Adventures of a Makeup Artist
I know it has been a while since I've posted. I've started to post at least 10 or 12 times but have failed each time because I'm hard pressed to put into words what I've been up to. On the surface, it's really very simple. I'm a cosmetics analyst at a counter in a local department store. I really like the line I sell for, and people stop by my counter and I help them find the right foundation or blush or lipstick or any number of items available. I was handed a fist full of brushes my first day and told "You are now a makeup artist." I clutched the brushes with a death grip and thought "Funny I don't feel like an artist." I'm doing good to get my own eyeliner on straight much less anyone else's. But that day began what I am convinced will be one of the most interesting journeys of my life. And here is why:
Much like a hair dresser, when you sit in front of a stranger and trust them to make you look beautiful and NOT like a crazy person that went bizerck at the cosmetics counter, you are in the moment, extremely vulnerable. And vulnerable people talk. "Can you do anything to hide this acne? I hate even going out in public." "I have a big date tonight..." "My husband likes this (insert actress name.) Can you make me look like her?" "I hate my (insert feature)" "I wish my lips were bigger" "I wish my lips were smaller" And on and on. But what is interesting is the stories that come after these statements. The insecurities they've struggled with their whole life. I assure you it is rarely the beautiful and polished that sit down for a make over. It's the women who hopes she can be pretty if only she knew how to better apply some magical potion or formula. But here is the thing.....they are all so beautiful. They just have never believed anyone who tried to tell them that. They don't see that their smaller lips fit perfectly with their huge and too beautiful eyes. They don't see that their nose is actually very cute and gives them a child like look of innocence even though they are well into their 30's. They don't see that their fair skin is so beautiful, they look like a living porcelain doll. They don't understand that they could go out on their date, without a stitch of makeup, and knock any guy straight on his back that wasn't considered legally blind. I see so many beautiful creations and yet so many of them are unable to say "I am beautiful"
So this phenomenon has me thinking. Would it have broken Picasso's heart if suddenly his paintings had said to him "Um, I really don't like how large my nose is. Do you think you could make it a little smaller?" "Are you sure my forehead is supposed to be that big?" Does it breaks God's heart when I stand in front of a mirror and pick myself into so many small pieces that there is nothing left but a shredded masterpiece?
I have so wanted to tell these women...."ARE YOU INSANE? CAN'T YOU SEE YOURSELF CLEARLY. FROM WHERE I'M STANDING YOU LOOK AMAZING." And yes I can show you a really cool eyeshadow palette that will draw attention to your amazing eyes. The eyeshadow didn't suddenly make your eyes WOW. They were WOW to begin with. Yes, a little liner will make your small lips look a little less small, but they were pretty to begin with. So many women walk away feeling great...which is a lot of fun to be a part of. But the cosmetics didn't make them suddenly pretty. And that's what we fail to see. There is nothing magical at my counter. Just some cool toys that are fun to play with, yet do nothing but enhance what a master creator already so perfectly designed.
And now my favorite story; "Yes, I can show you how to hide your acne." And just 15 short minutes latter I handed her a mirror and her eyes watered up. So did mine. She walked over to her husband, waiting so patiently at a bench, and his eyes lit up. "You look HOT," he told her. Her face lit up even more. He loved her so obviously and I felt a little awkward observing this moment between them. I hope she knows that she was beautiful to begin with. I hope she can see in his eyes what I saw in his eyes, before all the makeup.
So this is not a rant against cosmetics. If you could see my bathroom right now you would know what a huge fan of cosmetics I really am. They are FUN. It's FUN to put on different looks, different colors. You should have seen me on Halloween. Black eyeshadow, whitest foundation I could find and blood red lips. TONS of FUN. (And yes, people did still stop at my counter that night) But these things are not what make us beautiful, and I hope that we can get to the point where we don't need them to feel beautiful. God, let us see ourselves through your eyes!
I hope I can get to the point where I don't need makeup to feel beautiful. God let me see myself through your eyes.
Friday, November 7, 2008
With deepest apologies ... Draw!
Hi, girls. I cannot believe it has been so long since I've posted. I have had so much to write, too...
Soon, I'll have to post a recap to catch everyone up on where we are with "Redeeming Love" and our study of Hosea.
Until that post, though, I want to leave you with some encouragement, and a little preview of Monday night's lesson. Think about this: We are the good guys, and the good guys will win.
When did we stop believing that? I was listening to Glen Beck last night, and he sort of mentioned this in passing (in reference to America), and it really got me thinking.
Our country has a long tradition of faith that good prevails. It's that beautiful idealism that has kept many a soldier from shaking, many a Civil Rights hero marching, and many a mom from worrying herself to sleep at night. But somewhere down the road, we became less and less convinced of it.
And the Gospel promises us that evil will not stand. We are promised that God is victorious, and that by extension, we are too. There is nothing in your life that God is not aware of. There is no attack that He cannot withstand. There is no slap to your face that He Himself does not feel.
Take courage, girls. You're wearing the White Hat in this Western movie. You've got the Six-Shooter of the Spirit (the word Sword didn't seem appropriate in this analogy!).
And the good guys always win.
Soon, I'll have to post a recap to catch everyone up on where we are with "Redeeming Love" and our study of Hosea.
Until that post, though, I want to leave you with some encouragement, and a little preview of Monday night's lesson. Think about this: We are the good guys, and the good guys will win.
When did we stop believing that? I was listening to Glen Beck last night, and he sort of mentioned this in passing (in reference to America), and it really got me thinking.
Our country has a long tradition of faith that good prevails. It's that beautiful idealism that has kept many a soldier from shaking, many a Civil Rights hero marching, and many a mom from worrying herself to sleep at night. But somewhere down the road, we became less and less convinced of it.
And the Gospel promises us that evil will not stand. We are promised that God is victorious, and that by extension, we are too. There is nothing in your life that God is not aware of. There is no attack that He cannot withstand. There is no slap to your face that He Himself does not feel.
Take courage, girls. You're wearing the White Hat in this Western movie. You've got the Six-Shooter of the Spirit (the word Sword didn't seem appropriate in this analogy!).
And the good guys always win.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
I've been thinking about how hard everyone is working to really "get" Scripture. You all are such a blessing in my home, and I want to make sure you know how honored I am to navigate these waters with you.
We have read probably close to 200 verses together. And considering that only about half of them have been directly from our time in the book of Hosea (incl. cross-references, etc.), that really is remarkable.
Monday night was an incredible time in the Word.
We had just finished reading about Angel's first weeks with Michael. Last we saw them, he had taken her to a hillside to watch the sunrise.
Knowing all the good Michael has to offer Angel, we are so startled that Angel wants none of it. She's a skeptic, sure. But she's also stubborn and rebellious. She walks without hope, and she assumes all hope is illusive -- if not an illusion.
So even though Michael has been nothing but tender and patient and kind and loving toward her, she begins hatching a plan to head back to her old life.
We are so like that, aren't we? We know full well the goodness of God. We've seen it in action. We've received his grace and kindness enough to know how wonderful it and real it feels. But we always go back to sin. Always. Maybe it's not the same old sin every time, but we still yearn for our own ways.
The homework was: Find verses that discuss obedience and/or resistance to the Lord.
Together, we found 23 verses, not including the eight or so verses we found about God's pursuit of us.
We looked at verses where God asks us over and over again to obey him (Jer. 11:7). We saw that our obedience is seen as an act of love toward Him (1 John 2:3, 3:24 and 5:3). We discovered the benefits and consequences of obedience (Rom. 5:19, 11:30-32, 2 Cor. 10:6, Deut. 6:20-25).
And the one that really hit me: The Lord ultimately knows that our disobedience is linked to a lack of trust in Him (Deut. 9:23). And that's really what it comes down to, isn't it?
It's not like we wake up every day and say, "I think I'll commit these sins today." Instead, as we go through our day, we come to situations where God just hasn't seemed to move. We encounter areas where His timing just isn't quick enough, or His rule just couldn't possibly apply here. ("It's just a little white lie; I couldn't hurt his feelings, Lord." Or, "It's just that, Lord, she really irked me. She deserved for someone to tell her off.") =
We talked about Michael's prayer on Page 96. When does doing God's will hurt, and why does it? Joy, perhaps, said it best: "We're so brainless; we just take in whatever we're fed, so when things get hard it hurts." We live in a have-it-your-way culture, and we just lap that up. And then, suddenly, when it's not our way, we gripe. We rail against the only One who has ever really known us and loved us fully.
The homework for next week is to read chapters 12-14 in "Redeeming Love." Also, I'd love it if you looked for verses this week on God's newness and bring them to share on Monday. Have you ever noticed how the Lord uses the idea of morning to convey Himself to us? I found at least 11 verses that talk of God's promises that come with morning, including Lam. 3:22-23:
Think about how you see the Lord's mercies anew in your life. Think about how Michael used the morning to reveal to Angel his intentions. Now think about what you sense the Lord trying -- in all His love and kindness -- to really show you. We'll talk about it Monday.
We have read probably close to 200 verses together. And considering that only about half of them have been directly from our time in the book of Hosea (incl. cross-references, etc.), that really is remarkable.
Monday night was an incredible time in the Word.
We had just finished reading about Angel's first weeks with Michael. Last we saw them, he had taken her to a hillside to watch the sunrise.
Knowing all the good Michael has to offer Angel, we are so startled that Angel wants none of it. She's a skeptic, sure. But she's also stubborn and rebellious. She walks without hope, and she assumes all hope is illusive -- if not an illusion.
So even though Michael has been nothing but tender and patient and kind and loving toward her, she begins hatching a plan to head back to her old life.
We are so like that, aren't we? We know full well the goodness of God. We've seen it in action. We've received his grace and kindness enough to know how wonderful it and real it feels. But we always go back to sin. Always. Maybe it's not the same old sin every time, but we still yearn for our own ways.
The homework was: Find verses that discuss obedience and/or resistance to the Lord.
Together, we found 23 verses, not including the eight or so verses we found about God's pursuit of us.
We looked at verses where God asks us over and over again to obey him (Jer. 11:7). We saw that our obedience is seen as an act of love toward Him (1 John 2:3, 3:24 and 5:3). We discovered the benefits and consequences of obedience (Rom. 5:19, 11:30-32, 2 Cor. 10:6, Deut. 6:20-25).
And the one that really hit me: The Lord ultimately knows that our disobedience is linked to a lack of trust in Him (Deut. 9:23). And that's really what it comes down to, isn't it?
It's not like we wake up every day and say, "I think I'll commit these sins today." Instead, as we go through our day, we come to situations where God just hasn't seemed to move. We encounter areas where His timing just isn't quick enough, or His rule just couldn't possibly apply here. ("It's just a little white lie; I couldn't hurt his feelings, Lord." Or, "It's just that, Lord, she really irked me. She deserved for someone to tell her off.") =
It comes down to whether we really trust God to do as He says. He says He loves us, but will He show it the way I need Him to? He says He'll work all things for the good, but I'm not so sure.
And so we go our own way. Like Angel.
We talked about Michael's prayer on Page 96. When does doing God's will hurt, and why does it? Joy, perhaps, said it best: "We're so brainless; we just take in whatever we're fed, so when things get hard it hurts." We live in a have-it-your-way culture, and we just lap that up. And then, suddenly, when it's not our way, we gripe. We rail against the only One who has ever really known us and loved us fully.
Oh, Lord, help us to stop praying "My will be done." Help us to mean it when we say we want to hand things over to you. You are the only One completely outside space and time; You are the only One who can see beyond my current situation. Help us, Lord to trust You when you introduce us to all the light and warmth and color of morning. Help us to see and trust your goodness, Lord; remove our blindness and forgive us for choosing it.
The homework for next week is to read chapters 12-14 in "Redeeming Love." Also, I'd love it if you looked for verses this week on God's newness and bring them to share on Monday. Have you ever noticed how the Lord uses the idea of morning to convey Himself to us? I found at least 11 verses that talk of God's promises that come with morning, including Lam. 3:22-23:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Think about how you see the Lord's mercies anew in your life. Think about how Michael used the morning to reveal to Angel his intentions. Now think about what you sense the Lord trying -- in all His love and kindness -- to really show you. We'll talk about it Monday.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
The harvest
I had the good fortune of harvesting the first grapes from our vine this weekend. The fruit is small but beautiful and sweet.
The whole process reminded me of God's grace.
See, I didn't water much this summer, and we had pretty much left the grapevine for dead. Some bugs had set up camp in its leaves, and we were certain it was a lost cause.
And yet, there it was this weekend, full and firm. That plant overcame a lot -- including neglect -- to offer us its fruits.
Such is the way of grace.
How many times have I felt there was no hope? How many times had I thought of giving up on myself, or on someone else? How many times have passersby wondered whether I'll make it through the season?
Yet even when it looks like there is nothing that will grow us, nurture us, there is the unseen: grace. And that grace brings out my good fruit.
Sure, these grapes are tiny, but they are lovely explosions of sugary pulp and juice just the same. The fruit is spare but still good. And in the journey, a story of hope... not unlike "Redeeming Love."
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The prologue of disappointment
Good morning, ladies.
This week, we dove into "Redeeming Love." OK, maybe dove isn't the right word. We sort of waded into the prologue. But what a juicy prologue it was!
Last time, I assigned five things for you to think about for our next discussion. Boy, how the Lord moved in our time together! I was so blessed by your insight and the verses you all brought to the table.
Here's a recap:
We talked about what the main character in the prologue, Sarah, must feel: that she has to "do" to be loved, rather than being loved for love's sake; rejection; she wonders who can be depended on?; isolation -- she has to solve her own problems, and she can't talk to her mom about them; she learns how quickly someone can steal your hope and joy.
Then, we got into the meat of it. And it all started with Question #1 from the homework.
Question 1: What are we learning about God, or who is God according to the characters? Find Scripture that either confirms or refutes these traits. (This, in my opinion, was the highlight of our discussion, by the way.)
We agreed that the characters we've met so far have a very skewed view of who God is. He is, in their minds, that bully on the ant hill with a magnifying glass. He's represented poorly by the priest, who judges Sarah's mom and then makes her work for her forgiveness.
Others in the book believe He either doesn't exist or, if He did, He's just a judge, handing out condemnation, not grace, not forgiveness.
I love that some of you went this route. It's a reminder that it is not unheard-of to wonder where God is in the midst of our sinking ship; it's not unheard-of to wonder whether He is good at all.
But this is where it really gets good. Together, we found (*and read out loud*) 22 other verses that tell us who God really is:
Whew!
Girls, I am so blessed and humbled by the way the Spirit moves when we are together. Thank you for coming. We are constantly ushered into His presence together, and I am in awe of Him.
I sure hope you are enjoying our study as much as I am.
Stay tuned for this week's homework assignment. Also, feel free to blog your thoughts about our discussion here as well. I have so many that I'll be sharing soon.
Grace and peace,
Tamara
This week, we dove into "Redeeming Love." OK, maybe dove isn't the right word. We sort of waded into the prologue. But what a juicy prologue it was!
Last time, I assigned five things for you to think about for our next discussion. Boy, how the Lord moved in our time together! I was so blessed by your insight and the verses you all brought to the table.
Here's a recap:
We talked about what the main character in the prologue, Sarah, must feel: that she has to "do" to be loved, rather than being loved for love's sake; rejection; she wonders who can be depended on?; isolation -- she has to solve her own problems, and she can't talk to her mom about them; she learns how quickly someone can steal your hope and joy.
Then, we got into the meat of it. And it all started with Question #1 from the homework.
Question 1: What are we learning about God, or who is God according to the characters? Find Scripture that either confirms or refutes these traits. (This, in my opinion, was the highlight of our discussion, by the way.)
We agreed that the characters we've met so far have a very skewed view of who God is. He is, in their minds, that bully on the ant hill with a magnifying glass. He's represented poorly by the priest, who judges Sarah's mom and then makes her work for her forgiveness.
Others in the book believe He either doesn't exist or, if He did, He's just a judge, handing out condemnation, not grace, not forgiveness.
Confirming these thoughts: Nahum 1:2, Deuteronomy 4:24, Job 3:11, 6:4, 7:16
I love that some of you went this route. It's a reminder that it is not unheard-of to wonder where God is in the midst of our sinking ship; it's not unheard-of to wonder whether He is good at all.
But this is where it really gets good. Together, we found (*and read out loud*) 22 other verses that tell us who God really is:
Psalm 103 (He forgives, heals, redeems, crowns you with love and compassion, satisfies, works righteousness, does not harbor anger, loves greatly, removes our sins)
Psalm 18:35 (sustains and gives us a shield of victory; His gentleness makes us great)
Heb. 4:15-16 (sympathizes with us; invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace, not condemnation)
Is. 43:1-5 ("Fear not ... I have redeemed you ... you are Mine" "I will be with you")
John 15:9 (Jesus loves us as the Father loves Him)
1 John 4:8 (God is love)
1 John 1:9 (He forgives and purifies)
Eph. 2:8-9 (by grace, through faith; we don't have to EARN His love)
Psalm 139:7 (He is everywhere)
1 Cor. 13 (God is love: patient, kind...)
Psalm 146:9 (watches over us and sustains the fatherless and widow)
Ps. 45 (His throne will last forever)
Ps. 81:11-16 (He wants to subdue our enemies, if only we'd follow Him)
Ps. 73:26-28 (my strength, my portion; He is near, He is my refuge -- the nearness of God is my good)
Ps. 12 (our protector)
Ps. 46 (our refuge and strength; he who is in Him will not fall)
Ex. 34:6 (compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness)
Numbers 23:19 (God does not lie)
Psalm 145:17-21 (righteous and near)
Romans 8:5-8 (minds controlled by the Spirit, vs. minds that are controlled by the flesh)
Ps. 143:11-12 (righteous; the Lord has unfailing love for us)
Ecclesiastes (for everything there is a season -- there will be sorrow, yes; but there will also be joy)
Whew!
Girls, I am so blessed and humbled by the way the Spirit moves when we are together. Thank you for coming. We are constantly ushered into His presence together, and I am in awe of Him.
I sure hope you are enjoying our study as much as I am.
Stay tuned for this week's homework assignment. Also, feel free to blog your thoughts about our discussion here as well. I have so many that I'll be sharing soon.
Grace and peace,
Tamara
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
To blog or not to blog
Greetings my yada yada sisters!! I wanted to invite you to my blog for my thoughts on last nights study. I was going to post it here, but felt it was more appropriate to post on my personal blog.
breathe-rhemas-luv.blogspot.com
Thank you for challenging me and spurring me on. I pondered our conversation all day today and couldn't WAIT to get on my computer to put my thoughts in order.
I hope your day and week to come are "freakin' awesome!!" (as Kyleigh would put it)
breathe-rhemas-luv.blogspot.com
Thank you for challenging me and spurring me on. I pondered our conversation all day today and couldn't WAIT to get on my computer to put my thoughts in order.
I hope your day and week to come are "freakin' awesome!!" (as Kyleigh would put it)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Tonight, tonight ...
I apologize for having to do this, but there is no way we can meet tonight. The upside is this: you have another week to finish reading the prologue of "Redeeming Love" and to find more Scripture to back up what you think the Lord is telling you.
Another upside is that two more women want to join this conversation, and they will not be as far behind as they thought.
___
On another note, please continue to pray for one another this week. Last week was a rough one for so many of us, and I know that we are all encouraged by the prayers being offered on our behalf. Please also remember in your prayers our church, its leadership, and the women's ministry. We all know so many parts of our church are growing and changing, and I know the leaders would covet our intercession.
Another upside is that two more women want to join this conversation, and they will not be as far behind as they thought.
___
On another note, please continue to pray for one another this week. Last week was a rough one for so many of us, and I know that we are all encouraged by the prayers being offered on our behalf. Please also remember in your prayers our church, its leadership, and the women's ministry. We all know so many parts of our church are growing and changing, and I know the leaders would covet our intercession.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Questions about walking away...
Hi ladies, I don't really know any of you besides Tamara, but I would like to! :) Anyway... along the theme in Hosea of the unfaithful wife, I have a question for you. Not really meant to start a theological debate, but asked because my heart is hurting.
What do you do when someone really close to you walks away from Christ? Someone who has walked with God for a few years, who has shown the fruits of the Spirit in his or her life, who has oozed God's love, and who has even led others to Christ?
I've known a lot of people who are or have been devoted followers of Christ who are under the impression they are living fully in the Spirit, but their rebellious actions and choices definitely reveal otherwise. I've lived in resistance to obeying God myself and I'm not proud of it. But I'm talking about something different. I'm talking about a follower of Christ who willingly and consciously decides to completely reject Christ's lordship in his or her life, to purposefully aim to disobey God's will, and even to give up eternity in heaven.
There is a lot that led to this person's decision, mainly that God didn't behave the way he/she wanted. This person is obviously choosing outright rebellion in choosing to "leave" Jesus. But I also don't believe that anything can separate us from the love of Christ. Obviously Jesus still loves this person and is waiting with open arms... just like Hosea always went back for Gomer and just like Michael always goes back for Angel in the book, I know He is waiting for this individual to come back. But what happens if this person outright refuses His attempts at wooing him/her back? Can He force him/her to return?
I believe with all my heart that God is irresistible and that when He romances us, we can't help but succumb. I love that about Him. But I also know He doesn't want to force us to love Him... He wants us to choose to love Him back and follow Him. I know my husband wants me to love him because I want to and because it brings me joy-- he wouldn't want me to love him out of obligation or a sense of duty.
I just don't know. The whole thing just hurts. I don't think people realize that when they decide to tear themselves away from Christ, they are ripping out a part of the Bride of Christ too. They are dismembering the Body.
I'm doing my best to love this person and encourage him/her, but it seems to only make things worse because the only things I find to be truly encouraging have to do with God.
Thoughts?
What do you do when someone really close to you walks away from Christ? Someone who has walked with God for a few years, who has shown the fruits of the Spirit in his or her life, who has oozed God's love, and who has even led others to Christ?
I've known a lot of people who are or have been devoted followers of Christ who are under the impression they are living fully in the Spirit, but their rebellious actions and choices definitely reveal otherwise. I've lived in resistance to obeying God myself and I'm not proud of it. But I'm talking about something different. I'm talking about a follower of Christ who willingly and consciously decides to completely reject Christ's lordship in his or her life, to purposefully aim to disobey God's will, and even to give up eternity in heaven.
There is a lot that led to this person's decision, mainly that God didn't behave the way he/she wanted. This person is obviously choosing outright rebellion in choosing to "leave" Jesus. But I also don't believe that anything can separate us from the love of Christ. Obviously Jesus still loves this person and is waiting with open arms... just like Hosea always went back for Gomer and just like Michael always goes back for Angel in the book, I know He is waiting for this individual to come back. But what happens if this person outright refuses His attempts at wooing him/her back? Can He force him/her to return?
I believe with all my heart that God is irresistible and that when He romances us, we can't help but succumb. I love that about Him. But I also know He doesn't want to force us to love Him... He wants us to choose to love Him back and follow Him. I know my husband wants me to love him because I want to and because it brings me joy-- he wouldn't want me to love him out of obligation or a sense of duty.
I just don't know. The whole thing just hurts. I don't think people realize that when they decide to tear themselves away from Christ, they are ripping out a part of the Bride of Christ too. They are dismembering the Body.
I'm doing my best to love this person and encourage him/her, but it seems to only make things worse because the only things I find to be truly encouraging have to do with God.
Thoughts?
"Redeeming" homework
Good morning, ladies.
I forgot to tell everyone what chapters to read before Monday.
Let's start just with the prologue this week, since it's a little over 30 pages long, and there's a ton in there.
A few key questions:
1. Based on this reading, what are we learning about God, or who are the characters perceiving God to be? (And, for bonus points, can you find Scripture -- both in Hosea and elsewhere -- that either confirms or refutes these traits?)
2. What are the overall themes in this section, and how can you expect the situations to shape the characters?
3. The prologue deals a lot with the idea of rejection. Have you felt fully, hopelessly rejected, and how do we as Christians overcome these feelings?
4. Do we have a responsibility to try to overcome our pasts? What does Scripture say?
5. Food for thought: It's easy for us to say we'd want to step in for little Sarah, help her escape this horrible life she is forced into. We know that unfortunately Sarah's situation doesn't change, but our thoughts toward her do as she grows up. Why is this?
I forgot to tell everyone what chapters to read before Monday.
Let's start just with the prologue this week, since it's a little over 30 pages long, and there's a ton in there.
A few key questions:
1. Based on this reading, what are we learning about God, or who are the characters perceiving God to be? (And, for bonus points, can you find Scripture -- both in Hosea and elsewhere -- that either confirms or refutes these traits?)
2. What are the overall themes in this section, and how can you expect the situations to shape the characters?
3. The prologue deals a lot with the idea of rejection. Have you felt fully, hopelessly rejected, and how do we as Christians overcome these feelings?
4. Do we have a responsibility to try to overcome our pasts? What does Scripture say?
5. Food for thought: It's easy for us to say we'd want to step in for little Sarah, help her escape this horrible life she is forced into. We know that unfortunately Sarah's situation doesn't change, but our thoughts toward her do as she grows up. Why is this?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The God of grace -- in spite of us
An overview of Hosea 1 - 3 (A sort of "Cliff's Notes" version of Week 2 in our Hosea study)...
Note: (GM) denotes lines taken from Dr. George E. Meisinger's study of Hosea.
In Hosea 1, we find two introductions: 1.) Hosea, a prophet we know little else about; 2.) God, a jilted lover.
By Hosea 1:2, we are seeing the prophecy begin. "Take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry," the Lord commands Hosea. It is an unbearable assignment. The relationship is a reflection of the one between God and Israel, He says. Meanwhile, Hosea is commanded to marry a woman who will cheat on him and spurn him.
In Hosea's day, "great harlotry" permeated the Northern Kingdom (Israel, or Ephraim). Baal worship was everywhere. And it was a slap in God's face; an outright rejection of His first commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength."
Hosea & Gomer have three children, all with very peculiar names.
Baby #1 is a boy, called Jezreel after a horrific massacre (2 Kings 9 & 10) in the Valley of Jezreel, a place of much idolotry.
Baby #2 does not fare much better. She is called Lo-Ruhamah, which means "without mercy" or "without pity." She is so named because "the Lord says that he will not show Israel merciful acts of deliverance from her enemies." Yet, He still has mercy on the house of Judah (2 Kings 19:35-37).(GM)
Baby #3 is named Lo-Ammi, or "not my people." God, a spurned husband, is separated from His beloved Israel. The relationship is broken.
Yet, by Hosea 1:10, we see the Lord as still faithful to His promise. He keeps his Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12:1-3 and chp. 15). In verse 11, we see Himself bringing David into leadership, a king whose heart is for the Lord.
For more reading, see Romans 9:22-26.
Hosea 2:
We see the harlot lose everything. She loses her vines, her clothing, her happiness. (Cf. chapter 9.)
Yet through this all, God's grace shines.
"The Lord promises five different times, in no uncertain terms, that He will not abandon His people in spite of how circumstances appear." (GM)
In the second half for chapter 2, the restoration begins. The first half is restoration by discipline -- putting up hedges and walling her in.
Israel had turned to Assyria and Egypt for protection, and not to God. They were her "other lovers."
God allows destroyed or removed everything that is a remnant of harlotry -- her "wages," her clothes, wines ... all of it. Gone.
By v. 14, however, he is restoring her, offering her new wines, new hope. She had forgotten Him, but He will allure her and speak comfort.
Chapter 3 is short. It's a lovely story of restoration. Take her back, the Lord says. Tell her that she will be without a man for some time. Be with her, but not with her. Hosea buys back his wife from the place where she is enslaved, just as God promises; just as He has done for us.
But it's bigger than that. It's prophecy (3:4-5). The nation is told they "will abide many days without king or prince." This was prophecied in 722 B.C. Israel still waits.
They are told in v. 5 that total restoration (an Eden-like scenario) will come to pass eventually.
In the meantime, they wait.
We all do.
Note: (GM) denotes lines taken from Dr. George E. Meisinger's study of Hosea.
In Hosea 1, we find two introductions: 1.) Hosea, a prophet we know little else about; 2.) God, a jilted lover.
By Hosea 1:2, we are seeing the prophecy begin. "Take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry," the Lord commands Hosea. It is an unbearable assignment. The relationship is a reflection of the one between God and Israel, He says. Meanwhile, Hosea is commanded to marry a woman who will cheat on him and spurn him.
In Hosea's day, "great harlotry" permeated the Northern Kingdom (Israel, or Ephraim). Baal worship was everywhere. And it was a slap in God's face; an outright rejection of His first commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength."
Hosea's family (his wife, Gomer, and their three children) illustrates three things: 1. Israel's disloyalty/backsliding into idolotry;
2. God's judgment;
3. the Lord's faithfulness to His promises. (GM)
Hosea & Gomer have three children, all with very peculiar names.
Baby #1 is a boy, called Jezreel after a horrific massacre (2 Kings 9 & 10) in the Valley of Jezreel, a place of much idolotry.
Baby #2 does not fare much better. She is called Lo-Ruhamah, which means "without mercy" or "without pity." She is so named because "the Lord says that he will not show Israel merciful acts of deliverance from her enemies." Yet, He still has mercy on the house of Judah (2 Kings 19:35-37).(GM)
Baby #3 is named Lo-Ammi, or "not my people." God, a spurned husband, is separated from His beloved Israel. The relationship is broken.
Yet, by Hosea 1:10, we see the Lord as still faithful to His promise. He keeps his Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12:1-3 and chp. 15). In verse 11, we see Himself bringing David into leadership, a king whose heart is for the Lord.
For more reading, see Romans 9:22-26.
Hosea 2:
We see the harlot lose everything. She loses her vines, her clothing, her happiness. (Cf. chapter 9.)
Yet through this all, God's grace shines.
"The Lord promises five different times, in no uncertain terms, that He will not abandon His people in spite of how circumstances appear." (GM)
In the second half for chapter 2, the restoration begins. The first half is restoration by discipline -- putting up hedges and walling her in.
Israel had turned to Assyria and Egypt for protection, and not to God. They were her "other lovers."
God allows destroyed or removed everything that is a remnant of harlotry -- her "wages," her clothes, wines ... all of it. Gone.
By v. 14, however, he is restoring her, offering her new wines, new hope. She had forgotten Him, but He will allure her and speak comfort.
What we learn here is something astonishing about how God's grace works.
The harlot here does absolutely nothing to earn her redemption. Unlike other books of prophecy in the OT, Hosea is not a "repent and be saved" kind of book. It is by God's grace alone that she is saved.
Chapter 3 is short. It's a lovely story of restoration. Take her back, the Lord says. Tell her that she will be without a man for some time. Be with her, but not with her. Hosea buys back his wife from the place where she is enslaved, just as God promises; just as He has done for us.
But it's bigger than that. It's prophecy (3:4-5). The nation is told they "will abide many days without king or prince." This was prophecied in 722 B.C. Israel still waits.
They are told in v. 5 that total restoration (an Eden-like scenario) will come to pass eventually.
In the meantime, they wait.
We all do.
Tweaks.
Good morning, beloved.
I sent you each an email about how to post to this blog yourself. This way, if you want to write, it doesn't have to be only in the comments.
A word of caution on that, however. This blog is open to anybody who wants to read it (and please feel free to invite friends and others to participate in our discussion). What that means for you as a blogger is, you must keep in mind that tender secrets are best not shared with the entire Internet world. Please use discretion.
Also, if you want to be notified every time a blog post or a comment goes up, let me know. I can add your email to that setting as well.
Stay tuned... Later today I will post about the happenings from last night's first study in Hosea.
Love to all...
I sent you each an email about how to post to this blog yourself. This way, if you want to write, it doesn't have to be only in the comments.
A word of caution on that, however. This blog is open to anybody who wants to read it (and please feel free to invite friends and others to participate in our discussion). What that means for you as a blogger is, you must keep in mind that tender secrets are best not shared with the entire Internet world. Please use discretion.
Also, if you want to be notified every time a blog post or a comment goes up, let me know. I can add your email to that setting as well.
Stay tuned... Later today I will post about the happenings from last night's first study in Hosea.
Love to all...
Monday, August 18, 2008
Your place at our table
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Yada Yada Coffee Stains welcomes you!
Here, we reflect on what we're learning together from the Lord.
We are His children, lovers of coffee and good conversation, yearning for holiness and mercy. Together, we will endeavor to know Him better, through Bible study, fellowship and prayer.
This blog is called From the Table. Why, you ask? Because the conversations here all stem from shared coffee and truth and questions at my dinner table. Because the Lord asks us to join Him at His table. Because Psalms tells us He prepares a table for us before our enemies and offers us peace. Because Job tells us He draws us to His table to feast on His blessings. Because Luke tells us we will eat with Him at His table in His kingdom. Because Matthew reminds us that offerings from alabaster jars are poured out before the Lord at His table.
Thank you, thank you, for joining us on this journey. For walking in Grace with us. For taking a place at the table.
Here, we reflect on what we're learning together from the Lord.
We are His children, lovers of coffee and good conversation, yearning for holiness and mercy. Together, we will endeavor to know Him better, through Bible study, fellowship and prayer.
This blog is called From the Table. Why, you ask? Because the conversations here all stem from shared coffee and truth and questions at my dinner table. Because the Lord asks us to join Him at His table. Because Psalms tells us He prepares a table for us before our enemies and offers us peace. Because Job tells us He draws us to His table to feast on His blessings. Because Luke tells us we will eat with Him at His table in His kingdom. Because Matthew reminds us that offerings from alabaster jars are poured out before the Lord at His table.
Thank you, thank you, for joining us on this journey. For walking in Grace with us. For taking a place at the table.
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