There Is No Place Like Home? (Numbers 14)

Word starts getting out about the Promised Land that was just spied out. The 10 mens opinion is a negative one with a daunting task lieing before the Israelites. It doesn't take long before the people start grumbling against Moses and Aaron (which in leadership is usually the first place people start to complain). In verses 2-4 they start playing out an imaginary scenario based on their fear.

I think it is interesting how fear plays a role in our decision making, these people had a promise from God that He was leading them back to their land (a land flowing with milk and honey). Word comes back that the people who are currently living in the land are much bigger than they are and all of a sudden their thoughts shift to how small they are and what a weak nation they have become in the desert. They play out a scenario where the better of all the options was to go back to Egypt and be slaves once again.

I wonder how many times I allow fear to lead me down a similar decision? How many times do I allow fear to cause me to shrink back and try to play it safe, even though safe is at a fraction of the level God is calling me to live? Fear is a dangerous monster when not dealt with properly. It can be a great motivator or a terrible chain.

Today, take some time and ask yourself where you are allowing fear to lead you.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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The Sky Is Falling (Numbers 13)...

Here we see an epic flannel board scene. God tells Moses to send spies out to explore the land He was sending them too. I find it interesting that God would send them even though He had already PROMISED the land to them. I wonder what that is all about?

Either way the 12 men went, 10 came back with exaggerated reports based on their fears, two came back with reports of advancement solely on God's spoken promises. This will lead Israel into a very interesting and difficult season.

I wish I could rant and rave about the lack of faith of the 10 but to be honest, I am not sure which of the two sides I would have fallen. There are times I feel that my faith is as strong to move the mountains Jesus was talking about; then there are other moment when I feel as if hiding in the crowd is the only way to survive.

I pray that God would continue to strengthen me through the cross and His love. This is the only way we will grow to a level of a Caleb and a Joshua.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Opossing God's Guy (Numbers 12)

Moses is going through a difficult period of leading people with little support from them. In this chapter he is being chastised by Aaron and Miriam for marrying a Cushite woman. All three of them get called into the Principal's office where God comes to Moses' defense. It is some pretty incredible words and an even more incredible endorsement considering the source of the words.

I am reminded this morning how important it is to yield to God as our protector. It is a dangerous battle when we prematurely attempt to take matters into our own hands and fight battles we were not intended to fight. God sees your challenge and is faithful to protect you. He cares deeply for you and is moved simply because He loves you as one of His own.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Explaination of blogging in frequency...

Sorry I've been light on the posting this week. It's been just barak and me this week and I'm lost without Misty. We have been bouncing between hospitals, police stations and convenience stores. Who would have guessed barak is an excellent designated driver.

Next week should be back to normal.

BAG

The Nazirite Way (Numbers 6)...

The Nazirite vow is a special vow of the Old Testament where people would take a vow for a specific amount of time.

Some Nazirite vows were life long commitments to God. Some great biblical nazarites were Samson, Samuel and John the Baptist.

This was not a casual vow to make. Only the most dedicated would make this kind of promise.

I'm reminded today how flipantly I make promises to God that have no public expression whether or not I actually keep that vow or promise. What if we decided to either keep or words or keep our mouths shut when it comes to the promises we make God?

God doesn't need our meaningless, empty words in our attempts to love us. He loves us just because we are His.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Confession, Restitution and Adultery...Oh My (Numbers 5)...

We are diving into the laws God set for us as a way of really showing how important Jesus will be in our stories. I thought it was interesting that the Old Testament requirement of making restitution (paying back a wrong done to someone) required confession, full payment + 20%.

How many times have we said we were sorry thinking, "Surely that's enough!!! What more do they want from me?" Restitution is a legal word we use in our courts everyday. I think we need to make it more of a point to use it as a relational word as we attempt to show love to the people we offend. Regardless if it was accidental or purposeful.

I'm going to take a nap.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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More Counting (Numbers 4)...

More counting. Maybe God is telling me that I should have tried harder in math.

That is all I got this morning for ya.

Have a great day

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Let's Count Some More (Numbers 3)...

As God continues to organize His children today we see the assembling of His priestly tribe. The Levites will serve the people of Israel by serving God. This will be an interesting role thoughout the rest of the Old Testament. This morning we read about hte second census being taken. To shoot straight with you, I'm hoping that tomorrow's reading doesn't have math involved. We will just have to see.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Follow The Leader (Numbers 2)...

As the Israelite are preparing to go on the move, God is giving them some order so they can better be prepared for this journey. He will tell them to gather around the Tent of Meeting and will give them the order as to which the nation should walk in line with. (for some reason I am having a flash back to elementary school when we would line up multiple times in a day).

What I found interesting is in the order the line leaders were the tribe of Judah. This tribe would serve as the front lines for the nation, the trail blazers, the protectors.

This is a very prominent (maybe the most prominent) tribe of Israel. Because in it we see the family lineage of Jesus. This tribe will be one of the greatest tribes because of it's capability to be on the front lines and lead this nation.

I thought it was interesting.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Numbers 1...

I am diving head first into the book of Numbers. This past week I spent some time preparing for Easter after finishing Genesis.

This is usually one of those books that we skip because of presumed boredom with Leviticus and Deuteronomy. However I am committed to reading God's Word because His inspiration is all over the place in these words.

For instance today...
In chapter one Moses is taking a census of the Israelites. They do this through the leaders of the tribes of the Israelites. At the end of it the men of age to begin the army numbered 603,550. What an incredibly large number for such a young nation. To think this doesn't take into account women and children blows me away.

And here is why...
There was a time when this nation consisted of one man, Abraham. Who was given a promise by God that He would make a nation out of his offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the sea. Abraham, already advanced in years, couldn't see how this was going to happen. None the less, God did and here we get to see the progress of this promise.

This morning I am reminded there is nothing my God can't do. He can move mountains, defeat enemies, bring me life, teach me to love better, show me where to invest my life. He is a good God.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Maybe My Favorite Chuck Norris Quote Of All Time...

"When the Boogie Man goes to sleep at night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris."

Blogcation Alert

This is a crazy week for me. Not only is it Easter week but we decided to move (when I say we I mean Misty told me to but is working so I have been doing this solo).

All that to say. I'm on blogcation until next week when life settles a bit more.

BAG

Genesis 47...

Chapter 47 came and went. Joe makes some business moves, Israel is promised that he won't be buried in Egypt and all seems to be wrapping up like a sitcom television show.

I know this, I'm sleepy so I will leave the deep theological thoughts to you.

Heart & Soul,
BAG
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Genesis 46...

Reunited and it feels so good!!! Israel and Joseph finally see each other after so many years.

One thing that majorly has me thinking today is the vision Israel had in verses 2-4. God tells him that He will make a nation out of Israel in Egypt. Which will happen but what also happens is the enslavement of the Israelites. Then in verse 4 God promises their return back to the land of Canon. Which will happen bitnit will be hundreds of years and many generations later.

I wonder if they forgot about these words when they we building pyramids? I find for me, when I am the most pressed on every sidebis when I forget the promises of my Heavenly Father. This usually starts a very dangerous cycle of attempting to take matters into m own hands and creating momentum where I have no business doing so.

It is good to rely on the Lord, especially when you think He is working too slow. Because after all, You don't see things as clearly as He does.

Heart & Soul,
BAG
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Genesis 45...

The day we have all been looking forward to is finally here. Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers. I laughed a little when at first the boys were reluctant to come close for fear of Joseph's wrath.

Instead of bitterness that leads to vengance, Joseph chose compassion that leads to love.

What a powerful weapon we have in this thing called love. It can change everything in a second, it can over ride years of hurt and lingering anger. Love has the ability to heal wounds that have been hemoraging for months and years.

I love Joseph's choice to feed the beast of love. Even though we could have read that he killed his brothers and some how in a very fallen way, we would have understood.

Thank God, that He is both loving and just to forgive us of sins we so wrecklessly committ against Him.

Heart & Soul,
BAG
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Genesis 44...

Now Joe just seems to be picking on these guys. There are few things in life more rewarding from brotherly justice (I speak from experience). But Joe's actions will lead to the eventual embrace of his aging father. The securing of Hebrew land in Egypt, the oppression of the Israelites, the rescue of Moses as directed by God, the wondering in the desert (10 commandments become a player), the rise of a nation, a man after God's own heart, Israel's golden age, a lot of prophets, and the eventual birth, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I am amazed at how God has crafted all of this before He even created this world.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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