How will we live?

I was researching some scriptures to give a friend of mine and came upon this passage. I think it's particularly noteworthy on a day like today. A day when we are filled with hope and wonder over an earthly leader. Don't get me wrong - I'm moved. I'm excited to see the nation energized again. It's good to see people rallying together. This is an historic day and I thank God that I'm alive to see it.

But what are we rallying for? Truly, my heart aches that we celebrate in the streets and throw parades and parties for a man (who, at best, will never be able to live up to all the hype that has been placed on his shoulders, bless his heart!) when at the same time, we suppress, dumb-down, and hide in shame our love and gratitude for our true Lord and Savior. I'm not saying there shouldn't be celebration for our new president. I'm just saying our celebration for the everlasting God should be BIGGER.

So, read this passage from Leviticus 26: (Message Bible)

*****"If You Live by My Decrees..."
3-5 "If you live by my decrees and obediently keep my commandments, I will send the rains in their seasons, the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. You will thresh until the grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting time; you'll have more than enough to eat and will live safe and secure in your land.

6-10 "I'll make the country a place of peace—you'll be able to go to sleep at night without fear; I'll get rid of the wild beasts; I'll eliminate war. You'll chase out your enemies and defeat them: Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand and do away with them. I'll give you my full attention: I'll make sure you prosper, make sure you grow in numbers, and keep my covenant with you in good working order. You'll still be eating from last year's harvest when you have to clean out the barns to make room for the new crops.

11-13 "I'll set up my residence in your neighborhood; I won't avoid or shun you; I'll stroll through your streets. I'll be your God; you'll be my people. I am God, your personal God who rescued you from Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians. I ripped off the harness of your slavery so that you can move about freely. *****

Now, if you are truly brave, get out your Bible and read the rest of this passage. It gives a glimpse of what will happen when we don't follow the Lord...and it sounds strangely familiar to what is going on now in our world.

I don't know about you, but I want God to set up residence in my neighborhood! I want to be able to sleep at night without fear. I want to still be enjoying last year's harvest and have to clean out the barns to make room for the new stuff!

Send Your rain in due season, Lord.

Let us give You and only You our full attention.

May Your voice be louder
May Your voice be clearer
Than all the others

May Your face be dearer
May Your words be sweeter
Than all the others

Please keep my eyes fixed on You
Please root my heart so deep in You
Keep me abiding that I might bear fruit

Ambition...

Ok, so Abbey just walked into my room with unbridled hope gleaming in her eyes and 2 baby pandas tied to her waist with a sweater as she proclaimed, joyfully, "Mom, I know JUST what I want to be when I grow up!"

Me: What?!?

Abbey: I want to move to Africa and take care of disadvantaged animals.

LONG PAUSE as I looked at her. She looked at me, still smiling. I cocked my eyebrow and waited...

Abbey: You know, like, I could take care of orphaned monkeys and stuff. *BIG SMILE*

And at that, she turned on her heel and skipped off back downstairs.