The good, long day
My alarm went off at 5:30, but I didn't get up till six. Raven and I walked in the semi-darkness, but it's still not too cold out, so I can't complain a lot. Tim and Mark got up and out the door to do drywall, Christina's bus arrived on time, right at our door, and I packed a lunch and supper for myself (Tim a lunch too).

I was happy to be starting the day at Anthropology/Sociology. I dropped off my HR information about retirement benefits. I ran up to IT to give them a print out of printer woes. (How come a printer can print out what's wrong with it but can't print out what you want it to?)

I got a little more settled in at my job at the Seminary. I did several data entries, worked on setting up new voice mail and getting my password to the data system on my computer.

I left a little after 8 pm, after spending almost 12 hours on campus. When I got home, I had forgotten Tim had book club tonight. Now he's home and happy at his computer.

The best news of all is that I should have my car back on Thursday. The damages won't be too hard to fix, so I don't think we'll bother getting a loaner car. I'll be so happy to have Scotty McGregor, the Highlander, back!

Till next time,


Suzi
- posted by Suzi @ 7:35 PM 0 comments

 
Joshua 14
Today's Scripture

The passage today talks about further division of the land west of the Jordan. Specifically, the story of Caleb and his inheritance is told. He requested Hebron, and because of his faithfulness to the Lord he was allowed to conquer this land. He and Joshua had been the only two of twelve original spies who had originally come up into the land that survived the 40 years in the desert. They had wanted to come up and conquer the land, but the other 10 convinced the Israelites that it was too scary to go up into the land at that time.

Joshua and Caleb had been following the Lord in obedience for years. They had fought battles to conquer the land God had promised his people. What a blessing to read, in verse 15: "Then the land had rest from war."

It may seem that most of our life is a battle, and indeed, we do have to battle the forces of evil if we are seeking to walk on the path the Lord has for us. Even when we find ourselves in God's will--and sometimes because of it--we will face hardship. But there are times of peace and rest--and even in the difficulties we can know God's peace which passes all understanding. Let's thank him for his peace, and for those times when he allows us to experience rest as well.
- posted by Suzi @ 6:41 AM 0 comments

 
Joshua 13
Today's Scripture

God had certainly blessed the Israelites. When Joshua was old and had many battles under his belt, the Lord promised him and Israel that even more land was to be theirs--that he, the Lord, would drive out the inhabitants himself.

The 13th chapter also explains how the land was divided east of the Jordan--the land that was won back when Moses was still alive. In explaining the division of land, the writer of Joshua points out that the Levites had no physical inheritance of land, "since the offerings made by fire to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, as he promised them." (v. 14 b) this is repeated in verse 33: "But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he promised them."

The Levites were provided for by the offerings of the people and the blessing of the Lord. Today we don't receive a land set apart for us as God's people in his holy land, but we are like the Levites. The Lord Jesus Christ himself is our inheritance, and with his Holy Spirit living within us, we can rejoice and know that no matter what our circumstances, God is with us, dwelling within us, guiding us as he did the Israelites long ago. Our inheritance is peace within and eternal life with our Savior.
- posted by Suzi @ 9:02 AM 0 comments

 
Too tired
Too tired to blog after working every day this week. Maybe tomorrow.

Till next time,


Suzi
- posted by Suzi @ 7:40 PM 0 comments

 
Joshua 12
Today's Scripture

Chapter 12 of Joshua lists all the kings that the Lord, using the army of Israel, defeated. Moses led the army east of the Jordan before he died, and gave the land to the Reubenites. Joshua led the people across the Jordan after Moses' death, and conquered the rest of the land. Thirty-one kings in all were defeated. The Israelites were given victory after victory, and as long as they sought the Lord they were rewarded with the spoils of the land.

God wants us to live victorious lives, too. The problem is that we want to seek our own way instead of his. It seems it takes a lifetime to learn that what he has in mind for us is for our benefit, and if we seek and trust him with everything, we too will defeat the enemy and enjoy what God has for us.
- posted by Suzi @ 6:40 AM 0 comments

 
Off to the women's retreat
Today I'm leaving for up north. Beautiful Covenant Pines. I haven't been up there since the women's retreat I attended two years ago. I know there are new buildings and facilities. I look forward to eating in the new dining hall (I did eat in there last time) and enjoying the beauty of God's handiwork at the spacious grounds nestled between two beautiful lakes. We can watch the sun set over Round Lake and gather around bon fires or the huge fire place in the retreat center.

We will enjoy fellowship, worship time, small group discussion and quiet time, as well as games and activities. It will be a time of refreshment and rest (well, refreshment any way!).

Can't wait.

Till next time,


Suzi
- posted by Suzi @ 6:47 AM 0 comments

 
Joshua 11
Today's Scripture

The battle against the enemies of Israel continues. Joshua faces a mighty foe as kings and kingdoms of the north unite to wage war with Israel. But God gives Joshua the courage and strength to press on to victory--these wars are fought by the Lord--Joshua and his warriors are only instruments in his hands.

Finally, after defeating and destroying many cities and people, the land is at rest and at peace. It took a long time and a lot of hard work, but the battles were finally over.

We may be facing our own battles today--battles that seem to have no end. But with the Lord as our guide, we can persevere and follow his marching orders, till he leads us to a time of rest. We must only trust his command and follow his heart.
- posted by Suzi @ 6:43 AM 0 comments

 
Joshua 10:29-43
Today's Scripture

Joshua and his army defeated and destroyed the armies of all the southern cities of Canaan. No survivors are left--everyone was killed, and the Lord fought for the Israelites.

It seems like a harsh way to come into a country and claim it as your own, but God has his purposes. Rather than focus on the destruction and killing, which we may not be able to understand, we should focus on God's mighty hand giving victory to his people when they completely trusted in him.

This same God that defeated the enemies of old can defeat enemies we face today. Our enemies may not be ones of flesh and blood--but can perhaps be self-doubt, jealousy, pettiness, unkindness, adultery, laziness, workaholism, or a number of other things. God wants us to seek after his heart and give us victory over evil. We just have to make him commander and chief of the army of our heart.
- posted by Suzi @ 5:08 PM 0 comments