Desert valleys…

 Desert valleys….

Years ago, I had a friend who remembered coming into the Boise valley in a wagon as a child…she remembered the desert, the dryness, the arid land…they were on their way further west as the Boise valley held no dreams for that family…this was before the dams, the irrigation systems were dreamed of…

Then, just lately another friend posted a video of one of the  present town’s beginnings…starting from a few tents to a bustling farm town…

One of the “deserts” in the world…there are so many that are much more arid than this one…

There was I book I held dear when I moved to the “desert” of Nevada, 56 years ago, by LB Cowman, Streams in the Desert …I was leaving the lushness of Western Oregon and the California Redwoods…those first years and some later were desert/wilderness years…that I needed to see God’s perspective of the streams that he provided…growth years, hard and happy years, faith building years….

In 1 Samuel, David moves from his family’s herd, anointing as king,  fighting in Saul’s army to years in the desert…training years…

Adam and Eve moved from the lushness of the garden of Eden to the desert…

The Israelites went from the land of Egypt to the desert for 40 years…coming into the promised land..

David went to the desert for several years…coming into his kingship at the end…

Israel was exiled to Babylon for 70 years…coming back to the land…

Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days…came out Triumphant…

God promises he will never leave us or forsake us…even in the wilderness years…He walks with us…preparing the way…

Coming to the feast, the table prepared  for us…

 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.     

He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters,     

he refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right pathsfor his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil,for you are with me;your rod and your staff,they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows. 

Surely your goodness and love will follow meall the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Ps.23.1-6

1 Samuel 21

1. David sought refuge in God by going to his house…

2. David sought provision from God…

3. David sought deliverance from the evil one…

4. David sought God’s protection from his enemies…

5. David sought God’s guidance…

6. David praised God…(1 Thess. 5:8)

Psalm 34…when David feigned madness 

 I will extol the Lord at all times;his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord;let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 

Glorify the Lord with me;let us exalt his name together. 

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;he delivered me from all my fears. 

Those who look to him are radiant;their faces are never covered with shame. 

This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;he saved him out of all his troubles. 

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,and he delivers them. 

Taste and see that the Lord is good;blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 

Fear the Lord, you his holy people,for those who fear him lack nothing. 

The lions may grow weak and hungry,but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 

Come, my children, listen to me;I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 

Whoever of you loves lifeand desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from eviland your lips from telling lies. 

Turn from evil and do good;seek peace and pursue it. 

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,and his ears are attentive to their cry; 

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,to blot out their name from the earth. 

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;he delivers them from all their troubles. 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 

The righteous person may have many troubles,but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones,not one of them will be broken. 

Evil will slay the wicked;the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 

The Lord will rescue his servants;no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Ps.34.1-22

Thank YOU…

Give thanks to the Lord…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1m9I7vHYZ0

Great article…

https://inspiredscripture.com/bible-studies/1-samuel-21#gsc.tab=0

 

Pressed down..poured out

 Pressed down…poured out…

The other day, a neighbor/friend came over to ask a favor…her husband was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, given a few months to live…they needed a Walker, one which he could walk with and also sit in when needed..it just so happens I had an assortment of walkers from my adventures these last few years…and one fit their needs…she  hugged me again and again In tears, thanking me for being an answer to their prayers…..

You know, I didn’t wake up that day knowing I would be helpful to anyone or be an answer to someone’s prayers…God orchestrated it …I just happened to be blessed by it…as well as He….

Going back to God’s fingerprints in our lives that was alluded to the other day…those times when we see Him working , a glimpse of glory…His provision, His care…His rich love…His miracles-events that only He can do…I love watching for those…they me cry in wonder and praise of His great glory….

He has done something in our family this last week, that only he could do…upon receiving the news, I broke down, never expecting the gift he has given…along with so many more…

I thought of John who wrote, “ Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

John.21.25

Thank YOU….

 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke.6.38

 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. 

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. 

These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Titus.3.4-8

Our God…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-6YdT1DEO8

Friendships 2…toxic…

 Friendships 2…toxic….

Before my husband and I were married as well as several months afterwards, we visited back and forth with one of his friends and his new wife…we always came away drained from the events…grumpy and out of sorts…we moved away soon and the get togethers ceased…

We finally realized that they had a very toxic/dysfunctional relationship which ran over on us when we were around them…( their marriage did not last well or long)…

Toxic and dysfunctional were words that we didn’t know of at the time, but we sure knew what it felt like to be in that kind of friendship…

Yesterday’s blog about good friendships really brought those memories back…we want to seek good friends…those whom we can bear burdens for and those who will bear our burdens…those who lift us up and not tear us down…etc.

Samson and Delilah come to mind as a Biblical toxic relationship, or Haman and King Xerxes in the book of Esther….plus others…

 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakesi the fear of the Almighty.

Job.6.14

 In return for my friendship they accuse me,but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good,and hatred for my friendship.

Ps.109.4-5

 The righteous choose their friends carefully,but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 

A perverse person stirs up conflict,and a gossip separates close friends.

Prov.12.26,Prov.16.2

I found some lists of toxic friendships…quite telling…then I had to ask myself, am I toxic? Truthfully answering….

Thank YOU….

Make me a servant…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPZy5HKn9AY

The RED light on  toxic friendships…

Behave selfishly…

They are critical of you…

They’re  too competitive…

They bring you down…

They manipulate you..

They can’t be trusted…

The drama never stops…

They’re insincere…

They’re unreliable…

They isolate you…

They tease or insult you regularly…

They want all of your attention…

They make themselves the perpetual  victim…

Use peer pressure…

They disrespect your boundaries….

Jealous of other friends…

You feel trapped or obligated…

Often withhold truth…

Feel drained…

Feel anxious…

https://www.verywellmind.com/signs-of-a-toxic-friend-8430982

https://www.choosingtherapy.com/toxic-friends/

Freindships…loyalty…

 Friendships….loyalty…

Jonathan, king Saul’s son, became fast friends with David, the next king of Israel… the closest David ever had…they maintained their friendship throughout Jonathan’s life and even extended to Jonathan’s son after David became king…

Loyal-unswerving in allegiance, faithful to a private person to whom faithfulness is due, faithful to a cause, ideal, custom , institution or product….Merriam Webster… 

“Loyalty is one of life’s most costly qualities; it is the most selfless part of love..to be loyal you cannot live only for yourself..” Bible Study notes…

Although Saul became an enemy of David and sought regularly to kill him, Jonathan remained true to his word in love and friendship to David , even while maintaining a relationship with his father, Saul…which must have been tricky, heart rending…

“When David and Jonathan met, they became close friends at once. Their friendship is one of the deepest and closest recorded in the Bible: they based their friendship on commitment to God, not just each other; they let nothing come  between them, not even career, or family problems; they drew closer together when their friendship was tested; they remained friends to the end.” Bible study notes…

 But David took an oath and said, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, ‘Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.’ Yet as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.”

1Sam.20.3

 After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most. 

Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.

1Sam.20.41-42

 “How the mighty have fallen in battle!

Jonathan lies slain on your heights. 

I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother;you were very dear to me.Your love for me was wonderful,more wonderful than that of women.

2Sam.1.25-6

David and Jonathan, friends…it behooves each to find those lifetime friends…we have Jesus above all who remains our friend through the thick and thin… from the beginning to the end…

“A best friend can bring great joy, comfort, solace, and fun to your life. People are pack animals. They love to roam together and need friends to thrive—friends that share the good times and offer support in the bad.

Great friendships extend life. A 10-year-long Australian study showed that participants with solid friend groups were 22 percent more likely to live longer.”

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/tech-support/201612/8-strategies-for-dealing-with-the-toxic-people-in-your-life

Thank YOU….

What a friend we have in Jesus…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTpUQO0aryw&list=RDYTpUQO0aryw&start_radio=1

Good friends…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c-shtDOSyQ

Babysitter…

 

I had a “babysitter” for awhile when I was in grade school. She was always there when I got home from school until my parents arrived home from work… it wasn’t that I really needed one, but, a neighbor had abused me and taunted me when I arrived home alone….

That aside, this “babysitter” or friend as we really called her…loved soap operas and would watch them while she ironed awaiting my parents arrival…so  that was my introduction and only time I watched them…

They were filled with drama, with a variety of storylines concurrently weaving themselves together…jealousy, forbidden love, current events or lifestyles were featured and on and on…

As I read this verse about Saul….

 When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.

1Sam.18.28-29

I was drawn back to those soap opera days…the jealousy, the intrigue, the intensity of various relationships…

Paul, in the New Testament, lists traits of an ungodly life…acts of the flesh…followed by the fruit of the Spirit…

Fruit from the Spirit which we need to drawn on as we grow in our faith, our walk with God…not following the flesh…

Not being drawn in by the soap operas of life…and living there…

Instead living in love, joy peace, forbearance, kindness,goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control…a much better life…

Thank YOU….

 

 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder 2Cor.12.20

 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 

Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Gal.5.19-26

Fruit of the Spirit…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNOBR6SLHtI

One small stone, one big faith…

 One small stone, one big faith….

As I was reading  about David and Goliath this morning, God brought to mind this last year ….

A year ago I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer…the big “C” word, that no one wants to hear…in our family we have heard it a lot…leukemia, colon, lung, prostate, liver, melanoma, skin, Hodgkins, brain, breast and now, ovarian…some treatable and some not….

I thought of David and his five smooth stones…his undoubting faith in God…

 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

1Sam.17:40, 45-50

Each of us may fight a battle, but the words that David  said, “for the battle is the Lord’s “…is the bottom line…whether with a small stone, a small vial of cancer killing drugs, a myriad of other tools to fight the myriad of battles we face daily…it is still in God’s hands…

 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,who daily bears our burdens.

Ps.68.19

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matt.11.28-30

I am soooooo thankful for all the burden bearers who came along side me in my battle…..

 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Gal.6.2

Firm foundation…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naumHKzRXCk

Appearances…

 Appearances…

In 1986, our family went to the World’s Fair in Vancouver, B.C….one of the exhibits from Egypt was some contents of one of the Egyptian tombs…one whole area of makeup  that the ancient queens wore…so interesting…not much different from today…

“The global cosmetics market size was estimated at USD 295.95 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2024 to 2030. One of the primary factors driving market expansion is the increasing awareness among consumers to enhance their personal appearance”

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/cosmetics-market

Reading 1 Samuel 16, Samuel was still caught up in appearances of the future king…as he had been with Saul previously…but, 

God was more interested in the heart of the future king….as we should be ourselves…while we may want to look nice, God is really more interested in our hearts and how we staid with Him…

Thank YOU

 David-“ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.””

1Sam.16.6,1Sam.16.7,12

Some other Bible descriptions of people…

 Saul-“There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.”

1Sam.9.1-2

 Jesus-“He grew up before him like a tender shoot,and like a root out of dry ground.He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.”

Isa.53.2

Paul-

“Paul Coomber

It is worth noting that the Bible seldom focuses on the physical features of people in the Bible narrative. However, there is one account, non-scriptural in origin, which may give us some idea of his appearance.

In the ‘Acts of Paul and Thecla,’ written about A. D. 150, there is a description of Paul which is probably the best, and a true tradition. In this he is described as ‘small in size, bald-headed, bandy-legged, well built, with eyebrows meeting; rather long nosed.’

The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (1997 edition) says about that ancient writing: “It is not impossible that the ‘Acts’ contain some elements of historical truth.” The Acts of Paul and Thecla was highly regarded in early centuries, as confirmed by the fact that 80 Greek manuscripts of it exist, as well as versions in other languages.

Darzkin Saracen

Truthologist at Truth Supremacy, LLC (1997–present)Author has 743 answers and 550.6K answer views1y

Related

Was the Apostle Paul black?

In the Bible, Apostle Paul is mistaken for an Egyptian by a Roman soldier. This incident, along with the stories of Moses and Joseph blending into Egyptian society, can be analyzed to understand the racial identity of Paul, a Jew who converted to Christianity to spread Jesus Christ's teachings.

In Acts 21 the following verses read:

• 37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

• 38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

• 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

Let's examine and combine specific biblical narratives to understand the relationship between the physical appearances of ancient Jews and Egyptians to better piece together the racial identity of Apostle Paul. The argument is built on three interconnected premises:

1. Premise 1: Moses, a Hebrew, was raised in Pharaoh's court and accepted as an Egyptian, suggesting that his physical appearance did not betray his Hebrew origin.

2. Premise 2: Joseph, also a Hebrew, rose to prominence in Egypt, and his brothers failed to recognize him when they arrived in Egypt. This may further indicate that there were no significant physical differences that would have marked him as distinct from Egyptians.

3. Premise 3: The Apostle Paul was mistaken for an Egyptian by a Roman soldier in Acts 21:37-38. Paul corrected the soldier by identifying himself as a Jew from Tarsus, a city in Cilicia (part of modern-day Turkey).”

“Appearance doesn’t reveal what people are really like or what their true value is….God judges by faith and character not appearances…” Bible notes

Lead me, Lord….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1jlHA6iLJQ