double dog dare

Tomorrow is Book Review Friday ladies. I am DOUBLE DOG DARING YOU to write a review to add to Mr.Linky tomorrow. If you haven't read Romans 14-16 yet go do it RIGHT NOW so that you actually have something to say. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out my sidebar to see what BRF is all about. To be able to link to my Book Review Friday post all you have to do it read the chapters I chose for the week and write something about it. Your favourite verse from those chapters, a 'light' that came on as you read something, a verse you chose to memorize and why, all of those being very good ways to write a review. Hey, Even if you just link and say, "yep, I read it!", I'll be so excited. Short & sweet or long & deep, its up to you. :)

Also warning y'all that I just might be switching my blog back to wordpress in the near future. Will you all be willing to follow me around?

Book Review Friday: Romans 11-13

If would like to know what Book Review Friday is please see my sidebar. Each Friday (or Saturday....or Sunday, if I'm busy) my book review will be updated and I'll let you all know what we're reading for the next week.

My mother called me today begging me to get my book review post up for you all. Begged I tell you. I have hundreds of desperate ladies emailing me everyday wanting to know about my Bible reading system and all that its done for me.

Okay, so I've never gotten an email with someone asking me about my study time, and my mom just casually asked me what we'd be reading this week. Actually she thought we were reading 11- 16 this past week, so she's good to go. I told her she was off the hook this week and didn't have to pick up her Bible at all since she did double duty the past 7 days. But moving on... moving on...

First things first, we'll move on to finish up Romans this week. So Romans chapters 14-16 until next Friday ladies.

I shamefully realized when I read to the kids at bedtime I had only read chapters 11-13 once this week. How can a person get so sidetracked?!?! Especially when they are the host for BRF!? So I promptly read 11-13 to the kids and then again before writing this review. This coming week I will be more diligent. I have a plan. :)

I loved all 3 times I read this passage!!! Love it.

I totally see election in the first few verses in chapter 11. "but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded." vs.7 I also saw a bit of free will in there but can't remember where. It amazes me how there can be both, but I see it all through the scripture. Someday I'll understand. Someday.:)

Also in chapter 11 in all the talk about the branches, roots, and grafting I was humbled. Even when i do something good. Even when things go well with me, it's all because of my root system, not me. If God hadn't chosen to graft me into His amazing root system I would be capable of nothing. What can a branch do just lying on the ground beside a tree?? That would be me without Christ. But then the Ultimate Grafter comes and picks me up and decides to use me. How could I boast of anything that is accomplished through me. I'm just sitting on the tree showing what kind of tree I'm on.
In chapter 11 Paul also reminds people that they can be chosen or thrown away. God is One to be feared, so tread lightly. vs 22 says to 'consider the severity of God.' Another Romans reminder to live like God is God. Don't be a fool that does not 'glorify Him as God'.

After considering all that we are and all that God is, how we are indebted to Him for everything, and the fate of our eternal soul rests in His hands, we are to offer ourselves as a sacrifice to our God. After reading those chapters how could we want to do any less. But it goes back to the 'doing what I will not to do, and not doing what I will to do' situation. When push comes to shove it's hard to follow through on this. If I give myself to be grafted into His tree in the way He wants I will prove what is good, holy, and acceptable just like the verse says. All that because of the roots I'm drawing from. I cannot think of myself more highly than I ought to think, because there is nothing to think highly of obviously. These verses are a great reminder of that fact.

Now verses 12:9-13:10 were even more humbling. All the evidences of a branch that has sacrificed itself to be grafted. I don't see much of those evidenced in me here at Watchthesky. And I'm thinking that the grafting process probably hurts. But nothing good comes from a branch laying on the ground. No pain no gain.

And quickly because this is long and hubby is ready to sit and chill... I loved the last few verses. I just might have to find time to change my blogs theme verse. "...it is high time to awake out of sleep...The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." 13:11,12 Love it.

I have to run. Might not even have time to spell check. Please add your review to Mr.Linky if you did one. I'd love to check it out.

Keep reading.

Book Review Friday: Romans 7-10

If you do not know what Book Review Friday is and would like to check it out, you can see my sidebar for all the details. Feel free to jump in and join us where we are. :)

First things first, we will read Romans 11-13 until next Friday. Please forgive me if you have been waiting to see what chapters we would all be on. This really is the first moment I've had to let you all know. If you would like to be reminded of all my woes and complaints as to why my timing is off for everything in life please check out my 'Confessions of a milk maid post' and you'll hear it all. :)

I'm so glad that as I read these few chapters this past week that I had a pen and paper beside me. I didn't know that I would be just as squeezed for time this week as last week, and that means that book reviews can get lost in the shuffle. This won't be anything special but here are a few points I pondered in chapters 7-10.

(I would like to say flat out to y'all right here that I really have no clue if I'm understanding all this law stuff right. If there are any Bible scholars reading this please understand, I am just a regular wife and mom reading her Bible, excited about it and desperately trying to learn much. Forgive my lack of spiritual understanding if I'm getting it all wrong, please!)

Glad to get that out in the open. :)

Romans 7:6 "But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter."

When we are saved the law becomes written on our hearts. The law doesn't change, it becomes part of us so that we don't live by it, we now have the perfect law with in us. We are the law. (Romans 2:14,15)

Romans 7:25 "I thank God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but wit the flesh the law of sin."

The 10 verses before this all talk about knowing to do the right thing but always ending up doing the exact opposite of what you know you should, and want, to do. I can so totally relate. It is one thing to know what is right and talk about it and tell other people, and a completely different thing to live it. It is just like 1:21-23. Did I mention that one before??? I loved it so I'll tell it to you again.

"...although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to b e wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man"

We can know who God is. And then we can live like it.

And because of verses like these I am humbled. I get caught up in my own wisdom and knowledge forgetting that I have it all yet to learn. My heart is deceitful and we cannot trust our own wisdom. Remember 1:22 again and how we 'know' who God is and therefore think we've got it all figured out, but we do not glorify Him in true belief. We take things into our own hands and do not live like God is God. We do not submit to His righteousness because our righteousness has overtaken.
We aren't so smart as we think we are.

And after that lame review (but I finally did one) I would love it if anyone else had a review to add to Mr.Linky 2 days late. I doubt it since not one soul mentioned it at all even though it was sooo late. What do you think girls, is it going to take a while for Book Review Friday to take the world by storm? :)
Here's Mr.Linky.

Book Review Friday: Romans 1-6

If you would like to know what Book Review Friday is please check out my sidebar and feel free to jump right in where we're at.
If you have a review of your own please add your link to Mr.Linky at the bottom of this post.

But first things first, we'll move on to Romans chapters 7-10 until next Friday. I will be reading 6-10 because I never did make it in any of my reading all the way to chapter 6.

Heave duty book. There is A LOT in here and most of it I do not understand. I really really wanted to read chapters 1-6 again. I need to. So I guess I'll do my best to make some time to study it out some more while doing this weeks reading as well.

I don't understand much of what was being said about the law. It seemed to go in circles as I read. I followed it so much better when I read it aloud to the kids, so that will have to become a habit again for me. There was something that stood out to me because of a conversation I had just last week about the law. I had remembered all that we had read in Leviticus and knew that the law was very important, heavy duty important. But that was Old Testament stuff. Now in Romans we are seeing that the law was just as important, but in a different kind of way. Or is it different? This is where I get hung up. I really don't understand. But that verse 3:31,

"Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law."

tells me that we still live by the law as Christians now. I'm understanding that it is through our obedience to the law that our faith is made known. Man, I really need to do some more studying!

I was very convicted with 3:10-18. For quick reference this is what it said:

"As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one. There throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit; The poison of asps is under their lips; Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes."

These are things that I have noticed are growing within my own family. I could make myself feel a little better by convincing myself its just a case of the winter blues, but I know better. We have been turning aside, getting sidetracked. We've been liking each other less and less. I hear hateful, frustrating words from one child to another or even from mom. We don't 'curse' per se, but we might as well in the looks I see going around. Never having a good thing to say or do. We are getting very swift at doing our own thing without thinking of our family first. And because of it all I see the destruction and misery taking root and making for some long and unprofitable days. Folks, we have work to do here at Watchthesky!

I know there is so much more to Romans and so much more to be convicted by, but that's where I'm at right now. God wants me to get the family back under control so that Daddy will have a nice place to live and he'll want to provide for and protect us.
Also, forgive me for not getting the Book Review going yesterday, I took the day off. I went to the Good Friday service at church, watched The Martins on Youtube, played Sorry with the kids, and took a nap. Priorities you know. :)

Here is Mr.Linky for anyone out there brave enough to use it. :)

Book Review Friday: Nehemiah 11-13 (Edited)

First things first, we'll move on to reading the book of Romans. A mega book, I know. :) Let's start with Romans 1-6.

Edited to add:
As for my review, there really won't be anything new to report. Since it was 'one of those weeks' I was only able to read the last chapters of Nehemiah 1 1/2 times. I found out that it did end the way I was hoping it wouldn't. The Israelites messed up again and Nehemiah remained faithful and led them through it. Of all of this I have no further comments, its just too bad.

But more came to mind about the story as a whole while I was laying around moaning this week. When Nehemiah and the people started rebuilding the wall they had no idea how it would all really turn out. They didn't know that God's plan was to let them finish it and also be saved from their enemies. Maybe God would choose to kill them off and have others come and continue rebuilding. Maybe God had other plans. Maybe they would fix things up only to have others come in and tear it down again and again before they succeeded. They had no clue how the great book of Nehemiah finished. They didn't know they were even going to be in a book! These people dove into the work through faith. They made their hands busy with what the believed God wanted them to do and let Him deal with the results. If God wanted them to be okay, they would be okay. If God wanted the wall to stand, the wall would stand. As if they could do anything about it anyway.

Now for the 'me & and the Israelites' comparison. There are those things in my life that are just way larger than me. (If you want to be annoying, everything is out of my control, yes I know.) I mean that there are those spots in each of our lives that we have a hard time giving to God. What may be easy for you to leave in the Lords hands may be very VERY hard for this girl here at Watchthesky. Thinking of building the wall at Jerusalem was encouraging to me. I need to set my hands to work on what I believe the Lord expects of me and let Him secure the wall. The work I do is given by God, the strength to work is given by God, and it is God who allows to wall to remain and the enemies to be kept away.
That's what struck me. We do the work, God keeps the wall up. We trust God, obey His leading no matter how crazy and dangerous it may seem, and trust Him to defend us. He is our wall. He is our defense.

That is all I shall write this time around.

I have actually be very ill for the last 5 days. This is my first day (Friday) that I could be off the couch and away from my many blankets. I am thankful to be getting around a bit again, but my review will still have to wait for a bit.

Please put up a review of your own if there is anyone out there who is reading with me. Remember ladies, this doesn't have to be an essay or anything. If you read it once or a million times -if you have just one verse out of the whole book you'd like to say two sentences about, or if you just can't seem to stop writing about everything you read, do it! Either way, its a good thing. :)

If you don't know about Book Review Friday just check out my sidebar and join in with me and a few other girls. :)

Here's Mr.Linky for y'all.

BRF: Nehemiah 7-10

First things first, its the last part of Nehemiah for this week. We'll read chapters 11- 13 until next Friday. Nehemiah has been a big-time blessing this week. I've needed it. I was all gung-ho to get my stone wall started on. We have a lot to work on here at Watchthesky, if you'd like to hear all about it come on over some afternoon for tea, and hopefully I won't depress you. :) I really had no idea it would be so hard to work with my one hand and hold my sword with the other. No idea. The thing is I didn't fall apart, I could have, but I didn't. This is a good thing. Some of the last words of my review would come to mind every time I was on the breaking point.

"I need to remember this when I get to the tough spots in life and hear less than encouraging words from others. I need to remember Nehemiah when I'm called to build and everything seems against me and no one thinks its possible. I need to keep one hand on my sword at my side, and continue working with my other. I need keep plugging away and trust God with the results. I will remember. I must.
The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build."

Oh yes, I had my moments. It was a busy week with many things pulling for my attention. And yes, I cried and wanted to forget it all and just pretend my wall wasn't that important, but I couldn't. God is faithful, and He always will be. I'm so glad to be getting to know Nehemiah. So glad.

As for this weeks reading, it was hard to concentrate. I wanted to continue reading the first few chapters, but here goes for chapters 7-10:

Nehemiah had reorganized the Israelites and sparked their faith again. God was accomplishing great things through Him. Go Nehemiah Go!
The Israelites are always brought back to the law. God's law. It was important that they be brought back to the basics every time they repented and this time was no exception. The people repented and confessed their sin and showed great signs of changing their ways. They showed interest in the law and promised to obey. I do have a feeling though that the story will remain the same and they will fall away yet again before the book is over.
Although the Israelites ALWAYS fall away there are those few in all of our reading that give me tremendous hope. The very first time I read the new chapters this verse hit me,

"that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many."

It is a great encouragement to be able to find the Nehemiah's and Hananiahs in scripture. It is possible to live out a deep unwavering faith. Though this verse also says that you will be alone much of the time. Hananiah feared God more than many. It means that when He trusted God on that level everyone else thought he was a bit crazy, overboard, intense etc... A faith like that will separate those who think they let their faith make a radical difference in their lives and those who actually do. Their are those who believe, and their are those who live it. It's true. Nehemiah and Hananiah are those people. I hope us BRF ladies will turn out that way too.
These past 2 weeks of Book Reviews have been so good. Hard but good. I can tell that there is a battle going on with me and I am so going to conquer. Oh yes I am. I still say 'bring it on!', I'm just saying it a little softer than before. :)

And now, here is Mr.Linky for any reviews that make their way into blogland.

If you don't know about Book Review Friday please see my sidebar for all the details, and then join in with us.

BRF Take 2

Nehemiah has been going through my head ALL THE TIME. I just keep seeing things in the story more and more. The Lord must want me to learn a lot with this one. :)

Its so easy to let things slip and slide until they are in a state of disaster. That wall that is to be my protection can be ignored until I am left defenseless. Just like the Israelites were compelled through God working in Nehemiah's life to start rebuilding and getting back to the basics, I need to take a look at the wall around my heart, my family, my church. I have work to do. Its important. We all have a part to play and we must take it seriously. If I could literally see the state of my own heart, my own Jerusalem, would it bring me to tears? Would it bring me to my knees? Would I be driven to fasting and praying and then to action? This will be the test, for now I cannot plead ignorance. I know better, I've read Nehemiah.

Jerusalem was demolished, defenseless, and the work would be cumbersome and exhausting. It was a huge job that looked impossible. Nehemiah very wisely told them all to just work on what was in front of them. If every family did their best right in their front yard it could be done in record time. I love how it gave a run down in chapter 3 of the whole affair. It starts telling who worked where. The first ones named are Eliashib the high priest with his brethren working on the sheep gate. All the names follow through telling what part of the wall they were working on right to the end. The list ends at, "And between the upper room at the corner, as far as the Sheep Gate,". All the way around, right back to the sheep gate where they had started! Every part was taken care of with Nehemiah's plan. :) I'm putting a plan like this into action on Monday. I'll be drawing up a game plan for the family. Each member will be given their own part of taking care of our home. We will build new habits and character, and learn to care for our home as a family. I know, not terribly spiritual but its exciting to have a new approach to 'get it all done' taken from a Bible story the kids love. Good lessons in a very practical way.

Another picture in the story that I loved came when the enemies, Sanballat & his crew, decided to attack, kill the workers and stop all that was being done. Nehemiah told all the Israelites to remember just who their God is and all that He had done so far. God is in control. He can handle it. Nehemiah got them ready for battle but didn't stop working on what God told him to do. You see, God has different plans for different circumstances and times. Sometimes he calls people to be still and wait, sometimes He calls for people to go to battle and fight to the glory of God. Nehemiah was ready for whatever God planned, and continued working. I would have been scared silly, gone back in my house and waited to see what happened. I love it that the people set one hand to the work and one hand ready on their sword. I need to be ready, we need to be ready like that. We are always one step away from attack in our relationship with Christ. Satan is ever watchful for part of our wall left untended. Many of us, too many, leave ourselves wide open wondering through the streets of life aimlessly, never worrying about the shambles we're surrounded by. Meanwhile we should be like the Israelites, getting to work at what God has put in front of us, our sword/Bible at our side ready for action, and ever watchful and ready to fight the enemy for our brethren, sons, daughters, and homes.

Nehemiah was a man like Daniel who 'believed in his God'. He is one of the rare people who actually knew God on a different level, trusted Him with all his being, and led others to do the same. Don't give up, don't give in, do what God requires of you and trust Him with the results. Also there was never any doubt as to whom all the glory was due. Nehemiah understood that it wasn't about him. He knew that he was just a tool that God graciously used for His plan. A humble man leading the people to do what is right and constantly pointing to the Lord, not himself. When the wall was finished and the enemies looked on with their poor defeated little faces they knew all along why it was the way it was.

"And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God."

I need to remember this when I get to the tough spots in life and hear less than encouraging words from others. I need to remember Nehemiah when I'm called to build and everything seems against me and no one thinks its possible. I need to keep one hand on my sword at my side, and continue working with my other. I need keep plugging away and trust God with the results. I will remember. I must.

"The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build."

I'm gonna pray for a 'mind to work' and start buildin me a stone wall.
BRING IT ON!!!

Book Review Friday: Nehemiah 1-6

First things first, we'll move on to read Nehemiah 7- 10 until next Friday. So do your best to read chapters 7- 10 every single day, and more if you get the chance.

I have a new Bible hero!!! I want to have another son and name him Nehemiah. The first time I read these first chapters of the book I fell in love with it. It was a 'Mister Man' kind of thing. I can't even put my finger on one particular thing that was so awesome. It was all just so good. It made me want to tell people on the street corners about our awesome God. It made me want to start living my life in Christ with renewed vigor. I wanted to build me a stone wall! Mister man, what can I rebuild???!

bstone wall rebuilt. There is also a need for us as a body of Christ to gather together and get serious about rebuilding God's place in our lives. We have work to do. Do we have a mind to work??

These people, the Israelites, took such a difficult, labour intensive task and gave it their all. They had a lot on their plates and watched as God worked through circumstances to provide, protect, and give strength. I loved how many times Nehemiah called on his great and awesome God. I believe Nehemiah believed in his God the same way Daniel did. They knew God was in control. They knew what they had to do and that it had to be done whether it was dangerous or not.

Yes, after this weeks reading I wanted to charge hell with a squirt gun. Mercy! BRING IT ON!!! Go Nehemiah go! I can't wait to see what else is in store in this great book.

Due to busy days, Awana, homeschool outing in the morning, company coming for lunch and so much more, I only have time to write this short and not very deep review. It is Thursday night as I write this and I know I will not have time for writing tomorrow. I look forward to seeing names pile in on Mr.Linky.

If you don't have a clue why I'm writing a book review on Nehemiah but want in on the action please check out my sidebar and you'll catch up on all the latest BRF news. We are a small group, but oh-so-cool.:)

Book Review Friday Continues

Hello everyone. I finished up in Leviticus and I hope you did too. I enjoyed the last chapters the most out of the whole book. I learned a few things and understand a few things more than before. I also have way more questions than I understand out of most of it. I'll continue to do some digging for answers. I'm pleased as punch with myself that I can finally say that I have read the book of Leviticus a few times through. It took me a number of years being saved to get around to it, but it's finally done. :)

Lets move on to another Old Testament book. I'm starting into Nehemiah 1-6. I would suggest doing a light reading of Ezra before you begin into Nehemiah. We've done Ezra before and its all tied in together. Ezra was so good I just want to do that one all over again. I keep reminding myself that I'll get back to it, there's undiscovered territory before me and I won't want to miss out on that. So Nehemiah it is! :)

Please join me in Book Review Friday and reap the benefits that you can only discover by becoming a biblical bookworm. I'll have Mr.Linky back up and running next week for everyone. If you have no idea what BRF is just check out my sidebar and use the links there. :)

Check ya later.

Book Review, or the lack of...

Well ladies, I'm a day late and a review short. Just in case there was someone having a hard time coping because there was no Mr.linky to post a review for Leviticus on I thought I'd better check in and say hello.

I've been taking care of 4 sick chillins these past few days and there isn't time to think through and type a review. I'm not going to put up a Mr.Linky today, or for a while, but I'm going to keep reading in Leviticus 21-27 this week and finish that book up (phew!). I'll keep letting everyone know what I'm reading each week so you all can keep up if you want. I'd love to see reviews too, there just won't be a Mr.Linky to link to. :)

Please keep reading. It's sooo important. If you have time to read a Christian book, a magazine, watch TV, surf the net, then you have time to read your Bible. To read the amount that I usually put up here on my blog you only need about 20 minutes a day (if you're slow like me). :) Soon you'll find yourself engrossed and wanting more.

(I'm admitting to you all that my goal is to read the last 7 chapters in Leviticus at least 3 times completely this week. I'm not sure how this week will pan out and I just want to get this book done. Maybe that's my tiredness talking. :)

later gaters.

Book Review Friday: Psalm 1-8

First things first, it's back to Leviticus this week. Chapters 16-20 folks. Do not despair, we're a little over half way done the book. We'll come back to Psalm another week. :)


I am so glad we took a break and did a bit in Psalm. I loved it! I'm worried my review might end up on the lengthy side so feel free to skim or skip. :)
I've read Psalm 1 many times and memorzied it a long time ago. It's a good one. Something new came to my mind reading it this week though. It was what was written about meditating and delighting in God's Word day and night. That's what us girls in Book Review Friday are learning to do, really getting into the Word, and from what I understand we are all loving the process too. That's great and all, but then it talks about the product of the delighting and meditating. "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season." vs,3.

A tree planted by a river is going to grow. It has as much water as it wants from the soil around it, never lacking nutrition. As it grows it gets stronger and stronger and bears fruit. It withstands storms and droughts and the perils that nature throws at it. Although you cannot see where its strength comes from we know that its roots go deep. They know where life is found and they constantly grow reaching out for more. "It's leaf also shall not wither, And whatever he does shall prosper."

Then the verses explain what it's like for those who don't have a love for God's Word. They don't plant themselves, they just blow around wherever the wind takes them.

I got thinking about knowing God's will too. I can wonder about God's will for my life and just exactly what He wants of me each day. Or, I can plant myself in His Word and allow Him to direct. A tree doesn't gad about looking for the next best place to do a bit of fruitful exercise, it just keeps nourishing itself from drawing the water- getting stronger. Because it has stayed in one place and given its roots time to develop it can take the storms and droughts. It prospers because of the hidden strength. I want to be strong too and Christians literature, devotionals, and courses are not going to do it. Reading the Bible over and over and over again is what will make the difference.
Reminds me of a Proverb I love, 12:3 "The root of the righteous cannot be moved."

I also loved Psalm 3:5 where it said "Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the Lord." Many times in my day just doing the right thing is a tremendous sacrifice. It's hard for us moms to do good when our whole mind and body is screaming to ignore what God has laid in front of us, that we're tired..... or you've got a cow coming and so much to do... whoops! Got off topic there. :)

Anyway, I have to get going. Hubby is home from work and ready to sit and relax. I'll leave Mr.Linky here for anyone who hasn't given up on BRF for this week. It's been a busy day and many things still are not done, but I had to get a review up. It didn't end up being as long as I wanted. There are a bunch of other verses that I loved and wanted to write about. It's hard to keep writing with a husband behind you eating and waiting to use the computer. :) I hope you all enjoyed Psalm as well. :)

Book Review Friday: Leviticus 11-15

First things first, we'll move right along in our journey through Leviticus.... later. :) This week I'm totally throwing you off your guard and telling everyone to read Psalm 1-8 until next Friday. Is everyone breathing a sigh of relief?? I thought a break from Leviticus would be a great idea. Psalms has been on my mind lately but I've been diligent in reading our assigned book and not had the time to read Psalms. So Psalm 1-8 it is and I'm really looking forward to it. :)

Now for my oh-so-short review. I read it everyday. I did. I only had one thing cross my mind in my reading, and you all have mentioned it before I believe. There is no doubt that we cannot do anything to make ourselves worthy of Christ.If I get a disease, I'm out. If I get the runs, I'm out. If someone else gets the runs and I shake his hand, I'm out. If I am a woman there is a week out of every month that I would have the constant reminder of how unclean I am, and I'm out. In reading I was thinking that these guys must of listened to all these regulations and thought, "How in heaven's name am I supposed to keep track of all this stuff!?! I'm just one big fat sin all the time!!"

I'm glad that Christ is my mediator and all is taken care of. I'm still being reminded more and more every day of the cost each one of my sins is to Him. Every thought of impatience, every reaction in anger, my laziness, my selfishness, etc... I'm just one big fat sin myself all day long.

But God is so good to me.

Okay, that was it. No big spiritual revelations today. :) I'll look forward to reading anyone else's. As usual, if you have a review but no blog, just email me and I'll post it for you. Easy sneezy. :) Here's Mr.Linky for all you bloggers who would like to take part.

I'll apologize for the lateness in which I post. I'm a mom, and today was grocery & errand day. It's just the way life works sometimes. :)

Book Review Friday: Leviticus 6-10

First things first, If you have no idea what Book Review Friday is all about please see my sidebar and you'll learn really fast and want to join in! :) This week we'll be reading Leviticus 11-15. Keep faithful in your reading. It's those Leviticus type books that we often want to skip, but we're all going to stick with it anyway and give it our best shot. God has stuff in there for us! :) I noticed one of the titles in the upcoming chapters this week is 'The Law Concerning Bodily Discharges'. Hmmmm, sounds....... ewwwww.

Okay, now for my review on chapters 6-10. Again, I didn't get much to share but I have a verse starred and circled. :)

"By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified." 10:3

Mister man, what a verse! A shake in your boots and get down to business, kind of verse. Love it. God will be glorified whether it is through your life or by taking your life. He means business and we don't get it. We do not take time to consider who the God we serve really is each day. Yes, God loves me, and yes He cares about me and my family, I'm thankful. But I forget that we are here to glorify Him, not be blessed by Him. His ultimate goal is to be glorified, and if that means he must devour someone with holy fire for disobeying, even my own child, then so be it. I just don't want to be on the receiving end of that judgement.

The story of Nadab and Abihu is only a few verses long but they pack a might punch. Two brothers who had just been told exactly what they were supposed to in worshiping God as priests and immediately revert to doing what they want instead and are killed for it.

I can stand on the sidelines with my many different feelings in the situation. I can be horrified at the whole affair for the parents sake. Imagine watching your children burn to death because they profaned the name of the Lord, and then be told you are not allowed to mourn. That's horrible. But then I can totally be on God's side and say "They deserved it! How dare they directly disobey God's clear commands!" (Don't judge me here folks, I know everyone does that sometimes!). But that self-righteous feeling doesn't stay too long because I know myself too well to dwell too long on others faults. That's when my feelings of pity and self-righteousness turn to fear. Oh my, we don't fear God anymore. We down-right don't care much of the time. If the truth were known, deep down in our hearts we would much rather enjoy some 'strange fire' than do exactly what God wants us to do. Before long we are so mixed up in our own made up acts of spirituality we don't remember what pure, unadulterated, God-centered living is like. In fact, we don't even have a clue that we're mixed up. One major reason why I'm loving BRF with all of you is that it's getting us back to the basics. We're learning the Bible, just the Bible. We read, God works. It's awesome. He even uses Leviticus to teach me amazing things.

So from Leviticus I'm taking away one major theme: Do not mess with God! He made us, He saves us, He expects us to live by His rules. And He has every right to deal with those doing their own thing in whatever way He chooses, even me. Yikes!

Well, that's all I have time for right now. We've had a busy but very good day here at Watchthesky and this mommy needs some sleep. I'll be checking Mr.Linky out one last time before bed to see if anyone else was able to complete a review though. If you would like to post a review from the reading this week and do not have a blog please email it to me and I'd love to post it for you.:) But of course, if you do have a blog, here is Mr.Linky. Link away. :)

Book Review: Leviticus 1-5

** If you do not know what Book Review Friday it just check out my sidebar and we'd love to have you join in with us!**

First things first, let's read Leviticus 6-10 this week. Stick with it girls! :)

Wow! I'm glad I live in the here & now. All those sacrifices given means that I would have needed to own some pretty big herds. I would have spent my days at the tabernacle door killing one animal after another and passing Moses & his sons some grain & oil every now and then.

This is the first time I've seen the need for confession and keeping short accounts with God as I read. That doesn't mean it wasn't there to see in the other books of course, I just didn't see it. These people would have thought twice before lashing out or speaking ill of another person, it would mean getting another one of your animals and going through that whole process again. And they were learning in the not so distant past that their God was not to be trifled with, so they had to do it.

I'm so glad that I'm saved and have Christ as a mediator. Although the thought crossed my mind that His own sacrifice to remove the need of all previously needed sacrifices has made me lazy. It's much easier to 'kill Christ' than to sacrifice as the Israelites had to. When I do something wrong I feel guilty and sorry, but that's the end of it and soon forgotten. If I had to kill a cow or wring the head off a bird every time I sinned or thought I might have, it would have more of a lasting effect.

The whole comparison with the need for sacrifices from the Israelites and the priest being mediator for the people, and my own sin and the need for it to be paid and Christ being my high priest, is amazing. Thank you Jesus for being my high priest, for all my sin shall be forgiven me!

"So the priest shall make atonement for his sin that he has committed, and it shall be forgiven him." 4:35c

I'll be praying that the Lord reminds me of His sacrifice on my behalf and also to remind me to confess & keep short accounts with Him.

Now it's your turn to add a review to Mr.Linky. If you would like to write a review but don't have a place to post it just email it to me and I'll post it. I can do things like that. :)

Book Review Friday: Philemon

First things, we will be starting off in Leviticus chapters 1-5 this week. I've never read Leviticus and am truly excited about it. I always avoided it thinking it would be a boring list of something or other. We'll see. :)

I struggled with Philemon this week. I didn't struggle in reading it, it's so short I was able to read it sometimes a number of times a day. But I read it and read it and still nothing was 'hitting' me. I was actually wondering why God chose for this book to be included in the scriptures. Part of me is still wondering and will be pleased to read what you all learned, and part of me did see a few things. Nothing big and new, but convicting still. Here are a couple points I've pondered:

vs)6, " that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." When people watch me they should see Christ working in me. That's what makes it count when I witness to them. Whatever I might say is backed up in action. When others see that action in me it really does show the power of the gospel. They don't just hear it, they see it.

vs)7, "For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother." By living out my faith and having that love for Christ and believers I am a tremendous encouragement to other Christians. It's refreshing to me when I see someone else passionate about their walk with Christ, so I can assume that others would be encouraged by seeing the same thing in me.

vs)8&9, "Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for loves sake I rather appeal to you..." The nice thing about when Christians live with Christ-like attitudes is that we need only to be asked. We see a need and we fill it. In a world where Christ is center Christians don't' have to be told or hounded to meet a need, because the love in them removes the need for commands and creates a willingness and desire to help.

vs11) " who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me." This perhaps was my favourite verse from the book. It's just another testament to the fact that the gospel changes everything. You could know a person for years and not really have anything in common. You just know who they are and that's about it, then they get saved and all of a sudden you have so much in common. Jenn of www.jennrambleson.wordpress.com is a perfect example of this. We went to the same school, my sister even played v-ball with her a few times but she was just another person in the hall at school or on the court. Now she's saved and we're friends and sharing notes and discussing verses, meeting up at church and different ministries. It's like night & day. Love it.
Also, as many of you know, I tend to talk to people I don't know when I'm out and about. For example, while at Frenchy's with a friend I met up with an older lady and she was letting me know how to get a stain out of a tablecloth. She had an accent so I asked where she was from. Well, she's from the Netherlands and she's been here for 30 odd years and is best friends with her next door neighbour of the full 30 odd years, etc... She was a great lady and we enjoyed our little chat but that's where it ended. When I mention something about the Lord providing the stuff I needed at Frenchy's there is no recognition of spiritual things it seemed. But, me and my little family eating out in a restaurant and praying before our meal has caused us to meet a few people. There have been a few times when another couple has pulled up a chair beside us and asked us point blank if we were born again because they saw us pray, because they were too. Well there's a conversation starter! :) Then we instantly feel a connection and proceed to have a great conversation and really get to know each other. Both the Frenchy's lady and the restaurant people were very nice, it's just that meeting one was more encouraging and more 'profitable' than the other.
I've walked into stores that were playing Christian music and made a point to ask them if they were Christians. When they are it's encouraging to them to be asked and also encouraging to me.
I've stopped a guy in the airport who was wearing a Christian t-shirt and asked if he was saved. He wasn't, he found the shirt in a second hand store, but he said he had been stopped and asked that a lot after putting it on. Not only does that open up a great witnessing opportunity but it also is encouraging to know there were others in that airport who were Christians and excited enough about it to ask someone else if they were too. Encouraging.
Onesimus was the same I guess. He left a non Christian and was returning home a completely different person able to encourage and connect with his former acquaintance in a totally new and meaningful way.

And finally vs 21) " Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say." As a Christian I should be giving %110 to the things of the Lord, not my leftovers. Often we Christians chug-a-lug along each day and use whatever steam is left to get through our 'ministries'. And to have it that people could count on us to give all we've got and more when asked to do something for the Lord is becoming a rarity.

Well folks, that's all she wrote. Maybe I thought that the theme of Philemon was 'encourage'. maybe. I'm just thinking that after writing all I did. Live for Christ like you mean to and you'll encourage others and be encouraged yourself. Maybe that's it. ;)

Here's Mr.Linky so you can add your own review. If you would like to write a review and do not have a blog please just email me your post and I'll post it for you on my second blog. I'll do things like that just to get more reviews on Mr.Linky. :) And of course, if you are new to the Book Review Friday idea please check out my sidebar for all the details and join in wherever we are! :)

Book Review Friday: Exodus

First things first, we'll read Philemon every day until next Friday. It's very very short so maybe we could even read it a couple times a day. :) I was kind of shocked to look at my list and find out we haven't done this book yet.

We have a sick little boy in the house and it's taken me this long to get to the computer. And even then many breaks in between typing to get a glass of water help the little guy in the bathroom and tuck blankets around him. But here we go with Exodus. :)

My, it's good to be back. Book review Friday is good for me. But as you will see in my review I really don't have very much to say. But I caught up with ya'll and read the whole thing.
I'm jealous of Moses. "So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." 33:11 "Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai,... that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him." 34:29 Someday I'll get to speak with God face to face too. Meanwhile I'll be reading and praying and getting closer to him that people will see the glory of the Lord shining through in my life.
I loved how the book of Exodus ended. There were a lot of mistakes and sin throughout the whole story but it ends with the glory of the Lord filling and surrounding them. "Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." 40:34 " Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys." 40:36 There was no doubting that God was ever present for the Israelites now. They had showed that this is exactly what they needed, just as a toddler needs to have their mommy with them 24/7 for teaching, training & discipline. They also knew exactly when to be moving along. Clear concise direction from the Lord and a constant reminder of His presence, care, and also judgement if they did not heed his voice. I have often wished for such readable signs to be put in place for me.
Exodus was good, I wish I had been more diligent. I will be looking forward to some reviews showing up on Mr.Linky as the day passes.

If you don't know what Book Review Friday is just check out the info on my sidebar and feel free to jump in wherever we are! :)

Book Review Friday Returns :)

Okay, so I learned something these past couple of weeks. I need Book Review Friday! Without that accountability I totally lost the gumption to keep reading by the end of the holiday stretch. So whether you all are in on it or not, I must do it for me. If you are new to the whole idea please check it all out here:

Book Review Friday

One thing I noticed in Exodus as I was reading a while ago was how quickly the Israelites turned away from God. They were saved from being slaves in Egypt and saw miraculous things happen by God's hand on their behalf. As soon as Moses left them to go commune with the Lord they all melted their jewelery and started worshipping a golden calf and doing perfectly wicked things. Just like that! No backsliding bit by bit, they went full throttle into major sin. We can do the same thing. It scares me that I can not only become complacent in my walk with the Lord, but I can actually desire and enjoy sin, and become that way overnight.
When given their freedom the Israelites showed their true colours. As soon as they were on their own and the accountability of Moses was gone we see where their hearts really were the whole time. God can show us the true state of ourselves in the same way. I cancelled the book reviews for a short time and already started finding reasons that I couldn't fit reading in each day. I'm not proud of it. It's just one small/big step in the completely wrong direction.
And so with that all said I reinstate Book Review Friday and call on all ladies out there to join in. It's worth it.

For the next week I'll try to start things up where we should be (not where I actually am). How about Exodus chapters 35-40 until Jan 4th? I'll read through the chapters I missed to catch up and not miss exactly what's going on. :) I'm really looking forward to getting back to the basics and I really hope there are others out there who want to do the same. :) :)
Besides, when I told my hubby a couple weeks ago that I was considering doing away with the book review, my blog.... everything, he told me that really wasn't a good idea. I wasn't expecting him to encourage me to keep blogging, but since I always try to be oh-so-submissive I'll keep things going here at Watch the Sky. :)

Let's do another head count and see just who is joining us so far in this new year coming up with our weekly readings. Leave a comment if you're up for being a part of book review Friday, whether you have a blog to post your review or not does not matter, just let us all know if you are actually reading. :)

Hope you all had a merry Christmas and are encouraged for the new year to come!
~Shannon

Exodus

First things first, we'll be reading Exodus chapters 16-20 for the next week. I love Exodus. :)

And as for my review, I just can't do it. I want to and I am loving Exodus as are the kids, but I just don't have the time to write and re-write a review to try to get it to say what I want it to say. I was just a little stressed yesterday and today over the fact that life was busy and I was tired with so much to do, my review being one of them. I've had to start crossing things off my list of things I thought had to get done. I just realized that for the month of December it would be advantageous to slack off on my blog and reviews a bit so I can be less stressed over the holidays with my family. Yes, even something as simple as a Book Review can be enough to stress me out.

So, I'm still going to post what book and chapters we're reading each Friday if you are still doing it with us, I just won't be adding a full review. I'll just be keeping the regular notes with paper and pen. I'll even still add Mr.Linky in case any of you have a review to post because I could almost always make time to read them!! :)

I know you all are very busy as well. The month of December brings on extra pressures and lots of good times. Enjoy them, and I don't think it is too early to start wishing you a Merry Christmas!!! :)

Book Review Friday: Exodus 6-10

First things first, we'll be moving along to chapters 11-15 until next Friday. I know that there are still ladies that are doing this reading but not many reviews. I'm not here to put a guilt trip on you over the lack of names on Mr.Linky, it really doesn't matter whether there are reviews for everyone else to read,that's not the point. The fact is I really really really hope you are writing down somewhere what God shows you in the scripture you read. We miss so much by neglecting that. So please ladies keep on reading and learning and writing. Whether you have a blog to post it on, or a handy notebook to help you concentrate and remember all that you see as you read, keep writing. :)

As for Exodus 6-10. I am no scholar and I know there are many very mature Christians out there who would disagree but...... I really don't understand how anyone could read these chapters and not see 'election' written all over the place. It's totally a black & white issue to me. But I'm willing to be shown if it isn't. Like I said, I'm no scholar. :)
The fact that God made a covenant with the Israelites way back when and chose them as His special people would be enough to convince me. They were no more deserving than the guys next door. They were sinful humans who God had mercy on. They didn't choose God, God chose them. But the BIG thing was reading over and over about how God hardened Pharaoh's heart. God hardened Pharaoh's heart! Pharaoh really didn't have a choice in the matter from what I can tell.

"And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt." 7:3
"Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son's son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord." 10:1-3

And it always comes back to giving God glory.

Seeing how this bit of history unravels and the fact that God so blatantly chooses some people to bless and others to harden against Himself makes one like me overcome with thankfulness that I am not Pharaoh! It's not that I don't deserve all that the Egyptians got, I do, I really do. I deserve for God to show His judgments in my life. But God chose me to be one of the ones who saw who He is by blessing me instead of through His judgements. I don't understand why but it certainly brings a deeper meaning to the word thankful. I was completely dead in my sins, even at that tender age of 5 or 6, and God chose to open my eyes and give me life. I am totally & completely dependant on Him and could not of understood to even make a choice for eternity had He not worked in my heart in the first place. God is in complete control of everything, including my salvation.

"I will take you as My people and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians." 6:7

From now on every time I hear the stories of people like the Egyptians in the scriptures I hope it makes me thankful instead of self-righteous. God's mercy is great, and I'm just another Pharaoh that God took pity on. Please God, don't every harden my heart towards you!!

Okay, now if anyone had a review to post here is Mr.Linky for you. We would all love to read them no matter how long or short. :)

Book Review Friday: Exodus

First things first, we'll be reading Exodus chapters 6-10 until next Friday. It's proving to be a great book so join in if you aren't already with us! :)

Exodus is nothing like I remember from my Sunday school classes as a child. My how all those facts of the story of Moses got mixed up and lost their meaning. One of the most amazing stories I've ever read and one of the most amazing women I've ever heard of is right here in these first couple chapters of Exodus, and I still don't even know the lady's name!! All we know is that she was a Levi and gave birth to a son and did all she could in very hard times. I'm a mom, so her predicament really stood out to me big-time this week. After you have your own little baby to hold the words 'giving them up' take on a deeper and more difficult meaning.

I likened this mommy's predicament to situations we could face today. What if I was faced with the choice of either trying to hide my child in the safety of his home until he was finally found out and then killed in a few days, months... years maybe, or handing him over to the very people who were seeking to kill him in hopes that they would have a little compassion? It was highly probable that if mom let her cutie little abandoned baby pass by Pharaoh's daughter that a woman's heart would take over and be drawn to taking care of it. But, who could guarantee that Pharaoh would allow for such a thing and not just kill it right away?!
And if her plan worked out and baby was accepted, how would it feel to give your baby up to be raised in the midst of a false religion? You would know they would grow up learning about and taking part in the evil that Egypt was involved in. I couldn't have done it and up until this week I would have thought it wrong to do anything of the sort.
In talking about it with hubby I started to realize that everything isn't always the same with God. In each situation He is working something different. It's not that things are black & white all the time. It all comes down to how much faith you have in God. Do I believe that God is God? Although we are human and constantly think that much depends on us, from reading scripture we realize that it's not true at all. Moses would have been fine and God would have worked His purposes through him whether mommy was good at hiding him or not, whether he was placed in a river or not, whether Pharaoh's daughter found him or not. It's just that this woman did as best she could as long as she could and then just trusted God to handle it. And we get to see her example and take heart in the here and now.
I need to work hard while my children are with me doing all I can to make them safe and then ready to take on the world when the Lord brings that time around. The tremendous sacrifice that this woman made is shocking to me. But look at all that God did through Moses for years and years. All the amazing things he was able to witness by God's hand through the years. All the people he lead and the difference God made through him. Moses story all started with his mom who had a big faith in her God. I like her. I like her a lot!
Throughout the whole 5 chapters the fact of just how powerful and in charge God is becomes a major part of the whole story. There are many points to ponder, it's just that I've taken up most of my time thinking of that one. I loved the whole thing and can't wait to read more but I don't have time to type any more about 1-5. I'll just go read any reviews that show up on Mr.Linky. :)