Hello,

My blog has moved to www.clearbrilliantcrystal.com. It looks about the same, but I am still in the process of painting the walls, arranging the furniture and hanging up some pictures.

See you there!

Ok, folks, here is my review of The Chronological Study Bible from Thomas Nelson, Inc. I have to say that I absolutely love this Bible. It is an appropriate tool for anyone new to reading the Word as well as those who have been reading it for years. It certainly would have been a nice addition in my Old & New Testament Survey classes in bible school. The elements that make this book unique are clearly explained up front, and are arranged within the text in a way that enhances my study time.

The maps, illustrations, nuggets of history, etc. give a reasonable perspective of bible times. A quick look at what else was going on in the world makes it interesting. Psalms take on new meaning as they are placed within the context of David’s life and the people of Israel. The books of the prophets are interspersed thoughtfully within the history of Israel. The birth of my Savior is aligned with like chapters. The epistles of Paul are spread along his journeys in Acts.

This Bible is also an answer to prayer. I have prayed for my reading of the Word to stay fresh, and to be opened up to me in a new way. I look forward to reading it more and more.

I was recently thinking about the depth of the woods now that the leaves are gone.  I can see so much farther into the woods without their lush green covering.  Trees full of leaves are beautiful to behold, but they can also hide other characteristics of beauty as well as flaws.

If you wanted to see past the initial covering you would have to walk up to the trees. As you draw closer, more trees come into your line of vision. They are just as beautiful to behold yet unique in their own way. Suddenly, you realize you are immersed in the beauty of the Lord’s creation, surrounded by His presence. You have no choice, but to stand in worshipful awe as creation is doing its thing – living in the activities of its season. You would have seen bits and pieces of this living from the outside, but not until you are willing to walk into it do you really see what is hidden in its depths.

Then the change of seasons comes. The leaves turn a myriad of colors that are a delight to behold, and then they slowly fall to carpet the ground. As the leaves fall, you begin to see more of the inside world which has always existed. You can stand on the outside and look farther in. Yet to see the beauty which still exists you have walk closer. Even though the woods are quieter, there is still the business of life at hand. Creation is still doing its thing. It is just living in the activities of a different season, and waiting for the next season to come.

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

I really am not opposed to change. Change can lead to much needed adjustments. So I try to be flexible, but then something happens that makes me realize I might not be as flexible as I think I am.

We have painters coming in Thursday or Friday to paint over a water stain on our ceiling. (The water stain is a nice little reminder of the abundance of rain that fell one day last summer.) This morning I moved around our bed and night stands so they are not in the way.

In looking at my bed in its temporary placement in my room I had the thought of how I wouldn’t be able to sleep there tonight. It’s out of place. Then I was thinking how that really shouldn’t matter. It’s still my bed. I am still sleeping on the same side. Not much has changed except for its physical placement, BUT it’s still different now. As I stand at my bedroom door looking in I see my bed in a different place. It looks weird.

Last week I started to go through a box packed with old journals and some remnants from bible school. In looking through on of the journals I came across this entry from July 2003.

Car had to be towed because the key would not go into the ignition; only would go halfway. I was thinking tonight how my keys, which are so familiar to me, seemed very foreign. God showed me that this is how we think about things when they go wrong. What is familiar will turn foreign when it doesn’t work right.

My bed does look pretty foreign right now in its temporary placement. I know I would feel different if I had rearranged my bedroom, and put the bed in a new place. There would be adjustment, but also a sense of pleasure and satisfaction. I love to rearrange my living room. I think it brings freshness and even a sense of peace to have it different. Things are in their new proper place.

However, as my bed is now very close to the furniture in my room with this big gaping space where it used to be, there is a feeling of disorder. I walk in there and can feel that things are out of place. The same sensation I have with a physical arrangement can be present with a spiritual arrangement. I can have an impression that something is not right, but not quite sure what it is; or I can get a feeling that something is very right because peace abounds. It can be harder to “see” things spiritually, but thankfully I have the Holy Spirit to give me the discernment I need to perceive what needs to be changed in my life.

Holy Spirit lead change can put me out of sorts for a bit. It can be hard to let go of the things that are familiar; the things I think are in my control. Once things are figured out and I am put back in order I am a much happier person. Just like I will be once my bed is back in place…or maybe it is time to rearrange things in there.

It’s almost 4 a.m. and I cannot sleep. I don’t know why, but here I am reflecting on the goodness of the Lord. As I was laying in bed contemplating my wakefulness I heard the pitter-patter of raindrops outside. This made me happy because I love hearing the rain. It is very soothing. After going through a season of drought, and even though the drought has ended (I think) I am still very grateful for it. It is a reminder of the Lord’s blessings in this season of Thanksgiving.

This past Thanksgiving we did something new, and celebrated with friends. Usually we meet up with family, but this year we wanted to stay close to home. So we only went about ten minutes away, and with the way things came together, hosted a Thanksgiving meal at the home of very close friends who were not even home. This really makes me reflect upon the goodness of the Lord.

I suppose for some it’s not really a big deal, but for me it is a great blessing. We had a lot of fun on Thanksgiving sharing the day with brothers and sisters in Christ.  I also am grateful to the Lord for ensuring the turkey was tasty, and the rolls did not get too burnt. They were still edible!

I sometimes question whether we did the right thing, and if we were following the Lord when we moved down here. Then days like Thanksgiving 2008 occur. From this I can truly say we are right where the Lord has called us to be. Thank you.