Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The oldie but goldie verses I am claiming at the moment. Intriguing enough, they parallel wonderfully well!

For you have need of endurance so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise (Hebrews 10:36)

It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13)

Honestly, I struggle a lot with having consistent devotional time with Jesus. I really do. Come end of the day, I just fall apart. But I had an awakening moment last night after watching this Dove commercial. Women everyday struggle with "self-esteem" aka self-worth. They struggle with their identity, struggle with the concept of beauty, being desirable. It really got me thinking. I know who I am, and I know I am loved. Someone calls me Beautiful, and He also calls me Beloved. So, I started asking myself, how can I show what, how, and who I am to those around me? Zephaniah 3:17 is my love/beauty touchstone with my Creator. How can I live like He lives? Amen.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

"In that day..."

I've been getting back into my devotion space with Jesus this week. I've settled on Isaiah, because truly the man is a poet. He was able to take what he saw in visions and translate them so eloquently into words. Anyways, I've gone about reading Isaiah like I read the book of John - thorough analysis through repeated readings, underlining phrases or the use of particular words. Last night I made a particular discovery of another analysis method I completely forgot - patterns. Isaiah 2 - 4 has a repeated phrase, "in that day". The first mention of this day is first in reference to "latter days" (Isaiah 2:2). The particular phrase "in that day" is mentioned several times in each chapter, one in reference to humanity and one in reference to the Creator.

Chapter 2
:11 - the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day
:17 - the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day
:20 - in that day a man shall cast away his idols of silver

Chapter 3
:7 - in that day he will protest, saying, I cannot cure your ills
:18 - in that day the LORD will take away the finery

Chapter 4
:1 - in that day seven women shall take hold of one man saying
:2 - in that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious

Originally, I thought there was only 3 references to the phrase, but it looks like I am wrong. Now I have to go and see what these other phrases signify. Amen!

Saturday, April 6, 2013

This is my last semester of classes, grading, and counselling students. Teaching has been an experience that I've enjoyed for the last three years. I've learnt so much from my students, and have also come away with a few friendships that continue to be a blessing. But I had to tell the department dean that I would not be coming back in the fall. I need to start focusing on my full time job and the myriad of professional development I have to do this year. He will bless, no doubt, but I will miss aspects of teaching (aka student interaction). Amen.