Out of the Spin Cycle

It took me quite awhile to get through these devotions, but they were so great.  And I'd recommend it for any mom. 

Romans

·         Paul goes to share the Good News to the Romans who God seeks too

·         All people are sinful, don’t give thanks or glory to God

·         God judges all the same; when we judge, we judge ourselves guilty too because we are also sinful

·         A true Jew is a Jew on the inside too, not just outside (circumcision)

·         God trusted Jews with His laws, but having the law isn’t enough, following it is, but we cannot be made right with the law, the law shows us our sin

·         We are made right by faith in Jesus

·         Abraham’s FAITH made him right with God not works or deeds

·         Abraham is father of all believers, circumcised and not

·         Faith in God through Jesus is enough

·         Because of Jesus: faith = peace, grace, hope, joy

·         Trouble produce patience; patience produces character; character products hope; hope = no disappointment

·         Jesus made us God’s friends again (not anger enemies)

·         Adam’s 1^st act = sin; Jesus 1^st act = salvation

·         We shared Jesus death in our baptism – new life, old life dead so sin doesn’t have power over us

·         Not under law (sin); under God’s grace

·         Not slaves to sin; slaves to goodness

·         Law showed us what sin is; sin used something good (law) to bring death

·         Sin & goodness in each of us warring for our time and attention (mind=slave to God’s law; sinful self = slave to the law of sin)

·         Follow the spirit, not sin; Spirit helps you avoid sinful ways

·         God will finish making us His children in glory = freedom

·         Hope is what we cannot see

·         We don’t know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit speaks for us

·         The law cannot make you right with God

·         Believe in our hearts and proclaim with our mouths so we are saved

·         God calls people to share the Good News

·         God of mercy

·         Pray; love; use your gifts; be humble; work for God; don’t punish others; help others

·         Obey the law and rules put there by God

·         Owe others nothing but love

·         Loving your neighbor is following all other rules; love doesn’t hurt a neighbor

·         Don’t’ criticize other’s methods for following God

·         Do not cause other to sin

·         Paul wants to reach those who haven’t heard the Good News, not build on someone else’s start

·         Paul needs prayer support from others in his work

Acts

• Luke writes another book about what Jesus tells the followers after the resurrection
• Jesus was lifted up to heaven, hidden by a cloud
• Apostles chose Mathias as their 12th to replace Judas
• Pentecost: the Holy Spirit came and they all spoke different languages, many people were there from many areas and languages but they all head them in their native tongue
• Peter talks about all this fulfilling prophecy
• Believers are together, sharing everything and adding new believers daily
• Peter heals a ma begging at the temple gate who begins walking and praising God
• Peter asks why people are surprised at the healing for they just sent Jesus to die, but they did not know and the prophecy must come true
• Peter and John are arrested for their teaching; the Holy Spirit guided their words; isn't it good a man was healed?  all because of Jesus
• Only Jesus saves
• Jewish leaders didn't want message of Peter and John to spread and told them not to speak, but they refused, obeyed God and continued to speak
• When released Peter and John went to their group of believers who prayed for the situation
• Believers lived in community and shared everything
• A couple lied about the amount of money they sold their land for and both died
• Apostles heal many
• Apostles were arrested and angels let them out during the night to continue teaching at the temple
• A teacher warned the leaders to no fight them; for they may be fighting God Himself and if not, human plans will fail
• Apostles were joyful they could suffer for Jesus
• Leaders are selected in the group of believers so the apostles can keep teaching
• Stephen, one of the leaders, is accused but he spoke with the Spirit
• Stephen gave a speech about Abraham and Moses and the Old Testament prophecy coming true and the people were still stubborn and un-listening
• The people became mad and stoned Steven to death as he asked God to take his spirit and not hold sins against those throwing stones at him
• Trouble came from the believers and they were scattered around, but they kept teaching and sharing the Good News
• Philip (not apostle) was teaching in Samaria and a magician, Simon, believed, but tried to buy the power to heal and give the Holy Spirit; Philip told him to change his ways because it cannot be bought
• Simon goes on to teach an important Ethiopian on the road who was reading Isaiah; Simon baptizes him
• Saul persecuted believers and was arresting them and taking them to Jerusalem, but walking one day saw a bright light, heard Jesus and was blinded
• Saul's group led him to Damascus where as Jesus said, Ananias came and gave sight when fish scale like somethings fell from his eyes
• Saul stays with the followers and begins preaching, growing number of believers
• Peter heals a paralyzed Aeneas
• Peter heals Tabitha who was always kind and did good deeds and gave her life
• Cornelius, a good man, sees an angel that tells him to find Simon Peter so he does and brings him back
• Angela appear to Simon Peter and tell him God was made things clean and go with them without hesitation
• They all learn anyone can believe and be saved, not just Jews
• Peter goes back and shared that message about all countries able to be saved
• Barnabas and Saul taught at Antioch for 1 year where we were first called Christians
• Herod ordered James killed by sword; the Jews liked it so he arrested Peter too; the church prayed for Peter
• The night before the trial, an angel came and walked Peter out of jail; Peter went to Mary's house where people were gathered praying then left for somewhere else
• Herod couldn't find Peter and ordered the guards who were watching him killed
• Herod made a speech the people said came from the voice of God; Herod didn't give glory to God and got sick, ate by worms, and died
• Believers fasted and prayed and Barnabas and Saul are selected for special work and sent out
• Barnabas and Saul encountered a magician who wanted to hear God's message, but he was against them and struck blind
• Paul gives a speech about God, history and Jesus
• Jews were against Christians
• Paul and Barnabas continue teaching
• God shows His love for all nations with rain and crops
• To God, non-Jews and Jews are the same with a clean heart when they believe (ex: no circumcision needed)
• Continued teaching and revisited the churches and those who had become believers to encourage them with strength and news of more believers
• Timothy, who traveled with Paul, had parents of different countries/faiths - Jewish turned believer and Greek, he was also circumcised as an adult
• Paul sees a vision and knows where to travel next to tell the Good News
• Lydia's mind is opened and she believed
• Paul and Silas sent a demon from an enslaved girl and her owners then knew she wouldn't make money for them so they had Paul and Silas arrested
• During the night an earthquake broke open the jail and cells and the guard was going to kill himself when they stopped him because they were all still there
• The guard believed and took them to his house
• Paul was preaching Old Testament scriptures, those of prophecy
• Jews were angry about growing believers and made Jason (housing Paul and Silas) pay a sum of money for believers to go free
• Some town and people were more willing to hear the Good News than others
• Paul taught in Corinth for 1.5 years and was a tentmaker with Aquilla and Priscilla
• There were lots of believers who didn't travel around sharing Good News (i.e. it's okay to do work where you are here and not travel as a missionary too)
• Apollos believed and was teaching about God, but Aquilla and Priscilla helped him to know more and teach a better way
• Apollos taught the baptism of John (changed hears and lives for what is to come (Jesus)) until Aquilla and Priscilla taught him
• On his late night in town, Paul stayed up late talking with people
• Paul hurried and chose routes to not be late to Pentecost in Jerusalem
• Paul was committed to follow Holy Spirit and share the Good News at the cost of his own life
• People tried to stop Paul from going because he was wanted dead, but Paul was ready to give everything for the Good News
• Paul is attacked by the angry mob and arrested because of the trouble he is causing
• The commander thought he was someone else who had done something wrong because hw wasn't the arresting commander, he let Paul speak to the Jews
• Paul tells his tory as a Jew who persecuted believers, was struck blind, believed, could see and taught non-Jews the Good News
• The Jewish leaders want to know why people hate him so, because he believers people rise from the dead
• 40+ Jews plot to kill Paul and fast until it is done, but Paul's nephew learns of this plan and warns him
• Commander is protecting Paul because he was born a Roman citizen and only broke Jewish laws, not Roman law
• Jews saw Paul as a troublemaker, but Jews and Paul and Christians believe in the same God
• Felix the governor was curious and learning from Paul's speaking, but didn't judge him innocent, kept him guarded but with some freedoms and spent time talking and sharing together
• Felix left Paul in prison to please the Jews then he was replaced as governor
• Festus, new governor, sees Paul and his accusers and at Paul's request agree to sent him to Cesar since they can't find fault with Paul
• Before Paul went to Cesar, King Agrippa wanted to hear what Paul had to say
• Festus doesn't know what to write to Cesar since he found nothing against Paul (He didn't break Roman law.) but the Jews want him dead
• Paul tells his story and King and Festus know he could go free, but Paul wanted to see Cesar
• Paul sails for Rom, a big storm came, carrying them for 2 weeks and an angel told Paul they would be safe but the ship would not be
• Paul's journey to Rome was several moths and lots of healing happened in Malta on the way
• In Rome, Paul met with the Jewish leaders and some believed, some did not
• The Jewish leaders in Rome had heard of his group of believers but nothing to take him to trial
• Paul stayed and preaching in Rome in a rented house for 2 years

Lost Roses

I finished this book, sort of a prequel to Lilac Girls, late last week.  It was an excellent read.  I didn't get as sucked in as well as I did with Lilac Girls.  But it has stayed in my mind since I finished reading it, and has sparked a curiosity with understanding a bit more of Russian history as a result of reading this one.  I am not excited about reading her next published book!

We Must Be Brave

I finished this book last week. I hadn't heard of this book and picked it up on a whim at the library when I was there with my girls.  Rarely do I get library books for myself there.  I have a stack plenty big at home to read and who knows if I'll get it read on time to return it, but it was good read.  It isn't my fast favorite or anything like that, but it was a very good read.  I did struggle with some of the writing and the English culture clues I had to think on a little harder since it isn't normal for me, but the story was compelling and sucked me write in.  I cried through parts of it in a way that makes me know I'd have to make similar choices in the best interest of the children. 

John

• Jesus is the light of the world and was there at creation
• When Jesus came His own people didn't recognize Him
• John tells people about Jesus and that he is unworthy to even untie Jesus sandals
• Jesus starts collecting followers
• Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding turning water into wine when His mother let Him know the wine had run out
• Jesus went to the temple and Jerusalem for Passover and He knew all people
• Jesus love for the temple motivated Him to throw out the money changes and corrupt business buying and selling in the temple
• A Pharisee, Nicodemus, comes to Jesus and believes He is from God, but even as an important Jewish leader, didn't understand
• We must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven (Holy Spirit)
• Jesus and John the Baptist were baptizing followers and John was happy more were going to Jesus: Jesus = more important, John = less important
• God gave Jesus the Spirit fully
• Believe Jesus = eternal life
• Pharisees had heard of Jesus so He left Judea for Galilee via Samaria
• Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for a drink at the well; He tells her of the living water and her 5 husbands and she tells the town the news
• He stayed in Samaria 2 days and many believed
• A King's officer from Capernaum went to Galilee for Jesus to heal His son; Jesus sends him away telling him his son will live; he and his people then believed
• Jesus heals a man, sick 38 years, at the pools on Sunday and Jews begin to persecute Him
• Jesus authority comes from God; Jesus is the Son and works to please God, not Himself
• Jesus fed 5,000 who had followed Him with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish; then He went to the hills alone
• The followers went ahead in the boat on high waves, when Jesus walked out on water to them, calmed them and their boat was at their destination right away
• Jesus is the bread of life (His flesh); whoever believes has eternal life
• Spirit gives life
• God leads people to Jesus
• Jesus knew who believed and who would betray (Judas)
• Jesus brothers don't believe and people aren't talking openly about Jesus in fear
• Jesus teaches what comes from God, not Himself or other teachers
• Don't judge by looks, but by what is right
• Jews wanted to kill Jesus but He kept teaching because it wasn't the right time and some people were confused why He could keep teaching if His death was wanted
• They try to arrest Him; Jesus says not yet, but soon I will go where you can't find me
• The Holy Spirit will soon come for people
• People didn't agree with each other about Jesus {and they still don't today}
• The people bring Jesus a woman in adultery and ask if they should stone her for her sins; Jesus says the person without sin can throw the first stone; they all left, but Jesus
• Jesus is the light of the world, God is His witness
• Jesus does only what is pleasing to God and to know Jesus is to know the father, but people don't understand
• All honor comes from God
• The people bring Abraham, their father, to the discussion claiming Jesus cannot be greater than him, but Jesus says He was before Abraham and people throw rocks at Him
• People believed God talked to Moses and Abraham but not Jesus
• Jesus heals a man born blind and the Pharisees question him
• Sheep follow the voice of their shepherd because hey know him; follow Jesus, know his voice
• A good owner/shepherd protects His flock and doesn't leave when a wolf comes; He calls his flock together
• The people through they knew God better than Jesus
• Mary and Martha's brother Lazarus died and they sent for Jesus; Jesus went knowing he was dead and wept with them, but they went to the tomb and Jesus rose Lazarus from the grave
• Caiaphas foretold Jesus death to save many, the Jewish people
• Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus days before the Passover (preparation for death)
• Leading priests decide they want Lazarus dead to since that miracles is making believers
• Don't say 'father save me' but 'father, bring glory to you'
• Jesus didn't come to judge but to save
• Accept Jesus people = accept Jesus = accept God
• Jesus washes disciples feet
• Jesus talks of His death and Judas betrayal
• Jesus tells Peter he will deny knowing him 3 times
• Jesus is preparing a place in heave for His followers in the many rooms
• God will send the Holy Spirit to His people
• I am a branch, Jesus is the vine; can do nothing without Him
• Love each other as Jesus loves us
• Jesus is a friend
• Jesus followers don't belong to the world
• Jesus tells of what the Holy Spirit will come do
• Short term sadness at Jesus leaving will lead to long term joy
• Jesus will have victory over the world
• Jesus prays for His glory and His followers and those His followers teach to be safe, to join Him and to see the glory
• Judas leads them to arrest Jesus in the garden
• Simon Peter cuts of fa servants eat that comes to arrest and Jesus tells him to put the sword away
• Jesus is questioned by leaders and officials and Peter denies knowing Him
• Jesus connects one of His followers with His mother as family on the way to the cross
• The Jews choose to crucify Jesus and He dies and is buried
• Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty and gets the followers
• Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and she rushes to give the message to the followers
• Jesus appears to the followers in locked rooms twice
• Jesus did so much more on Earth than is written
• Jesus appears again
• Jesus tells Peter to take care of His sheep
• Don't worry what Jesus is doing in another person (no comparisons); focus on your work Jesus leads you

A couple questions I had when reading John:

• Why does the writing describe one as "the one Jesus loved?" Why not list the name?  Jesus loved them all.
• There was a week between the first two times Jesus revealed himself to his followers after his resurrection, where was be the rest of the time?

Hope Heals

I finished this book on vacation last week.  It was an amazing story of love.  Yes, it was a story of hope too, but love was certainly profound throughout the story.  In sickness and in health commitment.  Their unwavering commitment to kindness, faith and each other is inspiring.