Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Memorizing scripture

Starting this week; I am going to start memorizing scripture again. I have done this on regular bases since high school. In high school when I was memorizing scripture weekly and I had never felt closer to God, I miss the simple days of high school, when I was able to get what I called a weekly recharging section on Wednesday night service at Church. As a college student I do not have that option, because I have class and have to work on Wednesday.
However God didn’t leave me he stayed constant I am the one that drifted away. I realize now that it’s time for me to come back to the loving arms of my Heavenly Father.
To get me back in the habit of memorizing scripture I’ve decided to start with two verses from the Old Testament, a verse from Proverbs, and two verses from the New Testament
*      Ruth 1:16
*      Psalms 37:3-5
*      Proverbs 17:22
*      Philippians 4:11
*      Matthew 4:4
Memorizing scripture will have help keep up with my daily Bible reading as well. Starting in April I plan to read a Chapter of Proverbs a day, and two Chapters of Psalms a day. Along with a few verses from the book of John this is the book my life group is doing our Bible story on. Also along with a few verses a day from the Book that I’ve chosen to read for my walk. I know I can do this, I will do this.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Book review of Pearl in the sand

Title: Pearl in the Sand
Author: Tessa Afshar
            Pearl in the Sand is based on the Biblical story of Rahab, and Salmon(e), and the fall of Jericho. Since the Bible does not really say anything about Rahab’s life before the two spies make their way to her door. Or even after the fall of Jericho. Tessa Afshar had a little bit of poetic license in writing the novel. The author suggests that Rahab might have been sold in to prostitution at an early age by her father.  
While Salmon(e) is a leader of the tribe of Judah. When Salmon(e) first meets Rahab he cannot see passed her past as a Zonah Hebrew word for prostitute however after a while the two fall in love. Even though the life of a Zonah wasn’t something that she chose, she still had to repent.  The healing process comes to Rahab because of pearl earring that had been left in the sand over night and almost destroyed; she realizes that she is still beautiful and treasured by God.  I wonder if that is why the author named the book Pearl in the sand.
How does a cannaite harlot find happiness, marriage, and love with a leader of Judah? Simple through God’s Grace. Pearl in the Sand is more than just a love story between Salmon(e) and Rahab. It more importantly a story of God’s Grace and Mercy, how with Faith and belief in God and Jesus the sins of the past are washed clean.
If you want to read more about Rahab you can read her story in Joshua in the Old testament, Hebrews, and Matthew in the New Testament. Joshua and Hebrews mention Rahab’s past it mentions her past covered with God’s Grace. Matthew includes her along with four other women.
Other fiction title about Rahab include Unashamed Francine Rivers, and Daughter of Deliverance Gilbert Morris