Father's Day

"For the word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two edged sword; 

and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  

Hebrews 4:12 ~ Douay Rheims version ~

I have read Hebrews before but this verse never drew my attention as it does now.  And just in time for Father's day.  I got my dad a Bible for father's day.  He has a Bible already.  A Bible I remember all through my childhood.  He would read to us at the dinner table with that Bible, he would take it to Bible studies, and late at night I remember seeing him read from it by his bedside.  But over the years the Bible has become worn and tattered.  In fact, the whole Book of Revelation fell out at some point and now is no where to be found.  I like to think that the Book of Revelation is in the hands of someone who really needed it.  However, since my family is doing our Bible study on Revelation I felt my dad really needed a new one.  He only reads from the Douay Rheims Bible so that is what I got.  I wanted to quote a scripture from it for him for Father's day but the trouble was picking just one.  I wanted one that summed up the importance of reading the Word of God and everything that it has taught me. And it came to me in Hebrews 4:12.  This is exactly what the Bible has done and continues to do for me.  The Bible, of course, enlightens and informs me but it is becoming all there is to be known about me.  It reaches every part of me and becomes every part of me.  The word has pierced through my soul (the eternal part of a living being) and filled my spirit (a force within living things), gotten into my joints (allows movement and provides support) and right down into the marrow (tissue that fills the cavities of the bones).  It has invaded my thoughts (organized beliefs) and intentions (goals) of my heart.  And I have to thank my dad for the foundation he has set with me.  There have been many trials in my life so far.  And there were more upsets than victories.  But my foundation has stood strong.  It did not crumble.  I only hope the foundation I am laying with Lane is as good.  He is the next generation of who will spread God's word.  I thought this verse was fitting for Father's day because of the obvious effect our Father in Heaven has over our bodies, thoughts and heart.  His Word transforms us and makes us who we are.  But one word did catch my eye more than the others, marrow.  This is the tissue that fills the cavities of the bones.  But it also holds the red and white blood cells.  This to me is what dad's pass down genetically to their children.  This is the best part to me because it is usually the parents who instill the beliefs in their children.  A dad guides his children like sheep to the Word of God.  We are all guided by the Holy Spirit and I am so glad I have my family to help me.  I had a great Father's day with my family and I am so thankful that God makes it possible for us to still get together because I still have so much to learn from my father.              

God is my judge

I have been reading the book of Daniel and I have really enjoyed reading it.  Daniel was stripped of his home, everything he had and even his name was taken away, but his faith was never shaken.  Daniel was obedient in every way.  He had such strong faith in God that even before he knew answers he knew he would be told the answers by God.  Then, once he was told the answers the first thing he did was give a prayer of thanksgiving to God.  And when he made known the answers to the king he first gave credit and glory to God.  How many times do we ask for things from God and then forget all about where they came from?  And how many times do we take credit for our works when the credit is all God's?  Have great faith and be willing to give your life to God and you will see just how much God loves you.  My favorite act of Daniel is when he was told he would be thrown in the fire.  Daniel was not worried.  He did not plead to the king.  He knew God would save him or he would be with Him in heaven.  Either outcome for Daniel was a blessing.  What a beautiful way to look at what seems like a very scary moment.  When Daniel was thrown in the fire he was not touched by the fire and an image of the Son of Man could be seen walking with him.  This must be what it looks like when we are in what seems like our worst moments.  A shadow of the Son of God is there with us.  How amazing is that?!  A life led by fear is not led by God.  Help me to live like Daniel.  Help me have stronger faith because I too have a shadow of the Son of Man wherever I go.

"I lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me;

and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

And His kingdom is from generation to generation.

All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;

He does according to His will in the army of heaven

And among the inhabitants of the earth.

No one can restrain His hand

Or say to Him what have you done?"

Daniel's name rightfully means God is my judge.  There are so many more messages in Daniel about the end times we will face and the Book of Daniel is very similar to the Book of Revelation.  God will judge every one of us.  I am happy to have the scriptures to remind me of what is important.