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Faith Filled Friday

3/8/2012

30 Comments

 
I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I pray that God refreshes you and gives you readiness to persevere in what He has for you today.  

My desire is to be a blessing to you in helping you know God more and make Him known so I've made these
 Resources available to you and have the Missional Living blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are. Currently I am writing my way through Judges sharing glimpses of God's heart and character for a weekday devotional. To check out the entire series so far head on over the the Judges Devotional. 
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Patrick & Kaylee's (students involved with us) wedding Austin officiated a few months ago.


Danger; assuming never turns out well.

"On the fourth day, they said to Samson's wife, "Coax your husband into explaining the riddle for us, or we will burn you and your father's household to death. Did you invite us here to rob us?" Then Samson's wife threw herself on him, sobbing, "You hate me! You don't really love me. You've given my people a riddle, but you haven't told me the answer." "I haven't even explained it to my father or mother," he replied, "so why should I explain it to you?" She cried the whole seven days of the feast. So on the seventh day he finally told her, because she continued to press him. She in turn explained the riddle to her people." Judges 14:15-18

Burn your parents house down over a riddle! Wow. These "friends" sound a little on the crazy side. Major entitlement issues. I mean seriously, would any of your friends ever say that to you? Well, I guess that shows that they wern't really friends, but perhaps there for the free food, drinks and to keep an eye on Samson. But it makes you wonder why did they feel the need to keep an eye on him? Why did they fear him? Was it because he was not a Philistine or was it because he was huge or was it because he showed up to propose with bloody arms and clothes? 

So if you were newly-wed Mrs. Samson, what would you do after being threatened like that? I would without a doubt try to coax my new, I barely know you, husband into telling me the riddle in hopes to save my family. But, I'm pretty sure I would go about it a bit differently. Why in the world did she not just tell him, this giant of a man, that these guys threatened to kill her family?

And of course, without being clear about what's going on he's going to act confused and defensive. I haven't even told my family, why in the world would I tell you. How much better would this whole cinerio have turned out if she just said, "They're gonna kill my dad if you don't tell me the riddle." with as much passion as the "You hate me, you don't love me".  And I bet the Holy Spirit would have still stirred up Samson's anger and she would have saved herself 7 days of crying at her own wedding. (Of couse then it would have been a blood bath instead, hmm. I guess when you do things your own way instead of God's no matter the outcome, it's not good.)

But it sure seems like bad communication seems to be a common theme since Samson arrived on the scene. Because then it happens again. Samson throws a fit and storms out of his own wedding festivities without communicating. And new Father-in-law assumed that because Samson left without taking his new bride it meant he didn't want her. Last time I checked assuming things especially of that magnitude is just never a good idea. A simple question could have cleared it up, "Hey Samson (as he's huffing off), you still want your bride right?"

So what's our glimpse of glory today? That people will fail us but God never will. And that God is a perfect communicator. He always knows what to say and when to say it. He always has a perfect balance of grace and truth. And He never assumes because He already knows everything. Everything... think about that for a second. He knew every tiny detail at Mr. and Mrs. Samson's wedding, each of the guests and every feeling they ever felt and every related emotion, every fear, excitement and hope in their entire life, as well as every thought they ever thought. And every person in every generation He's known completely since then. We are known. Really, He gets us.

And He's not threatened by your strengths or caught off guard and worried about your weaknesses. And not only every person throughout all time does He know, really deeply knows what makes them tick know, but He also knows every tiny thing about our universe. From the big to the small. What makes stars sing to what makes atoms, corks and strings move. What a great and mighty God! 

Humbling
"I'm speechless, in awe-words fail me, I never should have opened my mouth!" (Check out the link from Job 38.)
 
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Our family is hoping to get over the flu asap and drive to our annual staff retreat in Durango which lasts till Tuesday night. We will be staying at The Ranch (which has this incredible story of how God gave it to Master Plan) but I am not actually sure if there is internet (it's in the middle of nowhere). So, if there's not, I wont have a devotional up on Monday or Tuesday but come on by to peruse the lovely linkers below. The posts linked up are always so encouraging. (And have you noticed there tends to be a theme with many of them. I love when God does that!) 
Beholding Glory
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.beholdingglory.com" title="Beholding Glory" target="_blank"><img src="http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o304/laurakrokos/fff1.jpg" alt="Beholding Glory" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Faith Filled Friday Blog Hop

We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, devotionals, ministry as well as art, baking, photography, parenting or marriage thoughts and more if they tie into or display the the Lord somehow. 

So go ahead and link up below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. I just humbly ask that you please let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or put my button code (found on my side bar or the Faith Filled Friday Tab) so they can find these other great people glorifying God and we can continue to grow as a community. Thanks!  

I'm linking up with Spiritual Sundays
30 Comments
Laura Rath link
3/8/2012 11:03:06 am

How comforting that God knows everything about me - my strengths, weaknesses, fears, potential...everything...and loves me anyway!

Laura, thank you for hosting this link up.
God bless,
Laura

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Laura link
3/9/2012 09:47:29 am

My pleasure Laura, thanks for linking up. :)

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Rina Peru link
3/8/2012 12:19:23 pm

The habit of assuming often leads to much heartache and confusion especially with the people in our lives. I've found that out many times! You've accurately pointed this out here. It's always best to be clear :).

I think we should cultivate that kind of openness to our Lord, too, knowing that He knows absolutely everything about us, we can't hide anything from Him so we might as well be totally honest with Him - no obstruction in-between.

May the Lord wonderfully bless your annual staff retreat!
Rina

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Laura link
3/9/2012 09:50:23 am

I totally agree Rina. It's so easy to not share our heart with Him since He knows it all. But then we totally miss out on the relationship.

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Angi link
3/8/2012 12:28:31 pm

Oh God is so wise :) I like your new blog look lady! Hope you and the boys feel better so soon. (like right now!) <3

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Laura link
3/9/2012 09:53:26 am

Thanks Ang! Hope to get to spend the weekend with ya'll down there.

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Carly link
3/8/2012 01:51:59 pm

So good, so encouraging!

P.S. I lost my phone (it's always lost!) so can you message me what you decided for tomorrow? I would be happy to come later on in the week or when you get back. Hope everyone feels better ASAP :)

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Laura link
3/9/2012 09:54:30 am

Thanks friend. Hope you have a great reunion with your hubby.

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Nancy Kehr link
3/8/2012 03:34:48 pm

Enjoy your mini vacation and love your family too! Sampson harvested what he had sowed. Too bad he could not select a wife from among his own people. Choices do matter.

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Laura link
3/9/2012 09:57:53 am

They sure do, and leave a ripple effect like you say. ;)

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Joe Pote link
3/8/2012 07:50:59 pm

"And that God is a perfect communicator. He always knows what to say and when to say it. He always has a perfect balance of grace and truth."

As I read thru the gospels, this is the ability Jesus displays that I find myself most longing for. He shows an incredible ability to instantly see to the heart of an issue and to know exactly how best to deal with the situation.

That's quite different from my constant praying and seeking the insight and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I wonder if Heaven will be like that for all of us?

Reply
Laura link
3/9/2012 10:01:33 am

Great insight! I love that about Him, like the women at the well... totally knew how to direct the conversation to what mattered and yet communicated through her assumptions about Him.

I sure how I am a whole lot of a better communicator in heaven. If not, at least I can count on everyones grace. :)/

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JoAnne Potter link
3/8/2012 08:32:59 pm

Thanks, Laura. It's a lot easier for me to remember that God GETS me when I remember that God MADE me. Duh.

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Laura link
3/9/2012 10:04:01 am

lol!

Great post btw. I have a passion for justice too :)

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Shari Lynne @ Faith Filled Food for Moms link
3/8/2012 11:20:44 pm

What a great meditation for today Laura. I'm so glad that God knows us so well. I am so thankful that even though He knows me..He still loves me :) LOL
Blessings and hope you all get well so you can enjoy your retreat!

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Laura link
3/9/2012 10:07:05 am

Thanks.

And great printables, thanks for the heads up.

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Laurie Collett link
3/9/2012 12:42:37 am

Praise God that He knows everything about us (and loves us anyway) and plans only the best for us, if we hear and follow His (perfectly communicated) voice! Thanks as always for the enlightening Bible study post.
God bless,
Laurie

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Laura link
3/11/2012 05:07:37 am

Thinking about His voice perfectly communicating...
He communicates so perfectly that atoms hold together and seas know where to stop at the sound of His voice. Such wisdom united with such power. Amazing!

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Nikki link
3/9/2012 08:07:21 pm

awesome read Laura...loved how you wrote this b/c I can relate to it. Praying for you guys to be flu free asap. The ranch sounds total fun. Enjoy.

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laura link
3/11/2012 05:09:53 am

Thanks Nikki. One of may favorite things is framing Scripture so it comes alive though really only the Holy Spirit can help us understand. :)

Thanks for praying..

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Charlotte link
3/10/2012 01:55:06 am

Interesting insight into Samson's life and wife. And I love the picture of the praying wedding party. Wouldn't it be great if all marriages started out this way?
Blessings,
Charlotte

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Laura link
3/11/2012 05:15:17 am

I think it is something I've taken for granted, getting to see many godly students get married. I am so proud of so many students who are serious about Jesus and getting married because they see they can better glorify God together.

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bluecottonmemory link
3/11/2012 03:27:37 am

This post made me think of what it was like being a child of divorce - situated between 2 factions, needing to watch what you say, how you say it. I imagine she felt precarious - placed between her family, the community who wants something from her, and this new husband she "barely knows." I have learned it might be tough - but the honest road is always the best - even though it is scary and oftentimes leads to tough immediate, right-now situations - but for the long run - the results produce blessing. Maybe it was the culture, maybe it was her parents - but it is a shame she wasn't taught the honest road is the least perilous! Was she raised to just be a pawn? Maybe she is an example of what facing challenges are without God. This is a great story for discussion and I love what you've done with it:)

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Laura link
3/11/2012 05:24:21 am

Wow, what a great insight MaryLeigh!
Breaks my heart to think of her being raised as a pawn... but good thing God has a good and perfect plan for each even if parents don't

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Deanna link
3/11/2012 03:49:12 am

Found you through your blog comment on my blog (from Kelly's Korner!) Great to "meet" you! I must say I love that picture of prayer from the wedding. Such a cool picture! :)
Deanna (diaryofamusingmama.blogspot.com)

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Laura link
3/11/2012 05:34:31 am

Thanks for stopping by Deanna. :)

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lisagburgess@gmail.com link
3/11/2012 09:12:00 am

"And He's not threatened by your strengths or caught off guard and worried about your weaknesses."

So glad he knows us!

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laura link
3/11/2012 10:49:13 am

Amazing really. There's so many people and so many generations. Yet nothing about each of us is hidden. He sure is awesome! Great blog btw Lisa. :)

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Sharon link
3/12/2012 02:35:18 am

That last verse you shared in Job always humbles me. How many times do I foolishly speak so freely about things that I only think I understand. Thank you for the reminder of assumptions and also for the reminder that God knows all and still loves.

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Laura link
3/13/2012 05:59:37 am

Me too!
What grace that God helps us even in our assumptions. He's so good! Thanks for your comment Sharon.

Reply



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  • Home
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    • Discover God's Calling
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    • Women's Ministry Training Course
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    • Philippians
    • Know your Purpose
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    • You Are Unshaken Launch Team
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