Hidden things pt. 2

Last winter, we made Terminix crazy complaining about the mice that we simply could not get rid of. We found them everywhere..hallway, den, living room, and office. Everywhere, that is, but the kitchen.

For you faithful readers, yes, I have a cat. Problem: he thinks mice are to play with. So he would chase them into the closet in my office and them meow at the closet door. He finally learned how to get the sliding door open just enough to get stuck in the closet because one door does not have the floor bracket to keep it from swinging. I spent the winter letting the cat out of the office closet never thinking that he was chasing his mice in there.

Yesterday, I decided to clean the cabinets and stuff more steel wool in the two holes that the mice use to come in. You see, the wiring for my electric stove comes directly through the floor of one of my cabinets, as well as the hole for the plumbing that comes through the floor of the cabinet under the sink (the house came that way). It was also necessary to remove all the "evidence" of their presence in my cabinets.

As I cleaned the little-used cabinet next to the stove, I come across this furry mass in the corner of the half shelf in the top of that cabinet. Yep, I found a field mouse nest. They had apparently pulled out just enough steel wool to gain access to that cabinet and decided to set up housekeeping inside instead of under the house. I mean, after all, why have babies in the cold when you can have them in a nice, heated cabinet?

Now, personally, I HATE mice. Note I said "hate" not "fear." I am not afraid of them because they are sooooo very cute. However, I hate them because they make messes I have to clean up and they run or jump past you when you least expect it. Also they breed like...well...like mice. A female mouse can get pregnant again right after she gives birth to a litter. So if you see a mouse remember, there is probably not just "a mouse" but "many mice" running around. Otherwise you would never see one.

Just like my little mouse nest hidden in the back corner of an unused cabinet, sin can hide in a nice, warm, dark corner of our lives. We talk jokingly about our "pet vices" like they are not a serious problem.

Well, our "pet vices" are like my "pet mice". They get in the dark, unused (hardened) part of our heart and start to breed. Sin does not breed slowly. It breeds like the mice. As soon as sin gives "birth" to a litter of other "small sins", it immediately gets pregnant and not only begins to take over your life, but they also leave "messes" behind that will someday have to be cleaned up. And remember, there is never "just one" sin. Once you notice the sin, I can personally guarantee there are many, many more that the one sin has give birth to.

So before we pass judgment on those that have committed what we call "big sins" we need to take a good look at our heart. For in God's eyes, sin is sin. There are no big or little sins.

The Bible, though offers this word of encouragement to those who are believers ,"Therefore, do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in darkness and disclose the motives of men's heart; ...AND...(wait for it)... then each man's PRAISE will come to him from God." I Corinthians 4:5 (emphasis mine)

So we don't need to let all those "little sins" run around our hearts too ashamed to confess them even to God. God already knows that they are there! He sees the hidden sins and motives of our heart...ALL OF THEM. But even though He sees all that, Jesus' blood has covered them so that when we see the Lord, we will receive praise.

Now THAT"S cool!

Now it is time for me to go get some new shelf paper and line my cabinets AGAIN. I also stuffed some more steel wool into the holes trying to keep the mice outside in the first place. Kind of like daily study of God's Word provides protection from sin entering our hearts in the first place and like mouse poison, if we do allow sin in, God's Word will kill the sin.

Well, off to WalMart. I wonder if they make shelf liner that will keep mice out?? I might want to call my Terminix man and apologize for accusing him of not doing his job in keeping the mice out too. I never realized that I was breeding the mice INSIDE the house.

Hidden Things

Part of the description of this blog talks about finding God "in everyday situations." Last week I was working one of my word search puzzles about famous lines from movies. It was particularly hard because I was looking for two words at a time, so imagine my surprise when I mark one of the last two-word phrases and find "TRY GOD" right next to the answer I marked.

I blinked; I checked it...many times. In fact, as I completed the puzzle, my eyes were continually drawn back to it. Whoever or whatever had created this puzzle had put an important message right smack dab in the middle of my word search puzzle!

Now, I don't believe in chance, so I have spent the last week talking to God about why He wanted me to know this and I think I know why. I was relying on my own ability to come up with topics for this blog and I must admit, it has been a struggle. That is why the posts have been so erratic with some weeks having three, some having one, and some having none.

There was something hidden in the word search puzzle that I needed to hear. I needed to rely on God to provide the time and the topics for this blog. I needed to surrender it to Him just like I have the Bible study we lead on Thursday nights.

God lead me to the verse Isaiah 45:3: "I will give you the treasures of darkness. And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name." God has known from when I was formed in my mother's womb, what I would do for His glory. Now you can call that predestination or foreknowledge, it all comes out the same way...GOD KNEW.

And because God also knows I am hard-headed, He place that message in that word search puzzle when I needed it most.

Remember, as my oldest son told me once, "God never says, 'OOPS! I never saw THAT one coming.'" He is never caught off guard. There is no plan B if we sin by commission or omission. Otherwise Roman 8:28-30 could not be true, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son that he might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."

So when you come across a "coincidence", slow down and ask yourself, "Is God trying to tell me something? And if so, what is it?" You may like me find that God has been trying to tell you something and He chose a "coincidence" to get your attention.

Old Testament Challenge

I am sorry about the late post today. The website was having server problems and since they allow me to blog for free, who am I to complain? So I just went outside with my dogs and waited for it to come back up.

Here is today's challenge:

1. Why did Ahab not like the prophet Micaiah? I Kings 22:8

2. Who said, "I will serve thee seven years for Rachel, thy younger daughter?" Genesis 29:18

3. In Pharaoh's dream what did the seven thin cattle represent? Genesis 41:27

4. What scripture gives God's first promise of a savior? (hint: look in Genesis)

5. Ahab was king of what country? I Kings 20:3

6. How many daughters did the priest of Midian have? Exodus 2:16

7. Who said, "I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there?" I Kings 17:4

8. To what city were many of the people of Judah taken as captives? II Kings 24: 10-16

9. Who was father of all such as handle the harp and organ? Genesis 4:21

10. Was Solomon made king before or after David died? I Kings 1: 39-40

11. In what city did David first become king? II Samuel 2:11

12. What do we mean when we say that God is omnipresent?

13. What did Jacob make for Joseph? Genesis 37:3

14. How many men did God inspire to write the Bible?

15. What did God do to all the animals after the flood? Genesis 9:2

New Testament Bible Challenge

I am back and "no" the kitchen is not done. I had to have my husband steam clean our carpet so I got distracted in the den.

Now for today's Bible Challenge:

1. For what two good reasons should one be subject to the laws of his government? Romans 13:5

2. In the parable of the lost coin, how many pieces of silver did the woman have? Luke 15:8

3. Whose daughter did Jesus raise from the dead? Luke 8:41

4. Who said, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge"? Acts 7:60

5. According to 2 Corinthians 9:7, how should one give?

6. The words Calvary and Golgotha mean what? Mark 15:22

7. Who said, "Lord by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days"? John 11:39

8. Where was Paul born? Acts 22:3

9. Herod intended to keep Peter in prison until after what holy day? Acts 12:4

10. What did the power of the Lord enable Jesus to do for the Pharisees and teachers of the law?
Luke 5:17

11. Where was Paul let down from the wall in a basket? Acts 9:22-25

12. Which book sets forth the ultimate triumph of the kingdom of Christ?

13. For how long was Saul without sight? Acts 9:8-9

14. Where is the record of the resurrected Christ appearing to "Two on the Emmaus Road"?

15. What is the temple of God? I Corinthians 3:16

And that is this week's New Testament Challenge! I must admit, I learned a lot from just typing the questions. It is remarkable the references we forget as we grow older. Remember, next week we'll be back in the Old Testament. Same bat time, same bat channel (I've always wanted to say that !).

Still cleaning kitchen

Still working on cleaning the kitchen and have Bible study tonight. Hope to clean carpet in den tomorrow. See you on Monday!

Looking Up

Have you ever looked up in your house at the curtains, webs in the corner, ceiling fan blades, refrigerator (mine is full of science experiments jk) or just anything and went, "EEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWW?"

Well, that is what happened to me this morning. As a general rule I don't do a lot of cooking, In fact I wipe dust off my ceramic top stove more than I do food. I have cornices in my kitchen so I do not see the top of my curtains. I was waiting this morning for the tea pot to boil (I know, I know. "Watched pots never boil," which I have found to be a myth). As I was waiting, leaning on the counter, I looked up. What I saw disgusted me.

I have a long-haired cat that lives in the kitchen in the summer time and there it was. Cat hair all along the top every curtain in the kitchen!

I carefully took them down and threw them into the washer. With all the windows uncovered, the sun was streaming into the normally dark kitchen and, you guessed it, I was suddenly able to see how dirty my counters. windows, floor and cabinets really were. Gross!

So today and tomorrow I will clean my kitchen from the top down starting with the cabinets. If I hadn't looked up, I would never had seen the yucky curtains because they were hidden. And if I had not taken down the yucky curtains, I would never have seen the other yucky areas of my kitchen.

Funny, isn't it, the things that pop in your mind when something like this happens. The curtains were hidden by the cornices, just like I try to hide my sin from God. Jeremiah 17:9 tells me that "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?"

However, somewhere deep inside my being, I knew it had been a year since I had really cleaned the kitchen. I knew that there was hidden dirt there, but I just didn't want to deal with it right now. I was busy doing other "more important" things like teaching a Bible study, trying to start a book club, organizing a weekly potluck, playing with my grandchildren, visiting with out-of-town family, etc. I could go on and on just like anyone else. But I realized today that these were excuses I didn't want to deal with it.

Paul says in Romans 1:19, 25a: "because that which is know about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them....For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie." None of us want to deal with our sins. Especially when we let them pile up. We would rather allow them to continue to hide in the dark corners of our hearts and to deal with them "when I get around to it. Just too busy right now."

All that yuckiness was hidden in my dark kitchen. In fact, I preferred it that way. The same is true with my spiritual life. I don't want to see my sin. It hurts me when I realize that I have allowed so much to come between me and God. Confession is also painful because I have to admit to God that I blew it on so many levels and I disappointed Him. I John 1:5-6 says, "And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth." OUCH! God and John didn't pull any punches there. If I want to return to God's light, I need to confess, no matter how painful it is.

Thank goodness the story doesn't stop there. I will spend today, and probably part of tomorrow, cleaning up my kitchen and ridding myself of all the dirt. Then it will be sparkling and no longer in danger of being shut down by the health department. In that same chapter of I John in the 9th verse God tells us, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Just like my kitchen, we can clean up our lives any time and once again be in fellowship with Him. That gives me hope and motivates me some of the time to try to keep "confessed up."

Now, it's back to my kitchen. Maybe this time I will hang only the top half of the cafe curtains. It's just too dark in there.

We Will Never Forget

What you see here is a picture that I had gotten from a friend but had never hung on my wall. The evening of Sept. 10, 2001 I went and got a frame and hung it in my hallway. I can't tell you why, it just seemed fitting with all that was going on in the world. Little did I know....

September 11, 2001 started like any other day. I got up, got ready for work, and got to work early (about 7:30) to grade some papers. I will never forget the look on the face of my first student to enter the room that day. With a look of terror I will never forget she asked me, "Mrs. Nelson, did you hear about a plane flying into the World Trade Center!? We heard it on the radio on the way to school!"

I virtually ran across the room and turned on the television. There stood the first tower burning about 3/4ths of the way up. The commentators by that time had not found out the plane was hijacked and flown directly into the building. They were saying it was an accident. My heart ached for all the people trapped above the burning plane as well as those who had been on board.

I left the television on just to keep up with what was going on and I began our morning routine. I looked up just in time to see the second plane flying into the second tower. You could hear a pin drop in my talkative sixth grade classroom. I don't know which student it was because my eyes were glued to the television, but I remember the small voice behind me asking, "Mrs. Nelson, this WAS an accident, wasn't it?" Even before the newscasters said it, I told my class, "No, these are terrorists."

We kept the TV running and tried to start our day when the announcement came that the Pentagon had been hit with more images of people running and fires burning. Then the announcement that a passenger jet had crashed in Pennsylvania.

All schoolwork stopped just in time to see the first tower fall. It was a horrifying site on many levels- the firemen that were in there trying to save others, those still in the tower, the site of the ash cloud as people ran from it to keep from smothering. the sheer cost in human life. Not long afterward, the second tower fell as all 30 of us watched in silence.

We kept the TV running until noon. Sometime during that time, one of my students came up to me and asked to speak to me in my "office" (the hall). She was a tiny little thing for a sixth grader with dark hair and dark eyes. She turned those beautiful eyes, half filled with tears, up to look at me and asked, " Mrs. Nelson, do you think anyone got out? My cousin works in the World Trade Center."

I took her in my arms and we BOTH cried as I said, "I don't know, sweetie. They say there are survivors. Do you know where he worked?"

She pulled back, tears flowing, "Somewhere near the top."

I have only done this twice in my teaching career without asking the student if they wanted to. We stood there weeping in each others' arms and I prayed, not only for her cousin, but her entire family as they wait for news, because I knew it would take a long time to sort this out.

We dried our faces and returned to the room. I finally turned off the TV because the weight of what had just happened was just getting too heavy for me or the children to bear. We went to lunch and then tried to salvage the rest of the days lessons. It wasn't long before I realized that this was not a day for lessons.

We went outside to find almost ever other upper grade out there. They too had spent the day watching what we were all realizing was a day that would find its way into the history books. As President Franklin Roosevelt said on Dec.4, 1941, "This is a day that will live in infamy."

It turned out that my student's cousin had been killed in the collapse. I knew what had happened when a week later her mother came to the door to check her out of school. It was difficult news for my class to hear. It made the whole horrific scene on 9/11 more real, more personal.

On that fateful day, I went home and turned to my Bible for comfort. The first verse I thought of was ,"Jesus wept." (John 11:35) I went into the hall and stood and stared a the picture that I had hung the night before. I had had that picture for over a year. Why did I hang it the evening of September 10th? Was God trying to tell me or prepare me for something?

I wrote earlier this week about the pastor that planned to burn 200 copies of the Qu'ran and how it, too, was wrong on so many levels. I praise God that he decided not to burn them and put so many people in danger.

However, I am afraid the fuse had been lit. Last night on the news there were more images of angry Muslims violently protesting the burning. They probably are not going to believe anyone that tells them the burning never happened. To them, it will be just another Infidel lie.

We will never forget what happened 9/11/01. I bet that, if asked, you could tell me every detail of where you were and how you found out about the events of that day,

But we also need to remember on this day and everyday that, "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Qu'ran Burning on 9/11

It is not my practice to take on the "issues of the day" in this blog. It is meant to be more of a devotional experience. However, sometimes what is going on in the world becomes so alarming that I would be remiss NOT to comment.

By now we have all heard about the Reverend Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center (what a misnomer!) in Florida. We have heard all the criticism from the president to the General of NATO forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have heard from peaceful Muslim leaders how this man is backing them into a corner just like he would to Jews and Christians if he burned the Bible. We have even heard from his gun-toting congregation that plans to remain inside and "let the pastors take all the risks."

I have spent most of this morning on Fox News' discussion board talking with others about what is about to happen. Here is a summary of what is being discussed.

1. The major Biblical argument comes from Acts 19: 18-19: "Many also of those who believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of all; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver."

There is one major flaw in using this as a proof text. The people that are burning the books are the owners of the books. The some 200 copies of the Qu'ran being burned on 9/11 are NOT being burned by their owners, but by people who have now nor ever had any belief in the book they are burning, thereby making this an act of hatred instead of an act of faith.

2. They are protected by the first amendment right to free speech. That's right. They are. But I Corinthians 10:23 says: "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify." Yes, it is lawful to burn these books. However, it is not in any way edifying. Just ask General Petraeus. Because of this one pastor and his flock of 50, all the thousands of troops , American, Iraqi, and Afghans, will be placed in danger of their lives. The violent and deadly backlash from this will stretch around the world to people of all faiths that had NOTHING to do with it and disagreed with him, but could not stop him because of his freedom.

2. The Qu'ran contains the first five books of the Bible, the book of Psalms and portions of the Gospels. This man is willing to say to the world that this part of his Bible is worthless and deserves burning. II Timothy 3: 16-17, "ALL Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." If a missionary want to convert a Muslim to Christianity, he will use these parts of the Qu'ran to open a dialogue with him and gain common ground. And yet, this Florida pastor is will to burn part of the Scripture that he supposedly believes in.

3. There are going to be armed men both at the book burning as well at services.

The king of Syria had sent his army to capture Elisha. (Elisha had disclosed every military plan that the king of Syria had made to overthrow Israel.) The next morning, Elisha's servant awoke to discover that the whole Syrian army was surrounding the city where he and Elisha were. With fear, he woke up Elisha, and Elisha did see the Syrian army. But he also saw hundreds of God's angels surrounding the Syrian army (II Kings 6:14-17).

Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego: These three young men refused to give up their belief in the one true God of Israel, and were cast into a furnace of fire. However, God sent them some company--an angel of God (not Jesus!). Only their clothes that had been used to bind them were burnt in the fire. They came out of the fire without even the smell of smoke--or a singed hair! (Daniel 3:23-28).

Daniel: Daniel was faithful in his prayer life, even though the price for his faithfulness seemed sure death. He was cast into a den of lions (not just a lion's den, as some say). A heavenly visitor, an angel of God, came and shut the lions' mouths, and evidently tamed their nature, because there is more than one way a lion can kill a prophet (Daniel 6:19-22)

The Old Testament prophets did not need guns to protect them while spreading the Word of God. The angels as well as the Angel of the Lord (preincarnate Christ) protected them.

4. He believes this is God's Will. I can't say if it is or not. But , in conclusion I would like to offer up these verses of Scripture which are repeated in three out of four Gospels: "But I (Jesus) say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you...And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way. And if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same....But love your enemies and do good, and lend , expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men." Luke 6:27-28; 31-33; 35.

I know this is a controversial issue and many will not agree with me (they didn't on the discussion board) but I truly believe that this minuscule band of misguided believers are about to make a false statement about Christians around the world.

My plea is with all forms of media. I beg you, please, do not give this issue any more air time. You have heard from everyone from the President, to the NATO leaders, the Secretary of State, and MANY interfaith groups about how cover this even is putting many millions, possibly billions, of innocent people in danger. Are all these possible deaths worthy this man's 15 minutes of fame. I don't think so and I hope you don't either. Shutting down the media coverage is our only way of stopping him. Please, please do not cover this mania on 9/11. I am sure there will be many more interesting stories that day. Cover those instead and ignore him!

As Natural As Breathing

We don't think much about breathing unless we are swimming, snorkeling, diving, or having a "see-who-can-hold-his-breath-the- longest" contest. God created us that way. With the automatic functions of heart beating, digestion, and breathing located in the brain stem, we are able to go about our lives and not have to remember to breath. That's a good thing for me because....now what was I going to say...oh yeah, I am starting to forget things.

However, breathing is a necessary function to maintain life. God knows the importance of breath because when He created us, "breathed the breath of life; and man became a living being." God actually breathed our first breath and He will be there for our last.

Being in the presence of God all day long should be, well, as natural as breathing. Listen to this song and let your heart enter into praise to the living God.

Sleeeping Angel

Last night I did an "unnatural" thing for me. I fell asleep in my recliner (no, that's not unusual) with all my clothes on (nope, that's not it either), and slept there all night long (bingo!). Generally when I fall asleep in the recliner at night, my husband can wake me up and I will go to bed. Last night, I was OUT!

Now he "claims" that he tried to wake me up and get me to go to bed but I told him that I would come to bed later. The ONLY reason I know he's telling me the truth is because other people have had conversations with me while I was asleep.

Apparently, I felt comfortable and safe where I was. Much like this picture of my new grandson. He is asleep either on his daddy or his mommy with no worries, no cares, no need unmet. He feel safe and secure because he trusts his mommy and daddy to take care of him.

I can hear you saying, "That's because he has no responsibilities, no bills, no job, no children, no world falling down around him, no family problems" because I have said that before myself. But that is not the reason.

The reason babies can sleep like that while in their parents' arms is TRUST- simple, complete, unwavering trust.

"Well, I trust God to take care of me!" Do we really? Or do we sit up, wide awake, and worry about finances, jobs, school, family problems, etc. Are we like Jacob (Genesis 26) and try to work out a way to insure we will have what God has already promised us? Things like peace, met needs (not wants...needs), and even peaceful sleep.

Instead of trusting God we trust in ourselves (if you want things done right you have to do them yourself) to be able to do something to make our lives work out the way WE want them to. We don't care about God's plan or trusting Him to work out His plan in our lives.

We would rather stay up and pace, right?

God tells us in Psalms that one way to gauge whether or not you REALLY trust Him is if you can sleep as peacefully as a baby in its parents' arms. That's where we are isn't it...in God's arms?

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust" (Psalms 4:8; Amplified Bible) Give it all to Him and we would all sleep better. In fact, we'd sleep like babies. We'd sleep like I slept last night without even wanting to wake up and go to my bed. I was content right there.

Next time we find ourselves pacing the floor or aimlessly watching television in the middle of the night, let's remember to use that time to take a hard look at how much we trust God. Once we get over our trust issues (I have them too), I guarantee we will all sleep like babies in the strong, safe, loving arms of our Heavenly Father.

You Can Find Anything...

I am of an age that when you needed something you did one of two things. You either went shopping or "you let your fingers do the walking through the Yellow Pages." I guess I am still that way more out of habit than anything else.

I say that to explain why I have been looking for six months "the old fashioned way" for iced teaspoons. I have been to so many stores that I was beginning to think the iced teaspoon was extinct. (For those of you who have never seen one, it is a long-handled teaspoon.)

I use this utensil to stir my Chai tea latte every morning (I make my own, thereby, the stirring). We had somehow gone down from 12 when we got married 34 years ago to only 3 (go figure) and those of you who know me know how much I HATE to wash dishes. But there I was, washing iced teaspoons over and over just to have something to stir my tea first thing in the morning.

It took a while of looking and looking, knowing they were hiding somewhere because all restaurants have them, before it hit me. "Look on the Internet, dummy. You can find anything on the Internet." So, I sat down at my trusty computer and there they were...the elusive iced teaspoon. My search over I took time to marvel at not only how many sites carried the spoons but also at how one really could find anything on the Internet.

God is the same way. He still uses a phone book but guess what?? The phone book is on the Internet! And it covers any situation you might find yourself in.


GOD'S PHONE BOOK

Numbers to call when:

You are sad, phone............................... John 14

You have sinned, phone........................... Psalm 51

You are facing danger, phone..................... Psalm 91

When people have failed you, phone............... Psalm 27

It feels as though God is far from you, phone.... Psalm 139

Your faith needs stimulation, phone.............. Hebrews 11

To get along with other people, phone............ Romans 12

You are alone and scared, phone.................. Psalm 23

You are worried, phone........................... Matthew 8:19-34

You are hurt and critical, phone................. 1 Corinthians 13

You wonder about Christianity, phone............. 2 Corinthians 5:15-18

You feel like an outcast, phone.................. Romans 8:31-39

You are seeking peace, phone..................... Matthew 11:25-30

It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone......Psalm 90

You need Christ like insurance, phone.............Romans 8:1-30

You are leaving home for a trip, phone............Psalm 121

You are praying for yourself, phone...............Psalm 87

You require courage for a task, phone............ Joshua 1

Inflation & investments hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31

You are depressed, phone..........................Psalm 27

Your bank account is empty, phone................ Psalm 37

It looks like people are unfriendly, phone.........John 15

You are losing hope, phone........................Psalm 126

You feel the world is small compared to you, phone...Psalm 19

You want to carry fruit, phone....................John 15

Paul's secret for happiness, phone................Colossians 3:12-17

With big opportunity/discovery, phone............ Isaiah 55

ALTERNATE NUMBERS

For dealing with fear, call...................... Psalm 3:47

For security, call............................... Psalm 121:3

For assurance, call.............................. Mark 8:35

For reassurance, call............................ Psalm 145:18

ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY.

NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.

ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.

I guess it really true that you can find anything on the Internet. But it is comforting that God still uses books. I don't feel so old that way.

Every scripture is God-breathed and profitable for instruction, for reproof, and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action. II Timothy 3:16 (Amplified Bible)

Bible Challenge

I love to watch "Jeopardy" every chance I get. In fact, I even have the game on my computer.

Lately I have been appalled at the contestants that cannot answer the easiest of questions on the Bible. So I have decided to make Wednesdays Bible Jeopardy day. On Wednesdays I will ask 20 questions from the Bible and the place where you can find the answers. I will alternate weeks between Old Testament and New Testament and give you the reference where the answer may be found if you don't know it.

I think this may be fun as well as educational. If I didn't own the "Bible Challenge" game (which I found cleaning out a closet), I wouldn't know the answers to many of the questions. Here are this week's questions:

1. What did Pharaoh request of the Hebrew midwives Shiphrah and Puah? Exodus 1: 15-16

2. Where was the tower of Babel? Genesis 11:2

3. How long was David king? I Kings 2:11

4. Where did the Lord tell Cyrus to build him a house? Ezra 1:2

5. Who prepared a sacrifice and then ordered twelve barrels of water poured on it? I Kings 18:31-35

6. Who wrote Ecclesiastes? In introduction to book

7. Why did Joseph's brothers come to Egypt? Genesis 41:57

8. Who said, "Treason. Treason"? 2 Chronicles 23:13

9. Who was Absalom's sister? 2 Samuel 13:1

10. What happened at Jericho when the children of Israel shouted at Joshua's command? Joshua 6:20

11. Where did Moses send 12 men to spy? Numbers 13:1

12. What symbol of power was Moses known to carry? Exodus 4:2

13. Who were Noah's sons? Genesis 9:18

14. The name of which book of the Bible is derived from one of the sons of Jacob? a book of laws

15. Was the report that the Queen of Sheba heard about Solomon true? 1 Kings 10:6

16. Where did the Lord tell Jonah to go? Jonah 1:12

17. To whom did the Lord say "Get them out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee"? Genesis 12:1

18. What is another name for the Ten Commandments? Exodus 20: 1-17

19. Nehemiah came to rebuild the walls of which city? Nehemiah 2:17

20. What was the sign of God's promise that the world would never again be destroyed by a flood? Genesis 9:15

Like Jeff Foxworthy says on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?", "I know that's the right answer because I have it written on this card here." That is the only way I knew some of these answers.

Please take time to try to answer all 20 questions. It might be fun and we just might learn something (I know I have just typing the questions.). Who knows? You may be on "Jeopardy" sometime and the final Jeopardy category is "The Old Testament". You could win thousands of dollars. Or we may just learn a little more about God's Word. Either way it is worth the time.