Showing posts with label Bible Study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible Study. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Unclean! Unclean!

NASB
Lev 13:45
45 "As for the leper who has the infection, his clothes shall be torn, and the hair of his head shall be uncovered, and he shall cover his mustache and cry, 'Unclean! Unclean!'

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behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."
Luke 5:12 (NASB)


13 And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately the leprosy left him.
Luke 5:13 (NASB)


And there he was, crying out as he neared Jesus, "Unclean! Unclean!" This leper. This unclean person. No one can touch him. (It was good that he was following the rules by yelling this so that everyone would know not to get near him.) Then, can you believe? He just falls on his face in front of Jesus, and with pure faith and humility asks Jesus for healing...if it is His will. He has come before the King of Kings, and he's yelling how unworthy he is to even be in his presence...can you hear it, "Unclean! Unclean!"? He wasn't considered worthy to be in anybody's presence. Can you see him...head covered, clothes torn... Yet, here he is, before the Alpha and Omega... And then, Jesus does the unthinkable... He reaches out His hand...and touches the man...who is COVERED with leprosy. And immediately, the man was healed.

I can't help but be blessed by this account. To realize that I, too, am a sinner...whose heart screams, "Unclean! Unclean!" in the presence of the Almighty... And yet, Jesus... He is my cover and my healer and the One who touched me, the same One who touched him... the leper so many years ago. Oh people, that we would realize what living and breathing is all about.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

O Blog, my blog!

How I've missed blogging! I am so surpised to see that 3 weeks have come and gone since my last post. Where should this update begin? (I apologize for the random thoughts that are about to spew forth!)

For me, the last 3 weeks have been going really great. For starters, I am FINALLY back into a good Bible study through CBS. We are going through the book of Luke. Although, I never eagerly get into a group study, I always look back on them with good thoughts. It helps me spend time in God's word. That, in itself, is a feat! I do wish that I could say that I am disciplined to have good study each day, but brace yourself, I don't. Good to get that out! :-) I am excited about Luke and my weekly meeting with other sisters in Christ. I signed up for this because of the children's programs that Libby and Clara get to attend, too. They have age appropriate Bible study, and it is a great program! They each have children in their classes that we see at church or our other homeschooling group. So nice for them to build those relationships!

Homeschooling has been going wonderfully! I love it, and both girls are doing well with it. Libby seems to be such an easy and quick learner. She respects us as her teachers. While the daily responsiblity falls mostly to me, Brandon has been teaching her some lessons, too. He really enjoys it. I've always thought he is a wonderful Bible teacher to kids...why shouldn't he be good at reading and math, too? A child's mind is an amazing thing, and it is fascinating to watch it grow. I give all the glory to God.

Okay, here is where I open a big can of worms for me. The major thing that has been consuming my time and energy (literally) for the past 3 weeks has been weightloss. UGH. Well, so maybe not a can of worms...more like a window to my soul or something...but worms seems more appropriate considering the subject, don't you think? I ran across an article from Weight Watcher's (I don't do this program, but am sure it is one of the best.) It mentioned setting a goal of losing 10% of your body weight. Turns out, that's about all I have left to meet my first goal...drum roll... 130 lbs. I set that goal in Jan. 2007. So, I read the article, got all my mental ducks in a row and got to it! I decided that pounds off would be the best Christmas and birthday present (which is a few days after Christmas). The downfall... I'm the only person that can give myself that. Then, I got even crazier and started thinking that maybe, just maybe, I could even be a size 8 in '08. Get it?? It would just be nice to make that 130 goal before Jan. 1. (A quick recap for those who may not know...I weighed 230 in Oct. 2006 when I delievered Clara. No, that was not baby weight. I have been at 200 lbs most of my adult life...well, just all my life probably.)

So, I've been exercising 4 times a week at least and banning all dry carbs (pasta, bread, rice, flour) and of course, sugar from my diet. This works for me, and I'm so thankful to find something that does. I am going to post my stats, and I hope to blog about this more often. In the meantime, if you don't hear from me for another 3 weeks, just assume I've blown away b/c my hard work is paying off!! :-)

Stats:

height: 4 ft 11 in
weight: 143 lbs (muscle weighs more than fat, ya know! Laugh.)
pant size: a loose 12p

Libby and I in my size 22 jeans.