Drinking polluted water

I'm listening through the Bible this year and it gives me a new experience with the Bible. If you have read it a couple of times you may think that you know all the stories, remember every important part of it, since they are preached about so often. But I have discovered many times that what you thought you knew already can come into a new light when the Holy spirit get the chance to enlighten it from a new angel.
You know the story in Exodus 32 when the people demand that Aron makes them gods that would walk before them. And they create a calf of gold.

When Moses comes back from the mountain and sees what has happened in his absence he destroys the calf in fire, crush it into powder. scatters it on the water and force the Israelites to drink the water. This gave me a picture of what happens when I get impatient and make decisions without God; when I create my own gods to guide me and end up with a cup of unbelief. An unbelief that says that God has abandoned me and I have to take matters into my own hands, which is a catastrophe. The result is despair and soon enough I realize how fruitless my attempts have been without God and the cup of unbelief, the polluted water has a bitter aftertaste.
Then there is repentance and starting all over again with a humbled heart.

I'm so grateful that Jesus has made atonement for me and my sins are forgiven and he prays for me.
In 1John 2 it says
" ... If anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world."
and in Romans 6:23 it says
... but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When "golden calves" comes our way lets join forces against them and remind each other of God's goodness and love and that he has saved us by the blood of Jesus and that should get us through all kinds of deserts on our way to the promised land - Heaven.
Sincerely yours, Ida

Ebed-Melech and the Rugs

Dear Reader,
Ever heard of or met Ebed-Melech before? No? I wasn't acquainted either before I heard of him in a sermon the other day. But after being introduced to him I realized that I have met many Ebed-Melech before and haven't given it much thought ... then.

Ebed-Melech was a servant of a powerful man but still Ebed-Melech had the courage to speak up when he saw injustice. The prophet Jeremiah had been thrown into a dried well and had sunk up to his neck into the mud at the bottom of the pit. He had been wrongfully accused of being a traitor and in stead of listening to the prophet and thus saving the people they had thrown him and his message away.

Ebed-Melech spoke of this injustice that had been done to Jeremiah to his master and he granted 30(!) men to help pull the prophet out of the pit. But before doing so Ebed-Melech took some rugs and threw them down to Jeremiah.
-Put them between your armpits and the ropes so the ropes won't cut into your skin, he called out to Jeremiah.
And so Jeremiah was taken out of the well but he remained a prisoner and was kept out in the courtyard.

Jeremiah is the central character in this story right? But what about Ebed-Melech? He was a sensitive and caring man, and he even thought of a small detail that made a difference for Jeremiah.
Have you met these people who are taking care of the details; the small things, but are never recognized for it? They love to make life easier for other people and it is their natural gift to do it.
I have met them and now they have a name representing them; Ebed-Melech. And I think it is only proper that we recognize them and thank them and not take them for granted. They do make a difference.
Sincerely yours, Ida

God's Grace 2012

Dear reader,

Wishing you strength to endure 2012 in best possible way and that somewhere along the line you will find peace in the storm, joy in sorrow, and that your heart will always seek the face of Jesus and trust him with your life.
Take care
Ida