Christiancolleges.com has erroniously placed me on yet another top 100 list- this time it’s 100 Enlightening Bible Study Blogs. You can find my blog under “Scripture,” which is a good place to be. Be sure to check out the other 99 blogs- there’s lots of good stuff there.

One of the most defining moments in Israel’s history is the Exodus. In this event, God himself takes his chosen people out of the bondage of slavery under the Egyptians and pushes forward the next phase of his redemptive program by turning them into a nation. Within this defining event is yet another highly cherished event to the Israelites, as Moses goes up onto Mount Sinai and meet with God. It is here that he receives God’s law, the ten commandments, and the blueprints of the tabernacle that they are to build. The tabernacle is central, literally and spiritually, to Jewish life in the Exodus as it stands in the middle of the camp, symbolizing God’s special presence.
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David fell under great conviction. How was it that he could live in such a great house while God was confined to living in a tent? It was an honorable conviction- with a deep respect for God’s honor. Surely, God would be pleased with such an honorable motive. Imagine David’s surprise, then, when God announced that it would not be David that would build Israel’s temple, but his son Solomon.
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Sovereign Lord,
My heart is faint
and my bones feel out of place.

I yearn for joy,
but my sins are great in number.
Cleanse me, Lord,
and I will be clean.

Give me wisdom to see your grace-
in broken hearts
in disjointed bones
in broken spirit.

Then, Lord, will I see
what sacrifice you truly desire.
Save me for your name’s sake.

Rebuild these walls that I have destroyed since birth.
Then I will proclaim your righteousness,
For you bless in order that we might bless others.

-Adapted from Psalm 51

Today was absolutely gorgeous. The sun is out in glorious splendor, and the temperature has hit the mid-50s. That’s Fahrenheit for my foreign readers. Some of you may know that the past few weeks here in Louisville have been filled with ice and snow storms leading to massive power outages, and the difference is incredible as the snow and ice melt away.
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Pastor Chad Lewis gives 10 things that he is thankful for in his latest post, and then says: “We often focus on the negative aspects of our lives. We too often focus on the trials. If you had to write 10 things that you are thankful for, what would be on your list?”

Here is a list of 10 things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for…

…God absolutely flipping my life upside down when I was 18.
…a fiancee who is far greater than I deserve.
…a local church that is Gospel-driven and centered.
…a community group where we can dig into each other’s messy lives- and still be loved.
…a past that shows I have nothing to offer, but glorifies God by showing his grace to sinners.
…the freedom to read and study the ancient Scriptures.
…a mom who is amazing.
…sweet tea.
…the opportunity to serve Sojourn Community Church.
…the opportunity to see God work in others’ lives.

Kentucky National Guard goes door-to-door to administer aid

Power is out at my apartment, but I have water. I’m doing well, thanks to some incredible friends who have let me stay with them. They were unaffected, power and water-wise, by the storm. No clue on a time-line for when things will be power will be up again.