Day 40: Bread of Angels

Our journey, which ends today, took our faith to new heights.  We adventured down a road to explore inquisitively a spiritual truth which we applied physically and spiritually for 40 days. We called it the Manna Principle.  

Exodus 16 tells about the way God provided for the Isrealites daily by sending them Manna from Heaven. We set out to find the different ways, in which, God provides for us daily. Sometimes we can overlook these blessings because we're so used to always having them, seeing these things as necessities instead of gifts from our Heavenly Father. 



Even during the rebellion of the Isrealites, our gracious Lord, provided more

than just meals, He provided the very best for His children,

 "the bread of angels."

Psalm 78 

he rained down manna for the people to eat,
   he gave them the grain of heaven.
Human beings ate the bread of angels;
   he sent them all the food they could eat.

Our family took on this challenge as a faith building exercise and the Lord provided answers daily.  For 40 days I have journaled about what we gleaned from God and in reality, there is so much I didn't even get to write about yet.

When we come before God with open hearts and open minds, He answers, because HE is faithful.

Today, I challenge you to build your faith further and live a life that is daily pleasing to God.

Seek out His will for your life and taste and see that the Lord is good. 

  

    

Day 39: Transformed

 

Romans 12:2

  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

A few years ago I bought a butterfly kit for the kids to watch a few caterpillars turn into butterflies, as part of our nature studies.  It was fascinating to watch this ugly (at least I thought so) caterpillar make a cocoon for itself and hang upside down in its tent-like home.  Patiently, the kids and I watched and waited and watched and waited for this caterpillar to morph into its beautiful state.

Finally, after much anticipation, the cocoons started to break open and these beautiful butterflies broke free and began fluttering around in circles.  It was great watching them flutter around in their newly tranformed state, enjoying their new found freedom.

My kids would agree that the transformation was worth the wait to see the beautiful results that awaited these caterpillars-turned-butterflies.

  Well, over the past month or so, we have waited patiently to see what God  would show us through this process and how he would use this experiment to transform us. 

 Daily, God allowed us to experience His presence and gave us a new way to look at daily living through the eyes of our Savior and with fresh perspective.

 He refreshed our faith and brought new meaning to the "everyday."

Sometimes it takes questioning the reasons behind the

things we do instead of following a pattern, so that we can

 grow instead of remain stagnant. 

 

So, like the butterflies, did we come out of our

cocoon exuberating radiance?

In Exodus 34:29 we see the results that come from spending
time speaking to the Lord.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of
the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was
radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.

 
Moses glowed because he had been in the
presence of the Almighty. 

  

Today, I can say I feel like a radiant butterfly who has left the cocoon ready to take flight and carry with me everything I have learned.

I glow, because I have been in the presence of the Lord, daily, for 40 days and 40 nights and I have been transformed.

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which

comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

He used the ordinary to show us the extraordinary.

 

Its been a time of growth for our family as God has allowed us to search out these answers sitting at His feet daily and waiting on Him. We have connected more as a family and have seen our children applying spiritual truths to simple everyday occurances.

So as we end our experiment tomorrow, will our life go back to the way it was before?  I hope not! Somethings, will change... I will not be food shopping on a daily basis anymore, but other things, like, our rich time with the Lord will remain the way it is now.  

Day 38: Walking In Moses' Shoes

Its hard to believe that in two days we will end the 40 day journey of the Manna Principle.  Its been a long but great time of learning. 

Journaling this experience has been difficult at times because of the amount of time it's taken.  Yet I find that I will miss blogging everyday about it.

Sharing this experience with all of you has been a true blessing. I have received many kind words from many who have followed along.  I see how God has used this experience not only to teach my family and I, but also so that this experience would become a blessing to others as well.

During this time, I feel the Lord has taken me through a similar path as the Isrealites.  The journey began with much excitement and adventure.  After some time though, the enthusiasm died down and I hit a wall.  The wall of exhaustion combined with a dry spell. Somedays I wondered how I was going to make it through 40 days of journaling straight through.   I was able to overcome it and the time spent in God's Word and in prayer became a rich experience again; I entered a peaceful state of mind. (No physical rest, but peaceful anyway)

Yet my experience has even gone beyond just getting a glimpse of what the Isrealites experienced.  I've felt as if I've even walked in Moses shoes.  To get a better understanding, look at the Exodus passage:

Exodus 17:8-12

Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.”  So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.  And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.  But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

All day long, Aaron and Hur supported Moses' hands.  It was because of their support that Moses was able to hold up the rod of God and give the Isrealites the upper hand in this fight. 

For me, Grisel (playing the part of Moses at the moment), it was my family (playing the parts of  Aaron and Hur) that helped me to be able to share my experience with all of you.   When I was tired and they saw me struggling along, they held me up by taking on most of the chores at home.  They supported me through it all along, and even cheered me on along the way. 

Daily, they supported me.

They stayed up late with me, helped with the baby and sacrificed a great deal.   Because of their support I was able to remain steady and continue on sharing everything God was showing us.  

So today I wanted to acknowledge them because they held up my hands high when I was unable to do it alone. I am so thankful to them. I am thankful for my husband because He is a strong spiritual leader who does everything with the purpose of pleasing the Lord.  He challenges me and helps me reach new heights in my faith. He is also a huge supporter of anything I do.  He believes in taking risks to follow dreams and he has always pushed me to go after the things I want.

Then there are my children.  So sweet, caring and selfless.  They love to love me with surprise breakfasts, fancy table settings, and well thought out details.  They love God so much and their love for their family is evident.

What more could I want in life when God has blessed me with a family such as this? Who's daily love, support and adventurous spirit never ceases. 

Like Moses, I've cried out many times "Lord, why me?

Send someone else to do it, pleeeaase!

But for whatever reason, regardless of my qualifications,  I'm the broken vessel He has chosen to work with.  He had supplied me with the support of my family and has shown me the way to the foot of the cross, and it is there that I see Him clearly and realize,  I'm walking on Holy Ground.

Day 37: All You Need Is Love

Lately, I've been praying and really begging asking God to help lighten our load and help us to slow down.  We're always so busy that our tight schedule leaves little room for spontaneity. 

It always a mad dash to the finish line.  Whenever I step out my front door it's because I'm headed to the car and running off somewhere. What happened to the days of sitting on the front porch? Or talking to the neighbors?

I have been blessed with living in a great neighborhood with fantastic neighbors.  Yet how often do I take the time to  enjoy their company when I see them?  It's usually a "Hi, how are you?"or "Nice seeing you, goodbye."   

This has been something that has been on my mind and in my prayers for a while now and tonight I was convicted about it during life group at our house. 

We were discussing the value of friendships and connecting with one another. One of the ladies who grew up in a different country was saying how where she grew up it was very different.  They visited each other daily and everyone was like family.  It was the "borrow a cup of sugar" type of enviornment.

I started to think how its so different today.  We work and go about our own business that sometimes we don't even get to know our neighbors, the very people God has placed us next to. 

It's the reason we've started life groups at church. To make it a point to visit with others and be in community because if its not planned, it doesn't happen.  

I think about the way it was when the church first started.

Acts 2:42-47

 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

This passage screams LOVE to me because it shows how intertwined they were with each other.  They were sharing more than just a cup of sugar, they were actually selling their things to share with those who needed among them. 

So selfless.

They even met together daily. I realize today, geographical and with the complexities of our lives, its not possible to meet that often.  The problem is sometimes we don't meet with our church family, except for in the church. 

 I think of my own excuses and I'm ashamed that my focus is not just love.  

This needs fixing...

That needs cleaning...

The food needs to be perfect...

So selfish.

What strikes me most about this Acts passage is the last sentence of this scripture. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

It was their unpretentious love that others noticed.  It was the fact that they were selfless and loved deeply.

It was love in pure form.

And something amazing happened.  Others took notice and wanted the same thing...and they were saved, daily.

Thats it.  No organized evangelism program, just love.

I wonder how many times we've missed out on being blessed through friendships because we've been too preoccupied with other things or waiting for perfection to happen.

I wonder how many people would take notice and be led to Christ if we would make ourselves available and be more hospitable, more often?

All you need is love. 

John 13:35

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

So sweep up your entryway, dust off your mat, and make way for the people God is putting before you

 to love. 

   

   

Day 36: Decompress From Stress

Psalm 91:1

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

What do you do after a long difficult day?  Most of us look to decompress.  We look to shut our minds off and do something to our liking that shifts our focus from the days event to other things.  

Yesterday began a cycle of one of those days. One thing went wrong and offset a domino effect for the rest of the day.   

It was Carlos' birthday so we went to the movies.  Easy enough right? No...I got the time mistaken, so we were there two hours early.  It just didn't make sense to go home because it was too far and gas is too expensive to waste it. The movie he wanted to see was also being shown in 3D and when we went to buy the tickets, that viewing was half hour later. (The things we do for our kids)

So two and a half hours later, the movie finally started!

 

When we left, the mad rush began. Racing to soccer training, finishing a cake, getting ready for scouts, surviving scouts! When the night ended we were tired! I wanted to decompress.

Today began the same way.  I had so much on my mind that I misplaced the keys and had a frantic family search party to find it. Then, as we were about to leave the house the baby pooped and it was all over the place.  A bath was in order.

When I finally got around to running my errands, things settled down.  I was at Michaels looking for some things for our scouting ceremony when I felt like I was finally decompressing!  It felt really good.  I was by myself and shopping!  What could be better?  Well, actually it would have been better if I were in a clothing store shopping for me, but nonetheless, I was shopping. 

As I put things in my handbasket I liesurely walked the entire store, going up and down aisles I normally would have no interest in.  I was decompressing and in the mood to just buy something.

Now, I haven't had any psychological training but I recognize warning signs real well.  I was making myself feel better by buying things to make up for the last two days of craziness.  This was my method of decompressing today.  When I noticed my basket full of nice things that I didn't need, I put the basket down and without turning around and changing my mind, I walked out of the store, emptyhanded.

I was trying to fill my void of feeling out of control with something that made me feel good.

Do you ever do that?

Sometimes we use food (for me its potato chips).

Sometimes its TV 'til the wee hours in the morning or the computer.  We all usually have a way to "decompress," although I think God would call our ways distractions.

Distractions from Him. 

I think God understands decompression.  Isn't that why he gave us the Sabbath?  But what about daily? I think he knew that daily we would need to unwind as well. 

 

Thats why he put things around us that are beautiful in sight and relaxing in its own nature.  The rivers, the stars, the trees. Think about a trip to the beach or the mountains.  He created it all for our pleasure so that we might remember Him and turn to Him during those times.

Yet usually, instead of turning to the source of true rest we turn to the things that bring on more stress.

Staying up late watching TV means we'll be tired tomorrow.

Eating half the chocolate cake means more pounds added.

Shopping carelessly means spending unnecessarily, or worse, debt.

God is there waiting for us to come to him and let him take our daily burdens.  In Him we can find peace and comfort, love and joy. In Him we're where we should be, and He's all we need.

Where are you turning to decompress from the daily burdens of life?

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Day 35: Listen Up

Parenting is a tough job! And just when you think you might have found the formula that works, the next child challenges it.

 

Throughout my scripure reading for Good Morning Girls and the book study of The Ministry of Motherhood, I've been noticing many bible verses that I never saw as parenting verses applied in a way that have made me think of my relationship with God in a more direct Father-Daughter type of way.

I can see how I sometimes treat God in a way that would frustrate me if my kids treated me that way.  God speaks...I ignore

He directs me...I choose to do things differently.

Sometimes,(although it seems like always) we remind our kids when we're going out, to have a listening ear out for when we call their name. Of course, they nod their little heads up and down in compliance, only to forget by the excitement of being with their friends and having a good time.

 Well, we're no different. 

God spoke clearly of the Isrealites and the way they had chosen to rebel.

It seems that when they got together with their friends,  they began listening more to each other than God,

 Hebrews 3:15

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion.”

This is God's parental warning to them.  It's His version of when we say "Now."

God is telling them, this is your warning, if you hear me do not turn away because remember what happened to you when you did.

I'm sure they remembered their 40 year punishment.

Sometimes it seems simpler to turn a deaf ear to God and continue on the way we were headed instead of following His leading.

  

Listening takes work because when we listen we have to follow through on what God has asked of us.    

 

Do you ever ignore God's voice?



Have you ever read something in the bible and you get that sinking feeling in your stomach because you know what coming next? You can either follow through on God's leading or ignore him. 

Follow through always means change, something most humans don't adapt well too.  Getting uncomfortable... being stretched...being refined. It's a difficult process but it has great benefits when we follow through.

We grow. In character, in understanding, and closer

to our heavenly Father.

 

So today, when you hear God's voice, what choice will you make?

Make the choice to obey His word, daily. 

 

Day 34: Dress For Success

"I have nothing to wear!" Did you ever utter those words? I have...many, many times.   My husband will tell you (actually, he wouldn't tell you because he's been married long enough to know a hot topic when he hears it) that it usually comes with frustration, as I search the closet endlessly for an outfit that goes well with the occasion ahead of me.

Since Carl is a wise man he has learned to ignore me during my high estrogen level fits as opposed to telling me to "just wear anything."

Then there are the kids.  They love to throw this phrase around when we're out shopping and they're trying to persuade me into buying them something, even the boys! (I thought boys weren't suppose to care about what they wore?)

There's a mystery surrounding this question of not

having anything to wear.

How come if we have nothing to wear, our hampers overfloweth?

...as far as I can remember we've never left the house undressed either!

Today lended itself perfect for this topic because I've been

catching up on laundry. Lots of it, too!

So I was thinking about all these clothes and how Jesus

told us he's provide for us (and he has). He told us not to worry

about our life because He provides our necessities daily.

Jesus knew we would have this struggle and so he taught on this...

Matthew 6:25,28-30

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,

what you will eat or drink;

or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food,

and the body more than clothes?...

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

So, we always have SOMETHING  to wear, its just that it's
not always what we WANT to wear. 
(Read post of Day 24: Be Content with what God Sent)

Does God care about what we wear on a daily basis?

In Colossians 3:12 we read what we need to wear on the inside.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Before we begin searching our closet for the perfect

outfit for the day, we should be hitting the prayer closet

and asking God to clothe us from the inside out,

for the perfect accessories.

After all, accessories make the outfit, and if you like a little bling,

nothing shines brighter than wearing the characteristics

of our Heavenly Father.   

But that's not all God wants us to wear on the inside. We need to add good deeds to it all for a complete statement that screams "Godly Woman." 

1 Timothy 2:9-10 says,

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

Are you wondering what that scripture means?  It means that God wants us to be less concerned about our looks and more concerned about our life.  One day we will stand before the Lord and we will be clothed with our good deeds, which we don't do to earn salvation but out of gratitude for what the Lord has done for us. 

Since we're done dressing us inside, let's see how God wants

us to look on the outside.

We clearly see that God wants us to dress modestly

but along with modesty there are certain things He wants

us to wear daily that never go out of style.  

The top 6 in the lineup are found in this passage:

Ephesians 10:10-17

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

1. belt of truth- standing for the Truth daily even

when we're the only one standing

2. breastplate of righteousness- living daily with God's

standards out of faith in him and love for him

3. feet fitted with readiness-  preparedness to bring the

truth of Jesus daily to any situation

4. shield of faith- defend against false philosophies that

are contrary to the truth of God

5. helmet of salvation- enough confidence in the hope we

have in Jesus that we don't get pulled into

the daily worries of the world

6. sword of the spirit-using His Word to resist daily 

temptations to indulge our desires instead of God's.  

Keeping these in our closet for daily wear will ensure that

we're sporting a fashion that is eternal and we'll be ready to face 

the day and whatever it brings. 

So before you go screaming

"I have nothing to wear!" remember that God has

given you a complete customized wardrobe to

add to your look.

Wear it well!

 Are you daily dressed for success?

Day 33: Enjoy Your Sabbath

Psalm 9:2

I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

Did you take the time to praise the Lord and find peace in 

your Sabbath rest?

May today you be blessed.

Enjoy your Sabbath! 

Day 32: Set Apart

Writing about the Sabbath is very difficult for me. I have so much to say on it and yet many more questions than answers about it at the same time, that it's hard to focus on one aspect of it all.

For a long time now, Carl and I have been asking God to give us wisdom on understanding how the Lord wants us to observe the Sabbath.  We've also wondered what it would take for our entire family to have a restful Sunday, including Carl, being that He's a pastor.

I've already told you all about Saturday being preparation day and its very helpful, except for those Saturdays that are busy enough in themselves. In our family, that would include most Saturdays.

So what is the purpose of preparing for the Sabbath? 

Preparing for the Sabbath insures that we'll have a restful day because we're ready for the day.  For example, spending time with our family and friends, having a nice meal that's been prepared in advance with minimal effort and being intentional in celebrating the Sabbath in a way that sets it apart from all the other days.

Its amazing how when we seek to find answers to God's truths, He answers.

When I was at the Homeschooling convention I came across  the wonderful vendor Doorposts, that has been selling scripture based teachings for parenting for twenty years.  They have written a book on celebrating the sabbath and also have a blog in which they recently did a five day series on preparing for the Sabbath.

As I read it over I realized that preparing for the Sabbath is not just a Saturday event.  Doorposts, breaks it up into tasks to be done throughout the week and it makes perfect sense. 

Exodus 20:8 says,
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Holy means set apart.

We're suppose to set apart the Sabbath as a special day. 

Think about all the other special days we celebrate.  Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays.  All special occasions in which we plan and prepare for in advance.  Not only one day but in the days or month leading up to it.  How much more important to lead up to our Sabbath by preparing for it throughout the week. 

Our Sabbath should be a day in which we're daily in preparation for this special day. By anticipating the Sabbath, our mood would set our hearts in the right place for worshiping the Lord instead of a rushed morning leading to attitudes that are less desiring of praise.

Preparing for the Sabbath doesn't just mean crossing tasks to be done off a list.  It includes preparing our hearts and "setting it apart" for the Lord. 

Just as a bride in anticipation of her wedding day, prepares herself to meet her future husband in more than presentable fashion, so too, should we be preparing to meet with our Maker on the Sabbath. 

We are called by God to holiness. To be set apart for Him. 

1 Peter 1:15-16 says,

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

 So bring your best before the Lord...an offering that is pure and holy and pleasing in the sight of God and receive the rest He's calling you to.

Prepare and set yourself apart.

How will you start preparing daily for the Sabbath?