Obedience In Faith

So, I'm back in the Old Testament--Deuteronomy to be exact. What can I say? I really actually love it.

Yesterday and today I have been reading in the first 4 chapters, and to give you a quick summary, it is a recapping of Gods deeds for the children of Israel. If you haven't read Deuteronomy, I would actually encourage you to take a look. It is a very rich book. I was reading in the same room with my friend (who was working on an email) and I basically stopped every 3 minutes to read her a verse. *teehee*

I just get excited, ok? ;)

I was reading today of the victories God did----and I mean things GOD clearly did----through the Children of Israel. It is remarkable. If you think about it "logically", this group of people were formerly making bricks and used to doing manual labor! Yet God used them to completely wipe out cities "fortified with high walls, gates, and bars [...] and we utterly destroyed them" (Deut. 3:5,6). Just stop and think about it for a minute..............a people who were mostly builders defeating armies.

Pretty crazy,huh? 

But in all actuality, what I really have been blown away with is in chapter 1. The chapter is describing how the people of Israel moved God to anger because of their unbelief. Even after all He had fulfilled, answered, rescued, and preserved, they allowed themselves to forget his goodness. They forgot his favor, his tenderness, his mighty hand, and his victorious right arm. As a result, that entire generation was prohibited in seeing a promise fulfilled. Because they did not believe God would actually follow through in His word, they missed out on seeing yet another incredible miracle. When God sent them to scout out the land he promised that they would inherit, most of the scouts allowed their fear to creep in. They only saw (and found) reasons why they should not obey God--why it would be wise to rethink directions directly from Jehovah. 

Except 2 men.

2 men who believed God.

 And they were not forgotten by their Master.

Nope. 

And He called them out---by name.

"Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land which I swore to give to your fathers except Caleb the son of Jephun'neh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I will give the land upon which he has trodden, because he has wholly followed The Lord! [...] Joshua the son of Nun,who stands before you, he shall enter; encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it."

-Deuteronomy 1:35,36,38-

My heart even now quickens at the thought of being singled out of an entire generation---to be singled out by I AM? To be chosen from a generation of faithlessness because of true belief?  The boldness that Caleb and Joshua took in seeking out the goodness of Gods commands, and how they
sought to find the joy of following Gods commands. They sought to urge the people to obedience, to pursue righteousness, and believed God despite what their peers urged them to believe.

  But, if you pause to think about it, God has given us (as followers) the same opportunity. Jesus has proved himself over and over to us, yet how quickly we forget his blessings, his favor, his protection and when he intervenes on our behalf! We have the opportunity to step out into situations where it may seem daunting or difficult--I am kind of in a situation like that currently, as a matter of fact.  Situations where God has asked us to step out in bold faith, not clearly seeing the end result, but having the opportunity to take God fully at his word! 

The question is how will we respond? 

In bold, faithful (joyful) obedience like Caleb, or will we forfeit our opportunity to see the full glory of God revealed?

~

I cannot express how much I want to be like Caleb and Joshua. To be bold, zealous for my God, and earnestly believing my Lord at His every word! All I know is that my Jesus is still working on me--I am a bit timid of heart and feeble of strength. 

Yet I trust Him.

I believe he is fully able to take this little heart, 

and make me as courageous as Caleb!

Praise God!

In Him,

Anna

My Little Levi

Things have been quiet in my house, at least blog post-wise. From my end, the last 2 months have literally been non-stop. As soon as I got home from being gone for over an entire month, I came home to 2+ weddings/wedding prep, planning a baby shower, baking for events, cleaning houses, and a bucket load of other things. It's been insane. So, this blog post is more of a little blip of hosting my friends baby shower.

On my way home from Canada, my friend Jessie found out that she and her husband are moving to Massachusetts this month (they left yesterday), driving through Va, and had no clue when they would be back. I had previously told her I wanted to throw her a baby shower, so I had 3 weeks to plan! :) Talk about adventurous ;). A lot of prayer and planning went in to it--my sisters can attest to the fact--and it went so sweetly!

We were able to host it at a local church

And we decided to do a tea party, regardless of the gender!

Our bountiful fare

My sisters Aimee (peeking around the door) and Rachel were SUCH an

incredible blessing! We got to the church, turned on some swingin' big band music

and went to town decorating! It was so much fun and such a gift from God to 

be able to do what we enjoy together. 

We decided to have a teaparty, regardless of the fact that the baby 

is a boy. But I'm sure he would've enjoyed it himself ;)

And I was also excited to pull out my teacup collection :)

So many sweet presents and cards!

And a LOT of laughter! 

Official note-taker

The little man even had his photograph hung up ;)

The neatest part was being able to spend some really good time just praying for 

Jessie and Andrew as they transition into moving AND parenthood. 

The little boy will be named Levi Daniel Kircher. My prayer for him is that he will truly become a man in character similar to those whose names he carries. That just as the tribe of Levi were a people set apart specifically for the purpose of serving God, I pray little Levi will be set apart and sealed for the kingdom at a young age. Then, just as Daniel in the bible possessed a boldness and a fixed eye on the Lord, I pray that Levi will cling to his God, despite what everyone else around him will do. I want this little man to love Jesus more than anything, and I pray that God will give Jessie and Andrew wisdom in "training (their) child in the way he should go" (Prov. 22:6).

I can't wait to see Levi (coming Jan. 2014) and watch him grow! I am confident of God's plan for him, and am excited for my sweet friend to become what she's always wanted--a mommy. :)

Love, 

In His Hands

As I write this, I am actually out of the country. Prince Edward Island, Canada to be exact (think homeland of Anne of Green Gables).

I'm not going to lie-- It is probably one of my FAVORITE places. Ever.

 Combined with some of my FAVORITE people.

Although I would love to post photos, making you want to pack your bags immediately and join me, I just wanted to share something before I get too far ahead of myself. ;)

First off, I'd like to introduce you to Hope. 

She has an "AWWWW" Rating of a Billion.

We were hanging out today (voluntary babysitting) and...it's kind of crazy what you can learn from looking at a baby. But as we were sitting quietly in a big comfy chair, I started thinking about Jesus (Pretty random thought, huh? ;) ). I started thinking about being in the safety and security of His arms, and the comfort of His hands. I love thinking about the hands of Jesus. The skilled, strong hands of a carpenter--but gentle enough that  children would never hesitate to run to Him. While I was thinking, Little Hope started whimpering and her little teensy lip turned down in a determined frown. As I gently patted her chest and just started to whisper gently in her ear, her face turned completely peaceful and she settled down to continue snoozing. 

I feel like this picture is the exact same with Jesus. Even when I rest in His arms, I can forget He's holding me OR life circumstances may happen, which cause me to suddenly be overwhelmed with fear. Yet, Jesus has SUCH incredible compassion on us. He knows our frame and "as a father pities His children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him" (Psalm 103:13). He loves to comfort us when we run to Him. As we run to Him, as we cast our cares upon Him, he takes them upon himself and begins to quiet us with his promises. I love to run to Jesus.

Yesterday, as I was sitting on a rock facing the ocean, Jesus came and sat down beside me. My heart was quickened to the nearness of Christ, and then stilled by the peace of His presence. When we run to Jesus, we are able to feel the sweetest, gentlest hand of Jesus, gently placing his hand on our hearts--filling our spirit with the quietness of God. Just like baby Hope knows true security, I know when my Prince of Peace is near. To me, He is Emmanuel--God with us.

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