iandthoureflections

Mild Moses Takes the Lead! – Lessons Learned from the Wandering Israelites

Reading how God uses weather to serve purposes for the greater good is fascinating. Today, we will look at the Israelites wandering in the desert.

A Pillar of Cloud.

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
Exodus 13:21

God’s Navigational System.

After the 10 plagues in Egypt, the Israelites began their 40-year trek in the wilderness. At first, they were afraid. They didn’t know where to go. They cried out to God. God sent a cloud by day and fire by night to lead them. Of course, they thought it would take less than forty years. They probably thought it would take only a few months. Can you imagine traveling as a “people” with thousands of mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers?

The Building of a Leader.

At first, Moses did not think he was capable of leading anyone. He told God that he was slow in speech and tongue. (Exodus 4:10) God wanted to use Moses because of Moses’ humility and willingness to follow God’s direction. God rarely uses the eloquent, strong person to accomplish his mission. He chooses the most unlikely people who turn around and become strong, vibrant leaders.

A Resilient People.

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Moses spent years honing his leadership skills in managing this great exodus. He learned patience, delegation, and conflict management. His vision and direction created a resilient people. After Moses passed away, God called Joshua to bring the Israelites to Caanan.

Lessons Learned

#1. Strength Comes from Unity and Community.
#2. Wisdom and Inspiration can be found in Family Connections.
#3. Obstacles Prepare Us for Our Life Journey.

Together is Better

In a world where we may feel alone, we can find others who identify with us and can help us overcome challenges. We can achieve goals by leaning on each other for encouragement and support. Can you think of a time when you were discouraged and wanted to quit, yet a friend or loved one encouraged you to continue? What was the outcome?

Gene Pool

Do you have a hankering for salt air? Or you like the cold when it nips your nose. The geographical location of your family of origin might shed some light on some of these quirky feelings you have had all your life.

Family stories provide us with a rich history of what our ancestor’s life journeys may have been like. These stories teach us values. And values can be strengthened by a greater sense of identity and connection to your heritage. Were your family members born during a time of conflict? A time of peace? Did they travel to another place? Was there a failed business? A successful business? Did any of your family members possess a specific talent or skill?

Twists and Turns.

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Many of which require hard work. Completing a high school education, college degree, or a trade certification. Or saving for a down payment on a home. What lessons can we learn from the path that leads to our “promised land?”

Maybe the next time you think something is taking “forever” – think again! Let us remember the story of Moses and the wandering Israelites. How steadfast a people continue to flourish despite all odds.

Track down your family tree.

Explore birthplaces.

Be thankful for family.

Take a Deep Breath.

Let’s breathe in wisdom and inspiration and exhale disbelief and pride.

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Faith and Fortitude – Lessons Learned from the Story of the Showdown Between Baal and God.

*Image Credit: Unknown Source* *found in the public domain*

Wood. Stones.

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. …Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
1 Kings 18:21, 36-38

We continue our series of different types of atmospheric conditions used in The Bible. Today’s story focuses on fire which can be influenced by weather elements like wind, temperature, and humidity. In this story, drought, or the absence of rain plays a key role.

Elijah versus Baal.

Elijah was a prophet in ancient Israel during the reign of King Ahab. Baal was a false god to whom the Israelites were worshipping. In this biblical account, God used drought and fire to punish the idolatrous Israelites to prove supremacy over Baal.

Let The Contest Begin!

Elijah, a devout follower of God, foretold a severe drought due to their idolatry. During the drought, God commanded Elijah to demonstrate His supremacy over Baal by challenging the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. Both groups built altars and placed sacrifices upon them. Despite the prophets of Baal calling upon their god to send fire, nothing happened.

In contrast, when Elijah prayed to God, fire descended from heaven and consumed his offering, showcasing God’s power and reinforcing His position as the one true God.

Lessons Learned

#1. Unshakable Faith Leads to Mighty Acts
#2. Listen to What Your Gut Says
#3. There is Power in Prayer

Unwavering Faith.

There is no doubt about it. Elijah had unwavering faith that God would win the battle with Baal. Faith gives us the courage to face life’s daily challenges. Believing that God will guide me through life brings me comfort. How about you?

Courage.

Elijah’s bravery in standing alone against the crowd is inspiring. Going against popular opinions is typically dicey, for sure. Yet maybe it is time we stop going with the flow and stand up to what truly inspires us – like doing good in the world.

Persistent Prayer.

In this story, Elijah’s persistence in prayer highlights the importance of staying connected with God through prayer. God wants to commune with us through daily prayer. Do you?

Perfect Timing

Reflecting on the story, God’s plan unfolds in His perfect timing. Learning to be patient is hard work. God does answer prayer by saying yes, no, or wait. Even if God’s timing differs from ours, it’s vital to trust God. His divine plan will be more than whatever you could imagine.

Take a deep breath.

Let’s breathe in the power of prayer and exhale impatience.

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Fish Guts? No Thanks! – Lessons Learned from the Story of Jonah

Great Wind. Violent Storm.

Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.
Jonah 1:4,5

Returning to the series on weather in the bible, we come to the Story of Jonah. In this Old Testament book, God uses a storm to convince Jonah to stop running away from what he needed to do.

Wicked Nineveh.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves too much. In this story, God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh. Nineveh was a wicked town. Jonah didn’t think he was up to the task, so he jumped onto a ship traveling in the opposite direction. He thought he could outrun and outsmart God.

Threat. Confession.

*Artist Credit: Amir Simon Rom On Etsy dot com*

Then there was this storm that came out of the blue. It was so severe it threatened the safety of the ships’ crew, and they drew lots to see who was responsible. It pointed to Jonah, who was then forced to confess his disobedience to God.

3 Days & 3 Nights

A great fish, perhaps a whale, swallowed Jonah after the crew threw him overboard into the violent sea. Jonah had plenty of time to think about God while he was in the belly of the fish. Three days and three nights. Jonah finally prayed to God, and the fish spit him out.

Lessons Learned

#1. The Importance of Second Chances.
#2. Sometimes, We Need to Run Away in Order to See Things Differently
#3. You Can’t Outsmart God.

The story of Jonah teaches us some important lessons about obedience, forgiveness, and second chances. It reminds us that it’s essential to listen to God and do what He asks of us, even if it’s difficult or uncomfortable. It also shows us that God is merciful and forgiving, always ready to give us another chance when we mess up. And finally, it reminds us that no matter how far we may have strayed from the right path, it’s never too late to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness.

The next we hear God’s calling, and we don’t want to do what’s right, remember the Story of Jonah.

Follow God’s instructions even if we think we are not up to the task.
Be patient and compassionate as God was with Jonah.
Trust God to guide us back to where we need to be.

These lessons encourage us to reflect on our lives and consider our relationship with God.

Are you good?

Take a deep breath in. Exhale slowly.

Let’s inhale willingness to follow God and exhale our selfishness.

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DO NOT REMOVE TAG UNDER PENALTY OF LAW – Families

Isn’t it interesting that pillows and mattresses come with a tag that states, “Do not remove under penalty of law?” What if each of us were tagged from birth with a “Do not remove under penalty of law?”

The metaphor of the pillow tag represents the bond between family members and the weightiness of breaking it.

Why would some parents remove the tag and others keep the tag on forever? Why would siblings rip the tag off from their brother or sister? Or mother or father? Or child?

Some families abide by the pillow law, while others break it. The difference between them is how they treat each other and how they affect one’s well-being. And this can be intentional or unintentional. And thus, the spider’s web gets more intertwined within itself.

Families who abide by the pillow law are those families who are trying with all their might to keep their family intact.

Healthy families:
Provide emotional support.
Come together in a crisis.
Help solve problems.
Speak to one another after a divorce.
Provide financial support when needed, if able.
Are there for you when you are down.
Intervene on your behalf.
Stick to you like glue.

Bravo to the pillow law families!

But not all families are like that. Some families break the pillow tag law.

Families that are incomplete.

Not whole. Not healthy. Or just not the family you thought you would have.

A family that is dysfunctional. Abusive. Toxic. Narcissistic. Inability to set boundaries. Abandoned. Alienated. Discarded. Like trash.

Divorce. Estrangement. Parent Alienation. Intergenerational Trauma.

A word of caution.

Each family dynamic is unique; not all relationships can or should progress. Distancing yourself from toxic or harmful family members can be helpful at times. It can lead to personal growth, healing, and developing healthier relationships. Prioritizing your well-being and safety is crucial. And seeking professional guidance, such as therapy or counseling, can be transformative. Use all the tools available to make informed decisions about family reconciliation.

It’s vital to understand that not all family relationships are salvageable. In some cases, reconciliation may have negative consequences. If the family members have not sought counseling or had profound introspective work done, mending the fences may not be possible. If the parties experienced abuse, addiction, substance abuse, or felt harmed, it may be futile to pursue reconciliation.

It takes two to tango.
You both have to be willing partners.

You can repair the pillow tag!

It won’t be perfect like before, but you can mend it. And it could be better than new!

What would reconnection look like in your family?

A divorced family on speaking terms?

A reunification from an estrangement?

Healing from parent alienation?

Family therapy to work out intergenerational trauma?

These are possible ways to mend a broken family and restore the pillow tag. And remember to seek reconciliation with boundaries and professional support.

Follow a new path back to an old family that has changed as much as you have.

Explore. Set an adventure. Change. Restore. Reconnect.

To peace.

To joy.

To love.

To wholeness.

To the tag, “Do not remove under penalty of law.”

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Hail No! – Lessons Learned from The Story of the Plagues

Lightening Flashed. Hail Fell.

When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell, and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation.
Exodus 9:23,24

The Story of the Plagues comes from the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament. It begins 400 years prior when the Israelites had become enslaved in Egypt. They prayed. And prayed for a very long time.

Moses & Aaron.

God inflicted ten plagues to convince Pharoah to free the Israelites. God chose Moses for this task and for leading the Israelites to the Promised Land. But Moses thought he wasn’t a good choice. So, God selected his brother, Aaron, to help him.

Moses was a fascinating choice for several reasons. First, he floated down the Nile River as a baby and was retrieved and adopted by the Pharoah’s daughter. This meant that Moses grew up in royalty. When he later learned of his true biological heritage, he killed an Egyptian, fled Egypt, went to Midian, and became a shepherd. He was there for 40 years.

Equally compelling was God choosing Aaron. Even though Aaron was Moses’ brother, Aaron had grown up a Levite. Not an Egyptian. It was intriguing that God chose two brothers raised entirely differently. And they both heeded the call of God to protect and free the Israelites.

Tough Nut.

Interestingly, each of the ten plagues is related to an Egyptian god. Pharoah was tough to crack because the first six plagues didn’t scare him. (1) The Nile River turned into blood, (2) frogs covered the land, (3) dust became gnats, (4) swarms of flies, (5) disease inflicted on livestock, and (6) soot became boils on the skin of the Egyptians including their animals.

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Thunder. Hail.

Then, God sent a hailstorm.

Not just any hailstorm.

One that would kill anyone that was outside.

For each plague, Pharoah believed that the Egyptian gods would outsmart the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

But he was wrong.

Moses and Aaron, both appointed by God, were faithful in their servitude. Then came (8) the locusts the day after the east wind blew. Next, (9) total darkness fell upon the land for three days. The last plague was the death of the first-born son, which will lead us into the next blog post on The Passover.

Finally, the Pharoh liberated the Israelites so they could resume their quest to arrive at the Promised Land. The Story of the Plagues teaches us about God’s power and choice of helpers. Kindness, loyalty, and faithfulness are what God seeks.

Lessons Learned

As we move into Fall, let us learn lessons from The Story of the Plagues and how it applies to our lives.

#1. Actions have Consequences.
#2. Have Faith.
#3. Be Patient. (And Generous)

The plagues were a direct result of Pharaoh’s unwillingness to obey God. Likewise, our actions have consequences, and we must carefully weigh our choices. The Israelites had faith and worshiped God even when complaining they were slaves. Having faith means that things will work out how they need to, even when it seems they won’t.

God was patient with Pharoah even when he was stubborn. God gave him lots of chances to be obedient. If God can be patient, so can we. We must be generous with our time to allow others time to process for themselves.

Remember the Story of the Plagues of Egypt the next time you see and hear hail. They are a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty and ability to use weather to accomplish His purposes.

Be faithful.
Answer God’s call to action.
Praise God for his patience.
Ask God for an abundance of patience.

Take a Deep Breath.

Breathe in patience and exhale stubbornness.

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I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet – Lessons Learned from The Story of Deborah

Earth Shook. Heavens Poured.

When you, Lord, went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water. The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai, before the Lord, the God of Israel.
Judges 5:4-5

Deborah, a prophetess, and a judge led Israel to victory over their enemies. She lived in a time when Israel felt oppressed by the Canaanites, who had 900 iron chariots and a cruel king named Jabin. The Israelites cried out to the Lord for help, and he answered them through Deborah.

10,000 Men.

Deborah summoned Barak, a military leader, and told him to gather 10,000 men from two tribes of Israel. Then, instructed them to go to Mount Tabor. There, the Lord would deliver Jabin’s army into their hands. Barak agreed, but only on one condition: Deborah had to go with him. Deborah accepted but warned him that the honor of defeating Jabin’s general, Sisera, would go to a woman.

Milk. Tent Peg.

The Lord panicked Sisera and his chariots, and they fled before Barak’s army. Sisera abandoned his chariot and ran on foot to the tent of Jael, a woman who was friendly with Jabin. Jael welcomed him into her tent, gave him milk, and covered him with a blanket. Sisera, exhausted from the heat and the fight, fell asleep. Then Jael took a tent peg and a hammer and drove the peg through his temple, killing him.

Deborah’s prophecy was fulfilled: a woman had killed Sisera. Deborah and Barak sang a song of praise to the Lord for giving them victory over their enemies. The land had peace for 40 years.

Lessons Learned

As the Dog Days of Summer officially end, let us learn lessons from Deborah’s story and how it applies to our lives.

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Take Action.
#2. Be the First to Do Something Different.
[But, please don’t drive a peg through someone’s head.]
#3. Practice Teamwork.

Female. Leader. Brave.

Deborah was a fearless leader, the only female judge in Israel. She proved that God could use anyone to carry out a mission. Her keen business skills demanded her to act collaboratively. Jael, a Kenite woman, and Barak, a military leader, have different skill sets. Deborah acted swiftly. She took the initiative. Fear did not stop her.

The next time we hear about an earthquake, remember the Story of Deborah.

Be faithful.
Trust in God.
Praise God for Blessings.

Take a Deep Breath.

Let’s breathe in strategy and action and exhale fear and delay.

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In the Heat of the Day – Lessons Learned from: The Story of Sarah

Drought. Dry. Hot.

The Story of Sarah begins in Canaan at the time of a famine. If a famine is a food shortage, we can infer that the deficit stemmed from a weather condition. Whether it be a drought, a surplus of rain, or a crop failure due to extreme weather. Since there are references in the story about heat, we will infer a drought.

A Great Nation.

God had promised Abraham a great nation. Yet, Abraham had no descendants. Sarah, his wife, was barren.

Hot Temper.

Not waiting in God’s time, Sarah took matters into her own hands and insisted her maidservant Hagar sleep with her husband, Abraham. Hagar conceived a son, Ismael. Sarah’s plan backfired, creating more problems for herself and her family. Instead of trusting God’s timing and wisdom, she acted out of a hot temper. She did not wait for God’s promise to be fulfilled in his way but tried to force it in her way. After Ismael was born, Sarah became more disillusioned and began to despise Hagar. Eventually, Abraham sent Hagar and Ismael away.

Dry. Desert. Miraculous Water.

Abraham gave Hagar some food and water and sent them on their way. They wandered in the desert of Beersheba until they ran out of water. Hagar left Ishmael under a bush and sat down nearby, expecting him to die. But God heard their cries! Hagar’s eyes opened to a well of water nearby. God saved them!

Heat. Laughter. A Baby!

The Lord appeared to Abraham in the heat of the day at the great trees of Mamre. God told Abraham that Sarah would conceive a son. Even though God had promised Abraham a great nation many years prior, Sarah was skeptical. And now, she was long past her child-bearing years. In fact, she laughed.

One year later.

Sure enough, Isaac was born at the exact time that God had said. Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”

Lessons Learned

As we endure the Dog Days of Summer, let us learn lessons from Sarah’s story and apply it to our own lives.

#1. Embrace Faith and Timing.
#2. Exercise Patience and Let Go.
#3. Find Laughter in Unlikely Moments.

Maybe the next time you doubt God. Think again! And let us laugh with God and with each other.

Be faithful. Be patient.

Take a Deep Breath.

Let’s breathe in patience and surrender and exhale impatience and control.

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Rain, Rain, Go Away – Lessons Learned from The Story of Noah

Rain. Wind. Rainbow.

The story of Noah and the flood is one of the first stories in the Bible that involves weather. Noah, a righteous man, walked with God in a wicked generation. The corruption and violence of humanity led to the great flood.

Noah obeyed God’s command to build a giant boat even though it seemed absurd and impossible. He painstakingly followed God’s specifications and gathered his family and two of every animal into it. It was blind faith – for sure!

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Then God sent the rain – forty days and forty nights.

Life changed.

Lives lost.

Except those in the ark.

The ark floated on the water for 150 days until a wind blew over the earth. The water receded gradually, and the ark came to rest on Mount Ararat.

A raven and a dove.

Noah waited for God’s signal to leave the ark. After a few times, the dove returned with an olive leaf. Seven more days. Then, God instructed Noah it was safe to enter the new land.

A rainbow.

A promise was made that a flood would never destroy the earth again. It was God’s covenant with humankind. A rainbow serves as a reminder of this covenant.

Lessons Learned

As we endure the Dog Days of Summer, let us learn the following lessons from Noah’s story and apply it to our own lives.

#1. Practice Faith and Obedience in Adversity
#2. Practice Patience and Perseverance
#3. Keep Promises

As we meditate on these lessons, let us breathe in the coolness of God’s

compassion

and

faithfulness.

Let us exhale judgment and resentment.

Let’s look forward to the ultimate promise of a new heaven and earth – together.

Because TOGETHER is better.

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Dog Days of Summer – Lessons Learned from the Weather – Whether You Like it or Not

The Dog Days of Summer are here, and they are hot. “Dog days” comes from the ancient Dog Star. It was believed that Sirius, the Dog Star was responsible for July and August weather. The Romans called this period “dies caniculares” or “days of the dog.”

As Summer comes to a close, over the next few weeks, we will explore what the Bible has to say about weather. We will look at how God used natural elements to communicate. When you think of it, many Bible stories involve weather.

“I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
Genesis 9:11

Heat

Wind

Dryness

Rainbows

Rain

We will look at these in the context of the stories we all know. Here are some of them:

God used a flood to judge humanity’s wickedness and save Noah and his family. He also used a rainbow to show his covenant with Noah and all living creatures.

In the Passover Story, God used hail, thunder, lightning, and fire to plague the Egyptians. To persuade Pharaoh to let his people go. He also used a strong east wind to part the Red Sea and to drown Pharaoh’s army.

God used a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night to guide the Israelites in the wilderness.

God used a drought to punish the idolatrous Israelites and to prove his supremacy over Baal. He also used fire from heaven to consume Elijah’s sacrifice and to demonstrate his power.

God used a whirlwind to take Elijah to heaven in a chariot of fire. He also used a still, small voice to speak to Elisha after a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire.

In the Story of Jonah, God used a storm to convince Jonah to stop running away from his mission.

In the Nativity Story, God used a star to announce Jesus’s birth and lead the wise men to him.

In calming the sea story, God used the wind and waves to test his disciples’ faith and reveal his authority over nature. He also used a calm sea to show his peace and power.

God used an earthquake, darkness, and thunder to mark the death of Jesus on the cross and to signify his victory over sin and death.

Next time, we will explore the weather and the Story of Noah.

Meanwhile, let us breathe in the coolness of

love,

grace,

and mercy as we exhale the hot messes of brokenness, impatience, and unkindness.

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I and Thou: Two Ships

Ships Passing Through the Night

Two ships passing through the night,
The crew on deck wave across the sea.

The crew on the other ship wave in response,
Destinations unknown to either one.

Back at sea, the ships sail on,
Days and nights, too many to count.

A season passes, the waters grow colder,
Two ships pass through the night.

One ship in danger with an SOS,
The other one stops and tends its wounds.

The crew assists with engineers,
The ship’s boiler has exploded.

The captain whistles,
and out of nowhere a fleet appears.

All hands on deck is the command,
To right the ship to journey on.

Not one, not two, but six in total,
To lend a hand and expertise.

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