I love Deuteronomy. It can almost be read like a NT book, packed with emotion, reflecting on the past to learn in the future, and God's character is constantly being defined.
Themes that I am following in the book include:
1)God is good (In what context it is declared, and what response it is to draw out fom the people)
2) Warnings ("Take care" is repeated on almost every page, warning them not to let their heart go against God)
3) Remembering Egypt (How is this to help them live holy, and know their God? Application-how do we view our past: Do we romanticize Our Egypt because it was a time of predictability, or can we remember God's acts in Egypt?)
4) God after the heart (to circle every time the heart is mentioned in Deut is amazing. God reveals that acts are nothing without the heart)

So I am really glad that Deut is the last book of the Pentateuch, because it is my favorite. Please read it, and possibly think about or highlight these themes or others, remembering that it is Moses' last plea to the people to fear, walk, love and serve God, and keep his commands (10v12-13)

Leviticus

A summary of Leviticus
The aspects of Leviticus may be summed up as pillars of absolutes within the old and new covenants: There is sin and judgment, need for atonement, a call to devotion, worship and faith, God desiring fellowship with man, a challenge to holiness, and the responsibility of evangelism. IT was God's way of setting apart the Israelites as holy, even in the details-the chapters of clean and unclean reveal that everything is spiritual, nothing is secular. It serves as a foreshadow for the requirements of Christ, in partnership of the book of Hebrews explaining how Christ served as the perfect priest and fulfillment of the statutes of Leviticus.
A seemingly boring book, Leviticus was a great blessing for me to study.

(Part of our assignment requirement)
In view of these truths, what changes do I have to make to my views of God, life, church, society?
God: I think looking at Leviticus has continued to show me the consistencies between the God of the OT and the NT. He is just, he is holy, he wants to dwell with his people, obedience is a sweet aroma to him, etc etc. It is fantastic to see the parallels, as well as to recognize the book of Leviticus as a foreshadow of Christ. Recognizing the offerings makes me realize how desperately God desires fellowship, and how much he hates sin.
Life. I know that I do not live daily in the recognition of the cost of Christ. Also, to recognize how zealous God is for his people, his ability to now dwell within his people. It does not get much more personal than that. To live daily in the truth of recognizing God in me would help me not be so concerned for the unknown, and to express worship more in common conversation.
Church: I kind of envy the thought of all the people gathering at the hub; the tabernacle, and seeing God work. It seems like there was a lot of value commanded of the Israelites to honor each other-especially the poor. No one should feel marginalized in the body.






Another assignment with Leviticus was to make pictures to represent some of the chapters of Leviticus: I used Playdough

1)Nadab and Ibihu are consumed by fire, for disobeying God. Ch 10
2)The year of Jubilee. A year of no work, God would supply enough to eat for 3 years so there would be no need to prepare for the coming year. (Ch 24v8ff)
3)Feast of Weeks. A wave offering, grain offering, seven lambs, one bull, and 2 rams offered, along with a drink offering. No work, watch TV... (23v15-21)
4)Sabbath. Relax, remember the God who saved the Israelites from the slavery of Egypt (23v3)
5)Consecration of the priests. Aaron and his sons are ordained with blood on the ear, right thumb and right toe, possibly to symbolize obedience in listening, doing, and walking. (Ch 8)

the golden letter journal

Today is a half relaxed day-I finished Genesis early,and I am taking some time to journal. I recognize that, at least in prayer, my mind is full of incomplete thoughts when people come to mind to pray for, and so, I have begun to write out names, and about two lines specifically about them, and what I would like to see God work in them.
A "prayer journal"? Oh, i would rather not call it that: it makes me think of scripted gold letters, a lacey journal with satin ribbon beside a cup of tea. If you know me, you would understand how i would refuse to attach myself to such imagery. No, the beginning of this journal consists of to do lists, a recipe for crepes and some simple math. I thought about tearing it out, but, no, it suits better than lace.
Anyways.
This journal was started about two weeks ago, and consists of the most random people from my past; people from camp i met when i was 14 who i havent seen since, people i met during our local outreach in australia during dts, people from 3 different churches, all sorts. AS they come to mind,and i wonder how they are doing, I am trying to pray for them instead of leaving it a half baked thought.
I also journal generally, about twice a week. Im not sure how i will balance both, since SBS is continually taking up the majority of my time. I am not writing this to brag about how deep i am (i always had a perception in the past that journalers are vast in imagination and emotionally complex beyond all verbal communication-i mean, how deep is that) but rather, explain how it helps me hammer out my thoughts in a progression, and stay dedicated to one thought long enough to really jog it out to completion. I'm an introspective extrovert, and i find that writing things out keeps me focused, and also makes me feel like i have told someone all my thoughts-leaving me less likely to pour out my self reflecting issues on an unwilling ear. Maybe this can serve as a challenge to document your life-jog things out on paper to understand your thought pattern better. You don't have to buy a lacey golden book to do it either.

My apologies

Sorry if anyone actually reads this in hopes to hear how I am doing in SBS. It's been a while, and many books since the last post. We are now moving on the Old Testament, and I and I am trudging through Genesis. If anyone has thoughts on 9v6, let me know. Considered to be a supporting argument for capital punishment, I'm curious if anyone else has come across this with some difficulty.

Meanwhile, we had a frost last night, leaving everything look mystical.




Also, me and some students are beginning to collaborate a list of youtube videos best suited to serve as a distraction from home work. This includes, but is not limited to...
Fainting goats
Can i have a napkin please
Baby got booked
Goalie fights
Bible in a minute, Mothers day picture, completely uncalled for, or the good word by barats and beretta.
Mr. Bean Nativity scene
Taco bell drive thru folk song
...
feel free to contribute your ideas.

We went to a massive christmas market as a school, and critical services came along.
I found this lovely hat...yes im joking

This is a bit out of order. After the market we went to find a christmas tree. The boys instantly became...boys, and the battle began.

Att he market, we went to a beauty table, they gave us "lip plump" gloss, and it was strange, it actually felt like we were becoming angelinas.

I encouraged everyone to wear an ugly christmas sweater to go to the market. Here i found a legit ugly sweater, for 80 bucks...

Heres the family of ugly sweaters. Hopefully i have started a new tradition in ywam.

predestination is not related to the topic of who you are going to marry.
Just so you know.
more food for thought to come, but, on a different topic....
these are some rough notes on Romans, that i agree with
Romans9v14
Election; Its by God’s mercy.
Mercy-benefit they (mankind) don’t deserve
Justice-to receive exactly what they (mankind) deserve.
To say that God is unjust suggest that HE owes US.
“though justice be thy plea, consider this, that in the course of justice, none of us should see salvation” Shakespeare.
God is free to extend mercy
God is free to extend wrath
BECAUSE
Consistent with character, accomplish purposes, bring glory to his name.
Why would he still find fault?
9v19 Who are YOU O man!!!! To try and find fault with God.
Preach it Bible, go for it Shakespeare.

connecting with community

So, my room mate came up with a great and challenging idea.
We have become friends with the local, a woman named Lori, who owns the bar in turner valley. Of course, she is having a big bash tonight because its halloween. So, we offered to help her clean up her bar after. She had told us a few weeks ago that she had to stay til 4 am last time she had live entertainment, so she could clean up.
SOOOO
We offered ourselves up as free labour, we are going to go to the bar around 130 am tonight, and help clean up. Last call is 2 am, so it will be a late night. But she was so flattered and gave us hugs, i think its a great way to show some love.
so, pray for us?
just that we won't be too thrown off schedule by doing this.
nic