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5/29 Day 2 of Nigel and Emily's Transcontinental Bible Study: Desperate for Changing, Starving for Truth

2 Chronicles 31
Hezekiah's story continues...

1 Kings 19:20-21

Acts 12
Peter is Imprisoned

Zechariah 2:8-13
The Exiles are Called Home

2Chronicles 31

Assyria has invaded Jerusalem causing the people to flee and the Passover feast to be missed. The King, Hezekiah, calls everyone to return a month later to celebrate late. He prays so that people who were never "purified" will be allowed to enjoy the feast. He opens it up to more than anyone before. The celebration goes on for an extra week because everyone is so encouraged by the community God has given them.  Hezekiah commends the musical skill of the Levites and the ways they have chosen to worship God. After the celebration is over, Hezekiah calls the people to do two things: to destroy the idols in their lives, and to take care of the poor. In Verse 10 Hezekiah asks his high priest "where did all this come from?" And Azariah the high priest, from the family of Zadok, replied, "since the people began bringing their gifts to the Lord's Temple, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, for the Lord has blessed his people." Hezekiah then creates more jobs and positions helping to distribute the food to everyone in need. Essentially, if you give what you have, you won't need. God blessed the people for giving up the things they had worked so hard for and then everyone had more than they started out with. Verses 20 and 21 say this: In this way, King Hezekiah handled the distribution throughout all Judah, doing what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God. In all that he did in the service of the temple of God and in his efforts to follow the law and the commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful. Chapter 32 continues the story. The great celebration has ended and Hezekiah's rule is thriving when he hears about Assyria's plans to invade Judah. Instead of waiting for the attack he immediately repairs the wholes in the protection wall, strengthens the entire wall, and builds a second. in Verse 7&8 he addresses his people saying, "Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are just men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!" These words greatly encouraged the people.

So be encouraged, God is on your side. But also, strenghten your reinforcements. Begin to build a community, to pray, to read God's word and to understand that when you are afraid or discouraged God is still there and stronger than anything you're facing.

Things Nigel and I are praying for:
-relaxation and peace over our worries
-being able to meet new people, be ourselves
-help to avoid spiritual laziness
-opportunites to be stretched out
-moving on and healing from friendships and relationships

I would really like to do something important. I would really like to change things.


I would like to start with myself.

This is my thirty day quest for something real. I want to spend this time trying to get to know God in a wayI haven't before. I hope it works. Anyway, It'd be awesome if anyone that still uses xanga wants to start their own 30 day online bible study so we can read each others and feel inspired and community. I really don't know if anyone still uses xanga. either way, this will hopefully be good for me.

5/28 Day1: Dandelions


God thank you for the beautiful weather today. I pray that we'll begin to focus our hearts and minds on you. Open us up to you. Make your presence known in our lives. When we're hurting let us come ot you. I want to forget the things I use as crutches in my life. I want to be free. Ready our hearts for something great and help us begin to clear out all the "junk."

1 Kings 18 & 19

2 Kings 23

2 Chronicles 30

http://www.biblegateway.com

Obviously, we don't want to run around murdering people who don't worship our God. Luckily when Jesus came everything got shook up quite a bit more. But also, it makes me want to be a minimalist. Its cool what Hezekiah turned passover into. Our lives with God should be celebrated, our joy comes from him and our community. When it's beautiful outside try to wrap your mind around God's creation. Stand in awe of him and appreciate the intricasy of the world.


I just want to be happy. God teach me about that.


Teach me how to love.

One day I was walking;
I felt the earth shaking beneath me.
The rocks shattered
and deep below something appeared to be growing.
It was you and you were a dandelion.
Sitting on my "band-aid" knees,
I reached out my hand with fear of falling.
Birds danced all around you,
the sun seemed to set and I was no closer to you.
Tightened my shoelaces around a root nad outstretched an arm.
I wanted to pick you.
My arms could not, would not reach.
I sat back down and cried.d
My dirty face smeared.
Almost dark now.
It was quiet and i was scared.
With one last effort I stretched both arms forward,
shoes slipped off and down I fell.
Stomach sick, head pulsing, wait to land, wait for pain.
Softly, I land. Open my eyes,
Dandelions everywhere.
I didn't realize you had picked me.

Somtimes I feel afraid to go on living. If things are good, I have trouble just letting them be good. I need things to be better. I need to learn how to feel safe. I lay in my bed and tell myself that I'm not going to sleep, that I'm just going to listen. Two hours later I wake up and I'm afraid. It's all overwhelming. I can hear the trains from my open window and it seems like they come more than ever--sort of like they're begging me to come back. and I want to go back and to see everyone I've ever been there with, exactly as they were the first time we ever went together. I miss jack. I miss nigel. I miss childhood and I'm trying to push through and accept adulthood, but I don't think adults have to feel alone. I don't want to feel alone. I'm delicate. A tiny paper box with something precious somewhere inside. I'm needy. I'm in need. I need you, God. I need you more than ever. Every breath makes me need you more. With you I can stay a child and it's not unhealthy. It's just right.

I admit I'm horrible with change and even the good things coming into my life I find hard to appreciate. I'm horrible at adjusting. I just shut down. God, make this a good year. God, make this a good year. God, make me a good person. I want to be a good person. A genuinely good person. I want to love with your love and to feel with your heart. Break me down. Less of me, more of you. less of this, more of that. less of here, more of there. less of i, more of they.

"If you still love me, please forgive me."

nerves. nerves. nerves. nerves. nerves.

pray.

peace.

nerves. nerves. nerves.

pray.

peace.

nerves.