Twice is Just as Nice :-)

I've been blessed not once, but twice recently with FREE concert tickets from my dear friend, Sunny Side of the Street! Tonight I enjoyed an awesome night of Christmas music from various Christian artists. This concert just happened to include one of my major favorites, Sara Groves. I LOVE her! I also got to hear several new artists, all of which were amazing in their own unique way. Seriously.........there was so much talent on that stage!! Oh yeah, let's not forget that I was included in another photo with a famous band....this time Jars of Clay. I am so grateful to my Sunny Side friend... not only is she a dear friend and great company at a concert, but she has managed to make me aware of CURRENT Christian artists..... and that was no easy feat for this dark ages gal! Thanks for including me, Lisa, and spreading the joy. It was even worth running through the rain for :-)

The meaning of idolatry

Jeremiah 5:22-24 (amplified version)

"Do you not fear and reverence Me? says the Lord. Do you not tremble before Me? I placed the sand for the boundary of the sea, a perpetual barrier beyond which it cannot pass and by an everlasting ordinance beyond which it cannot go? And though the waves of the sea toss and shake themselves, yet they cannot prevail (against the feeble grains of sand which God has ordained by nature to be sufficient for His purpose); though (the billows) roar, yet they cannot pass over that (barrier). (Is not such a God to be reverently feared and worshiped?)

But these people have hearts that draw back from God and wills that rebel against Him; they have revolted and quit His service and have gone away (into idolatry). Nor do they say in their hearts, Let us now reverently fear and worship the Lord our God, Who gives rain, both the autumn and the spring rain in its season, Who reserves and keeps for us the appointed weeks of the harvest."

There have been some very upsetting things happen to me, personally, over the past month or so. Challenges have come that I did not foresee nor did I expect. Hurts have come from people that I never thought of as my "enemy." During this time of emotional hardship, I can look back and see myself searching for something to soothe me... something to alleviate the pain. There are two things that stick out as sort of "abnormal" for me. I have spent more time shopping and watching t.v. than I normally EVER do. Now, I do not see those two things as evil in and of themselves. Shopping is necessary (and fun) and I enjoy a bit of t.v. every now and then. But this was different. I knew there was an ache inside. There was a deep wound. I needed to make it feel better... NOW.

Lucky for me this does happen to be the Christmas season and I did go shopping for gifts that I would've bought anyway, but I never, ever want to turn to something other that my Savior to heal my broken heart. I never want to expect something dead to produce life. It is the same thing in my mind and bringing an offering to the golden, man-made calf thinking, "This will do the trick, I just know it. If I bow down to this statue my trouble will go away. If I bring a bigger offering than normal, things will surely improve..... "

It's crazy, really. Just as crazy as turning my attention to anything other than THE LIVING GOD for help... you know, well-timed help in times of trouble. In this passage of scripture, God makes it clear that He's the one with the creative power going on here. Why does my heart run to something else for help? Why do I "draw back" from Him sometimes just when I need to sprint towards Him?

I recently read a few fictional accounts of some Old Testament stories by an author named Gilbert Morris. He painted an amazing picture of what the culture was like during Noah's day and Abraham's day. I never realized how intense the idolatry rituals were and what lengths the people went to in attempt to "please the gods." It seems so absurd to think of putting your trust for anything into an inanimate object......or does it?

So, I was just wondering........what does the word "idolatry" mean to you?

C-O-L-D

Snow is just so fun..... at least the first few times it arrives anyway :-) The kids were begging to go out from the moment they discovered it this morning. We made it through our morning lessons pretty well and then it was off to shovel the drive way and romp around in the snow. After more pleading and begging, we made an impromptu visit to the nearest sledding hill. It was the best kind of hill ever.... an EMPTY hill :-)

We trudged through the snow with 4 children in tow, two of them wearing very tight snow suits from last year and one of them without proper boots. Oh man, it was SO fun! The kids were hilarious to say the least. Jenna and I were dragging up the rear on the initial climb up the ginormous hill when she inquired, "Mommy, why can't we just sled UP?" I, of course, did my motherly duty and promptly explained gravity. Ironically enough, Seth asked the same question of his brother, Zach when they were at the bottom of the hill. You see, Seth was thrilled on the way DOWN the hill, but as soon as he "landed' and discovered he had to RE-climb the monstrous incline, he cried and begged for a ride "up." Sledding up seemed like a logical solution to him. There's just something about a tiny kid all bundled up in snow gear with crocodile tears flying out of his eyes that makes me melt.

I assure you that my heart was the only thing melting. The wind was whipping on top of that slope and it was still snowing. We made it about 45 minutes until my feet felt like ice blocks and everyone's gloves were soaking wet. All in all, it was a successful first sledding run. Before we go out again, we need 2 snowsuits, 2 pairs of boots and 2 more sleds. Those darn kids are always growing!