Day 8 of 90: Rules, Rules, and more Rules

Leviticus is all about rules. Rules that seem quite ridiculous in our "modern time".  But they were quite necessary back then to help prevent the spread of disease.

We have rules now too, different rules. They are important rules. And we still need to obey them.

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Back on track?

So one of my topics this last week for Bible in 90 Days was Excuses. Well, I've had too many excuses for the last couple of months. I am supposed to guide ~L and ~C in their Pathfinder work, as well as doing my own. But what have a REALLY been doing? Being lazy and finding excuses. Let's follow the excuses I have used, whether just in my head or said out loud.

-They aren't putting in any effort, so why should I?
-I haven't got the time, with all the extra work I am doing.
-I just started this new job, I need to concentrate on it.
-I'm tired from this new job.
-I just switched to graveyards, I am so mixed up now, I can't worry about Pathfinders.
-I feel no support from the club.

Okay, there is always a grain of truth to an excuse. But I let the excuses get in the way. Now it's February and we are all so far behind.

I sat down with the books yesterday and some Post-It tabbies. I did this last year too. Instead of giving them specific assignments to complete at a specific time, I give them the entire book, with the things that need to be done tabbed. As they finish the assignments, the move the tabs from the side of the book to the top so I can look over the assignment and sign off on it. To help us all complete this task in the time frame it needs to be done, BFF has told them they must complete at least an hour of Pathfinder work every day. I am hoping we can get this all done!

These kids are awesome though!! ~L got all his work done last year in just a matter of weeks. And the newer curriculum is really great for allowing more creative methods of completing the work.

Now, to get my own work done!

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Day 7 of 90: A society of instant gratification

Exodus 32:1

¹ When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods[a] who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

He took too long, in their opinion. They didn't want to wait, it would require patience, and they wanted instant results. They wanted it now, not in a few hours, days, weeks, months, or even years. NOW. Why should they have to wait???

Oh, I meant Moses and the Israelites. Though the description does seem to model what our current society has become. I'm guilty of it too. When I decide I want something it IS hard to wait. I am trying to teach myself to be more patient. I want a new car, it can wait. It'd be nice to have a new car NOW. My car is almost 8 years old. But ya know what, it's in fairly good condition right now. It needs a couple minor repairs, and given that it's paid off, there are days when I WANT to just trade it in and have something new and shiny. But I do not NEED it. I really enjoy NOT having a car payment, and I NEED to save up and have a down payment, it will keep my monthly payment lower.

The "instant gratification society" is NOT new, it's been around for a VERY long time. We are simply repeating history.

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Day 6 of 90: Remember...

Exodus 20:8

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

This is always one of the most important verses to me. All the other commandments begin with "you shall" or "you shalt not." The fourth commandment though is different. God sets it apart by starting it differently, just as he set apart the Sabbath itself. God meant for Sabbath to be special.

It bothers me when people say the Sabbath isn't important or was done away with when Jesus died. So if that is the case, did the other commandments? Do you believe it's okay to kill? To steal? No? Then why do people believe the Sabbath was done away with? It wasn't.

And it's not "just a day." God is quite clear at NUMEROUS places in the Bible that the Sabbath is the seventh day. We need to respect ALL of God's commandments. Not pick and choose. This means the Sabbath too.

Remember...

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Day 5 of 90: Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

Exodus 4:10

¹⁰ Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”


Moses seemed to be full of excuses. I can't because... I'm not able to because...
Even while God is telling him, I will work through you, I will give you the abilities.

I frequently, unfortunately, find myself with excuses for not doing something. I realize that when I do that, I am no different than Moses was. I look for excuses, instead of trusting God to lead me.

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Day 4 of 90: Don't Be Afraid, God Knew What He Was Doing.

Genesis 50:19-21

¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ²¹ So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.


God caused Joseph's brothers to sell him to those who would send him to Egypt. But through that, God enabled Joseph to save his own family. They were afraid once they knew who he was. But they didn't need to be, God knew exactly what he was doing.

When I am afraid, I try to remember not to be, God knows what he is doing. :)

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Day 3 of 90: Am I Expendable?

Genesis 37:26-28

²⁶ Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? ²⁷ Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.

²⁸ So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels[a] of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.



Am I expendable to the people around me, like Joseph was to his brother? Am I putting off a personality and attitude that makes people want to have me out of their lives?

Or am I a person people want around them? The personality, and attitude people WANT. I strive to be THIS person. Then again who doesn't? Who wants to be disliked?

Sometimes we have to choose to uphold our values, and that may make me disliked. But we should never compromise our values just to be liked.

I hope I am NOT expendable, but I will not compromise my values.

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