Category Archives: Scripture

Taste and Smell

Posted on by under Choices, Emotions, God, Peace, Scripture

Journal 2021.

If I had to lose one of my five senses, I always said I’d rather not lose my eyesight. It never occurred to me that losing taste and smell could also be so debilitating. Since I had Covid, everything smells the same, and it’s not pleasant.

“An odor pleasing to the Lord” is stated five times in Numbers 15. Of course this phrase catches my eye. I may not be able to smell, but God can. And I want my attitude, thoughts, and deeds to be a pleasing odor in His nostrils.

But I need some help with this. I’m still trying to quit complaining about my loss. I have an appointment with food three times a day, and three times a day I have to face the loss of sensory pleasure. Does giving up hope jinx it? If I give up hope, am I doomed because my mind will no longer have positive energy? We teach clients they may need to give up, or let go of, the hope that their dad will ever love them. What does letting go look like for me?

VISUAL: I’m tied to one end of a rope, and the taste of food is on the other end. As long as I hold onto my end, I’m not free to explore other things. Letting go doesn’t mean I don’t ever eat again. It means I let go of the pleasure, the drug.

And so, I let the rope drop, and it retracts into the food. The flavors are still there, in the food; they’re just not tied to me anymore. They don’t belong to me and therefore have no power over me. Thank You, Lord. Now I can pick up the food and examine it—see it, feel its texture, and experience it as I am able to sense it. It is what it is.

Do I Need to Read Leviticus?

Posted on by under Scripture

Journal 2021.

I’ve read through the Bible many times, but this time I’m getting bogged down in parts of Leviticus—a handbook for something that no longer exists. It’s like reading a manual for an outdated computer system or instructions on how to program a VCR. What’s the point or purpose? These rules were for a specific audience—the Levitical priests. Why do I need to study someone else’s handbook just because it’s available? And since there is no temple, there is no opportunity to practice these instructions.

There’s a difference between casual reading for interest, studying for information-gathering, grasping its significance, and attempting to master a subject. Rabbis say studying Torah is the highest and holiest calling, but only 1 percent, the cream of the crop, made it a lifetime achievement. But Jesus is Torah personified. Maybe studying Him is more of what I need. I don’t need to feel guilty if I skip over the priest’s manual today and return to the story.

I do have one take-away, however, from Leviticus: “Ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (11:45 KJV). I’ve always read “be holy” as if it were a command about superior moral qualities. But the text is a statement: “You shall be holy.” Here’s what I found from the Jewish Bible Commentary.

God’s holiness is His essential “otherness,” His being separate from all that is not divine; humans are not called upon to be holy in this sense (the text doesn’t say, ‘as I am holy’). Holiness in humans, as in time, space, objects, and speech, is the state of belonging to the deity, being designated God’s “personal” property . . . Israel is holy simply by virtue of having been chosen.

Covid Losses

Posted on by under Choices, Emotions, Scripture

Journal 2021

The Israelites complained about having to eat manna every day (Numbers 11:1-9). They missed their fresh fish, along with the flavorful cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.

I used to fault these people for their ingratitude. Here they were in the wilderness being miraculously fed free food, and all they could think about was what they were missing . . . and I’m convicted of my lament over loss of taste and smell. I, too, remember what pungent flavors used to burst on my tongue and the rich smell of onions, garlic, and pepper sauteed in a frying pan. I miss the diversity of flavors. I’m with you, dear travelers, in your complaint. But I want to discover the sweetness of holy manna, the gratitude for what I do have instead of the grief over what I’ve lost. How do I learn to leave Egypt behind and embrace the promise of a new land?

I see no fire of God burning at the edge of the camp, but I feel the fire of conviction in my heart for looking back. The smells and tastes in heaven are far superior to anything dull here on earth, and I look forward to what will be restored.

Returning to Egypt meant rejecting God (v. 19). I have not committed this sin, but complaining about my circumstances is a slap in the face of my God who gives me daily, adequate nourishment for my body. I must begin a more rigorous regimen of gratitude for God’s provision.

They asked for meat, and God sent quail. Be careful what I ask for . . .

A Slap on the Cheek

Posted on by under Choices, Emotions, Scripture

Journal 2021

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Matthew 5:39 ESV)

Whenever I read this verse, I pictured a non-retaliatory response—a martyr passively submitting to bullies and taking abuse uncomplainingly. “Go the extra mile” or “give him your cloak as well” meant actively showing that you’re made of better stuff than the controlling person in your life. And so I’m intrigued with the following interpretation. See what you think.

A slap on a person’s right cheek meant the abuser was using the BACK of his right hand—an insult. “Turning the other cheek” called out the abuser: If you’re going to hurt me, do it like man-to-man, using the FRONT of your hand (which would land on my left cheek), not like a master hitting his slave.

If you take my cloak, I’ll give up my undergarment, too, and stand semi-naked. It will show up your cruelty.

The law stated a soldier could require a civilian to help carry his gear for one mile. If I offer to walk a second mile, the soldier will protest, or he’d get into trouble. My act shows up the injustice.

Either way you interpret these verses, it takes courage and grace not to retaliate.

Jesus and the Law

Posted on by under Choices, God, Scripture

Journal 2021.

The Law said to stone anyone with a “ghost” or “familiar spirit.” (Leviticus 20:27)*

The Law said to stone those who commit adultery. (Numbers 15:32-36)

The Law said to keep the Sabbath holy. (Exodus 20:8-11)

Jesus’ teachings were radical and seemed to contradict these laws. He expelled the demon rather than stoning the person. He dismissed the accusers rather than stoning the woman. He healed on the Sabbath and let His disciples pick grain.

The Pharisees were strict observers of the Law, trying to do what was right. After all, God Himself made these laws, and they didn’t want to suffer the consequences of disobedience. No wonder they were incensed with Jesus.

So how do you reconcile the law about stoning a demon-possessed person with Jesus ignoring or disobeying or changing the Law? He compared murder and hate, adultery and lust, the letter of the law vs. the intent of the law.

Even rules of the road have exceptions. The posted speed limit on the highway may be 40-70 mph, but in bad weather, the rules change. The intent is safety.

Just like the Pharisees, we carry on traditions handed down to us, and our children pass them on to theirs. Take Christmas, for example. Exchanging gifts (a fun and good thing) can become mercenary and greedy and all about me—unless my heart is right. God is not pleased or displeased about my choices but about my heart. It is not sinful or wrong to give or receive a gift. I just need to check in with my heart—gratitude or grudging? Stingy or generous? A cover for pain or an overflow of abundance?

The Pharisees kept the letter of the Law without a heart of love and generosity. It became less about honoring God and more about self (e.g. long prayers in public places).

Mercy and grace trump rules I think.

*Note: Other versions say “medium” or “spiritist” or “wizard” or “necromancer.” This seems to imply someone who has deliberately aligned themselves with Satan, rather than someone who was tormented by evil spirits.

A Clash of Agendas

Posted on by under Emotions, God, Scripture

Journal 2009.

Baruch (Jeremiah’s scribe) said,

Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest. (Jeremiah 45:3 NASB 1995)

God said,

“Are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I am going to bring disaster on all flesh,” declares the Lord, “but I will give your life to you as booty in all the places where you may go.” (v. 4)

Sounds like Baruch was struggling to accept God’s plan for Israel because it messed with his personal goals and life. Sound familiar?

“Each man’s eternal rewards are proportional according to his faithfulness and not to his earthly recognition or the lack of it.” (Commentary on Jeremiah)

God’s Word

Posted on by under God, Scripture

Journal 2009.

Jeremiah 32. God’s Word can be trusted.

Jeremiah predicted doom and gloom to all of Israel, and it made the king mad, and he shut Jeremiah up in the court. Jeremiah must have been having some doubts, so the Lord told him ahead of time his cousin would come to him and sell him a field. When it happened, just as God said, God then told Jeremiah to have the deed buried in a safe place. And just as God accurately predicted the scenario with his cousin, He would assuredly fulfill His promise to bring Israel back to the land and prosperity.

When Jeremiah still struggled with the prophecy, God said this famous quote: I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?

A rhetorical question: No!

Jeremiah 33. God’s Word gives hope.

God sees the big picture; He knows the end from the beginning. Our sight is limited and finite, and the amount we know is miniscule, according to the will and desire of the Creator.

I fear I think like an American—individualist instead of tribal. What good did it do Jeremiah to learn that God would restore Israel and he’d never live to see it? Who cares how many descendants David’s throne would have when he was hurting, mocked, and imprisoned? The future won’t affect him personally!

But there’s that thing called “hope.” This earth, this life, isn’t all there is. There’s a bigger picture. I’m just one speck in the Grand Plan. My part is miniscule, but important, in God’s eyes. It’s not all about me and only me. God was showing Jeremiah that his life was not in vain. That His calling on his life was important for the greater good.

We have a future and a hope. Hallelujah!

Jeremiah 36-38. God’s Word is to be obeyed.

I am in awe of Jeremiah’s dogged persistence and obedience to the Lord. He was asked to do some pretty bizarre things, and he was given the very unpleasant task of telling bad news and warning people and no one listened—at least not the kings. His life was threatened. He was persecuted. But he continued to trust.

“Obey the Lord and it will go well with you” (38:20) was a promise to the king, but it has application for today. We cannot conclude, however, that God will always spare our lives if we obey Him. But we do know disobedience reaps consequences.

There are certain commands in Scripture we know we are to obey (love your neighbor, don’t lie or steal) and when we’re given a direct nudge from the Holy Spirit. There are consequences to our disobedience and blessings when we obey.

Fairness in the Future

Posted on by under Choices, Scripture

Because of one man’s obedience (Abraham), God blessed future generations and individuals. They didn’t earn it or deserve it.

Jeremiah 29 records that, because of Shemaiah, a false prophet in Babylon, his offspring would also be punished. Actually, verse 32 implies he wouldn’t even have any offspring (but if he did, they wouldn’t ever get to see “the good that I will do to My people.”) His children would suffer for their father’s poor choices.

How blessed I am to have been born into a godly heritage. I only knew two grandparents, but both were godly men who loved Jesus. And though I never met them, I know my grandmas did too. I didn’t do anything to deserve this honor, but I am eternally grateful.

My husband did not experience the same blessing growing up, but he became the chosen one to stop the line of unbelief in his family. In God’s mercy, He gave him Halsey, his godfather, to encourage him in the right direction.

My choices affect future generations.

A 2023 Update. My children are blessed because of their heritage, and to their credit, now my grandchildren are being taught in the ways of the Lord. I pray for them daily to walk in the godly steps of their great-great grandparents.

How to Recognize a False Prophet

Posted on by under God, Scripture

Journal 2009.

Poor Jeremiah. He prophesied for 23 years, right up to the Babylonian captivity. That’s a lot of doom and gloom. That’s a lot of ridicule and abuse and no positive response from the people. Was He a true prophet then?

There are several Scriptural guidelines for telling a true prophet from a false one, including if all his predictions come true.

But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true. (Jeremiah 28:9 NIV)

Jeremiah predicted 70 years of captivity, and it happened.

Hannaniah predicted 2 years and it didn’t happen.

Jeremiah predicted Hannaniah’s death, and it happened. So who was the true prophet?

God says false prophets do not stand in His council and do not hear and perceive and mark His words, but they SAY they hear. False prophets claim they have dreams and visions and even use God’s name. But it comes out of the deceit of their own hearts.

God did not say He doesn’t give dreams and visions. He does. But His words are like fire and like a hammer that breaks the rock into pieces (Jeremiah 23:28). So how would the people know which prophet was God’s mouthpiece? A God of peace sounded more appealing than a God of war. I may have been duped as well had I lived in Jeremiah’s day.

Finally, Jeremiah said a true prophet profits the people (23:30).

I think it takes discernment, spiritual maturity, and sometimes time to recognize and identify a false prophet. Deception is so . . . well . . . deceptive.

What Makes Me Spiritual?

Posted on by under God, Scripture

Journal 2009.

As a literalist teen, trying to obey the Bible, I felt unspiritual because I wasn’t visiting orphans and widows like James instructed.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.”  James 1:27 (KJV)

I knew no orphans and had contact with only one widow (who seemed more well off than I was). And I conveniently ignored the rest of the verse: “and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

I think James may have been quoting the prophet Jeremiah who said bad people don’t “judge and plead with justice in the cause of the fatherless and defend the rights of the needy” (Jeremiah 5:28). But his instructions are broader than that. Jeremiah adds:

IF you:

  • Practice justice between neighbors
  • Don’t oppress the alien, orphan, or widow
  • Don’t shed innocent blood
  • Don’t walk after other gods to your own ruin

THEN you can dwell in the land. (7:5 NASB)

This list of instructions for piety included more than looking after widows and orphans. Different things were required for God’s blessing. And in verse 9 he added keeping the 10 commandments.

A 2023 Update. I understand, now, that spirituality is far more than completing a specific list. It’s a matter of the heart and motives. And I won’t even go there with the promised consequence of keeping this list means I’m going to “dwell in the [promised] land” when I happen to live in America. I need not feel guilty if I don’t specifically visit widows and orphans, but I can minister to any who are needy in my community or overseas. Here are some organizations I recommend.

Widows: Widowconnection.com

Orphans: Hopegivers International

Needy: Compassion International

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