Joshua 3-5 Part 2a-Chiastic Structure, introducing a memory

My last post, back in the beginning of April, was brief and far too provoking to leave you hanging. Unfortunately, I will be refering to that post in this one because it contains brief contextual information to this story. If you wish to understand the rest of the context I would recommend reading the Exodus of the Israelites in the early chapters of the Book of Exodus--specificly chapter 14, when they cross through the Red Sea.

To understand this post you will at least want to read Joshua 3-4, which is one synergistic passage linked by Chiasm. (Chiasm is literary structure used to join thoughts together in a fashion that emphasizes what is in the middle and compares what is done on either end. Click the link to find out more.) The middle of the Chiasm is at the end of Chapter 3 and beginning of Chapter 4. Notice they are the exact same sentance: "All the nation had finished crossing the Jordan." After that "middle point" there is type of segway in thought, picking up from Chapter 3:12, which was a break in sentance. The passage is emphasizing the segway about 12 memorial stones. God wanted them to remember who He was/is and what He did for them because of it.

Sara posted her thoughts quite well on this part of the chapter awhile ago. I will simply seek to add on to it from the surrounding text.

Around and inside of that centeral part of the passage are key words that frame what God wanted the Israelites and us to understand. Two of them were already introduced by the officers (c.f. previous post). I will pick up on the other two in my next post.

Lots of Thanks Giving

No, I'm not talking about the big meal feast, all though I can't wait till the next coming one...

I don't have any verses to write and try to explain my take on them. Sometimes i'm just not as good at it as Carl is but instead I will write about what I have been extremely thankful for lately.

I have been thankful for many phone conversations that have resulted in some type of praise/adoration for our Savior. These conversations put a hope and a joy into my soul again. I think sometimes my days can get long and discouraging but it always seems more complete and fulfilling when someone else gently reminds me that i have much to be thankful for.

I have been thankful readings of Winnie the Pooh, and while some out there in the blogging world would see this to be quite childish it is very peaceful for me. The 'silly o'le bear' has a way of bringing me back into a child like wonder. It reminds me that everyday things can be an adventure. For example, my work environment can be a place of great place of refuge and significance when i imagine and begin to believe at times that i really do do something that can change lives.

FIO..my favorite Pooh story so far has been the one about Eayore (? i can't spell) having a birthday...that cracked me up.

I have been thankful for morning and evening prayers. For days that i get to begin with God reminding that every day counts and is significant.

I have been thankful for a week of continuously surrendering those that are most important to me back to God and walking away with peace and comfort knowing that they/he is indeed the best hands that I could place them/him in.

I have been thankful for silly chats with my roommate and for superhero images.

I have been thankful for all of the continual peace and grace that God gives me even when i don't deserve.

I am thankful to have such a wonderful Savior, a beautiful God, and a loving Spirit.

Overdue Gratitude

Life is a blink and this thanks is too short for the people who have commented on a blog long left uncultivated.

Many thanks, I hope the few upcoming posts will be thankful response.

A Second Chance, A Second Passover (Chps 3-5: Part 1)

Three days at the edge of the promised land, the edge of battle, the edge of a muddy overflowing river, the people of Israel wait.

It's been awhile since I posted last. M'lady had posted awhile ago on Chapter 2 of Joshua focusing on the core thoughts and the core statement of faith Rahab. "For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below" stated Rahab in midsentance. All the people of the land were terrified but Rahab was afraid enough to believe. And through the spies, God extends his grace (Chesed) to Rahab.

That Chapter (Chapter 2) splits up the path of commands from chapter 1. Previously, God had commanded Joshua and Joshua had commanded the Officers. Now after three days by a smelly river the commands will be carried out and the people will cross over.

So before the people cross over (עבר) the elders pass through the camp (עבר). Not only do they pass through the camp but through the midst (קרב), meaning all amoung the people. The Hebrew word is often used for the inards of somebody or something in their heart/mind. The officers have "Started" something that will be so amazing as the day moves on.

But I will have to write that more later :).

Hope, be Un- Dismayed: Joshua Chapter 8 vs 1

" Now the Lord said to Joshua 'Do not be afraid nor be dismayed;...' "

The title of my personal Blog is Hope be Undismayed; which i entitled after a song by Jars of Clay. Reading Joshua 8 has put a bit of conviction in my heart because somewhere in these past 8 months my hope has been lower, my faith challenged, and i have indeed at times been dismayed.

Lately God has gently and yet at the same time abruptly been reminding me that He is with me. That he hasn't left me to walk through this world on my own. That i can hope for 'good' things to happen even if those good things only come after hard times. Even if those good times never come. I know that the Lord was "with " Joshua in a different way than he is "with" me but no matter the diffrence He is indeed still "with" me.

Thank you Carl, for gently reminding me of this truth through out our 2 and 1/2 month courtship and for gently reminding me of this truth through out our 2 and 1/2 years of friendship God has used you mightlily in my life.

War Strategy: Joshua chapter 8

As i read this passage i remembered the importance of having a 'strategy.' Strategies that will help us defeat sin in our lives, or that will give us targets to help us stay on the right path even when obstacles stand in the way.

I am such a "gone with the wind" kind of person and no I'm not talking about the movie. I have often in my life just gone where-ever the wind has blown me and while that has had its advantages from time to time and has definitely been quite the adventure; I have also been able to look at the times in my life where my lack of 'strategies' or as my boyfriend likes to say "planning" has made the adventure some what more difficult at times.

It is not that i am completely opposed to having a plan but i have often been discouraged by things that have not gone according to plan that i've so very often reached the conclusion better just to go with the flow than to paddle up river.

And the more that i have reflected on it the more that i realize that even i must find the balance between going with the wind and planning how to paddle up stream.

I have often given Carl a hard time for always 'planning' things out but the more that i think about it he's not that far off track :) a slong as he keeps a balance between having a stratgy and walking by faith ; which sometimes includes not knowing which way the wind will take you (oh the irony of it all)

Got to love insecurity

Today has been one of those days that no matter how hard I've tried I've still managed to feel very insecure about myself.Those of you who know me real well know that i've come along way from where i was in my 'self-image' a year or two ago but i still have days like today where i just feel 'ugly.'

Days where i feel too fat, to tall, too hairy, that my teeth are too yellow, that i'm too out of shape..ect. ect and i try to to my best to focus myself off of me and on to something else and i lose the fight.

So on days like today (that will soon be over and tomorrow will begin a new day) I just try to make it by reminding myself of God's goodness and love for me even if my eye brows do need to be plucked...lol.

Oh and I also read one of the most encouraging passages i think any woman could read
I may not be married but i like to think that this verse still applies to me :)

1 Peter 3:3-5

"Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. The holy women of old were beautiful before God that way, and were good, loyal wives to their husbands. Sarah, for instance, taking care of Abraham, would address him as "my dear husband." You'll be true daughters of Sarah if you do the same, unanxious and unintimidated." -The Message

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands," -NIV

3"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:"- KJV

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands," _NKJV