DANIEL

After reading Ezekiel, because it was Christmas season, I focused on some of the prophecies that foretold the birth of the Messiah, which were all fulfilled by the birth of Yeshua (Jesus).

Next I was drawn to read the book of Daniel. What great timing. (Thank you, Lord.) I had been fighting discouragement over circumstances I don't have a solution for - and I needed to re-read Daniel! There were a couple of other recent reminders of all I have to be thankful for - but Daniel reminds me that God is Sovereign, is on His throne, and everything is in His very capable hands. I may not prefer His timing - but I can trust Him!

This morning God reminded me that I had not accessed a tool I have often encouraged for others: and that is, simply telling Satan, "Get behind me" when thoughts that are definitely not from God assail. I readily attributed my dismay over this situation to being 'human', and didn't address the reality of seeing God at work - even through difficult circumstances.

So - let's look at Daniel. He was of the nobility in Jerusalem. He was from the tribe of Judah. The King of Judah was Jehoiakim. We aren't told his relationship to the royals, but we do know that the young men who were captured and taken to Babylon were of the royal and noble families (1:3).

Daniel could have been legitimately diverted to many other paths of action - but the one he chose was absolute faithfulness to God, and incorporated within that, faithfulness to serving King Nebuchadnezzar, except when the King's demands thwarted God's requirements.

Daniel makes for exciting reading! My chapter for today was chapter 4. We read these stories knowing the outcome, but Daniel lived them. Even with his enormous commitment and confidence in God, he was human, and faced the struggles associated with his calling - but he was faithful! Hooray Daniel! Thank you for your witness to courage, to faithfulness, to loving the Lord and honoring Him in spite of circumstances! I'm looking forward to meeting you in heaven!

CAIN CHRISTMAS LETTER 2011

CAIN CHRISTMAS LETTER 2011

Written December 24, 2011

Al asked me about a week ago if I was going to get our Christmas letter out before Christmas this year. I told him I was waiting until after his surgery. That happened on December 21 and all went well. He had a total shoulder replacement at Swedish Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle – and he had the best doctor imaginable. Awhile after he awoke from surgery he told me, “I know it is strange to say this: but this is a really good experience.” What he meant was that everyone he encountered was wonderful! He had a ball teasing the nurses. He is looking forward to being in a lot less pain from shoulder issues, and to being able to run a chainsaw again in about 4 months…. (Plus - his shoulder was interfering with his hunting!)

His favorite story to tell is about the RN from Siberia who told him she was going to do a bleeder skin. He was a little concerned about that, and asked her what she meant. Again she repeated, “We are going to do a bleeder skin.” After about 4 times of her repeating it, it dawned on me that she was telling him he was going to have a ‘bladder scan.’

Backtracking to the rest of the year, the first trip on my agenda was a journey back to Israel with a great group of pilgrims to the Holy Land. I loved the trip in February & March 2005, and loved this one in February 2011 even more. I took over 2400 pictures….

In fact, we took a lot of pictures this year! Our together trips took us to the Southwest in early summer, and to Canada in late summer, and they provided lots of photo ops! I posted many of my pics on Facebook….

Our intended destination for the trip to the Southwest was slot canyons – with Zebra Canyon, specifically, the top site on the list, because I saw pics of it several years ago and knew I had to see it for myself! It ultimately ended up a few notches down on our list of favorites…. It was good – but we experienced so much more ‘unexpected that was wonderful’ while we were in The Grand Staircase-Escalante area – and all along the journey – that it didn’t end up being our #1 favorite! It was an amazing trip! I think we’d both rank ‘The Wave’ as #1. It was incredible.

At the end of the summer we went to Canada, with the destination being Yoho National Park. It, too, was a lovely trip! I love waterfalls – and we saw some terrific ones!

We visited some amazing locations in 2011, and got great pictures in the process, but our favorite memories of the year all involve people! Getting to see family and friends – both old and new – made our journeys memorable in the most special way! Particularly memorable ‘new’ friends are 2 very special young women we met on our Southwest trip, with whom we share memories of The Wave and 2 slot canyons!

Our life is punctuated with multiple joys related to our grandkids and their activities: baseball games, soccer matches, swim meets, theatrical productions – and just hanging out. Some of the top fun items here at Kamerlyn are bear hunts, taking walks around the property, dress-up tea parties, Yo’s farm animal waffles, Pa’s pancakes, the zipline – and sledding when the weather cooperates!

Al news:

Al keeps incredibly busy. You’d never have known his shoulder was so bad before surgery. (It was bone on bone, with no cartilage left at all….) In this past year he has turned bowls and plates on the lathe, made multiple types of wooden utensils (and given them away), painted pictures, made picture frames, done a lot of flintknapping (both arrowheads and knife blades), made handles for his flint knives, carved a few ducks, carved 5 bulldogs and 1 other dog, carved multiple bears, and burned many piles of sticks and limbs he’s gathered around the property. (I help him once in a while, but he does most of the work.) He had a couple of nice bow hunting trips this fall – great memories, no critters…. Add to that a few honey-do projects, a lot of daughter-do projects and his garden…. He’s a busy guy! It keeps him young!

Lola news:

For those who have paid attention to my children’s musical updates, (which I have been working on for a l-o-n-g time) I just had a pre-publishing edition printed this past week, which I am submitting for final edits. Kami and I still have to produce a vocal and instrumental CD… but I am very excited about the progress at this juncture. In 2011 I wrote devotionals to go with the musical. That was the new addition for this year – and lots and lots of editing…. It’s exciting to see it in book form, with all of the components incorporated.

Beginning in April 2010, I started growing out my hair to donate to ‘locks of love’ to honor a very special woman in our church who lost her battle to pancreatic cancer 3 days after her 50^th birthday. I had my locks cut off in Melanie’s memory (by her best friend) on what would have been Melanie’s 51^st birthday. It is a deeply imbedded memory of 2011.

For my 66^th birthday I flew to Utah to watch my brother, Duane, perform in Guys & Dolls. The company he performs with just completed their run of ‘A Christmas Carol’. He played the role of Charles Dickens – as the narrator – and grew out his hair and a lamb chop beard to fit the role. I would have loved to see that performance! Earlier in the summer, I went to Eastern Washington to a special wedding, and stayed with friends in Wenatchee and enjoyed their company and hospitality. In addition, I have become much better acquainted in my ‘new’ church – and in reviewing our year I am reminded how incredibly blessed I truly am by all of the people who touch my life.

Other very special memories of the year include visits with multiple friends and family members as part of our journeys, including reconnecting with one of my college roommates and her hubby for a lovely visit! Thanks to each of you who made this year special!

I know Jesus was not actually born in December – but I love the celebration remembrance nonetheless – the reminder that He came once, as promised, and will come again! It is a wonderful time of year to wish everyone we care about a Merry Christmas – His peace, His true shalom. I certainly need that shalom in my life! Blessings for 2012!

On behalf of the Cain Clan – Lola

The pictures are (1) Al at the Wave; (2) Erin's family with Kami and Pa when we celebrated Christmas with them 12/18. Santa Pa and his elf delighted the girls when they came to the door; and (3) Al and I at Lake Moraine, Canada.

A postscript regarding The Wave –

Seeing 'The Wave' is the first time I have ever grieved that at the end of time the earth will be destroyed – but ultimately what God showed me was that this was just a foretaste of the wonder He has in store for those who love Him. Heaven is going to be filled with amazing colors and unimaginable creations!

PROPHECIES FORETELLING JESUS' BIRTH - 6

Isaiah 9 is one of my absolutely favorite scripture passages. I've quoted some of it in earlier posts this Advent season, but am going to be redundant 'The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined....For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."

The strains of the Hallelujah Chorus echo through my mind, building to an absolute crescendo.... And He shall reign forever and ever. King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Forever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! HAL LE LU JAH!

I know Jesus wasn't born in December, but December is when we celebrate! I know that Jesus' birth was not one of the festivals God commanded that His followers keep, but I love celebrating it anyway! It is partly tradition, I'm sure - - but it is such a wonderful reminder that God keeps his promises. He promised to send the Messiah - and He did; and He has promised to come again - and He will. King of Kings and Lord of Lords, forever and ever, Hallelujah!

Yesterday was the shortest day of light for the year - the winter solstice. It is a reminder that our world is in darkness, but light has dawned - the perfect light of Truth! The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light!!!!!

Merry Christmas! And a blessed New Year of walking with the One who is Light Eternal!

PROPHECIES FORETELLING JESUS' BIRTH - 5

Prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler of Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Fulfillment that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem

Matthew 2:1-6

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”

John 7:42 also confirms the fulfillment of the prophecy of the location of Jesus birth:

“…. Has not the scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”

Matthew 2 and Luke 2 tell the Christmas story. Each offers valuable information that helps us piece the story together.

When I read the part of the grief the wise men caused by coming, my first thought is, "Really, God? You brought wise men to Herod so he would try to kill your Messiah?" But as quickly as that thought formulates, another emerges. All that happened was to fulfill prophecy. One of the other quirks of Jesus' prophetic fulfillment of every detail of ancient prophecy was that in addition to being from obscure Nazareth and being born in Bethlehem from the line of David, the root of Jesse, the tribe of Judah; he also had to be called out of Egypt.

After Jesus' birth, Mary and Joseph didn't head straight home. When the wise men found them, they were in a house. They stayed in Bethlehem until an angel told them to leave, following the wise men's visit. Mary and Joseph were poor. They would have had no resources to flee to Egypt once Jesus' identity was discovered by Herod - so God made a way for that to be possible. While the gifts had great spiritual significance, they had practical significance: they were valuable, and paid the way for Mary and Joseph to provide necessities for survival during their detour. Then, after Herod died an angel appeared once more and sent them home, and finally, when Jesus was past his toddler years, they finally made it back to Nazareth.

It makes me pause in awe at the sovereignty of God. Their circumstances had to terrify them in the natural. They had to pack up in the middle of the night and flee the nest they had made...but they didn't balk at doing what they were commanded to do. God chose the right earthly parents....

God has chosen us as well. He has a purpose for our lives. Everything that happens is within His knowing. He sees the big picture - where we are heading and how we are going to get there. Sometimes our path seems tortuous, even confusing. Egypt certainly was not on the route to get back to Nazareth. In fact, it was the opposite direction! But God had a plan. His plan was foretold by the prophets, and every jot and tittle of the plan had to be fulfilled. It was only by exact fulfillment that Jesus' identity as the Messiah could be proven through the ages. He was and is the great I AM. He is God incarnate. He came the first time as a little babe, to make us right with God; but the next time He comes it will be as the conquering hero the Jews anticipate, and His coming could be very, very soon! Again, the stage is being set. Prophecies from Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, and the Revelations to John are falling into place.

At this season, we look back to His first coming as the babe of Bethlehem 'Messiah' (when He set up His kingdom in human's hearts) and forward to the promised second coming when He will finally be acknowledged as the Messiah by everyone: the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ) is Lord.

Isaiah 45:22-23

"Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'...."

Philippians 2:10-11

...so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

(All scripture references are from the ESV.)

PROPHECIES FORETELLING JESUS' BIRTH - 4

Prophecy that the Messiah would be from the tribe of Judah

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler of Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Isaiah 37:31

And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward.

Fulfillment that the Messiah would be from the tribe of Judah - and that Jesus was that fulfillment

Matthew 1:1-2

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father….(genealogy continues to Jesus).

Luke 3:33-34

(A segment of Jesus’ genealogy:) the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham….

Hebrews 7:14

For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

Revelation 5:5

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

(Verses quoted are from the ESV)

So many details had to line up:

The messiah was to be from the tribe of Judah. Jesus was.
The messiah was to be from the root of Jesse. Jesus was.
The messiah was to come from the line of King David. Jesus was.
The messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. Jesus was.
The messiah was to be born to a virgin. Jesus was.

Even with all these fulfillments - and more - they still didn't recognize Him....

The verse I quoted from Revelation reminds me that He will come again - soon - and once more, many will not honor Him, but will choose to die in their sins. But - as long as there is life, there is hope! And this is a perfect season to refocus.

The King of kings and Lord of lords came once just as promised - and will come again!

The song that was was on my mind when I first awoke this morning was Great Is Thy Faithfulness! I am so grateful for God's faithfulness to His Word and to us!

Wise men - and women - still seek Him!

O come let us adore Him!
O come let us adore Him!
O come let us adore Him - Christ, the Lord!

PROPHECY OF JESUS AS MESSIAH: MARY ON MY MIND

I have to backtrack just a bit.... Mary is on my mind.

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month (of Elizabeth’s pregnancy with John) the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Yeshua (translated Jesus in English). He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy – the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

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Mary was young. In her youth she made a commitment that would lead her on a journey she couldn't possibly have conceived. It would be easy for us to conceptualize her life being fairy-tale perfect because of whose child she was bearing - but it wasn't. Her commitment led her on a path punctuated with disappointment, upheaval, sorrow, pain and grief. She was chosen! God trusted her. We honor her for giving birth to the Christ child - but in her day, very few people recognized that reality. Her story was tainted with being pregnant before marriage. It was a stigma she lived with for the whole of her life. A few people knew and understood the truth, but very few - and she had to live above their judgment of her.

Thank you, Mary! I know God blessed you with many more children - but you suffered horrible agony when your firstborn was rejected. I'm quite certain that you had some preconceived assumptions about what the Messiah would do and anticipated the fulfillment of those hopes, only to have them cruelly crumble. I know He didn't come as the people expected or fulfill their expectations - but He fulfilled God's purpose for redeeming fallen mankind, and the next time He comes it will be in all of the majesty, glory and power that His people expected the first visit. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

PROPHECIES FORETELLING JESUS' BIRTH - 3

Prophecy that the Messiah would come from the lineage of King David

(Prophecy written +-735 BC)

Isaiah 9:7

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The seal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 16:5

“…then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness”

Fulfillment that the Messiah would come from the lineage of King David

(Prophecy fulfilled +-3 B C)

Matthew 1:1

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

(Matthew 1:1-17 lists the genealogy of Jesus to David through his son, Solomon, and back to Abraham. This shows Joseph’s lineage.)

Luke 3:31

…the son of David

Luke 3:23-38 lists the genealogy of Jesus to David through his son, Nathan, and back to Adam. This genealogy shows Mary’s lineage. Hebrew law allowed for the genealogy to be traced through the mother if her father had no sons.)

Luke 1:31-33 (Angel Gabriel speaking to Mary)

“…And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

John 7:42

“…Has not the scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”

2 Timothy 2:8

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,

Following are the results of my brief confirmation search to clarify the difference in the genealogies:

Matthew reports the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph, as it was the custom of the genealogy to go from father to son, unless a father had no sons, then it diverted to the daughter.

Luke reports the genealogy of Jesus through Mary's lineage, and because God is a God of absolute order, I have to assume that Mary had no brothers.

Both Joseph and Mary traced their roots back to the house of Judah. Both go back to David, but Joseph's line goes Solomon, and Mary's line goes through Nathan. Matthew followed tradition in his writing, tracing lineage back through the father's line. Luke knew Mary, and because of his firsthand knowledge of her story, was able to trace the lineage back through her. That both coincide at David is the most significant. We are not provided all the information we would like to know, but we are provided what we need to know. In that, God is very, very good to us, allowing us to see the prophecy and the fulfillment with clarity.

PROPHECIES FORETELLING JESUS' BIRTH - 2

Prophecy that God would come to earth as a human male

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Fulfillment that God came to earth as a human male

Mark 1:1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(Verses quoted are from the ESV)

God had an amazing plan for restoring the relationship fractured in the Garden of Eden! At the right time, He would come Himself. God, maker of heaven and earth, would take on the flesh of man - become God incarnate - and then die for our sins, paying our penalty so we could be with Him. What amazing grace!

Grace and truth.

PROPHECIES FORETELLING JESUS' BIRTH - 1

After completing Ezekiel I deliberated what to read next, and have decided to focus on prophecies and fulfillments relating to Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.

Prophecy that the Messiah would be born to a virgin

Isaiah 7:14 (written +-735 B C)

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Fulfillment that the Messiah would be born to a virgin

Matthew 1:18-23 (fulfilled over 700 years after the prophecy by Isaiah)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

(Verses quoted are from the ESV)

It all sounds so clinical and simple. While it is true that the Messiah was much anticipated, who would have dreamed God would choose a poor peasant girl to give birth to Him? But I love Mary's response. There was no "Are you sure?" or "You've got to be kidding." or "Why me?"

When Yeshua the Messiah was born He came in a very unexpected way. His people were looking for a military warrior who would rescue them from the tyranny of the political injustice they suffered. But - instead of being born into a dynasty, He came veiled - yet not hidden! But we don't truly learn that tidbit until later on in the story....

As a young Jewish girl, Mary would have anticipated the birth of the Messiah! But I'm quite certain that she didn't have a clue what that would mean for the one who was chosen to give birth to Him. When she approached Joseph to tell him an angel had visited her and what Gabriel told her, it is apparent he didn't believe a word she said. The moment that she thought was going to bring shared joy ended up being a devastating betrayal, when she had to endure the pain of the doubt in his eyes. Joseph believed she was lying.

But, because he truly loved her, even in his deepest hurt of thinking she had been unfaithful to their commitment, he vowed to handle the problem privately instead of having her stoned to death.

And - even after an angel appeared to him in a dream and affirmed what Mary had told him - that the child to be born was indeed the Son of God - can you imagine what it was like for the two of them to go to their families with this preposterous story?

It makes me think about the heartbreaks God allows in our lives. They can either propel us to Him or away from Him. Mary and Joseph did not get to enjoy some sort of safe passage because of the responsibility they were given. Quite the opposite. They were chosen - and they were trustworthy and faithful. Absolutely inspirational!

GLEANINGS FROM EZEKIEL

I just finished reading the book of Ezekiel yesterday. It had been a long time since I read through the entire book.... It holds wonderful nuggets.

During the time Ezekiel wrote, he lost his dearly treasured wife, but was completely responsive to God in setting his loss aside and being obedient. That definitely made an impact on me.

In the final chapters, the overwhelming reminder of God's order was reinforced. What amazing detail He provided those who would build His temple in Jerusalem. It is a stunning reminder of God being a proficient and thorough designer.

The most indelible impact of the book of Ezekiel is that God is absolutely sovereign. The repeated message Ezekiel quotes is God saying, "I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it." That gives me amazing comfort. My life is in His hands...and the life that is truly life is eternal life. This is just the path leading to life!

There is a little church about a mile from my house that has a reader board. Recently their sign stated, "Why do we call it after dark when it is really after light?" I was with my husband when I read it, and I chuckled, then mentioned that logic could apply to several other things, citing a couple of specific parallels that came to mind.

In response my husband said, "You Christians do that all the time. You talk about the after life." That's when it hit me. Heaven is not the after-life, it is life...eternal life. This is our pre-life anticipation of life! We segue from here to there - not painlessly - but what birth is painless?

This is our gestational period. Life is yet to come! We may or may not like the womb phase, depending on circumstances, but that's all this is. We are conceived by the Spirit the day we accept Jesus Christ as Savior, so our spiritual life 'begins' at that point, but we are in the cocoon phase. Our butterfly phase - the most beautiful life imaginable - is eternal!

So, as we slog through the challenges here, we can have absolute confidence in our eternal destination - when we break away from the fetters of imperfect bodies and embrace LIFE!

EZEKIEL THE NEWS ANCHOR

Ezekiel 38 - 39

If Ezekiel were here today broadcasting God's up-to-the-minute news, people would most likely think he was a lunatic. I wonder what they thought then.... The proof of prophecy is in the occurrence, and Ezekiel was spot-on with those God gave him for the earlier downfall of Jerusalem, which lends credence to the veracity of the forward-looking prophecies yet to be fulfilled.

I read them with questions, curiosity and wonder. All I know is that after the fact they will all be crystal clear. Right now I definitely 'see through a glass darkly'. I do not know exactly who God of Magog is. We have clues, but the names have changed. It could be a combination of Russia, China, Mongolia, Asia.... I don't know the precise make-up. But I know what is prophesied will come to pass.

Over and over Ezekiel reiterates, "The word of the LORD came to me...." I love it when God speaks!

EZEKIEL 37

Ezekiel 37 was my chapter for yesterday! I'm joyfully ruminating over it again this morning. It reveals what is very likely Ezekiel's most famous vision - the vision of the valley of dry bones. It elicits the lyrics of the child-learned song: "the foot bone's connected to the ankle bone; the ankle bone's connected to the shin bone; the shin bone's connected to the...." Now you're singing it, too! It ends with the exultant thrice stated, "...'Dem bones, 'dem bones they gonna walk around." (and) "Now hear the Word of the Lord!"

This is another of those prophecies of layered promises. The promises include:
God's promise that He will bring His people back into the land of Israel (verse 12); and
God's promise that the nation of Israel will no longer be two, as it was before the Babylonian captivity; that it shall be again be one (verses 18-23).

Reminiscent of their time of coming out of Egypt in about 1406 BC (after which they were under the leadership of judges, and then kings) the 'Hebrew children' did return to their land after the Babylonia captivity of 598 - 538 BC. From 400 BC until Jesus' time they were fragmented, under various dictatorial rulers; and ultimately completely scattered in the great Diaspora, following the destruction of the 2nd temple in 70 AD.

From 70 AD until 1948, they were not a nation. Israel became a nation again in 1948 - one nation! That is definitely mirrored in this prophecy that occurred some 2525 years earlier - but it's only a layer! The prophecy states: "...Thus says the Lord GOD, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and I will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall no longer be two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms..."(verses 20-23).

The reason I know that the partial fulfillment of 1948 is not the final layer is revealed in the next paragraph,"My servant David shall be the king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd .... David my servant shall be their prince forever."

King David ruled from 1010 - 970 BC. Their King is not going to be David, but David's offspring, Jesus...just as promised in Psalm 89:3-4 and reiterated in John 7:42 and 2 Timothy 2:8. The Messiah's rule over earth won't come until the Millennium, after the horrible battle in the valley of Megiddo - Armaggedon. And that's where my mind first led me with Ezekiel's vision: that valley, where seemingly all hope is lost...but God holds out hope, not a wishful-thinking kind of hope, but real hope: He wins!

Chapter 37 ends this way, "I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forever. My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forever."

Echoing what God has stated so many times in Ezekiel: He is the LORD, and He will do it!

The following verses are from the English Standard Version (ESV)

Psalm 89:3-4

³You have said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
⁴'I will establish your offspring forever,
and build your throne for all generations.'"

John 7:42

⁴²Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?"

2 Timothy 2:8

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,

EZEKIEL 36

I am loving reading Ezekiel. It is exciting to read what was written +-2600 years ago, and have the opportunity to look back over history to see the obvious fulfillment of the prophecies - with some completed and some still to come, layered prophecies that have application to what has already transpired - but seeing their ultimate fulfillment in the second coming of the Messiah.

Chapter 36 is one of those chapters. I've been blessed to get to go to Israel 2 times, once in February/March 2006; and once in February 2011. Because of what I've been priviliged to see, the words of Ezekiel 36 leap off the page.

Quoting the ESV, verses 6b - 9, "Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold I have spoken in my jealous wrath, because you have suffered the reproach of the nations. Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: I swear that the nations that are all around you shall themselves suffer reproach. But you, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home. For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you will be tilled and sown."

Israel is an amazing country. It is surrounded by nations that want her destroyed - yet she flourishes. Why? Because God said He would do it. Anyone who defies Israel defies Almighty GOD. That's a fearful role to adopt! And why does God protect Israel? He gives the answer in Ezekiel, beginning with verse 22 "...Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name.... I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.... ...I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God."

Verse 35 declares, "And they will say, 'This land that was desolate has become like the Garden of Eden.' "

Verse 36 states, "Then the nations that are left around you shall know that I am the LORD.... I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it."

He does it for His name. There is absolutely no other explanation for why a nation so small could survive against all human odds. God intervenes for Israel.

It is absolutely beautiful to see the abundance of crops, date palms, banana trees, persimmons, oranges, etc. After extreme desolation, the desert is truly blooming again just as God said it would. There is conspicuous evidence of this layer of the prophetic fulfillment - - but the final fulfillment will come during the millenial reign. What a thing of beauty Israel will be then! And why? Because God has declared it.

Thank God, we can be grafted in to the 'spiritual Israel' by accepting Jesus' atonement for sin!

Thank you, Lord, for your incredible gift - the greatest gift ever given. Draw the hungry to You! Help me be faithful to point others to You as the source of life everlasting! I don't want to keep You a well-guarded secret!

TIDBITS OF INTEREST

I love choice little gems of learning. For instance, I have been working on a timeline to help me get the events of Bible times more clearly established in my mind, and in the process of my research on the internet I learned several things I didn't know.

1. I knew that the Jewish calendar was a lunar calendar, and that occasionally they popped in an extra month to keep the seasons intact, since a lunar calendar only has 29-30 days in it, meaning that the 11 days 'lost' each year add up and create a problem with keeping the seasons close to what they should be. What I didn't know is that there are 7 years out of 19 that get that extra month tacked on at the end. The last month of their year is Adar, and when a 13th month is added, it is Adar Beit. It would be akin to having December I and December II.

2. I knew that our present calendar is the Gregorian Calendar, but I didn't have any idea when it was instituted or why. It replaced the Julian Calendar initiated by Julius Caesar - and the year it was invented it was because Easter was off and needed to be adjusted....

3. I also learned that there are generally only 24 leap years in each 100 years, with the century years divisible by 400 (i.e., every 400 years) being the exception. That formula keeps us in sync with the rotation of the earth around the sun. 2000, for instance, was a leap year, but the last century year that had a leap year was 1600, and we won't have another one until 2400. I didn't know that! I thought leap years occurred every 4 years non-stop, but they don't occur in 3 out of 4 century-beginning years.

I find all this trivia fascinating. The disparity in the calendars makes it hard to precisely synchronize events in retrospect that occurred under a different system. The Jewish calendar began with 1 (at creation) and is now at 5772, as of Rosh Hashanah in what we know to be September 2011. When I try to establish dates related to B C and A D (and, yes, I refuse to use B C E and C E) I have to accept dates others have 'figured out'. At best they are approximate, but the timeline is still valuable for loosely establishing sequence. Trying to meld the Jewish lunar calendar, the Julian Calendar and the Gregorian Calendar to be in sync would be an exercise in futility - so I just accept coming close as sufficient.

What I do know is that God knows - and that's what matters most. My times are in His hands, and I am eternally grateful for that!

..........................................................

Today was a very productive day! I made a lot of progress on edits to the musical and am feeling very good about that - and about the special 'shut in with God' time I had this morning, and His immediate response to that prayer time! God is good!

FIRST TIME VIEWS

I'm still intrigued with the realization that God actually protected Ezekiel by allowing him to be captured and whisked away from Israel. It wouldn't seem like a blessing when it occurred, but +-7 years later when Israel fell to the Babylonians and the country endured hideous carnage, Ezekiel was safe. It is a new thought with reading Ezekiel this time around - and I'm grateful for that insight. It will serve me well when things don't 'feel' like they are a blessing at the moment.

Another completely unrelated new thought that occurred to me for the first time with reading I was doing yesterday in preparation for a Kids' Ministry meeting, was the potential humor in the communication process that occurred when Zechariah came home from his annual temple duties and couldn't talk - yet had to communicate to Elizabeth that they were going to have a baby. The humor in their reality had never occurred to me before. I've always focused on the surprise of learning she was going to be a first-time mother in her older years, but I've never thought about how Zechariah conveyed the message without words. It may have been one of the earlier games of charades.... The most likely answer is that she knew how to read - something probably not common among women, but since she and Zechariah were childless, perhaps he taught her, if she didn't already know.... Just conjecture - but even that brings up all kinds of thought possibilities. For the 9 months of her pregnancy, she could talk - tell him anything she wanted, and the only way he could reply was to write a note on a tablet or gesture - and I imagine they perfected their sign language skills rather quickly! A fun bunny trail for me....

I love that reading and studying rewards us with insights - even the seemingly trivial ones. In my study of Ezekiel I just completed Chapter 33. It is refreshing in the midst of all of the horror of what was being prophesied and coming to pass in the past several chapters, that there can be a little tender insight along the journey. God's Word is rich, and exciting, and sharper than any two-edged sword. If those who question His existence would only read His Word, He could and would speak to them through the long-ago written pages...pages that are timely for us today!

LORD, thank you for your written Word, which cultivates our ability to hear Your Word spoken to our hearts and minds. Amen.

CAN'T PRAY?

I was amused by the following email - but it really made me think! I'll share the emailed message - then the thoughts....

After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said:
'Let me see if I've got this right.

'You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.

'You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride.

'You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a chequebook, and apply for a job.

'You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams.

'You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.

'You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.

'You want me to do all this and then you tell me . . . I Can't Pray!

We still have the freedom to pray in our own homes, and in our churches, and publicly in the right settings. The freedom to pray publicly in school has definitely been hampered - but I have to acknowledge, I wouldn't want every religion to get their 'turn' praying public prayers in school. The reality is, the cultural landscape of the United States of America has changed - drastically.

What this email nudged in me was the reminder that I don't exercise my freedom to pray as faithfully as I could. There have been seasons of life when I have been very faithful in setting aside specific prayer time daily - and others when I've just prayed on the run...while I do dishes, while I ride my exercise bike, while I vacuum... I pray throughout the day, the popcorn prayers, and prayers for people or situations as they come to my mind - but I need to rediscipline myself to spend quality time alone with God in dedicated prayer time.

I study daily. I pray daily. But I need to be shut in with God. It's a failing I am convicted of. It's time to discipline myself to being shut in with God to pray! It's time! Lord, with Your help!

EZEKIEL'S REBUKES

Well - really they are God's rebukes, faithfully recorded by Ezekiel.

God punished Israel's rebellion against Him through the countries that surrounded her, but afterward punished the countries who attacked Israel because of their arrogance in their actions. The past couple of days I've read chapters 25 - 28, which spell out God's indictments against the powers who are against Israel. The penalty is severe and another reminder that God's purpose in disciplining His people is to draw them back into a relationship with Him. His purpose in punishing them is for the ultimate good of knowing that He is God - and honoring Him as the Lord of their lives.

Affirmation for that premise is corroborated in Ezekiel 28:25-26, "Thus says the Lord God: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God."

I see this as a layered prophecy, with more than one time in Israel's history where the prophecy finds interim application - but ultimately, this has to mean the Millenium because it speaks so clearly of the people dwelling securely. Until then, peace is a hope rooted deep inside us - a longing we inherently yearn for - but it won't happen in this deepest sense until after the Messiah returns!

With regard to the results of the declarations against the nations that surround Israel - every prophecy will be fulfilled. God's Word is true and He who spoke these declarations is faithful to keep His Word. Woe to those who regard Israel as an enemy, for in so doing they have made God their enemy.

THANKSGIVING-OUT-OF-TIME

Today is November 12. We are having our Thanksgiving dinner today because Al will be gone on a hunting trip over the 'real' Thanksgiving. Last night I set the alarm for 6:01 a m, just in case I needed its help to wake up. I hadn't had a good night's sleep the night before because my grand-dog was here, so I had some sleep to catch up on, and, as I suspected, I definitely needed the alarm this morning! When it so rudely awakened me, alerting me to go put the turkey in the oven, it unceremoniously tore me away from an engaging dream.

My dream segued from being at a large Christian gathering listening to the speaker, to meeting her very soon after next to an old pickup she was filling up with gas. That was when the dream got really interesting. She told me that she had just learned that her husband had breast cancer, and she was devastated, ready to throw in the towel. That moment led me to tell her that God was sovereign. That He might heal her husband here - but He might not - and that her faith in God could not be contingent on her view of what she thought God should do. I actually wish I could remember verbatim all that I told her in my dream, because it was really good - but I don't.... However - it reflected precisely what God has revealed to me in the past during times of being deeply troubled at how things were going in life.

I do remember telling the woman in my dream that Satan's goal every day of our lives is to devour and destroy us. We have to make a decision every day not to cooperate with him! And - that as long as there is life there is hope, and we should continue to pray for the outcome we yearn for as long as life lasts. What I didn't get a chance to tell her was that at the end of each of those prayers we also must pray, "Nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done."

The dream triggered a memory of a time I was really angry with God about the outcome of one specific situation. There was an older man in our church that I absolutely loved. God placed him on my heart, and I was burdened to pray for him. I did. I prayed until the burden lifted - and I interpreted that peace to mean that God was going to heal him. He died 3 days later. I was furious with God. I knew His voice. I trusted it. I also trusted that feeling of peace that came through prayer to mean what I wanted it to mean. I was wrong.

What God spoke to me when I railed at Him was that the death of one who loves the Lord brings perfect healing. We will never be whole here. Only there. God may grant physical healing on this earth when it advances His purpose - but there are times when one who dies, even far too young, touches lives for the Lord by their faithfulness in walking with Him through the journey that they would not have touched by living. It seems so dreadfully unfair - but no matter how long life on this earth is, it is a vapor - fleeting. In the light of eternity, this is just a blip on a screen, and barely a blip.

Ultimately, I have to hold on to just one reality: my life is the Lord's - to do with as He chooses - and my only desire is that it honor Him, in life or in death.

Like the lady 'preacher' I talked to in my dream, far too many people equate God's blessing with things going to their liking. It's easy to serve God when things go well. True faithfulness is revealed when we are faithful when things aren't going well - - even when they're dreadful. It is in those darkest of times, when it would be so easy to give up, that we learn who God really is. He holds us in the hollow of His hand even when we are faithless - when we seemingly have nothing to hold onto. At the bottom of the pit, God is there. When we cry out to Him, and submit everything to Him, He is faithful. He lifts us up. For His glory. For His honor. For His Name.

I hope I don't need that reminder myself too soon!

ALIGNING SOURCES

There are many things on my mind this morning - among them: the results of the elections; the result of 'justice' prevailing with the fallout meaning Joe Paterno, the icon of super-coach being forced to retire under a shadow of making a wrong decision about not reporting an assistant coach for allegations of child abuse; and Ezekiel. I will focus on Ezekiel!

I searched for the exact correlating date of Ezekiel 24, and learned that there are several sources with differing opinions as to the date referenced. I had accepted my ESV's information that the fall of Jerusalem was in 586 BC, and was just curious what date that would have been using our time. Two other sites I looked at state 598 B C, not 586 - and are very definite in both cases that the correlating date I was looking for is March 16, 598 B C.

What I realized with this exercise is that I cannot know with absolute certainty what that date of victory over Jerusalem was. I don't have the time or resources to do the research others have done to come to their conclusions. I have to take their word for it. And, ultimately, it doesn'tmatter. What matters is that it did happen. That is clearly corroborated by historical information - and God forewarned that it was coming in advance. That foundation is important for what is yet to come in Ezekiel. I am eagerly anticipating seeing how the pieces fit together from various prophets - seeing for myself from God's Word.

In chapter 24, my heart goes out to Ezekiel. God forewarned him his wife would die - the delight of his eyes - and that he was not to mourn but obey what God instructed. He reports he did as God commanded. God had a purpose and Ezekiel accepted God's will. Everything in me screams that this is not fair. But deep inside I know that I want the kind of relationship with God that Ezekiel had - complete trust in His sovereignty even in the darkest of circumstances. I know Ezekiel's obedience under those circumstances could only come from being infused with God's strength, but looking from the outside in, it looks unbearable.

When I meet Ezekiel in heaven I want to be able to tell him, "I am so very sorry for your loss! And even though you suffered such enormous personal loss, thank you for your faithfulness."

SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES

I wonder what it was like for Ezekiel, finding himself in the position of declaring God's judgment, while he was already captive in the land of Babylon. He was young, not old enough to be considered a sage, yet he was the one chosen. Further, he could even have felt God didn't have his best in mind when He allowed Ezekiel to be taken captive and torn away from his beloved homeland. We can read the story from this side of history and see God was actually protecting him, but Ezekiel didn't know that when he was first captured and whisked away. From the timeline provided in Ezekiel we know he was 25 years old when he was taken captive - and 30 when God gave him his first vision and began speaking to him of what was to come. That is young by any standard, and certainly young for what he was chosen to share. Prophets generally aren't very popular!

I have not had time to write the past several days, but this isn't a Bible study - so that's O K. I do want to point out a few interesting incidentals that leaped out at me as I read.

In Chapter 21 verse 27, God says of Jerusalem, "A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it. This also shall not be until he comes, the one to whom judgment belongs, and I will give it to him...." This leaps out at me because it speaks of layered prophecy. It is clear that chapters 1 - 25 are clearly directed to prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem that is to come in 586 B C, but this leaps forward to the end of time when the Messiah - the one to whom judgment belongs - will have the right of judging conferred upon Him.

Just a few verses later, verse 30 leaps out to me - that God is pronouncing His judgment from the land where man was created - in the land of man's origin - Eden. A clear statement that Eden was in Babylon. Because of original sin, it was cursed, but it was the place of beginning. Again, tingles of what God reveals.

In Chapter 22, there is such sadness expressed in verse 30: "And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none." How sad, not one person was left in all of the land God had given them. In reality, God had already allowed those who honored Him to be taken captive and removed, and young Ezekiel was among them...but how it would break God's heart. After all He had done for them, they stopped pursuing Him.

Chapter 23:35 reiterates that clearly: "Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you yourself must bear the consequences...." God portrays their sins as lewdness and whoring. It is both factual and symbolic. They turned away from God and ran after everything He had saved them from.

It is compelling to me to listen and take note. In one sense it is comforting to know that God is a God of His Word - but on the other hand, it is terrifying if we are on the wrong side of His will. He had Ezekiel prophesy against the land of His chosen people - against Jerusalem, the city that was His city - and that prophecy was fulfilled exactly as God forewarned. Not only that, inserted into the warnings for then are warnings for the future. God will do what He has proclaimed. It would seem that anyone reading this would be compelled to pursue Him, and run to Him begging for mercy.

LORD, may it be so!

He alone is worthy of all honor and glory and power and praise! He accepts no less....

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY - Ezekiel 19

God's word to Ezekiel in chapter 19 was "take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel." No explanation of exactly who that means is provided - but it appears to me that the two cubs could well be the two divisions - Israel and Judah - and the allegory provides the message that both fell, both were taken captive, and both had to suffer the consequences of their behaviors.

The message to me is that no one is exempt from having to take responsibility for their actions. Even earthly kings and kingdoms that God ordained have fallen and will fall, but the Messiah's kingdom will never fall. Our ultimate trust is not in the powers of this world - but in the One and Only True God - Creator of the Universe, Lord of our lives. Sin and rebellion have consequences. The history of God's chosen people reflects that clearly. It is yet another reminder to me that God's priority for our lives is eternal. The things of this world will pass away - but His Word will never pass away.

On the personal side of life, I am also 'taking responsibility'. I am beginning my 4th week of a personal discipline I have been far too sporadic about over the past several years. I decided one month ago that I wanted to find out how good of shape a 66-year-old woman could achieve. The last time I was in really good shape was the summer of 2009 when we hiked the 100 miles around Mt Rainier on the Wonderland Trail. After getting back from the hike I didn't maintain my discipline of exercising at a level that would sustain what I had gained on the hike.

My present motivations are very simple: I want to be in shape physically as well as feel energized, instead of sluggish. As my first thrust toward my goal, I am riding my exercise bike 6 days a week, at least 4 miles a day. So - my morning disciplines are: read a chapter in the Bible, pray, write a bit, ride the bike.

My discipline also includes self-control about how many treats I allow myself. I am a chocoholic. I love good quality chocolate. After years of not being able to eat it because it gave me migraines, I found out it was the chemicals and additives that are in the cheap stuff that are the problem. Once I discovered that the spring of 2006, I went a little crazy and gained 15 pounds that summer.

Part of my goal is to get back to a weight I can be happy with, and that means setting limits. Self-imposed discipline with only self-accountability requires determination that ultimately is rewarded by achieving the desired goals. That is the carrot. And - I know if I do it I will look better, feel better, and be more likely to maintain my present good health as I grow older.

I am reminded almost daily that God challenges us to 'occupy until He comes' and that means living intentionally every day. My first prayer this morning before I even got out of bed was, "What do you have in store for today?" We live with eternity in our sights - but the necessity of being the best stewards we can possibly be here in the interim. It is life on a tightwire - and I am eternally grateful for the One who walks the wire with me. As in Ezekiel's day, people will fail, kingdoms will fall - but God's Word will never fail! What a blessed assurance!

GETTING IT RIGHT

A couple of years ago, our youngest grandchild, who was barely 3 years old, took her mama's face in her little hands to get our daughter's attention, and said, "I'm not gonna do what I'm gonna do." We all thought it was hilarious. She obviously wanted to do something she knew she shouldn't and had decided not to do it. Her way of stating that gave us a good chuckle.

I love the inherent message. Sometimes there is something we want to do that we know just isn't right - or, at other times, something we know we should do that we need the courage to follow through with. I'm grappling with one of the latter myself, second-guessing myself, wondering if I heard God correctly, procrastinating.... I am reminded that sin isn't just commission; it is omission. I have to do what I have to do.... I actually want to be obedient - I just don't want to get it wrong...and I have to trust His voice.

Yesterday I read chapters 17 & 18 of Ezekiel. I love the last sentence in Chapter 17: "I am the LORD; I have spoken and I will do it." That is a statement I pay close attention to. Just as God warned Ezekiel what was to come then - and it came to pass, so He warns us now. Chapter 18 segues to the kind of life God calls His people to live. It is a life of holiness by God's standard, and we are each accountable for the way we live. Ezekiel 18 makes that very clear.

REBUKE AND RECONCILIATION

In Ezekiel 14 God declares that even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in Jerusalem just prior to 586 B C, they alone would be spared - but no one with them! He clearly makes His point that the entire city had become corrupt. In Ezekiel 16, God explicitly likens Jerusalem to an unfaithful bride, but the hint of hope that ends the chapter excites me! It is the first indication of the layered reality that many prophecies contain. In verse 60 He promises that in spite of the unfaithfulness, He will establish an everlasting covenant - and in verse 63 He gives us our first hint of how He will accomplish that when He states, "...when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord GOD."

He will establish an everlasting covenant. He will atone. The phrases leaps off the page at me. This prophecy comes before the relatively imminent destruction of Jerusalem - put it spans the centuries to the coming of Jesus - fully God and fully human - when God Himself atoned for all the sins both past and future, making an everlasting covenant that cannot be nullified.

God's rebuke meant the axe was about to fall, but His reconciliation is something only He could do. Even Ezekiel could not have completely understood what God was telling him at that juncture, but we can. And we can be assured that God's promises and prophecies never fail!

EZEKIEL 11

I love, love, love that right smack dab in the middle of pronouncing judgment on Israel's sinful, willful disobedience, God interjects His word of hope for their future. In chapter 11 verse 16, God promises that in their banishment (when they no longer have the temple) He will be their sanctuary, and then He goes on to say He will gather them back and give them a new heart, and affirms in verse 20: "And they shall be my people, and I will be their God."

While I exult in the resoundingly happy ending, God's promise continues with a but.... "But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the LORD GOD." Forthright. Emphatic. True.

There are so many parallels that could be made to our world today. We have taken God's grace for granted, but the Age of Grace is nearly at its end. Divine retribution is coming. All of the prophecies of the Bible relating to Ezekiel's time were fulfilled and those pertaining to the End of Time will be fulfilled. God's Word never returns to Him void.

-------

I love that right in the middle of pronouncing judgment on a sinful world, God made a way of salvation by coming in the flesh to bear the punishment for the sin that we deserve to pay for, by paying the price Himself. He who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might be made righteous in Him - - just as if we had never sinned! He offers His gift of life freely - but it costs something. The price is giving up my 'right' to be my own boss. I'm very glad to relinquish that to you, Lord. Help me walk in your footsteps today....

(Righteous means doing right according to God's standard - something we cannot achieve on our own. It is Christ living in us that makes us righteous in God's eyes, for when He looks at us, He sees us through the filter of Jesus' blood shed on the cross, and all our sins are washed away beneath that cleansing flow.)

ALL SAINT'S EVE

Today is Halloween. When I was a child it was one of my absolutely most favorite days. I loved dressing up. Loved getting to go door-to-door to collect the generously given treats. Loved bobbing for apples, pulling taffy, eating caramels plain as well as on popcorn or apples. I loved the fun of it. The joy of it. All of it.

That feeling continued with our kids. It was pure fun - - until it suddenly wasn't. I don't remember the exact year - but someone put pieces of razor blades in the candies children collected in the neighboring town - and suddenly everything became suspect. The risk of having something injected through the wrappers also became an issue. The need for vigilant caution became apparent. We cautiously went only to houses of people we knew well, and even then, we inspected each piece of candy to be certain it hadn't been tampered with.

My first response to the new dangers was to offer a safe alternative: a carnival at church that kids could come to and have fun in a safe environment. A cake walk, musical chairs, walking a 'plank', (a narrow board suspended about 6 inches off the ground), along with several other games, including guessing games. Lots of treats, even dry ice in the punch for the effect. It was a safe alternative.

We billed it as an All Saint's Eve party and asked kids to dress up as their favorite Bible character. It was a ton of fun - and a great way to get kids from the community into the church for a peek: to find out we could have a lot of fun with appropriate balance. And, it felt a bit like we were taking the holiday back. After all, my limited understanding was that All Hallow's Eve, the night before All Saint's Day, was a night that they put lights in pumpkins to scare off evil spirits - - a little superstitious, certainly, but I just didn't analyze it or try to gather further information on the night's history.

Then came the death of Halloween for me: the ritual killing of a kidnapped horse in a nearby town by Satan-worshippers. That was soon followed by hearing of people who actually adopted children to use them for their occult worship practices. I was done. What had once been 'fun' was destroyed by the awareness that it was a night of unparalleled evil among those who worship the devil - and, right or wrong, I didn't want to be even remotely associated with it any longer.

In our former town, we'd get 100 trick-or-treaters in a night. Now, out in the woods, we don't get anyone but the grandkids. I didn't even buy candy this year, so it is easy to bow out.

Still, kids love to dress up and have fun sometime. So - - with that in mind, I still favor the idea of the safe church party, with a twist on the focus. I like the idea of celebrating All Saint's Eve!

The reminder brings several very special people to mind: people who deserve to be on my 'cloud of witnesses' list.

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In quite a different vein, something I read in Ezekiel 9 a couple of days ago keeps coming back to me. We know that during the tribulation, it is prophesied that people will have to take the number of the mark of the beast to be able to buy or sell. So - with that in mind, the words in Ezekiel 9 leap out at me - that prior to the destruction of Israel, God instructed 'the man clothed in linen' to go through the City of Jerusalem "and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it."

What strikes me about that is the reality that Satan has a substitute for everything God does. God used His mark to protect. Satan's mark (of the beast) will be alleged to protect - - but it will become people's seal of eternal death, doom and destruction.

What a contrast!