Checking in...and a bit of news

Hello! It’s been a while since I posted on here. Writing this feels like I’m reconnecting with dear friends, many of whom I have never met but are friends nonetheless.

How have you managed throughout the last few months of this pandemic? I hope you have stayed well and untouched by the nasty Covid-19 virus!

The isolation and social distancing orders have certainly changed the extent to which we have connected with each other physically here in southwest B.C., Canada. However, our modern age of virtual connection has kept us attending church (albeit in our homes), doing Bible studies together (through Zoom etc.), and catching up on friends and family through phone calls, emails, Facebook, and other ways. And isn’t it wonderful that God is not quarantined or in any way limited by this circumstance!

Perhaps this time has been one of catch-up or getting ahead for you. Maybe you have begun or completed a project that was previously a good intention only. That has been the case for me.

I’m happy to announce that a continuation of the story begun in my novel Destiny’s Hands, is now finished and available for purchase.

Just to refresh your memory, Destiny’s Hands is a fictional retelling of Bezalel’s story (the man who God chose to craft the Tabernacle and its worship accessories). The sequel, Under the Cloud, continues the story of the exodus.

Here’s the book description:

“Fifteen-year-old Zamri lives in the shadow of her brilliant brother Bezalel. While he crafts the gold and bronze articles for Tabernacle worship, all she can look forward to is a life of women’s work—work she finds uninteresting and confusing. But no one can keep her from dreaming. She imagines becoming a leader among women like her hero Miriam. That all changes when the dashing Pallu wins her heart.

“Trek through the years of exodus with Zamri as, within the strictures of Israel’s patriarchal society, she grows into mature womanhood. Discover with her how dreams need never die, indeed can come true in the most unlikely ways.”

Under the Cloud is available worldwide in paperback and ebook editions through Amazon.

• Under the Cloud on Amazon.com

• Under the Cloud on Amazon.ca

In case you missed it:

• Destiny’s Hands on Amazon.com

• Destiny’s Hands on Amazon.ca

What has this unusual time meant for you? I’d love to hear. Leave a note in comments, or email me HERE.

Just a little disobedience

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Exodus 16:17-36

"Gathering Manna" by James Tissot

TO CHEW ON: “Notwithstanding, they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them.” Exodus 16:20

When I read this part of Israel’s story I feel in very familiar territory. That’s because the book I wrote some years ago fictionalizes these very scenes. Today I’m going to share how I handled this manna episode in Destiny’s Hands.

A little set-up:
The character through whose eyes we see the action is Bezalel (the man who later became the chief artisan for the tabernacle and temple). He is a young man of 19 in our story, living with his family Grandfather Hur, father Uri (both Bible characters), mother Noemi and younger sister, 14-year-old Zamri (both fictional characters).

**********

“Zamri, it’s time to get up. The sun is already warm and you still haven’t gone for the manna.” Noemi’s voice was urgent.

From behind the tent partition, Bezalel heard Zamri groan and mutter, “I don’t have to. I collected extra yesterday.”

A minute later, Bezalel heard his mother exclaim, “Oh no! This is
awful!”

As he pulled on his tunic and tied his robe around him, Bezalel detected a smell of decay and rottenness. He went over to the basket of yesterday’s manna, looked inside, then drew back, repulsed. The food that had been deliciously edible the day before now stank and was crawling with maggots. It was disgusting.

Hur, hearing the fuss inside the tent, came in to see what it was about.

“It’s yesterday’s manna,” said Noemi. “Zamri collected extra without telling us. Today it smells and is full of worms.”

Zamri was up by now, fully awakened by everyone’s reaction to what she’d done.

“Didn’t you hear Moses’ command?” Hur asked. “We are to collect only enough for each day, no more.”

“My friends did it too,” said Zamri. “We wanted to sleep today.”

“Well, we’d better get out there now,” said Noemi. “The sun is already high in the sky. You know how the heat melts it.”

“I’ll help,” said Bezalel. He dumped the spoiled manna outside the
tent, but the odor lingered on the basket, so he left it outside and found another. Then he joined Noemi and the other manna-gatherers already sweating in the warm morning sun.

...(later)

Shortly Uri came back from tending the animals and the family sat down to eat. After everyone was satisfied, Hur announced, “I’m going to the gathering place to watch Moses judge the people. Uri, Bezalel, I think you should join me.”

When they arrived at the area that served as the camp’s meeting place, it was indeed as Hur had said. The queue of people waiting to speak to Moses stretched through the center of the natural amphitheater and beyond, past several clusters of tents. The three found a spot with other onlookers where they could hear and watch the proceedings.

People came with a variety of matters.

One man complained that a neighbor was making advances toward his wife. Others brought charges of theft, trespass, and annoying, noisy neighbors. “My neighbor’s extra manna smells so terrible we can’t sleep,” said a man who had just reached Moses.

Aaron, who sat beside Moses and did most of the speaking, answered.“You bother Moses with a small matter like that? Just ask your neighbor to take it away…”

But Moses flashed Aaron a quick frown and broke in. “This may seem like a small matter, but it isn’t. Is your neighbor here?”

When the complainant pointed out the man, Moses spoke to him in a surprisingly harsh tone. “I told you—in fact, I made it very clear—that no one is to keep any of the manna until morning. What about that command do you not understand? Collect enough for one day and one day only.”

Looking around at the people gathered, Moses proclaimed to everyone, “People, listen to what God says and obey Him for a change. Why do you keep cutting corners and not doing exactly as He says?”

Bezalel was surprised at Moses’ reaction. Was disobedience in such a small thing that big of a problem? It seemed that Yahweh demanded compliance down to the last detail. He also felt a wave of relief. It was a good thing their day-old manna matter had been dealt with this morning and within their tent. But what about other things in which Moses judged the people?

Excerpts from Destiny’s Hands, pp. 96-100

PRAYER: Dear Father, may my obedience to You be an outworking of my  respect for Your wisdom in all things. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Full of goodness

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Romans 15:14-30

TO CHEW ON: "Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness...." Romans 15:14a


A while ago I read a novel in which a young woman mysteriously drops out of university and takes up mute panhandling on the streets of Toronto. Through summer and winter she wears gloves on her hands and on her chest a felt-penned sign that says "GOODNESS."

Her family is mystified. They take care of her as in bringing her packages of food and clothes, though it appears she gives most of these things away. Her mother puzzles over especially that "Goodness" sign. What can it mean?

It turns out (SPOILER ALERT for Unless by Carol Shields) the girl was on scene when a young Muslim woman poured fuel over her body and lit herself on fire. Our young heroine tried to beat out the flames, got seriously burnt (thus the gloves) and was so traumatized by the incident, checked herself out of the ER and took up residence on the street in silent and passive protest (as her mother interprets it) to the state and treatment of women in this world.

The word goodness that Paul uses here (agathosune) means ["Beneficence, kindness, in actual manifestation, virtue, equipped for action, a bountiful propensity both to will and to do what is good, intrinsic goodness producing a generosity and a Godlike state or being. Agathosune is a rare word that combines being good and doing good" - Word Wealth, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1573.] It would seem that Carol Shields got "goodness" somewhat right.

It's notable that Paul expresses his desire that they be full of goodness after he bequeaths on them other fullnesses: "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" - Romans 15:13.

Joy, peace, and hope are inner qualities of feeling or emotion. They minister to our inner well-being. Agathosune goodness works these things out in actions.

Though the self-sacrifice and generosity of our fictional "saint" may work as a literary symbol, goodness is usually lived out through  simple acts in the course of unexceptional, day-to-day life. Through the Holy Spirit's empowering, let's be full of goodness today!

PRAYER: Dear God, I so often fall short of living the homogeneous goodness of being and doing. Please show me my faulty attitudes that work themselves out in pettiness, meanness, impatience, anger etc. instead of goodness. Amen.

MORE: Personification of goodness

When I think of actual people who exhibited goodness, Jesus comes to mind, of course, and the next person is Mother Teresa.

Who personifies goodness to you?

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Do you have a message to deliver?

TODAY'S SPECIAL: 2 Kings 5:1-19a

TO CHEW ON: "And the Syrians had gone out on raids and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman's wife. Then she said to her mistress, 'If only my master were with the prophet who is in samara! For he would heal him of his leprosy.'" 2 Kings 5:2-3

The scenario of the little captive Hebrew girl giving her mistress this word of hope has always fired my imagination. Some years ago I wrote a fictionalized account of the story. I'm going to share it with you today (which will make this devo a bit longer than most; sorry about that!).

A MESSAGE TO DELIVER*

“Tamra!”

Was that mother? Tamra stirred in the happy darkness of sleep.

“Tamra! Rise you lazy thing!”

Tamra opened her eyes, saw the gray walls and remembered. She was far from home, a slave in General Naaman’s house. She jumped up, dressed and hurried into the kitchen.

“At last!” Saleem picked up the small pitcher. Tamra followed with the steaming jug, through the brightening courtyard, up the stairs to Mistress’s chamber.

As they entered, Tamra glanced at Mistress. Her eyes were red, her face swollen. She’d been crying!

Saleem became all sweetness. “Will your highness have the full hair dressing today?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Mistress said. She sounded sad. While Tamra waited for Saleem’s next order, she studied Mistress’s face. Something was wrong.

Saleem, seeing Tamra idle, dismissed her with a jerk of her head toward the door.

Back in the kitchen, Tamra helped Amram arrange a tray of pomegranates and grapes. But she thought of Mistress. “Why does Mistress weep?” she finally asked.

“Haven’t you heard?” Amram replied. “Master has leprosy.”

Leprosy! The word hit like a slap. “Will he be banished?”

“When he’s sick and crippled.”

Proud, fierce Naaman, a leper! Tamra mulled over this incredible fact as she put the final touches on the tray. This changed everything – again.

The changes had begun that horrible day she and mother had been walking home from market in Shunem. They’d stepped off the road at the sound of hoof beats. But the soldiers stopped anyway. One leaped off his horse and came straight for her. She could still hear mother’s scream and feel his roughness as he swung her onto his horse. She’d been tied with others and a few days later Master’s servant brought her here.

Now Saleem swept into the kitchen to get the tray. “Sweep the courtyard girl!” she commanded, cutting off Tamra’s remembering.

Tamra began the long task. But today the rhythm was soothing as she untwisted her tangled thoughts. What did Naaman’s leprosy mean? Maybe what her parents had taught her about Yahweh was true after all. Since she’d come here, God had felt far away and everything she believed had seemed turned on its head. But now Captain Naaman and Mistress had a problem too. Doctors and medicines couldn’t cure leprosy.

But wait! In Israel there was someone – the prophet. Yahweh himself talked to Elisha. He had done all kinds of miracles. He’d even raised her little brother’s friend from the dead. Elisha could heal Naaman. The thought made Tamra’s heart pound hard. She would tell Mistress!

Tamra looked up towards Mistress’s room. Was Saleem still inside? She certainly didn’t want to talk to Mistress with her around. Tamra finished sweeping while watching the stairs. No Saleem. She must have come down. Now would be a good time.

Tamra tiptoed up the stairs and tapped on Mistress’s door. A second later Saleem flung it open, stared at her, then hissed, “What do you want?”

“I want to speak with Mistress.” Tamra could hardly hear her own voice.

Saleem’s eyes narrowed. “No!” Her voice was full of hate. “You may never talk to her! Now get on with your chores, or you’ll be whipped.”

Tamra trembled as she crept down the stairs. Now she’d done it! She got the wash bucket and began to scrub the kitchen floor. But she couldn’t forget the idea that Master Naaman must see Elisha. The thought burned in her – as if Yahweh himself had given her this message to deliver. She had to tell Mistress somehow. Please, Yahweh, please, she prayed silently over and over. Please make a way.

Tamra woke before Saleem called her next morning. As she remembered what she must do, she felt afraid. In the kitchen the towels and jugs were ready, but Saleem was nowhere around.

“Saleem is ill,” Amram told her..

Tamra felt a shiver go through her. God had heard!

Amram helped carry the jugs up to Mistress’s room, then left. Tamra was suddenly nervous. She felt her face go crimson. “What is your pleasure?” she asked, not looking up.

“Where’s Saleem?” Mistress’s voice was sharp.

Tamra’s fear grew. What if her talk of Elisha made Mistress angry instead of glad?

“She’s ill,” Tamra replied. She glanced up at Mistress’s face, then, and saw again the red-rimmed eyes. She looked so sad.

“Pour the water,” Mistress said.

Tamra did her jobs. Mistress spoke only to tell her what to do next. Finally they were at the last thing. As Tamra gathered the hair jewels, she know she had to speak now or this chance would be past. Panic rose inside her. She breathed a prayer and took a deep breath.

“I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria.” she blurted. “He would heal him of his leprosy.”

Mistress grew still. Then she turned around and looked at Tamra. “What did you say, little maid? Say it again.”

Was she angry or glad? Tamra couldn’t tell. But somehow it didn’t matter any more. For now that she had done what she must, she felt Yahweh’s presence like warm sunshine after a cloudy day. He was here. He would take care of her. “I wish Master Naaman would go to see the prophet in Samaria,” she said again. “He would heal him of his leprosy.” This time her voice was confident and strong.

A little sidebar article in my Bible comments:

"See the importance of sharing the hope of God's healing with others. The door to Naaman's healing was opened by the Jewish maid who recommended he seek out the prophet Elisha. Believers do good when they witness to others of both the saving and healing power of Jesus." Nathaniel Van Cleave - "Lessons in Sharing Healing Hope," New Spirit Filled Life Bible p. 488.

If God is impressing on you someone who needs to hear the message of the possibility of physical healing, share that message (with childlike faith) today!

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for the example of this Hebrew child. Help my faith to be as simple, implicit and obedient. Amen.

MORE: Want to read more about divine healing?

Andrew Murray's entire book Divine Healing is online. The chapters I checked out are short. Read and be encouraged.

* "A Message to Deliver" was first published in the March 2002 issue of Clubhouse Magazine.

Guess what - the very morning I'm writing this devotional, which Scripture comes up in my kids' devotionals.  This exact story (yes I do write these a month or so ahead). How cool is that!!

 Do your 8-12-year-olds have daily devotions? Point them to Bible Drive-Thru.