Gen 16
Your timing is perfect. I've said this so often, but I think its my life's quote, "It's all about God's timing." Not only do You have a definite will, but You always have a definite time. We get ourselves unto trouble as Christians when we try to manipulate Your timing. Good things done in the wrong time bring frustration and consequences. Such was the case with Sarah. She knew your will was for Abraham to be the father if a great nation, but since your timing was slow in her eyes, she provided Abraham with Haggar.
Lord, I feel I am in the same boat as Sarah was, but I have tried to learn from her mistakes by learning to be patient with Your timing. Here in the last few weeks, I feel like I've started to see the pieces of the puzzle come together, miraculously. And the only way all that can be explained is You. Lord, work Your will and Your timing! I love it when You put it altogether!

Lev 1-4
I sure am glad that I don't live on the old testament days! All those sacrifices and procedures would be a chore. But they were all a picture of things to come.
Every offering...peace, sin, burnt, meat...one requirement was the same...without blemish. I chuckled to myself as I thought about all the blemished animals. They never had to fear for their life to be taken at the altar. The unblemished animals though were a picture of Christ to come. Only his sacrifice would ben sufficient. Now that I think about it, I'm one of those blemished lambs. It's not that I'm worthless and useless, that's just not my mission. And it's Christ that makes it so that I can live. His perfection took my place.

Tough stuff..
1 john
Loving Your Brother
I find it kind of ironic that maybe the one person in the world that I have a tough time "loving" is my literal brother (well, other than Allan)
God, its hard to love someone that you feel like is constantly fighting against you. And continually hurts Mom. What do I do? Well, I know what to do, but I struggle with doing it. Forgive, forgive, and forgive again. Don't take it personally but help me to keep my mouth shut Lord, and love instead of criticizing like I so often like to do.

Attitudes

Matthew 1-2

Talk about extreme insecurity. When Herod heard of Jesus' birth, he was on an immediate mission to kill him. When the wise men mocked him by not bringing word of where this Christ child was so he could "worship" him. He ordered that all the children 2 years and under to be killed. He felt threatened by a baby. He thought he could destroy what had been prophesied by the prophets hundreds of years ago.
I considered all those mothers whose babies were slaughtered because of the wrath and jealously of Herod. What was their reaction to Christ? Was it pure anger toward Herod or to God too because had not Jesus been born at that time their children's lives would have been spared. Herod, too, had no prejudice as to whom should be killed. So their religion or social status had no bearing.

My observations to this....

1. Have my emotions often destroyed those who were "in the way"? A bad attitude whether it's jealousy, anger, depression, etc. can often spill over to others that have nothing to do with the situation. No, I'm physically killing anyone, but I could be hurting someone by not giving a smile or saying a kind word because I'm "not in the mood".
2. Though it wasn't God's plan to have all those babies killed, He knew it was going to happen. Those families had no choice to the circumstance, but they had a choice in their attitude or reaction. Their circumstance could drive them to God or drive them away from God. I really have no clue as to their reactions, but I figure peoplen are much the same across generations and cultures. It was downright not fair for them to lose their babies, but for some reason this is what God allowed. I must remember this when persecution or difficult times come though they are unfair and completely unjust because of an unrighteous person, God has allowed it. The circumstance can drive me to Him or away from Him. The reaction part IS my choice.

1 peter 1-4
Let your feet and hands do the talking
My mouth is not required to prove that I am a Christian, but it's my testimony that speaks louder than any words I can utter. This is especially true if I suffer wrongfully. Taking a stand doesn't win people over, but acting completely opposite if what they expect does. The key though is not that they are controlling me, but My Father is and everything is unto Him.

Hebrews 1-6
Forgive me, Lord for getting sleepy while reading. But I do love Hebrews and how it explains your purpose. How everything before was a picture of things to come. The law, the priests, the tabernacles...all of it....proof of Your coming and the completeness of Your sacrifice. It's so plain and clear. Thank You for Thy Word that everreminds me of how wonderful you are.

Proverbs 17
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Okay when I first read this I was thinking it said that whoever rewards evil with evil...because I was having a problem with that...but evil for good...I don't think I do that, especially since I'm not a teacher now. :) But it is a good reminder to me now as a Sunday school teacher. Don't reward teenagers that are doing evil with my time and focus when the "low maintenance" kids deserve a little extra love and care.