At It Again - Devotionals from MY Bible - Day 2

Genesis 5:24 - Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
Genesis 5 - Adam: 930 years, Seth: 912 years, Enosh: 905 years, Kenan: 910 years, Mahalalel: 895 years, Jared: 962 years, Enoch: 365 years; Methuselah: 969 years, & Lamech: 777 years

     We humans put a lot of weight on numbers.  We need to stay in the black, out of the red.  We like to see how much money we earn or are worth. We like to know how old someone is at his/her birthday celebration. We like to know how many miles to the gallon we get. We like to know how much something costs or how it has appreciated in value.  We like to know how many years apart couples are and what drew them together. When we're little kids we want to know "How many?"
     It's funny to think that the God of the universe who is timeless would make humans and watch us obsess about time and numbers.  So, I've highlighted the numbers above in my Bible because it blows my mind that humans used to live that long.  We consider it a miracle these days if someone lives to be 100.  But 969 years old!
      Now there's lots of talk around what God sees as a day or a year verses what man sees as a day or year.  I've heard speculation that 1 human day is 1 year for God, or 100 years for him, or even 1000 years for him.  I've also heard speculation in the opposite that 1 human year is 1 day for God, or 100 years is 1 day, or even 1000 years is 1 day for him.
     Time does not concern me.  However, I like to have fun with numbers:  The average human life expectancy is around 70 years old today (give or take for those who want to be exact).  That means that 35 is the "middle" of your life.  Typically today couples are waiting longer to have kids, so around 30 is about average.  We live for 30 years, have kids, then age...respectively.
      During the life and times of these men, the numbers can be drastically different.  The average human life expectancy then was 847 years old.  "Middle" aged was 424 years old!!!!  So, the time to start having kids, comparatively with today's averages, would be 419 years old!!!  Can you even conceive such a thing?!
      Now, while these numbers are HUGE, know that they must have aged like we age now.  Because at the age of 65, both Mahalalel and Enoch began having children.  If they didn't age like we age, that would have been like a 9 year old dad.  So, we must assume that in some respects they aged like us.  Perhaps for them, 65 was the new 30?
      Anyway you slice the numbers, it is remarkable to me that at one time, the followers of God walked the earth for so long.  It's an amazing thing to speak with someone who is 80-100 years old to see how much things changed.  Can you image the change these men got to see?  Moving on...

Genesis 5:24 - Imagine walking with God.  What does your mind's eye capture?  Is he young or old? Is he clean shaven or neatly trimmed or scraggly looking?  Does he put you at ease or make your nervous?  Is it like being with an old friend or a new acquaintance?  Is there a brilliant radiating light or is it just "normal"?
     The previous verse states that Enoch walked with God for 300 years.  What did he do for his first 65?  Was he a sinner or perfect?  I like to think he was like me...a human sinner in need of redemption.  It took him 65 years and a kid to find God.  Not too shabby!  Then he walked with God for 300 years.  I'd like to think that this relationship is similar to that of Adam and Eve's before their fall.  It was an open, happy, beautifully working relationship.  Enoch would talk, God would listen and vice versa.  It must have been a great thing.
      Even more inspiring is the fact that he was taken away by God.  He didn't have to see that final sleep.  He didn't have to die that death and be buried in the ground or a tomb.  No!  He got to walk with God and then God put His around Enoch and said, "Come on, buddy.  It's time to go home."  Wow!
      In my mind's eye, I picture it similar to the final calling of the faithful to Christ.  You know, how the picture comes to mind that everyone who believes and is saved just disappears?!  But the other half of me tries to cope with how his family must have felt.  I mean, dying of old age at least allows you to say "Good-bye" to your loved ones.  You can bestow your blessing on them, hug them, hold them, comfort them while they try to do the same to you.  How must if have been for Enoch's family?

     Today's devotional is not about having the answers.  I'm human. I'm not in seminary nor have I studied any seminary classes. I try to listen to God and dole out some of the wisdom he has bestowed on me.  If you want answers to any of the things swimming in your head, seek God.  He's got all the answers.  Begin a relationship with Him.  Walk with Him daily.  Read His word daily.  Ask a preacher or teacher of the "Law" for help.
     Let the questions of my devotional swim for a while.  I think God leaves things open because were not supposed to fully understand them.  Ah, the great mystery writer, He is!

Tomorrow's Verses:
    Genesis 6:8 - But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
    Genesis 6:22 - Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
    Genesis 8:22 - "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter,   day and night will never cease."

Enjoy!

At It Again - Devotionals from MY Bible

     So, it's been FOREVER since I've posted anything and again, I've decided to do devotionals.  This time, with a twist!  I'm a person who has read the Bible on several occasions, sought it out to find answers when I was lost, just read it to establish a relationship with Dad.  In the many, many times I've used my current Bible, I've highlighted things that spoke to my heart, wrote myself notes in it, etc. 
     I feel that God is easier to hear, if we're allowing ourselves to come into the relationship with him...expecting him to talk to us.  Many people claim they never hear God or that God has never spoken to them.  But, I beg to differ.  Sometimes he talks and we hear then and there.  Sometimes he talks and we don't listen. Sometimes he talks, but we don't get it until after the fact.
     Below are just a handful of stories from my life experiences that show God does, indeed, speak...do we listen?

Story 1 - The 11 Year Prayer
     To keep the stories short, I'm only going to tell what is important.  My father was a Christian raised by Christian parents, baptized. He is a farmer, welder, was a Sheriff's Deputy.  He was drafted into the Vietnam war.  He saw many horrors and on more than a few occasions nearly lost his life.  When he returned home, he was "changed".  He had PTSD and basically said God couldn't exist and let the horrors of Vietnam go on.
     I was (just getting back to being) a fervent prayer warrior.  I prayed all the time...even in school, around my town, with friends, etc.  I was in a good relationship with God and often referred to him affectionately as Dad.  I could feel my own dad's hurt and need for affection.  I tried as a teenager to show him my love and that things will someday be right.  It just wasn't working.  So, I had to pray.
     I began praying for my father to come back to God in August 1993...I was 10. I had just met my best friend Becky and her family.  I had just come to the realization that God can do ANYTHING and even something like bringing my daddy back around was possible for him.
     I prayed for my daddy daily...sometimes more than once, but daily for 11 years straight.  Oh, boy! I got frustrated with God. Mad at God. Sometimes I felt he was ignoring me, but He was and is God.  He must know what he is doing.  Eleven years later (not sure if it was to the day or not), my daddy called me.  I was outside of the Red Lobster @ 95th & Metcalf meeting my friend Bre for dinner to discuss God.  I was waiting for her and floundering in my prayer as to how I could better help her.
     When my dad called, he said "Bubba," long pause which made me worry, "I got something I gotta tell you."  Then he broke down crying.  I was 21 and had NEVER heard my daddy cry.  I started crying...thinking the worse. My mom?  My brother? My neice?  What?  My daddy took a big breath, "Sorry for crying. But I knew you'd be the one to understand.  He found me, Bubba."  Now I paused. Did I hear him right?  Was this the same "He" that I knew? Or was it someone else. Hesitantly I asked, "Who found you?" "God found me, Bubba.  Hard and fast and I had to let you know."  He started crying again.  We talked about it, but I was very grateful that after 11 years, my prayer "itch" had been scratched.  Remember that God's timing is always perfect even if we don't understand it.

Story 2 - The Fleece Before God
     I liked Josh.  He seemed to like me, but he was very girl shy.  We always hung out with Bill Jr., Burnie, and Heidi.  How was I going to convey to Josh that I liked him?  Everytime I told a guy, the answer was "Um, NO." or it was a bad and sometimes bitter relationship.  I wanted something more now.
     I laid my fleece before God one night.  Simple as it was, it was a profound statement of faith on my part. "Dad, here's my fleece.  If Josh asks me out, I know we're going to get married."  WHOA!  Big statement huh?!  Marriage if he asks me out...hahahahaha.  I even laugh at it now.  But, it's true. I was ready for the next step in life and felt that God knew what he was doing.
     All our friends said he would NEVER ask me out because he was too shy.  On a Monday evening everyone but Josh and I had plans...Burnie was working, Bill had a date, Heidi and class...Josh and I decided to do dinner together so we wouldn't have to eat alone.  Afterwards, Josh wanted to drive the I-435 loop to just talk...needless to say neither of us wanted to spend a nice night at our apartments alone.
      Around the loop discussion sorta flourished.  It got to the point that I offered to set him up with a girl named Emily who was a teacher because he wanted to take a 3 week trip along the Pacific Coast Highway.  Fair is fair...he had to set him up with someone.
      "Well, I was going to set you up with me, but since you're setting me up with Emily, I'm not sure what to do now."  He replied with his eyes intent on the road. "I haven't done it yet!" I said looking at him with questions in my eyes.  "Well, fine.  I'd like to date you and see how things go, if you'd like to."  Glancing at me, I said "Sure." And we sealed the deal with a high five!
      That was in February of 2005.  In May of 2005 he popped the question.  And on August 13, 2005 we were wed.

Story 3 - The Elusive Elk & The Farm
     Did you know God has a sense of humor?  While vacationing in the middle and southwestern parts of Colorado with our friends Jason and Jana, Josh was ever on the hunt to see elk.  He loves elk and he rarely gets to see them in the wild.  We were on the last 2 days of the trip and Josh was really bummed because we'd been ALL over the mountains of Colorado and hadn't seen even 1 elk.
     "Maybe you should ask God to see an elk." Jana ventured as we drove toward Cortez and Mesa Verde. "Yeah, that sounds like a great plan, Jana.  Josh, maybe you should ask God. He's always answering prayer." I said looking at him.  "Oh, fine. I just don't think it will work.  He's probably got better things to do."  "Nah, he's ready for you." Jason said as the final encouragement.
     "God - Is it too much to ask?  I just want to see an elk. I'm not saying there has to be a lot. Can't you let me see at least one before this vacation is done.  Amen."  There...he had  done it. He had said his prayer and now we'd all wait to see if it would be answered in a timely manner.
     Ten minutes later I called excitedly, "I see an ELK!!!! Look!  There it is!!! And the antlers!!!!"  "That's not what I meant!  I meant I wanted to see a WILD elk...!!!" Josh complained as we passed the ELK FARM of Cortez.  Sitting in the middle of a pen next to the highway was a huge bull elk in all his glory.  Everyone in the truck began to laugh uncontrollably at the sight of the elk.
     "You weren't specific though, Josh. You never mentioned it had to be wild!" Jana roared. "Yeah, you just said an elk!  Guess God got you good on this one huh?" I rolled in laughter.
     I like to think in that moment, God was sitting upstairs laughing with us as Josh tried to find the humor in it all.

     Now that we know God hears us and talks with us, we'll beging the Bible study tomorrow.  I will being going from Genesis through Revelation study 1-3 verses each devotional.  These verses will be ones that I have highlighted or attempted to highlight or mark, but wasn't successful in.
     Tomorrow, we will be looking at the following verses:
Genesis 1:1
Genesis 1:31
Genesis 2:18
Genesis 2:21-22
Genesis 2:24
      I know this is more than 3, but all these versus kinda sum up creation.  See you here tomorrow sometime for the continuation!

Enjoy!

A Visit From God

You talk about God. You read about God. You pray to God. You think you know God. But what a surprise to get a visit from God!
Near Christmastime, I had come home and just gotten dinner on the table for my brood. (It's quite a chore to work a 10 hour day and then cook a full meal for husband and koddos...I was quite worn out.) Josh went to the store to buy some more milk and came home just as dinner hit the table. He called me to the front room and pointed outside..."There's a girl sitting out there in the cold and snow...I'm not sure what to do."
Sure enough, outside was a young woman in front of our neighbor Steve's house. She was hunched over rubbing her hands. I asked Josh to get the kiddos going on dinner and I'd see what was going on.
I walked out to the young woman and asked if she'd like to come inside. She explained her ride was on the way and she'd be okay. At this point, it started to snow and I insisted she come inside to keep warm. I wouldn't take "No" for an answer as we were just the next house over.
As we stepped inside, I asked if she would like some supper or a drink and she declined. I invited to sit on the couch and prepared myself to listen.
I asked a few leading questions..."What were you doing outside in the cold with 2 baskets of clothes? Did your car break down while doing laundry? Were you out there long...it sure is cold?" I waited as she answered the questions, sidestepping what had really happened.
I nodded knowingly, expecting there was more to the story. She suddenly started to cry, breaking into a sob as she tried to explain through gasps what she was going through and the pain she was feeling. I wrapped my arms around her and let her cry while I rubbed her back and prayed over her. We sat like this, her crying, me holding and praying for her, for 15 or so minutes.
She looked up and said to me, "I know you're praying for me because I feel God here. I feel his love through you and I like it." All I could do was nod.
When she left, she said to me, "I love you and I know God is with you in this place and with me as I leave. I don't know your name, but I know you are love."
Now, you might say, "Well, that wasn't God that came to visit, just some stranger. And you let a stranger into the house with 4 kiddos in your care!"
But let me give you some background...Around the time that that this happened, Josh and I had just accepted CeKariya & London to our little family. Jamion and CJ were acting out because they were having trouble adjusting to their siblings joining the family. CeKariya was being shyly stubborn and spent every two or three nights just screaming and crying. London wasn't sleeping well due to his sister. On top of this, two of the kiddos were sick and Josh and I were starting to catch it. I was stressed at my job and weary of the lack of flexibility. Josh and I were straying from each other...little things that never bothered us before were causing us to fight and bringing tension to our marriage. We were also straying from God and church just seemed to be another commitment that was taking away from what little down time we were afforded.
We needed God. We needed to talk to God. we needed to read about God. We needed to pray to God. We needed to know God again. God knew just what to do. He put the young woman into our lives because He knew we would pray for her and in praying for her, we would come together and bring ourselves before him.
A visit from God is just what our family needed.