Solstice' that is particularly nice.

Funny how traditions get hung up on even small details.  But maybe that's the point of traditions...

Enjoy your Christmas soundtrack...whatever it is!

Thursday, December 21, 2017

The Burning Bush: An Advent Study - "I Have Come"

posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


So I have come down to rescue them... Ex. 3:8a

Is there a more succinct summation of the reason we celebrate Christmas than that simple statement made in Exodus?

Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.  - Matt. 1:20a-21

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14

But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ the Righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. - 1 John 2: 1a-2

He has come down to rescue us.

Exodus 3 goes on to describe the rescuing that would happen in Moses' day.  Generalizing a bit, God stated he would rescue the people from their oppressors and take them from the place of slavery to freedom in a land of peace and plenty.

Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin...if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.' - John 8:34,36

There is a huge difference between the rescue through Moses and the rescue through Jesus, though; the Exodus records deliverance of a people as they collectively followed  God's voice through Moses.  The deliverance Jesus offers, however, is personal.  Sure, His sacrifice was on behalf of the entire world that was, that is and that is to come, but it is not a collective deliverance.  It is individual.  Available for each person, who must respond from his or her heart.  It's all too easy to focus on Jesus as a baby and forget that he grew up,  deliberately acted to ensure that ALL the scriptures were fulfilled, and died a most gruesome death.  Because he came to rescue us.

So in the midst of the final Christmas preparations, as we commemorate the coming of Jesus as a baby,  let's remember the bit of the story that he told us to remember...His death.

He has rescued us.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' -- which means, 'God with us.' - Matt. 1:23; / Isaiah 7:14.

HE has come.

Friday, December 15, 2017

The Burning Bush: An Advent Study - 'I am Concerned'

Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


NIV -  I am concerned about their suffering; KJV - I know their sorrows. (Ex. 3:7c)

Strong's 3045 - Yada' - in the Qal Perfect tense, an action completed -   to know, to perceive and see, find out and discern, to know by experience, to recognize, to consider

Strong's 4341 - Mak'ob - a plural noun - pain (physical and/or mental), sorrow

This whole verse has always been one that gave me a selah moment.  The God of Heaven actually gets concerned about those He loves.  He knows their sorrows.  He is not a disinterested observer.  He cares.

He cared about His people suffering abuse in Egypt.  He cared about His people being oppressed under the Romans.

And he cares...he is concerned...he knows by experience...the grief and pain and sorrow and labor of all of us.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are... (Heb. 4:14a).

He knows.  He understands.  He cares.

Friday, December 8, 2017

The Burning Bush: An Advent Study - 'I Have Heard'

Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
'...I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers,...'  Ex 3:7b, NIV 84.


Strong's says that 'have heard' is entry 8085, Shama', which means  to hear intelligently (often with the implication of attention, obedience, etc.).  It is the Qal Perfect tense, which indicates a completed action.


'crying out' is actually a noun, Tsa'aqah, Strong's 6818, a shriek.  Bible Study Tools dotcom renders it a cry of distress (especially as heard by God).  

 'because of',  Strong's 6440, is Paniym, which means face, person or presence 

and finally, 'slave drivers' ('taskmasters in KJV and ESV) is Nagas, Strong's 5065, which is, with the participle,  driver, taskmaster, ruler, oppressor, tyrant, lord, exacter of tribute.

I have heard their cry of distress in the face of their oppressors is a fair translation.

They were sorely oppressed by the Egyptians.  The first century Jews were sorely oppressed (including the exaction of tribute) by the Romans.

God heard their cry of distress.

So...what is oppressing you this Advent season?  Is there a tyrant exacting tribute?  Maybe not a person, but...a habit?  A frame of mind?  Fear or anxiety?  Exhaustion?

He is paying attention to your distress cry as you face your oppressor.  Just has He has indeed seen...He has also heard.

Friday, December 1, 2017

The Burning Bush: An Advent Study - 'I Have Seen'

Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people" - Ex. 3:7a, NIV 84

Not really just 'seen', but 'indeed seen' or, as it is rendered in the ESV, KJV, NASB and AMP, 'I have surely seen'.  Mr. Zodhiates shows a verb construction that includes an affirmative complement to the verb, an almost redundant emphasis.

The verb rendered 'have seen' is Strongs' 7200, ra'ah.  This particular tense is rendered as to see, perceive, have a vision, look at, regard, look after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out, consider, give attention to, discern, distinguish, gaze at.  Not a casual glance, but a true comprehension.  Emphasized.  God not only saw, He understood.

 And what is it that He truly saw?

The Hebrew word is 'oniy (Strong's 6040), which is rendered as affliction, poverty or misery.

Affliction - 1) a state of pain distress or grief ; 2) a cause of continued mental or bodily pain
Poverty - 1) the state or condition of having  little or no money, goods, or means of support; condition of being poor, indigence; 2) lack of something specified 3)deficiency of desirable  ingredients, qualities, etc. 4) scantiness; insufficiency 
Misery - 1) wretchedness of condition or circumstances 2) distress caused by need, privation or poverty 3) great distress of mind; extreme unhappiness 4) a cause or sources of distress; 5) pain  
(definitions from the Random House Collegiate Dictionary)


All of which applied to the Israelites in Egypt...and, also, by and large, to the Israelites under the Roman rule, paying taxes to the Romans,  being subjected to their rule, having little national autonomy.

In this Advent season, maybe you need a reminder that God has surely seen your misery, affliction, and poverty.  And, just as the Israelites looked forward to the deliverance of God, Advent is our season to anticipate His deliverance in our own lives.

Because, know this:  God has indeed seen.