One Way

As I am walking, with head bowed and heart full, into the tabernacle I have to share several resources since they have been a light along my path:

The Tabernacle Place

Bible History Online – The Tabernacle

spiritjournals.com – The Tabernacle of Moses (Much of this resource comes from a book, “The Tabernacle of Moses” by Kevin Conner which I read years ago. It is a priceless gift how God reveals Himself in deeper ways through His Word the longer I walk with Him.)

God’s pattern in the tabernacle was one entrance (gate). When the Israelites entered through the gate they would find salvation, forgiveness of sins and fellowship with God.

“If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. He is to slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and then Aaron's sons the priests shall bring the blood and sprinkle it against the altar on all sides at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.”

Leviticus 1:3-5

God gave the pattern, one way of salvation. God used the tabernacle to show I must come to Him through the offering He provides – His Son Jesus Christ.

“Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. …I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.”

John 10:7 & 9

“Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth, and the life; No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

“Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him…”

Hebrews 5:8-9

Not only is Jesus the entrance, He is also the sacrifice by which I obtain atonement. In Him I find the source of my eternal salvation.

Jesus, thank you for being my provision, the living entrance into eternal salvation.

Scripture Only Sunday

Yet, O Lord, You are our Father. 

We are the  clay, You are the potter;

we are the work of Your hand.  Isaiah 64:8

 

being confident of this,

that He who began a good work

in you will carry it on to

completion until

the day of Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 1:6

 

Thankful Thursday

“It seems that we humans need a practice of gratitude and that the practice requires repetition, as if it were a kind of spiritual breathing. We don’t forget to breathe but we can forget to express our gratitude.”   Lewis Hyde

256.  Birthday brownies baked by a bunch

257.  Challenging children

258.  Family worship, this family in the midst of God’s family

259.  Enlightening books

260.  Questioning, curious minds

Father, Here I am practicing gratitude in the midst of a busy week where I have come undone too often.   I am grateful for new mercies every morning and grace to cover this parent’s frustrations.   I am thankful that You are in the midst, changing, renewing this child. 

RAP: Renewed

                    Renewed

Shoes strewn on carpeted floor
Surrounded by t-shirts and jeans 
Haphazardly hung, I sit in quiet
Breathe, slowly count to ten
Step out of dark closet, renewed

         ---Nancy Kourmoulis (8/24/09)

 

 

 

 

Written to finish a poetry journey through my home along with others at High Calling Blogs.com.  

I Am God’s Workmanship…

 

For more information on this skit AND OTHER skits available by this very talented team, please PLEASE go to WWW.SKITGUYS.COM

Patterns

Sometimes patterns can be confusing. We saw this recently at a local science museum. When you look at the pattern quickly it looks like spirals.

However, when you take the time to trace the pattern with your finger you find that it is really circles. The arrangement of the shapes and colors creates the design. It is called an optical illusion – meant to deceive the eyes. I think one can choose to be deceived or take the time to find the truth.

God set up a pattern among the children of Israel:

“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” Exodus 25:8-9

The purpose of the pattern was to reveal the real when it appeared to them. To prepare them for the Truth.

“For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.” Hebrews 9:24

God also gave me a pattern…His Son Jesus. I am to imitate Him. Are there any other patterns in my life? Places where God is trying to reveal the truth, reveal Himself?

Father – open my eyes to find the patterns of Your presence in my life.

Scripture Only Sunday

 

 “There, above the cover between the two

cherubim that are over the Ark of Testimony,

I will meet with you and give you all my

commands for the Israelites.”  Exodus 25:22

 

 

(Photo by Jessy, used with permission)

Weekend Reading

I have been slowly reading through the poetry list from High Calling Blogs and each one is wonderful in its own special way.   May your weekend give you a quiet moment to enjoy…

All RAP Participants
Jim’s Concrete Patches
Kelly’s Grandpa’s Deck
Fred’s That Girl
Cindy’s Living Beyond My Wasteland and Wishes on Fire
Monica’s Homesick
Claire’s Really?
A Simple Country Girl’s Some Porches Connect
Lorrie’s Sword
Claire’s I Am a Rag Doll
Liz’s Rooms Outdoors
LL’s When Morning Comes, Today, Out, and Girl (scroll down to comment 33 or so)
Linda’s Porch
Lance’s Porch Weather
Marcus’s musings Think Like a Poet and a Scientist
Glynn’s Found by the Pool
Jane’s Conversion
Yvette’s Dancer

In case you may want to participate for next week, L.L. shows how…

Next poetry prompt: Let’s get specific about our closets. I found a red dress in mine. What’s in yours? What is not? Post your offering by Thursday, August 20, and drop your link in my comment box. Please remember that we only link to current posts (not something, say, you published a month ago).

Holy Place

Holy

Fire on the alter, smoke permeates

Body broken, blood offered

Sins washed, cleansed, made pure

Lampstand of gold, light of the world

Table prepared, bread of life

Incense fragrance rises, prayers ascending

Most Holy Place, God’s temple

Veil removed, curtain torn

Enter the place of mercy

Where His glory dwells

--Nancy Kourmoulis (8/16/09)

“When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood having obtained eternal redemption.”

Hebrews 9:11-12

Hebrews is where I have been meditating lately. The book of Hebrews is covered in word pictures that show how Christ is the fulfillment of all that the Israelites were shown through the Old Testament tabernacle. My mind is so full of those images, but here is where I begin.

Thanks to Jennifer for your obedient comment a few weeks ago that led me to this song. It was so perfectly timed by the Holy Spirit to join with what He was already speaking to my heart.

Thankful Thursday

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever,

with my mouth I will make your faithfulness

known through all generations.” 

Psalm 89:1

Father – With my words I make your faithfulness known, I tell of your great love and express my gratitude for…

 

251.  Silly faces

 

252.  Brave boys

253.  Flip-flop art

254.  Sunny flowers

255.  A really good art teacher (this is my first art class since high school – I’m enjoying it)

RAP: S W I N G

                                                                                S W I N G

On my front porch there is a swing
Skillfully hung there by my grandfather
On my front porch there is a scene 
Singing voice of my grandmother
“Swing low, sweet chariot”
She serenades little granddaughter
Together they sit and sway in rhythm
                                                      To the swing on my front porch

                                                                --Nancy Kourmoulis (8/18/09)

 

 

Somewhere, in a box, there is a video of this memory.  Darling daughter and my mother’s mother swinging and singing.  Living here in this old house, walking from room to room by way of L.L’s poetry prompts, has brought back a flood of memories.  For we, precious husband, darling daughter, and I,  lived here for a year when darling daughter was only 1 1/2 years old with my grandmother.  My grandmother went to be with the Lord in 1999, 10 years ago.  Darling daughter turned 20 just a week ago.  To stroll through these thoughts of the past is delightful. 

Shaking

Have I mentioned lately I have an amazing Dear Son-in-love?  If not, let me state clearly, I have an amazing Dear Son-in-love. Let me give you a few reasons why I find him amazing.  First, he loves our daughter well. Another reason, he  tags me to his notes on Facebook.  I write this with a grin on my face because this sounds rather trivial.  Yet, this is a huge blessing to me since he is a gifted writer.  Mostly though I am touched by the way he loves God and listens to God.

So today I am sharing a note he left on his Facebook profile recently.  He wrote this last summer, but has just had time to get it on his computer to post.  Did I mention they were married last May?   His summer was rather full adjusting to be a newlywed, working, and preparing for a fall semester of college. 

I think we need to listen carefully.  Maybe it was his lines about being refined by fire that struck me.  Especially after my thoughts on being fruitful.  His words are very profound and relevant for our times…

The Time Is Come for Shaking
Inspired By 1 Peter 4
Time has past lethargically,
Did you feel you heart grow cold?
You’ve fed yourself on false doctrines,
And gorged yourself on pleasant lies.
Do you know who I am?
You have forgotten my covenant,
And trampled my cross underfoot,
You persist in your sins,
Saying ‘God will forgive this also’
You great fools!
Have you forgotten also,
That Judgment will begin with the house of God?

The time of shaking is about to begin,
The arm of God is stretched out,
The world will tremble,
And the nations will fall,
Only one Kingdom lasts forever,
Is it the Kingdom you’re in?

Set your house in order,
Purify you heart,
Shaking is inescapable,
But the just shall live by faith,
Seek God in holiness and earnestness,
Cast down your idols,
For I am going to destroy them,
Your wealth is no security,
Trust in me alone,
Only then do you have hope!

The time of shaking is about to begin,
How will the master respond,
If when he comes you are sleeping,
Or worse if you have abused your fellow servants?
For to him who much is given,
Much will be required.
Only one Kingdom lasts forever,
Have you lived for that Kingdom?

There is always hope,
If you will trust in me,
Seek me and you will find me,
For my fire refines all things,
Allow me to refine you,
I alone am God,
I alone am certain,
Turn to me,
For I have good plans for you,
To give you a hope and a future.

Only one Kingdom Lasts forever,
Seek first that Kingdom,
And all of these other things,
I will provide for you!

  ---Daniel Boggan

Fruitful

My father planted a grape vine several years ago.  The first year the grapes it produced were very bitter.  Needless to say none of them were eaten that year.  They wasted on the vine.  The next year the grapes were somewhat better.  Not good enough to be used, so they were wasted since they were not very flavorful.

Several of my sons picked quite a few pounds off the vines this past week.  They washed and bagged them and put them in the refrigerator.  The are eating them a little, because they are quite sweet.  The only problem is, they are full of seeds.  Each little grape has at least two seeds. 

So over the weekend my mother and I set out to make grape jam.  Let me be clear, I have never made grape jam before.  As a matter of fact the first time I ever made jam was earlier this summer when mom and I made strawberry freezer jam. That venture  turned out well... 

So we began by taking the grapes off the stems.  Which reminded me of this verses…

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful….No branch bears fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”  John 15:1-2; 4

Then, we crushed the grapes in a food processor.  The next step was to take the murky looking juice, pulp, seed mixture and boil it.  Which made me think of these verses…

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”  1 Corinthians 3:11-15 

 

 

Finally, we added the sweetener and boiled the juice again.  After which we poured the jam into the jars.  The amazing thing to me was that we started with so many grapes yet ended up with so few jars of jam – 7 small 1/2 pint jars.  We also have 3 quart jars of juice waiting to be canned into grape juice.  With all the grapes we started with I would have thought we would have yielded more.   Yet it is really not about the quantity, it is more about the quality.  Let me tell you, the juice tastes really sweet all on its own.  Then I thought of these verses…

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may prove genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  1 Peter 1:6-7

All that to say,

Father, Help me to remain close to you.  I pray that the works You give me to do will be fruitful.   God,  that I would only build on the foundation of Jesus Christ.    That Your gift of faith will prove genuine and result in praise, glory, and honor for Your name and Your Son, Jesus. 

Scripture Only Sunday

“All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what He has done.”  Psalm 64:9

“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11

Thankful Thursday

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth…For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”  Psalm 57: 5 & 10

 

 

It is just a day, like many other days, driving on a highway in my neck of the woods.  I look toward the heavens and see an awesome display of God’s glory in the clouds.  I am humbled and grateful for His love and faithfulness!

 

 

 

Happy Birthday!

Wow – it is so hard to believe how quickly the time has gone by.  It seems like just yesterday things were like this…

 

and like this…

And now, just last year, things were like this…

 

Darling daughter, you are such an amazing young woman.  Your independent spirit, your constant searching for God’s truth, your generous nature are such a beauty to behold. 

A daughter may outgrow your lap,

but she will never outgrow your heart. 

~Author Unknown

You darling daughter are firmly planted in my heart.  I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

RAP: Connecting

From L.L.’s blog, Seedlings in Stone, “New poetry prompt: You guessed it. We're in the hall now. Even if you have no hall, there's a poem in that too.”

 

              Connecting

Smiling faces line the walls
Photographs, memories of
Children and grandchildren
A bathroom to the left
Two bedrooms on the right
Simply a hall connecting
Smiling faces line the walls

--Nancy Kourmoulis  8/10/09

School Time…

The books have been chosen, notebooks and pencils have been purchased.  It is time for school to begin.  Usually I am up and ready to begin.  This year it has come upon me quickly and I feel totally unprepared. 

Maybe it has been too much vacation. It has been an amazing summer.  Maybe it is feeling totally inadequate for the task at hand.  The higher the school grade the more I feel completely out of my league.   The challenge – to teach subjects I have not taken previously. 

Isn’t that what raising children is all about.  The challenge…working out how to teach to each one’s unique personality.  Sometimes it feels like I am in a “Star Trek” movie…”exploring strange new worlds…going where no man has gone before.”   They each seem like a strange new treasure.  Since God created them unique, they are new lives with no instructions for what will work. 

Here we are at the beginning of a new learning journey.  I wonder what we will find this year as we explore new subjects?

Father, thank You for Your presence that goes before us.  I trust You to guide our days, to lead us on the journey through homeschooling You would have us walk down.  Where we are weak, we lean on You since You are strong.

Scripture Only Sunday

Weekend Poetry Readings

Below you will find some wonderful reading for your weekend.  All are part of the High Calling Blogs Random Acts of Poetry community writing project…

ALL RAP PARTICIPANTS
In Another Lifetime’s John
Deb’s My Sometimes
Tina’s House Hunting
nAncY’s Room
Jim’s There’s not much to say about our living room
Prairie Chick’s Tapestries
Claire’s Conception
A Simple Country Girl’s Living Room
Joelle’s If I Ever
LL’s Standing
Erin’s 80 F on 8/6
Monica’s CD Player
Daune’s The Living Room Floor
Laura’s Living

Thankful Thursday

“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received,

Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling,

Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.”

--Henry Van Dyke

Father, Here I am again, following the impulse to express my gratitude for the kindness you have lavished on Your daughter…I am truly thankful for…

245.  Photo memories…

 

 

 

 

 

 

246.  Precious husband’s thoughtful welcome home…

 

 

 

 

 

 

247.  Freedom to worship my great God…

248.  Darling daughter’s challenging spiritual questions…searching…seeking God…

249.  That when the mom’s away, the boys will play…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Our four boys, with good friend and his son, and sensitive son’s buddy

ready to ride zip lines.

250.  Old projects, getting ready to school,

               New projects, Chemistry, learn Spanish, an art
                                                        class for me…

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17

RAP: Formal

This week was difficult to me.   I actually did not think I would have any attempt to offer for the poetry prompt.  Yet here I sit this morning with these words tumbling out.  So today I offer two posts, two poems,  for two encouraging blogs (you can find the other poem with link here.)

Formal

Stiff white sofas
Elegant cherry tables
Gold framed pictures
Dainty glass trinkets
Formal living room

Rose lined saucers
Bone china teacups
Scrumptious finger sandwiches
Genteel ladies gather
Formal living room

Stately green tree
Christmas bulbs decorate
Presents neatly wrapped
Cousins wait expectantly
Formal living room

Devoted wife decorates
Gracious hostess serves
Mother and Mamaw
Treasures them all
Formal living room

--Nancy Kourmoulis (8/5/09)

What I Learned from the Plant World

Planted

I’m planted
    Covered and surrounded
By the earth
    Lying still and waiting
In the darkness
    In the silence
Drawing deeply from the
    Soil around me
Life breaking through
    My hard outer shell
Roots digging down
    Grasping into the ground
Probing, groping in
    The darkness
Deeper, deeper always
    Deeper
Twisting, turning,
    Spreading a tangled mess
Becoming stronger as
    Each tendril expands
Yielding to the
    Spot, I’m planted.

--Nancy Kourmoulis

Thanks Robert for the invite.  This is part of a groupwrite project over at Middle Zone Musings for the month of August.  I’ve had this poem on my computer since last fall and this seemed a great time to post it. 

Get in SHAPE

So…I am to my final post on getting in shape (at least for now).   If you would like to read the other posts they are Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, and Part 10. 

The final part of getting in shape, physically and spiritually, is endurance training.  Like the old saying goes, “Life is a marathon, not a sprint.”  (Could not locate the author of that quote, but I know my marathon running pastor would like it, has probably even quoted it a time or two.) 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

I am  called to persevere.  Perseverance is sticking with something for as long as God calls me to hang on – no matter how long, how discouraging, or how many challenges I might face along the way.  It takes time to attain Christlikeness (or a more healthy lifestyle). 

What do I have to persevere through?  I keep going through trials, which James 1:2-4 instructs me to be thankful for since it produces perseverance which leads to maturity.  I am to remain steadfast in times of waiting.  Waiting can lead to doubt, loneliness, and confusion, just to name a few byproducts of waiting.  At least during a trial I feel like I am in the game.  When I am waiting it feels so apathetic.  Waiting is hard!  Finally, I am to persevere through the busyness of life and keep peace.  Jesus was constantly surrounded by crowds, healing, and touching others, yet He did not lose His peace.  Jesus kept focused on His Father.

There is a path to perseverance.  The best place to begin is getting into God’s presence.  I have the privilege of entering the Most Holy Place thanks to the blood of Jesus.

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”  Hebrews 10:19-22

Second, I am to hold on to hope.  I will keep moving forward, my confidence is in Him who is faithful.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”  Hebrews 10:23

Finally, I need to stay tied to the team.  We need one another for encouragement, instruction, direction, discipline, and even warning. 

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” 

Hebrews 10:24-25

What have I found in all this focus on getting in shape?  Getting in SHAPE is a lifelong calling – to be Christlike will take me until eternity to attain.   How do you move forward in your life to live the goal of Christlikeness? 

I will continue to work on those physical goals of getting in shape as well.  It is a lifelong challenge also.  Do you do anything special to stay healthy and in shape?

“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6

Father – I am so grateful You never give up and will keep working on me until the day of Christ Jesus. 

(Teaching adapted from pastor’s sermon series entitled “Get in Shape”)

Scripture Only Sunday

Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

His understanding has no limit. 

Psalm 147:5

Saunter Slowly

Take time to stroll through these gifts of poetry contributed to the High Calling Blog.    Or maybe just lay back and reflect long.  

ALL RAP PARTICIPANTS
Erin’s Stir Constantly Until Well Blended
A Simple Country Girl’s Gather Round
Deb’s Tables are for Eating Too
Prairie Chick’s Kitchen Window
Cindy’s Favorites
ELK’s seven thirty
Suzy’s Infused Memory
Jim’s I’m Really Glad
nAncY’s The Counter
Claire’s Souls Reflection
Sara and Sonia’s Going for Ice Cream
Monica’s Missing
Liz’s Home’s Heart
Laura’s Kitchen Prayer Alter
LL’s What the Blue Couch Meant
Joelle’s God on Vacation

Consider contributing for next week’s prompt: 

Next week’s prompt: let’s continue tracing our homes in poetry. This time we’ll land in the living room. Please post by Thursday, August 6 and leave your link in L.L’s comment box.