Tidings of Joy

"You anoint my head with oil..."

2009-07-07T10:30:00.000-07:00

“...You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.”
Psalm 23:5

After church this past Sunday, I joined the prayer group of people seeking employment. It turned out that the group was all women, and like most women, we quickly bonded under our shared predicaments and faith in God. As we talked and prayed, one woman took out a small bottle of oil and anointed each of our heads. It’s been a long time since I have been anointed with oil, and in my devotions this morning, I was drawn to the 23rd Psalm, and David’s comment in verse 5: “...You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows”

David was a shepherd, so the 23rd Psalm is a shepherd’s analogy of the love of God. As with so many scriptures, I found there is a great depth of meaning behind each of the verses in this Psalm. In researching the significance of oil to shepherds, I came across the book, A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm, by Phillip Keller. Here’s Mr. Keller’s insight of the importance of oil to a shepherd and his flock*:

As one meditates on this magnificent poem it is helpful to keep in mind that the poet is recounting the salient events of the full year in a sheep’s life. He takes us with him from the home ranch where every need is so carefully supplied by the owner, out into the green pastures, along the still waters, up through the mountain valleys to the high tablelands of summer.

Here, now, where it would appear the sheep are in a sublime setting on the high meadows; where there are clear running springs; where the forage is fresh and tender; where there is the intimate close contact with the shepherd; suddenly we find “a fly in the ointment,” so to speak.

For in the terminology of the sheepman, “summer time is fly time.” By this, reference is made to the hordes of insects that emerge with the advent of warm weather. Only those people who have kept livestock or studied wildlife habits are aware of the serious problems for animals presented by insects in the summer.

Sheep are especially troubled by the nose fly, or nasal fly, as it is sometimes called. These little flies buzz about the sheep’s head, attempting to deposit their eggs on the damp, mucous membranes of the sheep’s nose. If they are successful, the eggs will hatch in a few days to form small, slender, worm-like larvae. They work their way up the nasal passages into the sheep’s head; they burrow into the flesh and there set up an intense irritation accompanied by severe inflammation.

For relief from this agonizing annoyance, sheep will deliberately beat their heads against trees, rocks, posts, or brush. They will rub them in the soil and thrash around against woody growth. In extreme cases of intense infestation, a sheep may even kill itself.
Often advanced stages of infection from these flies will lead to blindness.

Because of all this, when the nose flies hover around the flock, some of the sheep become frantic with fear and panic in their attempt to escape their tormentors.

They will stamp their feet erratically and race from place to place in the pasture trying desperately to elude the flies. Some may run so much they will drop from sheer exhaustion. Others may toss their heads up and down for hours.

All this excitement and distraction has a devastating effect on the entire flock. Only the strictest attention to the behavior of the sheep by the shepherd can forestall the difficulties of “fly time.” At the very first sign of flies among the flock, he will apply an antidote to their heads. I always preferred to use a homemade remedy composed of linseed oil, sulphur and tar which was smeared over the sheep’s nose and head as a protection against nose flies.

What an incredible transformation this would make. Once the oil had been applied to the sheep’s head, there was an immediate change in behavior. The sheep would start to feed quietly again, then soon lie down in peaceful contentment.

But summertime for the sheep is more than just fly-time. It is also “scab-time.” Scab is an irritating and highly contagious disease common among sheep the world over. Caused by a minute, microscopic parasite that proliferates in warm weather, “scab” spreads throughout a flock by direct contact between infected and non-infected animals.

Sheep love to rub heads in an affectionate and friendly manner. Scab is often found most commonly around the head. When two sheep rub together, the infection spreads readily from one to the other.

In the Old Testament when it was declared that the sacrificial lambs should be without blemish, the thought uppermost in the writer’s mind was that the animal should be free of scab.

Again, as with flies, the only effective antidote is to apply linseed oil, sulphur and other chemicals that can control this disease. In many sheep-rearing countries dips are built and the entire flock is put through the dip. Each animal is completely submerged in the solution until its entire body is soaked. The most difficult part to do is the head. The head has to be plunged under repeatedly to insure that scab there will be controlled. Some sheepmen take great care to treat the head by hand.

So I know precisely what David meant when he wrote, “Thou anointest my head with oil.” Again, it was the only antidote for scab ... in Palestine the old remedy for this disease was olive oil mixed with sulphur and spices.

Now as summer, in the high country, moves gradually into autumn, subtle changes occur both in the countryside and in the sheep. In the flock there are subtle changes. This is the season of the rut, or mating, of great battles between the rams for possession of the ewes. The necks of the monarchs swell and grow strong. They strut proudly across the pastures and fight furiously for the favors of the ewes. The crash of heads and thud of colliding bodies can be heard through the hours of day and night.

The shepherd knows all about this. He knows that some of the sheep will and can actually kill, injure and maim each other in these deadly combats. So he decides on a very simple remedy. At this season of the year he will catch his rams and smear their heads with grease. I used to apply generous quantities of axle grease to the head and nose of each ram. Then when they collide in their great crashing battles the lubricant would make them glance off each other in such a ludicrous way they stood there feeling rather stupid and frustrated. In this way, much of the heat and tension was dissipated and little damage done.

Summer moves into autumn. Storms of sleet and hail and early snow begin to sweep over the high country. Soon the flocks will be driven from the alplands and tablelands. They will turn again toward the home ranch for the long, quiet winter season.

The sheep have respite now from flies, insects and scab. No other season finds them so fit and well and strong. No wonder David wrote, “My cup runneth over.”

But at the same time, unexpected blizzards can blow up or sleet storms suddenly shroud the hills. The flock and their owner can pass through appalling suffering together.

It is here that I grasp another aspect ... the meaning of a cup that overflows. In tending my sheep, I carried a bottle in my pocket containing a mixture of brandy and water. Whenever a ewe or lamb was chilled from undue exposure to wet, cold weather, I would pour a few spoonfuls down its throat. In a matter of minutes the chilled creature would be on its feet and full of renewed energy. It was especially cute the way the lambs would wiggle their tails with joyous excitement as the warmth from the brandy spread through their bodies.

The important thing was for me to be there on time, to find the frozen, chilled sheep before it was too late. I had to be in the storm with them, alert to every one that was in distress.

My Shepherd is alert to every approaching disaster that threatens His people. He has been through the storms of suffering before. He bore our sorrows and was acquainted with our grief.

And now no matter what storms I face, His very life and strength and vitality is poured into mine. It overflows so the cup of my life runs over with His life.

What more can I say, other than to add that I am so thankful that “The Lord is my shepherd.”

May you, too, be blessed by God’s anointing love, and may your cup continue to overflow.

~Joy~

*Source: http://www.antipas.org/magazine/articles/shepherd_psa23/main.html

Treasure Hunting

2009-01-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

"Your word I have treasured in my heart..." Psalm 119:11a

"Instruction from Your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces." Psalm 119:72

"I rejoice over Your promise like one who finds vast treasure." Psalm 119:162

"...furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God." Proverbs 3:3-5

"Accept my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold." Proverbs 8:10

"My fruit is better than solid gold, and my harvest than pure silver." Proverbs 8:19

"There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure." Proverbs 20:15

"I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches from secret places, so that you may know that I, the LORD, the God of Israel call you by your name." Isaiah 45:3

One of my all-time favorite pastime is picking wild mushrooms. Now before you go off on some mind trip imagining me strung out on psychedelic mushrooms, I want to be clear that I am talking about edible, gourmet-type mushrooms – mostly chanterelles. To be out in the middle of a deep, silent, old-growth forest in the mountains of Oregon, foraging for chanterelles on a beautiful, crisp fall day is about as close to Heaven on Earth as I can get. It's like a real, live treasure hunt with the reward being bags of golden 'shrooms. Sometimes they sit out in the open, as if calling, "Come pick me!" Sometimes I just catch a glimmer of gold from beneath a fern frond, a fallen tree, or peaking through the compost on the forest floor. And after digging up that one, I might turn around and see mushrooms I had walked by while zooming in on my previous target -- they weren't visible from my original vantage point, and looking at them from the other direction I can almost hear them laughing at me. There are other times while digging out one of those buried in the compost, that I'll find others that were totally unseen until I started digging for the first. And each mushroom is a promise of a delicious meal to come, or the smile of someone I love enjoying them as well.

This morning's first scripture is a reminder of the treasures found within God's word. The treasures aren't silver, gold or mushrooms. They are the promises of God and the ARE precious: Not only do they affirm his love for us, but God is a great keeper of promises, and if you can learn to pray within God's will by calling upon those promises, he will bless your life abundantly.

These promises are sprinkled throughout the Bible very much like chanterelle mushrooms throughout a forest. Every now and then, they are obvious to me, like when delivered during a sermon or in an emailed devotion. Sometimes, it's as if God points me to just the scripture I need when I need it most. The other day, I was upset because somebody I loved had rebuked me for coming on too strong in sharing my faith. I was so embarrassed and frustrated. I've never been one for forcing my faith upon others (I'm assuming you're reading this voluntarily right now) and I usually try to share only if I think the other person is open to it. Apparently I misjudged this time, and the rebuff really hurt. I poured out my heart to God, asking him to show me if I was in the wrong somehow. Imagine the comfort and love I felt when I read the next morning's email devotion scripture: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." (Matthew 5:11). And then there are times like this morning, when I start looking at one scripture, and my research of it unearths all sorts of other gems I hadn't noticed.

I've never been good at just sitting down and reading the Bible. I have had relatively few instances where I sat down and opened it right up to the words I needed at that time (the few times it happened when I was dealing with the demise of my marriage, when I really needed it most). It works for some people, but I personally have had better "treasure hunts" by using the guidance of devotional sources, like the Encouragement for Today emails I receive from Christianity.com. Sometimes I don't even agree with the message of the day, but then just researching why it is that I disagree has led me to many insights and blessings.

Starting my day with these little treasure hunts has really carried me through some difficult times, and energized me in happy days as well. And the blessing of mushrooms have continued to flow now that I am living a day's drive away from my favorite 'shroom hunting grounds. And when I am sitting down to enjoy a savory dinner of chanterelle mushrooms, chicken and peppers in cream sauce over fresh fettuccine, I am always mindful of one of my all-time favorite Biblical gems:

"Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
you will enjoy the choicest of foods."
Isaiah 55:2

Joy to the World

2008-12-19T18:28:00.000-08:00

Growing up blessed with the name Joy, I always dreaded hearing the song Joy to the World at Christmas. It has taken me a long time to even accept the word joy into my own vocabulary – I finally noticed that people only take note of my use of the word if I wince as I say it. I still get occasional grins from friends and family when the song comes up at church or on the radio, but I’ve finally learned to accept – and even enjoy – my name. Sometimes at church I’ll even join in the humor and sing “Me to the World...”

But JOY is what this season is all about. This morning I was reflecting upon the ordeal Mary went through in the Nativity. I’m a mother, and even though it was 16 years ago I still vividly remember what it felt like to be nine months pregnant. Even in today’s modern culture it’s not something I would describe as comfortable. So I’m sure that Mary was feeling anything but blessed and joyful as she endured a long donkey ride to Bethlehem in her state of full-term pregnancy. I’m sure she didn’t shout, “Oh, Joy!” as she went into labor while Joseph struck out at every inn, only to settle for a cold stable which offered only hay, straw and a manger as creature comforts and probably wreaked of the offal of the creatures that lived there. As she went through the wracking pains of advanced labor contractions, Mary probably felt anything but joyful as she was forced to rely upon only her husband to help her with the delivery (in a time when men were forbidden to be present during labor – and probably only too happy about it), instead of the comfort of her mother or a traditional midwife.

But there is a miracle that almost every mother experiences once the baby makes its entrance into the world. It is beautifully phrased in a framed piece of calligraphy a dear friend gave to me when Clarissa was born:

As soon as she is delivered of the child
she remembreth no more the anguish
for the
Joy
that one is born into the world.
Author Unknown

My past year has been filled with a profusion of trials and tribulations. But as I’ve clung to God through all of it, blessings and joy have continued to flow through my life in abundance (with the love, support and prayers of my friends among them). And in spite of the commercialism, hustle and bustle that our modern society has attached to this holiday, even if you are not a person of faith, it is a wonderful time to celebrate the joy of the blessings in your life.

So, my wish for everyone this Christmas, the coming New Year, and always is
JOY

Blessings to you!

Thanks, I needed that!

2008-10-27T08:40:00.001-07:00

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)

I am somewhat proud to report that I have never been drunk in my life. Even though I am not a teetotaler, I know my limits. And it’s not for the reasons one might assume, such as righteousness or scriptural forbearance. The real reason I have never been drunk is because I suffer from a terminal case of what I like to call foot-in-mouth disease: My mouth gets me in so much trouble when I am sober that I am terrified to think of what crazy, embarrassing gaffes might escape my pie hole if I were to loosen the reigns with inebriation. I wish I was as good at limiting my mouth as I am at limiting my alcohol intake.

With the advent of the internet, email and blogs, the same holds true for the words that flow from my fingers to my keyboard and through emails. You’d think that having the time to consider these words more carefully while writing and before hitting the send button might provide a better buffer from such bloopers, but the other day a real zinger escaped from my keyboard and I suffered the humiliation of having a very dear friend call me on the carpet for it.

Earlier that day, another friend had forwarded to me a sweet email homily about a woman who was sitting alone at her mother’s funeral when a man came in and sat next to her, flustered because he was late. It turns out, he thought he was at his aunt’s funeral which was being held in the church across the street. The encounter lifted the woman’s spirits, and brought back some of the joy she knew her mother would have shared. After the funeral the two went out for coffee, and over time a relationship bloomed and they were married.

I enjoyed the story so much that I forwarded it to a select group of friends with a footnote that told how the story touched me in more ways than one — not just because of its poignancy, but also as a confirmation of prayer and God's will at work in my life. I then went on to tell how after struggling to deal with my divorce I had looked back on all of the years that I prayed that God would make me pleasing to my husband, and I mistakenly implied that God caused the end of my marriage because in order for me to be “pleasing to my husband” he had to get rid of the current one so I could have a man that I could please. Then I went on to tell how I have complete faith that the right man is out there for me somewhere, and I know that everything will happen in God's own good time... And in the future, I’ll be much more careful about what I pray for!!!

Even now as I read those words, I’m blushing. What was I thinking when I sent that out? I don’t really believe for one second that God was responsible for the end of my marriage so that I could move forward to find a man whom I can please. I believe that God grieved right along with me when my husband told me he didn’t love me anymore and had found somebody else. The death of a marriage is almost as serious as the death of a person, and I know that the responsibility for my divorce lies totally in the actions of my husband and myself, and ultimately, his decision to end it by moving on to somebody else. Unfortunately, God’s will and our choices often do not agree with one another. Clearly my husband was acting apart from God’s will. But God doesn’t force people to love him – or anyone else. However, I do believe that His will can move mountains and lift us from the deepest depths of despair. And that’s what He has done for me as I have dealt with this divorce. He has comforted me, strengthened me and guided me.

So why did I write that crazy message? To be honest, after a lot of self-examination and prayer I can see that I was caught up in being cute and clever. Even though there was some sincere desire in there somewhere to glorify God (in my own gauche way), I was hasty in my writing and should have stopped to consider my words more carefully before hitting that send button. Especially if my first true priority had been to glorify God.

As is so often the case with so many of us, my heart was in the right place, but my brain wasn’t. This is one reason why I identify so closely with the apostle, Peter, who really had a penchant for putting his foot in his mouth. Jesus usually seemed amused by Peter’s exuberance. In Matthew 14, when Jesus is walking on the water and Peter starts to join him but starts sinking, I like to picture Jesus chuckling to himself as he pulls Peter out of the drink. On the other hand, Peter’s effusiveness lead to harsh rebuke from Jesus (Mark 8:32-33). And Peter’s most famous faux pas came in the Garden of Gethsemane when he promised to stand by Jesus and argued that he would never deny Jesus. I can picture Jesus giving a sad little smile as he told his friend that he would deny him three times before the cock crowed. Of course, we know that Jesus was right, and I can imaging Peter’s humiliation and embarrassment in the aftermath of that story. Yet Peter went on to be one of the strongest leaders in the church and was even quite eloquent with his words in his sermon to the Jews on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36). One of the things that made Peter so strong was his ability to admit his faults and learn by them.

This has been a common thread in my life as well. In the past couple years, I have been experiencing a spiritual renaissance. Even though I’ve been a follower of God since the age of 13, it wasn’t until late 2006-early 2007 that I really disciplined myself to spend time in daily devotions. And I finally achieved the state of “praying without ceasing”, where I am in constant conversation with God throughout my day, either thanking him for the blessings around me (“Thank you so much, Lord, for this beautiful fall day!”), or making silent commentary to him about the circumstances around me (“Lord, please give me patience for this old man in front of me driving 15 mph below the speed limit…”). I delivered my first-ever sermon in March 2007, and could truly feel the Spirit guiding my words. I could also sense the guidance of the Spirit when consoling another dear friend over the suicide of her stepson at about that same time. My close communion with God guided me through starting my own chocolate company for people with food allergies, and continues to sustain me through the dissolution of my marriage. God has lead me from Georgia to a new life in California, and my life is so blessed right now, I almost feel spoiled by God. In fact, in hindsight my little verbal outburst via email could probably be described as the action of a spoiled child: I have been so bolstered by God’s blessings, that I became overconfident and rushed boldly forward to prove how clever I was, instead of humbly focusing on God’s mercy and grace.

So when I received Heather’s email reply of rebuke to my horrible homily, I went through quite a gambit of emotions. Naturally, I felt horrifically embarrassed and humbled by the valid points she made. It’s usually at this point in receiving chastisement that I go through a protracted period of beating myself up for my stupidity – anywhere from an hour to a month of self-abuse. But this is where the grace of God comes in: Not only did I recognize that I richly deserved the reprimand, but I experience an unusual (for me) sense of gratitude. I was thankful for Heather’s gentle admonition, and that I have a friend who loves me enough to risk offending me to confront me with harsh truths. And I was especially thankful to God for giving Heather the strength to do so, as well as the lessons I gleaned from it. Not only was it a valuable lesson in humility – it also turned into an edifying exercise which motivated me to dig deeper into God’s word and thus helped me to grow even more. More proof that all things work for the good of those who love the Lord.

And now, I offer my story to you as glass of lemonade which God has made from one of the bigger lemons of my life. I pray that you will find fellowship in my example of God’s patience with my humanity, and perhaps learn enough from my blunder to save yourself from a painful lesson down the road of your own life.

And I assure you that I considered every word written here very prayerfully before hitting the send button… now!

The Names of God

2008-10-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year — before the great tempest of my divorce — I studied Kay Arthur's devotion book, Lord Teach me to Pray in 28 Days. It was a wonderful guide to understanding how to pray within God's will. (Seriously, do you really think it's God's will for you to drive a Lexus or have a 60" plasma TV?...). Among other things, this study taught me that Jesus did not intend for the Lord's prayer to be recited by rote, but rather as a pattern for prayer with a distinct six-part pattern:

1. Worship/reverence for Gods sovereignty
2. Allegiance & submission to God's Will
3. Petition and intercession (faith in Him to meet our needs)
4. Confession – laying our faults, weaknesses and deficiencies at His feet.
5. Deliverance – help us to be watchful and not give in to temptation
6. More Worship – we can never give God enough glory!

Another beautiful lesson I gleaned from this book was learning to call upon the name of the Lord. The Lord's Prayer starts with, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." Throughout the Bible, there are hundreds of names and metaphors for God, in every kind of situation. And every name testifies to His character. So, when you come before God with a need, you can take comfort in His name for your situation. You can stand on the promise given by each name:

He is Jehovah-Jireh, the God who will provide.
He is Jehovah-Raphe, the God who heals.
He is Jehovah-Shalom, the God who is peace.
He is Jehovah-Shammah, the God who is with you always.

I have called upon the name of the Lord so many times this past year. And He has been faithful to hear my prayers, and meet my needs beyond my prayers and expectations. He truly has been my wonderful counselor, my healer and my peace throughout the ordeal of my divorce and moving across country to start a new life.

I was reflecting on all of this one morning during my devotions, and I started thinking of all of the names of God that I could remember... then I "Googled*" all of the names of God I could find on the internet. Below is a compilation of what I found. Some of them are awesome (Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth). Some are beautiful (bright morning star, a hiding place from the wind). Reading through all of them reminded me that our God is an Awesome God — so powerful, multi-faceted and complex, yet so personal, gentle and loving. I hope you'll enjoy reading through this as much as I did in compiling it. And I hope you'll keep it for future reference, when you need to "call upon the name of the Lord".

Blessings to you!

Joy

Names of the Lord

Wonderful Counselor

Almighty

Prince of Peace

Creator

Abba (Father)

Bawraw (Creator)

El, Eli (God)

El Olam (Eternal God)

Adonai (Our Cause/Support, Lord, Master)

Elohim (Creator)

Kunios (Lord/Sovereign)

Theos (Holy One)

El Elyon (Most High, Sovereign)

El Shaddai (God Almighty)

El Roi (The God who sees)

Jehovah (Savior, Deliverer)

Jehovah Jireh (The Lord will provide)

Jehovah Raah/Rohi (The Lord, my shepherd)

Jehova Raphe (The Lord that heals)

Jehovah Nissi (The Lord is my banner)

Jehova Tsidkenu (The Lord, our righteousness)

Jehovah Shalom (The Lord sends peace)

Jehovah Shammah (The Lord is there)

Jehovah Mkaddesh (He is the Good that sanctifies us)

Jehovah Tsaba/Sabaoth (Lord of Hosts/Army)

Jehovah Hoseenu (The Lord our Maker)
Jehovah Eloheenu (The Lord our God )

Yaweh (“I Am”)

I am...

I AM THAT I AM
I am a father to Israel
I am a great King
I am alive for evermore
I am Alpha and Omega
I am for you
I am from above
I am God
I am God Almighty
I am gracious
I am he
I am he that comforts you
I am he that speaks
I am he that lives, and was dead
I am he which searches the reins and hearts
I am holy
I am in the midst of Israel
I am married unto you
I am meek and lowly in heart
I am merciful
I am the Almighty God
I am the bread of life
I am the door
I am the door of the sheep
I am the first and the last
I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob
I am the God of your fathers
I am the good shepherd
I am the light of the world
I am the living bread
I am the LORD
I am the LORD, and there is none else
I am the Lord GOD
I am the LORD in the midst of the earth
I am the LORD that doth sanctify you
I am the LORD that heals you
I am the LORD that makes all things
I am the LORD that smites
I am the LORD, the God of all flesh
I am the LORD your God
I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt
I am the LORD your God that divides the sea
I am the LORD your God which leads you by the way that you should go
I am the LORD your God which teaches you to profit
I am the LORD which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness
I am the LORD which hallow you
I am the LORD, your Holy One
I am the resurrection, and the life
I am the root and offspring of David
I am the Son of God
I am the vine
I am the way, the truth, and the life
I am their inheritance (speaking of the priests)
I am your exceeding great reward
I am your part and your inheritance (said to the Levites)
I am your salvation
I am your Savior
I am your shield
I am with you
I am with you to deliver you
I am with you to save you
I am with you always

Who also makes intercession for us
Who answered me in the day of my distress
Who calls those things which be not as though they were
Who comforts us in all our tribulation
Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness
Who covers you with light as with a garment
Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies
Who daily loads us with benefits
Who dwells on high
Who forgives all your iniquities
Who gave himself a ransom for all
Who gave himself for our sins
Who gives food to all flesh
Who gives rain upon the earth
Who gives songs in the night
Who gives us richly all things to enjoy
Who has abolished death
Who has also sealed us
Who has ascended up into heaven
Who has bound the waters in a garment
Who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus
Who has called you unto his kingdom and glory
Who has established all the ends of the earth
Who has gathered the wind in his fists
Who has given me counsel
Who has given the earns of the Spirit in our hearts
Who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire
Who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity
Who has redeemed us from our enemies
Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling
Who hast done great things
Who hast set your glory above the heavens
Who heals all your diseases
Who humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth
Who is above all
Who is blessed for ever
Who is over all
Who is rich in mercy
Who is worthy to be praised
Who keeps covenant and mercy
Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever
Who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters
Who lives for ever and ever
Who loved me, and gave himself for me
Who makes the clouds his chariot
Who makes his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire
Who only does wondrous things
Who only has immortality
Who quickens all things
Who quickens the dead
Who redeems your life from destruction
Who remembered us in our low estate
Who rides upon the heaven in your help
Who satisfies your mouth with good things
Who shall bless you
Who shall help you
Who shall establish you, and keep you from evil
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain
Who takes vengeance
Who walks upon the wings of the wind
Who was delivered for our offenses
Who was faithful to him that appointed him
Who was raised again for our justification
Who was with me in the way which I went
Who will have all men to be saved

He is...

· A Branch

· A chief cornerstone

· A consuming fire

· A covert from the tempest

· A crown of glory

· A diadem of beauty

· A father to Israel

· A God that hides you

· A Governor

· A great high priest

· A holy God

· A jealous God

· A just God and a Savior

· A hiding place from the wind

· A high priest of good things to come

· A high priest over the house of God

· A judge of the widows

· A light to lighten the Gentiles

· A living stone

· A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief

· A man of war

· A merciful and faithful high priest

· A merciful God

· A mighty terrible one (In KJV, "terrible" means "awesome")

· A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle

· A nail in a sure place

· A place of broad rivers and streams

· A plant of renown

· A priest upon his throne

· A Prince and a Savior

· A rewarder of them that diligently seek him

· A rock of offense [to the unbeliever]

· A rod out of the stem of Jesse

· A sanctuary

· A Scepter

· A shadow from the heat

· A shelter for me

· A son over his own house [the Church is His house]

· A Star out of Jacob

· A stone of stumbling [to the unbeliever]

· A strength to the needy in his distress

· A strength to the poor

· A strong LORD

· A strong tower from the enemy

· A sun and shield

· A sure foundation

· A tried stone

· A very present help in trouble

· A wall of fire round about

· A witness to us

· Abba, Father

· Advocate with the Father

· Almighty God

· Alpha and Omega

· An ensign for the nations

· An ensign of the people

· Ancient of days

· Apostle and High Priest of our profession

· Author and finisher of our faith

· Author of eternal salvation

· Author of peace

· Beginning of the creation of God

· Blessed and only Potentate

· Bread of God

· Bread of life

· Bright and morning star

· Buckler to all those that trust in him

· Buckler to them that walk uprightly

· Captain of their salvation

· Christ Jesus

· Christ Jesus our Lord

· Christ in you, the hope of glory

· Christ the King of Israel

· Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God

· Confidence of all the ends of the earth

· Consolation of Israel

· Counselor

· Covenant of the people

· Creator of the ends of the earth

· Dayspring from on high

· Desire of all nations

· Everlasting Father

· Everlasting God

· Everlasting King

· Faithful and True

· Faithful Creator

· Faithful witness

· Father of glory

· Father of lights

· Father of mercies

· Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

· Father of spirits

· Father of the fatherless

· First-begotten of the dead

· Firstborn among many brethren

· Firstborn of every creature

· Former of all things

· Fountain of Living Waters

· Glory of their strength

· Glory of your people Israel

· God Almighty

· God alone

· God and Father of all

· God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

· God full of compassion

· God in whose hand your breath is

· God most high

· God my maker

· God of Abraham

· God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob

· God of all comfort

· God of all flesh

· God of all grace

· God of all the families of Israel

· God of glory

· God of gods

· God of heaven

· God of heaven and earth

· God of hope

· God of Israel

· God of Jacob

· God of Jeshurun ("Jeshurun" means "upright," and refers to Israel)

· God of knowledge

· God of love and peace

· God of my life

· God of my mercy

· God of my praise

· God of my righteousness

· God of my rock

· God of our salvation

· God of patience and consolation

· God of peace

· God of the armies of Israel

· God of the Hebrews

· God of the living

· God of the spirits of all flesh

· God of the whole earth

· God of your fathers

· God of truth and without iniquity

· God only wise

· God our Savior

· God our shield

· God ready to pardon

· God that answers by fire

· God, that cannot lie

· God, that comforts those that are cast down

· God that does wonders

· God that formed you

· God, that gives to all men liberally

· God that judges in the earth

· God that made the world and all things therein

· God that performs all things for me

· God that shows mercy

· God, the Father

· God the Judge of all

· God the LORD

· God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ

· God, which does great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number

· God which fed me all my life long unto this day

· God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ

· God, which has not turned away my prayer

· God which raises the dead

· God, which tries our hearts

· God's servant

· God's righteous servant

· Governor among the nations

· Gracious and merciful God

· Great King above all gods

· Great King over all the earth

· Great shepherd of the sheep

· Guide of my youth

· Habitation of justice

· He in whom I trust

· He that abides of old

· He that builds his stories in the heavens

· He that built all things

· He that by wisdom made the heavens

· He that called you into the grace of Christ

· He that calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth

· He that calls you

· He that comes from above

· He that comes from heaven

· He that comes in the name of the Lord

· He that comforts you

· He that creates the wind

· He that declares unto man what is his thought

· He that doth speak

· He that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself

· He that fills all in all

· He that formed you from the womb

· He that forms the mountains

· He that gives breath unto the people

· He that gives strength and power unto his people

· He that has called us to glory and virtue

· He that has founded his troop in the earth

· He that has mercy on them

· He that has the key of David

· He that has the seven Spirits of God

· He that holds the seven stars in his right hand

· He that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think

· He that is able to keep you from falling

· He that is able to present you faultless before the presence of his glory

· He that is from the beginning

· He that is higher than the highest

· He that is holy

· He that is mighty

· He that is of power to establish you

· He that is true

· He that judges me

· He that judges righteously

· He that keeps Israel

· He that keeps you

· He that keeps your soul

· He that lives and was dead

· He that lives for ever and ever

· He that loved us

· He that makes the morning darkness

· He that makes the seven stars and Orion

· He that made great lights

· He that ministers to you the Spirit

· He that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens

· He that ought to be feared

· He that ponders the heart

· He that raised up Jesus from the dead

· He that reveals secrets

· He that rides upon the heavens of heavens

· He that sanctifies

· He that searches the hearts

· He that sees me

· He that shall come

· He that shall have dominion

· He that sits in the heavens

· He that sits upon the circle of the earth

· He that sits upon the throne

· He that smote Egypt in their firstborn

· He that spared not his own Son (the Father)

· He that speaks from heaven

· He that strengthens the spoiled against the strong

· He that stretched out the earth above the waters

· He that took me out of the womb

· He that treads upon the high places of the earth

· He that turns the shadow of death into the morning

· He that washed us from our sins

· He that works miracles among you

· He which baptizes with the Holy Ghost

· He which divided the Red Sea into parts

· He which gives life unto the world

· He which has anointed us

· He which has the sharp sword with two edges

· He which is, and which was, and which is to come

· He which is perfect in knowledge

· He which led his people through the wilderness

· He which searches the reins and hearts

· He which smote great kings

· He which establishes us with you in Christ

· He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead

· He who alone does great wonders

· He who has built the house

· He who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light

· He who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire

· He who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks

· He who works all things after the counsel of his own will

· He whom God has sent

· He with whom we have to do

· Head of the body, the church

· Health of my countenance

· Heir of all things

· Helper of the fatherless

· High priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek

· His Anointed

· His dear Son

· His Son from heaven

· His Spirit that dwells in you

· His unspeakable gift

· Holy Ghost

· Holy One of Israel

· Holy Spirit

· Holy Spirit of promise

· Hope of his people

· Hope of Israel

· Hope of Israel, the Savior thereof in time of trouble

· Horn of my salvation

· House of defense

· I AM

· I AM THAT I AM

· I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save

· Image of the invisible God

· Immanuel [God with us]

· JAH

· Jealous

· JEHOVAH (YHWH)

· Jesus

· Jesus Christ

· Jesus Christ our Lord

· Jesus Christ the righteous

· Jesus of Nazareth

· Jesus the mediator of the new covenant

· Jesus, Son of God most high

· Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come

· Judge of all the earth

· Judge of quick and dead

· Justifier of him which believes in Jesus

· King forever and ever

· King of all the earth

· King of glory

· King of heaven

· King of Israel

· King of kings

· KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS

· King of Nations

· King of saints

· King of the Jews

· Lamb of God

· Light of the Gentiles

· Lion of the tribe of Judah

· Lord also of the Sabbath

· Lord and Christ

· Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

· LORD God

· Lord God Almighty

· LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel

· LORD God of hosts

· LORD God of Israel

· LORD God of my salvation

· LORD God of our fathers

· LORD God of recompense

· LORD God of the Hebrews

· Lord God of the holy prophets

· LORD God of truth

· Lord God omnipotent

· Lord GOD which gathers the outcasts of Israel

· Lord, holy and true

· Lord Jesus

· LORD most high

· Lord of all

· LORD of hosts

· Lord of glory

· Lord of kings

· Lord of lords

· Lord of peace

· Lord of Sabaoth

· Lord of the whole earth

· LORD on high

· LORD our God

· LORD our Lord

· Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be

· Majesty on high

· Master

· Mediator of a better covenant

· Mediator of the new testament

· Mighty God of Jacob

· Mighty One of Israel

· Mine elect

· Mine Holy One

· Most Mighty

· Most upright

· My beloved

· My beloved Son

· My buckler

· My defense

· My defense and refuge in the day of my trouble

· My deliverer

· My exceeding joy

· My Father

· My father's God

· My [God's] firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth

· My fortress

· My friend

· My glory

· My God

· My goodness

· My help

· My hiding place

· My hiding place and my shield

· My high tower

· My hope

· My hope in the day of evil

· My judge

· My King

· My lamp

· My love

· My portion for ever

· My portion in the land of the living

· My praise

· My Redeemer

· My refuge

· My refuge and my portion

· My refuge in the day of affliction

· My rock

· My salvation

· My Savior

· My [God's] servant

· My [God's] servant David

· My shepherd

· My shield

· My song

· My stay

· My strength and power

· My strength and song

· My strong habitation, where I may continually resort

· My strong refuge

· My strong rock

· My trust from my youth

· One LORD

· One mediator between God and men

· Only begotten of the Father

· Only begotten Son of God

· Our captain

· Our dwelling place

· Our Father

· Our Father which is in heaven

· Our guide

· Our lawgiver

· Our life

· Our Lord Jesus Christ

· Our peace

· Our potter

· Our Savior Jesus Christ

· Portion of Jacob

· Portion of mine inheritance and of my cup

· Possessor of heaven and earth

· Precious corner stone

· Prince of life

· Prince of Peace

· Prince of princes

· Prince of the kings of the earth

· Promise of the Father

· Redeemer of Israel

· Refuge for the oppressed

· Refuge from the storm

· Refuge in times of trouble

· Righteous Branch

· Righteous Father

· Rivers of water in a dry place

· Rock of Israel

· Rock of my refuge

· Rock of my salvation

· Rock of my strength

· Root of David

· Root of Jesse

· Ruler in Israel

· Salvation of God

· Salvation of Israel

· Saving strength of his anointed

· Savior of all men

· Savior of the world

· Seed of Abraham

· Shepherd and Bishop of your souls

· Shepherd of Israel

· Shield of your help

· Shiloh

· Son of David

· Son of God

· Son of man

· Son of the Blessed

· Son of the Father

· Son of the Highest

· Son of the living God

· Spirit of adoption

· Spirit of Christ

· Spirit of counsel and might

· Spirit of glory and of God

· Spirit of God

· Spirit of grace

· Spirit of holiness

· Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD

· Spirit of life

· Spirit of the living God

· Spirit of the LORD

· Spirit of truth

· Spirit of wisdom and understanding

· Stone of Israel

· Strength of Israel

· Strength of my heart

· Strength of my salvation

· Sun of righteousness

· Sword of your excellency

· That eternal life

· That man whom he has ordained

· The Almighty

· The Amen

· The beginning and the ending

· The beginning, the firstborn from the dead

· The Branch of righteousness

· The breaker (as in, the deliverer -- see Micah 2:13)

· The bridegroom

· The brightness of his glory

· The chief corner stone

· The chief Shepherd

· The Christ

· The Christ of God

· The Comforter

· The Deliverer

· The earnest of our inheritance

· The eternal God

· The eternal Spirit

· The express image of his person

· The faithful and true witness

· The faithful God

· The fear of Isaac

· The first and the last

· The first-begotten

· The glorious LORD

· The glory in the midst of her [Jerusalem]

· The Godhead

· The great and dreadful God

· The great God

· The great God that formed all things

· The Great, the Mighty God

· The great, the mighty, and the terrible God ("terrible" means "awesome" in KJV)

· The Head

· The head of the corner

· The high and lofty One that inhabits eternity

· The high God

· The high God their redeemer

· The Highest

· The Holy

· The Holy One

· The Holy One and the Just

· The Holy One in the midst of you

· The Holy One of God

· The hope of their fathers

· The husbandman (the Father)

· The invisible God

· The Just One

· The King eternal, immortal, invisible

· The Lamb

· The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world

· The Lamb that was slain

· The last Adam

· The lifter up of mine head

· The Light

· The light of the world

· The living bread which came down from heaven

· The living Father

· The Living God

· The Lord from heaven

· The LORD mighty in battle

· The LORD my banner

· The LORD my strength

· The LORD our maker

· THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

· The LORD strong and mighty

· The LORD that doth sanctify you

· The LORD that heals you

· The LORD that is faithful

· The LORD that makes all things

· The LORD that smites

· The LORD the God

· The LORD, The God of Hosts

· The LORD the Judge

· THE LORD YOUR GOD

· The LORD your God from the land of Egypt

· The LORD your God in the midst of you

· The LORD your Redeemer

· The LORD which hallows you

· The LORD which will help you

· The LORD your God which goes before you

· The Lord's Christ

· The Majesty in the heavens

· The Messiah

· The Messiah the Prince

· The mighty God

· The Most High

· The most high God

· The Most High over all the earth

· The Most Holy

· The only Lord God

· The only true God

· The only wise God

· The only wise God our Savior

· The pearl of great price

· The Prophet

· The propitiation for our sins

· The resurrection, and the life

· The righteous judge

· The righteous LORD

· The Rock

· The Rock that begat you

· The rock that is higher than I

· The root and the offspring of David

· The seven Spirits of God

· The shadow of a great rock in a weary land

· The Son

· The Spirit

· The Spirit of his Son

· The Spirit of your Father

· The stone which the builders disallowed

· The true bread from heaven

· The true God

· The true light

· The true vine

· The uncorruptible God

· The way, the truth, and the life

· The Word

· The Word of God

· The Word of life

· Your everlasting light

· Your husband

· Preserver of men

· You that dwell between the cherubim

· You that dwells in the heavens

· You that hears prayer

· You that inhabit the praises of Israel

· You that lead Joseph like a flock

· You that lifts me up from the gates of death

· You that saves by your right hand

· You whom my soul loves

· Your Creator

· Your exceeding great reward

· Your father that has bought you

· Your God that pleads the cause of his people

· Your good Spirit

· Your holy child Jesus

· Your keeper

· Your life, and the length of your days

· Your Lord the LORD

· Your Maker

· Your shade upon your right hand

· Tower of salvation

· Wonderful

· Your dread

· Your fear

· Your heavenly Father

· Your Holy One

In Scripture:

· Almighty Word, Wisdom 18:15

· Brightness of Eternal Light, Wisdom 7:26

· Child, Isaiah 9:6

· Counselor, Isaiah 9:6

· Desire of Eternal Hills, Genesis 49:26

· Desired of all nations, Aggeus 2:8

· Emmanuel, Isaiah 7:14

· Expectation of nations, Genesis

· Father of World to Come, Isaiah

· God the Mighty, Isaiah 9:6

· Holy One of Israel, Isaiah 43:3

· Holy One, Psalm 15:10

· Just Branch, Jeremiah 23:5

· Just, Isaiah 45:8

· King of Glory, Psalm 23:7

· Lord of Hosts, Isaiah 9:7

· Lord Our Just One, Jeremiah 23:6

· Man of Sorrows, Isaiah 53:3

· Man, Michah 5:5

· My Just One, Isaiah 41:10

· Orient, Zachariah 6:12

· Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6

· Root of Jesse, Isaiah 11:10

· Ruler of the Earth, Isaiah 16:1

· Sun of Justice, Malachai 4:2

· Wonderful, Isaiah 9:6

Used by Himself

· Bread of Life, John, 6:35

· Door, John, 10:9

· Good Shepherd, John, 10:11

· Life, John, 11:25

· Light of the World, John, 9:5

· Lord, John, 13:13

· Master, John, 13:13

· Resurrection and Life, John, 11:25

· Son of Man, Matthew 8:20

· Son, John, 5:22

· Vine, John, 15:1

· Way, Truth, and Life, John, 14:6

Used by the Apostles and Evangelists

· Advocate, 1 John 2:1

· Almighty, Apocalypse 1:8

· Alpha and Omega, Apocalypse 1:8

· Amen, Apocalypse 3:14

· Author and Finisher of Faith, Hebrews 12:2

· Author of Life, Acts 3:15

· Beginning and End, Apocalypse 1:8

· Blessed God, Mark, 14:61

· Child Jesus, Luke 2:43

· Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 1:1

· Christ, Matthrew 1:18

· Corner-Stone, Epheisans 2:21

· Day Star, 2 Peter 1:19

· Faith, Hebrews 12:2

· Faithful Witness, Apocalypse 1:5

· First and Last, Apocalypse 1:17

· First Born from the Dead, Apocalypse 1:5

· Galitean, Matthew 26:69

· God of the Jews, Romans 3:29

· Great Pastor, Hebrews 13:20

· He that is to come, Hebrews 10:37

· Head, Ephesians 4:15

· High Priest, Hebrews 2:17

· Jesus Christ the Just, 1 John 2:1

· Jesus, Matthew 27:17

· Key of David, Apocalypse 3:7

· King of Kings, Apocalypse 19:16

· Lamb of God, John 1:29

· Life Eternal, 1 John 1:2

· Lion of the Tribe of Juda, Apocalypse 5:5

· Living Stone, 1 Peter 2:4

· Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 10:48

· Lord of All, Galatians 4:1

· Lord of Lords, Apocalypse 19:16

· Lord Our God, Apocalypse 4:11

· Mediator, Hebrews 9:15

· Messias, John 1:41 (passim)

· Only Begotten of the Father, John 1:14

· Our Lord Jesus Ghrist, Romans 1:4

· Pascha Nostrum, 1 Corinthians 5:7

· Power of God, 1 Corinthians 1:24

· Priest, Hebrews 8:4

· Prince of the kings of the earth, Apocalypse 1:5

· Rabbi, John 1:18

· Rock of Scandal, Romans 9:33

· Root of David, Apocalypse 5:6

· Saviour of the world, John 4:42

· Saviour, Luke 2:11

· Son of David, Mark 12:86

· Son of God, Matthew 8:29

· Son of Joseph, Luke, 3:23

· Son of the Living God, Matthew 16:16

· Star of the morning, Apocalypse 2:23

· Stone of stumbling, 1 Peter 2:8

· Stone, Matthew 21:42

· Teacher, John 3:2

· That which was from the beginning, 1 John 1:1

· Victim, Ephesians 5:2

· Wisdom of God, 1 Corinthians 1:24

· Word, John 1:1

· Word of God, Apocalypse 19:13

· Word of Life, 1 John 1:1

“...everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13

I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised:

so shall I be saved from my enemies.

2 Samuel 22:4

In my distress I called upon the LORD,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice out of His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

2 Samuel 22:7, Psalm 18:6

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:3

As for me, I shall call upon God,
And the LORD will save me.

Psalm 55:16

From my distress I called upon the LORD;
The LORD answered me and set me in a large place.

The LORD is for me; I will not fear;
What can man do to me?

Psalm 118:5-6

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.

Psalm 145:18

Seek the LORD while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.

Isaiah 55:6

*I'd like to acknowledge and thank the web sites that provided many of the references above:
http://www.characterbuildingforfamilies.com/names.html
http://www.freegrace.net/dfbooks/dfnamesgodbk/names1.htm
http://monument-park-ucsa.freewebspace.com/names_of_the_lord.htm

Welcome to my Randominion

2008-10-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

Randominion is a word I created for those times when random thoughts & acts pop up in our lives. They take you by surprise, and you momentarily enter this equally thoughtful and shocked state of Randominion. My daughter is the queen of Randominion. We'll be driving along somewhere, lost in our own thoughts as we listen to the iPod through the radio, and she'll suddenly blurt out bits of randominity like, "How do slugs breathe?" or "Did you know that the web of skin between your thumb and forefinger is called the wagina?" (This is true: I cconfirmed it on WikiAnswers.com.)

My daughter's latest randominity occured this morning as I was driving her to school. I had barely finished my first cup of coffee at that point, so my brain still was not fully operational. We're sitting quietly at a traffic light — still going through that morning adjustment to being vertical — and she turns to me and says, "Did you know that the aorta of a blue whale is big enough for a human to swim through it?" Now, doesn't that just make you stop and conjure up all sorts of wierd thoughts and pictures in your head? You've just entered the state of Randominion.

You might argue that these randominities are just trivia. While many randominities are trivia, not all trivia is randominous. Usually trivia pops up in conversation in context to something being discussed. But trivia become randominous when it just gets blurted out of the blue, like my daughter's frequent episodes.

And not all randominities are trivia. Let's not forget random acts of kindness (like when somebody actually slows down to let you merge into traffic before you're forced off of the freeway on another exit), and random humor (Monty Python and the Holy Grail is full of it: "We want... a shrubbery!").

So, I'll leave you with another one of my daughter's randominities: Do you know what a wenis is? Is it:
A) an unusually small piece of male anatomy?
B) the rough skin on your elbow?
C) a baby wallaby?
D) all of the above!

(By the way, it's cheating to go check it out on Google)

Alrighty then...

The answer...

is...

(Are you sure you really want to know?)

Okay...

I'll tell you...

It's really...

...the skin on your elbow.

Funny, isn't it? It's actually one of my favorites (I love to embarass my daughter by chastising her in public about rubbing her wenis). Now... just imagine you're having coffee with a friend, or sitting in a meeting at work. Think of the randominion you can create by suddenly blurting out, "Did you know that the skin on your elbow is called the wenis?" People will stare at you in awe and wonder (wenis envy, perhaps...). Try it... go forth and be random!