Gold and Silver vessels

Reading in Numbers 7 today. I noticed that the leaders of Israel are presenting offerings to God. Nahshon, son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah presents a silver dish, a silver bowl, a gold pan--willed w/ fine flour mixed w/ oil; the gold pan contained incense. And I got to wondering if anyone in the family objected to those valuable silver and gold vessels being given to God. "Keep them for the family, Nahshon; we'd love to use them/have them around the house." What would be the point of eating off of or using gold and silver vs. "the Target/WalMart" brands? Apparently, gold and silver, representing the BEST were to be offered to God. Not kept at home under lock and key, causing one to value his possessions out of place in what he values to give to God. Makes me wonder then about the reasonableness of any expense for opulence except to honour God.

In search of mercy

From daily quiet time with God
Ex. 25:21
"You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony which I will give to you. 22 There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy, . . . I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel."  From Macarthur notes: The lid or cover of the ark was the 'mercy seat' or the place at which atonement took place. Between the Shekinah glory could above the ark and the tablets of law inside the ark was the blood-sprinkled cover. Blood from the sacrifices stood between God and the broken law of God!"
This got me thinking how as a Christian, I find mercy, forgiveness, for my sins thru the sacrifice of myself, my selfishness, admitting my sin before God. While I don't have to sacrifice an animal, I do have to agree with God that my actions/inaction are sin (think of God's law inside the ark--how one has broken that law) and ask for forgiveness. Then I think how before I became a Christian, how two thousand years ago the final sacrifice on the mercy seat was made so that I could draw near to God, acknowledge my need for Him, and find forgiveness of my sinful state as a human being. Forgiveness and the dispensation of mercy are never free. There is some sacrifice that has been made or must be made to obtain mercy. I can write much more on this later, but this is the gist of what I was thinking during my quiet time.

$10,000,000, you say?

That's what a spam email tells me. We passed thru the Miami airport and left behind a 

250-pound suitcase stuffed with ten million dollars. Pretty clever composition except for the private email: yeah.net? Inspires no confidence. Of course, we never returned with a 250-pound suitcase to begin with. Amusing. 

Attn: Consignor.

 

This is the UN audit unit of Miami International Airport (MIA). All forfeited and false declared Consignments are deposited herein the restricted bonded warehouse for auditing. On routine investigation, I discovered this forfeited consignment with your name on the bill of entry. On an extensive inspection the Value of the cash stuffed consignment was not declared but assumed approximately 10Millionusd. The Consignment was forfeited because of false declaration by the Consignee and the delivery officers' inability to pay the Non Inspection fee (NI). The Consignment was originally declared as personal effect while the real content is cash money.

 

The details on the consignment tagged is:

 

Type: SUITCASE

Wheels: 4 wheels

Handles: Trolley handle with top & side handles

Approximate Dimensions: Height: 3.20 ft, Width: 2.50 ft, Depth: 1.90 ft.

Weight: 250.22 lbs.

 

I solicit your acceptance to use my position to clear and deliver this Consignment to you on condition that I will be compensated after receipt. Indicate your acceptance by forwarding:

 

1. Your Full Name.

2. Home phone & Cell Phone 

3. Home delivery address.

4. Airport Closest to you.

5. Any form of Identification either Drivers license or International Passport.

 

All communication must be private and encrypted because we are under the watchful eye of the security agents. Once the clearance is completed I will deploy the service of a secured dispatch company that will deliver to your doorstep.

 

Reply through my private email: office197@yeah.net

 

Regards,

Robert Russell.

UN Audit Officer.

2017 New Year Beginnings

2017 sees me beginning another read-through of the Bible. Several years past I discovered a chronological reading of the Bible, and that's the approach I'll use this year. I find it difficult to accomplish the reading in one year; 18 months is more practical for me. I also hope to begin a new habit of reading the gospels at night before falling asleep but haven't succeeded yet--I've almost finished a gardening book that usually hooks my curiosity at bedtime. When I finish it, I think I can easily transition to the gospels. I think my New Year's Resolution/Word for the year will be "My Witness," following up on 2016's "Evangel." And I think the scripture I'll choose comes from a speaker at Belmont chapel around Jan. 25, Brett Swayn of The Cookery Restaurant in Nashville: John 11:40, Jesus speaking to Martha, (the momentarily deceased Lazarus's sister) : "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" It's great food for thought to challenge me that if I'm not seeing God working in my life or in the lives of those around me, just what have I believed of Him Whom I have believed in as my Saviour?

Decompression

After a splendid trip to Orodara/Domes of Fabedougou/Cascades of Banfora at the end of 2014, 2015 began with a big wave of activity--arrival of two missionary units, gathering of Ouaga pastors and wives, meeting of Burkina Baptist women, an infinite number of plumbing repairs at our center, and school board meeting, so that by this weekend, Jan. 17-18, I protected it as best I could to have no obligations others than church Sunday morning. And I succeeded. I did go into work Saturday morning as I had had no time to process expenses and income for 2 weeks and needed to prepare an expense report. I like to prepare one every 2 weeks to keep the procedure from being overly burdensome. Friday night Bart and I had a parents night off as Elizabeth went to a sleep-over. We chilled by watching an old movie, Sneakers, that proved pretty entertaining. Saturday afternoon I blanched and froze broccoli and green beans and baked two loaves of banana bread. Today I was rejoicing going to church at Bon Berger--love the French and their music--w/ our new missionary who is in Ouaga to learn French. Then we had lunch at our house (chicken spaghetti--one of Bart's favorites). We told S. she was welcome to stay the afternoon and then walk with me and Bart, but she had to do laundry--other units at the center monopolized the washer yesterday, so she had to take care of her laundry today. After taking her home, I returned and napped for about 2 hours. Then Bart and I walked while Elizabeth played ultimate frisbee at ISO. Was the perfect way to spend a weekend. I need to work from my rest. If my weekend fills up with activities, I run out of energy during the week, because those time slots fill up. 7 engagements already on the dock for the upcoming week in addition to my responsibilities at the Guest House and assisting in the French language program for our new co-worker. "Hello, I'm Jane Anne Gibbs, a missionary, and I attend meetings." Working towards change--prayerfully.