They first butchered the bull, then brought the child to Eli. Hannah
said, "Excuse me, sir. Would you believe that I’m the very woman who
was standing before you at this very spot, praying to God? I prayed for this child, and God gave me what I asked for. And now I have dedicated him to God. He’s dedicated to God for life. I Samuel 1:25-26 (TM)
What a beautiful picture of what our lives and offerings are supposed to be. Hannah was barren for so long, and when God finally blesses her with a son you’d expect her to hold on to him and not let go. But Hannah shows us the way. When God blesses us, even with something we highly value – we are to offer it up to God. It all belongs to Him anyway.
Joshua begins the verse with the message "you go ahead and do whatever you want – if you want to worship false gods, go right ahead" and then ends with this well known statement. It’s not just the declaration that strikes me, but the declaration in context of what everyone else might do. It isn’t "if everyone else is doing it – we’ll worship God" or "it serves my best interests at the moment, so we’ll worship God". Joshua’s statement is a commitment to follow God no matter the circumstance, no matter what anyone else does, no matter the cost.
Now, vigilantly guard your souls: Love God, your God. Joshua 23:11 (TM)
I find it interesting how this verse is phrased. We’re called to "vigilantly" guard our souls, but then comes the colon – and the prescription for doing it. "Love God" That’s how we’re supposed to guard it. Guarding is not a defensive posture (watch for this, beware of that, don’t do this, never ever do that). Guarding the soul is an active command – love God which motivates you to walk away from sin ("your kindness leads me to repentance"), love others and bear good fruit!
Now, vigilantly guard your souls: Love God, your God. Joshua 23:11 (TM)
I find it interesting how this verse is phrased. We’re called to "vigilantly" guard our souls, but then comes the colon – and the prescription for doing it. "Love God" That’s how we’re supposed to guard it. Guarding is not a defensive posture (watch for this, beware of that, don’t do this, never ever do that). Guarding the soul is an active command – love God which motivates you to walk away from sin ("your kindness leads me to repentance"), love others and bear good fruit!
Madison returned safely home from Thailand on Saturday. There were lots of tears and "maddy-hugs" at the airport. Madison was with her mom through the rest of the weekend, but we spent a lot of time on the phone Saturday morning and she came over to the house Sunday afternoon to show us all of her pictures and give us the "brief" two-hour version. The things that stood out to me (I urge you to get more from Madison in person)
Madison was not homesick – though she missed talking to people she knew. She was glad to be home, but God really gave her a heart for the Thai people. She said she could immediately get on a plane and go back.
Her team worked in an orphanage, a leper colony, and on a Christian family’s farm. They did evangelistic work with students in schools. There were several people who put their faith in Christ at their invitation.
Madison said they mostly ate rice, chicken and pb&j sandwiches. Though, she did fall in love with the Thai food they did eat. She got to try octopus and seaweed soup – mmmmmm.
I think most significant was to hear how God worked in Madison’s heart. She was convicted by the committed faith of the Thai Christians. I could tell that she came back with a stronger, more passionate faith and a call to do more work on the mission field.
Be vigilant in keeping the Commandment and The Revelation that Moses the servant of God laid on you: Love God, your God,walk in all his ways, do what he’s commanded, embrace him, serve him with everything you are and have. Joshua 22:4-5 (TM)
We had the opportunity yesterday to hear a portion of Madison’s stories from her month-long mission trip to Thailand. Wow! God has done great things in this young woman’s life. As I read Joshua’s command this morning, I couldn’t help think of Madison as we watch her "walk in all his ways, do what he’s commanded, embrace him, serve him with everything you are and have". It’s cool when you raise your kids to love God and follow Him and you get to see them embrace Him as their own and step out on their own journey of faith. You set out to be an example to your kids, and then they get to be an example for you.
Be vigilant in keeping the Commandment and The Revelation that Moses the servant of God laid on you: Love God, your God,walk in all his ways, do what he’s commanded, embrace him, serve him with everything you are and have. Joshua 22:4-5 (TM)
We had the opportunity yesterday to hear a portion of Madison’s stories from her month-long mission trip to Thailand. Wow! God has done great things in this young woman’s life. As I read Joshua’s command this morning, I couldn’t help think of Madison as we watch her "walk in all his ways, do what he’s commanded, embrace him, serve him with everything you are and have". It’s cool when you raise your kids to love God and follow Him and you get to see them embrace Him as their own and step out on their own journey of faith. You set out to be an example to your kids, and then they get to be an example for you.
Got a voice mail from Madison last night about 5:00. She’s back in Dallas safely. She’ll spend today (Fri) at the Global Expeditions headquarters in Tyler, TX and then fly to Des Moines tomorrow. She should get in just before noon.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and encouragement. I can’t wait to hear all about it and see all the pictures 🙂
