Pearl in the Sand

Pearl in the Sand is a diamond in the roth.  The historical fiction by Tessa Afshar tells the story of Rahab from the Bible.  The prostitute who lives in the wall of Jericho saves the lives of two men, jumps into Jewish culture, and ends up being a part of royal bloodlines.

A woman dressed in sheer clothing must learn about the untailored ways of her redeemers.  The dust gathers on your clothing as you read about Rahab’s new home in a tent.  The smell of fire drifts from the pages as you read about Rahab’s family take hold of the change of lifestyle and burn their blended clothing.  The taste of fear mounts as Rahab’s beau, Salmone, mounts his ride for war.

The fortunate part is that all these things remain as culturally accepted and Biblically accurate as possible.  Rahab did have to learn a new lifestyle, adapt to tent dwelling, and support the new nation as they fought in war.  Rahab takes claim in the Bible’s book of Joshua, she takes claim in Jesus’ bloodline, and she also takes claim in our hearts through Pearl in the Sand.

Highs and Lows

My good friend, Carol Stratton, just released her new book, Changing Zip Codes: Finding Community Wherever You‘re Transplanted.  But she still has time to maintain her blog, and was gracious to post my thoughts.

Mollie

See this at the original site:  http://www.changingzipcodes.com/highs-and-lows

Carol’s note:

We have another blog from Mollie Bond who has just moved.  She is a very adventurous young woman and always has an interesting slant on moving, especially choosing a large versus a small town.  I know you will enjoy her blog.

I moved from a town of 50 people to a town of 50 million people. Many things I had grown accustomed to drastically changed. I got funny looks asking seemly innocent questions.  My new neighbors were accustomed to things that were new to me. But, I believe the greater the highs, the greater the lows. Moving to a big city had its benefits (highs), and its disappointments (lows).

High: Being close to a store. In an unincorporated town, there is no store, no mayor, no post office, no police. In my new city, I can walk to the store. And it’s not walking to the store that is exciting, it’s the choice of which store to visit.

Low: Being close to a store. It’s impossible to have a five-minute visit. I find the line where the person in front of me has limited English skills. That takes time. Although I try to be patient, I’m from a town where there is one customer in the store at a time, and we all speak the same language.  (“Done?” “Yep.” “Ten bucks.”) It’s hard not to stare as the cashier answers back in their language.

High: Choices in churches. On Sundays, a couple of people show up at the same leaning church, the only one for 70 miles. So my family does the 140 mile drive each week. Leaving at 7 am before Sunday School and arriving home at 1 pm after grocery shopping makes it difficult, and leaves me hungry for lunch. In a city, there are many churches. It’s hard to choose one, but I am glad for the abundance of good community right around the corner.

Low: Not being from here. Most people are from the area, and even if they’ve moved, it’s been so long they’ve forgotten the lessons. Like radiator heat. I had to learn on my own what to look for when apartment searching, whether the radiator is broken or okay.

High: Driving. It never takes long to get anywhere, as long as the time of day is right. Mostly, I’m just glad all the roads are paved. It saves me on washing the car so much, but also saves my shocks from the washboards. I probably save some dentist work too from the lack of teeth rattling too.

Low: Parking. I have to look at a website before venturing anywhere to see where the closest—free—parking is located. Parking on the street is new for me. I fret about whether my car will be stolen overnight, or I’ll see the side view mirror hanging because the streets are narrow, or I will I find a ticket on my windshield. What’s parallel parking? And oh vey! the prices on parking passes can suck the life out of your budget. I miss the small town for it’s traffic, or rather, lack-thereof.

High: Peers. Where I attended church, the closest person in my age group was either 18 (living at home because they haven’t graduated yet), or 37 (with a husband and children). For me, the 26-year-old single, it was difficult to relate to anyone. While I sat on a bus recently, I tried not to get carried away guessing everyone’s age, knowing most were around my age.

Low: It costs! Not only is the tax rate higher in a city, but everywhere you go there is a cost. Cost to park, cost to drive (in the form of a toll), cost of admission. A day out can drain a bank account quickly.

Living in a large city, the choices, the people, all excite me. Yet those highs outweigh the lows of parking, prices, and some other small inconveniences.  I think there are some who disagree, who see my highs as lows, and my lows as highs, and I can respect that. If that’s the case, there’s a town of 49 looking for that 50^th person again. We all have highs and lows.

Prayer–Squirrel!–Journals

This devotion is featured on Bible Love Note’s Journal Blog Hop.  Click here to view other blogs about journaling, and be sure to leave a comment to encourage the writer!

“Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’” John 13:7

Squirrel!  In the movie, Up!, the dog is distracted by squirrels.  He’ll be talking full speed when—Squirrel!—he sees an animal high in a tree and has to pause before moving on.

I find myself in the same patterns.  “Lord Jesus, I’m going to take some time to be with you today.  (I wonder if I should keep it short so I can still make it to the Post Office before work.)  I’m grateful for your sacrifice.  (Did I remember to turn off the coffee maker?  I should check before I leave.)  And I’d like to lift up my friend.  (I should buy her a card.  Maybe I can do that before the Post Office?  I think my prayer time should be over if I’m going to do that.)”

Part of the tragedy is evident.  I miss out on some seriously beautiful intimacy.  However, I also miss out on seeing God at work.

I started to journal my prayers.  When I wrote them out, I was undistracted.  Then, when a moment of urgency arrived to do something else, a squirrel moment, I kept another pad close by.  I jotted down the note, and returned to my journal and my prayers.

Years later, I am able to look up prayers and remember the outcome. If I hadn’t written down the prayer of gratefulness, I may never get around to thanking him properly. If I hadn’t written down the prayer about whether to change jobs, I couldn’t see the proof that I can listen to him on which job to accept. If I hadn’t written down the prayer of emotional confusion, I couldn’t see him weave that into my faith.

Jesus says that we don’t always understand what is going on, but sooner or later, it will make sense.  I love reading a past prayer and saying, “Ohhhhh, now I get it.”  But if I didn’t journal those prayers down, I would have never seen his goodness.

No one said the written prayer had to be in perfect handwriting.  It doesn’t have to be long, or formal.  The spelling doesn’t matter.  You’re the only one who will read them.  It also helps—squirrel!—to keep distractions at bay as well.

What distractions keep you from a fulfilled prayer life?  What squirrels contain your attention when talking to the King?  What prayers of thankfulness should the Lord hear from you today?

Names

“What’s the stuffed animal’s name?”  It’s the first question I ask a little boy toting around a stuffed animal.  Sometimes he doesn’t understand my question.  Sometimes his mom looks confused because the name randomly changes.  But usually there is an answer.  The toddler adores the animal and is excited to share the identity of his favorite toy.

I remember naming things as a child.  I still name objects I care about.  My car is “Vice” and my Mii character from the electronic gaming system Wii is “Mollie.”  I have the “Good Smelling Gloves” that hold the scent of my hand lotion better than others.  Sometimes I wear the “Fat Pants” or the “Hot Earrings.”  Then there’s “Mom’s Recipe” for lasagna, which I usually follow up with the “Fat Pants.”

Naming was important in Biblical times.  Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego were renamed after entering the king’s service in Babylonia.  The king wanted the three to forget their former lives.  So by changing their names, he changed their identity.  (Their Hebrew names were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.  See Daniel 1:7).  It reflected who they were, and also whose they were.

God took names seriously.  He changed Abram’s name to Abraham (Genesis 17:5) to show the world that he was the beginning of many nations.  Abram means “exalted father,” while Abraham means “father of many.”  His wife went from Sarai to Sarah (Genesis 17:15) since she became the mother of an important nation.  The New Testament showed people’s names as their identity.  Peter was the original “rock” (Matthew 16:18).  Jesus said he would build his church on the “rock.”  Names counted, and when a name was given, it was a clue into the identity.

What happens when a name sticks?  I worried about that when I discovered my name in Hebrew meant “bitter.”  I like my name, but did it reflect my character?  I hope not.

I hope not for Mary’s sake too.  Her name also meant bitter.  She was the first woman to see Jesus after he bailed out of the grave.  Silly Mary, thinking it was an unnamed gardener.  Until she heard her name, she didn’t recognize Jesus.  Her name was the key to recognition.  It was the moment Jesus adored Mary and identified her.  In that moment he also identified himself.  Jesus didn’t go to the mountaintop straight away and shout his name. He allows his followers to do that for him.  Instead we are to listen for our name, just as Jesus said “Mary” in the garden.  “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1b).  Jesus redeems Mary’s bitterness when he calls her by name.

And get this: Around the same time, Peter was probably still sulking over his complete biff of denying Jesus.  My reaction would’ve been similar.  Peter hid where no one could call him out. He hoped to gain respect back by allowing everyone to forget.  In the meantime, he hid in isolation.  But when Jesus called for his friends after the resurrection, he said, “Get the disciples, and Peter” (Mark 16:7, emphasis added).  Jesus knew.  He knew Peter’s tendency was to think, “Oh, he means get everyone but me, the one who royally screwed up.”  He knew Peter’s heart because he knew Peter’s name.  He knew Peter’s identity and personality.

Names give objects personality.  My car does have some vices.  My gloves do smell good.  And I’ve had compliments while wearing the “Hot Earrings.”  The “Fat Pants” provide roomy comfort when those “Comfort Foods” come my way.  God respects the depth of names.  He likes to use them.

When did God last call you by name?  How did your heart swell?  Did you ask yourself, “Whose your daddy?”  Listen closely, I bet you can hear the Holy One call your name.

Bible Love Notes Blog Hop

A Blog I follow, Bible Love Notes, is hosting a Blog Hop starting Friday, February 3, and going until Thursday February 9.  By clicking on the link below, you can bless others!

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Love Notes Blog Hop

A Blog Hop is like going to a book fair where everything is free.  You can view other blogs, learn new things, and leave comments to encourage the writers.  If you find one that is amazing, leave a comment here!  I’ll be glad to share the word.

Thanks for participating!

Hiccups

See this post at ChangingZipCodes.com.  It’s a wonderful site with some information that makes so much sense.

Cool, confident, collected. I kept repeating the words as I tried to pull open the door to my new job.  And then, hiccup.  I know when my nerves kick in, so do the hiccups.  Still, I kept moving forward.  Unfortunately I smacked right into a locked door.  Hiccup! I found the black phone attached to the wall to make an overhead page so someone would let me in.

What exactly do you say?  “Uh, I’m Mollie, I’m new.  Can someone let me…hiccup!”

It seems I forget the details during moves.  Then, I get nervous but I don’t know it until the hiccups start.  With this particular move I had started packing weeks in advance, so the day of the move was less stressful.  In my cleverness I packed too many essentials too early and I couldn’t find everything. “I’m doing good!” I had said to my cat, Charlie, as I packed out each corner with some underwear, “What a space saver I am!”  The problem was, each box had underwear in it, and some of those boxes are still at my parents’ house.  Also, if I could do it over, I would not have put the white lace underwear inside the dirty coffee mug.

I have a friend who is organized in her packing.  She numbers each box, and puts a star sticker on it when it is done.  The sticker is color-coordinated to a room, and the number is listed on an excel spreadsheet that is printed off and stuck in clear plastic protectors.  Each number has the room the box belongs in, its contents, and any special notes, like “open first” or “breakables.”  I wonder if I could use those plastic protectors to protect my underwear against coffee stains next time?

Before moving day I felt them coming as I packed my little blue compact car, hic…hic…hiccup!  My friend brought his large SUV which I also packed to the bursting brim.  Each car had a walkie-talkie and that was amazing.

However, my friend does not own a cell phone so we only had my cell phone. When he missed the exit, the walkie-talkies were useless since they were out of range.  I sat in my cramped car at a hotel parking lot smelling the cardboard boxes. I hoped he would turn around and find the exit. I faced the traffic light, repeating directions.  Everyone who as on that channel could hear the same thing over and over.  I hiccuped while I looked at the only cell phone, the only map, the only GPS unit, and the only written location of the hotel sitting on my center console.

My friend finally found me, and with a shrug said, “I got close enough to hear the directions, but had to turn off the walkie-talkie.  I couldn’t understand anything past the hiccups. Besides, I was filling up at that gas station across the street.”

The next hiccup occurred when paying for my medications.  I had planned on ordering them at the local pharmacy before moving so that I had a supply to back me up while I looked for a new pharmacy in the new city. I procrastinated.

It cost me triple what I usually paid, details that would have avoided more hiccups.  On the other hand, I made sure I was caught up on other appointments before leaving, like that important haircut and color, a dental checkup and a medical check-up.  Hmm, maybe the doctor could have helped with those hiccups.

I have found that my major hiccups, and the situations that resulted in those hiccups, are much better to handle with a plan.  So, plan for the unplanned.  Have extra of everything and a phone close by in each vehicle and a GPS app for it.  Take extra underwear, even if you don’t get it into labeled boxes with special stickers and plastic protectors.  Then you will be cool, calm, and collected if the hiccups arrive.

Seasons or Scenery

“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”  Acts 17:26-27

Seasons or scenery are the top two reasons I move.  I may be move because I need a change of scenery, but mostly I think it is because I need a change of seasons.  How do I know which one is moving me now?  How do I know I should be moving at all?

The Muppet movie where the crew travels to California and come across a fork in the road mimics my current choices.  The fork the Muppets saw, literally, was a fork.  Great for comedy, but in real life, forks have prongs that hurt, so I’m careful with my choices.

In situations I’ve come across, two signs in the fork in the road point to two different directions. One sign reads, “Move first,” and the other sign points, “Job first.”  Meaning, I either risk moving to a town I like (for scenery), and try to job search there.  I’ll personally walk into companies I favor in hopes for the desired impromptu interview.  Or the other risk is to wait where I am (in search of seasons).  I will pour resumes into the Abyss where my resumes might also see the Abysses’ city dump.

Sometimes I’ve chosen the Abyss.  (I’ve heard it’s a nice place in the fall.)  Sometimes I’ve chosen to wait at my current location for those summers I can’t resist.  Here’s where my Bible knowledge comes in handy.

God has an opinion.  That opinion on whether you go or stay is straightforward.  Seek him, find him, and then glorify him.  So, if I put into practice what Acts 17 tells me, I first will ask him.  “Do I stay, or do I go now?” as the song says.  He’ll tell you if you are listening.

Okay then.  The next step after seeking him is that I’ll find him.  Check.  Then glorify him.  Which leads me again to the question, do I move first and then job search, or do I job search and then move?  Which brings him more glory?

It depends on the situation. I can still glorify him in this scenery or this season.  The most important part is that he is close by us no matter where we are.  He gives us two choices of scenery or seasons so that we will “reach out for him and find him” (Acts 17:27). Pray lots, continue to seek him, find him, and glorify him in day-to-day living.  As time goes on, the answer will come.  Scenery may not change in the meantime, but seasons always change.

Couch Castles

“ ‘If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’  For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”  Isaiah 1:19-20

The two sat with their noses inches from each other.  The younger boy’s hair looked like he just came out from under the couch, which he had.  The two were inches from erupting into another argument on how their castle of couch cushions should be built.  And with the baby down for a nap, it was time to put an end to their stare-down tactics before war erupted and their pretend swords became real swords.

The following day, when naptime came about, the mother wiped down the ketchup glob and said, “You may not build a castle today, find another quiet game to play until Aubrey wakes up.”  Both the four year old and the three year old pouted with the best of the best pouters.  A sigh.  “If you play nicely and build a castle together, then you may play in the living room.  If you start to argue, then playtime is over for today.  Your sister needs to sleep well.”

The sister immediately latched on to this concept.  Without hesitation, she turned to the brother and said, “See?  Mom said you have to obey what I say.  We build the fort my way.”

Isaiah is a book that sometimes seems harsh and unloving.  However, each warning comes with a firm reason as to why the consequences.  God doesn’t lay down the law and call it a day.  He explains what are results of doing the right thing and doing the wrong thing.  Listening and willfully obeying causes blessing.  Rebellion causes swords.

In the story, Mom was sure to explain why arguing would end playtime—Sister needed sleep.  Building a fort without arguing would allow future monstrosities in the living room to develop.  It’s for the children’s sake that the rules are laid down.

However, I find myself with the same reaction as the elder sister.  I take what God has asked and force it into my own ruling.  I like to be in control.  If there is a blessing, I will rake it’s full worth.  I’m not obedient because I want to willingly do God’s desires.  I am obedient because I want the blessings; it is my way or no way.  My motivation is not willful praise, but of selfishness.

God doesn’t bless me for good works.  He blesses loving motivation.  He doesn’t want me to obey and then control the blessing so that I get what I want.  He wants to bless me because I do things with the proper inspiration.  If I choose to do an action for the wrong reason, then the consequences will be dire.  The arguing will start, and rebellion leads to the sword.

What acts of obedience is he asking of you?  Will you do it willingly, or begrudgingly?  Will you tell others to do it for you, or to obey what you want?  Take today to focus on what God has for you, and then do it for his sake out of love.

Two Arms

“See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him.  See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.  He tends his flock like a shepherd:  He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”  Isaiah 40:10-11

As my aunt continued to flip through the pictures from a recent trip to Yosemite, she kept repeating how she could see God’s glory in each part of nature.  But it wasn’t enough.  She didn’t want to see God.  She wanted to know him.  So he gave her a glimpse in the trees.

I saw the picture of the trees, and I though that in itself was amazing.  Of course, how could you miss a 257’ high tree?  How do you picture standing next to one?

The strength these trees have must be tremendous.  The wind whips at speeds through the valley like an Indy car.  Years and years of growth must form these massive trees to be so strong, so unyielding, so

dignified.  These trees are so large; a path runs through one large enough for the travelers who built the hole to pass through…in their stagecoach.

Yet these trees kept dying.  The park couldn’t find a reason.  Their roots seemed widespread, the bark tough.  Plenty of little tiny pinecones, but still, death came to the trees.

Researchers found out the tree root system hovers near the surface of the ground.  Although the roots held the tree and gave it life, the roots were tender.  People stepping above a root with layers of dirt separating the tourist and the root system killed the tree.

Isaiah shows two arms of God, as I heard Pastor say.  One arm is powerful, and has justice and strength.  The other carries the lambs and holds them gently to his heart.

Although the trees majestically ruled the land, their sensitive roots demonstrated a tender side.  God met with my aunt that week, not to show off his creation, but to reveal himself, the hidden side just below the surface.

Today seek out God.  Is he showing the side of justice, or the side of gentleness?

The Fashion Faux Pas of Faith

See this post at GatheringTogether.com.  Thanks to the editor, Kristine, who encourages writers from all different walks of life.

Mustard seeds make great jewelry.  I saw one in a store, a bauble with a mustard seed inside.  Around the outside was a gold tree, hanging delicately from a gold chain.  How precious.  The idea of a mustard seed inside a tree comes from Luke 17:6.  “He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it will obey you.’”

Well, isn’t that lovely.  Jesus gave a word picture that makes for nice jewelry.  And a great verse to strengthen our resolve.  However, this lovely treasure of a promise hides inside a lesson we do not want to miss.  More waits for you to discover.

Most assume the verse dictates you can do everything you want.  We are like realtors.  With realtors, it’s location, location, location.  Let’s replace the word location, with the word context; Context, context, context.  Forgetting to read the verses before and after can really mess up what Jesus is trying to get at.  So let’s look at the context together.

Luke 17:1-10 says, “Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourselves.  If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.  Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’?  Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?  So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Strange—Jesus talks about forgiveness, throws in a nicety about faith and mustard seeds, and then continues to talk about humility and servant hood.  So disjointed.  If I was in the crowd that day, I could imagine hearing the first five verses, then swatting away a mosquito, and instantly getting lost.  There were three different topics in five minutes of spoken speech.  What is going on?

Jesus made sure every word counts.  No word in the Bible is there by mistake, so some kind of link is going on.  In Luke 17, the link is faith.  Forgiveness is a set-up to understand faith, and the “humility” is more so on faith than humility.  Do you see it?  Read Luke 17:1-10 again.

In the first four verses, Jesus said to forgive those who ask for forgiveness.  The apostles loudly admitted that you need a lot of faith in order to forgive sincerely.  It is hard work!  So Jesus replied.  Meaning he didn’t start a new story.  He didn’t change topics here.  Jesus was still talking about forgiveness, but he saw that the apostles understood how important faith is.  In fact, he didn’t only reply, he confirmed that what they said was true and expounds on the subject by using the famous mustard seed.

If I can paraphrase this segment of verses:  “Yep, you need a lot of faith to forgive.  You need to believe that forgiveness is granted.  That’s a lot of faith, and that’s a lot of power!”  (And then in verses 7-10) “But don’t abuse this power.  You have to forgive with true intentions, and correct motivation.  If you take this newfound faith away from forgiving, then you’ll be like the guy who takes all the credit.  And that’s not faith at all.  Give the credit where credit is due for the forgiveness—your heavenly Father.  By forgiving, you were just doing what he asked you to do.”

So you see, the mustard seed is just a small point in a long list of the reasons why faith is so crucial in forgiveness.  The next time you pass that jewelry in the store, remember the verses about forgiveness, not about getting so much faith that you can do the impossible.  Although the verse about the mustard seed denotes that you can do the impossible with faith, you have to give the credit to the one who instills that power via your faith.  Who cares what you do with your faith, as long as it is in the Father’s will, and not your own.

So have some faith, you can forgive.  If you can forgive, you have faith and will naturally give credit to God.  That’s the lesson of the mustard seed.