City On A Hill

Although Job was not famous for being wise it seems like he really was very wise. It's also amazing that he still sees God as all-powerful even in his distress as opposed to saying there is no God or that he is against God he almost doesn't see that as an option which is interesting. I also wonder if those he had helped that were beggars and such turned on him when they say his state. "companion of ostriches" Now that is a great line.

<strong>Job 24-26</strong> This week has been pretty crappy and I was flipping through my Relevant issue that just arrived and started reading this article about child slavery and then I realized that for some of those girls that is their life. Except there is no hope at all and they live and die a life of sad circumstances and I am sure many die before reaching adulthood. Anyway poor Job had hope and even though his current state is pretty dire he still has this hope somewhere deep down the understanding that God is great and will have compassion. It just seems pretty crappy for the time being.

<strong>Job 9-10 </strong> Its kind of crazy how even in his distress Job seems pretty clearheaded about his situation in that obviously he can't really complain to God about his condition even if he wanted to. Then in the second half he does anyway which is kind of funny but I like his whole argument in the first part of these chapters as he realizes that Only God can help him and if He had wanted to He would have already.

<strong>Esther 6-10</strong> God was totally looking out for Mordecai. I am sure Haman felt like such an idiot. Not only did he tell the king to go all out for Mordecai he actually had to carry it out. This is such a great story I love this ending Haman and all his foloowers and sons die and Esther is given her wish for the the jews and Mordecai is honored for basically following God. It's awesome!

<strong>Esther 1-2</strong> I've heard that Vashti was being asked to come naked to show herself before te kind's party and that's why se didn't come but it seems that she didn't go because she didn't want to so I can see why the king would be frustrated. It's crazy though that he let her go just like that! I really like the story of Esther. She was favored among everyone she must have been amazing!

I haven't written in a bit for various reason, but I'm starting again today, and my hope is that it is a blessing to any who read. Some one of the reasons I haven't written lately is that our church offices were broken into recently, and one of the things they stole was my Mac PowerBook. <br><br> Obviously, God is sovereign and there are various reasons that the break-in happen including sin. But, if the following verse is true...

<strong>2 Chronicles 16-18</strong><br> Again, what a sad time to be a king in either Judah or Israel.<br><br>Asa, what were you thinking? Relying on other kings...<br><br>Sad ending for a good king.<br><br>What a terrible way to die.<br><br>Did any of these kings (from Judah or Israel) think to make peace with each other?<br><br>Is war easier then peace?

<strong>2 Chronicles 13-15</strong><br><br>Civil war? What a terribly sad time for the people of God.<br><br>It really seems like Abijah was boasting, but they believe in the true God, so God gave them a grave and mighty victory.<br><br>Asa rocks, except that he didn't remove the high places. How did those things keep coming back?<br><br>An army of a million men (a million)...<br><br>Defeated (defeated)!<br><br>How many times did God use men like Azariah to tell his people to just follow and worship the true God?<br><br>Their history bore out their prosperity when they followed and their great hardship when they turned away.<br><br>I don't mean that they should have followed for the blessings, but at that time God desired them to flourish, but they would so easily turn away from Him.

<strong>2 Chronicles 10-12</strong> It's just crazy to me how unwise Rehoboam was when he had the wisest father that ever lived. It's crazy to think how we all are so different not just from each other but even from our own flesh and blood. That we will make our own mistakes and all in different ways. We each will learn different lessons in life and we each will be accountable for all those choices. Then through all that God knows us to the deepest core of our being every word every thought every action before we even exist. Now that is crazy.

<strong>2 Chronicles 7-9 </strong> I can't even imagine the event of the temple being consecrated on one hand it was glorious and pure and on the other it was filthy and gory. The didn't have enough room to burn the sacrifices that's just crazy. I thin k it would be amazing to get just a glimpse of what it was like to live in Solomon's kingdom. Have they found an of the gold pieces from his reign?