Hey Everyone!
Sorry for the winter picture but he was just such a hopeful looking snowman that I thought ya'll might like to see him! This is Rachel writing today. Sarah is at work with Dad and Daniel. I have enjoyed getting back to school more than I thought I would. This is my last year (hopefully) and I am excited about wrapping some things up. One of my favorite subjects has always been history. I am not a big fan of the stuffy dates and English kings who are all named Edward, John, or James, but I love reading and learning about God's providences all through history. Often times we are in danger of losing our perspective. We as humans somehow only see in a very selfish view, of how things are or are not working out the way we want them. We don't always understand the things that are going on around us currently, and sometimes it can be a bit scary when wars threaten or you have some wacko leading the country. But you know? That is where I believe history is so important! Psalm 78:4 says: "We will not hide them from their children, Telling to all the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done."
It helps sometimes to step back and realize just how small of a drop in the bucket today is. I think we sometimes forget who has mapped out all eternity. Psalm 102:24-27 says: "...Your years are throughout all generations. Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years have no end."
Isn't that a wonderful thought?
I think one reason God gave us the Old Testament is so that we can look back and see his providences. We can look back and see how people handled different situations and the consequences thereof. We can see how the noble and honest were blessed, how the tricksters and wicked were destroyed, and how God can work all for the good of those who love Him.
If we are going through a situation where we are not sure what is happening, remember the Israelites who thought they knew best and ended up wandering around a desert for 40 years. Do you really think that a God who created all time and knowledge could actually overlook you and your problems? Trust in Him. He knows the desires of your heart, and all He has planned for your good.
But back to history. I love discovering how God raised one nation and levelled another, how he let people have the joy of discovering something like a printing press, or electricity, how He brought events together just in time to save someone from a terrible plight... there are so many awesome stories of his ingenuity! You know, God could have decided that He'd make us all go on doing the same thing day after day, but no! He is a creative God and made such delightful and suspenseful twists and turns for us to look back upon and marvel. Have you ever stopped to consider the wonderful story you are a character in right now? Do you actually think that when the first shot of the Revolutionary War was fired that those ragged patriots thought anything of it except: "Wow! Guess Betsy will have to milk Agnes and do to plowin' while I'm gone fightin'!"
Perhaps a few realized that they were on the brink of a wonderful part of American history, but most of them probably thought like you or I, that it was an inconvience, and a startling and scary one at that.
You are in the midst of a life that God has designed! We would think it so amazing to shake a President's hand, but we pout or complain when we have the One who created all and is eternal writing the story of our life?!?!
That is why I love history. It is a record of God's past faithfulness to keep us remembering His promises and His goodness to all generations. Hope this gets you as excited as it did me! Bye!
Sorry for the winter picture but he was just such a hopeful looking snowman that I thought ya'll might like to see him! This is Rachel writing today. Sarah is at work with Dad and Daniel. I have enjoyed getting back to school more than I thought I would. This is my last year (hopefully) and I am excited about wrapping some things up. One of my favorite subjects has always been history. I am not a big fan of the stuffy dates and English kings who are all named Edward, John, or James, but I love reading and learning about God's providences all through history. Often times we are in danger of losing our perspective. We as humans somehow only see in a very selfish view, of how things are or are not working out the way we want them. We don't always understand the things that are going on around us currently, and sometimes it can be a bit scary when wars threaten or you have some wacko leading the country. But you know? That is where I believe history is so important! Psalm 78:4 says: "We will not hide them from their children, Telling to all the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done."
It helps sometimes to step back and realize just how small of a drop in the bucket today is. I think we sometimes forget who has mapped out all eternity. Psalm 102:24-27 says: "...Your years are throughout all generations. Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years have no end."
Isn't that a wonderful thought?
I think one reason God gave us the Old Testament is so that we can look back and see his providences. We can look back and see how people handled different situations and the consequences thereof. We can see how the noble and honest were blessed, how the tricksters and wicked were destroyed, and how God can work all for the good of those who love Him.
If we are going through a situation where we are not sure what is happening, remember the Israelites who thought they knew best and ended up wandering around a desert for 40 years. Do you really think that a God who created all time and knowledge could actually overlook you and your problems? Trust in Him. He knows the desires of your heart, and all He has planned for your good.
But back to history. I love discovering how God raised one nation and levelled another, how he let people have the joy of discovering something like a printing press, or electricity, how He brought events together just in time to save someone from a terrible plight... there are so many awesome stories of his ingenuity! You know, God could have decided that He'd make us all go on doing the same thing day after day, but no! He is a creative God and made such delightful and suspenseful twists and turns for us to look back upon and marvel. Have you ever stopped to consider the wonderful story you are a character in right now? Do you actually think that when the first shot of the Revolutionary War was fired that those ragged patriots thought anything of it except: "Wow! Guess Betsy will have to milk Agnes and do to plowin' while I'm gone fightin'!"
Perhaps a few realized that they were on the brink of a wonderful part of American history, but most of them probably thought like you or I, that it was an inconvience, and a startling and scary one at that.
You are in the midst of a life that God has designed! We would think it so amazing to shake a President's hand, but we pout or complain when we have the One who created all and is eternal writing the story of our life?!?!
That is why I love history. It is a record of God's past faithfulness to keep us remembering His promises and His goodness to all generations. Hope this gets you as excited as it did me! Bye!
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