Habakkuk

• Habakkuk, a prophet, received this message
• Habakkuk complains about God's ignoring his cries about evil
• God says he will do something about it with Babylon in Habakkuk's lifetime
• Habakkuk complains again of the evil and wicked
• But aren't we all a little wicked?
• God's message will come at the right time and be patient for it; those right with God will live by trusting him
• Habakkuk prays and shares his amazement at the Lord and trembles at his power; he is glad in the Lord, even in destruction, and rejoices in God's strength

The Treasure Principle

This book was not at all what I expected, but also just the message I needed to hear as well.  It reminded me of a time in my life when I was more giving, and I want to get back to that.  Life changes, a move happened and I changed my habits, but I can easily get back to it if I make it a priority.  Giving is important, and something that is important to God. 

Nahum

**Nahum saw a vision of the destruction of Nineveh and Assyria
**Nineveh will be destroyed; it will be terrible for them

You're Loved No Matter What

I finished this book this morning.  It was an excellent read.  I haven't read in a book in awhile that knew me so well.  As I read the book, I found my self sharing paragraphs from almost every page with my close friends.  It was like the book knew how I operated.  I hope I am able to retain some of the things I learned and live more in excellence than in perfection mode. 

This book has me excited about the concept that heaven will be like what our highest expectations of Earth are, and more.  I mean those things we wish were different here, will be different in heaven.  And that is an exciting concept to think about. 

There was also a reminder in there that I can enjoy my work; and that work for good things is good for us.  Sometimes we get bogged down in work and focus on the negatives we want to see, but I am reminded that are good things from work, and I don't want to loose that.  I want to enjoy everyday, not just live for the weekend.  And sometimes good work is more than just my job, but chores in the barn and work in the garden. 

We won't reach perfection until heaven, but we can always grow here. 

Micah

• Micah saw a vision of destruction of Samaria and Israel
• Micah will cry in sadness
• People have evil plans
• Prophets told Micah not to prophecy because they only wanted to hear good things
• Prophets aren't speaking truth & will not hear from God
• Judges take bribes, priest only teach when paid, prophets too; Micah is honest
• In the end, the mountain will the temple will rise and draw people to it; every nation will be judged and war will cease
• Israelites must go to Babylon, but the Lord will save them from there
• Peace will come in the form of a aby from Bethlehem with the Lord's strength
• Lord asks the people what has He done to us, what made people tired of Him - He did good things for you, what is right (freed from slavery, etc.)
• He has told us what to do: kindness, love, humility
• Pay attention to punishment & discipline
• Evil is rampant: "in both hands"
• The Lord is kind and will return for us in the light and defend us; Israel will return
• God enjoys being kind, mercy comes and sin is thrown deep into the sea

Jonah

• God called Jonah to preach to Nineveh
• Jonah ran away from God on a ship
• The sea became very stormy & the men threw cargo from the ship
• Jonah was sleeping deep in the ship and the other men discovered Jonah was the reason for the storm
• Jonah told them to throw him overboard so the sea calms, but the men tried to row instead, but they failed; they didn't want to be guilty of killing and innocent man
• The men threw Jonah over and the sea was calm, they made a sacrifice and feared the Lord
• A big fish swallowed Jonah; he was in there for 3 days and 3 nights
• Jonah prayed; the Lord spoke to the fish and spit Jonah out on dry land
• God again tells Jonah to go preach to Nineveh and he goes
• The people believed the message, including the king; the people fasted and wore rough cloth
• The king proclaimed everyone fast and wear rough cloth so maybe the Lord will change is mind if they show their regret and turn from evil
• God does change his mind and spares them
• Jonah is now angry and wishes to die; he goes outside the city to see what happens to the city
• God grew a tall plan quickly near Jonah for shade and comfort with Jonah was pleased with and comfortable
• The next day, God sent a worm to destroy the plant and hot sun and Jonah was angry the plant was gone
• God said to Jonah: you are upset about a plant  you didn't nothing to have; shouldn't I be concerned with 120,000+ people who don't know right from wrong??

Obadiah

**Obadiah has a vision the Edomites will be attacked
**Edom will loose everything
**Even friends will betray you
**Edom stood aside while Israel qas attacked
**Edom do not be harmful to Israel
**Nations will be judged and land will be back to original owners and it will belpng to the Lord