Thoughts From Jan. 1st - 3rd Bible Readings, Genesis 1 - 11

Did You Know???

As we've started this journey of reading thru the Bible this year, here's just a few things I'm looking at with fresh eyes, questions to think about, interesting thoughts & facts.  It's certainly not an exhastive list, wow, there's just so much packed in every chapter!

Would love to hear what you're thinking as you read, or maybe what you're seeing for the first time.  Please be sure to share your comments, questions, or thoughts as you journey through the Word of God!

There's such depth, amazing richness, to the Bible, no matter how little or how much you've read before, there are ALWAYS new things to learn.  Praying that the Spirit of God will enlighten our hearts this year, like never before, as we dig into His truth.


Thoughts from the first few days, from Zondervan Bible study notes & a few internet searches -

• Although everything else in the world had a beginning, God has always "been."
• Days 1 - 3 were "forming" days, days 4 - 6 were "filling" days, and on day 7, God rested, not because He was "tired" but because His work was complete!
• The present day Garden of Eden is possibly somewhere near Iraq, and there is a belief among some scholars that the Garden of Eden presently lies under the waters of the Persian Gulf.  According to http://www.gotquestions.org/garden-of-Eden-location.html , "if oil is, as most scientists believe, primarily decayed vegetation and animal matter that has decomposed, then this is the area where we might expect the greatest deposits of the substance we call oil. Since the Garden was the epitome of perfection, it stands to reason that the decomposition of the earth’s most perfect and lush organic materials would produce vast stores of the earth’s best oil." Hmmm...
• God put Adam in the garden to care for it, to work, He gave him specific tasks to do, He never intended for us to be "idle" & without work, though many of us probably picture the garden that way.  Just the same, we may tend to picture heaven that way too, but I do believe God might have something for us to do there, using our abilities & gifts to bring honor to him.
• Remains of Noah's ark were actually found in present day Turkey / Armenia areas in the mountains of Ararat, according to http://www.noahsarksearch.com/ararat.htm .  The flood really did happen, it's not just a cute preschool story, it's an amazing event in our world's history!
• The flood waters rose to 20 feet OVER the tallest mountains of the earth.  Wow, that's a lot of water!
• Noah & his family spent about 1 yr. exactly living on the ark, um, whew!
• Bible scholars are still not in agreement with just who the Nephilim were, Gen. 6:4, but it is a very interesting google search.
• The descendants of Ham, Noah's youngest son, included many long term enemies to Israel from the land of Canaan, and although many have read the curse of Ham to include former slavery, the truth is that Canaanites historically were of Caucasian descent (as shown by ancient paintings discovered in Egypt).
• Noah's judgment of Ham might seem rather harsh at first, but he was at fault for "broadcasting" rather than "covering" his father's immodesty.  Shem & Japheth were given a blessing for covering Noah & not disgracing their father.
• Ever wonder how people inhabited the entire earth, how they got there?  The Tower of Babel story specifically says that "God scattered them around the world."  Just how did specific people groups arrive to every continent around the world???
• I see so much about the character of God in just these first few chapters of the Bible, He is truly amazing - Perfect Creator, Skilled Artist, Breath of Life, The Beginning, Light Giver, Resting Place, Holy God, Provider for all our needs, Just, Righteous, One who seeks to have fellowship with us, Promise Keeper, Giver of all good things, Safe Place in the storm, One who blesses His people. 

Wow, that's just the first few chapters...there's so much to know about Him...let's keep on reading!

Time to Move Forward

Happy New Year 2010!!!

"Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." 

Isaiah 43:18-19

I love these verses, especially for the New Year - they seem to shout off the page - MOVE ON, move forward, get going, forget the past, don't stay stuck there, there's more ahead!  The Message Bible says it so clearly, "Forget about what's happened, don't keep going over old history.  Be alert, be present.  I'm about to do something brand-new." 

One thing I see so often about God in His Word is this, He's the God of fresh starts.  He's the God who loves to make things "new."  He's the God of redemption, the God of grace, the God of forgiveness, the God who doesn't repay us what we deserve from our mistakes, but instead, is able to use all of the difficult circumstances we've experienced thru life for a greater purpose, a greater good. 

Don't believe me?  Reflect on the many characters of the Bible who, like us, were far from perfect.  Many had made some pretty bad choices in life, but they also had one thing in common, they were able to move "past their past" and keep going on their journey with God.  Just think about some -David...Moses...Jacob...Paul...Peter...Rahab...the list goes on...yep, there were some poor choices alright, murder, adultery, betrayal, among others.

So, if you're still stuck in the past, beating yourself up for previous mistakes, come on, do what His word says, "forget about it already!"  It doesn't mean that all the pain from poor decisions will automatically disappear unfortunately, it does mean that Jesus Christ is able to offer forgiveness & to cleanse us from ANYTHING we've done.  He will wipe the slate clean, offer healing from the past, give power to set us free, and bring new life & hope for the future!

If you haven't yet, take the opportunity this New Year 2010 to talk to God.  Let Him know that you are ready for a fresh start in your own life.  He is with you, He is for you!  There's more ahead...keep moving!

Celebrating my man today!!!

Happy Birthday honey, WE LOVE YOU! You are truly a man of integrity & wisdom in so many ways, our family is BLESSED because of you, or as our kids say, "YOU ROCK!"
You never confess to being perfect, but you always confess to believing in a perfect God & He is MIGHTY in you! Psalm 1:1-6

Feeling incredibly blessed to be on this journey thru life with you!