Yesterday was the final day of the diet.
So today I had a coffee in the morning.
I ate a bit of meat with my lunch.
And we had a salmon that my dad caught for tea.
I also laughed alot and the whole world seemer a brighter place to live.
Maybe that was the coffee....
I guess the whole two weeks weren't too bad.
I was never like REALLY hungry.
I tried different sorts of food.
Vegetables and stuff.
Lost some weight, learnt some bits and pieces(oooo pie hmmmmm), supported Donna.
Now, to create the perfect eye fillet dinner to make up for lost time.
Maybe Saturday night.
Oo and I'm just having another coffee.
Grand.
Deuteronomy 12
Ironic that I write about "craving meat" on the day that I finish craving for meat.
God is careful to show that there is one way to worship Him and it's not the same way as other nations worship their gods.
He has set His people apart and now they must choose to worship Him in a unique way.
To honour Him.
To recognise Him.
For others to realise there is one true god, God.
Yes, it may mean more work.
Yes, it may not be convenient.
But then, He has rescued them from Egypt and brought them to this place.
He has prepared the location and the way.
He is a jealous God and determined to not let the Israelites forget His provision.
A right time.
A right place.
A right way.
Our mind is a fickle thing.
Prone to distraction, justification and exaggeration.
To stay the course is often a hard thing.
The end rewards can be significant and the cost for not getting there can be equally high.
Knowing God is key, because He knows us.
Strengths and weaknesses.
And He only asks what He knows we can achieve.
He knows.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
164 The Panic Child (Deut 11)
Brooke was outstanding today.
Long story short.
She entered into a piano duet competition at the behest of a friend.
She was really talked into it.
Tried to pull out.
But then talked into it again.
It was not beyond her, but she doesn't cope too well in pressure situations.
She practiced hard.
She practiced long.
She went into panic mode last night.
She re-visited panic mode this morning.
She sucked it all in.
And went to the competition.
I spoke to her this afternoon.
Apparently it was "fun".
Yes, fun.
The "I can't do it"s and the "It's too hard"s became fun.
And she received a highly commended.
She's pretty good.
But then again, so is my other kid.
The calm one.
Deuteronomy 11
I am going to make a fairly large assumption here and it may sound weird.
Given how verse 10 and 11 read, I am guessing there wasn't much rain in Egypt.
To grow anything, the people were dependent on the flooding of the Nile.
They had to organise some way of trapping the water, distributing the water and making effective use of the water.
It was hard work.
It was unreliable.
Canaan will offer another blessing from God.
Rain.
Less work.
Now most people I know would cherish less work.
Or more time.
Does less work = more time?
Perhaps time that could be used for other things.
It's another little, finer detail that shows the quality of God's provision.
The little things matter.
And God is aware of the little things that make a difference.
Then.
And now.
Long story short.
She entered into a piano duet competition at the behest of a friend.
She was really talked into it.
Tried to pull out.
But then talked into it again.
It was not beyond her, but she doesn't cope too well in pressure situations.
She practiced hard.
She practiced long.
She went into panic mode last night.
She re-visited panic mode this morning.
She sucked it all in.
And went to the competition.
I spoke to her this afternoon.
Apparently it was "fun".
Yes, fun.
The "I can't do it"s and the "It's too hard"s became fun.
And she received a highly commended.
She's pretty good.
But then again, so is my other kid.
The calm one.
Deuteronomy 11
I am going to make a fairly large assumption here and it may sound weird.
Given how verse 10 and 11 read, I am guessing there wasn't much rain in Egypt.
To grow anything, the people were dependent on the flooding of the Nile.
They had to organise some way of trapping the water, distributing the water and making effective use of the water.
It was hard work.
It was unreliable.
Canaan will offer another blessing from God.
Rain.
Less work.
Now most people I know would cherish less work.
Or more time.
Does less work = more time?
Perhaps time that could be used for other things.
It's another little, finer detail that shows the quality of God's provision.
The little things matter.
And God is aware of the little things that make a difference.
Then.
And now.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
163 Again and Again, Over and Over (Deut 10)
So apologies first.
Sorry.
Explanations next.
I decided to support the lovely Donna undergo a dietry experiment for 2 weeks starting on Monday.
Which is a lovely noble gesture, but as it involves no meat or coffee among others things, I have had trouble concentrating.
Not that I'm a picture of stoic focus at the best of times, but my head this last 3 days has been a bit more "floatier" than normal.
Anyhow, I now have sort of regained my powers of thought-controlling and will attempt to continue this odyssey.
Ooooh look shiny, shiny....................
Sorry.
Back to the real stuff.
But, it is so shiny and sparkly......
And I adore watermelon.
Deuteronomy 10
v12-13 "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?"
At the end of the day, God's desire for His people is a simple one.
One that any father would expect of their children.
Honour, respect, appreciation and obedience.
The thought that continues to echo along the deep chasm of Deuteronomy is that God does care and provide for, guide and love His people.
The examples are many and I feel I keep repeating the same thoughts with each chapter.
God has shown through the course of 40 years, that He has chosen them above all other people.
They are special and have been treated in a special way.
They are set apart.
They are different.
Because......
They serve a God who is special. Unique.
He is living and like no other.
He has done so much to demonstrate this.
Over and over again.
Sorry.
Explanations next.
I decided to support the lovely Donna undergo a dietry experiment for 2 weeks starting on Monday.
Which is a lovely noble gesture, but as it involves no meat or coffee among others things, I have had trouble concentrating.
Not that I'm a picture of stoic focus at the best of times, but my head this last 3 days has been a bit more "floatier" than normal.
Anyhow, I now have sort of regained my powers of thought-controlling and will attempt to continue this odyssey.
Ooooh look shiny, shiny....................
Sorry.
Back to the real stuff.
But, it is so shiny and sparkly......
And I adore watermelon.
Deuteronomy 10
v12-13 "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?"
At the end of the day, God's desire for His people is a simple one.
One that any father would expect of their children.
Honour, respect, appreciation and obedience.
The thought that continues to echo along the deep chasm of Deuteronomy is that God does care and provide for, guide and love His people.
The examples are many and I feel I keep repeating the same thoughts with each chapter.
God has shown through the course of 40 years, that He has chosen them above all other people.
They are special and have been treated in a special way.
They are set apart.
They are different.
Because......
They serve a God who is special. Unique.
He is living and like no other.
He has done so much to demonstrate this.
Over and over again.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
162 It's Not All About You (Deut 9)
I like to spend time with Donna.
She is good company.
She thinks about a lot of interesting things that she likes to talk about.
I like to listen.
She is very inspiring.
And funny.
And every now and then she says something incredibly hilarious.
Even without knowing.
She often has me in tears.
She knows me exceptionally well.
Which is nice.
Perfect.
My other half makes me whole.
Deuteronomy 9
There are times when stuff is not all about you.
It's generally all about me.
Kidding ;)
Moses explains to the people that it's nothing they have done to deserve the Promised Land.
In fact, if it was, they would have not just received nada, but God would have destroyed them.
"They are a stubborn people."
A people who at least twice frustrated God so much, He was ready to be done with them.
If it wasn't for the persuasive nature of Moses, they would have been wiped out.
There is a not so gentle reminder in verse 5.
" Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out from before you, and that he may confirm the word that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."
We are not central to the workings of everything in the universe.
Really.
I know it's hard to come to grips with that.
Especially for such a dashing personality as me.
Things happen without us.
Even sometimes despite us.
I know I over analyse things, particularly when things go wrong.
What did I do?
What could have I done?
Why?
Why?
Why?
This clarification from Moses shows that this is true also when things go well.
Canaan was a gift.
A good thing.
A sign of God keeping His promise to others (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob)through and despite this stubborn, wicked people.
She is good company.
She thinks about a lot of interesting things that she likes to talk about.
I like to listen.
She is very inspiring.
And funny.
And every now and then she says something incredibly hilarious.
Even without knowing.
She often has me in tears.
She knows me exceptionally well.
Which is nice.
Perfect.
My other half makes me whole.
Deuteronomy 9
There are times when stuff is not all about you.
It's generally all about me.
Kidding ;)
Moses explains to the people that it's nothing they have done to deserve the Promised Land.
In fact, if it was, they would have not just received nada, but God would have destroyed them.
"They are a stubborn people."
A people who at least twice frustrated God so much, He was ready to be done with them.
If it wasn't for the persuasive nature of Moses, they would have been wiped out.
There is a not so gentle reminder in verse 5.
" Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out from before you, and that he may confirm the word that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."
We are not central to the workings of everything in the universe.
Really.
I know it's hard to come to grips with that.
Especially for such a dashing personality as me.
Things happen without us.
Even sometimes despite us.
I know I over analyse things, particularly when things go wrong.
What did I do?
What could have I done?
Why?
Why?
Why?
This clarification from Moses shows that this is true also when things go well.
Canaan was a gift.
A good thing.
A sign of God keeping His promise to others (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob)through and despite this stubborn, wicked people.
Monday, May 9, 2011
161 Know God (Deut 8)
I made a passing comment today about being so cold, my back was sore.
It was. Right down the bottom towards my.....well yeah y'know.
Was I seeking sympathy?
No.
Was I looking for ideas re treatment?
No.
It was a comment giving a metaphorical (in a literal sort of metaphorical way) description on the current state of the temperature, or lack of degrees, from my point of view.
I was cold.
How cold?
So cold my back is sore.
Fullstop.
Change topic.
Keep watching TV.
Say nothing.
Then, I would be fine. Too easy. Instead, what happened?
Not one, but two.
Two.
TWO!!!!
Statements relating to my increasing frailty through the gaining of years.
"Sounds like an old man thing to say."
And I heard a giggle behind the smile.
"Poor old thing."
Indeed!
During this time of year, there are warnings about getting flu and recommendations on getting vaccinated.
These generally apply to two specific groups.
The elderly or the very young.
Why do I automatically get grouped with the old with this comment about the cold?
Surely there is just as much chance (50/50), of being young.
I know many young people who complain.
I absolutely believe I have a greater likelihood of being a "poor young man" than a "poor old man".
Hmmph!
It was so unjust.
And if the TV volume was lower I could have heard what else was being said.
They just don't make those tellie things like they used to.
I remember when............
Deuteronomy 8
God provided so adequately through the period of wandering.
v4 "Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years."
I can't imagine walking in the harsh environment without some sort of foot problem.
The consequences were brought about by poor decision making. Yet through the punishment, God's provision and love continued. The same as when you discipline your child. Despite the cliche, it often does hurt you, the parent, more than the child.
It hurts because you care.
It hurts because sometimes in the eye's of the child it seems unfair.
It hurts because you've been in the same place before.
Empathy hurts.
v5 "Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you."
God keeps everything in perspective as well.
He is well aware of the problem of pride.
He was there at Babel.
He was there with Esau.
He was there with Ishamael.
Know God.
Know what He has done.
Know His love.
Know his grace.
It was. Right down the bottom towards my.....well yeah y'know.
Was I seeking sympathy?
No.
Was I looking for ideas re treatment?
No.
It was a comment giving a metaphorical (in a literal sort of metaphorical way) description on the current state of the temperature, or lack of degrees, from my point of view.
I was cold.
How cold?
So cold my back is sore.
Fullstop.
Change topic.
Keep watching TV.
Say nothing.
Then, I would be fine. Too easy. Instead, what happened?
Not one, but two.
Two.
TWO!!!!
Statements relating to my increasing frailty through the gaining of years.
"Sounds like an old man thing to say."
And I heard a giggle behind the smile.
"Poor old thing."
Indeed!
During this time of year, there are warnings about getting flu and recommendations on getting vaccinated.
These generally apply to two specific groups.
The elderly or the very young.
Why do I automatically get grouped with the old with this comment about the cold?
Surely there is just as much chance (50/50), of being young.
I know many young people who complain.
I absolutely believe I have a greater likelihood of being a "poor young man" than a "poor old man".
Hmmph!
It was so unjust.
And if the TV volume was lower I could have heard what else was being said.
They just don't make those tellie things like they used to.
I remember when............
Deuteronomy 8
God provided so adequately through the period of wandering.
v4 "Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years."
I can't imagine walking in the harsh environment without some sort of foot problem.
The consequences were brought about by poor decision making. Yet through the punishment, God's provision and love continued. The same as when you discipline your child. Despite the cliche, it often does hurt you, the parent, more than the child.
It hurts because you care.
It hurts because sometimes in the eye's of the child it seems unfair.
It hurts because you've been in the same place before.
Empathy hurts.
v5 "Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you."
God keeps everything in perspective as well.
He is well aware of the problem of pride.
He was there at Babel.
He was there with Esau.
He was there with Ishamael.
Know God.
Know what He has done.
Know His love.
Know his grace.
Friday, May 6, 2011
160 Seeking Sympathy (Deut 7)
Why does pain inside your head hurt sooooooooooooo much?
I mean in comparison to pain anywhere else.
Is it because it's closer to your mouth, so the cries and groans and moans come out quicker?
Is it because your brain is closer and so the feeling of pain has less distance to travel?
I get lots of bumps, bruises and cuts and seem to shrug them off quite easily.
But one little toothache, ulcer or earache and I'm a mess.
I have a tiny earache at present.
Actually it's not little.
It's huge.
And I'm not prone to exaggerate pain.
I am male after all.
It is enough pain to stun a wild elephant. As opposed to a regular elephant.
Not just stun it, but reduce it to tears and snivelling pleas for panadol.
Still.
You'd think after a week and a bit with it, I'd be a tad more pro-active in getting it treated.
Sigh.
I am definitely male.
Stubborn.
Sookie.
Seeking sympathy.
Deuteronomy 7
v13-15 " He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.
You shall be blessed above all peoples. There shall not be male or female barren among you or among your livestock.
And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you knew, will he inflict on you, but he will lay them on all who hate you. "
A wonderful, wonderful promise.
With a caveat.
v12 "And because you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers."
God promises again that He is "for" His people.
They will take over the land He has chosen.
They will defeat 7 nations stronger than themselves.
God loves the underdog.
They were chosen because they were they fewest among the nations.
If all the feats god has already performed are not enough to defeat those occupying Canaan, He will send hornets to finish the job.
Hornets.
Creativity at its best.
Who would have thunk it?
Hornets.
Why hornets?
Because there is no way in the wide, weird world that a swarm of hornets could normally help destroy an entire nation of people.
It would point to God's hand helping His people.
Along with all the other signs, wonders and impossible things that were witnessed.
I mean in comparison to pain anywhere else.
Is it because it's closer to your mouth, so the cries and groans and moans come out quicker?
Is it because your brain is closer and so the feeling of pain has less distance to travel?
I get lots of bumps, bruises and cuts and seem to shrug them off quite easily.
But one little toothache, ulcer or earache and I'm a mess.
I have a tiny earache at present.
Actually it's not little.
It's huge.
And I'm not prone to exaggerate pain.
I am male after all.
It is enough pain to stun a wild elephant. As opposed to a regular elephant.
Not just stun it, but reduce it to tears and snivelling pleas for panadol.
Still.
You'd think after a week and a bit with it, I'd be a tad more pro-active in getting it treated.
Sigh.
I am definitely male.
Stubborn.
Sookie.
Seeking sympathy.
Deuteronomy 7
v13-15 " He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.
You shall be blessed above all peoples. There shall not be male or female barren among you or among your livestock.
And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you knew, will he inflict on you, but he will lay them on all who hate you. "
A wonderful, wonderful promise.
With a caveat.
v12 "And because you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers."
God promises again that He is "for" His people.
They will take over the land He has chosen.
They will defeat 7 nations stronger than themselves.
God loves the underdog.
They were chosen because they were they fewest among the nations.
If all the feats god has already performed are not enough to defeat those occupying Canaan, He will send hornets to finish the job.
Hornets.
Creativity at its best.
Who would have thunk it?
Hornets.
Why hornets?
Because there is no way in the wide, weird world that a swarm of hornets could normally help destroy an entire nation of people.
It would point to God's hand helping His people.
Along with all the other signs, wonders and impossible things that were witnessed.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
159 Hacker (Deut 6)
Last night I hacked into Donna's facebook page.
Hmmmm.
When I say "hacked" I don't wish to draw out some expectation of vast computer wizardry.
That would be improper.
And not totally accurate.
She left her phone laying around and her account open.
Heh heh!
Luckily my vast array of 'skillz' enabled me to bypass the tricky slide to unlock code.
And I was in.
I left a fantastically amusing status update and covered my tracks.
Not too long later, a tock over 5 minutes, my ruse was discovered, deleted and I was in a world of pain.
I think I cracked a rib laughing.
I bought flowers and chocolate and ice-cream home today.
Purely co-incidental.
Purely a good husbandy thing to do.
For a small donation to my favourite charity, the content of the "hack" could be left discretely in a plain envelope on a park bench of the enquirers choice.
Deuteronomy 6
As a parent, I'm meant to set a good example for my kids.
Not an easy task for me in regards to appropriate humour, table manners and bodily noises.
But there are some things that I think I do ok.
I love my wife and kids.
AND I show and tell them.
I work hard.
I respect my parents and others in authority.
I read the Bible.
I go to church.
I try my hardest to provide as many options for my family.
I try and help others.
I encourage my kids to make good choices and do the right thing.
This is what God beseeches the Israelites to do.
Tell their children the whole story.
Explain the journey.
Be open about the history of redemption.
Speak of the people's mistakes and God's mercy.
What we do and say will impact on others.
Some spend more time with us than others, so the results are more ingrained.
Perhaps this is something we could consider more often.
Hmmmm.
When I say "hacked" I don't wish to draw out some expectation of vast computer wizardry.
That would be improper.
And not totally accurate.
She left her phone laying around and her account open.
Heh heh!
Luckily my vast array of 'skillz' enabled me to bypass the tricky slide to unlock code.
And I was in.
I left a fantastically amusing status update and covered my tracks.
Not too long later, a tock over 5 minutes, my ruse was discovered, deleted and I was in a world of pain.
I think I cracked a rib laughing.
I bought flowers and chocolate and ice-cream home today.
Purely co-incidental.
Purely a good husbandy thing to do.
For a small donation to my favourite charity, the content of the "hack" could be left discretely in a plain envelope on a park bench of the enquirers choice.
Deuteronomy 6
As a parent, I'm meant to set a good example for my kids.
Not an easy task for me in regards to appropriate humour, table manners and bodily noises.
But there are some things that I think I do ok.
I love my wife and kids.
AND I show and tell them.
I work hard.
I respect my parents and others in authority.
I read the Bible.
I go to church.
I try my hardest to provide as many options for my family.
I try and help others.
I encourage my kids to make good choices and do the right thing.
This is what God beseeches the Israelites to do.
Tell their children the whole story.
Explain the journey.
Be open about the history of redemption.
Speak of the people's mistakes and God's mercy.
What we do and say will impact on others.
Some spend more time with us than others, so the results are more ingrained.
Perhaps this is something we could consider more often.
Monday, May 2, 2011
158 God's Voice (Deut 5)
I'm sitting here typing this wearing a sheepskin lined hooded jumper.
One moment I'm too hot.
The next too cool.
Hang on. I'm never "too cool"!
Heh heh.
.....too cold.
It has nothing to do with saving power.
Or reducing green house gas output.
Or even saving money.
I'm doing my bit to prolong summer. (This makes no sense at all re-reading it. It's cold and I'm wearing a jumper. How exactly is THAT summer. Dummy.)
Although it would be only prolonged in my mind. (Maybe that makes sense. Nope. The stretch is too great. Still a dummy.)
And it would appear that I am failing. (Totally)
Off it goes again.
Maybe I should just turn on the heat pump and be done with it.
Deuteronomy 5
I doubt if I heard the spoken word of God, I would forget it.
I also reckon I would remember what was said.
In detail.
The voice from fire, that when finished, made me glad to be still alive would have a lasting consequence.
There is also the whisper in the breeze, but that's another story ;)
When I was younger, I was pretty sure I heard God tell me something.
Audibly.
Not long after, upon reflection, I'm fairly certain it was my emotions getting out of hand.
It was certainly nothing like what the Israelites heard.
It didn't take long for me to forget what was "said".
There was no lasting impact.
It just wasn't God.
I'm a goose!
Important stuff needs to be remembered.
Was there anything more important than the 10 commandments?
Probably not.
Did the Israelites need reminding of where they had come from?
Probably.
The other thing is that they didn't just hear God's voice, they recognised it to be God's voice.
They knew who had led them.
They knew who had been there.
Who had been with them.
Who they had upset.
God's lament
v29 "Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments..."
One moment I'm too hot.
The next too cool.
Hang on. I'm never "too cool"!
Heh heh.
.....too cold.
It has nothing to do with saving power.
Or reducing green house gas output.
Or even saving money.
I'm doing my bit to prolong summer. (This makes no sense at all re-reading it. It's cold and I'm wearing a jumper. How exactly is THAT summer. Dummy.)
Although it would be only prolonged in my mind. (Maybe that makes sense. Nope. The stretch is too great. Still a dummy.)
And it would appear that I am failing. (Totally)
Off it goes again.
Maybe I should just turn on the heat pump and be done with it.
Deuteronomy 5
I doubt if I heard the spoken word of God, I would forget it.
I also reckon I would remember what was said.
In detail.
The voice from fire, that when finished, made me glad to be still alive would have a lasting consequence.
There is also the whisper in the breeze, but that's another story ;)
When I was younger, I was pretty sure I heard God tell me something.
Audibly.
Not long after, upon reflection, I'm fairly certain it was my emotions getting out of hand.
It was certainly nothing like what the Israelites heard.
It didn't take long for me to forget what was "said".
There was no lasting impact.
It just wasn't God.
I'm a goose!
Important stuff needs to be remembered.
Was there anything more important than the 10 commandments?
Probably not.
Did the Israelites need reminding of where they had come from?
Probably.
The other thing is that they didn't just hear God's voice, they recognised it to be God's voice.
They knew who had led them.
They knew who had been there.
Who had been with them.
Who they had upset.
God's lament
v29 "Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments..."
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