Thoughts on the triumphal entry: Nipto.8.1

Dear God,

This week is Passion week. BK got all the scriptures accumulated, so we're going to do week 8 even though we just finished week 3. But anyway, I pray you would show me what you want to show me... my eyes and ears are open.

Lord, thank you for coming. Thank you for willingly going to J and willingly going to your death. Your compassion and love, your whole being is beautiful. I just want to sit and soak it up.

Love,



Matthew 21:1-11

Matthew is making the point that their King is coming into Jerusalem humbly. Not on a chariot, a war horse, or with his thousands of soldiers and captives behind him. He's coming to J at the busiest time, too... (Mr. M, March 28, 2010). But I find it interesting that you orchestrated all of this... but who started saying that You were the Son of David? Who started shouting Hosanna? How did it all start? I mean, you could have come in on a donkey, and people would be like, "Hey, it's Jesus! The prophet! Come heal us, come teach us!" But they started saying that he was the Christ.

Only You know how it really started happening, but I find it interesting how it all worked.

Mark 11:1-10

A lot more on getting the colt than on the actual entry. But even with all that colt stuff (You are in charge of everything and know what will happen), the thing that struck me this time was, Jesus did have an escort--not of soldiers, but of people. Who were probably much more dear to him than any soldier ever is to a general.

Luke 19:29-44

New stuff:
Where the crowd started singing and kind of why: Near the Mount of Olives, and because of all the miracles they had seen.
Pharisees indignant: Jesus tells them if they all stayed quiet, the stones would cry out--and when you are next to the Mount of Olives, that would be loud. So I guess that was his back-up plan, lol. Ok, no :-)
Jesus moved by the city: Even though they are shouting praises and pretty much calling him Christ, he's still looking ahead to the time when they would all stand there again, shouting "Crucify him!" and wishing he could show them who he was. But they would not understand. Everyone thinks the Messiah is going to conquer the Romans.

John 12:12-19

John is so different from everyone else. Jesus found the donkey. The crowd heard Jesus was coming and went out to praise God. And he focuses on how the disciples didn't get it at all. But hey, usually hindsight is better than when it's happening right then.

Interesting. The crowd that saw Jesus provide a resurrection told everybody they met he was coming. We've seen/heard Jesus being resurrected, and we're not telling everyone he's coming. Some of it is tact, or God is saying to stay silent, but other times we have plenty of opportunity, but we don't want to force our beliefs on anyone, or we're afraid of what they might say...

And the Pharisees despair...

Thoughts on forgiveness and Nipto.3.7

Dear God,

I am amazed at your never-ending forgiveness. You love me no matter what I do. So I thank you for that. I'm sorry. I'm trying again. :0)

Thanks for this time. It's been very good. It's been productive, but it wasn't good because it was productive. It was good because I got to be with you and you spoke to me and accepted me and showed me what's to come and what I need to think about a bit. I thank you for this time... Help me now as I go to UV and serve you :-)

Love,


John 1

1-18 AWESOME! I want to MEMORIZE this. Put that on my to-do list. It's really the most unique introduction to Jesus. I love it a lot. He made us, but we did not recognize him. That must've been ridiculous. Yes. This is amazing. Continue.

John the Baptist was not the Christ. He was very adamant about that. He knew who he was. He was the voice calling in the desert. We are not God. But we are voices calling in the city, in the suburbs, in the country, on the college campuses, in the slums, throughout the world, saying "This is the day of the Lord. Follow Him."

John B knew Jesus was the one who takes away the sins of the world! He told everyone that. We are positive. But do we tell others?

The disciples are gathering. How new and exciting all this was! I like the little exchange Nathanael and Jesus had. :-) And yet, he wasn't one of the twelve... unless they changed his name.

2

O Mary! Haha. I love the water/wine story because Mary's like, Jesus, I know you can fix this humiliating problem...

John's approach to this whole thing is so different from the other three gospel writers' approaches. We're already at the driving out the people in the temple--with a whip! Indiana Jones much? hehe. I absolutely love this. I totally get Ps 119 right now.

Jesus made all men, he knew all men, he knew what was inside them. He knew that men do not start out good anymore... John definitely focuses on Jesus the son of God more I think.

3

The only time Nicodemus is mentioned in the four gospels. And v 16 is probably the most popular verse.

I'm born of the Spirit. I'm like the wind. I do unexpected things. :-)

Just as Moses lifted up the snake, so Jesus has to be lifted up. I remember that OT event. Yes... Amazing how many times God points to Jesus in the OT. :-)

I really like this conversation Jesus had. It explains things well. Those who don't believe are already condemned. He tells it how it is and gives us an idea of the system we have here.

He must become greater; I must become less. More of you and less of me... Jesus...

verse 36 is pretty good too. Put that on the to do list too.

Proverbs 21

v 9 Thank you Lord for my mother!

v 13 Poverty is something we cannot ignore. Lord, show me more!

v 20 We have a basement shelving unit with lots of food hahahaha. :-) Yumm...

22

v 6 Thank you Lord for my parents!

v 11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. Like!

v 24-25 I get this one. Not quite from experience, but close enough. Lord, help such things to not rub off on me! Keep me pure and blameless in your sight, Lord!

v 29 I need to remember that college is supposed to prepare me to be skilled in my work. If it doesn't, it's not the right place for me.

Revelation 21

I'm in love. I can't wait for that time. Seeing that city! And God's presence illuminating everything...! What splendor, glory...

Revelation 22 Amen and Hallelujah! Yes yes!

Proverbs some more

23

Gluttony, stinginess, etc. Be generous with others, and don't crave junk food. Don't worry! I'm off junk food for now... eww.

v 13 There you go, hesitant parents. Remember that verse, and your life will be easier.

Only by the grace of You.

v 17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

v 26 is a good one too.

24

v 4 makes me think of a homeschooled house. There's little treasures everywhere.

v 6 remember that in college, Me. Don't feel like your advisers don't know anything--use them.

v 11-12 oh I know. I can't just ignore it. I'm trying!

Wisdom and honey ( or probably in my case, chocolate!) are both sweet to have.

v 17 coughmrsbennetcough

v 24 I guess it must be true... I keep reading that one. Well, Lord, I pray I never turn into a quarrelsome wife :-)

v 28 I feel a bit like that right now. I'm rebuilding, but it's much harder right now to keep out attacks. But we're working on it. :-)

26

v 4 coughmrbennetcough

27

v 1 Don't I know it! I don't know what a day may bring...

v 14 whenever I read this, I think of two people up at 5 am. "Good morning!!" cries the one, happily. *grunt* goes the other. Hahahhahahahhahahahhaha

Keep a close watch on your finances and don't think they'll last forever. Thanks for my parents again. :-)

28

v 27 God is so backwards. If you give you will lack nothing. Love it!

Thoughts on Passion week and the book of life? Nipto.3.6/Day 22

Dear God,

Day 88

Pretty much the entire passion week in one day. And some awesome snippets of advice. And the whole reason of the crucifixion at the end. I don't think I've ever concentrated this much on your death and why and the amazingness at the end! I mean, I have before. But I'm just getting saturated with this stuff.

And it's so beautiful. Thank you.

Love,


Luke 22

I guess the moral of the story is to not let Satan enter you. The other one is that God can always work through evil.

This is so weird. Mr. M just talked about the triumphal entry, because it's Palm Sunday. Now we're getting ready for next week. Right now. Just two millennium ago. This is weird.

Jesus was eagerly desiring to have the last supper. He was looking forward to it. I semi-know what that's like. It's like when you're on vacation/having a family reunion, and it's the last night and you're going to sing lots of songs and hang out and stuff. It's bittersweet, but you're still looking forward to that time. Especially when you know this is just the shadow of what it will be like in the Next Age.

It still is ridiculous. I know I can't really talk, because I missed yesterday's Nipto. Again. For the umteenth time. And you still love me. It's the same here. You still love them, even when they were wondering about who would betray you, then in the same breath who was the greatest. Again. Probably for the umteenth time. You've dealt with this before (Be a servant) but they can't get it. But he still tells them patiently. And even though Luke says nothing of it, you showed them what it's like. You washed their feet. I love you.

They went without purse or bags or anything and yet they lacked nothing. That is awesome. God takes care of them, and material things are not as essential as America seems to think.

Why did Jesus say they needed swords? No lo se'.

Jesus' prayer was ridiculous. An angel was there, he was sweating blood, and preparing for this ultimate sacrifice of love. God, I don't know what to say. That you knew it was coming, you always knew it was coming, you never gave up, you never sinned, you loved us anyway... Only You could do that. No frail human mortal could ever have done what you are going to do here. Even though Jesus had prepared for this his whole life, he still prayed to take this cup from him. I'm glad he was able to say not my will but yours.

The disciples were asleep. Matthew and Mark did not say a certain phrase, but it's really really interesting. They were exhausted from sorrow. They finally figured out that someone was going to betray Jesus, and they could tell Jesus was feeling down... though that's a gross understatement.

Judas comes, the disciples are like, hey! Jesus just checked to see if we had swords... should we use them?! Jesus is like, NO. This is what needs to happen.

"But this is your hour: when darkness reigns." These next few days will definitely be the darkest days since the beginning of the world, and it will be until the beginning of the end. They're also the most painfully glorious.

v 61 the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. That piercing guilt... I've felt a little of that. I haven't denied my Lord in that way, but I can imagine what it would be like to have Jesus look at you like that. Just a little bit.

So what is this, Treachery Thursday?

aww Jesus got Herod and Pilate to be friends...

People preferred a murderer to Jesus. Ouch. But it's got to be done. But ouch.

"Man, Jesus. These women are crying for you, and you tell them such depressing stuff! You don't tell them, don't weep... I'm going to conquer all of this! Lighten up!"
Or Not. You're God. You did that for a reason. This is serious stuff. I think the tree is getting drier and drier. Not so green anymore. Of course, we don't crucify people anymore. We just kill them when they're not born and cry about trees instead. Ok, I sound really cynical, but it's late at night and I'm just spouting out what's in my head.

"There they crucified him." Such a simple statement. Right now I can't picture the pain, the love, the wounds, the PAIN, the EXCRUCIATING PAIN Jesus is in right there. Lord, What?? Why?!

And yet you forgive them. What?? Why?!

You were scorned. People mocked you, yet you did not show your power and save yourself. What?? Why?!

Love.

This criminal who kind of rebukes the other... That took a lot of something. Not to just want the pain to end. To still be reasonable, and know that Jesus was suffering for nothing. No reason. Pointless... or so it seems. But really. That took strength of character.

And the curtain was torn in two. I still love that picture.

Joseph rocks. He didn't conform with the crowd. And he's honoring my lord. My master. I'm so glad he did that for my God.

He is risen. WHATTT!!!! How ridiculous is that! He was talking literally for once! No seriously... He defeated death. I have life. We all have life. Satan just lost the most important battle ever. Not that there was really any hope for him. But this is where the light starts shining with a vengeance!!
Awesome--that is such a little word. Overused. But AWE-some. Full of AWE

I LOVE it when you appeared to those two disciples on the road, walked with them, explained everything to them, broke bread with them, and let them KNOW you. How amazing would that be to have Jesus explain every little detail of how the prophets foretold his life. Just seeing the pieces click together... the illumination... I wish I could have been there. Later. Just wait, me. Heaven's going to be AWESOME

That really is good news. Now the disciples get it. Now the light goes off. Now they know soo much. More than I know. I wonder what is was like, having all this new stuff to look back on conversations with a new light... see where they were so blind... see how Jesus worked in each of their lives to get them to the point of telling the good news to all. How amazing is that! I'm starting to think that it's going to take eternity just to figure it all out!

Proverbs 20

3 we talked about this at Youth group tonight. Avoid confrontation.

4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. It's the season for plowing. I'm planting seeds of knowledge and wisdom that will grow in college and can be harvested after college in the "real" world. So plow now. Learn as much as you can.

9 only Jesus!

18 seek advice. I have. Now I need to sit with you and figure it all out. ERGH Soon! I'll carve it out sometime!

24 Things could turn out completely different and it might not make sense, and all but it's God. God never makes sense. Well, sometimes he does. But not really.

25 hehe... hehe...

Revelation 20

Woot I love the dragon in the Abyss... That's a very good place for him.

Is it bad that it's nice to have something to hate and not feel like... no I really should love everybody! There's someone I can hate! Pure evil. I like it. Hope that's ok? (of course it's ok, why wouldn't it be ok?!!)

Second death has no power over them. Can you just shout Hallelujah!!!? Tis soo amazing. I wish I could explain it more awesomely. But amazing and awesome are the only two adjectives I know right now--WHOA It's tomorrow now. it's late. Almost done. (I can do it I can do it I can do it.)

The book of life. My name is in there. Me. And my family. And some of my friends. And it's going to be awesome!

Lord... Yes, it'll be awesome. But it'll also be sad there for a time. People I know will be populating hell unless You can help me.

And you reply no: If you help me!

Thoughts on Alice in Wonderland

Dear God,

If I say nothing else at the moment, I would just like to say that Alice in Wonderland in 3-D was amazing. The 3-D ness was sooo cool! If C.S. Lewis is right, the difference between 2-D movies and 3-D movies will be like the difference between earth experience and heaven experience. But there will be a HUGE difference haha.

LOVE it. Lord, really. I'm in a weird mood now, and it looks like we're going to have a family night now, but I would like to say: You are my love. I don't want to forget that. I don't want to settle for less of who I am. I am me. I am different from everybody else. I am your masterpiece. You spent more time making me than those makeup artists did on Helena Bonham Carter, or those animation people did on the Cheshire Cat. You put way more care into me.

And now we're entering the Passion week. And I feel more like it's coming than I ever really have. Man, I can't say things properly. Usually I'm like, wow, it's Good Friday already! Sheesh... But I'm getting more prepared than usual.

Anywho, talk to you later tonight.

Love,

*Thoughts on LOVE, end times, and goofiness Nipto.3.5

Dear God, or my Knight in Shining Armour,

It's technically morning, but it's actually very very late at night. But it's spring break (!!) and you're worth it. So here goes....

Don't care about other people's opinions. Don't be hasty. God is leading the way. What do you want to ask him? You see Jesus? He's human and has a comfort zone?! Not by the way he's acting... Don't be hasty.

Love,



Luke 19

Oh no, I have the Zacchaeus song stuck in my head! Hahahaha. Woot Zac for being so generous!

So Luke ends with the talents story. You who are faithful with little, here's more. Well Done! That's what I think when I'm working at an almost-minimum-wage job :-)

Now it's the Passion. Awesome. That starts on Sunday here too... I wonder if it was snowing here when Jesus was carrying his cross.... That's a really weird thought... huh. (it's snowing here right now)

God, I pray that I would see Your coming. How you're working here on earth. How you're coming into each person's life. Lord, let me recognize it. I don't want to be blind to You.

And then Jesus drives out the money changers. Luke doesn't mention the whip. I think only John does... hmm... It's an awesome piece of knowledge. I wonder if God would give me whip lessons in heave, but we'd never need to use it, right? haha. I'm in a weird mood. It's late at night. (and it's kinda without permisson... or censure... hmm...)

Luke 20
Jesus is really quite the smart guy. Oh wait, that shouldn't surprise me. But that's a smart question to ask the Pharisees: John's baptism... what do you think? So there are times when you can choose not to answer a question.... good to keep in mind. I mean, keep with the spirit, me, but hey, good to remember, no?

I wonder- WHOA I just had a thought. Jesus had a comfort zone. He's human, right? He must have had a comfort zone. So like, all this time he's been acting on his God side, but he's got a comfort zone. God, show me what it was like to step out time and time and time again and say the gutsy thing, or do the crazy thing, hang out with the wrong people, etc. Lord, how often did you have butterflies in your stomach? Wow...

I was just going to say, it was pretty gutsy of Jesus to tell a parable about the Pharisees... 'course, he knew time was running out, so it wasn't like he had a life to worry about...

And so they try to test him. But Jesus is awesome, and God, and the bible says don't test your awesome God. Or something like that.

Dear sister: Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and God what is God's. He he

I've always wondered if that woman was intentionally doing something to all her husbands... or just a bad cook? I dunno...

If I could ask Jesus any question, what would it be?
Holy smokes, I gotta think about that for a bit... I might have to give me a few days...

Luke 21
Even when you have little, if you are generous with it, then God sees and smiles. That's enough.

I really don't want to be on earth at the end of the age. Lord, do you think you could... wait?? <:-)
I feel selfish, but that's honestly what I think whenever I read about the end times on earth...

17All men will hate you because of me. 19 By standing firm you will gain life.
What would my life be like if I took the hatred of the world for granted and did not look for acceptance. What would my life be like if I God was all that mattered and I honestly DIDN"T CARE WHAT OTHERS THOUGHT OF ME??? Do I do that? No. People's opinions are way too important to me. Help?!

Proverbs 19

2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. Soo... if need be, take more than 4 years of college? Just a thought... Other ways to use this. careful consideration of what college to go to... not just jumping to conclusions and be hasty and miss the way? The destination might be the same place, but the path taken will be different. Careful.

14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a Prudent Wife is from the LORD. Or an Awesome Husband.

21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. SO true!

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. Ok, so I am definitely going to rest content and untouched by trouble tonight. I actually am doing the right thing and loving God more than sleep.... hehehehe I'm not going to wake up content, but that's a different story...

Revelation 19

So I pray to be NOT on earth when the end times come, yet they couldn't come quick enough, because after that is a God party/feast in heaven!!! And a wedding. Awwwww

Heaven standing open. What a GLORIOUS sight!

The rider on the White Horse. My Knight in Shining Armour! I love him. He's my light. I love you!!!!!

Hallelujah!

Thoughts on God's Word Nipto.3.4

Dear God,

Nice idea of turning the cd back on, thanks for that.

It's still late in the morning. Oh well.

Thank you for showing us the end, so we don't have to wonder if we're going to win. Thank you for showing many very different things today. Thank you for speaking directly to me today. There were some thoughts I had today that only I could think, because of the different experiences I've had, that are unique to me. Eww I sound like a Pharisee. But not really. I'm not saying that my experiences are better or I have better insight than anyone else. No. Definitely not. But you have given me the privilege of reading your Word, which speaks uniquely to each person. Thank you for that power your Word has.

Love you!


Luke 16

I don't get the manager story, why he was being so shrewd, etc.

Pharisees love money. Not surprising. "What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight" Money. Fame. 'Beauty.' Bf/Gf. Getting happy the wrong ways. Success in careers. Perfect families. Best car. Best house. Materialism. Me me me me me me...

Hell is a real place. It's sobering. We forget about it a lot. But we shouldn't. It's a real place. We need to realize that a ton of the people around us are headed that way. Time is ticking. We're being thrown towards eternity. Which side? That's up to God, and us tools of God.

17
Forgiveness, faith, humility. Up-side-down.

I love that the Samaritan comes back, though I am sad no one else came back once they realized that they were healed. OH, one thing I noticed: Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priest. They went. Even though they hadn't been healed. I woulda been like... uhh... these flaky things on my arm are still here... didn't he forget something... But they went, and as they went they were healed. So there was faith that Jesus would do it for them, even though he didn't do it right that second. Interesting. But yeah, I love the Samaritan coming back. That's not a parable. That's real life. Hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee...

Pharisees ask about the kingdom of God. They are as impatient for the Romans to be kicked out as the disciples are! But they have it all wrong. The kingdom of God is on the inside. You can't see it coming. But it most definitely is coming.

End times will come, it will be unexpected. People will be going around their regular routine. It's ridiculous. There's no warning. But when Jesus comes back, you'll KNOW he's back. No guessing.

18
Oh yay. I love the persistent widow! She kept at the judge, and the judge granted her request even though he doesn't love God or justice. He just wanted to get her off his back!

Pharisee/Tax collector prayer. Yep. The Pharisee's prayer really was basically to himself. There wasn't much God interaction here. No talking to God. Mostly just Thanks for making me awesome. Here's why I'm awesome. That must be more loathsome than Mr. Collins! Tax collector was definitely focusing on you and his sinfulness. Knowing he's not awesome.

Jesus is a kid person, yay! :-)

Jesus told the one guy to give away everything that he has. Would I? If God told me to go sell everything I have, or give it to the poor, would I do it? I'm rich. I really am. Not by American standards, but by world standards, I am most definitely rich. I live in a comfortable house, my family has three cars, we have tv, I have a job, I'm going to college later this year. I'm rich. Could I give it up? I hope I could if God asked me to.

When Jesus told the disciples what was going to happen (Luke 18:31-34), I wonder what each side was feeling. If Jesus knew they didn't really know, and that was ok, it wasn't really time... I wonder if Jesus ever let himself feel lonely. Because only he knew what was going to happen at the end of his ministry, and his disciples didn't get it. I wonder what they felt. He spoke in pretty basic terms, but when you're on the up and up they don't make much sense.

verse 43. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. When people see me, will they praise God? Especially after God has done something amazing in my life, will others see it and praise God? I hope!

Proverbs 18
v. 9 THINK. When you are lazy, Me, you are just as well destroying. Don't be lazy. Not good. Doing nothing is as bad as doing something negative.

v. 13 Ok, I knew that one from experience. I didn't know it was in the Bible. I tend to answer people's questions, even if I didn't quite hear what they were saying. It makes for some awkward moments, let me tell you!

v. 16 Chinese culture right there. Bring a gift, and you are set!

v. 17 True that. That happens to me all the time. I'm like, yeah that sounds good... then I hear the other side and get confused. Yep. Whenever I try to follow politics.

v. 24 I don't know that friend. My siblings and I are pretty close :-)

Revelation 18

v. 18 That last bit is really creepy. And sad.

v. 21 Millstone thrown in the water by an angel, demonstrating the violence that Babylon will be thrown down. It's not going to go in the water like an Olympic diver. Think of the splash!

God, It's so refreshing to read the bad guys getting what they deserve... it doesn't happen much in "real" life.

Thoughts on sharing hearts, Timmy Powers, and Nipto.3.3

Dear God,

Day 83

I'm awake! I woke up to the alarm this morning! Yes, I didn't get to bed early, so my eyes are drooping, but I'm here. Take that, Satan!

So I woke up to "Share it with me" by Family Force 5 (Dance or die with a vengeance). I was struck by the chorus. It hurt. no, haha. "You've already broken my heart / I'd like to keep at least one piece / You can take all that you want / But you're gonna have to share it with me." I just think, how often do we think "Here God, here's my heart. Take it. Take all you want. But I'd like to keep this one part. I'm not willing to give that up yet." Then it's not full surrender and we wonder why God isn't so close. Definitely something to remember.

C--- hasn't contacted me at all. Usually he's always sending me a message of some kind. I hope he's just been busy. God, show me what I need to do!

Make every effort to follow Jesus. Humility. God's love for me is ridiculous, thank you for welcoming me back with open arms. Even tempers, use words carefully.

YOU WILL OVERCOME!!!! Now I want to sing that song. :-)

Love,



Luke 13-15

Jesus, there's these Gentiles that are doing despicable things! Yes, but do you think they are worse sinners than all the other Gentiles? No! Have you heard of Timmy Powers' illustration from LT? Oh, wait, that's like, 2000 years in the future... But anyway, no one is any better or worse to anyone else. So stop feeling superior and let's get on with forgiveness, shall we?

So there's this woman that's crippled by a spirit. I don't remember her at all. But what I find interesting is that she just showed up near Jesus. He called her over and healed her. She didn't call out, Jesus, come to me, have mercy on me, etc. He didn't ask her what she wanted. He just up and did it. I don't know if it's because he knew that she had manners? A woman would not be talking to a man. Or maybe he knew what she wanted and wanted to give it to her. Or he wanted to do that, and show the Pharisees that the Sabbath they had in mind was oppressive. Whatever it was, that just struck me is all.

The kingdom of God is invasive. mwahahahhahahahahaaaa

Make every effort to go through that door. But actually, I already did (or actually, he will do it soon haha)! you just have to make every effort to accept me. Ok, but there's a way this speaks to me, the lazy girl here. Make every effort to follow Jesus. Every Effort. Not just some effort. Not just most of your effort. All of it should be to please God. Some situations will take more effort than others, but use it all. Don't do anything half-heartedly.

Luke 14

Two dinner parties: One, you are the guest. Seat yourself in the lowest position so you may be honored when the host comes. But if he decides that that is the spot for you, is right at the bottom? Don't be mad. That's pride still. Humility is sitting there, and feeling surprised if anyone wants to make different seating arrangements.
The other dinner party: You are the host(ess). Invite those who cannot repay you. You will get repaid at the end, but you will also be repaid right there, by feeding people who need it. It is more blessed to give. It's more fulfilling to do that.

Hahahahhaa the tower story. There's an unfinished tower in Cuyahoga Falls that someone started but couldn't afford to finish. It is the ridicule of CF. So that is a truth in the Bible shown in real life haha.

Luke 15
Lost sheep, lost coin, lost son. Lord, how on earth could you love me that much? How on earth could you chase after each of us, to bring us home, to rejoice over our return? Lord, I know my idea of your love is minuscule. I can't wrap my head around it. But Lord, take what feeble thanks I can give that you brought me home.

Verse 17 "came to his senses" Yeah, I know how that feels. It happened last night, as well as the night before, the morning before that and basically every day of my life. It's nice to be back in your right mind, but it's also discouraging to see what you did in the meantime. Ok, I'm rereading that and it makes it sound like I'm crazy. No... Satan just likes to dull your hearing sometimes. Then you come back to your senses and repent.

Lord, help me be like the younger son come home. I pray you would keep me from both the younger son leaving, and the older son seething. (nice choice of words, God!)

Proverbs 17

2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. Proverbs is for the usual. When the father/ master is God, when the disgraceful son comes back, he's back where he belongs. (Though Jesus never says if the older brother had to split the inheritance again, or if the father wouldn't let the brother have any more, because he's had his share, he's got to suffer the consequences. I honestly don't know which You'd do...)

17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Not here. I am friends with my sisters, and I love it.

27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. I try to be!

Revelation 17

14 "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome[!!! :-)] them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." Hallelujah! I like this verse.

The rest is a little creepy/don't know what's symbolic, though he does explain some...

God... You shall overcome!

Thoughts on God's guidance, and prayer Nipto.3.2

Dear God,

Day 82

Even if I have to miss some AI, I'm staying here until I finish this. I really need to do something about that alarm. It's ridiculous.

God. I need to pray about college. I don't do enough of that. It's crazy that I think you can lead me when I don't persist in my prayer for it. I know you will guide me, but I am asking for your wisdom and guidance! Proverbs tells me that you're the one who figures everything out. Well, help me with this! I can't believe I can be so stupid!

I gotta keep my eyes on you, trust you, and all will go as planned... your plan, obviously, not mine. My plan will never go right. If they do go right, they were actually your plans haha.

Keep alert! Watch for the Master to come home! And know that we are in a battle. The devil is real. He is powerful, but there is one who is way more powerful than him, and there's no way that the devil can ever touch me for very long, because I am enslaved in Christ and there's no way that he's going to let me go. !!!!

Thank you Lord. Your love. You care about what happens to me. And you're active in my life. Help me see more of you. I'm so weak and so capricious, and I love to go my own way. I can be proud, stubborn, apathetic, and I can go my own way. But I also love you, I want to know you more, and I want to go your way. Deep down inside, I know there's no happier way.

Love,


Luke 11-12

Lord, teach us to pray.

Keep praying. Be persistent. You will get what you need if you are persistent, even if the person isn't even your friend. But God loves you and wants to give gifts to you, so there's no way you won't get what you need. I know what I'm getting A for her birthday, but I'm not perfect, but I can get A something she wants. God's perfect and knows exactly what we want/need.

Blessed rather are those that hear God's word and obeys it.

If your eye is on the light of Jesus, all is awesome!

Luke 11:45 Jesus... don't you know you're being callous and mean and offensive? Don't you know you're including us in that censure? It may be true for those Pharisees, but us experts in the law are much better. Jesus: oh, well, if you insist... woe especially to you experts of the law...

I hope no one died from the trampling. Of course, you could always bring him/her back to life, but it'd be better if it didn't happen in the first place, no?

12:4-5 I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Sometimes I dream that I'm running away from the bad guys, and it's hard to run and hard to breathe and most of the time it's like I'm running through water. I'm not terrified, because I know it's a dream, but I get scared sometimes. If someone were after me in real life, the terror would be overwhelming (especially if I didn't have God). How often am I scared of the devil? I mean, I already put some stuff into practice, knowing that God wins, the devil doesn't have power over me unless I let him. But I don't get scared enough for other people. I don't get scared of how the devil can pull me away from the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I suppose scared isn't the right word. "Fear" is better- the right kind of fear--almost respect for what the devil can do. We are in a battle, we need to fight back!
Rambling over.

A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. But how often does it appear in this American culture?? It's ridiculous! When you die, you're not taking any of it with you!

The Luke version of the famous Matthew "don't worry" section. The thing that struck me was he also put in the store your treasures in heaven, where moth and thieves and time can destroy it.

Live like the master's coming.

It's better to not know, and sin than to know, and sin. But the best is to know and not sin :-)

I have come to bring fire on this earth--I wish it was already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo. Jesus' whole purpose is the cross.

Proverbs 16

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. I'm submitting my college decisions over to you, Lord. Whatever you want. It's all yours.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Once again Lord, determine my steps, even though I have a plan. I'm up to any changes, or a complete discard of my previous notions.

Give heed to instruction and trust the Lord.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Listen to God and he will tell you if it's right, or only seems right.

Chance is actually God.

Revelation 16

Lord God, I honestly do not want to be on earth still at the end of the world. I'd much rather be watching it from heaven. But if you want to come earlier, I know you'll prepare me for whatever needs to happen. Still. Sores? Thank goodness that's not for me. Blood? Ewwww. Hail? That would be terrifying--one hundred pounds?!! ridiculous. But it's all you. Just stay faithful to You, and it'll be all good.

Thoughts on the thunderstorms... and potential

Dear God,

As you may have noticed, it's been a while since I've been on here. We've talked. Definitely. Just not here.

C--- is making me confused but hopefully you can show me what to say. I pray he's not mad at me or whatever. I hope I wasn't too bold. I pray this will all work out and it will bring glory to you!

Sooo it was fun at the Indian party. They know how to eat, and they know how to talk! Now if only they knew you, it'd be the most amazing thing to see... ever!

Work was good. Minus the missing out on the prayer time. I did a bit for myself, but it's not the same. But at least there will be more chances!

Lord, I praise you. You are simply amazing. Your majesty and power is shown through this storm. I love it! The first thunderstorm of the season :-) Thanks for that present.

And how did I almost forget! Thank you for Tammy Smith's Freedom talk. (Audio/Video, Breakout Audio, Launch Sermon Player, Honest Freedom). It's amazing. Lord, bless Tammy for her enthusiasm and complete abandon for you! Lord, I pray that I will be as wise and completely excited about You as she is!

THANK YOU!

Love,

Thoughts on a life pleasing to God: Nipto.3.1ish

Dear God,

I've decided that Finding Nemo is a terrible cd to wake up to. I sleep through it automatically. eww. I'm sorry this is going to be so short.

Help me to be looking for opportunities to serve you, I want to lose my life in You. I want to see others as you see them. I look at appearances so often, it's terrible. Help me look deeper. Help me just do life the way that is pleasing to you!

Love,



Luke 8 - whatever (Edit::: 10)

Verses 1-3 are new. He talks about how women are following Jesus: Mary Magdalene, and Herod's household manager, and many others. They are supporting Jesus and co. financially. And I doubt that some of them are rich. That's love and commitment.

Luke 8:17-18 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. How should we listen? Hidden things will be known to all. You'd think that he'd say Therefore, consider carefully what you say. But it's how you listen. Listen with a wise ear. Don't take everything at face value--see if it's true. If it's something personal, I suppose don't let it get to you until you know for certain? I don't know. I'm just considering. I don't feel like I have the right answer yet.

So the legion man. He gets cured. Where do the clothes come from? Someone from Jesus' part must've given them. (But Jesus said to take no extra clothes. Maybe this is before that or at a different time. I dunno. Maybe someone randomly gave someone some clothes really quick becasue God was providing. I dunno). I don't even know why I'm thinking about this... Maybe it was one of the women? Always has something haha. I don't know. Maybe.

The woman was desperate, and touched Jesus' cloak. But it had to be terrifying to tell Jesus why, in front of this huge crowd. And poor Jairus, who is told that his daughter is dead.... even though Jesus said, "just believe," that had to be terrifying as well.

Luke 9
Ahh see? Jesus tells them to take no extra anything now.... (But thing's aren't in chronological order. So I still don't know.)

9:10 Telling Jesus all that had happened must've been so much fun. It's fun to hear people's stories at LT of evangelism training. But for some, I wonder if they had to ask, "what did I do wrong that made that happen?" I wonder if any of them were discouraged because somehow they had entered all the unreceptive villages while others had amazing stories of how everyone was listening, etc. It's just weird to think about because that I've had that happen to me. I can relate. This is weird. :-P

I wonder if Jesus ever lost his voice?

Jesus, you're all up-side down again. Saving and losing lives... Help me lose my life in You. I can't do it by myself.

So Peter, James and John get to see the real you. The you that is 100% man and 100% God. Most of the time the God part doesn't shine through, literally. But they got to see that. How ridiculous.

So the Samaritans won't let Jesus & co. come through. The disciples show short-term memory and pride asking if they should call down brimstone and fire. Jonah much? Jesus was probably like, Really? I have been teaching love and compassion. I've accepted women and I've talked to Samaritan women. I love tax collectors and sinners. I've healed many Gentiles as well as Jews. No, we're not doing that.

So when Jesus is sending out the 72, he's preparing the fields for when they can be harvested after his resurrection.

You saw Satan fall. Waaay long ago.

Thank you that my name is written in heaven! It's crazy to think it really is. Next to all of my family's.

So you are the secret-keeper of the Father. Haha. And yet you've revealed much about him. I definitely would not say most, but much.

The story of the Samaritan. I wonder if any of the disciples were having flashbacks to that day when the Samaritans wouldn't let them pass.... I love this story. The S man is so... barbaric. And so You. Show me how to live like that.

Martha, Martha. Soak it up like Mary. Lord, help me be more like Mary. I'm a natural Martha. help me stop and listen.

I think I'll stop there...

Thoughts on forgiveness and Nipto.2.7ish

Dear God,

I thought I'd better do two Niptos in the same day. So here's another. Although it's late at night (and often without permission...)

God, your forgiveness and love is extravagant. Please reveal that in my life more and more.

Love,


Luke 4-9 (This is going to be crazy--6 chapters??!!) (EDIT::: Only 4-7. It's late after all)

So. You were tempted. Crazy. Satan tries a lot of things when You were the weakest--40 days without food?? crazy. And yet you withstood the test. help me with mine, please.

So you tell everybody about this passage in Isaiah, and how you are the One. Man, I got chills... And yet they didn't seemed too impressed. Astonished, in fact, that you could be the One.

And yet you went straight through the mob who's trying to throw you off a cliff. You got away. It wasn't time. People can live through a lot of things if it's not their time. (I pray that ----- can get through his situation!!! Please Lord!)

I love how the demon yells out your true identity, yet no one really picks up on it. You still deal with the demon. But yeah.

Lord, heal ----.

I love how you patiently tell the crowd that you were sent to other towns too.

Am I sent to a completely new town too? Or not yet?

You bless Peter with fish. So much that he calls for help to pull it in! Tangible evidence of your provision. And what does Peter do? He is struck by his sinfulness. He knows that Jesus is Lord. He may not know to what extent, but he knows.

Wouldn't that be so cool, to be catching so many men that you have to call to your friends to help pull them all into the Family of God, and help them grow? Oh Lord, give me a passion for catching men. Keep that image of soo many fish before me.

Are you willing?? (5:13)

Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Do that too. Get alone, and pray.

Luke 5:26 "We have seen remarkable things today." That happens a lot when you're in God's family. There's a lot of unremarkable days, but you never know when something remarkable will happen. God likes to keep you on your toes.

Matthew party. Those are always interesting.

They followed the letter of the law of the Sabbath, but the spirit was not followed. Rest, yes. But don't condemn when people do good. But Rest too. I think it would almost be better if us Americans actually had a day of rest, where we didn't do much all day. We would be so bored, but it'd also be good.

You have it all backwards, Jesus. Blessed are the rich, right? Rich in spirit. God, help me see the world as you see it. Help me see who is really rich, who is really poor. Help me see You in people.

God. What you just proposed is a barbarian way. Yet, it's meek, humble, generous, compassionate. I need to ask --- to think about me giving. Help me understand what you want, Lord. Do you want me to save for college or do you want me to go a more barbaric route?

So basically if a person has a bad mouth, they have a bad heart. Good to keep in mind.

Practice the right way. Don't play through the entire song, stumbling over and over. Go over different parts, learn each section, and soon the music will emerge.

7
I <3 style="font-weight: bold;">When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." Your compassion and love is so amazing. Would you please fill me with that? I want to show love and compassion to other people. I want to show them how You feel for them. I just sometimes don't know how. Could you show me?

Dude. You're a celebrity. Everybody knows about you.

Luke 7:36-50 is amazing. I love this story. There's so many things to think about here. There's the Pharisee, who can't believe this SINNER is here! Pride. There's the woman, who didn't care what people thought, but came and wept at Jesus' feet for her sins. Humility. Love. There's Jesus, who handles the situation awesomely. There's the story about "he who is forgiven much, loves much, but he who is forgiven little, loves little." And then there's the application. We've all been forgiven the same amount, some just know it better than other. So I guess if I am to love you, receive your love, give it to other people, accept other people... It all comes down to whether or not I know the extent of my sin, and the completeness of your forgiveness!
Oh, and there's Tolstoy's "Where Love is, God is" story. (I think it's Tolstoy).

Ok, it's late, that's a great story and lesson and reminder to end on. Good night, my Love.

Thoughts on Nipto 2.6ish

Dear God,

I'm not very good with waking up. It's not really a battle with the blankets--more of a battle of the determination. I like to make excuses for why I don't have to get up and then I don't, and then I don't really get to talk to you at all, especially now that I'm chatting with Brazilian guys late at night.

Anyway. This is awesome. So much stuff to think about. Jesus crucified, Jesus born, Jesus as a teen staying to listen to men in the temple. God showing favor to the unlovely. God is my fortress. God is preparing the fields now for that great harvest. Soon this will all disappear. Lord, help me to do everything you need me to do. Thank you for everything.

Love,


Revelation 14-15
It's getting to the end here, isn't it?

Revelation 14:15¹⁵Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe."

O Lord, help me be aware of the ripeness of my generation, and be ready to reap wherever I find ripe souls.

Proverbs 14-15
Verse 7 reminds us to limit our talk and time with fools. Just like what we learned at the Ignite conference.

Verse 10 is true. No one can truly understand what is going on in another person's heart because You made them completely different. But you "have examined my heart and know everything about" us (Ps 139:1). So we can always share our joys and sorrows with you.

Verse 18 the simple inherit folly. If a parent is foolish, they will pass that folly to their children. Example: Mrs. Bennet and Lydia.

Besides all the "be wise" and "righteous men will prosper" treasures, here's one passage that really stuck out.

Proverbs 14:26-27 26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. You are a refuge. You are a fountain of life. If I turn to you when I'm down, you will care for me and love me and give me wisdom. Even though the Christian walk is not about what one can get from you, but what one can give to you, it's still good to know that you are a secure fortress that we can run to.

Proverbs 15:16 So often there's people that say that if one is a Christian, one will have great wealth and safety and all of that. So basically people should become a Christian for material gain. But the bible makes it clear (here and other places) that a Christian might have only a little, but they'll have God, so it's all okay. I have great wealth. Not in financial means, but in my relationship with my King.

Proverbs 15:23 A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word! I definitely know the truth of that statement. What I don't like is when I'm trying to think of an apt reply to something, but I can't. Then 2 minutes later I think of one, but it's no longer timely. That's annoying.

A Cheerful Look gives joy to the heart. For some reason, I thought of work. Give everyone I meet a Cheerful Look, even at closing time. Even if they were just rude.

Mark 15-16
15:29-30 I love how they mock You with the destroying temple thing, when you still are going to do it, the temple is being destroyed at that very moment.

Thank you Jesus. I know I can't thank you enough, feel grateful enough for what you did. I still get chills when I read about the curtain tearing. That's my favorite image of the pathway to God becoming open.

I love that there was a strong presence of women at Your crucifixion. Your compassion and acceptance of everybody really did a lot. (Wow, that's an understatement.)

Mark 16:15-16 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. It doesn't get much clearer than that. Why is this one not as popular as Matthews? Ok, I can kind of see why, but why is this one not talked about much at all? I like this. I might MEMORIZE it if I remember.

Luke 1-3
So Luke wasn't actually with Jesus from the beginning. But he's interviewed tons of people

Thought: I wonder if there were people who were baptized at the first revival (so I guess that would be... vival?) who were like, I heard about Jesus. He even came near where I lived. Some of my friends actually went to him to hear him. I didn't even consider it, and now I just have to learn about Jesus from other people. I regret not going. I know I would. If I had the chance to see Jesus, but I didn't go, and then I learned that he was the Messiah? I'd be so mad at myself!

Ah so we're starting with John.

Zechariah didn't believe the angel. The angel. Really. I need to believe. I need to be like Mary who accepted it. If I can't be like her, I need to be like the centurion who said "help me with my unbelief." I can always pray that one.

So Luke gets more into Jesus' birth and everything there. Good. SOME people *coughjohncough* like to just jump right in to Jesus' ministry. Oh. Wait. That's fine too. haha

"45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Because you're not mute. oh dears.

62And they made signs to the father. He's mute. Not deaf. Oh dears.

Luke 1 is really quite remarkable. Ridiculous.

And Luke 2? Well, I've heard it so many times, I hear it in different voices from Charlie Brown to random people at church.

God is working in unexpected ways. He shows favor to women and shepherds, first. That's not the right way to do it. Women are lowly and shepherds are eww. Nope. Not to God.

I love the story of Simeon. and Anna too. It's so good and true and full of God's promise.

Jesus stays behind in Jerusalem and hangs out in the temple. The parents need to remember that this isn't their child. He's God's. But yeah, still.

I love how different occupations came up to ask John what they should do. Be honest and content, and give generously.

Jesus could trace his lineage back to God. How ridiculous is that! Nowadays, people are lucky if they know the names of their great-grandparents.

Sheesh this is long.

Thoughts on mistakes, widow's mites, and barbarians Nipto.2.4/5ish

Dear God,

I messed up. I'm sorry. I've skipped days. I've not loved you with my whole heart. I pray you would lead me along the path of eternal life. Know my heart. Help me know it too. Help me learn what needs to change.

Love,


Revelation 13

I think that this whole beast thing will be trying. No, I know that. The followers of Christ in those times will have to be strong and endure the suffering, and be willing to die because they won't worship the beast or take his mark. O Lord, I pray that we would raise up a new generation of Christ-followers that would definitely be willing to die for you.

Proverbs 13
I need to listen to my parents. I'll be wise if I do.

19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. This almost sounds like you're implying that everybody obviously longs for turning away from evil. Sorta. Wouldn't it be lovely if that were the truth?

20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. This one's self-explanatory. Walk with the wise.

24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. Oh, Miss Trunchbull must not hate children. Her motto is "use the rod beat the child." Uhhh... ok no. :-)

Mark 12-16
17 Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him. This one is convicting. Do I really give to God what is God's?? He's not just talking about tithe here. He's talking about everything! What am I withholding from God? What is God's that I'm not giving him. An easy answer to say, not do, is My Life. My Time. My Money. My Thoughts. My Actions. My Attitudes. everything. So work on that. Surrender. Etc.

Mark 12:41-44
This is something that wasn't in Matthew. I can actually reach into my desk and pull out some widow's mites. I'm staring at them and I cannot believe that this was all the widow had. Two small coins. All her worldly wealth could be picked up with two fingers. She didn't say, I'm too poor to give. Or once I make some money, I'll start giving again. But right now, I have to think of me.

I kinda was doing that this morning. Abby had some links on her blog leading to different Compassion International blogs of people who went to Kenya. I was thinking, I could do that. I'm not poor. I earn a little over the Ohio minimum wage, which is way more than this lady gets. But I have college coming. I have to think about getting through college. Then I'll support a child or something. I already give 10%. That's enough.

And I know my parents would go along the same mindset. And I don't know if I want to agree with that. It's way more barbarian to give now, trust God for later. Help on that issue?

Mark 13:9-11
Really? This is crazy. Being a Christian wasn't safe. It wasn't about building your character and learning more about God. It was about the Gospel. It was about leading others to God, no matter the cost. It was about having strength during court trials to listen to God and say what He says. My Christianity is SAFE! Like, super safe. People at work know I go to church and read my bible, so they know I'm a Christian. I'm not fired. I'm not turned over to the authorities. They don't even tease me about. They don't send verbal abuse. They're my friends and co-workers. I have it so easy. Lord, I honestly don't know how I would act if you had placed in a country that persecutes Christians. Would I still follow you, or would I say that this is too dangerous. I think my greatest fear is that it would be the latter.

Keep watch. You don't know when your time will run out. You don't know when God will call you home. So be prepared. Do everything you can do today, today. Don't put off for tomorrow.

So this woman has the audacity to waste tons of money and perfume on Jesus. She should have given it to the poor. "You can give to the poor anytime you want to, but you do not always have me." Now Jesus is not here in the physical sense. But he is here in everyone around me. Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me.

Lord, are you trying to get me to sponsor a child? Everything seems to be pointing that way. It would be barbarian all right.

God can provide everything. Even places to eat the Passover. In strange ways too.

We just did communion yesterday! :-D

Ok, it's getting late. I didn't wake up early enough to get it all done. :-( I'll come and finish it tonight. It's only 2 and 1/2 chapters left. The best is still to come.

Thoughts on college and Nipto 2.3/4ish

Dear God,

I went to OSU today to check it out. I'm starting to think that K--- is looking better and better all the time. I don't know if there really was any competition. I've had a prejudice from the beginning. But what about A? What would make me go there? What cons from K would make me definitely not go there?

I dunno. It's looking pretty clear right now. Even though I don't have awesome verses. Imma gonna work on that :-) (well, we will.)

Love,


Revelation 12
The dragon will not prevail. I forget sometimes that Satan pulled down many angels with him, and that they are now demons. I wonder if Jesus recognized Legion, and the demons in Mary Magdalene, and the other demons, I wonder (he's got to have) if he knew each and every one of them. He made them! He was there when they fell. I've never seen that angle before.

Ok, it's late at night, but I teared up at verses 10-12. The accusers of our brethren have been hurled down! We did not love life too much.

The devil can spew water all he wants. Ain't gonna do no good.

Proverbs 12
Verse four. I am so thankful that Mom is Dad's crown. She really is. I don't think Dad has any decay in his bones at all. I'm so blessed.

Verse nine. Better to have a decent house and stuff, and still have money to give, than to have the big screen tv and huge debts.

Yes, it's important to work hard and not chase fantasies, but also know: the fruit of your lips is just as important. (Remember that!)

Ok, verse 17. That's obvious. I don't know. It almost seems like a pointless verse. But I'm sure God's spoken through it before. He's had 2,000+ years to use it :-)

Mark 8-11
I love how Mark puts this. Jesus performs this amazing miracle and feeds all these people with seven loaves of bread. Then right after that, Mark says the Pharisees are asking for a sign. Interesante, no?

This is an amazing passage. Verses 14-21. The disciples forget to bring bread, Jesus tells them to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees, and the disciples are like, he's mad at us because we forgot bread. But Jesus is like, Hey, I've fed thousands of people with a couple of fish and a few loaves. I can take care of this if need be. But you need to stop feeling guilty and worried about what's going on there, and focus on something more important. DON'T fall for the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. That's something to meditate or chew on. Don't do it. They don't practice what they preach. Listen to what they say, but please don't copy what they do.
But I love that Jesus tells them to stop worrying about past mistakes. He's bigger than that. He can take care of that. Now it's time to look forward to bigger traps. So often I do that. I sit there and groan because I messed up and did something wrong and stupid. But God's like, I've got that all taken care of. Just listen to what I have to say next. Love it.

Woot Peter. Preach it brother! :-)

Ok, we'll have to work on consistency. You've got the first part right. Jesus is the Son of God. But the second part is wrong. He's not going to overthrow the Romans and set up an earthly, temporary kingdom. His vision goes deeper and farther than that. He's going to save generations upon generations of people, from every tribe and nation.

Ok. You are the king of the world. Literally. But you're going to hell. Ok. You are the poorest of the poor. Literally. But you're going to heaven.
Which scenario is better? And it's not a CLOSE competition. There's really no comparison.

I love how the disciples discuss what rising from the dead meant. Yes, Jesus loves to talk in parables and riddles. But sometimes he's just speaking the plain truth.

Interesting. Matthew just talks about the demon-possessed boy. Mark adds that basically the whole town was arguing, and when they saw Jesus, they were "overwhelmed with wonder." Small details, yet big.

I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief!!! Please Lord. Whatever it takes.

Last will be first and first last. Servants are the greatest.

Cut out all things in your life that causes you to sin. Better to live life without a ________ than to enter eternity condemned. Something to think about. I'd say staying up late on my computer is a concern, but I also need it for this and for school and school. I just need self control. ¡Ayúdame, Señor!

Jesus was a kid person. He rocks.

10:21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. I'm just really getting hit with all of Jesus' compassion and love for people. I'm really seeing that. His whole ministry was devoted to people. He loved them. He truly loved each an every one of this people he talked to.

I feel like half this stuff is deja vu all over again. Except that it's not. Each time, something different stands out.

10:32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid.
What were the motives behind these emotions? Jesus was leading the way. Even though he knew the pain that would come, he was still pushing towards God's will. I just don't know about the others though. What were they thinking? What was the deal?

10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." One of my favorite verses. I mean, I have a lot, but I like this verse.

That's determination and perseverance. They tried to shush the blind man, but he would have none of that. He wanted Jesus to heal him, and he was going to get it. I remember Pastor talking about how the man threw aside his cloak, basically his only possession and his shelter and warmth. He knew what was coming. He knew it'd be ok.

So Jesus enters the city, looks around, leaves the city. Leaves Bethany, curses a fig tree, and enters the city. Jesus overturns the tables, instigating the Pharisee's wrath, and leaves the city (?). The fig tree is withered.

Ok I know way too simplistic. But that's kinda the picture I'm getting from Mark. He has a different take on things than Matthew.

Well Lord. It's late. But it was worth it. Please help me now and tomorrow :-)

*Thoughts on compassion and generosity: Nipto 2.2ish

Dear God,

I have a lot I need to do today. I pray you would help me get it done!

Love,


James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; James 1:1-7

Mark 4-7

So I'm reading the seed parable again. And I'm struck by how little Matthew Mark and Luke differ. They hardly have any different stories, but you would think that since you did so much stuff in those three years that they would all have so many different things to say. I guess you knew what would really be worthwhile writing down for posterity :-)

Don't hide the lamp of God. It'll make you go no where. Judge using even better standards than you want to be judged. That's a hard one for me. I like to insult people in my mind. Insult. Do I really mean insult? I'd like to say it's more of a harsh truth, but harsh truths are insulting. Those who judge harshly are usually insecure, either because they judge others and expect others to think the same, or they start insecure and judge others because they think everybody is doing the same. Either way, not fabulous.

Your job to make a person ready to receive and grow in your word. Our job is to do what you want us to do in each situation.

"Don't you care if we drown?" "Don't you care if I don't get the money I need for college?" "Don't you care if we get swamped with small children?" "Don't you care if I don't have a job?" "Don't you care if my parents get a divorce?" "Don't you care if my children don't have enough to eat?" "Don't you care if a whole nation is ignorant of you?" "Don't you care if my daughter was killed in a car crash?" "Don't you care if our house is destroyed by the government?"

"Quiet! Be still!" "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

The legion demon story. The people were terrified of you. (I'm not sure why... because you're so powerful?) But the man wanted to go with you. And here, You didn't have any messy attic secrets, so you told him to go tell everybody his testimony. (ew that word is so civilized.)

What a moment for that woman! After years and years of being unclean and... oh I can't imagine it. She was free! The guts she had to touch You... ridiculous. I don't know if I could have done that. But I'm sure she was desperate. And then to be spoke with such kindness from you... I don't think she'll be forgetting that moment in a hurry. Funny. I've always thought of this woman as an old woman. But she could have been around your age. Anyway, it would make more sense that you would say "mother" if she was old. But I do not know.

Interesting. The girl was twelve years old. The woman had been suffering for twelve years. It probably has like, no significance, but it's interesting.

Ok, yeah, with the dead girl coming to life, You suddenly have some messy attic secrets.

It's hard to believe in a man you saw grow up. I get that. But somehow Jesus' brother was able to follow him...

The twelve are sent out. Lord, I want to be sent out. Well, to be honest, I more want to go on a missions trip to like Mexico or Puerto Rico, or El Salvador, or Honduras. I mean, I know I am sent out into Panera, and dance, and whatever, but missions trips are always exciting. But they're only exciting in your timing, so I'll let you lead.

Interesting note. Herod liked listening to John the Baptist. But was confused. But like it. Would that make him like the path? Or the thorns? He had to behead John because of a stupid oath. I wonder if Herod could have gotten away with saying that John's head is worth about 5/8 of his kingdom, so that's out. haha.

You weren't irritated when you saw all the people there. Even though you had been planning on getting a little rest and some food and such, you had compassion on them and taught them stuff. Then you fed them. Miraculously. 5,000 men, more women and children. That's a lot of people.

Why were you making to pass by the disciples? Was it just a pretense? I like how Mark doesn't mention that Peter tried to walk on water. Pretty crazy.

I wonder if there were any sick people who kept chasing You around and yet always arrived too late, or if you eventually stuck around long enough for them to find you? That's a picture. Chasing after You to get healed. Whether from health issues or sin issues.

"You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." That pretty much sums it up. O Lord, keep me from this trap!

So the man was deaf, and therefore could not talk because of being deaf. But You didn't just heal his deafness and let him learn how to talk on his own; you healed both issues. It seems like you never do the minimum. Me, remember that.

Revelation 10-11
A mighty angel with a scroll that tastes sweet at first, but turns sour. And a secret message from the seven thunders. I didn't even know there were seven thunders. :-)

It is crazy. The prophets are crazy awesome. But the devil overcomes them. But what's crazy is it says that basically the whole world will be watching. But back then, there was no TV. No newspapers. No internet. Now it's very easy for the whole world to watch an event like that.

Three and a half days. They have to endure death a little longer than Jesus.

Ridiculous. All this earthquakey stuff. Hail etc. Obvious that the end of the world has come.

Proverbs 10-11

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Me. This is no time to sleep. This is no time to procrastinate. Get a move on with scholarship apps and normal school stuff, and most of all, God stuff.

Love covers all wrongs.

When we talk too much, we draw sin near. So we need to hold our tongues.

The lips of the righteous know what is fitting. They have tact. They can understand more than a teaspoon of emotion (Thank you, Ron). Lord, please help me know what to say. Sometimes I want to show concern or whatever, but I don't know what is fitting. Give me that wisdom.

Amazing how being generous makes you rich. And being stingy makes you poor. Keep that in mind, my girl.

She who refreshes others will be herself refreshed. Good verse. One I think I need. I feel like I could burn out easily if I refresh others. Not true.

All right God. Do your thang.

*Thoughts on the moves make the man Nipto.2.1ish

Dear God,

Last night was so much fun. I stayed up finishing "The moves make the man." That is such a good book. There's the parts of just Bix and how he's all moody or whatever. There's Jerome who has an epiphany to draw a bigger map. And tries to figure out Bix. There's Bix's stepdad who does know what's best, but Bix can't see that. There's the whole motif of truth vs. lies and if it's ever ok to lie.

But my favorite part is just the moves. I almost started crying at one point because I wanted that feeling of getting caught up in the motion and you don't notice anything except what's coming next. He practiced each move to perfection, but sometimes he just went all out in the fakes and such and didn't know how it would end up. He had that passion for basketball, just like Bix had the passion for baseball. Just like some people with music. Dance. Art. Sports. Whatever. You just get caught up and forget the time. You make the moves, but the moves also make you. I want that passion for whatever I'm doing. Whatever that might be.

I was reading My Utmost for His Highest today, and even though it wasn't exactly about the above, I felt like I needed to inject more of that passion into walking with you. Spending my energy for you. Whatever is needed for your kingdom. So that's what today is going to be. All my energy, physical and mental, will be for your kingdom.

I'll need some energy from you, I'm sure. Sleep will never give me enough to accomplish what needs to happen. But that's why I do this.

Love,




James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:1-4

Mark 1-3

That Mark, he sure knows how to get to the point. He starts with John and your baptism, and how strange and amazing that was, and then he moves on to you in the desert with the devil and angels, then zips to you calling the disciples. But who can blame him? He has just over half of what Matthew had.

The desert part gives a sense of a battle because it was a battle. You against Satan. I get the idea that you had to fight Satan straight on in order to initiate his ministry.

An evil spirit interrupts your first sermon. And your sermon was pretty impressive as it was. But you're just getting started.

So you have a meal at some of your disciples' house. Then everybody shows up as it's getting dark with their diseases and ailments and such. I don't blame you for leaving in the morning to refuel. Even when you knew people would look for you.

There's just something about you that draws people. Your compassion, your love, your power, your authority.

That dude had awesome friends. They wouldn't even wait for you to finish and come out. They dug through the roof (and probably made a few people mad).

You had sinner friends. Oooohh.... I wonder if they were anything like my non-believing friends. Swearing, a little awkward some of them, a little hard to have a conversation with.

I've thought about fasting this week, but I've decided I can't fast unless I see a point, and right now I don't see the point except that nipto says to do it. I can do it when I have something to pray for and being hungry is a reminder, or to show how much I want something to you, but otherwise I don't get it. Apparently, you say it's enough that you aren't here on earth, but I still don't get it.

The Sabbath is made for man, so that man will REST. The Pharisees don't rest on the Sabbath. They may not walk super far away, but they work too hard trying to condemn people who do "work" on the Sabbath.

I need a day to rest. I guess Sunday's my day. Even with church in the morning and church at night, it still is my most restful day, unless we have nothing on Saturday. But yeah, it's bad. I can't imagine having a day set every week where you aren't doing something crazy. Monday's bow. Tuesday's UV. Wed is piano and dance. Thurs is work, Fri is work. Sat is Karen kids or errands, Sun is church. Ridiculous. I'll figure out something.

So the man with the withered hand healing was the when the Pharisees started plotting against you. Man, that was near the beginning of your ministry! Sheesh.

I was struck just now by the fact that you remember that day, you know what they were thinking and what they went off to do. You remember the room, the weather, the look of the man's face, the colors... everything. It really happened. There are people either in heaven or hell that remember that day. I say the bible's true, but when I'm reading, it's sometimes difficult to remember that these aren't just cool stories. They are also cool events.

I wonder what happened to the men you did not designate as apostles. What happened to them? Did they follow you to the end? Were they martyred for you?

Sometimes the family will want to keep her from doing what she needs to do to further your kingdom because she is a barbarian and going all out and taking other's needs more seriously then her own. You must have confirmed to Mary and your brothers that you were out of your mind when you said they weren't your family, that your family was the people you served and who followed you. You were going all out to serve the people there. Could you help me do the same here? I need help with my selfishness.

Revelation 9
I wonder how much of this is literal and how much is figuratively speaking. The Abyss, etc.

Those four angels are waiting. They have been waiting a long time. Hopefully they still have a long time to wait. But no one knows. One has to wait a long time when one's duty is at the end.

That's sad. God's judgment comes and the wicked still go on being wicked.

Proverbs 9
Listen to Wisdom, add to your learning, accept rebukes. Don't listen to Folly.
Funny. I'm doing a paper on Foolishness/Folly in Pride and Prejudice.

Well, I have to go be wise now. :-)

Thoughts on a failure and a triumph Nipto 1.7ish

Dear God,

Thanks for today's letter. Well, really most of this was Sunday's letter. I still have most of Monday's letter before I get to today's letter. I had to get behind of course. But you will help me catch up and stay strong. I didn't know I had reading on Sunday (The memory verse said "Catch up.") And then yesterday I meant to do it between dinner and Chuck, but we had a scholarship thing to fine-tune. Thanks for that time, anyway.

Thanks for the Medalist scholarship too, Lord! How on earth you pulled that one off, I don't know. But I guess you want me to pay attention to OSU. I was hoping you'd make it simple, I wouldn't get anything, and could say that it seems like You don't want me there. But now I have to go and actually see what's up.

Grr. I don't know what to think now. But really, thanks for that.

Love you!



Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11

Matthew 25
The story of the virgins, and the servants with the talents. Be prepared. Use the time God has given you well, and do not let yourself be empty-handed, or even with what God gave you in the first place. Take what you have, keep a deep store of it, use it, produce more of it. I'm thinking "It" is talents, opportunities, gifts, character, etc.

Don't ignore the needy, poor, broken. You'll ignore God. And sometimes needs, poverty, and brokenness can be hidden behind cheerful facades. When I read this, I thought of when you told that blessed lady to brush the man's hair. In the middle of the airport. But she was able to bless that man and allow him to go home to his bride of (decades!), and be presentable. She brushed your hair. She did that for you.

Ah, we are almost done with the sermons (awesome, by the way) and are getting to the plot of the passion.

That woman... epitomizes spending all you have and just wasting it on Christ. I wish I knew what made her do that. It was beautiful.

Judas. You, on the other hand, at this point, are... I have this picture in my head. It's ugly. Gross. Dark. Untouchable. I'm sorry. The sobering fact? Anybody could have done it. We can't be all prideful and say that we'd never do that.

Peter. Whoa. He's prideful and says he'd never do that. Sorry Pete. You're in the same boat as us. Capable of falling away. Only by God's grace do we endure. (Thank you!)

It seems like Jesus is trying to get Peter to not disown him: "Watch and pray that you do not fall into temptation." Even though he predicted differently. You are always hoping, helping, guiding us to do what is right. Oh! How I am getting to know those words! "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." I feel like my body is so weak. The spirit wants to do one thing while the body wants to do another. O Lord help!

I want to focus on the torment of Jesus as he is contemplating the task looming before him. Especially since it's close to Easter. But I can't stop thinking about those disciples failing, falling asleep. No one stayed awake. They all failed, even when Jesus "yelled" at them. That is sooo me right now.

Jesus has accepted his task, and he will follow through, as peacefully as possible. And all the disciples fled. Even Peter. Though he did turn around and follow at a safe distance. I wonder if he did that because he remembered his promise and he considered, in his fear-laden mind, that this was not quite deserting Jesus. And yet then he feels like he's followed too far and backs out, disowning him. I hope I will never do that (by the grace of You) but I know I am definitely capable of doing that. I'm human. It's just sad to see someone who has hung out with Jesus for three years turn around and say he never knew the man. And he knew Jesus better than I do. I know what Jesus is going to do here in Matthew, but he knew many things about Jesus, about more things he did that nobody wrote down, about just the person, Jesus.

Jesus tells the truth and they call it blasphemy. I mean, what else are they supposed to think? I wonder how much strength Jesus had to muster up to say that yes, he was the Son of God. That's why he prayed for so long in the Garden.

I really pity Judas. I never really did before. It was always a "uh, yeah Judas, what do you think was going to happen, huh?" But now it's more of a... I feel sorry for him. I'm sad someone had to do it. But think of the remorse to hand back your money, even though they would not take it, and commit suicide. I'll try to remember that remorse. I hope I never do anything that grave, but I will definitely do something I regret in the future. Probably a lot.

All these random prophecies are now making sense. Everything is clicking into place. The angels are watching with bated breath.

Pilate's wife suffered greatly a dream about Jesus, and warns her husband. Sounds like Julius Caesar, but better. I never noticed that bit there.

Mob rule. Ew.

Jesus could have come down off the cross. He could have stood up clean, with basically a new set of skin since the old one was almost gone from the beatings. But that would not have saved the generations to come. He stayed on that cross for us. for his people. He saw the big picture. Even through the pain. And then he died. There was darkness, and earthquake, the curtain was destroy--the most holy place of holies was now open! Man could come before God.

LORD thank you.

And in vain the people tried to make sure you would not "appear" to have risen. Against everything, you rose again. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) And appeared to women first. That's so typical you. We may have sinned first, but we were the first to see you after you had risen. Earthquakes and Angels! After (what, 500 years?) of silence from God, he was now working in crazy ways.

Liars. That makes me sad. Jews don't believe because of this. It's sad.

I didn't realize that with Matthew, the only thing mentioned after the resurrection from Jesus was the Great Commission. He just wanted to make that clear.

And so ends Matthew's account.

Proverbs 7
Listen to instruction, learn from others mistakes, don't listen to the sweet-talking woman (or man). I noticed in verse 22 it says all at once he followed her. He was hesitant, not quite sure... then all at once he decides, yes, I'll do it. Impulse. Rash.

Revelation 7
Seals on the believers. White-robed people who came through much to stay with You. You were the reason they endured much. And now they will be forever with you and you will protect them!.

"Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"

Proverbs 8
Wisdom is calling to all to come and listen to her.
Verse 17: I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. THAT is a promise.
I love the whole idea here of waiting for wisdom, hanging on every word. Daily watching her doors.

My favorite part in here besides the promise is the fact that through Your wisdom, you made the heavens and the earth. She was there when you turned the earth's axel 23.5 degrees. When you put it 93 million miles away from the sun. When you gave us a moon to keep us going. When you did all these amazing things to make sure life could happen on earth. Every dial was set perfectly. By you. And wisdom. And we can have that wisdom. Crazy.

Revelation 8
There's a lot of crazy stuff happening to the earth ( A third of the night was dark! crazy! ). But what I noticed was the half an hour of silence.

Thank you lord. You died for us. You have orchestrated everything perfectly so that all this could happen. You can give us wisdom. You have the ending figured out. You are... oh everything beautiful.

Thoughts on time slipping by: Nipto.1.6

Dear God,

Thank you for today with the KaRen kids. Tis so much fun to see them, but I must say, I'm worn out! Fill me back up with your strength.

My time here on earth is ticking away. It's day 65 of 2010, meaning there are 300 days left in the year, even though by this time it's 299 and 1/4.

Lord. Show me the urgency of your mission. Show me your heart your timing, but show me that I don't have groundhog day or days to try again. I only have today. Tomorrow is not certain. Please help me to remember that.

I love you, Señor,


Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11

Jesus, I wonder what you were thinking while riding into the city. Sometimes I forget that you were human and that you weren't just doing this stuff just because the prophets said it must happen. "Ok, next on tab for today, heal a couple of people, send the disciples to get me a donkey, then ride into the city, so everyone can admire me and I can burn the Pharisees." No. There was a specific plan and purpose, yes, but it just happened. You enjoyed yourself.

Hee hee I wish I could've seen your face when you were driving people out of your house with a whip. That would have been a sight to see.

I often think of the two sons, the one who said he'd do it and didn't and the one that said he wouldn't then did. It's always okay to turn around after you've made a poor decision and fix it, if it's not too late. So often when I was younger, I wouldn't want to do the right thing because I already said I wouldn't and now I was getting yelled at and if I just changed right then and there, they'd laugh or something. Give me strange looks. Or say why couldn't you have done that earlier?

I wonder how the son felt, going to do business for his father with a bunch of murderous men. If he felt like he could handle it or not. At least it's a story.

So now you are hinting that the time will come that your ministry won't be for just the Israel.

Yeah, let's trip you up with politics! It's nice to know that you can answer to politics and get around the petty stuff.

I love that each group has a go at You and you manage to answer all of them with truth, integrity, and the final answer. And then you turn around and ask them a question about yourself, and they couldn't answer. That would be fun to watch.

"Do what they say, not what they do." Because they don't practice what they preach. But you, practice what you preach and give glory to God because of it.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are." That is some strong language!!! Man, Jesus! Ridiculous.

End of the age. Yeah. I don't want to be on earth when that happens. Just be prepared in case it is during your lifetime. Only God knows when it will happen. But it makes me think of that video I watched, hold on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6sx0s4sRwo

*Thoughts on the person Jesus Nipto.1.5

Dear God,

Faith. Power. Light and dark. Hypocrisy. Promises. Relationship status. Service. God the creeper. God the Lion, Lamb, and Root of David. Lots to think about.

The part I like to think about is how blessed the disciples were just to be in Jesus' presence. Sometimes I think I wouldn't like it, because it would be too weird to see God in a weak human form. And to try and worship him? It'd be weird. But other times, like now, I think about how the disciples heard so much wisdom and insight and revolutionary ideas from this man. But they also got to know Him. What he looked like. The way he talked. What his voice sounded like. The way he moved his hands when he really got into whatever he was talking about. The way he broke bread. The smile he made when he saw kids running around. The smile he made when he healed someone. The smile he made when his disciples got it. His laugh when someone just said something really funny. How he ate. His small talk. His face when he was moved with compassion. His face when he was moved with anger at the Pharisees or the sellers in the temple. It'd be so cool to just be able to see it all.

Best part is, I will! I just have to wait in the meantime.

Love you!




Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11

Matthew 17
Jesus' transformation--like his baptism, I have to remember that this was not the day and age of CGI and awesome movies. Even if it was, it would still be ridiculous to be there when it happened.

Faith. It's powerful. And yet it's hard to gain much faith, because we are such a generation of reason and straightforward answers. Faith is messed up. Convoluted. No easy answer.

Thought that just struck me: Judas Iscariot wasn't always a bad guy. In fact, he was a good guy right up until he decided to betray Jesus. He probably drove out some demons, healed people, preached... after all, he went out with the other disciples in Mt 10. Weird. I'm so used to thinking of him as the bad guy.

Interesting random story on taxes. Don't offend them, go fishing, there's your money. This story shows that Christians are to pay taxes (as much as some of us would like to complain about it. I'd have so much more money if my paycheck didn't keep having tax taken from it...), and it shows God's hand in controlling circumstances. God made someone lose a 4-drachma coin in water, made a fish pick it up then go up and get caught by Peter. God's still doing that today. He makes sure the floor tips me a least once a week. It's usually just a penny or even a dime, so it won't pay for my taxes, but whatever.

Chapter 18 I wonder if that child remembered Jesus picking him up that one day and telling people how to enter the kingdom of heaven. If they were like, 3, probably not. But if they were like, 6 or 7, maybe. Wouldn't that be exciting...

Everybody knows verse 20, but what about verse 19? "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." There's a promise.

Hypocrisy. It's despicable. And yet it's hard to be able to judge those who do it, because you know that it's so easy to do yourself. Obviously it's something you try not to do, but it can be an easy trap.

Chapter 19 Marriage. Divorce. Staying single. Apparently, if you can, you should be single. I can. Now. God might bring a man into my life that I'll marry. But I don't know who, when, or even if. And I am okay with that now.

I'd like to say, "If Jesus told me to sell all I have and follow him, I would do it in a heartbeat." But would I? I wouldn't know until it happened.

Interesting. I don't know if it happens elsewhere, but when the disciples are like, "if rich people can't get into heaven, who then can be saved?" Jesus "looked at them and said" instead of just "said". I don't know if it's significant, but it must have been some look.

Chapter 20 Verses 1-16 are pretty interesting. One of my favorite obscure parables, I think. I'm not quite sure why.

Because my gift is service, I like verses 26-28. They make me happy.

Proverbs 5 Among all the "listen to wisdom and correction and don't be taken in by adultery" verses, there's this verse that I like. Verse 21: For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. Reminds me of Psalm 139.

Revelation 5 The lamb that looked like it had been slain. I love that lamb. He's also a lion. In the same chapter, he's a lion and a lamb, and the root of David...