My Tabernacle Ramblings

Have you read the account in Exodus about the tabernacle? I have read it many times. I just love that story. Every piece has some sort of meaning, or significance. But I feel like we, as modern day readers, are missing something. We don't know the history, or what life was really like back then.

I've read books and watched studies on the tabernacle. They all focused on the finished product. What about what went into it?

The Bible is very simple in it's explanation to me. God called for an offering from His people of certain things, from those who had a willing heart. The people brought it. This is how God wants it built, He gave this person or that person the talent needed. It was built. Ok the Bible is a little more explicit with details and dimensions.

I was driving the other day was started thinking just about the thread. Purple and scarlet threat and linen. Well, they certainly couldn't just run off to wal mart and buy it. It had to be spun and died and put in some sort of usable order. What did it take to dye it? They had to gather berries or what ever they used to dye thread. Make the dye. How large were the containers that they needed to dye the thread? Did they have to carry them around when they moved from place to place?

It seems to me, that the sacrifice of the people was more than you would think from reading the text. God said, those to give from a willing heart. How much thread to you think it took to make all those curtains? They were enormous, you know. I believe, don't quote me here, the dimensions for the curtains were 42 feet by 6 feet. They were very ornate with cherubim weaved into the fabric. These were to be for the house of God, for His pleasure and view.

Do you think the Israelites skimped? I sure don't! I think about the amount of time and love that had to go into those curtains. I would have loved to have seen them. I think that if God is going through this much trouble to give specifics about the design, the dimensions, the contents and ingredients, giving the talents and calling those out to design it, I think that it would be magnificent! I believe that it would have been the best workmanship and artistry available at that time, and possibly even now! I just can't see God doing it half way, not for His home among His people.

I would love to have seen the furniture and the alters. Can you imagine how ornate the lamp would have been? or the table of show bread? the incense alter? I imagine that the entire thing would have been a wonder! And then too see God's glory resting over it! Wow! I just get excited all over again!

I love when I read stories in the Bible and I can get a mental picture, but I love this story because I can't. I can't even imagine how awesome it would have been, I can only speculate because there are no real details about how these things looked when they were done. What did the lamp look like? or the table? I hope to see it replayed when I get to heaven so I can see it all. See the love the people had for their God and that God had for his grumbling, stiff necked people. And the home built for the Creator of the Universe, to be with His people. To see how He loves us, even when we are unlovable at times.

I used my Food Processor

I have this awesome, large food processor. I've had it for a few years. It's main purpose seems to be preventing dust from settling where it sits in the cabinet. I won't even leave it on the counter any longer due to lack of use. When I asked my daughter to take it down tonight for me to use, she was a bit shocked. It is usually not worth the trouble. I'm pretty fast with a knife. So, as I tend to do, I started thinking. How many of these "tools" do I own that I don't make use of.

1. I have a blender that is used about 3 times a year. I have met that quota making protien shakes a few weeks ago to find that my youngest is allergic to soy. Back in the closet it goes.
2. I have a hand held mixer. I want a stand mixer but since I rarely use this, would I really use a stand mixer? I basically want it to make bread dough that I seem to be making just fine by hand. I had a bread maker but after it sat for 2 years without being used, I donated it. I had only used it to make the dough before because I didn't like how the bread turned out when it was cooked in the thing.
3. Measuring cups and spoons. . . Who uses these things??? I have a couple of sets. They make great scoops for getting flour out of the container, or coffee. I don't use these often enough for their intended purpose to justify replacing them.

So, I said all that to say this. . . How many bibles do you own? How many are just collecting dust? I have about 10 Bibles, a Bible dictionary, Strongs exhaustive concordance (that sucker is about 20 pounds). But how often to I use them. I have a million devotional books-anyone need one? My favorite Bible is my New King James Study Bible. I got it for Christmas 2003 along with the case I use to carry it. They are both falling apart. When I feel led to follow a thread so to speak that I come across in my reading, I might have 3 or 4 different versions of the Bible layed out infront of me, pens, paper whatever I need for my studying.

Word studies & 25 ways to keep it simple

My friend Shelli posted this on her myspace blog. I don't know how to put a link in to that page but I can direct you to her myspace page if your interested. She posts really good messages and has been doing word studies lately that are very cool! This is here more as a reminder for me than anything else. I need to work on number 10 lol! I tend to tell people the truth too much! lol


Titus 1:16 ~ They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Abominable~repugnantly hateful; detestable; loathsome: an abominable crime, very unpleasant; disagreeable, very bad, poor, or inferior

Disobedient~Neglecting or refusing to obey; omitting to do what is commanded, or doing what is prohibited; refractory; not observant of duty or rules prescribed by authority; -- applied to persons and acts.

Reprobate~a depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person; morally depraved; unprincipled; bad; rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation
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I got this in an email yesterday and thought I'd share.

25 Ways to "Keep it Simple" in the New Year"

1. Go to bed on time and get up early to avoid a rush.
2. Say no to projects that keep your family too busy, or offer to do a small part.
3. Delegate tasks when possible. Even our kids feel important when they are "needed".
4. Simplify and unclutter your life. Less is more..
5. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places. But don't sweat the small stuff. Arriving
a little late is not the end of the world.
6. Take one day at a time.
7. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, don't dwell on it.
8. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
9. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc. A simple meal to prepare for unexpected guests.
10. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
11. Do something for the kid in you everyday.
12. Eat right.
13. Get organized so everything has its place.
14. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
15. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
16. Every day, find time to be alone.
17. Choose your friends wisely. A friend who gets you in trouble is not a friend.
18. Keep a notebook of favorite scriptures on hand.
19. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."
20. Laugh.
21. Laugh some more!
22. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
23. Before you blame someone, try to laugh at the situation.
24. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
25 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)