An internet writer friend, Norma Brumbaugh, asked me to write a guest post for her website.
Norma is an interesting soul. She’s the only walnut farmer I know. She also teaches, speaks and writes–as God leads. Read more about her here.
Read my renovation story and see some before and after photos of our barn.
How often do you apologize?
Nehemiah 1:6 (ESV)
I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.”
Nehemiah confesses to God his sin, the sins of his family and the sins of his nation. He apologizes to God on behalf of we.
What about you? Do you confess the sins of we the people?
(See Lesson 2 in the Rebuilding the Walls series for more on this topic)
A quick quote from my favorite preacher:
“God thinks of every separate child of His as much as if He had only that one. The multiplicity of His elect does not divide the loaf of His affection. He has an infinite affection for each one and He will take care of the details of each chosen life.“
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1893 (read the full sermon here)
Jesus is the Bread of Life. And you get the full loaf.
I say, “give me this day my daily bread.”
I think, “give me this day my dessert buffet.”
I have much, I want more. Lord, change me!
Philippians 4:12 (NIV)
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I admit it. Cooking isn’t my forte. My husband once told the church youth group that my cooking is “adequate.” They couldn’t wait to tattle on him. They were very deflated when I responded, “He’s right. I’m a woman of many talents, and cooking isn’t one of them.”
Lord God, I am adequate; you are abundant.
I do a few things well;you do all things well.
For that, I am eternally grateful. Amen.
Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
I don’t believe it is just random chance that we have a smorgasbord of cooking choices: crisp greens, sweet berries, fruits galore, a multitude of grains, and vegetables from asparagus to zucchini. Chocolate, coffee, and exotic spices are products of God’s imagination, not the primordial ooze.
Genesis 1:29
Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”
It is very good. Thanks be to God.
Saturday I made squash & apple soup and pumpkin dessert. The food tasted good and smelled even better. What are your favorite scents of fall?
For forty years, the Israelites ate manna in the desert. The same simple food day after day. No “eat the rainbow” for them. Yet they were fully nourished.
God could have met our need for food with simple manna. Instead he offers us a smorgasbord of fragrance and flavor.
Thanks be to God!
Nehemiah, man of the week for this website:
Are you seeing a theme here?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)
Never stop praying.
The new Foundation study here focuses on Nehemiah. I am intrigued by his approaches to prayer:
Nehemiah 1:4 (NLT)
For days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 2:4-5
The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”
With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”
First, long and hard. Next, in the space of a quick breath.
Truth be told, I do more quick praying. How about you?
I posted the first lesson of a new Foundation Study. It’s based on the book of Nehemiah. I am enthralled with the symbolism in Scripture, and Nehemiah is as symbolic as it is historic. I hope you share my enthusiasm for rebuilding broken walls.
When everyone else saw obstacles, Nehemiah saw opportunity.
Nehemiah 6:15 (NLT)
The wall was finished–just fifty-two days after we had begun.
He accomplished in 52 days what had gone undone for 50 years. And he started with heartfelt prayer.
