RT @NoFlashCards: Let your kids play with their food, they might just
learn something . http://fb.me/tMv48Vvp

http://twitter.com/mabelhood/status/22803938191

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Can't wait to see this movie!!! Finally a movie that seems to really get severe, chronic depression. It always helps me to have a visual to help explain to others what my life is like, often despite my meds.

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Gen. 47

Joseph was placed in Egypt for a reason but he was a careful planner.
V. 13-15. No food in land. 3-5 yrs. of cash for food. Joseph saw the
people, they were demoralized and empty and worn. Joseph cared for
them. He was faithful with the resources and knowledge God had given
him.

Joseph was a calculated preserver.
He's found a way to prosper his boss and still provide for the people.
He preserved their lives.
His goal was to provide. He showed true mercy, it was costly for the
people but that was necessary to hold them responsible of setting the
correct priorities and taking responsibilities.
The view of "Riches are bad, poverty is good" isn't correct. It's how
we use riches and the motives of our heart in gaining and having it.
It's easy to get distracted by the shiny things of the world.
The distinction between necessity and idolatry is paper-thin. Where
God gives resources they must be used to further His Kingdom and
ministry. You're either building His kingdom or destroying yourself.

We are called to live in the service of our King with all He's given.
He's promised to provide for us, to put bread on the table.

Joseph was conscious of the need and a consistent provider.
V 23-25 Joseph provided for their immediate need and also had the
foresight to prepare a way for them to care for themselves and to
further even more Pharaoh's kingdom.
Joseph got what God intends for us to get. Whatever we do we need to
serve other people and work for the good of God.
The typical way of the land in those days that 50-60% of the produce
of the land went to the owner. Joseph was being merciful by allowing
them to keep 80% and only give Pharaoh 20%. This was such a favorable
law that 400 yrs. later Moses recorded that it was still in effect.

Our goal, our directives, no matter where we are is for the service of
the King. This is not our home. These are not our belongings. They are
our Lord's.
Christians work for more than money, they work the glory of God. We
are to work diligently for an honest wage and be righteous with all
our resources.

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Gen. 46

Where do we get our sufficiency ? Where do we find the strength to
make it thru all the difficulties of life?
There's nothing in ourselves that makes us ok. General wisdom tells
us that if we're okay with ourselves, if were bettering ourselves than
we're doing the good thing. We "saved" ourselves from a lesser life.
We are surrounded by things that rob us of satisfaction in Christ.

It's difficult to lean into the future, to see our life as Pilgrim
days. Faith to sight and prayer to praise. That's what awaits those
who rest in Christ for salvation.

Some of us feel sabotaged by the past. It's easy to think God has
forgotten you. God's promise is that He doesn't forget, He keeps His
promises through Jesus.
The settled conviction that the promises of God are true yesterday,
today, and forever: the definition of contentment.

Jacob's covenant allegiance:

When we're paralyzed by the present and past our tendency is to turn
inward. we must remember that God keeps His promises, they often start
slowly but eventually pick up speed. When we see a list of names in
Scripture we are actually seeing the goodness and promise and
faithfulness and preservation of God from generation to generation.
Yes , there are those that were liars, thieves, etc. that were weeded
out; God kept His covenant by judging them He continues to draw and
provide for His people.
V.8 God is faithful to the 3 generations, and all 70 people that were
of his household walking into Egypt. He kept His promise to Jacob.
They would walk out of Egypt in the millions.
The ultimate sense of our provision and safety is found only in Christ.

Some people will go to great lengths to find spiritual
peace/enlightenment. (Marathon monk). But no one ever gets to God on
their own effort.

Gods covenant assurance:

Joesph
God extends His Promises and peace to us and thru us.

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Gen. 45

Revenge. We think if we get revenge we've won. But no one got even.
When we get hurt we want to hurt another. But Scripture says do not
return evil for evil, but instead return good. Vengeance belongs only
in the hands of God. Joseph left it to God.
But, how do we begin to reconcile ? To take the Gospel seriously is to
take reconciliation seriously; forgiving one another. As far as it
depends on you live peacefully with all in your life. Forgive freely.
Reconcile truly. When you're reconciled truly you're free to live
freely in Christ.

Am I to forgive someone who is unrepentant ? Yes. The Bible reminds
that we are not to be inslaved to the bitterness of one who does evil
to us but intrust them to God. The working of the heart is God's
realm.

Who should forgive first? Both. Matt. 6:18. Luke 17. The offender and
the offended. The goal of forgiveness is forgiveness! Forgive freely.
When you've done the hurting you want the other person to forgive you
and to initiate it. When you're sinned against you feel intitled to
the other person initiating it immediately. Reconciliation happens
when both parties come together under God in unselfishness and
humility.

Announcement V.3- Joseph commits to relationship rather than
retaliation. ("I am Joseph"). This applies even to drive-thru servers,
people in traffic, cashiers... No revenge! Even with tone of voice or
horn!

Acceptance V.4- Brothers standing far off, one didn't get too near
to royalty.Joseph says "draw near to me". He initiated the
relationship. Don't blame yourself, God meant it for good. He didn't
say what they did was right, yet reconcialition came because a greater
love took over. Because Joseph was reconciled to God he could be
reconciled to his brothers. Grace written all over these pages. Ends
up big love fest.

Our standing before God is because Jesus says "come near". We may
not always understand His working but we can trust Him.
The very thing we are unable to provide for ourselves, justification,
God provides for us thru Christ's sacrifice.

Agenda. V.9 -"that we may go down to Canaan". He (Joseph) supplies for
his family. Reunited a family that had been fractured for many years.
He gave to them what they were unable to to do for themselves. See the
illustration again of what God has done for us!

Commit yourself to live beyond self interest. It's hard work and comes
with bumps

Commit to keep short accounts.

Commit to be at peace as far as God will allow. There are
relationships that will never be the same again even after forgiveness
has taken place but you can be at peace with them. Die to yourself.

Give the hurts of the past and present over to God.

Trust Him first, only, and extensively.

The grass is greener where one waters it.

Sent from my iPad

This evening marks the beginning of easier bath time, great fun for my
kiddos, and bits of time for me to put up my feet and knit. Yes, the
swimming pool has been inflated. Our first week of upper 80's-90's
convinced us to welcome in the season of water play. Oh, and if you're
wondering about the easier bath part, when it's hot enough to swim
then it's hot enough to get lathered up and rinsed from the hose.

Also, I'm elated that my abundant basil plants which froze in all the
snow and freezing temps this winter reseeded and are now very popping
up healthily scattered over my garden. Yahoo! So I'm transplanting to
other containers, potting for gifts, and generally having a blast.

I'm sitting under the fan, watching girls thru the back door,
listening to Jack Johnson and about to knit. Glory!
And they're just going to have to put up with leftovers for dinner.

Gen. 45

Revenge. We think if we get revenge we've won. But no one got even.
When we get hurt we want to hurt another. But Scripture says do not
return evil for evil, but instead return good. Vengeance belongs only
in the hands of God. Joseph left it to God.
But, how do we begin to reconcile ? To take the Gospel seriously is to
take reconciliation seriously; forgiving one another. As far as it
depends on you live peacefully with all in your life. Forgive freely.
Reconcile truly. When you're reconciled truly you're free to live
freely in Christ.

Am I to forgive someone who is unrepentant ? Yes. The Bible reminds
that we are not to be inslaved to the bitterness of one who does evil
to us but intrust them to God. The working of the heart is God's
realm.

Who should forgive first? Both. Matt. 6:18. Luke 17. The offender and
the offended. The goal of forgiveness is forgiveness! Forgive freely.
When you've done the hurting you want the other person to forgive you
and to initiate it. When you're sinned against you feel intitled to
the other person initiating it immediately. Reconciliation happens
when both parties come together under God in unselfishness and
humility.

Announcement V.3- Joseph commits to relationship rather than
retaliation. ("I am Joseph"). This applies even to drive-thru servers,
people in traffic, cashiers... No revenge! Even with tone of voice or
horn!

Acceptance V.4- Brothers standing far off, one didn't get too near
to royalty.Joseph says "draw near to me". He initiated the
relationship. Don't blame yourself, God meant it for good. He didn't
say what they did was right, yet reconcialition came because a greater
love took over. Because Joseph was reconciled to God he could be
reconciled to his brothers. Grace written all over these pages. Ends
up big love fest.

Our standing before God is because Jesus says "come near". We may
not always understand His working but we can trust Him.
The very thing we are unable to provide for ourselves, justification,
God provides for us thru Christ's sacrifice.

Agenda. V.9 -"that we may go down to Canaan". He (Joseph) supplies for
his family. Reunited a family that had been fractured for many years.
He gave to them what they were unable to to do for themselves. See the
illustration again of what God has done for us!

Commit yourself to live beyond self interest. It's hard work and comes
with bumps

Commit to keep short accounts.

Commit to be at peace as far as God will allow. There are
relationships that will never be the same again even after forgiveness
has taken place but you can be at peace with them. Die to yourself.

Give the hurts of the past and present over to God.

Trust Him first, only, and extensively.

The grass is greener where one waters it.

Sent from my iPad

Sent from my iPhone

Assembled the girls picnic table (yes, it's headed outside). Lily is playing Wooly Willy on my Mother's Day gift from my dear hubby. An iPad!!!!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone