the God who fights for me...

I love this...

I was reading the prophet Jeremiah a few weeks ago when I ran across a passage that referred to God as "the Lord Almighty." To be honest, it didn't resonate. There's something too religious about the phrase; it sounds churchy, sanctimonious. The Lawd Almiiiighty. It sounds like something your grandmother would say when you came into her kitchen covered in mud. I found myself curious about what the actual phrase means in Hebrew. Might we have lost something in the translation? So I turned to the front of the version I was using for an explanation. Here is what the editors said:

'Because for most readers today the phrases "the Lord of hosts" and "God of hosts" have little meaning, this version renders them "the Lord Almighty" and "God Almighty." These renderings convey the sense of the Hebrew, namely, "he who is sovereign over all of the 'hosts' (powers) in heaven and on earth, especially over the 'hosts' (armies of Israel)."'

No, they don't. They don't even come close. The Hebrew means "the God of angel armies," "the God of the armies who fight for His people." The God who is at war. Does "Lord Almighty" convey "the God who is at war"? Not to me, it doesn't. Not to anyone I've asked. It sounds like "the God who is up there but still in charge." Powerful, in control. The God of angel armies sounds like the one who would roll up His sleeves, take the sword and shield to break down gates of bronze, and cut through bars of iron to rescue me.
~John Eldredge

It's beginning to mean the world to me that my God is the One who summons His armies to fight for ME and rescue ME. This is all happening beyond the world that I can see, of course, but it encourages my heart so much to know that I am not supposed to fight for myself or come to my own rescue... there is already a very big Someone doing that on my behalf. I think I'm learning how to open my hands and let Him do the fighting... He seems to really want to do that.

explorers

I learned yesterday that my friend Karis loves exploring just as much as I do. Turns out that she has been searching for the old Mt. Holly altar for quite a while, and how excited was I to tell her that I FOUND it... and quite accidentally! So yesterday, we went on an expedition in Mt. Holly-- first to the Mt. Holly cemetery, next, to the altar, and lastly, to the old shed where an ancient witch is said to still live (we didn't see her!). =)

Here are a few pics from the adventure. (All pics are taken by Karis O., who is becoming QUITE a good young photographer!)

Brennan Manning marathon

I made a deal with myself when I finished last semester that this summer, I would read as many Brennan Manning books as I could. Well... I finished my first one tonight! Actually, I'm pretty sure that the book I just finished is his most recent one-- patched together: a story of my story. Man, he offers such an amazing perspective on who God really IS. I found myself sitting here in wonder, thinking, 'I want to know God that way...' But isn't Brennan Manning like 85 or something? Maybe I still have some time. =) And when I remember and reflect... wow, I'm grateful for the sliver of God that I have seen in my small 28 years. I can't even imagine all that is to come.

Anyway, he ended this book with a challenge that is just... beautiful.

Go back and live out your name; live like the beloved of Abba. Some may ask you, but most others will simply observe the way you live. Some will call you crazy, some may even try to silence your voice, but some will stop and wonder. Your courage in living as Abba's beloved can give others strength to do the same. For in the end only one thing remains--Abba's love. Define yourself as one beloved by God.

I suppose that is the whole point right there. Wow...

Now, on to the next one!

PS--I remember one of my professors from college telling me, "You become what you read." Wow, I sure hope that's true... =)

Mt. Holly is a cool place

Besides having a really neat old cemetery, I discovered tonight that the "mount" of Mt. Holly is hike-able!! I found a trail last week that I decided to try tonight, and before I knew it, I found myself--seriously--walking on a dirt path in the woods up a small hill, pretty much in my own neighborhood. If I closed my eyes, I could have imagined that I was in Maine... or even in the Alps! ...except that within about 2 1/2 minutes, I had already reached the "top"... =)

Cool thing though... I got up to the "top" and found this strange looking structure. At first, I couldn't figure out what it was, but upon a closer look, I realized that it was an old altar with the words "holy, holy, holy" inscribed on the front. Seriously. An altar at the top of Mt. Holly. I have no idea why anyone would build an altar up there, but I am so curious! I felt like I had reached some holy place or something. Of course, I was looking for symbolism somewhere and found myself remembering...

"Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then, you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- His good, pleasing, and perfect will." (Rom. 12:1-2)

I guess you never know where you'll run into truth... even if it comes in the form of a strange old altar...

the bigger picture

"We have no equivalent now for a Purple Heart of spiritual warfare, but we will. One of the noblest moments that await us will come at the wedding feast of the Lamb. Our Lord will rise and begin to call those forward who were wounded in battle for His Name's sake and they will be honored, their courage rewarded."
~John Eldredge


Thank you, Jesus, for the bigger picture and for the promise of all that is to come...

enjoy the fajita

"When you get to heaven, Little Friend, Abba will not ask you how many prayers you said or how many souls you saved. No, He'll ask, 'Did you enjoy the fajita?'

"He wants you to live with passion, in the beauty of the moment, accepting and enjoying His gifts."

~Brennan Manning

just a few highlights

Today, I am thankful for Starbucks, country music, Google, pearls, my sister, and Jesus... not in that order.

Starbucks... I think I've been LIVING on it yesterday and today! I drove back and forth by myself to a wedding 3 hours away all in 24-hours time. The words "extra coffee caramel frappucino" became music my ears. When you've got a lot of driving to do, Starbucks is your friend. Of course, I will now have to lower my quota for the next week in order to make up for my excess in the past 2 days. =)

Country music... Well, one of my favorite moments had to be singing a Brad Paisley song at a small-town Karaoke night last night. I wasn't so good... But then my sister and I rocked out to Big & Rich today... very fun. And Big & Rich also accompanied me on my long drive home. Their music is just so FUN.

Google... where would I be without Google maps? Never failed me once...

Pearls... it continues to amaze me what pearls can do for any outfit. I just love them.

My sister... We now have the memory of staying at a very "special" small town inn together. Weird inn, karoake, Raven & Angelique, Starbucks, Big & Rich, razor, dancing... only she will appreciate these things as much as me!

Jesus... I love that He can "take" me, all of me. I sort of had a yelling session--told Him everything I was thinking sort of LOUDLY--while I was driving tonight. It's weird for me to admit that... but I'm reading through the Psalms now and realizing that He's heard lots of yelling before He heard it from me. And the crazy thing is that it doesn't seem to bother Him. And I'm learning to conclude, as so many of the Psalmists concluded, "I trust in Your unfailing love..." I have NO idea where my life would be without Him.