Okay. Take a few deep breaths and get ready for a brand new day on this Wednesday, March 17, 2010. I know it is St. Patrick's Day and many folks will be celebrating in a variety of ways. I can remember how it was a huge deal back when I worked for the big company 
downtown with a parade and all the other festivities that went on. Since my ancestors are reported to be Scotch-Irish, I suppose it is a good idea to pause and be thankful for how this nation became the great melting pot that it is. We all came from somewhere and we can thank God if we have been handed down an appreciation for knowing Him and for the values and work ethic we've been given. I did not have to read about these things because I saw them every single day lived out before me in my mother, my grandmother, and especially my grandfather. Some truths are better caught than taught and I can assure you the habit of consistency was there for me to take in. I suppose one of the regrets my generation has is in us not doing as well in instilling these same attributes into our children. This is not the fault of our children and perhaps we can still do something about it, but there is a reason that people look back and call previous generations great and we should want the same to be able to be said about our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
As we have been making our way through the Book of Genesis, verse by verse, it has been quite amazing to observe how God was at work in the events, circumstances, and even in the everyday tedium of the lives of His people. We, of course, have hindsight and a full appreciation for where all these things were headed b
ut the folks involved had to get up every day and go about the business of their lives. Their faith guided their steps but it certainly did not nullify the pain, suffering, and heartache they faced as they made their journey through life. We are studying Chapter 42 this week. After their remarkable session with the Prime Minister of Egypt, who was none other than Joseph their brother, but they did not recognize him, the nine sons had returned from Egypt with grain to feed their hungry clan, their money had been returned in their grain sacks, but they had to face their dad Jacob with the truth that one of his sons, Simeon, had been left behind in chains as a pledge. Jacob's heart was broken. He was still mourning the loss of his beloved Joseph and they now said that if they wanted more grain Benjamin had to go down to Egypt. Jacob, the heir of faith, son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, found himself to be a man at this time who was eaten up with the sadness that marked his days. In verse 36 we read his mournful assessment of his life and times: "All these things are against me."
Can you identify with Jacob? Have you ever had days where you felt like everything was against you? Joseph wasn't dead but Jacob didn't know it. God's plan was to use the evil his sons intended for the good of preserving Jacob and his offspring but Jacob could not touch and feel the reality of this truth. It's easy for you and I to see the end of the story and see the outcome where God worked it all out for good but Jacob, just like you and I, had to deal with the losses, the pains, and yes, even the famines, that came his way. We know that later he will confess before The Pharaoh how that God had brought him through his life filled with troubles and trials, but, in the moment, all things seemed to be against him. But they really weren't then and for you and I who are the called according t
o His purpose, those of us who do love God, we have His word on it: "Each and every thing, the good, the bad, and even the ugly, works together for good." Obviously faith cannot be based on our feelings or there would be little of it around when we feel so bad. But faith can overcome because He left us this account in Genesis and so many others to inform us of the reality of His ever present working on behalf of His own to achieve His plan and purpose. We don't have to wait until the end of our story to walk by faith, we can do it today, beginning right at this very moment! Amen. .....More later.
downtown with a parade and all the other festivities that went on. Since my ancestors are reported to be Scotch-Irish, I suppose it is a good idea to pause and be thankful for how this nation became the great melting pot that it is. We all came from somewhere and we can thank God if we have been handed down an appreciation for knowing Him and for the values and work ethic we've been given. I did not have to read about these things because I saw them every single day lived out before me in my mother, my grandmother, and especially my grandfather. Some truths are better caught than taught and I can assure you the habit of consistency was there for me to take in. I suppose one of the regrets my generation has is in us not doing as well in instilling these same attributes into our children. This is not the fault of our children and perhaps we can still do something about it, but there is a reason that people look back and call previous generations great and we should want the same to be able to be said about our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.As we have been making our way through the Book of Genesis, verse by verse, it has been quite amazing to observe how God was at work in the events, circumstances, and even in the everyday tedium of the lives of His people. We, of course, have hindsight and a full appreciation for where all these things were headed b
ut the folks involved had to get up every day and go about the business of their lives. Their faith guided their steps but it certainly did not nullify the pain, suffering, and heartache they faced as they made their journey through life. We are studying Chapter 42 this week. After their remarkable session with the Prime Minister of Egypt, who was none other than Joseph their brother, but they did not recognize him, the nine sons had returned from Egypt with grain to feed their hungry clan, their money had been returned in their grain sacks, but they had to face their dad Jacob with the truth that one of his sons, Simeon, had been left behind in chains as a pledge. Jacob's heart was broken. He was still mourning the loss of his beloved Joseph and they now said that if they wanted more grain Benjamin had to go down to Egypt. Jacob, the heir of faith, son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, found himself to be a man at this time who was eaten up with the sadness that marked his days. In verse 36 we read his mournful assessment of his life and times: "All these things are against me."Can you identify with Jacob? Have you ever had days where you felt like everything was against you? Joseph wasn't dead but Jacob didn't know it. God's plan was to use the evil his sons intended for the good of preserving Jacob and his offspring but Jacob could not touch and feel the reality of this truth. It's easy for you and I to see the end of the story and see the outcome where God worked it all out for good but Jacob, just like you and I, had to deal with the losses, the pains, and yes, even the famines, that came his way. We know that later he will confess before The Pharaoh how that God had brought him through his life filled with troubles and trials, but, in the moment, all things seemed to be against him. But they really weren't then and for you and I who are the called according t
o His purpose, those of us who do love God, we have His word on it: "Each and every thing, the good, the bad, and even the ugly, works together for good." Obviously faith cannot be based on our feelings or there would be little of it around when we feel so bad. But faith can overcome because He left us this account in Genesis and so many others to inform us of the reality of His ever present working on behalf of His own to achieve His plan and purpose. We don't have to wait until the end of our story to walk by faith, we can do it today, beginning right at this very moment! Amen. .....More later. 
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