Wednesday, February 4, 2009

My Fave Bible Story















Thanks to everyone who participated in sharing their favorite bible story or verse. Keep 'em coming! PLEASE!
Sorry it took so long for me to get mine posted. It's been a bit of a week.

Ok, First off ~ my favorite bible story right now is one that goes back a couple months to my last bible study. This story has stuck with me and I think of it often. It strikes awe into me.

It's from the Old Testament, 2 Kings 6:16-17. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

Elisha and his servant were being hunted by the King of Aram's army because Elisha, a prophet, was sending word to the king of Israel about the Arameans plans of harm. One morning Elisha and his servant awoke to find that the enemy army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. His servant was definitely distressed by the situation, "Oh my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
"Don't be afraid", the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."16
And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."17


Isn't this amazing? God opened the servant's eyes so he could see their heavenly protection!! According to Psalm 68:17 "The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands!!
Can you just imagine Elisha's servant having his eyes truly opened and seeing that their enemy was surrounded by thousands of thousands of thousands of God's chariots of fire all around them.

Can you imagine that you yourself have these same armies of God surrounding you, protecting you, and fighting for YOU. That we do not often see even a glimpse of the supernatural that surrounds us. Feel safe today and for all your time here, for I believe YOU and I DO have God's armies surrounding us .

As Beth Moore puts it, "...we have nothing to fear. The pitiful powers of this world are nothing compared to the armies in heaven fighting on our behalf. Fear cripples faith, but never forget - just as quickly, faith cripples fear. Whether fear or faith prevails depends on the commander we're saluting."
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On to the week, workouts have been nada after Sunday. Jack had some tummy troubles on Saturday. My parents surprised us with a visit Sunday morn. Jack was pretty much out of it the whole time they were here (started puking and that was that) so Mai had Grammy and Grampy all to herself. She made them both play almost every board game she owns. Grampy finally protested and would only play monopoly with her if she would learn her times tables (see above picture). My 4 y/o is now smarter than a 5th grader. Oh, and I just noticed we still have some Christmas stockings hanging around in that picture. I wonder if I'll get them put away before next Christmas.

Jack continued his illness to the extent of missing school M/T/W. This morning I asked him if he could handle sitting around watching cartoons while I took Mai to school (Dad was feeling tummy troubles himself and was napping). Jack said fine. When I got home 20 minutes later, he had thrown up and had fallen asleep on the floor next to his puke bucket. My heart breaks! I took him to the doctor who said that if we couldn't stop his vomiting with meds, then she would have us go to the ER for an IV due to dehydration. We picked up the meds, which must be VERY good, as the pharmacist asked me if Jack was getting Chemo! See, things could be worse. It's all about your perspective.

Anyways, Jack is now able to tolerate liquids and has a little color back in him and we've avoided the ER! He's even starting to plan out his foods for when he gets back to solids so I would say he's on the up swing.

So, although I DID make it to early group swim this a.m., I still have 2 bikes, 2 runs, and 1 swim to get in before end of day Saturday. RT might just not happen this week :-(
I myself had a bad cold Monday and Tuesday and that was the main reason for no workouts. Still felt so stuffed up this morning at swim and called out for being a puss with my breathing (in a nice way). But, Grrrr. I feel like I will never feel totally comfortable with any length of distance at any good rate of speed breathing every 4th breath and today it just took it out of me and I kept lapsing back into every other stroke.
I really must make the effort in this area this year!

2 comments:

deb said...

What a wonderful story from the Bible. Today was a big day for us and I called on that protection that God has for us. It's amazing the love that God has for us that he would provide for us even in the spiritual world -- solely out of love. I love that the Bible is there to show us examples of what life can be, that it's not a book of exceptions for those few special ones but for all of us that choose him.

Poor Jack. I am so glad that they were able to give him some meds that are helping. How seeing him asleep next to his bucket must have wrenched your heart. It did mine, and I'm just another mom. You all have been through quite the physical wringer lately. Hope everyone is well soon!
deb

Jessica said...

And ANOTHER wonderful story. So many of life lessons can be shared through a story in the bible.

Glad Jack is feeling better!
Jess